Earth-717: Fantastic Four Vol 1
Chapter 3: Ten Years Later
The water caressed the pores on Reed's face. Dipping his hands into the sink again, he quickly pulled them up, splashing more liquid onto his eyes. Sighing, he then looked into the mirror at himself, scanning his eyes across the thin layer of white lining the sides of his hair. He felt the drops of moisture soothe his skin. After staring at himself in the mirror for a minute, he heard the noise of the door behind him.
"Reed?"
Reed turned around to see Ben standing there, one hand on the edge of the door. Ben was wearing the same white and black bodysuit that he was, with a small insignia on the chest composed of three hexagons. Reed exhaled with relief.
"Ben."
"Hey guy," started Ben. "You coming outside, or do I have to deliver the whole spiel myself?"
"What time is it?" asked Reed.
Ben rolled his eyes.
"Four minutes until the conference starts," replied Ben. "I've just accepted my lot in life as your personal watch."
Reed placed a hand on his forehead and leaned his back against the wall. Tilting his head to the side for a moment, Ben then walked over to Reed and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Buddy? Egghead? You in there?"
Reed looked up at Ben, with glazed eyes.
"What?"
Ben put both of his hands on Reed's shoulders and shook him.
"Hey! Reed! Focus. Eyes on me. Your big brain isn't overloading, is it?"
Reed blinked a couple of times and sighed again.
"No . . . . it's, ah . . . . it's happening, Ben. Today's the day."
"You just figure that out right now? Sheesh, we are doomed, aren't we?"
Reed broke into a smile as Ben let go of his shoulders.
"Today's the day," repeated Reed.
"Yeah, so how about instead of saying that over and over, we stick to schedule and start the press conference?"
Reed placed a hand on Ben's shoulder.
"Thank you, Ben," said Reed. "Really. For staying with me, all this time . . . . for being all the things that I should never have asked from a friend."
Ben smiled.
"Hey, don't mention it, and don't get all mushy on me now, wise guy," replied Ben. "Or I might have to clobber you."
Reed chuckled. Ben then suddenly pulled him in for a hug.
"Eh, alright, fine," said Ben. "You get one hug out of me."
Ben pushed himself off of Reed and let go.
"So, we good to get this done or what?"
"Yeah," answered Reed. "Herbie?"
A crashing noise was heard as several boxes in the corner of the room were knocked over. Emerging from behind them was a small, floating robot. It had a white shell, and was composed of a circular body, two small arms, and an attached, rectangular headpiece with two large, yellow orbs for eyes. Shaking its head for a moment, the robot then looked at Reed.
"Hello, Doctor Richards!" said the robot. "And you too, Benjamin. Are we finally ready to proceed?"
"Yes, Herbie," answered Reed.
Ben raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, short stuff," started Ben, "tell me . . . . what were you doing behind them boxes?"
"Wandering about, if you must know," answered Herbie. "Whenever I do not have a specific task assigned to me, I tend to explore my surroundings, cataloguing what I observe."
"Great," said Ben. "So you're just as much of a scatterbrain as Reed."
Ben nudged Reed on the shoulder.
"Like the son you never had, heh heh."
Reed rolled his eyes.
"Funny," stated Reed.
Reed then turned to Herbie and knelt down in front of it.
"Herbie, I need all of the simulation data uploaded to the main computer system."
Herbie bobbed up and down.
"Finally! A task! Hooray!"
Herbie floated out of the room. As it did, it passed a woman who was walking into it. She was a slender woman in a lab coat and high heels. Her long hair was tinted pale blue, and she had it done in an elongated ponytail, along with slight, wavy curves framing the sides of her face. Her thick lips were coated with glossy, purple lipstick. She stepped into the room and looked directly as Reed.
"Doctor Richards?"
Ben turned around, and then moved out of the way so that Reed could see the woman. Ben looked at the woman's name tag, which was pinned to her lab coat. It read 'Dr. Viola Crausband'.
"Doctor Crausband," said Reed.
Viola met Ben's gaze for a brief second before looking back at Reed.
"We're waiting on you," said Viola.
"I'm just about ready," responded Reed.
Viola nodded and then turned around and walked out. Ben rubbed the back of his head.
"Where'd you find a gal with such a loopy fashion sense? I mean, who has blue hair?"
"She's been phenomenal help," said Reed. "Her knowledge of aerospace engineering and alternative energy sources has been invaluable. The fact that she used to work at Project Pegasus, one of the most prestigious energy research divisions on the . . . ."
"Uh, Reed?"
"Yeah?"
"We don't have time for the unabridged lecture, pal," said Ben. "Get moving."
"Right . . . . of course."
Reed walked out of the room. Ben turned to look at the mirror over the sink. Staring at his own reflection for a few seconds, he then turned towards the door and followed Reed down the hall.
Stepping out onto the platform, Reed waved and smiled at the crowd of journalists sitting in a large collection of chairs. The platform was outside, next to the stationed spacecraft. The ship was latched onto a metallic scaffolding, and was pointed upwards. A podium stood in the centre of the platform.
