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#22
November
2006 |
MARVEL 2000 PRESENTS...
"THE COSMIC VACCUUM"
Part VII: "Cosmic
Quandry!"
Written by Jeff Melton
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Thor |
S |
ilver Surfer races across the planet, just having wrested control over his board from his adversary’s power. He pulls himself onto his board, lying atop it before he can slowly move onto his knees, as the board continues to plummet towards the surface below. He is pleased that he has finally returned to his feet. The feel of the board under his feet gives the Surfer a renewed sense of confidence, and he is pleased to prevent his own destruction. That feeling does not last.
As Surfer looks up, his metallic face is suddenly shadowed by the large form of his adversary…the Punisher! An involuntary shiver runs down his spine. The Punisher is single-minded in his mission and will not be deterred. The Surfer has not encountered this creature in years. The last time the Punisher sought him, he fled to the microverse to escape his wrath.* Now, however, that option—provided at the time by Reed Richards—is not open to him.
[*Read Fantastic Four #74 for the thrilling details.]
“Why are you here?” the Surfer asks, looking up at the menacing figure, who approaches without a response, his expression cold and emotionless. “You were merely Galactus’ vassal…and now he is dead! What could you possibly want here?!”
Although the Punisher makes no response to the question, his actions speak much louder than any words. He reaches down, grabbing the Surfer by his leg with a speed that belies his size. Even the Surfer is shocked by the rapidity of his movements. He squeezes Surfer’s calf, as the Surfer’s face contorts with the pain of his opponent’s movements.
Holding the Surfer’s
dangling form in front of him, Punisher then slams his fist into the
Surfer’s jaw, as the silver-clad figure screams out in pain from the power
of the blow, and the sheer ferocity of his foe’s attack.
M |
iles overhead, Thor and the Collector continue to face off. The Collector smiles through his withered lips, looking over at Thor. He nods, feeling that he has gained the upper hand in their conflict through events that transpire on the planet below them.
“Aye,” Thor remarks. “The Surfer’s condition is most dire. In another moment, he will perish. There is only one option.” The Collector smiles, as he averts his gaze towards the ship in the distance, feeling that he has finally achieved his victory. However, Thor flings up his arm, releasing the mystic hammer, which disappears from view, rocketing towards the planet below.
“What?!” the Collector exclaims, stunned by what he has just seen. “But, without your hammer, you will be powerless! You will not be able to stay aloft!”
“Thou art misinformed,” Thor responds, fixing his eyes on his foe, glaring over at him. “I control the winds—both earthly and cosmic. It is erroneous to believe that I could fail to remain here, with or without my hammer.”
The Collector makes no verbal response, but the look of shock on his face is sufficient to relay his feelings on this matter.
“Aye,” Thor continues, lightning surging from his fingertips. He gestures forward, as the lightning erupts from his hands, striking the Collector at several points along his body—in his face, his chest, his stomach, and both legs! The Collector reels from the blows. “And one who doth control the very lightning couldst never be considered ‘helpless’!”
As the Collector reels from Thor’s assault, Mjolnir rockets throughout the atmosphere below, and towards the Punisher and the Silver Surfer, guided unerringly by Thor’s unspoken command. As the Punisher prepares to strike a prone Surfer, the hammer intervenes, striking the Surfer in the face with such force that his head is jerked back violently, and he is sent careening into the water blow, where he splashes down into the water and quickly disappears beneath the surface.
The hammer continues back, even as it passes a very relieved Surfer, moving in a sharp arc back towards the atmosphere, and its master. It races back through the stratosphere and returns to Thor’s hand, just as the Collector sends out energy at the thunder god! It strikes the hammer, which Thor places in front of him!
“This is impossible!” the Collector utters, as he rises slowly, and continues to unleash his cosmic energy, only to watch Thor block it with his hammer. “I have never seen you display such power!”
“When we did fight before,” Thor counters, as he directs the cosmic energy into his hammer, “we were on Earth. I could not fight thee unfettered there, for fear of harm to mortals nearby. Here, in the void of space, there is no such concern.”
