Bab 31: Chapter 31
From my observations, the Fantastic Machine possessed impressive speed, but even it faced insurmountable time constraints.
When we reached the location marked by Crystal's smartphone, we found no sign of her. Instead, we were met with an empty apartment and a lone smartphone, its screen filled with missed call notifications from Johnny Storm.
"He beat us here," Sue said quietly, looking at her brother with regret in her eyes.
At that moment, a flame of anger ignited in Johnny's eyes, as if he was ready to burn the whole world with his fury.
"We'll save her," Ben stated confidently. "Right, Reed?"
"Yes," I nodded. "I've figured out what happened here."
Teleportation traces were discovered much more easily than one might expect, especially given my experience with such technologies.
"We need to return to the Moon," I said, meeting Johnny's gaze. "This time, we'll be fully prepared."
—= Some time later =—
What can be done in a couple of hours? If you have a device that can accelerate the flow of time, you can create many interesting gadgets to complicate your enemies' lives.
With a certain amount of information about the abilities of the Inhumans, I began to prepare for our encounter with them.
"Where are your toys?" Ben asked when I emerged from Chronos.
I simply nodded and showed a small box in response.
"Wonderful," Ben said.
"Are Johnny and Sue already in place?" I asked, my question hanging in the air like a prelude to the upcoming adventure.
Ben nodded in response, his eyes reflecting readiness for action.
"Then let's not keep them waiting," I said, feeling the anticipation of the adventure electrify the air.
"Couldn't have said it better myself," Ben replied, a spark of a smile curling the corner of his lips.
We headed to the ship, already waiting for us, ready to explore the cosmic expanses. This ship was more than just a means of transportation; with the latest improvements, it had capabilities that once seemed unattainable, making the journey not only more comfortable but infinitely more exciting.
Inside the ship, Johnny and Sue were already in their seats, their gazes full of determination and focus on the upcoming mission. Ben confidently took his place at the helm, and I settled next to him, ready to assist.
"It might be a bit bumpy," I warned, activating the teleportation system, preparing for an instantaneous transition through space.
—= The Moon =—
In a moment, our ship sliced through the silence of the lunar void. Upon entering the lunar atmosphere, the ship instinctively adapted to the new conditions, gently activating its engines to prevent an uncontrolled descent onto the silvery surface.
"What's our course?" Ben asked, his voice filled with anticipation.
In response, I activated a map created by my drones, revealing the lunar landscape with unprecedented detail.
"Got it," Ben replied concisely, catching my hint.
Our engines roared, accelerating the ship towards our destination with such speed that time itself seemed to warp around us.
"Where exactly are we headed?" Ben persisted, a note of curiosity in his voice.
Thanks to the cutting-edge technology embedded in every atom of the ship, we sped towards our goal, ready to reach it in just a few minutes.
"We're heading for a meeting," I said as we arrived at our destination, where we were already expected.
Our engines fell silent, and the ship stopped before two figures standing on the lunar surface with majestic calm. These individuals were not just important; they were key players in our story.
Before us stood Black Bolt, King of Attilan, and his wife Medusalith Amaquelin Boltagon, Queen of Attilan.
"These are the ones we need to meet."
—= Some time ago =—
The path to rescuing Crystal could not lie through a battlefield — invading Attilan would destroy any hopes of establishing peaceful relations with the Inhumans. This truth was as clear to me as day, for the Inhumans possessed power that could pose significant problems. Understanding that confrontation would only lead to unnecessary bloodshed and destruction compelled me to seek alternative solutions.
Deep in my consciousness, I realized that the key to resolving the situation lay in the very nature of the power that Maximus so desperately sought. His eyes burned with a manic fire aimed at Black Bolt's throne, at the power that could overturn everything in Attilan. His ambitions were not merely a thirst for power; they were captives of his own madness and genius, making him a dangerous adversary and an unpredictable ally.
