Thor#512

Lo there shall come a GLADIATOR !

By Ralph L. Angelo Jr.

Splash page : Sigurd Jarlson at a desk in his new office, looking over charts and forms with the help of Jerry Sapristi and attorney Matt Murdoch.

Murdoch : "...And so Mr Jarlson, these all look in order. Your bid on the new dock area*on the west side has been accepted and you can begin work within a week, according to the city planning board and the Mayors office.

*Destroyed by Thor and his other worldly double in Thor #507

Sigurd : "I thank you Mr Murdoch. This is very welcome news for a fledgling concern like my own. "

Page 2 : Sig stands and walks Matt to his door

Sig : " Once again Mr Murdoch, your help and experience were invaluable in this affair."

Matt : "My Pleasure Mr Jarlson, and please , call me "Matt".

Sig: "Only if you will call me Sigurd ,Matt."

Murdoch offers his hand in the direction of Sigs voice

Matt :" Agreed then Sig. I'll be speaking to you soon enough. Have a good afternoon."

Sig : "And yourself as well Matt."

Page 3

Matt makes his way into the hallway

Matt: ( I hate putting on the pretense of the helpless blind man for Sig, but no use in explaining to him how I know he's Thor. That'll get into my hearing his heartbeat and an explanation of who I really am as well. I wonder what got into him that made him go into a major business like this?)

Matt enters an elevator that a helpful woman pushes the buttons for and disappears.

Sigurd turns to Jerry

SIG : "Well Jerry it seems that between you and Matthew everything is in working order here and in very good hands as well."

Jerry : "Thanks buddy, but I hope this doesn't mean you're gonna pull one a your disappearing acts on me already ?"

Sig : "As per our agreement my friend if I do disappear for an extended period all company decisions are yours to make. I trust you my friend. I'm sure you won't abuse that trust."

Jerry : "Don't worry pal, everything's in good hands."

Page 4

Sig : "Very well then Jerry, I am retiring to my apartments for the afternoon. If anything comes up that needs my attention, then please call me, otherwise I'll see you in the morning."

Jerry : "Take care Pal."

Sig leaves the office and enters the special elevator he had installed that brings him to the top floors of the Warhammer building. He enters an opulent suite that covers the whole upper floor.

Sig : ( Ah tis good to be done with the days administrations. When I began this venture I had no idea twould be so taxing. I have not flown the skies of midgod for a week since Warhammer construction officially opened its doors. Tis time to change that.)

Sig leaves the upper floors to a rooftop doorway, exiting on the upper deck of The Warhammer.

There he looks around carefully once and then removes a withered and gnarled walking stick from his bag he had picked up in his quarters and slams it to the rooftop in a blaze of lightening and thunder.

BA-ROOOMM!!

Page 5

To reveal the form of The Mighty THOR !

Cut to earth orbit, the Shiar Star cruiser T'Kaus' main bridge

Science officer D'Gruu: "We have found him Captain, the unique energies of his Asgardian Hammer have finally appeared."

The Captain sits in his command chair, fingering his beard of bird-like hair.

Captain: " Hhmm, inform the Gladiator. Tell him Thor has finally surfaced."

Off panel Voice: "I am informed already Captain K'Ruuk, though your concern will be noted for the Majestrix."

K'Ruuk nods at Gladiator then turns in his chair back to his view screen.

Page 6

K'Ruuk :"Go then Praetor of the Imperial Guard. Bring glory to the Empire with the capture of the supposed destroyer of the Rigellians homeworld."

Gladiator : "You say that with such contempt Captain, one might even think disrespect."

The Captain spins in his chair then quickly stands and walks to face Gladiator toe to toe.

K'Ruuk : "Make no mistake Guardsmen , my personal loathing for your high handed ways will not interfere with my duty, and also remember, you are aboard MY ship, not yours. Here I will be treated with respect by my guests, no matter what their stature in other places."

Both men glare at each other with no concealment to their feelings toward one another. , then...

Gladiator : "As you say Captain, forgive me if I seemed disrespectful myself. None was meant."

Captain : "Apology accepted Gladiator."

Page 7

(Multiple panels of Thor in flight, alternating with Gladiator coming down through the atmosphere, getting closer and closer.