As the Collector
rises again and turns to face Thor, the thunder god smiles,
training his attention at the Collector. He then releases the
energy that the Collector had just sent his way. “Let thy own
energy be thy undoing!”
F |
irelord hovers over the Air-Walker, who has a machine set out before him. The Air-Walker turns his attention to the machinery, his hands racing across the controls, as the machinery hums to life. The keyboard flashes, as a series of red dials shine, even as the humming from the machine starts.
“I know that you once served the world-devourer,” Firelord comments, “but those days are long-past. You do not need to carry on his legacy of death and destruction.”
“Do not interfere with my mission, Firelord,” Air-Walker remarks, not turning away from his work. “You chose to leave Galactus’ employ, while I did not. In his absence, I must continue his work. It was his last order to me.”
“His absence?!” Firelord exclaims in disbelief. “He is not absent…he is dead!”
“There have been such rumors before,” Air-Walker replies, keeping is attention on the machine. As he runs his fingers across the circuits, several coils come out of the bottom of the machinery, and imbed themselves into the ground, snaking deeper and deeper beneath the planet’s surface, even as Firelord looks on in disbelief. “I cannot concern myself with such matters. I must carry out my master’s last orders.”
“We once served together,” Firelord utters, feeling rage growing in his chest. He has never been able to control his temper, and he is trying to suppress his growing anger, even as he tries to discuss this matter with his friend of many years. “In that time, we went to many worlds, and engaged in many battles. However, we never sought to destroy other worlds for the purpose of destruction itself. There were enemies that had to be destroyed, but not innocents. If you continue the mission of the madman Galactus, you will continue to have the blood on your hands that surely sent Galactus to his own eternal torment.”
“Your tone belies the facts,” Air-Walker responds calmly, robotically. “This did not bother you when you were working for Galactus. Neither should it bother me.”
“You know as well as I do that when I was working for the world-devourer, it was to honor your memory,” Firelord responds sharply. “And I would have never tried to direct him to an inhabited world, if not for the fact that he brainwashed me to not care. That is why I first came to Earth.** I am thankful to Thor and Hercules for stopping me in my mission that day. Although I am a warrior, who has fought many battles, I am not a murderer. To have innocent blood on my hands is anathema to me. What you are doing dishonors my memory of who you were—of who you are!”
[**In Thor #225, of course.]
“You speak of a mortal shell that no longer exists,” Air-Walker responds, continuing about his work. “Now, do not distract me further. I have much work to do.”
“I disagree!” Firelord exclaims, releasing a blast of fiery cosmic energy that strikes the machinery. Air-Walker involuntarily takes a step back, as the machines start to have a series of many-explosions. “There is a spark of humanity left in you, and I will bring it out.”
“You have interfered with my mission,” Air-Walker remarks, waving his hand, as an under-draft catches Firelord, lifting him into the air and sending him flying back, where he slams into the side of a mountain with tremendous force! “It will take some time to repair the machinery and resume my work here. If I must destroy you to finish my mission, I will do so.”
Firelord rises from the ground. His eyes are aflame, as his heart pounds with rage. He can no longer control his fiery temper, as he gets to his feet. Hovering over him, Air-Walker literally stands on the air currents. He looks down at Firelord, who suddenly takes to the air, flames and sparks shooting from his body.
“As much as it pains me to do so,” Firelord exclaims, “I will do whatever is necessary to stop you in your insane mission…and, hopefully, return you to some semblance of sanity!”
INTERLUDE
A |
sgard, the glistening city situated amid a rarely-chartered section of the cosmos. Protected by high walls and a Rainbow Bridge, which is guarded by the mighty Heimdall, it has rarely been threatened by any force that could do it harm. However, today is one of those rare occasions when the home of the Asgardian gods prepares to face a threat of monumental proportions.
A lone scout makes his way into the throne room of Odin. As he enters the large hall, he is greeted by two armed guards, each carrying a spear. He looks to each of them, their spears crossed diagonally, preventing his entry into the throne room.
