"If a man has the opportunity to do good, he’s obliged to take it"
Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #3 - "The Heart That Fed...!" is the third issue of the series Before Watchmen: Ozymandias.
Plot
Adrian Veidt continues his autobiography with September 23, 1959, jumping right into the altercation he has with the Comedian on the waterfront while following up on a missing vigilante from the Minutemen, Hooded Justice.
Thinking he's got the drop on Ozymandias with a second gun pointed directly at him, the Comedian states, “Looks like the joke’s on you, pansy boy – and the punch line’s a killer!” Adrian calmly points out they are on the same side of the law to which the Comedian sarcastically disagrees; ”Shoot first, ask questions afterward.” However, the Comedian, though a pretty perceptive man in his own right, doesn't realize that Adrian is several steps ahead of him.
A calm approach to the conversation allows Adrian to monitor the Comedian's every move and notice “the almost imperceptible tightening” of Blake's trigger finger. Having dispatched it during conversation, with sleek precision, Veidt releases one of his slender stilettos landing it directly in the barrel of Blake's weapon. The gun backfires and is torn to pieces in Blake's hand, blinding him momentarily, allowing for Veidt to attack.
Evenly matched, the fight ensues until Blake, who fights dirty, cheats. However, because Veidt disables both of Blake's weapons, a stalemate occurs. The Comedian leaves into the dark waterfront shadows, but not before telling Veidt to stay out his way. Veidt, gathering himself on the docks, points out that he actually let the Comedian best him as a means of gathering Intel on Blake's fighting skills.
Months later, Adrian is at his office while his secretary presents him with the morning papers. Confirming what Adrian already suspected, the headlines say, “Meet Dr. Manhattan – There is a Superman, and He’s an American!” Veidt devours the papers hoping to learn more about Doctor Manhattan. “I spent the next few minutes catching up on what little I hadn’t already learned about this so-called superman…” Not learning much, Adrian is disappointed and turns his attention to investing in fallout shelters. He instructs his secretary to procure land in Antarctica, as well as architects and contractors, sparing no expense, of course. Veidt reviews three sets of architectural plans for his fortress vision. He instructs that the best of all three be combined into one and reminds them “time is of the essence.” A few months later, he heads to the site of construction in Antarctica. Time jumps forward again back in New York City showing Ozymandias taking down criminals at night. Obviously keeping busy, Veidt continues to manipulate the stock market by day.
By the summer of 1960, Adrian's plans are on track and while he's out portraying Ozymandias, he is presented with an invitation from a local policeman. Ozymandias has been invited to a Red Cross charity event for Indian famine. Veidt initially declines but when the officer mentions that Doctor Manhattan will be there, along with the city's vigilantes, he decides to meet him and changes his mind.
At the charity event, Ozymandias is performing on stage by balancing on a stack of three beach balls. Veidt is paired up with another masked vigilante; the Comedian, who shoots each ball one by one for crowd entertainment, as Veidt balances flawlessly. Afterwards, behind the curtains, Blake mocks Veidt in his usual fashion, Veidt deflects in his.
Veidt moves to meet Mothman who is having stage freight. Adrian reassures him then proceeds to watch the show on the many monitors backstage giving him the idea for multiple monitors in his fortress. While pondering this, he is approached by Captain Metropolis. The Captain thanks Ozymandias for helping Mothman to which Adrian replies, “The last thing the public’s confidence in us needs is to watch one of us come apart in front of them.” Eluding to the phrase, the “smartest man in the world,” the Captain says, “speaking of which, mind if I ask you a question?” Much to Adrian's disappointment, having the opportunity to ask the smartest man any question, the Captain asks how to pronounce Ozymandias correctly stating, “Is it pronounced Ozymandias or Ozymandias?” Adrian replies that it can be said either way, though he prefers the latter by saying, “It sounds more elegant somehow.”
After Metropolis excuses himself to “go mingle,” Adrian notices Doctor Manhattan in conversation with Nite Owl. He moves to introduce himself but then pulls back to inconspicuously spy just out of the Manhattan's sight. At that moment, Adrian notices that all the hairs on the back of his neck are standing and actually pointing in Manhattan's direction. His arm hair does the same even when he moves it. Adrian notes this as an ominous sign but continues to monitor.
Janey Slater, Dr. Manhattan's companion, joins the conversation and asks if they can go home because she is feeling ill; ”getting that queasy feeling” in her stomach again. As they leave, much to Adrian's surprise, Dr. Manhattan makes a point to say goodbye to Veidt. Being completely caught off guard only fuels Adrian's obsession.
In Antarctica, Veidt is at his finished fortress, which he dubs Karnak, a magnificent spectacle tucked into a snowy environment. Veidt is welcomed by his secretary along with security who offer condolences regarding the plane crash that killed all three of his architects. He proceeds forward with his security, but not before remarking to Marla that he will meet her in the bedroom shortly.
Finally, Adrian sheds “all of me that had been Adrian Veidt,” and don his Ozymandias gear and asked his security, “Is it ready?” Once confirmed, he states, “Show me Doctor Manhattan.” Adrian sits in his throne room with multiple screens, this time, all on Dr. Manhattan. “And so it begins…”