The Blue Area of the Moon
Attilan…

The Great Hall in the palace echoed with the angry, shouted voices. There were two hundred in all, those privileged, witnesses lining the galleries that stared down, shouting and murmuring, accusing eyes staring daggers at the human. No matter the times he had saved them all, offering up his own life for theirs, people he had never even met. No matter the madness, which he had quelled, the blight that had eaten away at the Great Refuge for so long. No matter he had saved the child- the HUMAN child.

“He should die,” many said, though not too loudly.

“Banish him from Attilan! Let the wastes take him! The void!”

“Send him back to his world. That world that shunned us, hated us!”

“Sentence him to the VOID!”

And so it went, louder and louder, the murmurings and rumblings, bitter words against the outsider. The witnesses were on their feet, their hooves and shaking tentacles, spitting vile venom with their words. Hackles raised, bristled, eyes crackled with rage and the injustice of it all-

Black Bolt raised his hand and all fell silent…

Benjamin J. Grimm glanced up, his gaze scanning the crowd bursting in the overhead galleries, lining the halls and corridors beyond. He was frowning. That much was apparent, though his rocky visage was often difficult to interpret. Some would say later that they saw sorrow on his countenance, regret. Others would say he simply seemed annoyed with it all.

“Maximus is dead.” Karnak’s voice echoed throughout the suddenly quiet chamber, so designed that the slightest whisper from the dais might be heard by all. He was dressed in the robes of his priesthood, officiating as the Law did specify, though he was also there as a member of the Royal Family as well, and as a friend of Ben Grimm. It was still so hard to believe-

“Ya keep sayin’ that, shorty,” the Thing said with a grunt. He turned his attention on Karnak. “Like it’s gonna change things? Get it over with, already.”

Karnak stared at his old friend, frowning in disbelief at his seeming lack of interest in the proceedings. Did he not understand that if Black Bolt found him in disfavor, the Inhumans would be well within their right and law to put him to death? He was human! He had slain a member of the Royal Family; the very brother to the king himself. No matter the circumstance, no matter the fact that he had saved little Luna, Ben Grimm had committed the ultimate crime in the eyes of Attilan assembled, and the people were crying for justice, if not blood.

“I-“ Karnak paused, glancing at his family and friends. Crystal was absent of course, and Medusa still on Earth. Gorgon stood at the side of their liege, ever ready to mete out justice if need be. His face was grim, and Karnak could sense his cousin’s pain, still not recovered from the tortures of Maximus. Likewise, Triton stood upon the dais, his scaled body not yet recovered from the madman’s imprisoning. Maximus had almost killed him, and now he was forced to wear the old robes that he had long ago abandoned thanks to the technology of Reed Richards. His body was still weak and haggard however, dehydrated from Maximus’ tortures, and he was now hidden by the voluminous folds of his dampening robes, his face hidden in shadows of the enveloping hood.

Karnak cast his gaze upon the accused again, and beyond. Grimm’s allies stood at his side of course. No less could be expected. Reed and Susan Richards, Jonathan Storm all stood waiting, impatiently perhaps, but willing. Karnak knew however that if Blackagar should find Grimm wanting they would jump to the fore to defend their comrade and friend.

And what of Black Bolt himself? What could the monarch of Attilan possibly be thinking, his eyes boring into Grimm’s thick, rocky hide. His face was emotionless, expressionless, but Karnak could feel the tension washing from his cousin in waves. Blackagar had loved Maximus after all. He had proven so time and again, ever- merciful despite the madman’s attempts to coup, the insane schemes of world domination or destruction. Karnak winced as Blackagar’s gaze shifted ever so slightly, beckoning him to continue.

“Maximus is dead,” Karnak said, clearing his throat. He was sweating, oddly, nervous. The situation could easily turn for the worse. “You stand accused Benjamin Grimm. You in fact admit to killing the brother of the king; murdering him. How do you plead, now?”

Grimm snorted, shaking his head in disdain. “I don’t plead fer nobody. He was gonna kill Luna. I killed him first. Ain’t one ‘a you wouldn’t a done the same, ‘cept maybe Reed an’ Bolt hisself. Maybe if one a’ you’d had the balls a few years ago, Ahura would still be alive now. I did what hadda be done, an’ I’d do it again.”

“You’re out of order, Grimm,” Gorgon said, stepping forward to point an accusing finger.

