Seven
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Ben was the first to react. His powerful fingers ripped off his shirt and jacket, leaving them tattered rags upon the polished wooden floor. His pants split along their seams and became more useless rags. Now Ben was clad only in the blue shorts that were his action dress. He felt comfortable this way. Comfortable, and free to move.He shouted; his voice boomed like cannon fire. “Ya lousy, slimy tin can! How dare ya smash yer way in here?” With powerful leaps, the brutish Thing was at Doom’s side in an instant, and his massive hands grabbed Doom’s iron armor, but the Latverian leader stood stiff and still.
“Take your monstrous hands off me, you oafish clod. How dare you defile a true Monarch with your disgusting touch?”
Ben’s temper exploded, his right arm whirled back, and he formed a massive fist. “Ya tin-plated creep, I’m gonna make ya regret comin’ here!”
Suddenly, through the crowd, Reed Richards stretched his snake-like body, his arms elongating, his fingers curling around Ben’s fist. “No, Ben, don’t. He hasn’t started any fight. You can’t strike him.”
But nothing could stop Ben Grimm now. His fist flashed forward and pummeled the still-unmoving figure. “Monster, am I? Lemme show ya what kinda monster I am, tin-head!”
Ben clamped both hands together and whirled at Doom. The stiff figure rattled, and then his head jerked loose from his shoulders and flew across the suddenly silent crowd. “Whaa? I knocked off his blamed head. I don’t believe it.”
Ben stopped; his hands dropped like anchors to his side. His face took on a shocked expression. “I don’t believe it. I didn’t clobber ’im that hard. I know I didn’t.”
“Of course you didn’t, you stupid, senescient fool. Do you truly believe Victor Doom would allow himself to be so easily defeated by a monster with the mind of an infant?” Doom stood in the doorway of the gym and lifted the robot body that Ben had crushed from the floor. “I knew my appearance here would cause such a brainless display of violence. And Victor Von Doom abhors such mindles reactions. Perhaps now that you have vented your brutish anger, you can go sulk like a whimpering pup in the corner.”
“I clobbered a robot? That’s what I smashed?” Ben was still amazed, although he knew Von Doom’s evil genius could easily create an automaton far more elaborate than the one he had brought here.
Dean Collins stepped forward, pushing past Ben Grimm. “And you are still as arrogant as ever, Von Doom. I told you many years ago you were never to return here. That still has not changed.”
Von Doom tilted his head quizzically at the small man. With but a minor display of power, he could incinerate this fool. But this was not the time and certainly not the place. He had achieved a minor victory by forcing the brutish Thing to react. Now it was his time to act . . . but with kindness.
Vengeance would come later.
“Dean Collins, I was once a student here, and it is my wish to attend this reunion. Please believe me, I have no wish to create trouble. I merely anticipated my presence here would create violence. My robot was designed to let it harmlessly pass, and then to continue celebrating the festivities.”
Dean Collins fumed. “Doom, I don’t like you. I never have, and I do not care if you did attend this school. I don’t wish you to be here now. Leave, or I’ll call for the police.”
Doom laughed and saw Reed Richards standing behind the crowd, his arm around his wife’s waist. “Richards, tell the man that would be a wasted gesture. As Monarch of a foreign nation, I have certain immunities from your law officials. Besides which, I have done nothing but attend a party open to all my fellow classmates.”
Reed was grim. Doom was right. Even if they could have him removed, which was doubtful, he could not be prosecuted. He enjoyed diplomatic immunity, and Doom used that immunity with pleasure.
“I’m sorry, Dean Collins, but we can’t do anything—not unless he attacks us first.”
Collins let out a low curse. “Damn it, Doom, so help me, if you try anything . . .” He sputtered, not being able to think of anything he could do to the younger, vastly more powerful man who stood arrogantly before him.
Ben stared at Alicia. “He’s playin’ some sorta game, babe. It ain’t like him ta play party.”
Alicia tightened her grip on Ben’s arm, and she spoke softly. “He is an evil man, Ben . . . his voice is harsh and wicked, and he talks with an arrogant attitude. He feels himself better than any man here. Please, Ben, don’t antagonize him. There is no depth to which he will not sink to destroy an enemy.”
With long strides, Doom stepped to the center of the room. Still nobody spoke. The utterly contemptible fools. Look at them, struck silent at my mere appearance.
“I have come here,” he announced, “to offer forgiveness to this university for its rash treatment of me. I understand my actions had caused them some minor grief. Indeed, it destroyed the face beneath this iron mask, so I, too, have suffered for my, ah, sins. But I am here in the presence of my former friends to end the bitterness that stands between us all. I offer a gift few men have ever been given. My castle and all its wonders and glories are yours. I propose that this celebration be moved to my home in Latveria, where you common people will be permitted entrance into the grandest of all the European empires. You will be personally escorted on a tour of my home, and you will be safely returned here Sunday night.
“There is no trick in what I offer. I guarantee your safety—and more, I guarantee you will all be well rewarded for your journey. You will see sights no American has ever seen before. You will witness the wonders of Latveria, and its proud people, who serve me so zealously.
“I offer this all to you, my friends, as a tribute to this university. Without my brief time spent here, I would not be a ruler among rulers today.
“To assure everything I say is true, I invite Reed Richards and his friends to join us. Surely their great power will guarantee that I mean you no harm.
“I have a fleet of my royal jets awaiting us at the airport. We will arrive in Latveria before noon. Tomorrow and Sunday are yours, a gift from your humble fellow student. What say you, my friends?”
Doom’s impassioned speech brought stunned silence. How to answer? Voices murmured in whispers between husbands and wives. A European trip, free? But what if he attacks us? But Reed Richards will be there. He wouldn’t dare do anything. How can we say no? Think of it: we’ll never be offered a personal tour of a royal palace again. Please, say yes. I want to go.
Ben Grimm stood firm. “I don’t know what yer up ta, Doom, but I don’t like it. Count me out.”
Reed Richards shook his head. “I agree, Doom. You’ve never made any effort toward benevolence before. What are you up to?”
Doom was waiting for this; indeed, he had prepared for this very speech. “Up to? My dear colleague, I invite you to join us. Would I do that if I were up to something? Bring along your wife and friend. I want to make amends for our previous encounters.
“I see you do not believe me, Reed Richards. Very well, tell me what I must do to prove I have changed my ways. I no longer wish to expand my power. Indeed, I have decided that little Latveria is enough for any one man to rule.
“I merely wish to benefit mankind from this day forth. If you come with me, I will throw open the door to my many scientific secrets. They will be made available for all mankind to study.
“What else do you want from me, sir? I capitulate, I offer no resistance, should you wish to battle and destroy me now. I have no weapons on me or hidden in my invincible armor. Search me if you wish. You will see I speak the truth.”
“Don’t do it, Stretcho,” Ben said. “He’s up ta somethin’ stinkin’. I can smell it.”
Yet Reed was unsure. Doom’s science was magnificent. To have it revealed to mankind would prove a terrific boon. “I will come with you, Doom, to safeguard these people and to see if what you say is true. But I won’t force Ben or Sue to join us, and if anyone else decides not to come, I want them to be able to leave here now, unharmed. Is that clear?”
“It is clear, my friend. Very clear.” Doom spoke without emotion, but he felt elation. The fools believed me. How easy it is to offer peace. How quickly they grasp at any straws of hope. And how devastating they will find it when they are instantly and ignobly destroyed.
To Be Continued...Tomorrow at Atomic Kommie Comics
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