Gladiator flies from the cloaked ship, down towards New York City . His eyes focusing his macroscopic vision on his prey many miles below him. The Mighty Thor flies above his adopted city, a wide grin 'pon his face as the winter wind blows through his hair. One would think a warrior God, many Millennia old would know when he was being stalked, his keen battle bred senses should make him aware of any and all danger being focused on him. And normally they would, but Thor has been distracted by the beauty of the day, and by his own recent inactivity. Otherwise he wouldn't be falling prey to .....THIS !

BA-ROOOMM!!!

Gladiator slams into Thor with a double fisted hammer blow as he rockets into him at tens times the speed of sound !

Page 8

Gladiator : "You are under arrest by right of the Majestrix Lilandra, supreme Shiar. She demands your presence in regards to the destruction of the Rigellian homeworld by your hand."

Thor : (Groggily) "Wha- What do you speak of ?"

Gladiator : " YOU KNOW FULL WELL WHAT I "SPEAK OF" Thunderer. I speak of the death of millions of innocents by your hand !"

Gladiator delivers a massive blow to Thors' head , rendering him unconscious.

Ba-doom !

Gladiator : " Gladiator to T'Kau, prepare to receive the murderer. I have him."

Instantly the air hums around Gladiator and his captive, as both disappear from sight, to re-appear on the T'Kau. Captain K'Ruuk stands and approaches the two men.

Page 9

K'Ruuk : "I protest this decision you've made Gladiator. This capture of Thor is an unprecedented mistake on yours and the Imperiums part. No good will come of this Gladiator, mark my words."

Gladiator : " Consider them marked Captain K'Ruuk. This man is a murderer of millions. He has instigated galactic genocide."

K'Ruuk: " And where is your proof of this Gladiator ? The fevered rantings of wounded to almost death Rigellian who still has not recovered from her coma ?"

Gladiator :" Bah. I'll verbally spar with you no longer on this subject Captain. Return us to the scene of Thors great perfidy."

K'Ruuk : " I will Gladiator, but know this, Thor has ever been considered a Hero among the peoples of the galaxy , his legend grows by the day. There is nothing to indicate he would do this evil thing, save Tana Niles delirium. I feel you undertook this mission to prove yourself against him in combat."

Page 10

Gladiator : "And he lies at your feet unconscious, a victim of my superior power. What say you to that K'Ruuk ? He has paid but the first of his debts for this ignominious crime."

K'Ruuk : " I will be on the bridge."

The Captain turns and walks away as several Shiar security men grasp Thor and carry him, Mjolnir tucked into his belt, into the Brig, where he is secured to a bed by shackles.

Several hours later ......

Thor awakens abruptly, suddenly realizing he is in unfamiliar surroundings, he surveys the room he's in like a caged tiger, his eyes settling on the man standing outside the cell. The reaches over to a panel on the wall in front of him and taps it, then speaks.

Man : " Captain, he has awakened."

A voice answers him from the panel

K'Ruuk : " Very good private T'Pren. I will there shortly, K'Ruuk out."

Page 11

Thor : ( I appear to be aboard a space going vessel of some kind. These shackles seem to be energized somehow, verily I feel their power as a dull hum. But I will bide my time, to see what hast befallen me. And then there shall come a reckoning for Gladiator.)

Minutes pass until finally a man comes to the cell. With a few curt words to the guard he dismisses him and deactivates the force field , allowing himself to enter and stand next to Thors' form.

K'Ruuk : " I am Captain K'Ruuk of the Shiar Imperial Navy. You are under arrest for the crimes of Galactic Genocide in regards to the Rigellian homeworld ?"

Thor : "What ?!!?? What sayest thou man, the Rigellian homeworld is no more ??"

K'Ruuk : " You claim to know nothing of this ?"

Thor : "Of course I know naught of this event. Now release me, the son of Odin will not be chained like some mad dog ! For whate'er your reasons seem, they are wrong !"

Page 12

K'RUUK looks at Thor flatly.

K'Ruuk : "Again I ask you , do you know anything of this event?"

Thor : "Nay, I do not. Now I say again, release me Or I'll do it myself, and none will stop me !"

K'Ruuk ignores Thors apparent anger.

