The committee spent another hour reviewing technical specifications, budget requirements, and timeline details. Reed found himself fielding questions about everything from life support redundancy to communication protocols with Earth. Ben handled the engineering challenges with his usual calm competence, while Johnny proved he'd absorbed more technical knowledge than even Reed had realized, though he somehow managed to work in at least three more dinner invitations during his technical responses.
"Final question," Colonel Matthews said as the meeting wound down. "Dr. Richards, the world has changed dramatically since Superman's first appearance two years ago. We've had Batman operating in Gotham, Tony Stark revealing himself as Iron Man, and now yesterday we saw additional metahumans emerge. The Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern. Why should we send humans into space instead of relying on these enhanced individuals?"
Reed had been expecting this question, and his answer came from the heart rather than his prepared notes.
"Because we should complement their efforts, not depend entirely on them," he said. "Yesterday showed us there are more metahumans out there than we ever imagined, and they performed incredibly. Green Lantern, Superman, the Flash, Aquaman, Iron Man. They saved Coast City and countless lives. But they also showed us the scale of threats we're facing."
He paused, looking around the table. "From what we witnessed yesterday, Green Lantern appears to have cosmic-level responsibilities that extend far beyond Earth. Superman operates globally but can't be everywhere at once. The Flash saved countless lives in Coast City, but he's one person covering an entire region. Tony Stark proved that human ingenuity and technology can stand alongside these cosmic-level threats."
Reed's voice grew more passionate. "The government and academic communities are calling them metahumans, the public sometimes calls them mutants, but the terminology doesn't matter. What matters is that yesterday proved something important. We don't have to be helpless bystanders. We can develop the knowledge and capabilities to support them, to fill gaps when they're needed elsewhere, to be partners rather than just people waiting to be rescued."
He gestured toward the window, toward the city beyond. "We need human expertise up there, people who understand our technology and our needs specifically. We need to prove that humans can operate in this new cosmic environment. The aliens who attacked yesterday showed us that Earth is part of a larger universe now, whether we like it or not. We can either take active steps to understand and defend ourselves, or we can wait for the next crisis and hope our protectors can handle everything that comes our way."
The room was quiet for a moment. Then Brand leaned forward, studying the documents in front of her.
"Dr. Richards, your original proposal outlined a six-month timeline," she said. "But that was for a routine research mission. What you're describing now is significantly more complex."
Administrator Griffin cleared his throat. "The NASA training protocols alone would require four months minimum. Full astronaut certification, mission-specific systems training, emergency procedures. These aren't test pilots anymore. They're astronauts dealing with unknown cosmic phenomena."
"Plus construction and testing," Ben added. "The spacecraft modifications we're talking about aren't just tweaks to existing designs. We're building new shielding systems, advanced life support, and experimental detection equipment from scratch."
General Schwartz nodded thoughtfully. "Given the experimental nature of this mission and the accelerated threat assessment, I'd recommend a ten-month timeline. That gives us adequate buffer for testing and training without compromising safety protocols."
"Ten months," Reed repeated, doing quick calculations in his head. "That's tight, but workable if we get priority resource allocation."
Brand looked around the table at her colleagues. "All in favor of full mission approval with a ten-month preparation timeline?"
Hands went up around the table one by one. Even Major Santos, who had been skeptical throughout the presentation, raised his hand.
"Unanimous," Brand declared. "Dr. Richards, you'll have full approval and funding within twenty-four hours. Launch timeline is now ten months, with priority support from both SWORD and NASA. We'll fast-track your security clearances and begin facility preparation immediately."
"The training will be intensive," Administrator Griffin warned. "You'll essentially be completing a compressed version of the astronaut program while simultaneously overseeing spacecraft construction. Are you prepared for that level of commitment?"
"Absolutely," Reed said without hesitation. Ben and Johnny both nodded their agreement.
"And Johnny?" Reed asked.
