|
    |
It's a strangely quiet near-evening in the Baxter Building Fantastic Four residence — mostly because everyone is in their own corners working on different projects. Thanks to it being nearly dinnertime, the kitchen is occupado with the wafting scent of noxious burning filling the air. This is what often passes as a home-cooked meal in the house.
Sue opens the oven door and her nose wrinkles before she peeks back at the instructions she has laid out across the counter. Pages and pages describing a simple roast have been laid out in a long line that, evidently, she didn't quite get right.
While Sue looks the part — with a white apron over her little black dress and a tight ponytail drawing her hair from her face — she evidently is not succeeding at this cooking thing. She frowns deeply as she draws the roast out of the oven with the large pot holders. She sets it on the stovetop and scrunches her nose. Her face pales. Something has gone terribly wrong with this dish.
*
Taking a break from his own personal pet project, Ben makes his way to the kitchen to get something to drink. He's pretty parched. The closer he gets to the kitchen, the stronger the scent gets. He starts sniffing about, furrowing his brow. "What's that…? What smells so…?" What's the word he's looking for here?
"What smells like a…" He pauses as he finally gets to the kitchen and sees Sue's attempt at cooking. "Delicious meal ready for dinner?" He completes the thought, deciding not to go with what he was originally going to say. "Made that all by yourself, Sue? You're getting better at cooking every day!"
*
Outside the Baxter Building, chaos is beginning to reign.
Police vehicles descend from all directions, strategically blocking all of the exits. Within forty four seconds a host of military vehicles also arrive. No one gets out of their vehicles just yet, as they communicate through the chain of command via radios inside their vehicles.
Outside of the main entrance to the building a jeep pulls to a stop. A helmeted man with military fatigues, a large, perfect white mustache, and an unlit cigar hanging out of his mouth, gets out of the vehicle. In his hand is a furled stack of papers.
"General Ross, what do we do?"
"Simple, son. We knock on the door!"
*
Sadly, perhaps, Sue's cooking is not destined to be the worst crisis at the Baxter Building this evening.
Johnny isn't due back for hours — he's supposed to be out with Noemi enjoying the rally, after all, and neither of them had foreseen any reason that they'd cut out early. But it was safe to say that neither of them had foreseen what's brought Johnny back so soon.
A soft chime sounds from the speaker in the kitchen, shortly followed by Roberta's tinny, artificial voice: "Johnny has just landed in the han—"
The report is interrupted by a very harried-looking Johnny Storm shouldering the door open, with what is unmistakably a body cradled in his arms, Noemi's jacket wrapped around it. A deep green stain has begun to spread through the fabric. "Reeeeeeeeeeed..! We're gonna have company!"
*
Reed 's head pokes out of his room— not the lab— a few seconds later, with a sort of owlish, peering look. What on earth— Is that? Nah, it couldn't… it is, isn't it? Greeeeeeeat. The rest of Reed appears, pulling a labcoat on over his Four uniform.
"That appears to be an understatement, But please, Johnny. Quarantine. Into the isolation chamber in the lab," he says in the mild tone of a reminder. Son't know how safe the whatever it is… is.
*
Sue arches a single wry eyebrow at Ben. "It's a work in progress, but don't tell — " whatever thought Sue aimed to share is lost amidst Roberta's announcement and Johnny's entrance. Both of her eyebrows lift in surprise, "What is — " She squints. In an instant she's lifting a forcefield around the pair in an effort to contain whatever it is until it's in proper containment.
And then rather quickly, her thoughts begin to come out in a quick rush, "I thought you were going to a rally," her face scrunches together and she's already scrutinizing the specimen. "Where did you… what did… how?" But the sound of sirens downstairs has her frowning. "I think we've got company — "
*
"I like works in progress!" Ben frowns at Johnny's arrival. "Some days I feel like I'm the only normal guy here. And that's saying something from a guy who looks like a boulder that grew a head, arms, and legs." He mutters to himself. "What in Reed's stretchy arms are you carrying, Johnny?!"
Walking over to the windows, he looks down to the streets. "And why in the blue blazes did you lead the police and the military to us our building? I mean, I assume that whatever it is that's being carried is the reason that they've swarmed around us? Or am I mistaken and the military just wants to, aggresively, ask me to join the air force again?"
*
Downstars, Thunderbolt Ross gives a nod to the secretary at the front desk. "Evenin' ma'am. As ya might have noticed, there's a big hubub going on out here and, if you'd be so kind, I sure would be happy if you would be so kind as to contact Mr. Reed Richards, or Johnny Storm. It is of major urgency."
