Year 5 February Tim Hartin & Lonni Holland

Issue 456 "Between a Rock and a Cold Place"

Last Issue: During the re-opening ceremonies of Four Freedoms Plaza, the FF receives an urgent call from NASA. They are needed to rescue a team of astronauts from a runaway experimental Light Sail before the oxygen supply runs out, and they will be starting with 12 hours on the clock. Using Reed's newest invention, the Nexus Corridor, the team is swiftly transported to their Antarctic Base where they depart in their own spacecraft, heading towards Pluto.

The Fantastic Four rocket moved cautiously through an uncharted asteroid field that was in the middle of their trajectory to Pluto, like a cloud of mosquitoes over a swamp. Inside the main cabin each member of the FF was occupied in myriad ways. Reed was scanning the field attempting to trace the Santa Maria's energy trail. Ben, back in his familiar pilot's role, concentrated as he steered through the asteroids that danced and shifted around them, performing as if in an interstellar mosh pit. Johnny didn't notice a thing as he listened to the tunes had on his MP3 player. He sat with his eyes closed, concentrating on the second verse of an old Velvet Underground song. Sue sat at a console near her husband, reviewing the data that flowed across the display screen and occasionally looking out the view port.

She was just glancing up when she spotted something amongst the rocky asteroids. Although the sun was a distant hazy blur it still caused a slight blue-grey glinting off one object in the forefront of the field. Suddenly she realized what it was, and where it was headed. "Reed, Ben, there is big hunk of metal out there, and it's going to…" Her words were cut off as the oddly shaped piece of metal collided with them, rocking the ship and tossing the team members about. Sue and Reed grabbed at their seats, Ben clung to the ship controls, as he attempted to correct the pitch, while Johnny, who hadn't heard his sister's warning, was tossed from his seat onto the control panel in front of him.

Applying further course corrections and activating deflectors, the Thing growled, "Geez, what hit us?"

Reed made rapid adjustments to his scanning devices. "I'm detecting metal fragments of varying sizes, composition, and densities. There are traces of some biological remnants. We seem to have headed into an extensive amount of wreckage. From the readings I am finding it certainly appears far too great a volume to come from just one craft." He referred again to his equipment. "In fact, I'd say this is a…"

Ben beat him to the punch with, "…graveyard of ships." He shrugged his massive shoulders, while still paying close attention to the flight path of the rocket. The ship was beginning to take a heavy beating from the debris, despite his efforts. Even Johnny had put his MP3 player away and strapped himself in, as he checked the ship's bio-data readouts. Ben continued, "I've seen all those late night 'B' flicks too, Stretcho. So we're in the Bermuda Triangle of the Solar System. So any idea who our defunct space buddies were?"

"I think so, Ben. I wouldn't be surprised if these were the remains of a fleet from…" Just then Sue tapped his shoulder and brought his attention to the closest view port. Floating past was a heavily scarred but still statuesque humanoid robot. Reed interrupted himself. "There, that's what we need! Quick, Sue, get that robot!"

Without a word the team fell into action, with the precision of a well oiled machine. As Sue gently pulled the robot closer to the craft with her force fields, Ben held them steady while still avoiding drifting hunks of rock and debris. Meanwhile Johnny activated his atmo-web suit, the ultra light gear that allowed him to use his flame power in hostile environments. He slipped quickly into an aft air lock and flew out to tow the floating robot back inside.

Within the heart of the planetoid Pluto, lay a strange alien control chamber built on a monumental scale - large slabs of stone arched majestically overhead, creating an almost cathedral-like atmosphere, were it not for the ever present alternating sequence of flashing lights and soft blips.

Five humanoids studied the holographic images created from their sensor data. Their neutrino security web had alerted them to an approach and they watched as the FF craft wended its way through the space debris. One of the beings turned away from the displays. Were he anywhere else he would have seemed gigantic, but here the massive arches and artifacts dwarfed him. He bowed his head respectfully to one of the others. "Commander, should we not destroy these interlopers before they detect our presence?"

"Truly, this area of space seems to be attracting attention from far too many enemy spacecraft. First the Rigellian fleet, then that cumbersome looking craft and now this. Dispatch two interceptors to investigate and then destroy."

