Chapter 1: The attack
Reed Richards toiled away in his lab. He was working on a new light-weight space armor. Stark Industries commissioned the project several months back. Reed finally had time to work on the prototype. He had his suspicions of what Tony needed this technology for, and why he had not built it himself, but Reed had always trusted Tony (sometimes to a fault).
The goggles on his protected glasses fogged from the heat of his welder. The scientist attempted to finish at least the arm before stopping for the day. He sighed, realizing he had not slept in over a day. Sue bugged him constantly to get rest.
"If only Ben were around for some heavy lifting," Reed thought to himself. The Thing was out on Yancy Street with Alicia, showing her the area where he grew up. Ben wasn't due back for hours. Heck, Reed would have settled for Johnny's controlled fire instead of this welder. Unfortunately, Johnny had not returned last night from a "date", and lord knows when he'd be home. Sue was smart and strong, but her powers were not exactly useful for the current task. Mr. Fantastic knew his wife would be working out in the gym on the 30th floor, and thought he might surprise her.
"WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!" the alarm surprised Reed, but the veteran super-hero sprung into action. He stretched his arm over to the main console connecting the entire building.
"What's going on Herbie?" He asked the main computer.
The automated building AI, spoke clearly. "There is a breach in the Negative Zone portal. Entry from the other side!"
Reed ripped off his glasses, "I am sorry Herbie, but that is impossible. The only other portal is in the Gideon building, and it is currently non-operational."
"Point of origin in three...two...one...," H.E.R.B.I.E. hesitated", the signature appears to be from the prison system known as Codename: File 42."
Mr. Fantastic knew of this facility. In fact, he had been one of the main people behind its creation. "How foolish of us", he thought. Even as he raced towards the Negative Zone containment area, he had his doubts. Few beings had the power to overcome the security of that facility, let alone understand how to open the portal. Unless there was a riot. Reed reached the main computer inside the N-zone lab. The doors to the distortion containment area remained sealed. As he punched up the lab's camera feed, a loud bang rumbled through the lab. Someone was trying to break through!
Before Reed could fathom whom, the titanium door burst open as if it were wood. Mr. Fantastic watched three figures emerge from the chaos; Annihilus, the Super-Adaptoid, and Blastaar.
"Richardsss!"Annihilus cried out. The being had apparently recovered the cosmic control rod since the last encounter with the Fantastic Four. Reed knew this was the power needed to enter this reality. Reed was fast, but not fast enough, nor nearly powerful enough. A blast from both the control rod, and Blastaar's hands sent him reeling. Reed clicked the button on his belt to signal the other members of his team.
The insectoid villain Annihilus rose up on his wings and was above Reed with little effort. "What are you doing here Annihilus," Reed asked in defiance.
The bug hissed, "I am here for the Fold Space Transceptor of course!"
Reed furrowed his brow, quite confused. "The fold space transceptor only transports individuals through the distortion area. And you already have the control rod."
Annihilus laughed, "I am also here for you." The control rod came to life and a buzz of electric energy coursed through Mr. Fantastic's pliable body. "I am building an army, and I need a chief scientist. I need ships to invade this planet and claim it as my own. Your device will help."
Reed shook his head, "I will never help you!"
Annihilus grabbed Reed's throat, "You will!" The villain motioned for the Super-Adaptoid to come closer. The robot followed orders, and Reed noticed a small device in its hands. It almost looked organic in nature.
Being a superhero, Reed knew he needed time, and he did the best he could. "The transceptor will never bring large ships to Earth, it's not possible!"
Annihilus nodded, and grabbed the device. It appeared to be a small box. Reed's head was pushed down. "That is why I need you. To make your device work on a larger scale!" Annihilus jammed a sharp end of the box into Reed's neck.
Reed felt a sharp pain as something clamped onto his neck, "Why are they here?"
Blastaar smiled with an evil twinge in his eye, and the Super Adaptoid merely waited for orders. Annihilus was getting displeased, but he answered the final question. "The device is synched to the robot, which I can control and in turn control you." He turned to Blastaar, "He is here as a diversion to buy us time!"
Reed watched as Annihilus nodded to the Super Adaptiod. The robot pushed a button on its waist, and Reed's mind went blank. His consciousness remained, yet he could not move, nor speak. To his shock, when Annihilus ordered him to rise, he obeyed. Seconds later Reed was following Annihilus and the android back into the distortion area. Fear gripped him as Blastaar remained. Sue was still home!