Spider-Woman and

The Books of Doom

Sophea Murdock, brushing a stray lock of silky black hair out of her face, just rolled her eyes.

"You're too old, Stallone! Sheesh...  let's see what's on Channel Six."

With that, the heiress to Warren Murdock's DefenseCorps fortune mercilessly flipped the channel away from the offending ad. While she appeared to be a carefree young woman who spent her days shopping, partying, and dating lots of different girls, she had quite a bit to be concerned about.

It was enough that she had to look out for her investment in the company, but having an alter ego, particularly one as a superheroine, was just so much more taxing on the mind. Far more interesting than stock reports, mind you, but it was tough work being San Francisco's front line defense against crime and those who committed it.

Now she'd received certain information about a potential large scale organization brewing trouble right near her back yard. That was something Sophea Murdock wouldn't stand for - not when she had the power to do something about it. For while New York had a boatload of heroines, as did the eastern seaboard, the west coast was a little less well protected. That made her crime fighting duties even more necessary - they made Spider-Woman necessary.

As if this rumored organization with its 'ancient traditions' wasn't enough to worry about, several heroines had gone missing in the past few months in the same area. One day they were out doing what they always did, then they simply vanished without a trace. If there was a coincidence, Sophea didn't see it. Somehow, the disappearances had to have something to do with this organization, though she hadn't the faintest idea just what. Her train of thought was derailed when she saw what was on Channel Six. More specifically, who.

The bubbly hostess of the show had just finished asking a question or something, and her instantly recognizable guest responded, "Well, Harmony, my research, involving several years of work with some highly confidential sources, archaeologists, and scholars, has led me to conclude that our country, our way of life-our planet-is in danger from a mysterious group that calls itself The Order."

Two things caught Sophea's attention about that statement; firstly, the fact that the group the gorgeous redhead mentioned was the same that Sophea had been mulling over in her thoughts seconds before. Secondly, and in this case more to the point, was the fact that it was the same gorgeous redhead she'd seen on television before: Kate Cutler, the investigative journalist. Sophea wondered why Kate Cutler of all people was on this show; it seemed to be beneath her level of professionalism. Then again, who'd believe the type of stuff Kate was talking about concerning The Order? Attention firmly on the program, Sophea almost tuned out the hostess' commentary, focusing solely on the true reporter of the two.

She was so focused on Kate Cutler that she almost missed the woman's next statement, "...  we often think of these secret societies as fiction. But my research has uncovered some extraordinary proof of The Order's existence."

Raising an eyebrow in curiosity, Sophea sat fully upright in her white leather lounge chair. So the reporter knew something about this group too, and possibly more than Sophea had discovered? Maybe it was time to find out what the woman knew, then. She was about to suit up when she heard Kate's continuation. "Most importantly," she added, "I have a lead on The Order's ancient Books of Doom, which not only contain the outline of their plans for world domination, but are supposed to be possessed of mystical powers themselves."

That was all Sophea Murdock needed to hear, as she reluctantly rose from her chair to prepare for traveling super heroine style. If Kate Cutler had dug deep enough to learn about ancient magic books or something of that ilk, she was going to look for them. Especially when she had 'a lead' on them. Sophea had seen enough of the woman's reports to know that much, and she wasn't going to let the red-haired reporter go after something called the 'Books of Doom' on her own. Even if it was a false lead, it was still potentially very dangerous. No ancient cult was going to let someone just waltz in and take their books of power or whatever these were.

So it was time again for the party girl heiress to don the uniform that criminals were learning to fear (or at least expect) in the City by the Bay. With practiced precision, she pulled on the suit, gloves and boots of the mysterious Spider-Woman. Pulling the mask up to conceal her face, Spider-Woman checked herself in the mirror. This was an important meeting, and not one she wanted to chance messing up. After all, it wasn't every day that she got to meet a woman as intelligent, confident, and attractive as Kate Cutler.

Slipping through her window that faced eastward, she climbed up the side of her building until she reached the roof. Once there, she took a running start, the leapt over the side of the tower, arms extended to either side. Rather than plummet to her doom, the 'webbing' under her arms caught an air current, and she glided along toward her destination.

As she 'flew' ever closer to the home of Kate Cutler, long ebony hair blowing in the cool breeze, Spider-Woman tried to think of what to say. She had to remain professional, she reminded herself. This was business, nothing more and nothing less. Such thoughts continued running through her mind as she arrived at the building that was her destination, and adhered herself to the side of it.

Previous research had told her where Kate Cutler's place was located at, and Spider-Woman made short work of ascending to the corresponding window and floor. Luckily for her, the balcony door was unlocked and a tad bit open.

Good, I won't have to break in, she thought, and slid the door open carefully, sliding it shut behind her. It took her a moment to realize that she was actually in the home of the reporter she'd ogled from the comfort of her lounge chair for so long on television. Now she'd actually meet her in person. Stay professional, she chided herself again, unconsciously smoothing her hair with her fingers in the darkened living quarters.