“An’ yer a pussy, Gorgon.” Grimm smirked, pulling a half-smoked cigar butt from his belt and sparking it to life. “I saved the kid. I saved yer ‘Refuge’. Ya wanna hang me fer that, git it over with. Otherwise let us go. I ain’t got the patience fer yer Kangaroo Court.”

“You-“ Gorgon started to stride forward, bristling and ready to fight, but the slightest movement of Black Bolt’s hand froze him in place. Gorgon turned to his king, as did Karnak and Triton, and a hush fell over the great auditorium as Black Bolt stared at the accused.

His eyes were dark and moist as he stared at Grimm, the Thing in turn matching the monarch’s gaze unflinching. The Human Torch shifted in the background with impatience, Richards and his wife whispering. Grimm seemed unconcerned as Black Bolt raised his left hand…

Black Bolt made a slashing motion to the left, short and swift and as Karnak sighed the galleries erupted in turmoil. The populace was outraged at the decision, but Black Bolt was wise and had weighed all the evidence accordingly. The Thing was a good man at heart, and he- along with his allies had saved Attilan countless times. Grimm had saved little Luna, and countless others no doubt, despite the extreme measures, which he had taken. Black Bolt had taken all of that into consideration…

“Banishment, Grimm,” Karnak said, trying not to smile. It could have been death. “You are hereby banished from the Great Refuge and shall never return. If you should be found within our borders again, you shall be slain out of hand, an enemy and-“

“Whoopee…” Grimm flicked ash from his cigar butt as he turned to Richards and his comrades. “Like I wanted ta be here in the first place. Can we get outta here now, Reed? It’s startin’ ta stink.”

“Ben!” Richards said, but the Thing was already stalking out of the chamber. The crowds were still shouting, outraged, but he did not even seem to notice, let alone care. Black Bolt was watching his old friend with sorrow, Gorgon’s face a mask of astonishment at the Thing’s attitude. Richard’s stepped forward.

“I thank you for your wisdom, Black Bolt,” Richards said, bowing slightly as protocol demanded. Karnak licked his lips. “We shall leave shortly, and by your grace.”

Black Bolt nodded, frowning as the Thing exited the Great Hall, followed closely by the Human Torch. The crowd was still in turmoil at the outcome, but they were starting to disperse, albeit slowly. Black Bolt had ‘spoken’.

“A dark day, cousin.”

Karnak almost jumped to hear the rasping voice at his side. He turned to see Triton there, watching the dark tunnel where the Thing had disappeared.

“The laws are adamant, Triton. Grimm was lucky.”

“There was no luck involved, Karnak,” Triton said, hacking and coughing, his breath dragging as he tried to speak, obviously still in pain. “Maximus got as he deserved. Grimm was right. Blackagar saw that, and if not for the Laws he would have forgiven our friend. He should be honored, not banished.”

“He has made his decision,” Karnak said, watching as Gorgon accompanied Black Bolt from the throne. The people were still milling about, but some had started for the exits, accepting at last, hopefully. They would have to safeguard their friends now, until their departure. Too, the humans were filing out in the wake of Grimm. “We shall all abide by it.”

“Yes, unfortunately,” Triton said, finally turning towards the corridor that would lead him from the dais, back into the Royal Quarters. “We will…”

Elsewhere…

Crystal held up the pink tunic, staring at it as her mind continued to wander-

I’ve had enough!

She shook her head, willing the tears back as she cast the shirt aside, wishing that she could cast off the words and memories as easily.

Our daughter almost died! If not for Grimm, she would have, and you wish to try him? He should be haled a hero.

The blue one, Johnny had always said that she looked good in blue. The color set off her eyes.

Never again! I know people- beings that can safeguard our daughter, raise her properly-

Your father?

My ‘father’ would never use a child as a shield.

Pietro’s cold voice echoed in her memory. His eyes had been dark, crackling as he held Luna close, using his speed to stay just out of reach.

Luna shall not suffer the insane politics of your mad realm a moment longer. She shall not be the fodder of the next maniac’s mad schemes. She shall not suffer the indignities of prejudice that your ‘people’ heap upon her, simply because she is different. I suffered that growing up, and my daughter shall not!

And I did not suffer?

Crystal’s breath heaved as she tried to suppress the sobs that were threatening to come forth again. Her hands wadded at the blue tunic, worrying and forgotten for the moment as Pietro chastised her over and over in her mind’s eye-

Oh, pity the poor Princess. What- not enough Alpha Primitives to scrape the muck from your Royal Boots? The roast Yak not done to perfection for the Royal palette? Would that my sister and I had had it so bad. My daughter shall not, I assure you! She will be safe, and loved.

