New York City.

She is lucky to be alive.  Of the four that went, she was the only one to return with her life intact.  Life has taken on a new meaning for Sue.  Her astronaut suit with the “4” patch that had been placed upon it was no longer on her.  Instead, she clings to life in her hospital bed, clad only in a gown.  Oxygen is pumped into her through the nose.  She is barely able to comprehend her surroundings.  Her surroundings are overcome by the horror.  They are overcome by the failure.  They are overcome by the images that she can never get out of her head.  Her brother erupting into flames and dying out.  Her fiance’s body suddenly stretching and snapping in half.  Her friend and colleague turned into a rock that suddenly collapses on itself.  Somehow, she was spared.  She was not spared the memory, but she was spared with her life.

Standing over her are nurses, a doctor going over notes, and government agents in their suits.  One in particular keeps a close eye on her, reporting into her earpiece.

Maria “Negative, ma’am.  She’s still barely alert, but no signs of what was seen earlier from the spacecraft.”

Her name is Maria, though known mainly as Agent Hill.  She listens.

Maria “When she has a chance to awaken, I will ask.  The main thing right now-”

Maria listens.

Maria “…I understand.  Permission to speak freely?”

Maria listens momentarily.

Maria “I’m not sure she’s fully aware of what’s happened.  Between the launch and whatever her team ran into out there in space…plus coming back the lone survivor while the others perished, I’m not really sure it’s wise to ask for a play-by-play of what she saw the moment she wakes up.  She-”

Maria looks on, suddenly feeling the room shake.

Maria “Director Fury, we may be in the middle of an earthquake.”

Maria looks over at the hospital bed.  She sees Sue shaking her head in anguish.  She suddenly sees no one in the bed.  Just as suddenly, she and everyone else in the room feels a sudden burst of energy forcing them back.  Maria and everyone else in the room is knocked to the floor.

Maria “Ma’am, we have a situation!”