Earth-717: Hulk Vol 2
Chapter 1: Looking Out
Her hands in her pockets, Betty walked along the edge of the
Toronto waterfront, observing the world around her. There were
gulls in the sky, soaring along and mostly minding their own
business. There were cars on the road, forming an endless line of
people going through here with a need to get somewhere else. There
was fog in the air, rolling over the sidewalks and the water,
giving a faint hint of mystery to the area.
There were numerous people walking about, but Betty did not pay
attention to any of them as she continued to walk. Pulling her
jacket in tighter as a gust of wind snaked its way along her back,
she then turned towards the lake, placing her arms together on the
metal railing at the edge of the sidewalk. Running her right index
finger through her hair, she stood there as she thought about all
of the searching that she had done in the last year.
The long hours she had spent scouring through snippets of news
and internet rumours. The desperate conversations she had had with
her new contacts. The handful of times she had wondered if she was
truly not going to find him again. Every once in a while, she had
even run into a night when she felt that perhaps her quest was no
longer worth continuing.
Those nights she spent slamming her fist against the shower
wall.
Those days she had spent sitting on the couch, gorging herself
with greasy food.
Those times she would lay awake in her bed, not knowing if she
would ever be able to share it with him again.
Those times that she thought that perhaps she had best move on
with her life.
Each time this happened, her mind went back to a conversation
she had a year ago with her father, while overlooking a body of
water similar to the one she was standing at now.
Are you going to be okay?
Yeah.
Can we make peace?
Soon.
Are you going to look for him?
Betty inhaled before the answer replayed in her mind. She
remembered that she had smiled when she had given it.
I'll never stop looking.
It was all she ever needed to hear to reinvigorate her resolve.
She knew that no matter what, she could not give up on him. They
had been through too much together for it all to have been in vain.
She thought back to that terrible day in Santa Fe, when she had
been taken hostage by a deranged major in a high-tech armoured
suit, and how she was saved at the last second.
It was in that moment, when the Hulk saved her, that she had
started to wonder if perhaps the monstrous side of Bruce had a
place in this world. Whether or not it did, she owed it to Bruce to
try and find out, and that meant having to keep on looking.
Suddenly, her cell phone started vibrating in her jacket pocket.
Nudged out of her thoughtful daze by it, she grabbed it and held it
to her ear, clicking the call button.
Ross, she said.
Betty, it's me.
Betty recognized the voice right away as feminine. She was
speaking to one of her new contacts that she had acquired while
searching for Bruce.
Do you have something? asked Betty.
Yeah. I think we've finally got him.
Betty's eyes widened upon hearing the woman's words.
You're sure?
Well, we can't completely be sure, but it's damn promising.
Promising enough that the top brass are mobilizing. And Betty, I
mean they're mobilizing now. You're gonna have to move fast.
How fast? Where is he?
Northern forests of Ontario, replied the woman. I'm gonna send
you the general area, cause we don't have exact co-ordinates yet.
Top brass says they have a plan around that. Wish I could give you
more, but this . . . .
It's more than enough, said Betty. I know how dangerous this is
for you. Thanks for the info.
Just don't take too long to act on it.
I won't.
With that, the woman hung up on Betty, who held her phone out in
front of her. A few seconds later, some map data appeared in a text
message. Stuffing the phone back in her pocket, she immediately
turned towards the street, heading back the way she came. Arriving
at an underground parking lot, she found the place where she had
left her motorcycle.
Hopping on, she turned on the ignition and checked the pistol
that she had concealed under her jacket. Taking a few seconds to
breathe, she then drove out of the lot and out onto the street,
headed in a northern direction.
* * * *
As the elevator made a dinging noise to indicate that it had
arrived at its destination, the steel door opened to reveal the
lone occupant standing inside. He was an older man with greying
hair, a meticulously square jaw, and a general's uniform. Marching
out of the elevator, he held his hat in his left hand as he made
his way down the hospital hallway.
He got to a patient room, at which point he looked through the
window to see a sickly-looking woman laying on her bed. She had
several wrapped bandages around her head, covering the fact that
she had no hair. Numerous machines and tubes were connected to her
body, sprawled all around her. Her eyes were closed, but the man
could see that she was still breathing, if only just.
Her complexion was far paler than the last time he had come to
visit. Much of her skin was starting to shrivel and wrinkle due to
the loss of body mass underneath. The monitors and machines
indicated that she was being kept alive. The man wondered how long
she would be able to maintain her fight.
General?
Ryker turned to look to the side as a doctor walked up to him.
She was holding a clipboard. Nodding at the doctor, he then turned
back to look at the woman in the patient room.
How is she?
Holding on, replied the doctor. Treatments are working, but . .
. . we don't know what will burn out first. It's always a
gamble.
