And now he was floating through space, alone, unprotected from the vacuum and radiation but perfectly comfortable, perfectly at ease. Suns passed by him as he sailed majestically through the galaxy, his galaxy, his personal conquest. He saw a planet below him. It displeased him. He extended a hand toward it. Its cities burst into flames. He could hear the screams of their inhabitants, ear them begging him for mercy. Smiling, he let them roast.
Mountains were chiseled away to become statues of Kanus the Conqueror, Kanus the All-Powerful. Throughout the galaxy men knelt in worship before him.
They feared him. Yet more, they loved him. He was their Leader, and they loved him because he was allpowerful. His word was the law of nature. He could suspend gravity, eclipse stars, bestow life or take it.
He stood before the kneeling multitudes, smiling at some, frowning at those who displeased him. They curled and writhed like leaves in flame. But there was one who was not kneeling. One tall, silver-haired man, straight and slim, walking purposively toward him.
“You must give yourself up,” said Romis gravely.
“Die!” Kanus shouted.
But Romis kept advancing toward him. ‘Tour guards have surrendered. You’ve been in the dueling machine for two hours now. Most of the army has refused to obey you. The Kerak Worlds have repudiated you. Kor has committed suicide. There is some fighting going on, however. You can end it by surrendering to me.”
“I am the master of the universe’ No one can stand before me!”