Science fiction; Short stories; Supervillains -- Fiction; United States -- Fiction
The Chairman of the House Committee on Achilles Maravain rises and
addresses the President. "Mr. President," (cough), "we are led to
believe that these are the facts of the case. There is (or are) a
person (or persons) calling himself (or themselves) Achilles Maravain,
who has been (or have been) imprisoning prisons, causing no end of
annoyance and embarrassment, and who has (or have) proclaimed what
purports to be the constitution of a new American state, founded after
the manner of our Grecian predecessors in the experiment of democracy.
The experiment of democracy, which, may I say, gentlemen" (voice
takes oratorical tones) "has fulfilled all the most rosy hopes and
expectations, which has turned a barren wilderness of thirteen original
states into the magnificence and resplendency of--"
"We are all aware of that, Mr. Ainsworth." The President's grimace
could rightly be termed sinister.
The Chairman sits down abruptly and the President continues. "In any
event, gentlemen, we are confronted by a profoundly serious situation,
coming as it is, at a time when we should bend every effort toward
preparing for a war against the Old World. This person (or persons)
known as Achilles Maravain is having a distressingly diverting effect
upon us when all energies from that--er, madman--in Europe. Beyond
doubt he is some pseudo-idealistic radical--perhaps an emissary of the
Federation. Whatever he is, he has no full cognizance of the extreme
gravity of our situation, and, as such will not assist us. Thus, he
(or they) must be destroyed. What might any of you gentlemen suggest
towards the speedy expedition of this destruction?"
The First Lady arises. "I'm not a gentleman," she simpers, "but--"
"Quite true. Sit down, please."
"Wait a moment. I have something to suggest. Perhaps you do not realize
it, but I am indirectly responsible for the uncovering of Achilles
Maravain, in Smith's clothing. It was one of my girls, Cecile Douve,
who did the job. And we--she in active duty, and I as her patron--are
continuing our efforts. As once she wormed her way into his affections,
so shall she do it again. As once she effectively uncovered him, so
shall she do a second time. I really promise you results, gentlemen.
Results."
* * * * *
And results she got. Results they were. The web, the power expended,
the intricacies of thought, the drive of five hundred individuals were
her results. The huge rolling mass of energy that was exhausted by five
hundred highly specialized and superbly trained and educated beings
was the result she directed against the insidious Mr. Maravain. And,
most important of all, one person named Cecile Douve. Four hundred and
ninety-nine engineers, scientists, technicians, and one little lump of
hotcha generally known as Cecile Douve.
"I love you," she said.
Achilles replied. "The last time I believed that, you called in the FBI
as witnesses to our mutual affection."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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