Snippet #2470715

An hour or so later, Killian and Perrault arrive at a makeshift hospital room/soundstage, where Killian's secretaries (recovered from their traumatic experience), a few doctors, and several news crews already are.

"Less of a crowd than I expected," said Killian.

"Exactly as much as I expected," said Perrault. "With a high-profile execution like the von Koopas'."

Killian just smiles and steps onto the soundstage, waving to the crowd, as Perrault follows him, not even looking at the cameras.

"Good morning, people of Haven!" said Killian. "And welcome to the official demonstration of Killian Co. Brand Nanites! I trust you're all familiar with the unofficial one..."

The reporters laugh - not loudly, since it's a bit too soon, but enough to make Killian not feel uncomfortable.

"So I'll make this brief," continued Killian. "You see, these days there is an unfortunate rise in superhuman crime. Uldritch's attempts to rectify it with the Superhuman Registration Act have become unpopular with many superhumans across this great planet, and I suspect that superhuman crime will only rise in protest of this act. But it is not the lawmaker who suffers because of this crime, no! It is the common people, who do not have the power to fight back! And so... I offer you these nanites, to give you superpowers, to give you that chance!"

The gathered crowd cheers.

"And how do you get these nanites, you might ask?" asked Killian. "Simple! You report to a hospital, or a registration center, anywhere in Haven, though I plan to branch out to other continents later. Once there, and after paying the fee, you fill out the Registration form as per law, and you get two injections - one to inject the nanites and one to stabilize them, to synchronize them with your body, as it were. Of course, these nanites are still being developed - soon you might need only one injection!"

The crowd mutters amongst itself.

"Now, I wouldn't make these claims without something to verify my claims," said Killian. "So here to demonstrate how easy the process is is my friend, Dr. Auguste Perrault!"

The crowd applauds, but Perrault doesn't react. He just sits in a chair and holds out his arm. The doctors cuff it to reveal a vein.

"Now, as you can see," said Killian, pulling out a certificate. "Perrault has already filled out a Registration form to speed up this demonstration."

The doctors inject Perrault twice - once with nanites, and once with a stabilizing agent. They then uncuff him from the chair and Perrault stands... then hovers in the air. Then the chair hovers along with him.

"And behold!" said Killian. "Control over gravity made easy!"

The crowd applauds again.

"Now, I'll be taking a few questions from the audience," said Killian. "But only a few. I've got a plane to catch."