K'Ruuk : "Thor, did the Rigellians seek to contact you in anyway recently ?"

Thor : " Nay I--Wait, there was a recorder perhaps a week and a half past that didst seem to need my assistance but he was destroyed by the behemoth known as Abomination."

K'Ruuk fingers his beard in thought.

Page 13

K'Ruuk : "Very well Thor, I shall return to you shortly. You have given me sufficient answers for my questions, I shall speak with Majestrix Lilandra and return. Oh, and do not try to break your bonds. They are a recurring loop technology. The more effort you apply against them, the more they will shock you with electricity, supplied by your own strength."

Thor : "I will stay for the nonce Captain, you seem a reasonable sort. If I find myself in this position longer then two hours more, be aware I will shred your ship if need be to free myself."

K'Ruuk : " Noted. I believe this can be sorted out before that happens Asgardian."

Without another word the Captain turns and leaves Thor.

Thor: ( So I do know what in truth the Recorder hadst wanted of me.)*

*See issue #509

Page 14

Gladiator rounds the corner and appears before Thor

Gladiator. : " SO Villain, at last you awaken."

Thor : " Watch thy tongue craven coward, lest I separate it from thy jaw."

Gladiator : " Coward ? You dare ? I am the Praetor of the Imperial Guard. None may call me coward. "

Thor : "Thy actions speak otherwise. You didst attack me whilst my back was to thee. Your actions spoke of nothing BUT cowardice."

Gladiator : " YOU killed millions in an unreasoned attack on the Rigellian people, decimating their homeworld."

Page 15

Thor : "I have killed no one Gladiator. I am and have always been a hero in deed as well word, from time imemorium before thy birth."

Gladiator : "Even heros and Gods go bad. Phoenix did before you, so it is not unreasonable that you could as well."

Thor : "I tire of this talk thou pompous ass, tis time I was free of this cell and this ship as well as thy onerous company."

Thor begins to pull, electricity arcs around him as the bonds on his wrist and ankles feed power back to his form.

Gladiator : " Ha ! You'll never free yourself from those shackles, they were tested with myself as the model ."

Thor : " Then there is no .....doubt I ...will free...myself from....them fool. For I am THOR, GOD OF THUNDER !!"

Ba--shooommm!

Thor rips free of the shackles, instantly lights dim as a klaxon warning goes out across the ship.

Page 16

Cut to the Bridge

K'Ruuk :" What is happening ? Security forces to the brig. Charuk, where is Gladiator?"

Charuk : "He has gone to the brig to see the prisoner Captain ."

K'Ruuk : "That FOOL !"

The Captain leaps from his chair and runs to the nearest zoom lift racing in the direction of the brig.

Suddenly Gladiator is thrown upwards and through the deck like a rag doll from a cannon.

Da-KOOM!

Page 17

Thor flies into sight from below, right into a blast of solar vision from Gladiator

ZHHRRAAP !

Thor : "Unngh "

Gladiator : " You took me by surprise Thunder God, and truthfully your power is great, but I am Gladiator ! And that is always enough !"

Thor : "Not this time arrogant one. Thou hast attacked the wrong being this time. In truth though we have met but once in the past* I have found thee to be an annoyance e'en then when we fought side by side."

*Thor refers to the FF issues involving the time variance authority which guest starred Thor and the Avengers as well as Gladiator.

gladiator : " Your attitude towards me is nothing but jealousy toward my greater power."

Thor : "Power ? POWER ? Let Thor teach thee of POWER !"

Thor whirls MJOLNIR and hurls it into the leaping form of Gladiator, smashing him through several rooms and corridors of the Shiar ship

Troooom!

Page 18

Gladiator leaps upwards and into Thor, smashing them both through the ships bulkhead and into airless space.

TA-KROW !

They grapple in the void

Gladiator : " So Asgardian, now you will learn of power, free of the constraints of the ship."

Thor : "You fool ! There be your comrades aboard that vessel, the hull breach !"

Gladiator : "The hull will seal with minimal loss of life. Whatever their fate they serve the glory of the Majestrix."

Thor belts him with a mighty left.

POOM!

Page 19

Thor : "Dog ! The only glory thou art interested in is thy own!"

