Suggested changes: {before : after}
On Fri, 27 Sep 2002 22:23:33 -0400 DB Sommer <sommer@3rdm.net> wrote:
"It's good to be the Emperor." The Mandarin smiled to himself as he headed
toward the master control room to properly enjoy the fruits of his labors.
He still had a second target to decide upon, and he was considering a more
high profile target this time. New Delhi was discounted as being too
insignificant to the world at large. Somewhere else. The Western World,
perhaps. Striking the United States was tempting, since they were the most
powerful nation in the world and could potentially put up the most
resistance. However, destroying a major city there would only slow the {ease
of :} transition to his rule, since it would undoubtedly have a devastating
effect on their economy. And there was the fact he had already struck a
target in that hemisphere. Something in Europe then. It was becoming a
decayed old husk and would have to be changed extensively in any case. He
had never liked the French; they were too self-important for a country that
had never managed to accomplish anything. The Germans tended to make a
nuisance of themselves every few generations. Or there were always the
British. Isolated on an island, destruction there would have a more limited
effect on the mainland, while bringing home the point that Europe was not
immune to the Mandarin' hand of death. And they had never truly been
conquered by anyone. There was definitely an appeal there.
Despite the clean blow backed by such tremendous force, the Mandarin was {abl
e : able} to roll with the punch, and the dragon scale armor absorbed much of the
damage. He was quick to regain his bearings. Using his left hand to rise off
the floor, he brought his right hand up, unleashing the impact beam. The
shot struck Giant Man with enough force to hurt him despite his mass.
Unable to defend himself, the Mandarin suffered the full effect of the
impact. He was too dazed to maintain his fiery aura, though he had not yet
been driven to unconsciousness. "Come too far to lose," he swore through his
{ :}haze.
Just as he had finished picking out a mask, the police arrived. Tatewaki
tried to explain how he was doing the owner a favor by wearing the outfit,
but the police had the audacity to accuse him of stealing! Unable to bear
the insult, Tatewaki easily knocked both of them out. Regrettably, they had
the foresight to call for backup, and he was forced to render a half dozen
officers {insatiate : senseless : insensate}.
He probably did leave them unsatisfied though.
"Blast! My vortex beam must not have struck her fully, or she was more {durab
le : durable} than I believed." A haunted expression crossed the Mandarin's features.
"Perhaps she has gone to free the others. Quickly, go down to the normal
prisoners' cell and make sure they are still secure." He brought up his
communicator. "Tarou, Elektra, be advised, there is a centimeter tall,
flying girl who can shoot energy from her hands. She is extremely dangerous.
Don't bother trying to capture her. Kill her on sight. Speed Demon, Power
Man, make certain Thor and the piglet are secure as well."
"You'd better not have. That one is going to be the mother of my children.
If anything was to happen to her, you would be made very sorry. However, as
long as she's secure, you have nothing to fear."
"She's... ah, secured."
I guess they're not all that dumb. They recognize the right answer when
told.
Tears filled her eyes. "Good bye, Mr. Pig." And she tried hurrying away as
best as she could, her {pain encumbered : pain-encumbered} limb forcing her to use the wall to
help prop her up.