XXIV  ON THE EDGE

BONDAGE OLYMPICS STARTED IN LAS VEGAS,
“Today the Bondage Olympics commenced in Las Vegas city hall. Over 300 bondagettes from 73 different countries take part and compete in 27 events. Four years ago, US girls snatched 16 of the 27 gold medals, and we expect our glorious gals to tie, untie and gag again better than all the rest.  Sadly, there are no athletes from fascist countries, as bondage for free persons (these dictatorships having reinstalled female slavery) is forbidden there, following the example of the hypocritic German Superfrauen. So, no blonde German Madels, sweet Spanish and Italian Signorinas, petite Japanese cupcakes, and hot Brasilian chicks are taking part. The famous Bondage magazine PACKAGED DELICACIES will bring out a special issue about the event, over 200 pages strong and with up to 1.000 pictures. The price for a copy will be at 2$, 70cent of it will go to war orphans in China and Spain, as PACKAGED DELICACIES is very active in humanitarian aid all around the world. 
Back to the Olympics: In the queens discipline, heavy, strict rope bondage (tying and untying), we expect a close fight between US star Cora Jean Daggett and Nigerian black beauty Asame Kungo, both  having won the Gold in previous Olympics. So we expect to see these two in the final, packaging each other in turn and trying to get loose. We look forward to some serious struggling and MMMPPHHING here, Myladies!
Main Sponsor of the event is SUPERTIGHT INC., providing the bondage and latex gear (naturally, all athletes are clad in latex lingerie during the events), followed by JANET MORRIS INC., providing the Marlboro cigarettes with the famous filter impregnation destined to water the lovetubes of the bondagettes. 
And now some important information for our listeners: PRATSH-Pimplecream exterminates pimples in record time, now having a new, even better formula, and…”
CBS, Queens of Sports, September 21st, 1938, 20 hours


“AGATHA P. ARNOLD NEW CHIEF OF US ARMY AIR CORPS
After the death of Lady Ophelia Westover last Wednesday, the commandress of 2nd Bombardment group out of Portland, Agatha P. Arnold, has assumed position of chief of Army Air Corps. She is said to be an advocatress of strategic bombing and was deeply involved in the development of the B 17 Flying Fortress...”
The Washington Post, September 22nd, 1938


The Oval Office, The White House, Washington D.C., September 25th, 1938, 10.12 hours

“Okay, Lady Ryan, give us the overview. Looks like Europe will go to war. How many divisions have you beancounteresses found?”
Jill was hardly amused at Lady Roosevelts light hearted way to go about things. Anyway, she was already all to used to it.
“Mam, Lady Couzens, Lady Hopkins. Armies first. The Germans can field about 100 divisions, of which 67 are regular infantry, plus 7 light armored divisions. They face the czech forces, consisting of roughly 35 divisions. If the Western Allies join the Czech, the Germans will have to face in the west about 70 french divisions, of which 50 are infantry, 3 armored, 4 cavalry, 4 mountain.
When it comes to the United Queendom, apart from their coastal defence forces and their army in India, they can muster 2 infantry divisions to send to the continent. 
If Poland joins in, the Germans will have to think about 40 more divisions from the easterly direction. 
Italy may join the Superfrauen, fielding 65 divisions, of which 45 are regular infantry.”
Hopkins intersected:
“Isnt it possible the Sovietas join too?”
“Its a possibility, mam. They have about 200 divisions, the biggest army on earth.
Well, at sea, the German Kriegsmarine is clearly no match for the British and French fleets. But their growing submarine fleet is worriesome, it consists of about 19 flotillas now. Then there are the Italians in the Med.
The Germans are strongest in the air, their Luftwaffe consists of about 30 air groups, of which 12 are tactical bombers and 7 ground attack, their so called Stukas. Count to that 10 to 12 fighter groups.
Polish and czech air forces are weak, France fields 6 interceptors and 7 tac. Bomber, all obsolete equipment. On the allied side, the British are strongest with about 24 groups, of which no less than 13 are tactical bombers, but only 5 fighters.
Conclusion: The Germans would be in for a hard time, even if their quality is superior. But I doubt that there will be war.”
Roosevelt raised an eyebrow.
“So, YOU doubt it. What makes you think so? Dont get me wrong, war is a terrible thing, but wouldnt we all not be better off if the Allies solve this problem once and for all?”
“We would certainly, mam, but I dont see them willing to fight. There will be a diplomatic solution. Hitler will get what she wants without bloodshed.”
“Lady Ryan, we pay you to count divisions and factories, not to go fortune telling.”
“Mam, a declaration of support from the USA might strengthen the allied resolve.”
“And we most definitely dont pay you to give advice on foreign policy. Good briefing, you may go and grab yourself a coffee.”
“But Mam...”
“Lady Ryan, its correct, you are not in the military, but I would be glad nonetheless if you follow my orders.”
An eerie silence in the room. Jills jaws were working. Then she rose, gathered her papers and left without a word. Outside, she lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply. This... this. Keep calm, Jill. You know her, you know that you cant win them over. But why fighting like Donna Quichota? Do you want to wait till Roosevelt kicks you out? No, better do it yourself. They still want me at Boston University. 
Jill left the White House a few minutes later, thinking about her letter of resignation. The Inflexible had given up.


