This month, the Evil Engineer dispenses wisdom to a villain who longs to be king of the world – though another world would do.
Dear Evil Engineer,
When I was a child, I determined that my life’s ambition was to become king of the world. I have spent the decades since working my way up the social ladder, dispatching anyone who gets in my way, to make my dream my reality. Now, at the age of 57, I have reached the position of Deputy Leader of Leek Town Council. This does not fill me with confidence that I will be king of the world by retirement age.
If I cannot become king of the world, perhaps I can still become king of ‘a’ world. The Outer Space Treaty prevents me claiming sovereignty over any celestial body, but I have thought of a possible loophole: how about if I constructed my own celestial body? Is it possible to turn the asteroid belt into a world – even if that is only a dwarf planet – of which I can be king?
Yours,A status-seeking villain
Dear villain,
There is no shame in your life...