Retribution

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Dan found himself thinking of Rorschach a lot lately. After The Comedian was killed, Rorschach, of all people, was the only mask to show concern for his fellow masks. Dan remembers asking him what they should do about it, and his former partner answered with one word: "Retribution".

No, not former partner, Dan corrected himself; former friend. Former not because they were no longer friends. No, former because Dr. Manhattan had splattered Rorschach all over the Antartic ice, all to save Adrian's big practical joke.

Manhattan was gone, perhaps even gone from this universe. But Adrian blossomed, along with the "new peace". Veidt Enterprises milked the new era of hope for all it was worth. Adrian was richer than he ever was before.

To be fair, Dan's life had also blossomed, in a way. He recently married Laure, and the two went out once in a while in Archie: Nite Owl II and Silk Spectre II. Life was good. Still, something lingered in his brain, like a bad itch that would not go away.

Dan still believed Adrian's dream should be allowed to remain, at least for now. He had told so to the editor of the New Frontiersman. The man was somehow able to get a message to Nite Owl, and Dan met him, in costume, in a dark New York alley. Turns out that Rorschach had sent the man his journal. The editor had read it, and wanted to release it. But Dan convinced him otherwise.

"The time is not right." Nite Owl told him

"Then when?" the man asked

"When revealing this won't take us back to the brink. When the world has invested so much into peace that it will not be in anybody's best interest to go back to war. When that time comes, the truth should come out."

"And Veidt? He gets fat with money in the meantime?" the editor bemoaned.

"All in due time" Dan answered, and walked away.

And now, it was time.

Adrian walked out of his office, secretary at his side, a young man carrying too many things at once.

"There is our limo, Mr. Veidt."

"Thank you, Patrick."

The two men got in, and gestured for the driver to head out. They proceeded to discuss the latest line of cologne, as well as the new children's line of clothes. Suddenly, Patrick stopped talking and winced.

"Are you ok?" Adrian asked.

"I don't know, I feel kind of funny."

"Driver, pull up." Instructed Adrian, and the driver complied.

The car came to a stop on the shoulder.

"Maybe you just need some fresh air." Adrian said, and tried to open the door. No matter how hard he tried, the door would not open.

"Driver" Adrian said, now starting to feel a little strange. "This door will not open."

"I know." The driver replied. The tinted glass that separated the driver and passengers rolled down. A man wearing a gas mask was behind the wheel, and now turned around to look at the two passengers.

"Hello, Adrian."

Veidt immediately recongnized the man.

"Hello, Dan. I assume you have something to do with why my hands are starting to shake."

"I'm afraid I do. You are truly the world's smartest man."

"There's no need for unpleasantness, Dan. In truth, I knew I could count on you, and you did not disappoint. After Jon left, I realized that I would be more Alexander than Ramses, if only for my own sake. My only regret is him." Adrian said, gesturing towards the young man, who was now convulsing uncontrollably.

"I agree, but as you know, sometimes the end justifies the means."

Adrian half-smiled, "Not a very good liar, are you?" he said, then closed his eyes.

Adrian's dream deserved a respite, thought Dan, but the same did not apply to Adrian himself.

Retribution.