Fateful Meeting
| Fateful Meeting | |
| |
| Produced for: | Fantomen 16-17/2011 |
|---|---|
| # of pgs: | 32 |
| Writer: | Claes Reimerthi |
| Artist: | Hans Lindahl |
| Original colorist: | Reprostugan |
| Producer: | Egmont Kärnan |
"Fateful Meeting" is a 2011 Team Fantomen story, written by Claes Reimerthi, with art by Hans Lindahl.
Plot synopsis
In Rodia, the civil war has lead to a state of emergency being declared in the capital Marcusburg. President Singh of Bengali announces at a press conference that she will make a state visit to Rodia. The next day two people arrive by plane to to Rodia. The first is Rilke, a hired assassin. The second is the Phantom who has received a tip that Diana is kept in a Rodian prison.
When a Rodian prison guard arrives home, the Phantom is already there waiting for him, insisting that he helps the Phantom to get insde the prison. But Rodian secret police is monitoring the apartment and when the Phantom arrives to the prison he is quickly taken prisoner.
After arriving in Rodia, president Singh is informed that president Leeuwenhoeek is sick and that a double will replace him when they appear together in public. The assassin Rilke is about to press the trigger to kill president Singh when she is pushed aside by a bodyguard. The hidden sniper instead shoots Leeuwenhoek's double dead.
In Noorderzon prison the brutal beating of the Phantom is interrupted with the news that president Leeuwenhoek has been killed. The prison guards decide that a special prisoner must be taken into safety. In Marcusburg riots break out on the streets. To control the situation president Leeuwenhoek's advisor decides that he must make a public statement on television; alas president Leeuwenhoek dies of a massive heart attack before the broadcast.
The Phantom manages to break out of the prison but not before learning who the special prisoner is, Nelson N'Dela, the leader of the Rodian Liberation Army. In Morristown, there is a board meeting of Sing Corporation to discuss a hostile bid from Darkfire Corporation to buy the company. When the board members have a vote about the offer there is a tie and the matter is postponed until the largest shareholder, president Singh, can attend. Soon after, two of the board members who opposed the bid are murdered.
After the assassination attempt of president Leeuwenhoek, president Singh is taken back to her hotel. There are riots on the streets and when the fire alarm goes off, she climbs out on the fire escape. On the street below she is attacked by street thugs until she is saved by the Phantom. He steals a car to take her to the airport and the president's plane. The airport is closed and when the plan takes off, Rodian army units fire at the plane. With a motor burning, the plane crashes in the jungle.
The only two survivors of the plane crash is the Phantom and president Singh. It is not safe to wait for Rodian rebels to show up and together they start a long trek to reach the Bengali border. The Phantom is severely wounded after a fight with a large black panther. At night they sit together at a camp fire. She pours a secret potion into his drinking water. After drinking, the Phantom becomes dizzy and confused and believes that he is there with Diana. As they start to kiss he moans Diana's name. The moon looks down upon them.
The next morning they are discovered by Rodian rebels who intend to kill them. However, they are saved by president Singh's bodyguard Belim. President Singh leaves on a boat with Belim and his men, saying to herself that she will never forget their jungle adventure.
Back in Morristown, president Singh issues a presidential decree to stop Darkfire Corporation from taking over Singh Corporation.
Appearances
Recurring Characters
- The 21st Phantom
- Dogai Singh
- Sandal Singh
- Kevin, Sandal Singh's lover
- Belim, Sandal Singh's bodyguard
- Nelson N'Dela
One-time characters
- Willem Leeuwenhoek, president of Rodia
- Arend Zeeman, prison guard
- Regin, assassin, goes by the name Rilke
- Elena, blond assassin
Related stories
Preceded by
- "The Skull Murders" by Claes Reimerthi and Sal Velluto
- "Dangerous Escape" by Claes Reimerthi, Felmang, and Germano Ferri
Followed by
- "Encounter With Murder" by Claes Reimerthi and Joan Boix
Reprints
This story has been published in the following publications:
Australia
- "Fateful Meeting", The Phantom #1605 (2011)
Norway
- "Skjebnemøte", Fantomet 15-16/2011
Sweden
- "Ödesdigert möte", Fantomen 16-17/2011