Sue Storm Doesn't Go Home

"Welcome home, Mr. Richards," H.E.R.B.I.E. said. The small robot met the remaining members of the Fantastic Four as they emerged from the interdimensional transport. The long trip in the enclosed space had worn on them. Reed Richards and Johnny Storm both looked thinner, bags under their eyes, hair and beards grown out. Reed's eyes scanned the landing bay, seeking but not finding.

"Where's Sue?" he asked. "And the children?"

H.E.R.B.I.E. paused for a moment before answering.

"Mrs. Richards left the Baxter Building eight days ago and has not yet returned. The children were under the care of Agatha Harkness in Salem. We have received several calls, but Mrs. Richards was not here to answer them."

Despite how exhausted the three men were, how much they longed for shower, food, family, and their own beds, the three immediately leaped into action as Reed uttered commands.

"Johnny, call Agatha Harkness. Find out how the children are. Ben, got on the phone with the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D., see if Sue was called away on a mission, and H.E.R.B.I.E..."

He stared down at the small robot.

"...show me all of the logs for the duration of our absence."

As minutes gave way to hours, the Baxter Building hummed with activity. Agatha Harkness and Alica Masters arrived, with Franklin and Valeria in tow. Ben Grimm came back from the communications room, a scowl on his rocky face. Johnny Storm had ordered pizza, his mouth set in a firm line, unable to truly appreciate the molten mozarella and crispy capicola.

"Been some unusual activity on her accounts," Ben Grimm muttered. "But she didn't indicate she was goin' on any missions."

"I have had dark premonitions about Susan of late," Agatha harkness said, and the old woman stared mistrustfully at the pizza. "But my mystic senses have been clouded. Someone, or something, has impeded my perceptions."

"There are weapons missing from the armory," Johnny Storm added. "And they were never replaced."

Reed Richards emerged at last, after having put the children to bed. Mister Fantastic looked as if he had aged years in mere hours.

"Sue's been...busy," he said grimly. "She tried to hide some of the logs, but she missed the offline backups. While we were away, an individual named Porkum managed to sneak a biological hazard past the Baxter Building's sensors. Sue ingested some of it. When she discovered it was affecting her, Sue attempted to confront this Porkum individual. From what I can decipher of the the way she came back—injured, and leaking more of the biological material—I believe she was defeated. And sexually assaulted."

"Oh God!" Alicia said. "Poor Susan."

It was Agatha Harkness who saw something of the darkness in Reed's eyes, though.

"That is not all, though, is it Reed?" she said.

Reed swallowed. "The records of the biological material indicate it has mind-altering effects. And the last two records of Sue leaving indicated that she was...not under duress. And when she returned last time, she appeared...satisfied."

The Thing blinked.

"So this creep...he's turned poor Suzie? Like the Purple Man did ta Jessica Jones?" His great stony mitts gripped into massive fists. "I'm gonna break all of his bones."

"First, we have to find him," Reed said grimly. "And hopefully...Sue. If we do find her, and if she has been...turned...we might have to deal with her as well."

"Are there any clues?" Johnny asked.

"We have an address. A former pork-packing plant. Sue visited there multiple times, though she tried to conceal it," Reed said. He picked at the pizza. "Eat up. We're leaving as soon as we're ready."

"I will stay here and protect the children," Agatha Harkness said. "And if Susan is compromised?"

Reed held up a clear sphere. Suspended inside was a yellow crystal that glowed with a sickly yellow light.

"We have a countermeasure," he said somberly.