Watchmen: Red Son
Chapter 4
**
The Rorschach was at Dreiberg's place, going over the mission. Colonel Mason was also there, and Eddie Blake.
"Dr. Veidt theorized that Dr. Nuclear's future perception could be distorted by tachyon disturbance, so we've developed a micro-tachyon generator to avoid him seeing his own demise."
"Hurm…" The Rorschach studied the generator, "This'll work, but what will we use to kill him?"
Dreiberg flicked a switch, and the room started to glow.
"Tachyons," Dreiberg explained, "We've had them in all the meeting rooms, whenever we discuss the project."
Mason handed The Rorschach a gun.
"This fires a special bullet that will take him apart, one atom at a time. But it has to be aimed directly between his eyes, so we can destroy his brain."
"I see," The Rorschach made a mental note of this, since it was too dangerous to write it down
Dreiberg switched off the tachyons.
"OK, now, the trip is in one week, so we'll all meet at the airport, and take the Eagle ship. Rorschach, you'd better pack warm clothes, it's very cold in Russia."
"I'll be fine," The Rorschach said, "You'll see…"
**
One Week Later…
**
The four of them sat in the Eagle-ship, flying over Moscow. Dreiberg was fully suited up in his Nite-Eagle costume, The Rorschach had his standard trench coat, but he had two sweaters on underneath it, plus thick socks and gloves. He also had two guns. Colonel Mason had his military uniform on, and Blake was wearing a very thick coat.
"ETA thirty minutes," Dreiberg said, in his deeper Nite Eagle voice, "Does everyone know there assignment?"
"We know," The Rorschach also spoke in a different voice, but his was more of a monotone, "Don't worry ,Nite Eagle, this won't go wrong."
**
Soon, they arrived, touching down outside the Kremlin. The four of them disembarked, and were greeted by a man known as Karl.
"Welcome, Comrade Eagle, Comrade Rorschach," Karl grinned, shaking their hands, "Colonel Mason, Comrade Blake…"
He ushered them inside, and revealed a stone walled room, well lit, with a red carpet and beautiful paintings on the wall. They walked into a large hall, where there was a stage and several rows of chairs. Journalists from all around the world were there, ready to meet Dr. Nuclear. As the four of them entered the room, people stared at them.
"Typical American theatrics," one reporter commented
"Het is als de kompt uit van een stripboek!" laughed a Dutch reporter
"They look like they came out of a comic book!" an interpreter laughed
Nite Eagle took out a gun, and fired at the reporter. His gun shot out a small tranquilizer dart, knocking the guy out.
"Daniel!" hissed Mason
"He'll be fine in half an hour," Dreiberg sat down in his chair, "Hey! Let's get Dr. Nuclear out here!"
**
Five minutes later…
**
Nikita Khrushchev walked onto the stage, and adjusted the microphone. He spoke in Russian, and several interpreters translated for him.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," the English translator announced, "I am pleased to welcome the guest of honor, the man you are all here to see. My personal friend, Dr. Nuclear!"
The Russian national anthem played, and Dr. Nuclear walked in, wearing his trademark black suit. Nite Eagle slid his cape aside, and pressed a button on his belt. The lights in the room turned off, to cloak the killing.
"What's going on?" a journalist asked
"Someone turn those back on!" an ambassador ordered
Eddie Blake took the shot; in a flash, he pieced together his gun from items in his pockets: a pen, a lighter, a cufflink, and a cigarette case. He fired the gun, and the bullet shot out. Dr. Nuclear detected a small change in air currents, but ignored it. Then suddenly, he felt a stinging sensation in his forehead, like as if he had a static shock. Then suddenly, he realized it was a bullet. The shock of not knowing threw him off guard.
"Aaaah!" Nuclear exclaimed
The bullet penetrated Dr. Nuclear's skull, but Nuclear was ready. He shifted his brain around, replacing the bullet's target with a compilation of brain material that was useless. He still felt a slight sting as the bullet destroyed the useless brain matter, but then the bullet was used up, and safe to destroy at a molecular level.
**
"Let's get out of here," The Rorschach hissed
"Just a second…" Nite Eagle switched on his Eagle-vision goggles, and took out his gun, "I've just got a couple of people I was asked to kill."
He fired two shots, but then stopped.
"Rorschach, which guy is Khrushchev?" he whispered
"That bald fat guy," The Rorschach replied
"Oh, thanks." Nite Eagle shot the guy
**
Three hours later, Dr. Nuclear was certain he knew the side effects of the bullet. Vadim Velkov, his friend and personal scientist, had noticed a change in him.
"What's wrong, Dr. Nuclear?" Vadim asked
Dr. Nuclear told Vadim about the bullet he had stopped.
"So?" Vadim asked
"I've figured out what the excess brain tissue was," Dr. Nuclear said, "It was the part of me that could see the future…"
**
One week later…
**
The Rorschach was in his study, writing another article on his visit to the Soviet Union. Laurie came in, bringing him his dinner.
"Thanks Laurie," he said, "I'm sorry to be working so long, but I've just got so many ideas."
"It's OK, hon," Laurie said, "It feels so weird not being able to tell anyone about this. I feel as if I'm going to burst."
"I know what you mean," The Rorschach said, "I…"
He stopped talking, and stared at Laurie. She had two marks on her neck, as if someone had bitten her.
"Laurie, where did those come from?" The Rorschach asked
Laurie felt the marks.
"I don't know," she said, "I…I don't remember getting hurt. Probably just a mosquito."
"Yeah."
The Rorschach continued writing, and started to eat. Laurie laughed.
"What is it?" he asked
"You've still got your mask on."
"Oh!" The Rorschach took it off, and stuffed it in his pocket, "Thanks. Honestly, sometimes it feels like that's my actual face…"