In Trouble Deep Learning To Speak Clearly by Daniel-Remo-Art on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

{A Hybrid Universe. One amongst an infinite collection within an infinite multitude of variant realities.}

[1947]

[Previously...]

Peggy Carter, agent for the Stratigic Scientific Reserve, and three female vigilantes {the Black Cat, the Blonde Phantom and the Phantom Lady} investigate a major smuggling operation. One that is bringing in components from overseas. Parts for a doomsday device called "the Sleeper."

They learn of the hidden lair where the Sleeper parts were being taken. An undersea cavern somewhere along the coast of Maine. Using scuba gear they search underwater and find the cave entrance that leads to the cavern. But as they attempted entry the unexpected appearence of a robot caught them off guard. The quartet is stunned unconscious.

They awaken bound and gagged in a cavern cranny that may, or may not, have been a hideout for ancient pirates. They all saw the odd looking submarine docked nearby. Peggy recognized it as a HYDRA sub. All four attempted to escape bondage only to fail.

Suddenly two men, in the standard HYDRA uniform, entered the cranny. Sidearms holstered. A machine gun strapped over their shoulders, hands on trigger, ready to point and fire.

They approached Peggy.

"Our supervisor is ready to see you, Agent Carter." One of them said.

Now Peggy Carter understood why she wasn't tied to a pole like the others. They wanted to drag her off for interrogation. During, and since, the war she was a constant thorn in their side. No doubt they recognized her.

They lifted her to her feet. She could barely stand due to the poor circulation. One of them held her. The other took a knife and cut her thighs and ankles loose. As they waited for feeling to return to her limbs the one who spoke, the one holding her, looked at the Cat and then the Blonde.

"Why are they still masked?"

His partner could only shrug. "I cannot say. I wasn't a part of that detail. Shall I remove them?"

"Yes."

He headed towards the Cat. The one who is a famous movie star and thus could be easily recognized.

She closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, and wincing, she turned her head away. For all the good it seemed to do her. He grabbed one of the mask's pointed tops and yanked it off.

[The Stark mansion. Manhatten. Last week.]

"Be honest now. This some kind of sorority hazing, isn't it?" Linda Turner asked.

They were tying the currently maskless Black Cat to a chair. Peggy Carter bound the arms. Sandra Knight, the currently capeless Phantom Lady, secured the booted feet.

"Oh GOD no." The Lady replied. "Having been a member of one I wouldn't dream of subjecting anyone to that sort of humiliation. And the ONLY reason I endured it was to crack a case."

"I assure you, Linda, Louise swears up and down that this is a legitimate experiment." Peggy added. "And I've worked with her enough to know she's not one for japery."

"Now how should we gag her?" Sandra asked.

"Might I suggest the same way you all were when you were prisoners of the fake Sun Girl?" The agent offered.

"Works for me."

The Cat sighed. She had to admit it. If it wasn't for the Blonde Phantom her secret identity would have been blown at the very least. At the very worst they would all be dead now. Killed by a Sun Girl imposter who was believed to be the "Mr. Big" of the smuggling operation they were attempting to bust up.

Thank Heavens Peggy found the REAL Sun Girl still alive. However poor Mary Mitchell was too injured to continue on with the case. It turned out the fake Sun Girl wasn't "Mr. Big" after all. Just another fake. A decoy. A cog in a much bigger evil machine. The real "Mr. Big" was still unknown. And thus their mission was far from over.

Sandra Knight walked over to a table on which there was an interesting collection of items. Some hankerchiefs, a roll of adhesive tape, and a variety of gags and restraints. Some of which were just used to bind Linda to a chair. It would be easy to assume one such as Howard Stark would be decadent enough to own such things. But the truth of the matter was the bondage gear actually belonged to Howard's late older sister. According to Mr. Jarvis she was far more on the depraved side in real life than her younger brother was by reputation.

The Lady took one of the hankys and wadded it up. Then she gently stuffed it into Linda's mouth. Which she sealed over with a wide strip of duct tape.