“TREATY OF MUNICH, SUDETENLAND CEDED TO GERMANY
War has been avoided, the European powers have found a solution to the Sudeten issue. The whole Sudetenland is ceded to the German Reich. British Prime Ministress Nadine Chamberlain exclaimed: This is peace in our time.”
International Heraldress Tribune, September 30th, 1938


Mellowmouth Castle, Headquarters of the Queens Own Commandos, Scotland, October 2nd, 1938, 17.25 hours

“Ladies, the politicians have caved to the Superfrauen, so, we dont have to play our game with German Generals in the near future. I am unsure if this is good or bad. Anyway, the ladies up there were impressed with our exercise. That can hardly be said about Lady General Montgomery, but its always hard to make everyone happy. The decision at Aldershot is, that we continue training, and that our outfit is to be enlarged. Good for you, Ladies, as there will be new assignments. Care to take over a platoon yourself, Luitenant Stockbottom?”
“Ah, yes, mam.”
“Good. We have thoroughly analysed the exercise. Obviously, there are two problems. The infiltration and the retreat are very dangerous, we must emphasize training of this part. The... ah... abduction of the subject was fairly easy, only problem I see here is to accomplish the mission without bloodshed.”
Several officers grunted.
“Yes, I know, its nonsense in a war to avoid bloodshed among our enemies.”
“The staff we left behind was out of business for a while, mam, but, once free, they would have continued giving orders, even without their general. To kill them all would be much better.”
“Unfortunately, the prime ministress herself has ordered us to train otherwise. Naturally, we will destroy communications means in a HQ, but, killings ruled out, it would be best to enlarge our mission. Instead of taking with us the general, we should lead the most important staff officers out on a leash too.”
“But, Mam, one prisoner is difficult enough, now a bunch? We should just kill the Superfrauen and be done with it.”
“This would be easiest, I grant you that, Priscilla, but our orders say otherwise, as I cant emphasize often enough. So, we will train for the abduction of, lets say, a dozen prisoners at once.”
“A dozen? Bloody hell!”
“Lets look at the details. Yes, Justine?”
“Why do we use rope and scarves? American style tape would be easier to use, faster to apply and easier to carry than coils of rope.”
“You have a point here.”
“The gags. Instead of working with silk packings, we can use rubber handballs, secured with tape.”
Lois nodded, thinking about the quartermasters at Aldershot. What would they say if the Commandos ordered 200 roles of duct tape and 100 rubber handballs? Mountbatten shuddered. 
“We should train for infiltration and survival in different territory. Jungle, desert, woodland.”
“You are right, Heather, we never know where we have to fight. Thinking of the Empires vastness...”
“When exactly is killing allowed?”
“In self-defence. In an ensuing firefight, all restrictions are gone. But its forbidden to shoot helpless enemies, its forbidden to kill sentries, they must be subdued and secured.”
“Too bad, some of our gals are experts with the knife.”
“They will become experts with the tape.”
“Priscilla, pleeeeaaase...”


Backroom of a restaurant in Denver, Colorado, October 6th, 1938, 20.46 hours

“So Ryans out?”
“Yes, she quitted her job at CIA a week ago. Back to Boston and her scholaresses.”
“Is it the truth she predicted developments in Europe?”
“Yeah, and Roosevelt didnt like her the more because of it.”
“Roosevelt is a shrewed adversary, but her ego...”
“An advantage for us. So, we must be very careful about it. I want you to invite Jill to a dinner party in Washington next week. Time to bring her back to the fold.”
“Your plans are not without opposition in the party, Rowenna.”
“We will win them over, trust me.”
“War has been avoided in Europe.”
“Hitler has got what she wanted. She wont be satisfied. Will demand more, until the Allies cant cave any longer. War is only postponed. We will need Jill soon.”
“I hear you. Well, I will arrange for the invitation. Will you be there?”
“No, I have other matters to attend to.”
“I see.”


Diary of GFM Luise Beck, Chief of German OKW
October 9th, 1938

I am still surprised the Fuehras bluff worked. We would never have won an all-out war. I even doubt we would have been able to break through the Czech border fortifications. Attacks from Poland and France would have found only token resistance. 
But the Fuehra seems angry about developments. As if she has been robbed of the war she wanted. So much better this way, we got everything without a single dead. Time to strengthen Wehrmacht further. Next summer we will be much stronger. In spring, 12 Panzer divisions with better medium tanks will be ready. 
Fuehra wastes no time, we are ordered to plan an invasion of Poland. Will the Allies again cave in? The Fuehra cant win this way every time.


Freighter “Mekong Nights”, Port of San Francisco, California, October 12th, 1938, 12.20 hours

“So you are the famous Bill Eaton.”
“Uh, yes, mam.”
“Names Jess. Jess Summers. You are really sure you want to shoot down Japs over China?”
“Why not, uh, Jess. I am as good a pilot as any woman you can find, and I can squeeze a trigger of the machine guns. When it comes to bravery, I think males can be as brave as women.”
“Uh-ho, you think so? Most would say, males are even afraid of mice, how can they fight in a war?”
“Well, what do you think, Jess?”
“I knew a male once, back in Oregon. Real son of a bitch, he was as brave as Buffallo Jill or Winona Earp. A good shot too.”
“So you dont mind coming me with you girls?”
“No, Bill, its an honour to fly with you.”
Jess grinned at the young pilot. 
“There we go. Good bye, USA, welcome to China.”
The “Mekong Nights”, aboard 24 Tigress-fighters in crates and their pilotesses and ground crews, left San Francisco Harbour.
“Its a long journey across the Pacific.”
“Right, Bill. Do you play chess?”
“In fact I do.”
“Very good, boy! Lets go down to the mess and put your skill to the test.”
“Beware, I am a dangerous player.”
“Uh, you cant imagine how I LIKE dangerous males...”