Chapter 235
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Spiderman, Tasha, and Han made it to this mini-kingdom. This kingdom was ruled by Vlad the impaler and Joseph Stalin. For now at least they seemed to be sharing power. How long that could last was anybody's guess. The gates to this kingdom were lined with impaled bodies, people still writhing in agony. They were begging to be killed, only to realize that they were already dead. Things within seemed relatively peaceful, but there was a definite air of fear. People were too afraid of being impaled to break the rules. There was a fountain where anyone could drink from, and a goblet made of solid gold. Noone dared to steal this goblet, or perhaps some of the impaled ones had tried. There were posters praising the leaders, Stalin, Vlad, and Sela. It saddened Tasha that her daughter was still serving Evil. But perhaps she was somewhat responsible for the relative order of this place. There was a familiar face in this crowd. He was an old man, people let him pass to the front of the line, for water. It seemed unlikely that they were just being kind to the old man, the crowd was afraid. Not neccessarily of the old man, but of his superiors. Spiderman knew why, he recognized the old man. He was Dr Groitzig, a nazi scientist who helped the Red Skull develop a doomsday weapon in America. After the war Groitzig went into hiding in Moscow, until he was once again captured by the Red Skull. The last Peter saw Groitzig, he was being led away in handcuffs by the police. He didn't know when the old man might have died, but it wasn't suprising that he was in Hell. It also seemed likely he was developing some sort of weapon for Stalin and the others. The heroes confronted him.
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Spiderman: Are you working for Stalin?
Groitzig: Yes, he's not as bad as some of the others.
Spiderman: Sadly true. I always wondered, why did you and two other german war criminals choose to hide out in Moscow of all places.
Groitzig: Your government's war time alliance with the Soviet Union fell apart very quickly. At the end of the war, both countries were taking in nazi scientists. My cover was that I worked for the telephone ministry, but I helped develop weapons. Stalin gave me no more choice than Hitler. Still, why do you think Russia fought to get me extradicted?
Spiderman: Makes sense, and the other two?
Groitzig: Rhienholt was a child when the war ended. One aspect of de-nazification was the soviets would take in refugee children, teach them marxist idealogy. I assume he left out the part where his father was the Red Skull. As for Schultz, he was a spy, he understood the value of hiding in plain sight.
Tasha: Anyway, we're here for my daughter, Sela.
Groitzig: I do not know if she wants to leave. I can arrange a meeting between you two, but I cannot promise anything more.