Reed Richards sits in the darkened room that serves as his office. The Exiles had come, and gone again, explaining what had transpired on Galactus's ship. Councilman Stark was delivering the news to the public - about the efforts to have Dr. Doom assist against the threat, his subsequent escape, and General Grimm's heroic sacrifice ( Read more... )

The enormous vessel has entered Earth's solar system - seemingly oblivious to all broadcast entreaties, it inexorably closes the distance to Earth. So insignificant to the ship's master are the beings of Earth that only the most perfunctory of the ship's defenses have been activated.

The homeland is not the land Doom loved anymore. It is as if he taught them nothing in his time as monarch, and they have happily begun to lap up the Richards doctrine like every other mongrel society willing to prostrate itself for the sake of new gadgetry ( Read more... )

Colonel Parker's crew of fools has been subjugated, and now Doom strides through the corridors, leading this motley assortment of fodder and strategically concealing the group from prying security eyes.

"Grimm," Doom says, in a condescending tone. "Do you have an adequate craft, or shall I summon my own?"

The entry door of the hallway to Doom's cell slides open - revealing a very triumphant-looking Colonel Peter Parker, accompanied by ten agents in SHIELD garb - some of whom are entering by crawling on the ceiling or the walls ( Read more... )

It is said that the level of civilization in a society can be judged by how it treats its prisoners, and in the Science Council's utopia, that seems to be very well, indeed. The common prisons are clean, efficient places focusing on rehabilitation - low recidivism rates and humane conditions ( Read more... )

Morph leads the way down through the Baxter Building, towards temporary quarters that have been prepared for the Exiles.

"Nice fellows, but that could've gone better. I mean, the only girls in there besides the ones we brought with us were Parker's goons. Also, I don't think they were convinced. That's probably important too."

The Baxter Building appears to have become the seat of the World Government - the top several floors are reserved as living quarters, laboratories, and meeting space for the Science Council that governs, with the affirmed consent of the people ( Read more... )

The flight, as advertised, is brief - slightly less than four minutes to reach the Helicarrier, ahead of the final moments of sundown. A sturdy room is arranged for Roxy, while the others are ushered into a pleasant but perfunctory briefing room, while medical technicians flit about, looking for signs of contagion ( Read more... )

Another world, another dollar - the Exiles are enjoying a practical vacation one minute, and the next, they're being unceremoniously dumped in what appears to be Central Park. The New York skyline is visible all around, in the dim twilight - but it's taller, and shinier, than most would remember ( Read more... )