Big Bald

"It is amazing what humanity is capable of once they are motivated towards something. I feel like we are witnessing the history of our species repeating itself all over again." Sage said while looking up at the night sky, snuggled within Savant's arms.

"It really is spectacular. Who would have even imagined that something like this would happen." Cypher agreed while lightly toasting the smores over the fire.

They were having a mini picnic on the viewing deck of the Earth Federation's control tower floating above the stratosphere. It was like a giant spinning top with a long tail end. Although the Federation has vehemently denied the accusations, some conspiracy theorists have pointed out that the control tower is some space-based laser weapon.

Savant didn't really blame them. It was normal for people to feel fear at a structure almost thrice as large as an aircraft carrier was floating above them with a long metallic structure constantly aimed at the ground. Just the sheer size of the ship was overwhelming to the senses. If one were to spot it high in the sky through a reasonably powerful lens, one would justifiably be terrified.

The fact was that Doom or just his legion of crazies could do more damage than anything that a weapon up in space could do. But it was more about what the people could see right in front of them. A Damocles' sword if you will. Even if the sword is hanging by a thread made of steel alloy, a person who sleeps under it will continue being anxious about the sword falling.

The couple enjoyed a quiet time observing the tens of spaceships launched from Earth filled with hopeful people who wanted to make it big by exploring the vast space. It was until Cypher, who mind you, is known for understanding things, unceremoniously barged in on the private moment and turned it into a small picnic of three.

"I am amazed too. The promised age of flying cars never really appeared but now we can see the age of spaceships. It was quite the leap. But greed can make miracles happen sometimes."

Just two years after Musk's announcement, the corporations launched 10 manned spaceships simultaneously to begin exploring the vast solar system. Today was the historic day when the launch had happened. It will probably be remembered long in the future as a historic day. 

The pleasant times didn't last long though as the three of them all looked up in one direction at the same time. They had felt a gaze with some intent turning toward them from the direction of the moon. It didn't seem like the person meant to hide the intent either.

"Oh well, I guess we need to get up now. Our Dear Emperor will probably be arriving soon." Just as the three of them were standing up and straightening their clothes, Doom teleported there.

"You felt the gaze too?" Doom asked without wasting time on pleasantries.

"Ah, yes. I had almost forgotten about this situation but I guess we will have to prepare for a diplomatic visit to the moon. A bald man and a city await our presence. I suggest we meet the bald man first and send a diplomatic envoy or something to the city on the moon in the meantime. They should be getting restless right about now."

Since the Inhumans had been living on the moon so quietly, Savant had completely overlooked their existence. But the sudden deployment of spaceships meant to begin proper settlement and mining on Earth should have made them anxious about Earth's intent.

Savant roughly explained to Cypher and Doom about the Inhumans and their little slice of civilization hidden on the moon.

Doom handed over instructions to his aides regarding the diplomatic envoy to Attilan, the moon city of the Inhumans. "Contact Attilan and let them know that we want to hold a meeting. Also, make sure the newly launched spaceships steer clear of that side of the moon."

Although Doom didn't mind wiping out the moon city, he didn't exactly endorse senseless violence. He decided that a show of force wouldn't be needed as long as the Inhumans didn't get any stupid ideas like rejecting his proposal for a peaceful resolution.

It had been common knowledge on Earth for some time that Inhumans existed separate from the mutants. They had distinguished themselves by joining the fight side by side with the other heroes and were also currently contributing to the Federation in many ways.

But the idea of the Inhuman city on the moon was something that had been floated in some hushed rumors among the Inhuman community but was quickly dismissed as nonsense by most of them. A utopia only for their kind might have been appealing to some who subscribed to the beliefs of eugenics but to the majority, it was just a fun legend to talk about at parties.

As the Federation employees began moving about busily to draft a diplomatic response to the new neighbors on the moon they had just heard about, Doom teleported and appeared on the moon with Savant and Cypher. Sage was left behind to deal with the diplomatic operations.

"Having fun peeping at us, Uatu? How is it going these days?" Savant asked the giant man with the giant bald head. It was the Watcher.

"I am watching and observing, as is my job. I am sure you know all about it." Uatu replied pointedly at Savant's jokes. He feared that Savant probably even knew about his past. Savant was a very strange existence in the sense the collective intelligence of the Watchers couldn't make sense of the man. He was simply an enigma to them.

Although the really strong cosmic beings were aware of Savant's status as a soul that had trespassed from beyond the source wall, the Watchers were still in the process of finding out.

"Let me do the introductions first. Although you probably even know when the last time he shaved down there was, this is our esteemed Emperor of Earth, who was democratically elected, Victor Von Doom. And next to him is Cypher. He can talk to everything."

Doom frowned at the introduction that suggested he was being spied on and Cypher looked sullen at the short introduction.

Savant continued, "As for this big bald friend here is Uatu. He is from an ancient race of people who have perfected the art of peeping to the degree of cosmic conscience and even renamed their entire race the Watchers. All they do is watch, everything, everywhere, and all the time."

Cypher shuddered at the thought. "That sounds very creepy. Does this… mister here watch everything? And why haven't we been able to sense his presence then?"

It was a valid question. After reaching a certain level of power, your senses are heightened to the degree that they evolve into entirely new senses. So sensing a gaze shouldn't have been a problem for either him or Doom.

"Do you notice the moon looking down at you? Or any other planets or stars?" Savant asked.

"How can a planet look at us when it is inanimate?" Cypher retorted while Doom was thinking about something while closely observing Uatu.

"Hmm. A better example would probably be a CCTV camera on the streets. They are watching you all the time but you don't register it as a gaze unless someone is looking at you through it." Doom thought out loud while scratching his chin.

"That's right. You need to have some intent in the gaze for you to register it. These guys are like cosmic CCTVs, just watching for the sake of watching almost mechanically. No offense." Savant turned to Uatu while explaining.

"It is quite offensive to compare our civilization to a crude surveillance device but I understand the point you are trying to make so I will let it slide." Uatu sighed.

"So, why did you try to get our attention anyway? You aren't supposed to be intervening."

At Savant's question, there was a sparkle in the Watcher's eyes as he looked far off in the distance. One could feel it right away just by looking at the watcher's eyes that he was looking far beyond the galaxy and probably even beyond time itself. It was one of their many powers.

"Do you know about the Annihilation wave?" Uatu spoke while still looking into the distance.

While Doom and Cypher were trying to look into their memories to find anything that matched that name, Savant had his palm over his face as if he was tired of it. "It never stops with this universe, does it? Just one thing after the other. It keeps on going. I'm reminded of the quote, peace is the time between the wars when you prepare"

Doom asked Savant in a gravelly voice, "What do you mean? What is this Annihilation wave?"

"Hmm let me see. How shall I put it? Remember the last invasion, it is like a re-skinned version of that but with a much larger army of bugs that destroy everything in their path. The name annihilation wave says it all really. It is led by a guy named Annihilus who wants to devour everything and continue getting stronger. I believe they are from the negative zone."

Savant turned to the Watcher, "Any chance you know when it is coming? Besides, why are you even telling us about it?"

"You can find out about that on your own. As for my intervention, I am not entirely sure. I suppose I didn't want to see meaningless destruction across the universe." Uatu answered.

"That will have to do for now I guess." Savant nodded and looked into space with shining eyes.

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