Pietro… Please…

Was he right? Had she grown so cold and blind? He- he could not take Luna. She would not allow…

Pietro had glanced skyward as thunder rumbled in the distance. He held Luna closer, whispering in her ear as he then looked to his wife…

You’ve made your decision, then. Fine. You know where I shall be.

And he was gone.

Crystal Amaquelin Maximoff had stared at the open, empty doorway for some time, long after the winds had died and the debris had settled in the wake of her husband. He was gone, too fast to follow. She had learned later that he had stolen a shuttle, gone back to Earth.

She held up her smalls, folding them by rote and stuffing them into her travel bag. Socks and slacks, shirts- was it still summer in Manhattan. So hot-

Crystal slammed the bureau drawer shut, sucking breath through gritted teeth, struggling with her swelling emotions. She would not cry again. She was done with crying.

She knew where Pietro had taken her daughter. She knew, the one place he felt she would be safe, where he had felt safe. She would go to Earth then, find him and her; her husband and daughter.

She had her duties of course, first. She had to see to Medusa, tell her sister that her son was dead and get her home. She would stay with the Four for a time, help Medusa, then she would go to Europe. Lockjaw would take her, or she would fly- under her own power if need be.

She would go to Wundagore…

THE FRIGHTFUL FORCE!

Part I: Four-Squared

By Curtis Fernlund

The Baxter Building
Madison Avenue at 42nd Street
Manhattan, New York
0600 Hours…

Debra Bernard jerked awake in spasms to hear the buzzing that had invaded her sleep. She looked up and about, yawning and stretching as she reached out of the bed and through the darkness, flicking at the switch on the wall that shut off the ‘Call Alarm’ and activated the in-house viewer connected to the lobby’s main desk. She knuckled her eyes as she saw the familiar image of the Guardsman Armor swirling into bleary, blurry shape on the view screen. She tapped the intercom-

“Yes?”

“Visitor, Agent Bernard,” the cool, metallic voice said, sounding just as tired and drained as she felt. “A-1 clearance, verified by the Home Office.”

“Who?” she said, stretching and then rolling about in her bed, dragging the sheets up over her naked thighs as she focused on the view screen. She saw a woman step forward, smiling but staring blankly-

“Alicia Masters,” the Guardsman said, and instantly the woman’s file started to scroll down the screen. It was long, but Debbie did not have to read it. She recognized the name, and when she finally focused, the face as well.

“Cancel background,” she said, stifling a yawn as she glanced at the clock, the time displayed in the corner of the monitor. 6:02 am…

“Jesus…” she whispered as she shifted her weight in the bed. She sat up, rubbing her feet on the ground as she searched for her slippers. “Identity confirmed?”

“Yes…”

“Okay,” she said as she slid one foot into a fuzzy slipper, trying to flip the other with her toes. “Send her up.”

The screen went dead.

Debbie slid her other foot into the slipper and stood, stretching again. A slight glow filled the room, the motion sensors acknowledging her exaggerated movements and filtering a low level light into the chamber so that she could see. She glanced at the window and saw that the sky was just starting to come to light as well, that first hazy film of false dawn gray. In the distance she heard the slight hum of the elevator starting to rise-

“Jesus…”

Hurriedly Debbie jogged to the bathroom to take care of her morning duties; washing up and donning her smalls, pulling her hair into a ponytail, brushing her teeth and the more personal necessities. She wished that she had time for a proper shower and wondered why Alicia Masters had had to stop by so early.

She wondered too, as she hurried out of the bathroom and back to her bed, why the woman was visiting the Baxter Building at all. Probably to see the Thing of course, but surely Grimm had told her of the team’s trip to the Moon and the Great Refuge. He had had the time.

Ben Grimm had returned not so very long ago from visiting Alicia Masters down in Florida. He had not shared the adventures of his journey with Debbie of course, she was just the hired help; Nanny to the Richards’ two children. Still, he had seemed, if not happy, at least not depressed and Debra had assumed that the one time couple had at least parted on better terms than they had been. Obviously perhaps even better terms than that as the blind sculptress had traveled all the way to New York, and the Baxter Building.

Debra Bernard cursed, kicking off her slippers again as she literally jumped into yesterday’s worn blue jeans, hearing the express elevator’s chime in the outer hallway signaling arrival. She fell back onto her bed, wiggling the tight denim up her hips and buttoning the fly. God, she was getting fat on the good life.

