Chapter 33

The Fastest Man Alive

Chapter 33

Unknown

 

[Vega HQ]

It was another bright and sunny morning as I sat in my office going over my evening plans while also fleshing out the infrastructure of the island. Suddenly my office doors were thrown open with a very excited Susan Storm barging in. In her hands was one of the gold and purple plants that Gwen had brought back from the island.

With a wave of my hand, I closed down the holograms I was working on as I raised an eyebrow. Susan Storm stood at a smooth five feet six inches with long flowing blonde hair. Susan was currently wearing a lab coat over a nice pair of jeans that hugged her shapely curves.

“Dr. Storm is there a need for you to come barging into my office early in the morning?” I asked as I looked her up and down. I noticed the bags under her eyes and her haggard look from being in the labs all night working on a project.

Leaning back into my seat, I watched as Susan Storm paced a nice little trail in front of my desk as she put together what she wanted to tell me in her head. She paused, about to say something but then went back to pacing. I didn’t have time for this.

“Dr. Storm, would you like to start now because I do have a meeting with Ben after this,” I spoke up prompting her to start whatever she was going to present.

“Oh sorry but this plant that Gwen brought back, do you have any more? It has progressed my research against Alzheimer’s by leaps and bounds! Boosting the connections between the brain cells and producing regenerative tissue! If we can synthesize more of the properties this plant produces, we can cure most of, if not all the most hideously debilitating mental deficiencies known to man!” Susan Storm rambled on a mile a minute, and the only thing that saved me was my accelerated hearing and understanding.

“Okay, and why can’t you use what you already have within the labs?” I asked her as I stapled my fingers together on top of my desk.

“Gwen didn’t bring back enough of these flowers, so I would like to go and gather more!” Susan stated as she leaned over my desk in evident excitement.

“Denied,” I replied instantly. “The place we recover these from is protected, and I don’t need the FDA killing this or the world forcing their way into the area for monetary gain.”

“I’m not doing this for monetary gain! This is for science and the advancement of humanity! Think about the number of people we can help save with this cure!” Susan huffed indignantly as if I insulted her.

“As a scientist, that’s your prerogative: but the world does not conform to what you would like, does it doctor? I have to make contingencies so that our discoveries or other problems don’t bury us as we concentrate on bringing them to the world.” I replied as I watched the emotions play across her face. Susan stood up from my desk, and I watch her pace some more as she thought about what I just said.

“I can’t say that I disagree with you on that one,” Susan said as she paced back and forth.

“I can make arrangements for you to receive more of the plants, but you have to keep it under wraps until we figure out a way to get it to market without having the entire world finding the source and destroying the ecosystem,” I told her, shutting down any more of her advances for information.

“I would like to make a trip to this ecosystem to see what else we could discover,” Susan replied with hope in her voice.

“I will think about it doctor,” I replied as I got up from behind my desk to show her the way out of my office. “Also, doctor, don’t forget to show up for Allen’s training session.”

“I already know how to use my abilities,” Susan replied as she left my office.

“Mind over matter of course. That doesn’t mean you won’t be tested below . I refuse to allow anyone to stagnate while in my employ.” I replied with a shrug.

“Hey, Sue, I see you’re talking with the boss man.” A gruff voice sounded out from the reception area. Turning to look behind Susan, I found the big orange rocky form of Ben Grim patiently waiting for his turn near the door.

“Hey, big guy, how’s it going?” Susan returned as she headed for the door.

“It’s going okay, but I’m still getting used to this new form,” Ben said with a shrug of his shoulders.

“Don’t worry big guy, we will figure out how to change you back,” Susan replied as she hugged Ben before getting in the elevator. While Susan went down in the elevator, I directed Ben towards my office, but he took a moment to look at the knives that Natasha had displayed up behind her desk as personal art.

With a grunt, Ben walked into my office and I directed him towards one of the couches to the left of the room as I took a seat across from him.

“AAhh, I don’t think it will hold me,” Ben stated as he looked at the couch I had directed him to use.