"Backup crew member, as discussed. He'll participate in all training and preparation. Given current threat assessments, I expect that status to change to primary crew very quickly."
General Schwartz leaned forward, his expression becoming stone serious. "One more thing, gentlemen. This mission will have the highest security classification. You'll be working with technologies and information that are vital to national security. The media attention from yesterday's events makes this particularly sensitive." His voice carried the weight of absolute authority. "Nothing about this mission, its timeline, its objectives, or its existence gets discussed outside of authorized personnel. Not with family, not with colleagues, not with anyone. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir," Ben said immediately, his military training evident in his crisp response.
"Understood, General," Reed added, recognizing the gravity in Schwartz's tone.
"Absolutely, sir," Johnny said, for once dropping his casual demeanor entirely.
General Schwartz held each of their gazes for a moment. "Good. Any breach of security will result in immediate termination from the program and potential criminal charges. The stakes are too high for anything less than absolute discretion."
After the committee members filed out, Brand lingered to speak with them privately.
"Impressive presentation," she said. "But I'll be honest. This mission approval came from necessity, not just scientific merit. After yesterday, Congress is demanding immediate action on space defense. Your mission is part of that response."
"We understand," Reed said. "But the science is solid regardless of the political motivations."
"I hope so," Brand replied. "Because if something goes wrong out there, it won't just be your careers on the line. It'll be the entire future of human space exploration. The public is watching. The world is watching. We can't afford another Challenger situation, especially not with cosmic stakes."
She turned to Johnny. "And Mr. Storm, backup doesn't mean benched. Use this time to prove you belong on that mission. The training will separate the qualified from the hopeful. Impress us, and you'll find yourself with a primary assignment before launch."
Johnny flashed his most charming smile. "I always aim to impress, Dr. Brand. How about I start by taking you to lunch? I know this amazing place that serves the best..."
"Mr. Storm," Brand said with an amused expression, "you're cute, I'll give you that. But you're not my type. I prefer men who don't hit on government officials during classified briefings." She gathered her papers with practiced efficiency. "Good day, gentlemen."
After she left, Johnny stood there looking genuinely stunned for the first time Reed could remember.
"Did she just..." Johnny started.
"Call you cute and shoot you down in the same sentence?" Ben finished with a grin. "Yeah, kid. She did."
Johnny ran a hand through his hair, looking bewildered. "That's never happened before."
"Welcome to the real world," Reed said, trying not to smile. "Where charm doesn't automatically equal success."
The three of them stood in the empty conference room for a moment, the reality of what had just happened slowly sinking in.
Then Johnny let out a whoop that probably carried three floors down. "We did it! Holy shit, we actually did it!"
His excitement was infectious. Reed felt a grin spreading across his face as years of dreaming and planning suddenly became reality. "We're going to space," he said, disbelief and joy mixing in his voice. "We're actually going to space."
"Damn right we are!" Ben shouted, grabbing Reed in a bear hug that lifted him off his feet. "All those years of talking about it, and we're finally doing it!"
Johnny was practically bouncing on his toes, pumping his fist in the air. "This is the best day ever! Well, except for the part where Dr. Brand shot me down, but still!"
Reed couldn't stop grinning. All those nights in college, sketching spacecraft designs in his dorm room with Ben. All those conversations about pushing the boundaries of human exploration. All those dreams that had seemed so impossible just hours ago.
"We're going to be astronauts," Reed said, the words feeling surreal. "Actual astronauts."
"The Three Musketeers ride again!" Johnny declared, then immediately corrected himself. "Wait, the Four Musketeers. Sue's gonna flip when she hears about this."
Ben was shaking his head with a massive grin. "Your dad would be so proud, Reed. This is exactly what he would have wanted for you."
Reed felt his throat tighten with emotion. "Yeah. Yeah, he would."
"Come on," Johnny said, still practically vibrating with excitement. "Let's get out of here and celebrate. I'm buying the first round!"
