“If this world had shown me a little more mercy…” Emperor Ming seethed, “…I would show these pathetic humans more mercy!”

Dale wrestled against her chains. “I’m sorry we didn’t take the time to get to know you better.”

“I just wanted to stop humans from being total jerks to one another,” Ming continued, leaning against the bars of the cell. “Sometimes you need a strong alien to show people how to act!”

“I know, but you can’t just take our freedom to make our own decisions,” Dale said. In the filthy mirror she could see she looked a mess. Inwardly she sighed.

Flash acted. The bit of powerful acid that Zarkov had dribbled on the chains did the work to break them, and within seconds Flash had the ruthless emperor in a headlock.

Ming looked up from within his strangled view. “See what I mean?”