She huffed, rising and grabbed the black and blue tee shirt that she had worn the day before, pulling it over her head as she ran barefoot from the room.

“Hello?” she heard the almost timid voice call out from the reception area beyond the secretary’s office. The soft hiss of the elevator doors sliding shut as Ms. Masters stepped into the reception area. Dammit!

It was still far too early for Janice Reynolds, the current SHIELD agent acting as the FF’s secretary to be in and on duty. Especially with the Foursome ‘not on premises’, there was little for the highly efficient woman to do but answer the phones and rearrange schedules as she had gotten the Four’s affairs- especially those of Susan Richards- whipped into shape within the first couple days of her job. She would not be on shift for probably three hours when the rest of Manhattan got rolling full steam.

“Lights, plus three,” Debbie said as she padded across the carpeting and into the office beyond, watching as the lighting grew slightly brighter to accommodate her. “Secure Level Alpha,” she continued, wincing as she stepped from the soft carpet and onto the cool tiles of the foyer, listening as the in house computer clicked and pinged to comply. She knew that both she and Miss Masters were now being scanned in various medium to confirm their Alpha Level clearance to be within the living area of the Fantastic Four, especially so close to the rooms of the children; Franklin and his little sister Valeria. She knew that Alicia Masters was a trusted friend of the Fantastic Four, family even, at least by association. But she had not been in the building since it had been rebuilt and there had been so many glitches running through the computers that Debbie was not certain the security programming was up to speed. Even though the Guardsmen in the lobby had cleared her, the internal floor scans might not do the same. Just yesterday Scott Lang and several Stark technicians had been crawling about in the service ducts trying to trace a problem that they had never solved. They were due back in the afternoon to try again.

Debbie stifled a gasp as she turned the final corner and finally came face to face with the Thing’s ex-girlfriend. Alicia Masters was beautiful, her reddish-brown hair sweeping just past her shoulders and framing a smooth, smiling face. She was petite, shorter than Debbie by a few inches, but she had a nicely proportioned body for her height. She was dressed in black riding slacks, flat suede ankle boots that matched her loose beige summer tunic bunched at the waist with a black leather belt studded with silver and matching purse and a black velvet band, which drew back her bangs. She wore no make-up that Debbie could see, and she was jealous that the woman could look so naturally stunning as she flashed a radiant smile, her blue eyes sparkling as she cocked her head.

“Hello,” she said, Miss Master’s voice soft but no longer timid, “I’m Alicia Masters.” She extended her hand directly and Debbie reached out to shake it.

“Debra, Debbie Bernard,” she introduced herself, and Alicia nodded.

“The new Nanny,” she confirmed. “Ben told me all about you, Debbie?”

“Please. It’s my pleasure though.” Debbie smiled, taking back her hand and watching as the other woman seemed to glance about, taking in the scenery. That was impossible of course, but that was how it seemed. “It seems like I know you already,” Debbie continued. “I’ve been hearing or reading about you and Mister Grimm most of my life, Miss Masters.”

“Alicia, please.” Her smile grew as she seemed to consider Debbie then, almost looking her over from head to toe. “I hope I didn’t wake you,” she grinned, glancing down and Debbie blushed in confusion and embarrassment. How-

“I heard you hiss a bit as you stepped onto the tiles. I heard your bare feet, so I assume you barely got dressed before the elevator got here. Sorry.”

Debbie smiled, relaxing a bit. “It’s okay. I’m generally up and at ‘em by seven to check on the kids anyway- if not sooner.”

“Franklin always was an early riser,” Alicia chuckled. “How are they both? Are they awake yet? It’s been awhile since I’ve seen them and I can’t imagine how big Val must be by now.”

“I doubt they’re awake yet, but we can check.”

“Oh, no,” Alicia declined, placing a hand on Debbie’s arm. Debbie had to suppress a shudder. The woman’s hands were like ice all of a sudden. “Let them sleep in. Plenty of time to get reacquainted with them later. It’s Ben that I’ve really come to see. Is he home yet?”

“Not yet,” Debbie said, shaking her head and grimacing. Force of habit, but the Masters woman just seemed so casual and adjusted with her lack of sight. Debbie could not even imagine how she managed so well. “I haven’t had time yet to check for messages, but we can now.”