*
Johnny doesn't even break his stride when the forcefield comes up around him, just continues to hustle towards the lab. Oh, god, this makes the smell so much worse, his nose feels like it's on fire. And not in the way it normally is. "I don't know! Did you say military?" he asks, giving Ben a rather frazzled look. Okay, assumption time. "Then it's definitely an alien," he says authoritively. "Or, was. But I couldn't just leave them laying there on the street, people were going to start freaking out!"
Downstairs, the secretary looks remarkably calm about having uniformed military come marching into the building. But that's going to happen when the Fantastic Four live upstairs. She just sighs tiredly, already reaching for the phone. "I'll call ahead for you, sir. They're on the thirty-first floor."
*
Reed picks up the phone as soon as the ground floor lobby rings. Anticipating it? Yep.
"Go ahead and send him up, thank you," he says without really waiting for the whole story. He can guess. He's even got a pretty good idea of who to expect, without asking. This will be… interesting. Probably in the chinese sense.
"Who knows, maybe they're feeling reasonable tonight." Surrrrrre.
*
Sue squints at Johnny and the assertion that he's brought home an alien. "It was on the street?" she pinches the bridge of her nose. Her lips purse lightly and she treads after Johnny not the lab, "Agreed." And then as a secondary thought: "I would've done the same. If we don't know what kind of stability it has," she follows Johnny up towards the lab until the body is safely transferred to a containment chamber.
She slips back downstairs once it's deposited. Immediately, she treads to the kitchen and begins to make coffee; all while realizing she's falling into that same pattern, yet at moments like these, she falls easily into this pattern. Moments later, she opens a window to let out the fumes of her latest foray into making dinner.
*
"An alien? Good gracious." Ben sighs and shakes his head. "Fine. Fine. You guys deal with the alien, I'll help deal with the military." Goodness knows Reed will probably need help with that. The military aren't always the friendliest of types, no matter what persona they put on. He goes to the elevator and taps his foot impatiently, waiting for their guests.
*
Ding!
The elevator opens and a group of soldiers, maybe a dozen strong file out. Finally, Thunderbolt Ross exits the elevator. Once he sees Sue, he removes his helmet. "Ma'am."
His eyes move to Johnny and finally to Reed.
"Beg all of your pardon this evenin'. I think you know why I'm here," Ross says gravely. "I've been sent here by the government, Mr. Richards. By President Kennedy himself. In my hand I have some documents that stand to make things very difficult. I'd prefer not to do that. In your possession, on your property, is the first documented extra terrestrial life form. It is the government's contention that that body needs to be in our possession and we're hopin' you'll be reasonable tonight and that we all can end up on the same side."
*
"He was on the street after falling eight stories," Johnny quickly reports to Sue, backing away from the containment chamber with Noemi's jacket in hand. In the chamber is the green figure wearing a police uniform, clearly dead… and not, from the bloody spot, from the fall. "I don't know what happened, but there was a noise, and — "
And then their company has arrived. Johnny is quick to hold up his hands as he turns to face Ross, his eyes a bit wide. But for the moment, he keeps his mouth (blessedly) shut.
*
"Doctor Richards," Reed corrects, mildly. He's pretty humble, but noone with his number of (non-honorary) doctorates goes by "Mister". He draws glasses, puts them on, and considers Ross'… assertion.
"I have always endeavored to work *with* the military on these matters, General. I think that has been well-established." He casts a pointed look at the soldiers. "So I don't see how all this is necessary. Surely we can do this without resorting to automatic rifles in the living room." He glances up as Johnny returns. "I'm sure you'll agree, containment and quarantine is paramount. We acted to move the specimen off the street and into a clean environment to minimize exposure, as Johnny was on the scene and we have appropriate facilities. I expect you have another location in mind, but I hope you and the President would agree that due care is paramount."
Reed is willing to be politic about this as long as Ross is. besides, he's waiting to hear Ross's pitch. The General is unlikely to come here this politely if he wasn't planning to pitch an offer Reed might agree to.
*
The greeting in her direction earns the General a saccharine smile. But it's not until Reed has said his piece that she breaks her own silence. "General," she offers smoothly. Her dark eyes flit between the military men and she nods once, "Perhaps it would be better if we all had a seat," she motions towards the dining room table. "Coffee is already on. And as Doctor Richards already suggested, automatic rifles in the living room aren't ideal. It took months to decorate that space, and I'd hate to have to reupholster."