“Speak your business here,” the first of the guards remarks. His face is grim, and his tone is challenging.
“Greetings, Abjorn,” the scout returns. “I am on a mission from Lord Odin himself, and I bid thee allow me to enter his presence.”
“Well-said, Hakon,” Abjorn responds. He nods to his fellow guard, lifting the spear, even as the other guard does the same. Hakon, the scout, then nods at each of them, and walks past them, into the royal throne room.
As the scout enters the room, he is greeted by Hogun the grim, who looks grimly at the scout. “You have returned from your quest?” Hogun asks simply.
“Aye,” Hakon replies. “I must relay the results to Lord Odin.”
Hogun nods, turning to take him up to the throne of Odin. He stands aside, as the young scout faces Lord Odin. He immediately kneels on one knee, lowering his head in the royal presence of Odin. “Greetings, Lord Odin,” Hakon remarks. “Thy servant seeks an audience with thee.”
Odin, seated on his throne, with his two large birds on each shoulder, looks down at the scout kneeling before him. In a regal tone borne out of his rank and station, the ruler of Asgard motions for Hakon to rise in his presence. “Rise, brave one,” Odin’s voice rings out authoritatively. “Thou hath done thy duty to thy king. Speak. What hath thou discovered?”
“Aye, milord,” Hakon responds, getting to his feet, and looking up at Odin, who is situated above him, seated in his throne, which sits above three large, round stairs in a platform. “Thou did send me to check on the settlement outside the enchanted caves, beyond the Uru Mountains…”
“Aye,” Odin responds, with a nod. “And what hath thou found?”
“Lord Odin,” the scout returns. He pauses for a moment, images in his mind coming back to the surface, as he pushes back the images for the moment. “I found the settlement. It hath been razed. The settlement hath been burned to the ground.”
Odin shifts forward in his chair, his eyebrows furrowing, as he looks over at the scout. “Did thou find any survivors?” Odin asks.
“Nay, milord,” Hakon remarks solemnly. “I found none.”
END OF INTERLUDE
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L |
est it be assumed that Loki has been forgotten, let us turn out attention back to Galactus’ ship. Within the confines of the large ship, Loki suddenly emerges, his energy glowing around him, as he teleports within the ship. He smiles, satisfied that he has achieved his goal.
“Let those fools battle amongst themselves,” Loki muses, as he looks around, taking in the images around the ship. “What cares Loki for the fate of the planet below? Far more important things transpire within this ship—and the treasures it may offer to one who knows how to use them properly.”
As Loki walks through the halls of the ship, he looks at paintings that decorate the walls, reaching high above his head, to the high ceilings. “These paintings,” Loki muses, “they must be of Taa…Galalctus’ own homeworld. I hath heard of Taa. It did perish when dinosaurs and other such creatures roamed Midgard…destroyed by a creeping plague that did destroy the galaxy that the world-devourer called his home.”
Loki continues walking along the path through the hallway, as he continues to take in the sights that surround him. “No doubt that experience did drive him mad,” Loki remarks. “Seeing those in his ship perish, while he did yet live. Perhaps the plague merged with him in some strange way, letting him live on, while the others around him did perish. He did seek death on his own, by piloting the ship into the sun. That fate was denied the universe, even as the oafish Watcher failed to grant him his wish and destroy him, ‘ere he did grow in power.*** Eons later, the foolish Watcher could think how his insane code did cost the lives of countless beings across the universe, all consumed by the addicted Galactus, ever seeking his next fix of power.” Loki scoffs. “He did call it a meal, but it was nothing more than what the mortals call a ‘hit’.”
[***These events were relayed in Thor #168-169.]
Loki shakes his head, as he enters a much larger room, filled with controls. “It matters not,” he concludes. “He hath perished. And good riddance to that.” As Loki makes his way into the room, he walks up to a large control panel, eying its contents with lustful glee.
