Post by Spider-Man Beyond on Aug 12, 2007 18:49:36 GMT -5
The Fantastic Four #10
Those Who Stand Accused! Part 1 of 2
Those Who Stand Accused! Part 1 of 2
Written by Mallet
Edited by Daniel Dyer (Spider-Man Beyond)
"Reeeed…” Sue Storm’s voice carried down the halls of the Baxter Building, “I think you’ll want to see this.”
Reed Richards was busy in his laboratory, as always, when his beautiful, sometimes invisible, fiancee called to him. He really did wish that she could let him finish an experiment, or at least have more time to study. Their life together had become hectic enough as it was recently, but he was bound and determined to remain a good scientist. All he needed was a few more moments…
“Seriously, man, I think sis is right!” Johnny yelled in support of his sister.
Of course Johnny would support her, he didn’t really care much for the sciences. That discouraged Reed, Johnny may have been quick with emotions, but he flamed in and out just like his fire powers, but he was always interested in the exploration aspect of science. Perhaps if Reed could find a field of research that gave him more field study he’d take to the others…
“Stretch! They’re right, you gotta come see this!” Ben Grimm put in to join the chorus.
Now Ben too? He was almost done, Ben was his friend, he understands these things. Besides, he’d have to get those test results in on Ben sooner or later, probably later. Ben’s rocky orange body had been acting up, perhaps a new form of the cold, and with Ben’s super strength a sneeze could take out a door or a window!
“REED!” came a united cry from the main room of the Baxter Building, home of the Fantastic Four.
Then with one final click of a button he was done, and just in time apparently. The others had formed a united front so strong not even science could ward them off. Richards’s body contracted, he had stretched nearly twenty feet around the machine he was working on, but now his elongated form took its normal shape and he walked from his lab. Those gathered at the windows that looked over New York City, were the rest of the team.
“What’s going on, everyone? I’ve fixed the toaster so that it will always cook it to exac--”
“Reed! Get over here and look at this. I think… I think Earth is being invaded?”
Reed’s eyebrow raised slightly. That did pique his interest. Walking over to the window, he was greeted by the sight of several large ships in the sky, and several smaller ones heading into the city.
“We shouldn’t jump to conclusions, Susan. Perhaps they are here for a First Contact type scenario. It’s possible such a display is to prove unquestionably that they exist.”
“Stretch, man, I don’t think they’d be sending people all over the city like that…”
“I agree, I’m just saying tha--”
Suddenly the television screen flipped on. A giant purple face sat there, it was vaguely humanoid but solid, like it was made of granite. It had no hair and its chin was divided into three vertical segments, but it was the eyes that seemed the most alien. Solid black with only a thin circle of red to show as the pupil, they just stared out consuming all they could see.
“I am Thanos,” the creature spoke in a dead, cruel tone. “I am the new absolute ruler of your world. My fleets have taken position over all the major urban cities. I’m speaking to everyone on this planet through your primitive communication channels. All your technology, culture, and language have been copied into my fleet’s systems. If you resist you will be killed. If you do not resist you may still die, but we will try to avoid it.” With that the television turned off and the Fantastic Four stood dumb struck for a moment.
“Stretc--” Ben started.
“I know, Ben. Everyone get ready, we’re going to be needed.”
***