Alicia Masters nodded and held out her hand. It took Debbie a moment to realize that she was waiting to be guided along. Of course, Alicia probably could have found her way about without much trouble as the new building’s design- at least the lay out and floor plan- was not too different from the original Baxter Building, which in turn had led to Four Freedom’s Tower. Still, there were some differences and better safe than sorry. Debbie had no wish to explain to an angered Thing just why his girlfriend’s shins were covered with bruises from running into the furniture.

Debbie suppressed a grin as she led the blind sculptress down the hallway and gave an impromptu tour along the way. She pointed out the various rooms as she guided them both towards the floor’s Comm Chamber as she had come to call it; bedrooms and guest quarters, visitor’s lounge, kitchenette, the small library where the daily papers were always ready to read and CNN always playing in the background. Miss Masters nodded along the way, commenting but Debbie seemed to sense that the woman was concentrating, and memorizing the pattern no doubt, counting steps and committing turns and doors to memory.

The other woman stopped abruptly as they passed one of the guest quarters, turning her head as though listening. “Who’s in there?” she asked, tilting her head to the side as she narrowed her eyes.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” Debbie said with some embarrassment at her slip. “That’s Medusa, probably up and about. Professor Richards deemed that she was too weak to return with the Four to the Moon, insisting that she stay here and recover.”

“Medusa,” Alicia said, her stare almost growing vacant for a moment. Then, “Has she recovered? I’d like to see her. It’s been forever.”

“Sure, if she’s up. Doctor Richards helped her to a point, and beyond that she simply needed rest. She seemed fine last night after she slept most of the day away. She had a late supper with me and the kids before going back to bed, but she seemed well-“

Debbie jumped as the door slid open and Madam Medusa herself stood in the doorway. She was already dressed in her familiar lavender uniform, towering over both women with a stern expression. Her already tall body was made all the worse by her deep red hair that billowed and swirled atop her head, always writhing as though alive. Debbie was reminded of the Medusa from mythology and easily saw why some people might have thought that her wild mane was made up of snakes.

“Medusa?” Alicia Masters asked tentatively and Debbie relaxed to see the Inhuman’s grim expression fade into a warm smile.

“Alicia!” she almost shouted, stepping forward and softly caressing the blind woman’s arms before the pair fell into a friendly embrace. “Agon, it’s been ages-“ Debbie noticed that the taller woman seemed to flinch for a moment as Alicia’s hand patted her back. There seemed nothing wrong however when they separated, all smiles, both women speaking at once.

“Listen,” Debbie said with a laugh, “you two want to get caught up while I go check for messages? I need to look in on the kids too.”

“Go ahead, Debbie,” Alicia said, looping her arm in Medusa’s as the taller woman led them into the quarters that the Inhuman was using during her stay. “We’ll talk for a bit. Join us when you’re done.”

Debra Bernard nodded to the door as it slid shut, apparently already forgotten. That was a little annoying- almost a snub- but she could understand. The other two were old friends and had shared many adventures together, especially during Medusa’s tenure as a member of the Fantastic Four. Still, she would have liked to join in on their reunion.

Despite the efforts of Susan Richards, Debbie still felt like an outsider at times, an employee. Oh, they all trusted her, and were certainly nice, but she felt a distance all too often. She loved the children, and knew that they loved her in turn and most of the time that was enough, but…

With a sigh Debra turned away and continued down the hallway. She half considered going back for her shoes, and she needed to check in on Franklin and Valeria, but she was closer to the Comm Chamber now and checking for messages would take just a few moments. Reed Richards’ in house form of Instant Messaging was exactly that- instantaneous. Faster than a T-One Line, and faster than anything that SHIELD used as well. Only Stark’s version was comparable, or so Janice had told her, but that was a difference of microseconds and to an untrained eye, no difference at all.

Debbie entered the small communications room and settled into the rolling office chair before the console. There was a wide screen monitor set into the machine that was easily divided and layered to open multiple channels and a modified computer keyboard angled for convenience with seemingly a thousand keys and buttons and lights spread out before her in a comfortable arch. To her right was a blank space doubling as a desk top, and also a built in vending machine, which Debbie eyed, licking her lips.

She logged on, then quickly shifted her attention to dispensing a cup of coffee while waiting for the monitor to key. God it smelled heavenly, and she blushed as her stomach rumbled, realizing how hungry she was. She took the steaming styrofoam cup from the tray even as the view screen shifted from the mutating ‘4’ of the Screen Saver and her own Start Page opened. She took a sip of coffee as she ran her finger along the scroll pad, bringing up her mailbox.

“You have three messages,” a softly feminine voice said and Debbie scrolled to download, watching as all three popped up in less than a second.