Viola was already standing on the platform, off to the left side of the podium. She was holding her hands together in front of her. Reed looked past her to see Johnny and Susan standing on the far side. Susan smiled, while Johnny winked and snapped his finger towards him. They were both in white and black bodysuits, just like Reed.
As Reed walked up to the podium, Ben emerged from the building and walked onto the platform. He stood next to Viola and put his hands behind his back. Reed pulled the microphone towards him and looked out at the crowd.
"Members of the press," started Reed, "I would like to thank you all for coming today to mark this momentous occasion."
The chattering of the crowd silenced.
"I am Doctor Reed Richards, and today, we take the first step towards a new age for all of humanity. Just like everyone can drive a car, or board a train, my design for a compact spacecraft will be the first in a new breed of transportation technology; a ship capable not only of interstellar travel, but also capable of being manned and piloted by virtually anyone."
Ben shifted his eyes to look over at Viola. He watched her for a few seconds, noting to himself how still she was.
"I founded my personal scientific organization, the Future Foundation, on the principle of building the technology that would propel us forward as a species," continued Reed. "My spacecraft is a testament to that principle. To prove that spaceflight will soon be a possibility for anyone, I have decided to compose half of my flight crew with individuals with no scientific or aeronautical training. Our mission? To investigate an incoming storm of cosmic radiation that is passing by our planet."
One of the reporters put up her hand. She had short, brown hair and an orange dress. Reed pointed at her.
"Yes?"
"Betty Brant," said the woman. "Daily Bugle. Can you clarify what exactly this cosmic radiation is, exactly?"
"The storm appears to be unique in both its composition and its movement," answered Reed. "It is similar to other forms of radiation, but we don't have all of the details, thus, our investigation."
"Do you have any fears about the cosmic rays being harmful to humans?" asked Betty.
"Like any form of radiation, precautions need to be taken. That is why I have designed special shielding for our spacecraft. It will allow us to conduct our mission without being exposed to any potential dangerous effects of the radiation."
Betty sat back in her chair and nodded, seemingly in satisfaction. As Reed continued to answer more questions from other members of the press, Johnny nudged Susan gently on the hip.
"Hey."
Susan looked at him.
"What?"
"You look good," said Johnny.
Susan's eyes were wide for a moment before she formed a small smile.
"Thanks."
Susan looked forward again as Johnny folded his arms and smirked. After a few more seconds passed, Johnny spoke again.
"Maybe now he'll finally notice you."
Susan scowled as Johnny chuckled under his breath. After the last question was answered, Reed nodded and addressed the whole group.
"Thank you all again for coming," said Reed. "Please head up to the observation wing so that you may watch the launch, which will be starting in forty-five minutes. Your press passes will allow you access. Now, if you'll excuse me, we have a flight to prepare."
Reed turned around and stepped off the podium as the crowd clapped and began leaving the area. Susan, Johnny and Ben walked up to him. Viola stayed where she was.
"Hey, nice moves, smart guy," said Johnny. "You really dazzled the crowd with your wordiness."
Susan covertly kicked Johnny in the ankle. As he winced in pain, she spoke.
"That was wonderful, Reed," stated Susan.
"Thanks, guys," said Reed. "I'm glad I get to do this with people who . . . . who I consider to be family."
Viola watched the four in front of her, and ever so slightly narrowed her eyes.
"I'm going to the command level," said Viola.
Reed and the others turned to look at her.
"I will ensure the communications array is functioning at peak capacity so that we can maintain contact with the ISS in case of trouble. I'll also perform a final round of backup mechanical checks, and interface with Herbie's data."
"Oh, good," replied Reed. "Thanks again, Doctor."
Viola nodded. Reed turned back to the others.
"Let's go."
The four began walking off the platform and towards the scaffolding attached to the ship. Viola then turned and headed back inside the main building. Walking past several personnel in the hallways of the facility, she did not bother to look at any of them. Finally reaching the door labelled 'Mechanical Storage', she swiped her badge over the security panel and the door opened.
Stepping inside, Viola closed the door behind her. Moving towards a large, cylindrical, metallic tube attached to the wall, she flicked open the command panel and pressed a numerical password into the keypad. A hissing noise was heard as the metallic tube opened, revealing four, vertically positioned glass tubes, each one filled with a glowing, green fluid.
Reaching into her shirt, Viola pulled out a small vial from between her breasts. Holding it with the tips of her thumb and index finger, she focused her gaze on it for a few seconds. It contained a smattering of glowing, blue powder. Looking down at the tubes, she then unscrewed the top of the one on the far left. Holding the vial over the open tube, she placed the top of the tube on the counter as she popped open the vial.
Viola poured the powder into the tube and watched as it dissipated into the liquid. Within a few seconds, the green fluid looked exactly the same as before. She then screwed the top back on, closed the metallic tube, and calmly walked out of the room.
