Vortex Vol. 1 #14 "The General"

A large man clad in a military outfit stands in an empty room, accompanied by an armed soldier. He taps his foot impatiently and pulls back his sleeve, revealing a watch.

"That freak was supposed to be here 6 minutes ago."

 

The General hears a sudden ZZZzzZZT noise behind him, and a cool gust of air from behind gives him goose bumps.

 

"I find it fascinating what people say in ones absence. I can't blame them for thinking it, but words hurt, y'know."

 

The voice makes the general nervous, but he keeps his posture.

 

"Ahh, the man himself, Clockwork: The King of Time...is late."

He mocks.

 

"I think of myself as more of a /master/ of time. I have controlled the uncontrollable man-made illusion known as time. We invented the id---

 

"Fine, Clockwork: Master of Time. I've heard of your constant lectures, and I'm going to tell you right now, cut the crap, and cut to the chase."

The General cuts in. He is intimated, possibly even frightened, but can show no sign of it.

 

"Ohoho, your reputation serves you right General. Down to business then, shall we?"

 

"Yes, let's get on with it then."

 

Clockwork opens his hand to show a small mechanical device. The General's eyes widen, and his mouth began to gape in awe.

 

"The Incelifier: it speeds the cells of the user to a vibrate, allowing them to move at speeds previously unheard of! So it appears as though they move so fast the naked eye sees nothing but a blur."

 

The General could hold his smile in no more. Like a child on Christmas, his face lit up with excitement.

 

"I don't even want to know how you managed to get your hands on this."

 

"Well, I'll tell you anyways, I made it! It was my life's work, and there is only two in existence. I plan on keeping the other one, the Decelifier. It slows the particles of all things in the general area, other than the user of course." CW explained as he handed it to the General.

 

"Magnificent."

The General hardly got the word out. He motioned his guard forward, who he'd almost forgot existed. The soldier stepped forward and handed the dealer a map.

 

"I'll have my men drop a brief case here at exactly 0200 hours tomorrow night, you'll find every penny and nothing less. It's been a pleasure doing business with you."

 

"Oh no no no, the pleasure was all mine."

Clockwork fondled his favored crowbar behind his back excitedly.

 

 

The General extended his hand to the deranged genius. Clockwork smiled wide under his mask and grabbed it. He gave him a quick, limp, shake. The General's smile turned to a disgusted look at the surprisingly weak farewell, as he is met by a gush of wind. With Clockwork leaving the same way he had came; mysterious and disturbing.

-----------------------------------------------------

The General sighed, and spun around. He pulled out a pistol and shot the guard, turning his head at an angle as the body slumped to the floor. He pulled out a To-Do-List and wrote down "Clean up mess" under all of the other unfathomable deeds and acts. He began to whistle a cryptic toon as he folded the paper and put it in his pocket. He then walked down the stairs, and ducked under the boarded door. Hopping in his Jeep the General drove off, his figure eventually disappearing into the night.

Done