The first was from her husband, Jon. She smiled as she quickly scanned it, short and sweet. He was missing her.

“I love you too,” she whispered as she saved the message into her personal file and opened the next mail. From Scott Lang confirming that he and his crew would be back today but probably not until after three in the afternoon. Fine. She deleted that and opened the third.

A quick note, equally short but straight and to the point from Professor Richards. They were tying up loose ends in Attilan but all was well and he estimated their return at Nine AM at the latest, EST. Debbie smirked, like she was on California time, but then had to wonder just what time the Great Refuge was on. Bemused, she shook her head and closed the mailbox after confirming receipt.

She leaned back for a moment, rubbing her feet on the carpeting, enjoying the moment’s peace of her coffee while the system reverted to standby. As much as she enjoyed her job, it was a rare moment that she had any relative peace and quiet for herself. A bit of time in the morning, usually, and a longer time at night after the children were back in bed. The kids were angels of course- most of the time, but still she enjoyed every moment of down time that she could, and with both Medusa and Alicia Masters on the premises she had no worries over the children’s safety, at least for a few minutes.

She downed the last of her coffee, dropping the cup into the recycling chute set in the side wall when a slight flicker of light on the console caught her eye. It was an amber flash on the perimeter security, not a warning really, but something had breached the outer marker. She furrowed her brow as she slid back into place at the console and keyed up the security protocols.

Debbie focused in on the perimeter cameras, quickly shifting views to follow the breech and finally finding the area in question. The tech scaffolding from the upper floors was lowering down the south face of the building, two men dressed in purple jump suits riding the mechanism. Lang had left the scaffolding hooked up for his crew should they need to get to the outer circuitry, but she had just read that he would not be back until late afternoon. Odd…

She checked the day’s maintenance itinerary on the off chance that some outer cleaning had been scheduled, the walls or windows, but no…

Debbie licked her lips, her fingers gliding over the keyboard with a rapid precision as she tried to focus in on the scaffolding more clearly, and more specifically on the two men. The best she could get from the angle was a blurry image, and both were wearing hoods and masks over their lower faces filtering purposes. Standard OCEA procedure, but still…

“Lobby,” she said, keying the intercom, watching as another window popped open on the screen to display the main lobby. She saw a lone Guardsman standing at his post near the doors, another man back in the shadows seated at the main desk. “Guardsman,” she said, watching as the man flinched at the sudden sound of her voice.

“Yes, Agent Bernard.”

“Murphy?”

“Yes?”

She wondered briefly why her old friend seemed so stiff and formal, but did not have the time to sort it out. “I’m getting an amber alert on the perimeter sensors. The tech scaffolding is lowering. Has there been a schedule change?”

She watched as the Guardsman raised his arm and typed in something on his metallic wrist. She knew he was checking his own display for confirmation. She glanced back at the image of the scaffolding, still descending.

“I have nothing, Agent Bernard. Are you certain?”

“I wouldn’t have bothered you if I wasn’t, Murph,” she said with a snap of annoyance. What the hell was wrong with him today? “Could you make a flyby, maybe? If it’s not an inconvenience, that is? You know procedure.”

There was a bit of staticky silence, then, “Yes, Ma’am.”

Debbie blinked as the window clicked off from Murphy’s end. What was his problem…

Maybe it was the early hour, getting up at the crack of dawn. Maybe it was that she was too relaxed in her job with Masters and Medusa both in house, but it was only then that the alarms in her head started to chime. She knew procedure as well as Murphy, damn it!

She glanced back at the scaffolding and saw that it had stopped. Worse, one of the two men had produced a bulky gun attached to a hose that led to a compact pair of tanks at his belt. The other man was doing something to the window but she could not see what-

“Fuck!” she cursed, her hand slamming down on the big red button on the console that would automatically upgrade the building’s security to Omega Priority. The building would lock down in seconds, the doors and windows sealing and certain rooms would actually be encased in a force field for the duration; the Negative Zone chamber, Doctor Richards’ private labs, and most importantly Franklin’s room and the nursery. Too, a ‘Firewall’ for lack of a better term would block all incoming signals on a myriad levels, everything based on radio and light emission, and entire spectrums that only the likes of Stark and Richards might comprehend. Allegedly it would block teleportation as well, though that had yet to actually be tested after what had happened with the initial refurbishing by Noah Baxter. Reed Richards wanted to be two hundred percent before they chanced that catastrophe again.