As he lumbered away there was a flurry of activity from the remaining four. Soon two robotic space craft departed on a course towards the Fantastic Four rocket.

"Hey, Stretcho, ain't that thing workin' yet? You been tinkering with it for almost half an hour. You're usually faster than that with strange robotic space crud." Ben continued to correct their course delicately to avoid the larger of the asteroids, while allowing the deflectors to take care of the smaller ones. He still managed to peek back occasionally to where Reed was making minute adjustments to the robot they had salvaged.

Without raising his head from his work Reed replied, "Almost, Ben, almost. While the robot appeared intact there was, in fact, a great deal of internal damage. I should be finished making my repairs right... about… now." Even as he ended his sentence a soft humming started, the eyes of the robot snapped open and it began moving, digit by digit, stretching and bending as it ran through a series of diagnostic checks to assess its own physical condition.

After a few moments it spoke, with a mechanical yet still human like voice. "My thanks, Dr. Richards, your repairs have been most effective. I would seem to be in good running order, or shall be shortly, once my own internal repair system completes what you have so aptly begun."

"You're quite welcome, but you seem to have me at a disadvantage. You know my name but I don't know yours."

"My apologies. We are well aware of the Parahumans, including the First Family, the Fantastic Four. Dr. Richards, the estimable Mr. Fantastic, Johnny Storm, the courageous Human Torch, Ben Grimm, the powerful Thing, and the lovely Mrs. Richards, the oft underestimated Invisible Woman." He nodded to each in turn, but when he mentioned Sue he took her hand, bowed, and made as if to brush it lightly with his metallic lips, then stopped abruptly and stood upright. "I beg your pardon. I seem to still be adjusting as my circuits self regulate. I am Rigellian Recorder Unit X01-AN0010-N237, of the Sixth Exploratory Fleet, at your service."

"Parahumans? I've been called a lot of things in my lifetime, Reggie, but that's a new one on me." Ben turned his attention back to his controls, while still listening to what was going on. Off to one side, Johnny chuckled.

Reed ignored the side interplay. "Nice to meet you, Unit X01-AN0010-N237..."

The recorder interrupted, "Such a cumbersome appellate. It might be easier if you called me Reginald, or, as your compatriot has dubbed me, Reggie."

"Very well, Reginald, how did you come to be floating about in space? There certainly seems to be considerable debris in the area, but no signs of an intact ship."

"Indeed, Dr. Richards. The Sixth Exploratory Fleet, under the command of Captain Otomma, was cruising in the area when we were attacked without warning. A swarm of fast and deadly gunships shot out our engines. We were able to inflict considerable damage on them, but they persisted and were joined by a second wave. As soon as all of our fleet was crippled the attackers departed, leaving us adrift and relatively defenseless. Our engineers had just begun repairs when we were struck by a meteor shower the likes of which we had never encountered before."

"Meteor shower?" Reed looked puzzled. "But surely you had deflectors. Meteors are rarely really close together, no matter how they may appear from a planetary surface."

"As I said, this was a most peculiar meteor shower. It was localized into a virtual beam that seemed to be aimed at our ships. The entire fleet was rendered into debris in a matter of moments. I fear that I am the sole survivor of the once great Sixth Fleet." The robot bowed his head in what almost seemed to be mourning.

"Sorry to hear about that, Reggie, but right now we've got problems of our own." Ben began making hurried course adjustments. "We've got company!"

Through the front view screen they could see two sleek spaceships heading directly for them. Their ship lurched to the left as Ben tried to get them out of range, but to no avail. Concentrated beams shot out from the approaching ships, striking their craft and shaking it violently. Reed issued a few quick instructions and everyone donned their protective suits. As they were preparing the Recorder noted, "These appear to be similar to the vehicles that attacked our fleet."

Reed nodded. "I suspected as much. Everyone get ready, I am shutting down all power now. Make sure your suits are sealed correctly as life support is going as well." Each team member indicated their preparedness and Reed flipped one last switch. Their craft drifted in space, for all purposes, completely dead, the aft airlock slightly ajar.

"Okay, everyone is clear on what they have to do. We only have a few moments before those ships return."

The Thing grumbled, "Yeah, Perfesser, we get it. Let's get goin'. I wanna give these guys some payback for the poundin' they been givin' us."

"Me, too!" Johnny looked determined.