“Aye,” he remarks, as he studies the control panel, and runs his hands across its controls. “Perhaps the world-devourer will prove more useful in death than he e’er did in life.” Loki’s face contorts into something vaguely resembling a smile, although a sinister one. “For, surely there is something here that I may use, to help achieve my own goals.”
He walks past the control panel, moving into a small museum, where countless artifacts line the walls. Loki laughs a sinister laugh. “Yes,” Loki sneers. “This is the room I seek. Here, amid the treasures of thousands of dead worlds…might I find the object that I seek!”
|
B |
ack at the uncharted region of space, the Collector unleashes a barrage of cosmic energy at Thor. It hits him in the chest, driving him back, even as the Collector smile a hideous smile across his withered lips. His hands crackle with his power.
“My brothers and I are the oldest beings in the universe,” the Collector comments, as he makes his way over to Thor. “There are many upstart races, such as the Watchers, and the Asgardians, who have grown arrogant over the eons. But, we are older and wiser. Sometimes, a lesson needs to be taught.” He glares over at Thor. “Are you ready to learn your lesson, thunderer?”
“Teach what thou can,” Thor responds, holding his hammer in his hand, as he flies towards his foe. “I am not impressed by thy empty threats.”
“I seek not to impress you, thunderer,” the Collector responds sharply, as he sends out energy from his fingertips. “But, for your interference, I seek only to kill you!”
As the energy reaches Thor, he spins his hammer in a circular motion, blocking the intended attack, and deflecting the powerful cosmic energy in all directions away from him. Streaks of cosmic energy erupt from the hammer, and are sent in narrow streaks throughout the area surrounding them. The Collector curses silently, annoyed that he missed his intended target once again.
“Thy intentions are overmatched by thy inability to carry them out,” Thor responds, as he directs his hammer once more at the Collector, sending out his own energy at his foe, striking him in the pit of the stomach, doubling him over from the pure power of the energy assault, and sending him flying back from the attack!
“Your confidence is misplaced, thunderer!”
the Collector returns, getting to his feet again, although somewhat slower
than last time. “And it will be your undoing!”
TO BE CONTINUED...
NEXT ISSUE: The Cosmic Vacuum storyline concludes, as the battle between Thor and the Collector comes to an end. But what about the fate of the planet below? Find out in Thor #23!
THE HAMMER STRIKES!
ï
Welcome to the 22nd issue of Thor. And I bet you didn’t think I’d last this long, did you? J Seriously, this series is a lot of fun for me to write, and hopefully, it’s enjoyable to you readers. As always, your comments, suggestions, and questions are welcome and appreciated at earth2jsa@yahoo.com. For now, let’s hear from Gregg Epstein…
Thor #14-21.
I started reading Thor
with this current story arc and with issue 14 and boy, am I glad I am
along for the ride. I may go back to Jeff's earlier issues of Thor for
the first arc with Galactus.
This is definitely an epic and it took a long time for a lot of things
to be explained in the first couple of issues. I know it is not finished
yet but I'm glad we're seeing some action.
I also like the inclusion of Thor's supporting characters, like the
Warrior's Three and Sif. I also like Jeff including Ulik and Air Walker.
Haven't seen Air Walker for a long time.
Can't wait for the next issue and when this whole things concludes and
the next arc.
Gregg Epstein
Thanks for your kind comments, Gregg. As someone who loves action, I was certainly looking forward to cutting loose, but I needed to set the stage for that first. Hopefully, you’re enjoying what you’ve seen thus far. I’ve had some lengthy fight scenes in previous issues, also, including Thor vs. Ulik (which you alluded to) and Absorbing Man vs. Morg. Hopefully, those were to your liking. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy where this series takes you. And, the next arc will bring back another classic villain. Gregg, for those who don’t know, writes Alpha Flight at this site. Check it out at http://m2k.omegacen.com/alphaflight/.That’s it for this time. Next issue, the Galactus ship quest comes to an end, with some twists and surprises. Plus: What new threat faces Asgard, and what can Thor do about it? Find out more next issue!
Jeff Melton
