Quoted By:
<span class="mu-b">“And a well made one at that. I’m not sure if the real Doom will consider retaliating after this failed attempt, but only time will tell.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“Let us hope that he still considers this matter to be ‘beneath him’.”</span>
Flint frowned at Reed.
<span class="mu-g">“How hasn’t that guy been put away already?”</span>
Reed returned the expression, and his frustration was far deeper than anything that Flint could genuinely muster.
<span class="mu-b">“Believe me. I wish we could, but his status as Latveria’s dictator grants him diplomatic immunity. If we were to ever seriously arrest him, then we would risk igniting another potential World War.”</span>
Flint’s anger abated a bit, but he was still clearly upset about the whole thing. And you had a feeling that Reed understood that sentiment all too well.
<span class="mu-b">“But enough about him. You came here to discuss the dilemma that Va Nee currently faces.”</span>
Van shook her head.
<span class="mu-b">“This isn’t only my problem. My father is everyone’s problem eventually, and it’s only a matter of time before he makes his way here. I would like to continue the discussion that we were having on the night of the attack.”</span>
Reed nodded and gestured towards a round table in the middle of the room.
<span class="mu-b">“Of course. Follow me. I want to show you something.”</span>
You allowed Mister Fantastic to shepherd you towards the piece of furniture, and you quickly recognized that it was actually a piece of highly advanced tech, because of course it was.
Reed tapped a button on the front of the table, and the display grid hummed to life. A second later, a holographic display of what you assumed was the entire Earth rose into the air and expanded to several times its original size. The lights dimmed automatically, and you were all left to bathe in the soft blue light emanating from the projector.
<span class="mu-b">“I’ve been thinking about what you told me. About rallying support against the Grandmaster in preparation for his arrival. And I think you were right to avoid bringing this to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s attention. Their organization hasn’t been nearly as solid and airtight in Fury’s absence, and the Avengers haven’t been very…present as of late.”</span>
As Reed spoke, little icons popped up all over the globe, indicating the various superhero teams and powerful government organizations currently present on the planet. You could even see Alpha Flight and Excalibur on here!
<span class="mu-b">“Setting aside those that are already affiliated with their own governments, that mostly leaves the X-Men as the most powerful organization that isn’t bound by international borders, but they’re so deeply embroiled in their own politics half the time that I’m not confident they’ll be able to set aside their differences with one another to focus on the problem at hand.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“So, what are you suggesting?”</span>
Van asked.
Reed gave her a sly grin.
<span class="mu-b">“I suggest that we go a little farther out with our recruitment drive.”</span>
(Cont.)