Sue stepped closer to the others, pulling the Recorder nearer as she did. "I'm ready, Reed. Everyone together? Then let's go." With a look of concentration she encase the five of them in a force bubble.

Reed looked out the view screen. He could see the others vessels approaching. He glanced down at his watch and silently counting down the seconds to himself. As the time ran out he shouted, "All right, Sue, NOW!"

As the attacking vessels swooped by on their strafing run a force bubble shot out from the Fantastic Four ship and secured itself to the rear section of one of the passing spacecraft. In a few moments the attackers wheeled back and returned to their headquarters leaving the deactivated and badly damaged craft floating in their wake.

Meanwhile, back on Earth:

The air shook with each clap of thunder, and lightning lit up the skyscrapers of downtown Manhattan. By the light of the storm-spawned bolts rain could be seen lashing the sides of Four Freedoms Plaza as the wind whipped it in waves across the slick glass and steel surface of the building.

Above the building there was nothing to see but cloud filled sky, unless one happened to notice how the rain sheeted oddly around one spot directly over the tower. If they had, they might have suspected the presence of the cloaked ship that hovered silently, as if waiting for something to happen.

Inside, Jennifer Walters watched the storm rage from the safety of one of the offices. She reflected, 'It's not fit out there for man nor beast. Well, this beast better tackle some of the paperwork or my desk will look worse than the weather. I wonder if I should have let Reed talk me out of my criminal practice to come here and look after the Fantastic Four's legal affairs. Well, if I get bored enough I can always grab a real court case now and again.' She took one last glance outside and wondered where the FF were now, and if they were all right.

As the storm rumbled on, most of the city workers slept, or dined, or watched television, unaware of the varied night time activities that took place in the glass and steel office buildings. At the ground level rear of Four Freedoms Plaza one of the large dock doors was being rolled back down into a closed position by the maintenance staff, who had just thrown the day's trash, carefully enclosed in green plastic bags, into a dumpster to await pick-up. Their work finished, the cleaners clocked out and left for the night, wrapped in raincoats and clutching umbrellas fiercely against the winds of the storm. None of them noticed the drips of water on the dock floor, and they wouldn't have thought anything of them if they had. Still, if they had waited just a few minutes they would have seen the drips move towards each other to form a small puddle. Gradually more and more water collected, then the puddle seemed to writhe and stretch upward. It morphed into the shape of a man, but remained liquid, then transformed into a wave which cascaded away from the dock area, then under a door marked 'Mechanical'.

Once inside, the water reformed into the shape of a man, then changed into flesh and blood. He was a scruffy looking individual, with mussed medium brown hair, and a doughy non-descript complexion. His massive chest muscles strained the fabric of his rumpled dull red shirt and his grey corduroy pants were shiny with excessive wear. He looked around, flicked on a small pen-light and looked again, then tapped his left temple.

"Yo, Wizard! I sure hope this doohickey of yours is working."

"It is." A voice sounded in his head, carried by bone conduction. "Now get on with the mission, Hydro-Man."

Morrie Bench laughed. "Now, now Wiz. No need to get so pushy. I'll handle it. I just figured I should check out your little communications device before I actually need it. After all, I don't wanna get stuck with a bum radio if I need to call for you to pick up some burgers and fries before you come in."

"Naturally it works, after all I invented it. It is also the little marvel that is masking your presence from the building's security system. Even so, you have delayed long enough. Continue with the mission, if you can keep your infinitesimal mind off food. Time is of the essence."

"Okay, okay, I get the message. You're not talking to Stegron, you know. I'm already in position and am entering the building's sprinkler system now. Four Freedoms Plaza is as good as ours."

The top level of Four Freedoms Plaza was mostly taken up by the hanger area. Still, off to one side, was a single room set aside as a private work shop. This was where Wyatt Wingfoot had taken refuge. When Reed had approached him to act as CFO* for the Fantastic Four this was one of the terms Wyatt had insisted on. If he was going to bury himself in financial statements, investment options and corporate tax forms then he needed an escape hole, a spot all his own where he could putter about, get his hands dirty, and maintain his sanity by falling back to his first love, physics, when the bustle of the 'suit' world threatened to smother him.