“Don’t worry, everything in here is reinforced,” I replied to him with a shrug. Then with a wave of my hand, I brought up what I wanted to discuss with him. Ben stood there for a moment as he looked around for something sturdier for him to use or to stand but with my eyebrow raised at him; Ben sat down.

For a moment, I watched him hold his breath and then let it out as the couch I had him sit on didn’t collapse from his weight. Honestly, I felt bad for the man, because overall every single iteration of the multiverse he was the one that got the rock powers and none of them ever got their human forms back.

Well, there is that one Ben Grimm that Dr. Doom cured just to piss off Reed. That was a taking of his powers, though and Doom did it because he could, and it was only to spit in Reed’s face. This Ben would need to be cured in my life but also be able to retain the ability to transform back or at least use the powers in his human form.

“So why’d you call me up here, boss?” Ben grim asked me from his position from the couch.

“I would like to know how you’re doing because when I checked this morning, you had destroyed over one hundred and forty drones over three days,” I replied as I leaned back into my chair.

“Sorry, I didn’t know that I had destroyed that many,” Ben replied sheepishly.

“I’m not worried about that, but I’m worried about the anger you’re showing when you’re inside the danger room,” I replied to him as I brought up the video recording of the fights he had gone through.

I watched silently as Ben roared for hours as he kept on smashing everything in his way. Then the video showed Ben beating on a few drones while they were already down. When that showed Ben covered his face with his hand in embarrassment. “Yeah, I would be embarrassed if I was fighting an already dead drone in fits of anger,” I quietly confirmed.

“I don’t…. I don’t”-

“That’s fine,” I said, cutting Ben off mid-sentence. “But I will need you to go see someone about your anger. I know being a large rock guy isn’t sitting well with you right now.”

“What do you know, huh. Look at me. I’m a freak!” Ben yelled as he stood up to tower over my seated form. I just sat there and watched as Ben huffed and puffed himself out. Once Ben was finished and took his seat, I waited for him to calm down.

“Sorry I-

I held up my hand to cut Ben off as I stood myself. Ben watched me as I moved to the middle of my desk table then pushed my seat back out of the way. Once I was sure the important stuff was out of my way, I turned to Ben as he looked at me perplexed.

“What happens must stay between us, deal?” I asked Ben who dumbly nodded his head. “I would like a yes or no vocalized please.”

“Yeah, boss, sure thing. This stays between us.” Ben replied slowly.

With Ben’s agreement, I released that tight hold I always kept on my powers. Instantly I was a ten-foot-tall monster made of pure muscle, all while Ben watched me with his mouth hanging open. This wasn’t all, though since the strength force came with control over the earth while the speed force gave me control over space and time.

Closing my eyes, I pushed harder, summoning the earth to me as I felt the warmth flow through my skin. With a little more pushing on the strength force, I was now an eleven foot tall monster of rock and granite with flowing veins of magma along my arms.

My voice boomed from my throat, full of the power unleashed within my body: “No one is a monster! There is control, and then there is a lack of control! My company is more than just releasing the cutting edge in the latest tech. What we do here is help people make peace with their powers and then learn control. You!” I said as I pointed my hand towards the now dumbstruck Ben standing before me. “Must learn peace, and then we can help you with that control. Take a moment and think about it. Reed has powers that he can control. Susan has powers that she can control, and Johnny has powers that he can control. So why wouldn’t you be able to control your powers? Gain your peace, and then we can work on your control.”

Ben stood there watching me for a moment, and then when he took a step forward, I realized what he wanted to do, so I waited for him. I was now eleven feet tall of muscle and granite just like Ben, who thought there was no one like him. I held up a rocky hand, waiting for Ben to do the same and once his hand was up I gave him a high five: The noise of the impact of our hands like the cracking of the earth during a seismic event.

Then, while I watch his face still full of amazement, I brought back a tight leash on all the power within me. As I shrunk back down to my normal height of six feet six inches, all of the rock and granite that I summoned fell away, leaving smooth sexy chocolate skin.