In this mosaic of power and ambition, I saw an opportunity for diplomacy that could lead to a peaceful resolution. It was necessary to use his desires as a key to the solution, subtly manipulating the circumstances to ensure Crystal's safety and pave the way for a more peaceful future for all.
After countless hours of analysis in the depths of Chronos, examining every byte of information extracted from Maximus's secret archives, I finally found what I was looking for. What could have driven Maximus to create such an extensive collection of data — his immeasurable madness or cunning calculation — remained a mystery. However, among other things, I discovered detailed information about the plots that swirled in the shadows around Black Bolt.
Having verified the authenticity of the gathered information, I understood that it was time for action — time to make contact with Black Bolt.
With a deep understanding of Inhuman technology, establishing direct contact was far less difficult than it might seem at first glance.
"Greetings, Blackagar Boltagon," I said. "My name is Reed Richards, and we need to meet..."
—= Present time =—
"Reed, explain what you're planning?" Johnny Storm's question came with a note of confusion and concern. He couldn't imagine how to solve this problem without direct conflict.
I met his gaze, which held as many questions as it did concerns.
"You see," I began, choosing my words with particular care, "the best solution here is diplomacy. We can't afford to brazenly invade their territory."
Johnny opened his mouth to protest, but I preempted him with the following words:
"Trust me, Johnny. I've thought everything through down to the smallest detail."
His gaze met mine, and after a few moments, he nodded.
"Didn't expect this," Ben said as we exited the ship.
"But it's the best solution," I replied. "I have something that will help us get Crystal out of her predicament."
The meeting place was relatively close to the palace. However, there were no guards nearby, which made sense since Black Bolt himself was a powerful being.
"Greetings again, Blackagar," I said. "It's a pleasure to meet you in person."
Black Bolt nodded.
"My name is Reed Richards, this is Benjamin Grimm, Susan Storm, and Johnny Storm. These are the people most dear to me."
Black Bolt's gaze met that of his wife, and she spoke:
"My name is Medusalith Amaquelin Boltagon, and this is my husband Blackagar Boltagon. We prefer not to beat around the bush."
I smirked and pulled out the necessary data.
"I assume this is the start of negotiations?"
—\\—
Tension hung in the air as Medusalith and Blackagar, two legendary figures of contemporary fantasy, faced off with our equally formidable group. Their combined presence was so powerful that even the wind seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the outcome of our meeting. The negotiations were arduous; it took considerable effort to achieve terms acceptable to both sides.
"I hope our future interactions will continue in this constructive spirit," I said, extending my hand to Blackagar, sincerely wanting to solidify the agreement we had reached. My words were met with a nod from Black Bolt, signifying his assent.
"We hope so too," Medusa added, her voice soft yet imbued with unwavering confidence. The glance exchanged between the royal couple was filled with unspoken words and emotions. After this meaningful look, Black Bolt, exchanging a significant gaze with Medusa, withdrew, leaving us alone with her.
"Since we have some time, I'd like to learn more about you, especially your relationships," Medusa said, addressing Johnny, the fiery spirit of our team. Despite his previous antipathy towards the royal pair, his expression now was more cautiously interested than hostile.
"You want to know about your sister, not about me," Johnny instantly surmised, his voice steady and eyes glinting with perceptiveness. Medusa sighed heavily but nodded, acknowledging the truth of his words.
As Johnny began to recount Crystal's story, the rest of us decided to follow Blackagar. It was clear that the upcoming conversation would be far more personal and private than anything that could occur in our presence.
Black Bolt, meanwhile, was observing the surroundings. Judging by his gaze, it seemed rare for him to have such moments of simple contemplation. He noticed us with the slightest tilt of his head.
"What is the punishment for the situations Maximus has created?" I asked him.
Black Bolt looked at me, and his eyes conveyed a multitude of thoughts. He couldn't use telepathy due to the protective equipment we were wearing. Instead, he resorted to sign language.
"Death penalty," Black Bolt signed.
