Ben Grimm paced, it had been long since Hank left. "I don't like this," he told Johnny who was lying back on a cot. "He's been gone too long!"

Crystal patted the Thing on the back, "Don't worry, he can do it!"

Large explosions sounded from outside the ship. Crystal watched as tons of ships came into view. The Baluuran ships outnumbered Annihilus's army three to one. Annihilus must not have counted on the entire Baluuran fleet to drop into view. Crystal bared her teeth, "Prepare for War boys!"

On the "Fist of Power", Blastaar barked orders to fire the full barrage at the main ship. Blastaar knew that Annihilus would be on the ship. Sue stared out the viewer windows. She seemed to revel in the each direct hit.

Pym spoke softly to Sue, "The others are on that ship Sue!"

Susan did not even look at Pym, "That's not my problem. You alerted us to the betrayal, so you are free to go." She then put an evil gaze upon him, "If you are caught in the Negative Zone again you will be destroyed!"

The scientist wasted no time getting off the flagship and returning to Annihilus's own starship. He reached the cell and greeted his comrades. "We need to leave...NOW!" Pym stated. The battle was raging outside. Pym had to act quickly. He exited the cell, and retrieved the keys from a fallen insectoid. The Baluurans had boarded the ship and were sweeping through. Pym knew Annihilus would not admit defeat, and re-enforcements would not be coming for Annihilus soon enough.

The cell was easily opened, and the Fantastic Four were again free. Pym led them down the hall to find Reed fallen at the feet of his own creations. "He doesn't look good," Ben stated. The Thing put Reed on his back and the five adventurers exited the ship. "Let's get back to the Baxter Building!" Ben called out.

"What about Sue?" Johnny asked.

Pym shook his head, "She isn't coming anytime soon!" The Fantastic Four entered the distortion area.

Crystal shouted, "LOOK!" The team turned to see Annihilus ship burst into flames and begin to fall towards a barren planet. "You think Annihilus is dead?"

The three others succulently said in unison, "No!"

The team reached the Negative Zone lab within the Baxter Building. Normally, they would have remained for several minutes to adjust, but Reed did not have that time. "What can you do Hank?" Johnny asked.

Hank already had Reed lying on a gurney. Ben instructed were he could find the medical supplies in this particular lab. He pulled out an intravenous drip. It seemed Reed prepared the Baxter Building for every eventuality. The team watched as Reed's heartbeat stopped.

"NO!" Ben cried out, "COME ON STRETCH!"

Hank continued to apply life-sustaining shocks from a defibulator. It was no use. Reed was gone. "No, no, no!" Johnny fell to the floor. Crystal sobbed in her hands. Ben grabbed the defibulator and prepared for another.

A voice boomed from the building's Artificial Intelligence. "I wouldn't do that! It will fry my body!" It was Reed's voice over the intercom.

Everyone jumped to their feet, Ben was first to react, "REED! BUT....HOW!"

"Long ago, I prepared for this eventuality, and I placed a small chip in my brain that would download my consciousness into the system once my body gave out." Reed explained.

Henry Pym laughed, "That's not possible!"

Ben slapped Pym on the back, "It's Reed Richards!"

The voice of Reed spoke, "This has happened to me before when I returned from the Negative Zone. I will need to put my body into a machine I created. It will keep the electric impulses in my body firing, and I can heal the body in time. It's a slow process but it will work. I'll need your help Hank!"

"You know I will Reed!" Pym responded.

Crystal put her arms around Johnny, "Looks like this new team might be around a little longer than thought?"

Reed finally asked the question bugging him, "Where's Susan?"

To the team's shock Johnny giggled, "She is fine, but you'll have to ask Pym where she is?"

They all had a laugh. Sue was changed for now, but otherwise she was fine. They would see to helping her as soon as they could. Tonight they needed rest. Reed remained a little confused.