Frustration hit me when my pants almost fell from my hips. That was a sign that I needed to finish the unstable molecular fabric soon because normal clothes were not going to cut it in the future.

“So, I want you to see a shrink to help you out and then after that, we will work on your control,” I told the big guy as he stood there gawking at me like it was the first time he saw a showgirl.

“Wait, can’t we work on both?” Ben quickly asked.

“No,” I replied instantly. “Once you’re a lot calmer you will be able to focus on what we need to do to help you regain your human form. Right now, you’re going to want it too much, and that’s going to make you angrier and mess up whatever we figure out about your powers.”

“I think Susie knows a friend I can go see,” Ben replied as he scratched his head in thought.

“Good! Sort yourself out, and then we can sort out the issue you’re facing by teaching you the control required to turn you back to your human shape,” I replied to the big guy. Ben looked a little down before he nodded his head and went for the door to my office.

While showing Ben to the door, I was greeted by two very unexpected visitors. Raven and nonother than the White Queen herself, Emma Frost, were coming down the hallway towards my office. Well shit, I thought to myself as I watched the two femme fatales walk towards me. Looking down at myself I let out a groan because I was still in my torn up Armani suit.

“What’s the occasion Raven?” I asked with a grunt as I watched them walk towards me. I watched them both carefully: Raven was on the right wearing a nice red colored blouse to match her hair and a matching skirt and heels but, besides her, Emma was just as I imagined her.

She was wearing what could have passed as a business dress but in all white with an overcoat. What was different wasn’t the all-white, no it was the massive tummy window in what should have been a business shirt. The shirt in question that had the open belly window still had its sleeves. The shirt wrapped tightly around her waist like a corset to hold her up her ample bust.

The pants were white bell bottoms that slightly raised to show off the all-white heels she wore. I looked at the tall blonde super hottie in front of me as she gave me her killer bedroom eyes while somehow keeping a straight face. Raven just pouted her lips.

“Since you helped me in receiving a pardon, I thought I would help you with a business opportunity,” Raven replied smoothly as they both walked towards me.

“Yes I’m aware of Frost pharmaceuticals and Cold Steel contacting us recently, but if I recall I turned those down,” I stated with a raised eyebrow. “What’s going to change my mind?”

“I believe we can arrange something to benefit us both,” Emma stated as she locked eyes with me. Blue eyes met grey, and I didn’t budge even when I felt a small tendril of psionic force trying to find its way through or around my mental shields. I sighed at this and almost let a frown play across my face.

With a thought, I constructed a mental image of a post-it sign on the outside of my mental shields stating that.

:Only the cool kids allowed:

Emma had an ever so slightly shocked expression which she quickly replaced with her cold facade. With a wave of my hands, I directed them into my office.

“Drink?” I offered them both. Raven walked over and poured herself and Emma a drink. Raven had a scotch while Emma had a bourbon. I turned to ignore them both, going for my personal bathroom to change into something I could relax in.

Opening my personal closet, I noticed that all I had were extra pairs of suits. I released another sigh at the sight, all I wanted was a pair of nice jeans and a shirt to wear, but Natasha kept on changing out my wardrobe.

“Alfred, did Natasha leave any of my jeans in here?” I asked out loud, hoping he was paying attention. I waited and waited for his response, and then Alfred finally spoke up.

“Sorry father, I was playing with Maya with one of my little drones. From reviewing the records, I believe that Lady Natasha ordered three pairs of jeans for your office wardrobe and some shirts to match.” Alfred informed from the overhead intercoms with a distracted quality as if he was busy.

“Send me an image please, Alfred?” I asked as I began to look through the closet for the jeans and shirt. On my wrist popped up an image of Maya playing in one of the roof gardens with a few of Alfred’s spider bots. Maya was swinging from one of the spider bots while the others stood guard around her. One of the smaller bots had a screen up playing Dora the Explorer.

Maya was wearing a child’s jumper white and a sky blue shirt underneath. I smiled while watching her sing along to the show.