Her hands clasp lightly in front of her and she's treading towards the table already. In many respects, with her apron and dress peeking out underneath, she seems more like a 50s mom than a biochemist, and, evidently, this a card she intends to play.
She lingers beside the table and notes, "Besides, document review," yes, Sue does intend to read those papers, "is easier at the table." Smiiiiiile.
*
"Oh sure. Just walk right on past the stone guy." Ben murmurs ever so softly. As he follows the men backto the living room. "Look, folks. Nobody here has greater respect for the military than I do. As I'm sure you all know, I was in the air force." He moves to stand next to his teammates. "I'm sure we can talk this over and find something that works for all of us."
He glances over at soldiers with their weapons. "Why don't I show your men somewhere where their weapons will be less…dangerous to everyone around?" He looks around, hopeful. "We just want what's best for everyone, General."
*
"No disrespect, Mr. Grimm. But, be that as it may, my men and I are both fine. Ms. Storm, we'll stand," General Ross says. "I respect that you all want to be involved, and in truth the President would very much like you to be involved. However, that doesn't change the fact that Mr. Storm here decided to take it upon himself to take a carcass of an alien on his own. The first document that I have here, is a warrant for his arrest. Like I said, I'd prefer not to use that." He sighs, "I think it's easier to just have you, Dr. Richards, lead the contamination process and bring this alien in." It should be noted he has a whole host of paperwork in his hand.
*
"Doctor Storm." This time, the correction comes from Johnny… but after a moment, he points towards Sue, looking flustered. "I mean. Seo is Doctor Storm, not me. I'm Mist—wait what?"
Blinking rapidly, Johnny drops Noemi's jacket and starts to move closer to General Ross to get a look at the warrant, but he stops short as soon as he's reminded of the armed guards' presence. "Aish! Would you rather I had just left the body on the street for everybody to see?" he asks, sounding as exasperated as he looks. "People were starting to panic already. I did you guys a favor," he grumbles, tightly folding his arms across his chest.
*
"Relax, Johnny," reed assures him calmly. "I'm sure the general is just applying negotiating leverage. As little as I suspect anyone in the Attorney General's office would care to attempt to actually try the case. I may have missed it, but I don't recall Congress putting any laws on the books regarding the disposition of extraterrestrial remains. I rather suspect anyone who tried would be laughed off the floor."
He lets his gaze slide back over to Ross. "Perhaps we should cut past the needless threats and counter-threats. Of which I'm sure there are plenty in both directions. What, exactly, are you proposing, General?" The military has cards, the Four have cards. It's pointless to spend all night posturing.
*
There's a flicker of a smile at Johnny's correction about her title, but then he's trudging towards the armed guards.
Sue traipses after her brother, and reaches out a hand to squeeze his shoulder. Her voice drops into quiet, gentle Korean: <You did good, Joon. They already know this. If they didn't, they would come bearing a lot less paperwork.> Her eyes flit towards the General again a moment later. She ticks her head back towards the table, regardless of the General's decision, she continues to assert the importance of sitting.
<Deep breaths, Joon.> She presses her finger to her lips to contain any further thoughts.
*
"Ain't no way you're just takin' him in, arrestin' him for somethin' I doubt's illegal!" A little bit of Ben's street thug voice raises up from deep within for a moment before he clears his throat. "With all due respect, of course, General." He crosses his arms. "Please, just tell us what you really, really want so we can all get back to our lives and pretend that this never happened?" He raises an inquisitive eyebrow.
"Now, how about those seats that our esteemed Doctor Storm was talking about, hmm? We'll sit. We'll talk like civilized people." He motions with his hand toward the table.
*
Ross makes no move to sit, "It's very simple, really. The Federal Government is requesting that you turn over the body immediately. If we can all agree to that, then we would really like the Fantastic Four to assist with many of the plans the government has. Obviously, if this becomes a more difficult situation, there will have to be ramifications, including and not limited to arresting Mr. Storm. And, Dr. Storm, you have my apology. I don't receive aerospace journals listing the doctorate awardees. At least not anymore."
*
Johnny turns his wide-eyed stare to Sue when her hand finds his shoulder, but the contact and the quietly-spoken Korean seem to do the trick. He gives her a quick nod and, as she suggested, draws in slow, deep breaths to keep himself calm.
That doesn't mean he doesn't shoot Ben a somewhat odd smile at the back-up, though. It's always nice to be reminded the big guy's got his back when it matters.
<I was going to do that anyway,> Johnny very quietly tells his sister in Korean, his eyes on Ross as he lays out the terms. Then he shuts his mouth.