Ben raised an eyebrow. While he wasn't fond of the death penalty, he could accept it due to his military background. Sue, however, frowned.
"But you're planning to do something different, aren't you?" I asked. Black Bolt nodded. "Because he's your brother?"
"No. It's more complicated than that," Black Bolt signed, sadness deep in his eyes.
I wasn't a fan of Black Bolt, but I had some knowledge of his biography from the comics. Piecing together the necessary picture with these and other gathered data wasn't too difficult.
Most likely, it was related to the guilt Black Bolt carried for killing their parents in childhood.
"You're the king; it's your decision," I said succinctly, noticing Johnny and Medusa heading in our direction. "But you should keep in mind that you'll need a very secure prison because if Maximus escapes, it will cause a lot of problems."
—= Some time later =—
The royal palace of Attilan didn't greet us with splendor and magnificence but with shadows and silence, as if the place itself guarded our secret. The intricate corridors and halls, normally gleaming with marble and gold, now seemed like cold passages hiding us from prying eyes. This reception was as mysterious as it was strategically planned, for our mission required absolute secrecy. We were ghosts among walls that had to remain unnoticed by both Maximus's followers and Black Bolt's allies. As the saying goes, if two people know a secret, it's no longer a secret.
We weren't led here by chance but by the need to penetrate a place unknown even to the king of Attilan. Among the shadows and whispers, hidden from curious eyes and ears, we sought the entrance to Maximus's laboratory. This was the repository of his schemes and weapons against Black Bolt, hidden so deeply that even the thought of its existence here seemed unbelievable.
"He really built it here," Medusa's barely audible words reflected our collective amazement. We stood before a door as inconspicuous and ordinary as it could be, had we not known what lay behind it. It led to the heart of the conspiracy, to the laboratory where Maximus stored his inventions and plans against his brother.
"Are you surprised?" my voice was barely above a whisper, mingling with the faint click of internal mechanisms as I began to work on the door with unseen precision and skill. My attention was entirely absorbed by the task, but I couldn't help feeling the eyes of my companions on my back, sensing that each of them—whether it was Black Bolt with his power, Johnny with his fiery energy, Ben with his unbreakable strength, or Sue with her impenetrable shields—could have breached this barrier without a hint of effort. But here, in this shadowy vestibule, where every step could be the last, where every sound could attract unwanted attention, silence was our most valuable ally. Hence, I chose the path of the craftsman, not the brute.
My thoughts wandered to the nature of the technologies we were trying to circumvent. The electromagnetic wave, this invisible and all-pervading agent, was at the core of my musings. Abilities like those Magneto possessed, to manipulate almost the entire spectrum of electromagnetic waves, seemed beyond the comprehension of an ordinary person. Waves that carried light, heat, even messages through the air, were now under my control, as if I had found a way to communicate with the very essence of the universe.
Thanks to this power, I disarmed the task before me swiftly.
"Done," I said, slicing through the silence with unexpected finality as the door opened with a soft whisper, revealing a room filled with machines and devices, each a testament to Maximus's genius and madness. "All traps are neutralized. We can enter."
At my invitation, the others followed me, stepping into the laboratory with cautious curiosity. The air vibrated with invisible energy, as if each device, each instrument still held a part of its creator's soul.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Medusa asked, her voice slicing through the charged silence. Her question wasn't just about searching but about choosing among the myriad possibilities laid out before us.
Scanning the equipment, I found the necessary items for our task. Each of Maximus's gadgets was incredibly dangerous, but given our plan, we needed a specific set of tools.
As I examined the equipment, I felt the potential each of these "artifacts" created by Maximus held for both creation and destruction. Some of them exuded such power that even the air around them seemed electrified. But our mission required selecting specific instruments perfectly suited to our goals. In the end, my attention settled on several items, each possessing unique properties essential for our plan. These "toys," as Maximus mockingly called them, were far more than mere devices. They were keys to his dreams... and nightmares.
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