Just as Louise Grant and Edwin Jarvis entered the room. Louise, the Blonde Phantom, was carrying Linda Turner's Black Cat mask.

"Good." She said. "You're ready."

The masked blonde then proceeded to put the bound redhead's mask back onto her naked face.

"How come no one recognizes you?" Peggy asked the maskless Phantom Lady. "You're the daughter of a Senator."

"When you run around in what looks like skimpy lingerie no one really looks at the face."

Peggy gave her the "are you kiddin' me?" look.

Sandra sighed.

The Blonde Phantom went over to the table, took another hanky, wadded it and stuffed it into her own mouth. Then she sealed it over with another strip of adhesive tape. Gagging herself in much the same way as the Black Cat.

"Like the Blonde Phantom I have a cheat." The Phantom Lady explained. "My black light is more than that. There are lenses. One for the black light. One for infrared light that allows me to see heat signatures in the dark. And one for a hypno-beam."

The self-gagged woman went over to the bound and gagged one.

"It weakens the mind, making the target subjectable to suggestion." The LADY continued.

"Like Louise's gas pellets." Peggy added.

Louise pointed to her taped mouth. "FFFRRRRR."

"FFFRRRRR." Linda repeated.

"EEEEEEEE." Louise continued.

"EEEEEEEE." Linda responed.

"MMMMMMEEEEE."

"FFFRRRRRR EEEEEEEE MMMMMMEEEEE."

"FFFRRRRRREEEEEEEEMMMMMMEEEEE."

"Yes." Replied Sandra. "She has to hold her breath. I have to close my eyes. But the principal is the same."

The Blonde Phantom indicated it was Jarvis' turn.

"I'm not going to cluck like a chicken am I?" He asked. Half serious.

Louise chuckled as she peeled off the tape and pulled out the stuffing. "I only humiliate those who deserve it, Mr. Jarvis. You're safe."

Howard Stark's butler, and Peggy Carter's occasional sidekick, went over to the Black Cat and yanked her mask off.

PSSSSSSSHHHH!!!!

[An undersea cavern. Somewhere along the coast of Maine. Now.]

PSSSSSSSHHHH!!!!

One of the hypno-gas pellets the Blonde Phantom hid inside the Black Cat's rigged mask goes off as her disguise is improperly removed. All four women hold their collective breaths as the gas cloud erupts.

The two HYDRAs, caught off guard, stand motionless.

"FFFRRRRRREEEEEEEEMMMMMMEEEEE."

Two HYDRAs, understanding the muffled words, obey. They untie her and she removes her gag. While the gas still has effect she barks orders to her new slaves.

"You will obey whatever we four tell you. Without question. Without hesitation. Is that understood?"

"Un-der-stood." They both said as one.

"Good. Now free the others."

The two, again, obey.

Amazing the Black Cat thinks. Just like before.

The first time when she and the two Phantoms were prisoners of the fake Sun Girl. The fake yanked off Louise's mask. A mask she had long ago booby trapped for just such an occasion.

And the second time, at the Stark house, when Louise booby trapped her Cat mask and she taught her how to say "free me" through a variety of gags. Just in case she got captured again.

An excellent precaution considering that's exactly what happened.

Like "Mr. Big," her henchmen, and Edwin Jarvis, the two HYDRAs breathed in the sudden gas and became instant slaves. For a roughly a minute their minds were subject to any number of commands that could be issued in that time. Commands they still have to follow even after the gas wears off.

The women are freed and Peggy asks all the questions. The HYDRAs, per the Cat's command, answer truthfully.

The spy and the three vigilantes, now knowing what they are up against, make their plan of attack. Of course the success of the plan depends on Jarvis. IF he is still safe back on the yacht.

A follow up, in the form of a flashback, to In Trouble Deep brought to you by Productions.

Black Cat/Harvey, Blonde Phantom/Timely, Peggy Carter/Marvel, Phantom Lady/Fox