The Marvel Universe Roleplaying Community - 3...2..1...no go.

From: brain_stretch Date: May 19th, 2009 08:43 am (UTC) (Link)

Reed Richards, the head scientist of said government projects, was conducting some tests in the lab provided to him. He was watching as a device shot a ray as a sheet of metal, jotting notes down as the beam curved around the metal and struck the surface of the wall. Fury's voice made him jump, and he turned to look at him as he entered.

"Ah, you startled me." Reed said as he walked over to Nick. "It's about the launch, right? I've been making good progress on the shielding, and once I get run some tests on more intensive rays, we can start adding the final layers..." He finally noticed the look on Fury's face. "You have bad news, don't you?"

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From: shield_topdog Date: May 19th, 2009 08:45 am (UTC) (Link)

"What gave ya that idea? It my award winnin' smile, wasn't it?"

Nick nodded.

"The launch ain't goin' anytime soon. Budget cuts is the excuse they're blowin' up my ass an' what I'm supposed t' blow up yers."

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From: brain_stretch Date: May 19th, 2009 08:56 am (UTC) (Link)

Reed turns around and sighs loudly. "NASA's already put too much into this, how can they just pull the plug?" He takes a seat at the table and turns off the ray emitting device. He looks back at Nick.

"What about the astronauts that just up and disappeared? Isn't that worth the money? Isn't anyone else worried about a U.S. spacecraft going missing?"

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From: shield_topdog Date: May 19th, 2009 09:02 am (UTC) (Link)

"Politics, Richards. It's all about politics. They control the money an' new things catch their interest."

Nick shrugged.

"I wanna find out what happened to 'em as much as you do, but I don't control the purse strings. My hands are tied."

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From: brain_stretch Date: May 19th, 2009 09:09 am (UTC) (Link)

"It's always politics." Reed slumped his shoulders in defeat. It could be years before he would ever have a chance to test his shielding technology.

"Nick, I didn't want to say this to any of the politicians, but I think this could be a lot more serious than anyone thinks. That disappearance could be a sign of some sort of potentially hostile extraterrestrial force....I'm worried."

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From: shield_topdog Date: May 19th, 2009 09:14 am (UTC) (Link)

"I know an' I'm sorry. If it were up t' me, you'd be launchin' as soon as it was humanly possible."

Nick nodded.

"Me too, Richards, but my hands are tied. If somethin' comes knockin' on our doorstep, we'll deal with it."

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From: brain_stretch Date: May 19th, 2009 10:37 pm (UTC) (Link)

"I hope it can be dealt with, if something does come. I hope we don't come to regret this." Reed thought back to the strange encounter he had in college, years ago...

"How long until NASA starts dismantling everything?"

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From: shield_topdog Date: May 19th, 2009 10:40 pm (UTC) (Link)

"You an' me both, Richards."

Nick shrugged. "Government is quick t' cut fundin', but they ain't exactly on top o' the ball when it comes to gettin' rid of stuff. We still have stuff sittin' around from World War II that they haven't gotten around to gettin' rid of. Could be a year. Could be a few decades."

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From: brain_stretch Date: May 19th, 2009 10:43 pm (UTC) (Link)

"I see." Reed leaned back in his chair and pressed his fingers together, a bit lost in thought for a moment. "There could still be time then, to do a few more tests, just for a bit more research. Might as well make the most of this."

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From: shield_topdog Date: May 19th, 2009 10:46 pm (UTC) (Link)

"That's up to you," Nick said. By rights, the project should end immediately, but if the man wanted to tinker for a bit, Nick would let him. "I'm just playin' messenger boy. I gotta get back t' the 'Carrier. Stay outta trouble, Richards."

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From: brain_stretch Date: May 19th, 2009 10:50 pm (UTC) (Link)

"I will." Reed said as he stood back up and walked over to Nick, offering his hand. "Thank you for all the help, Colonel. It's been a pleasure."

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From: shield_topdog Date: May 19th, 2009 10:51 pm (UTC) (Link)

Nick took the hand and shook it. He nodded. "Wish I had better news for ya. Take care of yerself."

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From: brain_stretch Date: May 19th, 2009 10:56 pm (UTC) (Link)

"You too." Reed nodded back and went back to his table. He turned the ray back on and went back to jotting down notes as he did before. This turn of events was not welcomed, but as he said before, he would make the best of his situation. That didn't mean lie down and quit though. It just meant improvising. Reed needed to make a few phone calls...

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