She waited, watching the screen for confirmation. It should have been instantaneous, but one instant turned to two, then ten. Biting her lower lip Debbie slammed her fist down on the button again-

“C’mon…”

And again! Nothing…

The monitor screen winked out completely, and even as she started to rise she felt the slightest tickle at her foot. She gasped, started to turn as something soft snaked about her ankle, but even as she moved she felt her leg yanked back and up, her whole body whipping upside down to dangle in the air at the end of a tether of some kind. She had to twist and crane her neck to see the red strands stretching above her, wrapping about her ankle and holding her inches off of the floor. She gasped, realizing what the red rope actually was and twisted about again, arching her back just to see the familiar purple boots of Madam Medusa.

She felt her position shift as the Inhuman’s hair wrapped about her waist, bringing her to a better angle to be face to face with the woman. Medusa’s hair held her aloft easily, the strand about her ankle loosening just a bit while other tresses snaked and squirmed about her, making her skin tingle as though covered with bugs, that feeling she remembered from childhood and roaches in the middle of a hot summer night. She shivered-

“Medusa!” she shouted, enraged as her thoughts turned to the kids. Why was the Inhuman doing this? Where was Alicia? Was she already a captive? “What is this? Why-“

“Do not be concerned, Debra Bernard,” Medusa said, and Debbie could not help but notice that her voice had that same odd monotone that Murphy’s had. “This is nothing personal. If you cooperate, you will not be harmed. You should surrender.”

“Surrender?” she gasped incredulously, struggling as the Inhuman’s hair continued to wrap about her. She tried to twist away, flailing her arms to keep them free. “Where’s Miss Masters?” she said, trying to distract, her mind racing. Her leg was free now as the inhuman righted her, her locks snaking out and probing, trying to encircle her wrists as she was drawn closer.

“Alicia Masters is seeing to the children. We have no desire to harm them either, but they must be secured. Surrender…”

“We?” she whispered, wondering whom Medusa meant. The Inhumans? Who else would…

Debra Bernard’s eyes went wide as she finally put the clues together. The men on the scaffolding clad in purple, one with the odd, bulky gun. Earlier, before she had become the FF’s Nanny she recalled the battle with Hydro-Man and his escape, later. There were few men with the intelligence to rival Stark and Richards, the tech wizards of SHIELD and the King of Wakanda. There were few men that could beat the security of the new Baxter Building; Doom, the Mad Thinker…

The Wizard!

Debra Bernard shifted her weight and whipped her legs together, arching them up with a speed and precision that she had almost forgotten that she had possessed. Despite her current position as the Fantastic Four’s resident Nanny, she had been trained by SHIELD and handpicked by Nick Fury himself for her job. She would be damned if she would surrender without a fight.

She winced as her toes slammed into the arrogant Inhuman’s chin. Madam Medusa grunted as her teeth gnashed together, staggering at the impact and momentarily dazed. Debbie felt the woman’s hair loosen as she touched down. With her feet under her she moved quickly, shooting forward while Medusa stood shaking her head. She came in low, screaming as she had been taught as she slammed the heel of her palm up into the other woman’s chin again. Concentrate on the wound echoed in her head, Dum Dum Dugan’s gruff voice snarling. Medusa was actually lifted off of her feet as Debbie threw all of her weight into that blow before whipping about, spinning with the momentum to slam her right heel into the Inhuman’s nose in a high, sweeping roundhouse kick. The woman’s head snapped to the side, and even as Debbie dropped to a defensive crouch she was pleased to see the Inhuman stumble and stagger, finally falling to the floor.

Debbie Bernard sagged briefly, huffing as she looked to the fallen woman. She was out, but just barely, and Debbie knew that she was far stronger than she appeared. She had gone toe to toe with a lot of heavyweights during her tenure in two FF teams. She would be up in moments, and then Debbie would be done- if she stayed.

Not being stupid, Debbie Bernard ran…

The Baxter Building
Madison Avenue at 42nd Street
Manhattan, New York
0847 Hours…

Light flickered and flared in what was referred to as ‘the Meeting Room’. They were not the Avengers. They did not have regular weekly meetings to discuss their agenda, but still there were times when they might have to confer so Reed Richards had created a Meeting Room where they could. More often than not, Ben used the room when it was his turn to host the floating Superhero Poker Game, as it was huge and well accommodating for large gatherings.