It's a gamble I'm willing to make.
You can go in to see her, if you like. She responds well when
spoken to.
Thank you.
Ryker opened the door to the patient room, and the doctor turned
back down the hallway. Closing the door behind him, Ryker then
walked up to the medical bed, putting his hat on the bedside table.
The table also had a framed photograph of Ryker and a much
healthier looking version of the bedridden woman, leaning into each
other and vibrantly smiling.
For several minutes, he just stood there, looking down at her.
He then finally reached out and caressed the side of her right
cheek, causing her to stir. She pressed her cheek against his hand
before slowly opening her eyes. Upon seeing him, she put on a
generous smile. When she spoke, her voice was gravelly and
faint.
Hello there, good-lookin'.
Ryker let out a short laugh.
Hello yourself.
Hmmm. Now . . . . what's a fine young man like yourself doin' .
. . . coming to talk to an old girl like me for? Hmmm?
Ryker looked behind him, seeing a chair on the other side of the
table. Pulling it over, he sat down, before reaching out and
grabbing her nearest hand with his.
Still the best looking girl in the house, he said.
The woman chortled at this. She squeezed Ryker's hand
tighter.
Always did know how to turn on the charm, old boy. And you
always did look damn good in a uniform. Always got me . . . .
excited.
I wanted to look good for you.
You better, seeing how long it's been since you dropped by.
I've been . . . . busy.
I know. Going out there, doin' your country proud. Always tryin'
to make things better for the rest of us normal folk.
The woman blinked and smiled again.
My John.
Ryker gave her a half-smile before looking at the floor.
You know I'm proud of you, she said. You know that, right?
Ryker nodded before looking back up at her.
Enough about me. How are you doing?
Me? Oh, doctor's said I'm fit as a champion horse. Should be
outta here any day now. Soon enough, I'll be back to bench-pressin'
cars and buildin' houses.
Really, Lucy . . . .
I'm good, John. I'm feelin' . . . . feelin' . . . . bet-bet . .
. . b-better . . . .
Lucy started coughing violently, using her free hand to cover
her mouth. Ryker stood up and reached over, cradling the back of
her head with his hand. The lines around his eyes softened as a
frown grew on his face. After a full minute of slowed breathing,
Lucy finally opened her eyes again and looked over at him.
Lucy . . . . you scared me.
Don't be afraid for me, John. I . . . . I . . . .
Lucy's eyes rolled back as she gestured to the side. Ryker
turned his head to see a water dispenser in the corner. Rushing
over to it, he poured her a cup of water before holding it to her
lips. He served her the entire cup, which she eagerly gulped down.
After she swallowed, he sat down again, waiting for her to
speak.
I'm old, John. No use denying it.
Don't say that. Don't, don't . . . . there's still . . . .
Now you listen here, old boy. Don't you dare go out there,
pitying me, or some other nonsense. I lived a good life. Damn good
life, in large part thanks to you. We shared some good times, you
and I.
Ryker turned his head to the side, and it was clear that he was
fighting back against an inclination to cry. Lucy again reached out
and grasped his hand.
But there's no use fightin' what won't be. I ain't scared to
die.
Ryker slowly looked back at Lucy.
I've made good in this world, same as you, she continued. We
both did what we could to be . . . . to be good people. And that's
all I wanted for us. I know I won't be around much longer . . . .
but I'm not mad, and I'm not scared. It's okay. Thing ain't
beautiful cause it lasts forever. It's beautiful cause . . . .
cause we got the time we got. It's the natural way of things.
I . . . .
Ryker took some time to force out his next words.
I can't give up on you. I can't.
I don't think it's about givin' up, John.
Ryker raised an eyebrow as he looked Lucy in the eyes.
I think it's about makin' peace.
For a long time, the two continued to sit there, no longer
needing to speak. Once Lucy fell asleep again, Ryker stood up and
kissed her forehead. He then turned around, and after grabbing his
hat off of the table, he walked out of the room. As he closed the
door, he took a moment to look at the name that was plastered next
to it.
LUCY RYKER.
Ryker rubbed the ring on his finger for a moment before turning
back down the hall. As he approached the elevator, his cell phone
went off. Stepping to the side of the room, he pulled it out and
held it to his ear.
This is Ryker.
General, we have a situation, said a female voice.
What kind of situation?
The kind that requires your immediate attention. Someone from
SHIELD is waiting outside the hospital. We all need to talk.
Ryker looked out the window to see a van parked on the street,
with a man in a business suit standing there.
I'm on my way.
Ryker turned off the phone and marched over to the elevator.
* * * *
In the boreal forests of northern Ontario, Canada, a paltry
wooden cabin stood by itself, wedged between a tree line and a
small lake. Outside of the cabin stood Bruce Banner, who was using
an axe to chop some wood, which he then placed in a pile next to
him. He was wearing a plaid shirt and blue jeans, with brown, messy
hair atop his head.
