Chapter 40: Whack-a-Mole

Cecil, what do you have the Maulers working on?

What do you think? What's the one thing the Maulers are always working on?

But let me worry about them. You go take care of Machine Head and his goons who are taking advantage of all this global chaos.

Machine Head! Stop right there! Can't you read the room? There's enough going on right now.

Don't I know it. I'm surprised you even had time for me.

We can always make time for you.

C'mon Machine Head. If Angstrom gets his way, you think there's gonna be a world left for you? Help us stop this.

I don't think so. I'd rather take my chances with that power-hungry maniac than the one you work for.

Doc Seismic is making a fuss near Mount St. Helens. Could you go shut him up please?

I'm having enough trouble with these haywire volcanoes... Can't you heroes leave me alone?!

But, while you're here, guess it doesn't hurt to give my Magmanites a work out.

Doc Seismic, Angstrom is planning something horrible. Come on, you have to see reason here and team up with us.

Doc Seismic see reason?

You've got a deal. I don't like this Angstrom either, so my Magmanites will assist you in dealing with him. But I expect something in return…

We'll see, Doc. Thanks for your help.

Angstrom's alternate world army has sprung back up again, and now he's got Machine Head and his goons with him.

Let's go, Doc. Let's see what those Magmanites can really do.

They can do plenty, I assure you.

We still don't have enough. Angstrom's got too many people in his army.

Cecil, how are the Maulers coming along?

They promised me "soon", but I'm seeing now "soon" isn't fast enough.

Finally! The Maulers are done!

Ah... You're welcome... We guess?

Now we've got an entire clone army, the Magmanites, and you originals.

I see we get mentioned last…

It's not about who gets the credit; it's about taking out Angstrom.

Fair enough, Cecil. But once this battle is done, those clones of us are going away.

Can we just focus on winning this fight first, please!

Angstrom, we've got the numbers to stop you. Smarten up and give it up.

You'll never be able to stop what I have planned.

We've picked up a lot of activity near an active volcano in Japan. Angstrom is planning something with that volcano.

I knew something was going on with the volcanoes. Angstrom was behind it all along.

But what is he planning?

We chased the bastards off, but we still don't know what they were up to.

Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.

More activity near another volcano. Get there and stop whatever Angstrom is planning.

On it, Cecil.

They're making a hole?

Yeah... he's got people tunneling a massive hole. But why?

Figure out what they're doing with that giant hole and stop them!

Damn! They're deep! They've hit the mantle of the earth!

It's making the entire planet unstable.

We've got Angstrom's army running, but we have to figure out how to close this hole, or fill it up, or something.

Yes, a hole of this size could have dire consequences for the planet.

Cecil! Cecil! We've got an army of alternate world people stealing a nuclear warhead!

Dammit! This keeps going from horrible to horrific. Get that warhead back!

They got away. They got away with the warhead!

Cecil, what do we do?

Get it back! And pray that Angstrom doesn't use it before you get it.

They're bringing the warhead to the hole!

Oh my god. He's planning on blowing up the planet from the inside.

Come on, we have to close up the hole and stop him.

Great job! You closed up that hole. Angstrom's still got the nuke, but at least the hole is closed for now.

Ha ha! You think I'd put all my nukes in one basket? I've had my army digging holes all over the world.

Like I said, you cannot stop me.

We've got eyes on the warhead; it's heading towards Rome.

So that's where we're headed.

Yes! Another hole filled.

Thanks Doc Seismic, for doing a lot of the heavy lifting with this hole business.

My Magmanites were made for this.

Now you're starting to upset me.

It's a game of Whack-a-Mole, Angstrom, and we could play it all day.

Cecil, we've got an attack happening right on our doorstep!

Ha! We're getting to Angstrom. He's trying to take me out here.

Well, bring it on!

Arghh!!

Cecil! You've been shot!

You?! You son of a bitch.

Angstrom needs you out of the way. I am more than happy to oblige.

Everyone! I've got Cecil in a saferoom, but the other Cecil and a legion of alternate yous are about to break our door down.

We're on our way, Donald.

Your siege is over.

What are you going to do now?

You know… I have valuable information about Angstrom's plans. I can help you.

The only way you can help is by being a cheap funeral.

Arghhh!

Donald, dispose of the body.

Give up, Angstrom. We've ruined your plans. It's over.

Over? I seem to remember that I still have a nuclear warhead.

I might not be able to destroy your world, Invincible…

But the city you call home would still do nicely.

Come on! We've got him on the run, but he's still got the warhead.

Man, I really hate this guy.

Angstrom has the nuke, and he's in Chicago. We've got minutes if not seconds to stop him.

We need to do whatever it takes to get that nuke away from the city.

What are all the clones doing? They're acting in unison!

Part of the deal with the Maulers. I can hijack their minds at any time.

I need to get that nuke, no matter what.

They're rushing Angstrom for the nuke! They're cannon fodder doing that!

Cecil! Stop this!

Or what?! Let Angstrom nuke the city?!

They got it! They have the nuke!

Now they just need to get it away.

Cecil, we can't let them do this.

Stay away from them! This has to happen.

They're taking it up into the upper atmosphere.

The nuke has detonated!

They saved us. They all saved us.

Suddenly "they" saved us. Twenty seconds ago I was doing this to them.

The nuke's gone, but Angstrom is still here.

Alright, Angstrom. It's just you and us.

Let's end this finally.

It's over Angstrom.

Invincible… No... This will never be over... I will not rest until I am peeling the skin from you,

ARGHHHH!!!!!

10,000 volts of electricity ought to keep him quiet.

Nice job, Robot.

Now bring that bastard in. I've got the perfect cell picked out for him.

Angstrom is done for. Thank you everybody. That wasn't easy... But you did it. Now let's get back to work.