Sue Richards was in truth the most beautiful woman I had laid my eyes on. Blonde hair that flowed to her shoulders and a smile no matter the weather. Her strengths did not lie only within her beauty, but also her her intelligence. It was a shame one such as her had been invisible to him until college.

Reed had been my been my closest ‘friend’ of many years. If one could call a lost sheep who follows you with earnest a friend. I tolerated him, our desire to see change in the world constantly giving the other reason to carry on. He seemed to be able to stretch his imagination far more than I could. But I was always the better strategist. Able to outmaneuver him on so many occasions.

But he had his problems. There’s an interesting clash to witness in Reed. Science before family, or family before science? It makes him irrational, prone to mistakes. I do not envy the relationship he has with Franklin and Valeria.

Ahh yes, Franklin and Valeria. Sue was pregnant with twins and Johnny could not have been happier, knowing he was going to be an uncle. If he had decidedly settled down with a woman as was expected of him, he would not be in the position he was in. He called himself hot. I called him a fool, he played the part well.

And there was Ben. The other fool. He was muscle, and nothing else. He knew nothing of science and yet he was continually around, helping out in anyway he could but continually perplexed, and in the way of those who understood what they were undertaking.

Despite all the meticulous delays we faced, we’re still ready to launch ourselves into the stars. A renewed interest from SHIELD after the Alien ship fell boosted our funding highly. Our lead on Nasa shot high again, performing beyond them with only a ten man team. The following days would become highly interesting.

Our role was to find life beyond our stars. This was proven to be true by Stockholm. Now our mission was to find more life, study it. Watch it grow, maybe help it grow? I didn’t know for sure anymore. I just wanted to get up there already.

“Director Fury.” I spoke, my legs crossed in the seat. I sat opposite him and several other of his key staff. One of whom was the head of a program to help better those with newfound powers, the result of that blue wave. I wish I had been able to study that. I envied Hank Pym. “I’m hoping you can provide a little… extra security for the launch of the F4. I don’t trust the military to be able to provide defense against any individuals with abilities far beyond mine.”

“Understandable. I think that Arrietty could easily arrange that with aid from the students.” He replies, nodding to himself and glancing to the woman in question. “A crew of five now, correct? Yourself, The Richards, Ben Grimm and Jonathan Storm?”

“Correct.” I replied, nodding to him in return. The facts shouldn’t need to be so repeated. He had the information in front of him on the desk. Perhaps he was ensuring my honesty at the situation. An interesting idea. But I had nothing to hide on this occasion.

Reed spoke up, having been sat beside me for some time. Listening in on the conversation between us. “Whilst we don’t know for sure that anyone will actually attack us, we feel that the safety of those around us, and the safety of ourselves is a priority. Destruction of the ship could hold high casualties.”

“I know, Dr. Richards. Dr. Doom has filled me in on the specifics.” Fury replies, shifting his gaze to Reed. “I’ll arrange for a guard.”

A red haired woman spoke next, piercings and tattoos marking her. No refinement. But there was expression and imagination. “Dr. Richards, would be so kind as to talk with some of the students about your project within the coming weeks? Science is a popular topic here, and I imagine many people will have been following some of the developments.”

“Of course, Dr. Johan.”