Thor pounds him with an uppercut.

Pow !

Gladiator kicks himself free of Thor ,then rockets away a distance to stop and fire his solar vision

FWASH!

Thor blocks the blast with a spinning Mjolnir.

Thor : " Thy eye beams in truth are mighty , but Mjolnir is mightier still."

Thor Hurls Mjolnir underhanded at Gladiator, catching him in the chest, smashing him back again !

Gladiator : "Unnggghhhh!"

Mjolnir returns to Thors hand as he flies dead on into Gladiator, who meets the hurtling Thunder God with a powerful left.

TA- KROOM!

Page 20

Thor and Gladiator are both thrown in opposite directions from the force of the blows. Gladiator turns first and rockets after Thor who himself stops his flight and turns as Gladiator bears down on him.

Thor : "Tis time this foolishness ended ."

Thor slams Gladiator with Mjolnir. Sending him out of control backwards.

Ba-KOOOM !*

*We know there's no oxygen in space to carry words, and sounds but as far as Thor speaking, well that's Mjolnir magic at work. The same magic that's protecting him from The ravages of the airless void. And as far as the sound effects go, well it's much cooler with 'em then without, dontcha think?

Gladiator : " I-I don't know how you're staying with me Thor, perhaps I underestimated you, but it doesn't matter. I'll still carry the day !"

Page 21

Gladiator races at Thor again and delivers a devastating blow to Thors body

TOOOM!

Thor spins Mjolnir to right himself

Thor: ( His might is indeed great, and his stamina the equal of that might. This ends now.)

Gladiator : " Ah ! I 've caused you pain Thor. Good. Now I'll put you back into that cell where you belong murderer."

Thor : "For the final time Shiar, Thor is no murderer, and tis time that song did end!"

BRAKAKOOMM!!

Thor slams Gladiator with Mjolnir, holding it in both hands, using all his might !

Page 22

Gladiator spins out of control end over end , past the Shiar vessel as Thor races after him .

Thor : (Indeed his power IS great, but I am the God of Thunder, and I will suffer no more of his slanderous barbs.)

Thor grabs the unconscious Gladiator and flies him back to the Shiar ship.

The Captain is waiting for him as he lands. Gladiator is over his shoulder and he drops him unceremoniously to the deck after he passes through the airlock force field.

Thor : " Here is thy champion Captain. Now who do you send 'gainst me?"

K'Ruuk :" Every man on this ship if need be. But I do not think that is necessary."

Thor : "And why is that K'Ruuk ?"

K'Ruuk : "Because Tana Nile has awakened."

Page 23

Thor and K'Ruuk enter the infirmary , where Tana Nile lies in a sick bed, exotic monitors tell her life signs, they are low, but climbing steadily. Thor takes her hand

Thor : "Tis good to see thee again Tana Nile. I grieve for thy people. Can you tell us what hath happened? "

Tana Nile : "Hello Thor, my friend. I told the Captain it was not your doing on my homeworld and he believes me. "

Thor : "I had in truth no reason to prove myself to anyone Tana Nile, least of all the Shiar who attack without warrant."

K'Ruuk : " For that I apologize Thor. That was not my decision. Gladiator went over my head and contacted Majestrix Lilandra."

Page 24

K'Ruuk: " She listens to his every word and considers him a close confidant. "

Thor : "Well then, give thy Lilandra a message from the God of Thunder . Tell her that Thor will not be so forgiving the next time. Tell her that the universe will someday not be so understanding of her heavy handed ways. No one appointed her or her empire as galactic guardians K'Ruuk."

K'Ruuk : " Watch your tongue Thor. I am still a Shiar warrior as well as a loyal member of my race. I will brook no disrespect towards the Majestrix, even when she is so wrong."

Tana : "Gentlemen, please. We must stop this bickering. The true architect of my races destruction still wanders the galaxy free, awaiting to strike at some other unsuspecting world."

Thor : "Who Tana Nile? Who was the foul murderer of thy people ?"

Page 25

Tana Nile: " It was Ego, Ego the mad living planet !"

Full page spread of Tana Nile with behind her an image of the living Planet.

Next : Thor and the Imperial Guard Vs. Ego , the Living Planet !