Almost simultaneously, the lights flicked on all at once, accompanied by footsteps. The door closed, and standing there in smart business attire, auburn mane shining in the lights, was Kate Cutler herself. Spider-Woman wasn't certain whether the reporter was more amused, annoyed, or plain curious. What was certain was that she hadn't expected to find a super heroine in her living room upon arriving home.

"K... Kate," Spider-Woman began in a scratchy, nervous voice, then realized her error and corrected it, speaking more confidently, "I'm sorry, Kate Cutler, right?"

"Yes, I'm Kate Cutler," the beautiful redhead answered, with an edge to her voice, "And you are in my living room... funny, I don't seem to remember inviting you over."

She's even better looking in person than on TV, the red and yellow-clad heroine mused, then got back to business. "Well, to be honest, no one simply invites me over. Most people who see me do something to warrant my attention. Otherwise, I'm one with the shadows."

"I fail to see how that's possible when you're wearing such bright colors," Kate replied in amusement as she set her purse down on a coffee table, "Now, what have I done to warrant your attention? It must be fairly important for you to break into my home just to meet me."

Unabashed by the comment on her uniform, the heroine continued, "You have. I'm afraid you're about to be in considerable danger, Miss Cutler."

"I know, my publisher's blowing her stack about my being on Harmony's show, but with a story that sounds this fantastic, it's the only gig I could get," the reporter retorted, then smirked, "But I doubt they'd send Spider-Woman to express their discontent. Please, go on."

"Thank you. I saw your appearance on that show actually - that's why I'm here," Spider-Woman responded, though she had to stifle a giggle at the comment about the publisher. "The Order is more dangerous than you can imagine, and I doubt they'll be pleased to learn that you're after their Books of Doom. I'm not here to stop you from searching for them, but I'm here to warn you about the danger that lies before you."

"Yes, I know it's dangerous, but it's an important story," Kate countered, evidently not at all nonplussed by the presence of Spider-Woman. "It's important that I find these books before The Order gets hold of them. If they do get their hands on them, bad things will happen."

She's cute when she's determined, Spider-Woman mused, then shook the thought away as she stated, "Obviously...  wait, they don't have them?"

"Not as far as my research shows," Kate shook her head, then narrowed her eyes as she gazed upon the super heroine, "You know about them, right?"

Trying to seem professional, Spider-Woman instantly nodded, "Of course."

Still looking at the heroine oddly, Kate added, "Even their bizarre ritualistic sacrifices of young boys at sundown every fifth Sunday?"

"Well...  I..." Spider-Woman hedged, then shrugged, "No."

"You don't know half of what I know, do you?" Kate prodded.

Normally, Spider-Woman would've denied this, but she couldn't when she looked at those intelligent eyes, and those full lips, "Not really."

"Well, then you'll be happy to know they don't actually perform those sacrifices," Kate explained with a sly smile, but then added, "If you don't know that much, why do you insist I'm in danger?"

"Because, ancient cults and Books of Doom generally make for dangerous circumstances," Spider-Woman responded confidently, while half of her mind began to wonder what kissing those lips would be like. "I'm here to offer my assistance to you. I'll keep a lookout for cultists or criminals or others who'd like to stop you from finding the books. We can work as a team on this. I want to stop this Order as much as you do."

"Really?" Kate inquired, studying Spider-Woman closely for a moment, "You know, it's not every day that a girl comes home to find an attractive woman in spandex waiting for her. I guess I'll give you a try...  you did do a nice job cleaning up that gang that terrorized Chinatown."

"So we have an agreement? I'll accompany you and protect you while you search for these Books, and you explain what you know about The Order to me?" Spider-Woman added, extending her gloved hand. It wouldn't be so hard to lean over and kiss her right now, she thought, and was having a difficult time shaking it this time.

Taking her hand and shaking it formally, Kate nodded, "Alright, but you'd better live up to your end of the bargain. I don't want to think this is all just so you can stay close to me...  it's not, is it?"

"Oh...  um.. of course not, of course not...  strictly business," Spider-Woman answered, still mentally fighting her urges to boldly go for it. It didn't help that she'd put on her anti-pheromone perfume earlier, and Kate was still looking her over in a certain way. A way that said she wouldn't necessarily mind having her around for 'protection'.

Just as her urge to kiss the woman was reaching a new high, she heard police sirens blaring up from the street. Finally, an excuse to get going!. She straightened up, arranging her silky mane of hair about her shoulders, and tried to put on as businesslike an appearance as she could.

"I should go see what that's about...  but I'll meet you on the balcony in the morning to join you on this venture of yours," Spider-Woman stated a bit stiffly, then exited to the aforementioned space. With a last look at Kate, she smiled and leapt over the side, catching an air current and sailing off to return to her regularly scheduled duties for the night.

Chapter Three

Back to Index

Back to Stories Page