“Thanks, Alfred,” I said as I closed down the holo video playing from the communication beads on my wrist. I had finally found my jeans and t-shirts that I was going to put on, but the shirts made me pause when I pulled one of them out.

In bold stylized letters on the back was Natasha’s little present. It read If lost return to Natasha and then she also left a note on top of the shirts for me that also read don’t worry my shirt reads I’m Natasha.

“Alfred, how many of these shirts did Natasha order?” I asked as I facepalmed my forehead.

“All of them,” Alfred replied instantly. “I have also notified her that you have received her gifts.”

Releasing a sigh, I went for the black polo that had ‘Natasha’s’ embroidered around the left bicep. On the front of the chest pocket was a lightning bolt with the words LightSpeed written underneath. With my shirt on, I looked over my jeans to make sure that Natasha didn’t pull anything with them.

Everything was good, and now it was time to go deal with the massive new problem of Raven bringing Emma Frost and her issues here. I was really starting to get frustrated with this marvel-verse, but by the grace of Stan Lee’s legacy, I wasn’t going to quit now.

Walking back out into my office, I found Emma standing at my window overlooking the city while Raven was laid back on my couch relaxing. Pouring myself a drink, I took up a seat across from Raven. Raven, in turn, gave me a smile that sent a delightful shiver down my spine; bringing back memories of Russia.

Putting those thoughts aside, I turned to the Lady of Frost drinking her bourbon overlooking my city.

“So who is going to tell me the truth of why Ms. Frost is here?” I asked openly as I downed my scotch in one go. I felt another mental probe, stronger than the last, but I kept it out and left the same sign as I had up last time she tried to gain access. Placing my empty cup on the table, I leaned back waiting for either of them to break first.

“I’m here to do official business.” Emma began as she stood in her location looking out upon the city. “You have amassed a large fortune and great influence on the world, Mr. Blake.”

“Who’s official business though?” I replied with a small smile playing at my lips. Raven gave me a smile while Emma kept looking over the city.

“I believe it would be in your best interest to form a partnership with Frost international,” Raven stated as she got up to freshen her own drink. “The partnership could benefit Vega Industries with access to countries and markets that you haven’t yet breached.”

“As I said earlier, I turned down a partnership before: what makes this different?” I questioned as I watch the two.

“This comes with a recommendation to the most exclusive club in the world,” Emma spoke up as she turned around.

“You’re willing to give me a recommendation to the Hellfire Club?” I asked while wiping the smile off of my face. I didn’t believe that place had anything that I couldn’t kill or steal for myself. I was too much the smash and take type of guy and not the sneaky type.

“Yes, Mr. Shaw has extended an invitation for a bishop position to start with.” Emma said as she walked back towards where I was seated on the couch. The good ole Hellfire club was not only one of the most influential clubs of millionaires and billionaires but also one of the most corrupt places to mingle.

Slowly I thought about what the Hellfire club could do for me, and as I slowly mulled these thoughts over Emma took a seat beside Raven on the couch. I took in the sight before me and placed my schemes aside to enjoy the sight of the pair of beautiful women.

“How about you tell me what you would like out of these deals. I’m certain that Raven wouldn’t bring you here if there wasn’t something else besides a business deal.” I stated as I sat up straighter in my seat.

“It is understood that you like to assist and give others second chances.” Raven began with measured words. “I would be delighted if you could extend the same offer to Emma that I received.”

“That is something Emma could ask for herself and, the last time I checked, Ms. Frost is a free woman and isn’t in the same situation as you were Raven,” I replied as I placed my hands together. “There is something else, and I would like to know what it is.”

“I will not get on my knees and beg you for assistance!” Emma spoke as she got up to leave.

“Emma wait!” Raven started rapidly as she grabbed onto Emma’s wrist.

“I refuse to debase myself with asking for assistance!” Emma spat.

With my fingers steepled together I began while eyeing her, “You did not beg nor did you ask. You made an offer for someone else, and then Raven asked for you. So how about you get off whatever high horse you’re on because I don’t need nor am I impressed by the prissy bitch routine. And by now you should understand the mental manipulation routine you have tried isn’t going to work on me, so how about you shoot straight and stop with the curveballs. Also, you can drop the act.”