"Johnny, it's eleven in the morning," Reed pointed out.
"Then I'm buying coffee!" Johnny shot back. "Really expensive coffee!"
"First step," Ben corrected, though he was still grinning. "Now we have to actually build this thing and not get killed using it. Ten months to go from concept to launch. That's insane even by our standards."
Reed looked out the window at the Manhattan skyline, thinking about Sue's words that morning. Today had indeed changed everything. The boy who had once stared at the stars with his father, dreaming of impossible journeys, was finally going to reach for them himself.
"Ten months," he said. "Think we can be ready?"
"Hell yes," Johnny said immediately, his confidence bouncing back with typical Storm resilience. "And hey, at least I've got ten months to work on Dr. Brand. Maybe she'll warm up to me once she sees how impressive I am in training."
Ben snorted. "Johnny, that woman would eat you for breakfast and ask for seconds."
"Some guys are into that," Johnny replied with a grin.
"As long as you don't design anything too clever," Ben added, looking at Reed. "Simple, reliable, and likely to bring us home alive. Those are my only requirements."
Reed nodded, feeling a familiar mixture of excitement and terror. But this time, the terror was manageable. He had a team he trusted, technology he believed in, and finally, the support to make his dreams reality.
"Let's go tell Sue," he said, then stopped. The conversation from that morning crashed back over him, and he realized he had no idea what he was going home to.
Johnny noticed his expression. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," Reed said, though it wasn't true. "Everything's fine."
As they headed for the elevator, Reed caught Johnny checking his phone.
"Texting Sue already?" Reed asked.
"Actually, yeah," Johnny said. "She wanted to know how it went. She's been worried about you all morning."
Reed felt something twist in his chest. Even when they were fighting, even when he was failing her in every way that mattered, Sue was still worried about him.
"Tell her it went well," Reed said quietly.
"Why don't you tell her yourself?" Johnny asked, but Reed had already gotten onto the elevator, his expression closed off in a way that made Johnny drop the subject.
—
Later that evening
Sue was sitting on their couch when Reed returned home, no longer in her running clothes. She'd changed into jeans and a sweater, and there was a packed overnight bag by the door that made Reed's stomach drop.
"Well?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral.
"Ten months," Reed said, setting down his keys. "Full approval, complete funding. Coast City changed everything. They want the mission launched as soon as possible."
"That's what you wanted," Sue said, and Reed could hear her trying to inject warmth into her voice. "I'm proud of you."
"Johnny made the team as backup," Reed added, still standing awkwardly in his own living room. "He wasn't thrilled about the designation, but Ben convinced him it was better than being excluded entirely."
"He'll prove himself," Sue said, then added more quietly, "He always does when someone believes in him."
The words hung between them, heavy with implication. Reed felt the urge to deflect, to dive into the technical details of the meeting, but Sue's expression stopped him.
"Sue, about this morning..."
"Don't," she said, holding up a hand. "Don't apologize for taking Ben's call. Don't explain why the meeting was important. I know all that." She pulled her knees up to her chest, making herself smaller on the couch. "I need to ask you something, and I need you to really think before you answer."
Reed sat down carefully on the opposite end of the couch, leaving space between them that felt like a chasm.
"When you think about the future," Sue said, "when you imagine your life five years from now, ten years from now, what do you see?"
Reed's first instinct was to list his research goals, the missions he wanted to launch, the discoveries he hoped to make. But looking at Sue's face, he realized that wasn't what she was asking.
"I see us," he said finally. "Together."
"Doing what? Living where? Are we married? Do we have kids? Do we still live in this apartment, or do we have a house somewhere?" Sue's questions came faster now, like she was finally releasing thoughts she'd been holding back for months. "Because I can't tell anymore if you actually want those things or if you just assume they'll happen eventually when you have time to deal with them."
Reed felt that familiar panic rising again. "Sue, you know I want a future with you."
