Earth, New York Harbor.
With the main thrusters firing one last time, the heavily damaged Strive for Excellence slowly landed at the launch center.
"They're back!!!"
As the spacecraft landed, cheers thundered across New York Harbor.
Tens of thousands of citizens packed the distant viewing areas. Countless colorful flags and banners reading "WELCOME HOME" waved in the wind. Reporters, photographers, and television crews from around the world had already surrounded the place so tightly that not even water could pass through.
After all, nearly a month had passed since the Fantastic Four left Earth. Throughout that month, the entire world had been waiting for an answer every day—was Earth safe?
"Whew..."
Walking down the corridor, The Thing could not help taking a deep breath as the familiar sea breeze washed over him.
Then Reed appeared.
When the crowd saw Susan following behind him, the deafening cheers abruptly faltered in a strange pause.
Because she was holding a child in her arms.
Then even fiercer cheers erupted!
"It's a baby!"
"Susan gave birth!"
"The Fantastic Four have a fifth member!"
The camera flashes nearly blended into one continuous glare.
Susan instinctively turned sideways and covered Franklin's eyes with her hand.
"Looks like you're more popular than we are."
She looked down at the child in her arms, and at last a weary smile appeared on her face.
Miles stood at the very back, keeping some distance from the four of them. Under the effects of his abilities, no one could notice his presence, and none of the cameras or equipment on site could capture him.
"Has a month already passed?"
Miles muttered to himself.
The LHS-275 binary system was simply too far from Earth. When they fled the planet, the Strive for Excellence, unfamiliar with warp travel, passed through a spacetime