The Irish Tree
NoriWasHere
Izurich
mattmanganon
Ojiro Mashirao
Gisk
Xaltwind
Psyker Landshark
Danyel
M R S. F A N T A S T I C
M R S. F A N T A S T I C
M R S. F A N T A S T I C
Location: The Baxter Building, Top Floor, Future Foundation Headquarters
Post #2: Innovation and Intervention
Sue sat at her desk, having returned from her little 'meeting' with the dictator of Latveria to remember her late husband, Reed Richards, on the anniversary of his death and to renew their conviction to bring about a better world. Victor would be secretly returning to the Latverian embassy to take a magical portal back to his country, where he would probably continue to work on his pet projects. Sue often joked that Victor must be the descendant of vampires, since she's rarely ever seen that man sleep. On that note, Sue looked in the small mirror she had on her desk. She wasn't getting much sleep either and she could feel the years catching up with her. As Reed Richard's widow, Sue had inherited his wealth, generated from the royalties and patents of technologies he had invented in his all-too-short, but highly-productive, life. On retrospect, he seemed far too young to have had such a detailed will, almost as if he had expected to die on that space mission. Of course, Sue knew that wasn't the case, Reed was just such an intelligent and forward-thinking man, always planning for every possible eventuality and outcome. Yet if that were true, shouldn't he have been able to prevent his own death? Sue shook herself out of that reverie. They had only been married for a few short years, but she cherished those years greatly. The fact that he had so quickly and so readily left everything he had to hear spoke to the love and trust that he had for her. At first, the wealth was something of a comfort, but Sue came from a poor background and had few extravagant wants. Her drive to honor the future her husband wanted pushed her to use his wealth to found the Fantastic Four, building the infrastructure upon which their superhero team would rely on. A portion of that wealth had initially been budgeted to Victor, the only man who would be able to continue anything even remotely close to the kind of research Reed was pushing forward. But with Victor's departure from the team, it had become difficult, if not impossible to continue with scientific research, and the Future Foundation, as their organization was now called, eventually moved to supporting social programs, local experiments to uplift the poorer population of New York City. Victor railed against capitalism, and quite frankly, some of it went over Sue's head, but she was definitely willing to test how different charitable projects could change peoples' lives for the better.
But Reed was a man of science, and it didn't feel right for the Future Foundation to not have a science department. Looking out over the city, Sue knew that the Baxter Building, and the Fantastic Four, stood as a beacon in a sea of despair. But crime lords and corrupt business magnates truly ruled this city, while superheroes provided a false sense of hope and could be publicly recognized and supported, so long as they 'stayed in their lane' and did not disrupt the status quo. Of course, fighting foreign or extra-terrestrial threats was easier than dealing with the quagmire of business and politics; she had seen firsthand the price Victor had to pay for changing lanes. But Victor was terrible at playing nice with others, he was 'too honest'. The trick was to change things within the system without painting a target on your back. Of course, that may just be Victor's ploy, to draw attention to himself to make Sue's work easier to conceal. She was the 'Invisible Woman' after all. Turning back to her computer, Sue closed the article she had been reading about Parker Industries; her mind had been made. She wanted to budget some of the Foundation towards science, but needed someone who's work she believed in, a company that wasn't just about maximizing profits, one that gave back to the people and offered opportunities for social mobility. She began typing.
Dear Dr. Parker,
I am going to cut out the formalities. You seem like an honest man, and I'm sure you recognize how rare that is, especially in business. The Fantastic Four has always sought to protect people, at first it was from external threats, like Atlantis and Attilan, then from extraterrestrial ones. But there came a time when we had to ask if protection is enough? In the absence of such threats, people still suffer and struggle, whether that be from societal factors or resource scarcity depends on who you ask. But my late husband, Reed Richards, who is the inspiration for The Future Foundation, wasn't a fighter, he was an innovator. He sought to improve the human condition, and he believed that the answer lay in science. The Future Foundation's research has been non-existent for quite a while since our falling out with our chief scientist, but it has always been my dream to revive The Foundation's science department. But as I'm sure you are aware, greed has run rampart in our society, and technology is, more often than not, turned against people; advancements always find military applications first, automation is dangled over people's heads as a threat to take away their livelihoods, communication becomes surveillance. To fall into bed with this type of scientist, with this type of businessman, would be to dishonor the name of Richards. I am looking for a scientific partner, a research collaborator with high ethical standards and unshakeable morals, someone willing to turn away corruption and serve humanity. I find that you, Dr. Parker, fit the bill. And as such, I am offering several floors of the Baxter Building for Parker Industries to open a satellite lab, as well as investment from The Future Foundation, so that our two organizations can work more closely together for the betterment of mankind.
As she leaned back in her chair, Sue got a notification in her newsfeed for a topic she followed, #latveria. Her brow furrowed, hoping it wasn't bad news as she pulled up the video.
"This just in folks, a late night, well, late night in Latveria that is, announcement, straight from the Iron Palace. let's take a look."
Dr. Doom approaches the podium, flanked by two security robots and Latverian flags. He looks up and says nothing, allowing the silence to seep in, before raising his gauntleted fist and beginning his tirade.
"Our nation of Latveria has a long and bloody history of violence against those who are 'deemed different'. My own family fell victim to this. But I have gone into Hell itself to confront the old tyrants of Latveria's past, and knowing that a 'gypsy' rules Latveria is perhaps greater torment for them than anything Mephisto could concoct. Though the past haunts us, my position is proof that change is possible. For too long, Latveria has left the mutant question unanswered. Like the rest of the world, we have viewed them as 'dangerous', leaving their status as citizens and their civil rights in flux. But Latveria is not like the rest of world. We seek to do better. Tonight I say, 'No more!' Are mutants not our brothers and sisters? Our sons and daughters? If we do not provide them with a home, then surely they will seek a home elsewhere, and there are malicious organizations ready and waiting to prey on such desperation. I have gleaned enough knowledge of 'certain' mutant academies to know that education and prevention are all that is necessary to safely integrate mutants into peaceful society. As of this moment, every mutant living within Latveria's borders will be granted full citizenship, and their rights and liberties will be guaranteed and protected by the Iron Fist of Doom. I am also revealing several mutant academies across the country that have been under construction for some time that will be accepting applications from all mutants so that they learn to control and use their powers safely and for the betterment of Latveria. I am also declaring to the world that any mutant who wishes to escape oppression may seek asylum within any of Latveria's embassies and consulates. There, mutants can apply for Latverian citizenship, upon which, they will be under MY protection. Mutants of the world! We non-mutants are also your brothers! Do not let the divisive rhetoric of some misguided supremacist turn you away from the path of harmony! You are welcome in Latveria! We embrace you with open arms!"
"Well, folks. there you have it. The 'Iron Dictator' is recruiting mutants across the world to participate in his training camps. What will this madman do with an army of mutants? I dread to even think about it. Are Doom and Magneto in cahoots? Who knows, but a 'reliable' source tells me they are. Obviously, I can't reveal the source or their life will be in danger. What is the UN doing about it? How long are they going to let this mad doctor run amok and make a mockery of all the principles we hold dear?"
Sue closed the video. "I hope you know what you're doing, Victor."