* Chief Financial Officer

Today hadn't been one of those stress filled days. Of course there had been the dog and pony show for the media and all those questions to answer when the team had disappeared in the middle of the proceedings. Still, that was nothing compared to a government audit, and he had been through plenty of those during his professional career at the Keewazi Reservation. He wasn't feeling stressed at all today. This retreat was more a case of stocking up relaxation time against the pressure filled days that he knew would come, eventually.

Tonight he wasn't at his work bench. He hadn't decided on a project that he really wanted to build just yet. Instead he was curled up in the old worn recliner chair that he had brought from home. It was patched and stained and the springs sagged in spots, but it fit him like a glove and he could always relax in it. Right now he was munching on pretzels, sipping beer, and re-reading a well worn copy of Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time". Outside the storm continued to boom. Wingfoot relaxed, took a sip of his beverage and turned a page in his book. Then something unusual happened. It started to rain, indoors!

He looked up and realized that the sprinkler system had been activated. Cursing he leapt to his feet, then stopped, realizing that no sirens were sounding. The sprinklers were supposed to be tied into the alarm system; they were tied in, he had seen the plans. Then he took a closer look at the water that was cascading around him. Instead of an even downpour, the way the sprinklers were designed to work, the flow seemed thicker in specific locations. It was almost like watching a fleeting shadow grow darker and darker with each passing moment. Then a voice whispered in his ear, "Your book's getting wet." The comment was followed by a laugh.

Wyatt wasn't going to stick around until the water finished doing whatever it was that it was doing. He bolted for the far wall, knowing that he had to hit the panic button, since obviously there was an undetected intruder. Too late. Hydroman had finished forming.

"Where do you think you're going?" A stream of raging water erupted from Morrie's right arm and blasted Wyatt off his feet. He scrambled for the door but suddenly started choking as a bubble of water formed around his head. He tried to hold his breath but it was already too late. In moments he stopped struggling and slumped in a wet heap. The water bubble dissipated and flowed back to be sucked up into Hydroman's body.

After tying Wyatt securely, Hydroman left the workroom and headed directly for a large control panel in the hanger. He punched a series of numbers onto the main keypad and the hanger doors slowly opened. Sheets of rain splashed inside and then stopped as a strange hovercraft suddenly appeared within the hanger. A hatch opened, and the Wizard flew out with Quicksand right behind on a hover disk. Shortly after that Stegron leapt down, leaving dents and scratches on the floor with his clawed feet.

"You reptilian idiot, I told you to use the hover disk. What is the point of me supplying amenities if you don't use them?" The Wizard was obviously angry.

Stegron growled and swished his tail menacingly. "Ssstegron hunts with hisss own two feet…"

"I'll deal with you later" Wizard headed to the hanger deck computer banks. "Right now there is a mission to complete."

He attached a device to the computer and began entering data. In a moment the holographic image of Roberta, the Fantastic Four's holographic receptionist appeared in the air before him.

"How may I assist you, sir?" As the Wizard continued to work the keyboard a green glow began to permeate the holograph. The tint spread and deepened. Roberta continued, "What do you wish, master?"

He replied, "Excellent, Four Freedoms Plaza is now ours. Computer, lock down all targeted locations."

"You better get them all. We don't need anyone getting in our way."

"You worry needlessly, Hydroman. Such cerebral activities are not your job, and certainly not your strength. I have calculated all known parameters and taken the proper precautions. I will get them all, as you say."

In her office She-Hulk had been frantically trying to protect the legal papers that were being soaked by the sprinklers. She jumped as sheets of solid metal began to slam down, sealing all of the windows and the door.

"Oh for the love of…. First the sprinklers and now the building security system is kicking in. But no alarm? What gives?"

Her thoughts were cut short as she was attacked by a series of metal tentacles that appeared out of the walls. They coiled their way around her body. As she struggled she noticed an odd smell. Gas was being pumped into the room. As she lost consciousness she heard a voice from somewhere.

"Sleep tight, She-Hulk. This building now belongs to the Frightful Four."

In one of the residential areas of the FF headquarters a DVD was playing Godzilla versus Mothra on the television A still steaming all-dressed pizza lay on the table, fresh teeth marks in the slice that was abandoned near a neatly folded letter. Beside the table was a green arm chair with a still warm indentation of a previous occupant. The room was abandoned but a small line of water drops led into the air duct.