“The only reason Raven would bring you here to ask for help is that maximum firepower is necessary,” I said as I leaned back in my seat spreading my arms out across the couch.

“While your crass American firepower is much appreciated. What I need is something much more subtle. These opponents can’t see the moves that are being made.” Emma replied to me with a shrug.

“The sleek and rugged Mr. Todd would be great for this situation,” Raven spoke up as she gave me a smile.

“I still don’t see a reason for me to rub shoulders with these people when a sniper round could solve so many troubles for me.”

She sighed, “Boys and their toys,” Raven said as she began to transform. Crap! I need to finish the unstable molecule fabric very soon and get it updated with the shape change clothing tech from that Japanese scientist who was playing with it. “The prize is a very sweetened pot.”

Looking back at me were two very identical versions of Emma Frost; killer bedroom eyes and pouty lips with nothing out of place. More and more honey traps, if I didn’t know how the marvel verse liked to screw over the hero, I would jump at this chance, but I was always thinking with more than just my second head even if I was getting so much tail thrown at me. Crap again! I was beginning to feel like Spiderman Second Coming with all these women in my life bringing along their personal issues.

Why couldn’t I be more like Stark and not give a crap or at least get more C list of groupies, my hands were beginning to get full with all the badass women popping up.

“I don’t share, period. And are you not involved Emma?” I asked the duo before me. “The last time I checked the news was all up into that little fit about your latest boy toy.”

Raven then transformed into a guy and back into Emma’s twin all the while smiling at me. Well, I guess that answers the question about who Emma was dating, but I wasn’t so certain about adding another lady to my already, ahem, growing situation.

“Since you have been in the club the longest there might be a few people I would like you to get information on for me.” I started off slowly.

“Here,” Raven said as she slid a USB stick across the table towards me.

“It would seem that the both of you came prepared,” I replied with a raised brow while plugging the USB stick into the table before us.

“Preparation keeps our species from becoming savages,” Emma said, placing one leg over the other. “So tell me, how are you able to block my mental examinations?”

“So are you going to admit you’re wrong for trying to get into my mind without my consent?” I asked as I went over the information on my Sanskrit communication beads

“You can’t prove that it was me, nor can you prove that I’m a mutant,” Emma replied smoothly.

“The proper term around here is meta-human.” I replied off handly as I looked over the file of Edward Buckman. Now that I had a lead to get close to this asshole, I wasn’t going to let it slip through my grasp. Emma scoffed at my correction but, when she noticed me placing down the things at which I was looking, she met my eyes. “This homo superior bullshit and mutant bullshit needs to be left at the wayside. If you want me to cooperate with you, then you need to understand that I fight for equality, not for superiority.”

“And what makes you think we will gain equality. Even with your grandstanding, the President still backtracked on his stance.” Emma pointed out with a smirk playing on her lips.

“Monkey with a banana is what he is,” I replied brushing aside the President and his bullshit. “Soon, I will have a monopoly over things that the world can’t live without, and I will force their hands on the issue of equal rights.”

“You speak of this as if it is a foregone conclusion?” Emma asked, but before I could respond, Raven spoke up.

“Ben is riding a line between Eric and Charles,” Raven spoke up in my defense before I could say anything. ” I have witnessed his willingness to do what needs to be done while also not taking things beyond a limit.”

For a moment, I watched as Emma sat there thinking about what Raven told her while I kept my own mouth shut.

“The deal with Frost International.” Emma prompted me as she pushed her own agenda.

“What’s in the deal for me? I know you’re going to gain access to medical technology that will revolutionize the world, but I haven’t heard anything being offered to me besides money.” I replied as I got up to pour myself another drink.

“I would think that Raven transforming into me would clue you in on the prize,” Emma said, and I could hear the mirth in her voice.

“Okay that’s an interesting proposition but again why? And don’t tell me it’s because you have fallen for me because we both know that’s not true.” I replied as I poured myself some scotch.