*
"We, in principle, have no quarrel with what you're proposing, General," Reed says smoothly. "As I said, everything done has been for the good of the populace, preventing panic or some kind of strange alien-origin epidemic. We'd of course prefer to render at least a cursory examination before relinquishing the specimen, but as you'd prefer our assistance in the matter…" He tilts his head. There is of course a but coming. "But I would like to hear it from the relevant civilian authority. I'm sure President Kennedy is expecting a call, he's a smart man."
*
"Biochemistry," Sue corrects Ross lightly. "I don't do rocket science." The smile remains and her chin drops at her brother's thought, <I know. And don't worry, you aren't going anywhere. We've got you, baby brother.> Her arms cross over her chest while her gaze flits between those present. After a few beats she tugs on the apron tied at her waist and carefully folds it on the counter. She takes a few steps backwards and lingers on the edge of the room towards their bedrooms, assuming complete silence as she does so.
*
Crossing his arms once again, Ben eyes the General. "Let's just get all this done and over with shall we?" The rock man sighs. "We'll get the president on the line. We'll do some talking. And everything'll be sorted like dew melon at a picnic. We have hard enough lives here without you traipsing through out home and treating us like hostiles." Despite the fact that the Four could probably incapacitate all the military personnel rather easily. "I got work I gotta get back to, folks. Time sensitive work."
*
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I don't actually care, much. I'm here to do a job, not write a biography. Although all of your impressive achievements are duly noted."
Ross nods to Richards, "I am sure that you, along with many others would love to get a phone call into the President. Funny thing: when an alien drops out of a building, the guy's phone got all tied up."
"Agreed, Grimm. Once the body is handed over, this will all go rather quickly."
*
Johnny drags a hand down over his face, his eyes flicking from Ben to Reed to Sue and back again before they settle, finally, onto Ross.
"…this is just ridiculous. You know we weren't gonna keep them, right?" Johnny asks, jerking a thumb towards the labratory and raising his eyebrows. From his tone, Ross is not the only one he's asking this question: he's also asking the other members of his own team.
*
Reed p8inches the bridge of his nose at Johnny's question. He can't help it. "No, no we are not," he admits. Well, so much for a bargaining position. "However, considering the recent history of extremely questionable projects with little oversight" His eyes glance to Sue then back to Ross. "including at least one case of legitimate Intellectual Property theft turned to extremely unethical ends, I didn't think it unreasonable to hold out for meaningful assurances."
He turns to Ross again. "We will, of course, turn over the alien remains. If you didn't bring apprpriate containment, we can arrange to have the isolation chamber it's quarantined moved to a truck. Yes, we would like to assist. I don't think it's egotistical to suggest you'd have difficulty finding better scientific authority. But that assistance is contingent upon concrete assurances that our work is going to be used ethically. And that we are not being drafted into military authority."
*
Sue just continues her silence as her arms cross tightly over her chest, but she lifts her eyebrows at the notion of meaningful assurances. While she could say a lot more on that topic, she two steps backwards towards the lab.
*
"You know, General, I'd show Doctors Storm and Richards little bit more respect here, if I was you. I know it's hard. I mean, I was Air Force. I know what it's like to be on your side of things. But these people here?" Ben motions to the rest of the Four, "They're only here to help. So be nice." His words aren't particularly threatening, but there's an undertone of 'You better be nice to my friends or else' to them.
"Then again, what do I know about negotiations and alien bodies? I was working on engines when you all decided to show up." He shrugs.
*
Ross exhales and hands those documents to one of his aides as Reed agrees to hand over the body. Grimm is ignored. It seems like when Ross says he didn't actually care, he wasn't lying. "Dr. Richards, my men will be up to follow your lead on the decontamination. Feel free to keep the being here as long as is realistic, but the President would like the body in Washington, at the Pentagon, tomorrow if possible. We ask that you allow my men access to the body to watch and take notes that they can pass. I imagine once the body is taken to the capital, the President would like to meet with you and your team."
*
There, see? That wasn't so hard. Johnny rakes both of his hands back over his hair and wanders over to stand next to Ben, casting a brief, mildly helpless look up at him. "That sounds reasonable," he mumbles mostly to himself, his eyes drifting back towards the guards.
*
Reed seems willing to accept this as being assurances enough. At least for the immediate concerns. He nods. "We could transport now, but it would be best to conduct at least a cursory examination as quickly as possible. You can inform the president that tomorrow should be entirely doable." He turns, pursing his lips. "Johnny, Ben, if you two can tidy up the lab, stow the sensitive things away, make some room? Sue and I should be able to get the general's team settled in."