"I know you say that. But saying it and planning for it are different things." Sue's voice was getting quieter, which Reed had learned over the years meant she was getting more hurt rather than less angry. "Reed, I've been waiting for you to be ready for seven years. Waiting for you to finish school, to establish your career, to prove whatever you think you need to prove. And now you're going to space for who knows how long, and I realized I don't even know what I'm waiting for anymore."
"You're not waiting," Reed said desperately. "We're building something together. The foundation, the research..."
"That's your dream, Reed. Not ours." Sue turned to face him fully. "I love the work we do, but it's not enough anymore. I want to plan a wedding. I want to buy a house and argue about paint colors and whether to get a dog. I want to try to have babies and panic about whether we'll be good parents and fight about whose turn it is to change diapers."
She wiped at her eyes, though Reed hadn't seen tears fall. "I want a life with you that isn't just the spaces between your projects."
Reed felt panic flooding his system. Everything Sue was saying made sense, was completely reasonable, and terrified him completely. "What if I mess it up? What if I'm not good at being a husband or a father? What if I turn into Gary, or what if something happens to me and you end up alone?"
"Then we'll deal with it," Sue said simply. "Together. That's what marriage means, Reed. You don't get to plan away all the risks before you commit. You commit and then you face whatever comes."
Reed stared at his hands, thinking about all the years he'd spent trying to solve every problem, plan for every contingency, prove himself worthy of the opportunities he'd been given. The idea of promising Sue forever when forever felt so uncertain was paralyzing.
"I don't know how to do that," he admitted. "I don't know how to make promises about things I can't control."
Sue was quiet for a long moment. When she spoke, her voice was sadder than Reed had ever heard it.
"Then maybe I need to stop waiting for you to figure it out," she said. "Because I can't keep living my life on hold while you decide whether I'm worth the risk."
"Sue, that's not..."
"I'm going to stay with Johnny for a while," she said, standing up and moving toward her overnight bag. "While you're in training for the mission. He's got that spare room in his apartment, and honestly, he could use the company. I think we both need some space to figure out what we actually want."
Reed felt panic flooding his system. "Sue, don't do this. Not now. Not when everything is finally coming together."
"That's exactly my point," Sue said, picking up her bag. "For you, everything is coming together. Your mission, your funding, your chance to prove whatever you think you need to prove. But what about us, Reed? When does everything come together for us?"
Reed sat on the couch as Sue moved toward the door, feeling like he was watching his life fall apart in slow motion. Every instinct told him to go after her, to promise her everything she wanted, to fix this the way he fixed technical problems. But he couldn't make himself move.
When Sue reached the door, she paused without turning around.
"I love you," she said quietly. "But I can't love you more than you're willing to love me back."
After she left, Reed sat alone in their apartment, surrounded by the life they'd built together and feeling emptier than he had since his parents died. Outside, New York City hummed with its usual energy, but inside, everything felt unnaturally quiet.
HERBIE rolled into the living room, his optical sensor blinking red as he detected Reed's elevated stress levels. The robot emitted a series of concerned beeps and chirps, wheeling closer to the couch where Reed sat with his head in his hands.
"I'm okay, HERBIE," Reed said quietly, though his voice cracked slightly on the words.
HERBIE's lights flickered in a pattern that clearly indicated skepticism. He rolled forward and gently bumped against Reed's leg, his way of offering comfort.
Reed reached down and patted the robot's dome. "Really, buddy. It'll be okay." The words felt hollow even as he said them, but HERBIE seemed to accept the reassurance, settling into standby mode beside the couch like a faithful dog keeping watch over his owner.
His phone buzzed with a text from Ben: How'd Sue take the news about the mission?
Reed stared at the message for a long time before turning the phone off. Some questions didn't have good answers.
The greatest triumph of his professional life had just become the worst day of his personal life, and Reed had no idea how to fix either one.