Reed Richards had chosen the room for their return as it was large and easily pictured, lacking all but the most necessary fixtures in the background. There was a table and chairs, walls containing little but the cursory technical encumbrance of computer module and communications apparatus, kitchenette and doors leading to adjoining rooms. The ceiling was high and there was a wide-open area that would allow the bulk of their party to appear unimpeded.

Reed Richards waited for the residual feeling of transfer to dissipate, that odd tingling sensation that accompanied intra-dimensional transference when traveling with Crystal’s pet, Lockjaw. It was incredible of course, the ease of transferal and the exactness of the process, but the act often left Reed just a bit out of sorts for a moment as he adjusted to new surroundings. Thus it took him almost three seconds to realize that something was amiss-

“That’s odd,” he said, looking about, his eyes straining to see in the darkness. There were priorities in the running of the new Baxter Building, procedures that he had laid out in compliance with Stark and T’Challa and Fury. One of those was that certain areas should be lighted at all times, and one of those areas, despite its lack of use, was the Meeting Room.

“What, Reed?” he heard Susan’s voice at his side and felt reassurance. She should know the procedure as well, and probably did but he knew she was probably distracted, anxious to see the children.

“Nothing,” he said, trying to sound relaxed as he peered into the shadows, his arm snaking out, stretching towards the wall’s manual light switch even as he commanded by voice, “Lights…” Nothing, even flipping the switch. “Johnny…”

“Flame on!”

Light flared as the Human Torch brought forth flame to his hand and held it up. There was a collective gasp, and without thought Johnny Storm was enveloped in flame. Richards felt the air pressure shift ever so slightly as his wife constructed and Invisible Force Field about them all. Ben was behind him, guarding his back, and even Crystal fell into defense, her old training coming back to mind. Lockjaw yawned, licking his massive lips as he plopped onto the floor in the midst of them all, apparently unconcerned.

“Hello, Reed.”

Mister Fantastic, leader of the Fantastic Four stared at the flickering image of the man seated in what was his chair at the head of the Meeting Room’s table. He was smiling wickedly, a sickening thing that Richards remembered all too well. The man was dressed in his powered armor suit, the one with the purple color scheme again, and Reed could not help but notice that he was wearing his power gauntlets, his ‘Wonder Gloves’ as well as his enormous, bulbous helmet.

“It’s been some time, to be sure.”

He was smoking a cigar, apparently relaxed and unconcerned as Reed Richards held out his hands to keep the others from attacking. He scanned the room quickly, counting heads and taking names-

He saw Hydro-Man of course. Dressed as usual in khaki pants and black tee shirt. Richards had expected as much after receiving the file and message of his escape.

Next to him was the Trapster, seated in Johnny’s chair. The old Paste Pot Pete, Peter Petruski seemed no different than he ever had, cocky and sure, thinking that he had the upper hand. Strength in numbers, no doubt.

The surprising additions were Madam Medusa of course. She sat to the Wizard’s right, apparently content to be once more counted in their number. Richards had an idea as to why as he looked to the final member of what should have been a quartet. Phillip Masters- the Puppet Master.

“Lights,” the Wizard said and suddenly the room was illuminated again. And again Reed Richards heard a collective gasp from his compatriots. He held up his arm as Susan stepped forward-

“No!”

He held her back, riveted on the scene, the final members that had been far back on the far side of the room, in the shadows. He saw Alicia Masters, and was mildly surprised. She was holding Valeria calmly, staring blankly forward. Directly behind her with his hand on her shoulder stood Basil Sandhurst, the Controller. He towered over the diminutive woman, a smile twisting his scarred face as he reached around and cupped her breast. He felt Ben tense behind him, but oddly he did not charge forward. There were two Guardsmen as well, one on either side of Franklin, flanking him and holding him with their gauntleted fists pointed at his head. Richards saw that Masters was holding a doll resembling them, his gaunt face twisted into a wide, mocking grin.

“I trust that you grasp the gravity of the situation, Reed,” Geiger said with a sneer. “We have gained control of your precious building, as well as a few of your select friends and comrades. We have your children.”

Reed Richards wondered briefly just what had happened to Agent Bernard, but he was more concerned with just how Geiger had taken control. He was certain that he had planned for every contingency, but then, looking at Alicia as the Controller fondled her breast he surmised what had happened. He would need to alter Alpha Clearance-

If they survived of course…

NEXT: Yet another BIG BLAZING BATTLE ISSUE as the Fantastic Four takes on the Frightful Force! You may think you know what’s going on — and you may be right — but read it anyway. I have a couple surprises in store…