Bab 58: Skrull Princess
Victor von Doom with the assistance of Savant had reached the highest position in the whole of planet Earth. And the first announcement he had made as the Chancellor of Earth Federation was bringing down the stock prices of the largest pharmaceutical companies and affecting the global economy at large.
Mixed emotions were running through the winds as people were ecstatic about getting a medication that would end all of the diseases but at the same time, hundreds of millions of people whose work was related to healthcare were about to lose their jobs.
"What the fuck were those politicians thinking? We paid all that money so that they would not vote for the madman and yet they ended up voting for him anyway. Now look what he has done not even a day into office." One of the executives of a pharmaceutical company was complaining to his colleagues from other companies.
"They all said that it was 'unavoidable'. After the stunt against the aliens, Doom pulled off right in front of the world, many of the guys who were prepared to vote for Reed Richards changed their votes. You have to admit that the idea of aliens trying to take over the world secretly was scary. Even I would have chosen Doom in that situation." A rational member in the meeting pointed out.
Someone shouted out angrily, "What's the point of discussing that? We need to figure out a way to stop Doom from releasing whatever he cooked up with that Savant kid. Cite some hazard or something, bribe the government, anything as long as it stops Doom."
"You're forgetting that he is the government now. We could delay the release of this Cure Serum by demanding proper tests and trials but that would still not give us any more time than a few years. There is nothing we can do at this point. I'd say let's sabotage their serum if it were anyone else but I don't want to die at the hands of Doom." The rational executive calmly explained.
"Can't we discredit Doom's policies as socialist or communist? First, he announced free education and now there is a cure for all diseases."
"Do you even hear yourself? If someone outside heard you, they would beat you to death. You want to discredit the first Chancellor of Earth because he is giving away free education and a healthier life for people. And who will support you in this?"
Similar discussions were happening between the executives and owners of many multi-national large companies. Doom's announcements were a clear signal that he didn't care for the interests of the rich and powerful. As long as something was in the way of his policies, Doom would bulldoze over it even if it meant reworking the global economic foundations completely.
While the world was still dealing with the aftermath of his announcements, Doom was in a laboratory with Savant checking on some data. "It looks good. If the effects are as the data shows, it would be a giant leap for human physiology starting from the next generation. Creating a half-decent space fleet within two decades seems much more doable now. I was prepared to rely on AI and drone robots otherwise."
"Using the AI-powered robots is going to take away even more jobs. You have your work cut out for you as the first Chancellor. What are your plans so far?" Savant joked at the straight-faced Doom.
"Nothing's changed. Redistribute resources so that everyone has a baseline resources to live by. To rise above that depends on their adaptability and skills. Besides, when the colonization begins, the variety and number of jobs that will come up are going to be plenty." Doom continued examining the documents while answering.
Savant nodded, "Let capitalism do its thing while ensuring no one is left behind. I like such a system. Anyway, it's almost time. We should get going."
With Savant's signal, the two of them teleported away and arrived at a desert outpost with a few spaceship-looking vehicles almost the size of large houses parked around in a circular formation. There were also some encampments made out of unusual metallic structures with angular and boxy architecture.
Doom and Savant appeared at the edge of the encampment and were immediately noticed by the green aliens. The Skrull soldiers pointed their guns at the duo and even the spaceships turned their large cannons to face them. Despite all the commotion and the large number of muzzles pointed at them, both Doom and Savant didn't react at all.
"Tell Veranke that the Chancellor of Earth is here to meet her. She can come out to greet him on her own or he will lose his short temper and begin a round of destruction that you don't want to see." Savant spoke to the relatively better-armored soldier in a joking manner.
Before the soldier could turn back and go report the matter, however, a female voice came from the back of the Skrull crowd. "Who dares to address me by name? And even commanding me to appear before them? Since you know my name you should know I am royalty. Don't they teach proper manners on this planet?"
"You might be a princess but your kingdom has probably already been digested by Galactus. So, princess of the empire that is in tatters, I bow before you in a respectable greeting." Savant mockingly gestured a bow.
A bolt of energy beam suddenly crashed into a magic shield right in front of the smiling face of Savant who continued smiling as if nothing had happened. "Tsk!" Veranke sounded disappointed, "What are you here for new leader of Earth? I hope you didn't just come to insult me."
Doom lifted the shield spell over Savant and looked at Veranke. She was no different from a human woman except for her skin color and the distinct Skrull chin. Wearing a black-purple battle suit, Doom could tell that she was a good fighter from how her muscles were flexing.
"I should be the one asking you those questions. You have illegally entered our planet and even kidnapped and impersonated key public figures of humanity. You plan to take over our planet too. What punishment do you think is befitting such impudence?" Doom asked calmly as he took steps closer toward Veranke.
The guards around Veranke immediately raised their guns in a threatening manner to make Doom stop his approach but Veranke raised her hand to make her soldiers stand down. Doom was now just a few paces away from Veranke.
"Do you think you can threaten me with just that? I have seen entire star systems being destroyed, your intimidation does not work on me." Veranke chuckled and walked toward Doom with measured slow steps. "But, you should feel scared of me. You haven't even noticed but there are battleships outside Earth ready to rain down hell on this planet at my signal. This may be your planet but I am the one in control here."
In the brief moment of silence, a sudden clapping sound was heard. Everyone except Doom turned to look at the source of the claps which turned out to be Savant.
"That was a great scene. Intimidation and counter-intimidation at its finest. But you see, Your Highness of Ruins, by some kind of freakish coincidence that may or may not have been deliberate, we humans have individuals who are equally capable of destroying or even erasing a star system or even the universe like this."
Savant waved his hand and all the weapons in the hands of the Skrull soldiers decomposed on a molecular level right in front of their eyes. The soldiers and Veranke were surprised by the display. It wasn't very surprising to see powered individuals in the Skrull Empire but the theatrics and the words of Savant still managed to get a reaction out of them.
"Oh, I'm sorry for that. A good magician always returns the wallet back." Savant joked and waved his hands again. This time all the Skrulls including their princess took a few steps back. But all that happened was water guns had appeared in the hands of the soldiers. "The desert is very hot, That should keep you cool for a while."
Veranke was clearly shaken up but she didn't back down on her convictions, "Mere tricks. Even with your powers, you cannot stop hundreds of thousands of orbital bombs raining down from space in time to save everyone."
"Let's say for a second that you are right. Even then, I know at least four people personally who could stop that. I'm just as scared as you when I think of it but there is a kid who lives a few buildings away from my old office building who creates universes and hides them in his closet from his parents."
Looking at the exaggerated expressions on Savant's face, Veranke didn't want to believe a single word that guy said but somehow her gut was telling her that everything he said was true. She had observed an unnaturally high number of powered individuals on this small planet.
For a civilization that hasn't even taken a step outside the lunar orbit, she had seen the potential in the humans and mutants to rule over galaxies. It was also the reason that she didn't want them to come together and form the Earth Federation. But her attempts to delay Earth's development had instead accelerated it by getting the one guy she didn't want to be the leader of Earth.
Now, the consequences of her actions were standing right in front of her demanding an explanation. But Veranke also saw that there was still some hope since the two Earthlings had not already killed her and were only scaring her for the time being. Maybe there was some deal that could be made.
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