Slicing apart another piece, he didn't notice as a small,
circular shaped metallic orb floated up behind him. It had a front
section that was a cyan, glass dome, which lit up as it spoke.
Doctor Banner!
Bruce turned to look at ROB.
Hey, ROB. What's the story?
Nothing out of the ordinary of recent, I'm afraid. Or maybe
that's a good thing, not sure. Likely due to the increasing number
of metahuman incidents, my internet scans indicate that any
mobilized forces in search for you haven't made any progress. Any
progress I can detect, anyway. You never know with the
military.
Yeah, you can say that again.
You never know with the . . . .
That was, that was rhetorical, ROB. You didn't actually have to
say it again.
How am I supposed understand human behaviour if you continuously
do or say things with the opposite intention? It's utter madness,
Doctor Banner!
Bruce put the axe on his shoulder.
Maybe it is. But, then again . . . . that's being human.
Quite right. Come on, I've prepared supper.
Bruce rolled his eyes as he followed ROB towards the cabin.
Chef's surprise again, ROB? You're killing me out here.
By the contrary, I'm doing everything I can to keep you alive.
It's been quite a task this past year. I'm amazed I haven't been
rendered non-functional!
ROB floated through the open cabin door. Bruce stopped on the
porch, taking a moment to look out at the forest beyond. For a long
time, he had been isolated here. Since becoming a fugitive, he had
never spent this long in any one place. It was even starting to
feel like home for him. Scratching the side of his head, he then
strolled inside of the cabin, ready for the end of yet another
day.
Earth-717: Hulk Vol 2
Chapter 2: Gamma Corps
Ryker was lead into the room by a young woman in a SHIELD
uniform. Her hair was short and black, and she was wearing lipstick
that matched its hue. The room they entered was the central command
centre for the SHIELD helicarrier. Standing on the central hub was
Nick Fury, the organization's director.
Ryker looked at Fury, who stepped down from the hub and
approached him. Fury was flanked by several other SHIELD agents,
including a tall woman with glasses and red highlights in her hair,
an older man with white hair, and two young scientists, a man and a
woman. The woman with black hair and lipstick took her place
amongst the group.
Raising an eyebrow, Ryker looked at each member of the group in
turn, before turning his attention back to Fury.
What is this, Fury? Putting together your own company baseball
team?
Better than that, General, replied Fury. Now that some of the
other metahuman situations have been dealt with, I've pulled
together a special task force specifically for tracking down the
Hulk. I thought you'd approve.
Ryker groaned under his breath as he looked at the three young
agents at the end of the line.
Half of them look like they're fresh out of high school.
The female scientist scoffed and put her hands on her hips.
I'll have you know . . . .
Agents Fitz and Simmons are SHIELD's dedicated Science Team,
interrupted Fury. Two of the most brilliant scientific minds on the
planet.
Fury then gestured towards the woman with the black hair and
lipstick.
And Agent Thirty-Five, Katherine Waynesboro, just so happens to
be amongst the most talented data analysts I've ever seen.
Kate nodded in appreciation at Fury's comment, before standing
up as tall as she could. Ryker folded his arms as Fury narrowed his
eye.
Just because they're young, doesn't mean they're not worthy.
They're on my team, and they're agents of SHIELD for a reason.
We shouldn't have to justify ourselves to you, said the woman
with the glasses and red highlights.
You were the woman on the phone, said Ryker.
I was. I'm Agent Three, Victoria Hand. One of the highest
ranking and longest serving senior officers of SHIELD. And you
should remember that you're not one of us.
Where's Maria Hill? asked Ryker, looking back at Fury again. I
thought she was your right hand.
She is, replied Fury. Miss Hill is busy elsewhere, on another
mission for me with a handful of other operatives. Right now, this
is our team.
Ryker then looked at the older man.
And you are?
Agent Six, answered the man. Felix Blake. I actually have a bit
of history with this case. I was at ground zero.
Ground zero?
I was present the day that Bruce Banner underwent his
experiment. The one that turned him into the Hulk for the first
time. It was, uh . . . . quite the experience.
Ryker took a few minutes to ponder the lineup in front of him
before nodding and putting his hands in his pockets.
I would probably say . . . . nice job, Fury. But I've got a team
of my own.
Ryker then turned around, looking at the door he had entered
through.
Talbot!
Victoria and Blake looked at each other in confusion.
Talbot? they said in unison.
Victoria then turned back to Ryker.
Major Talbot? she asked.
No, said a female voice.
A group of five commandos strolled into the room. They were
wearing black and grey armoured tactical combat suits, and had
pulse rifles strapped to their backs. All but one had helmets on
that covered their faces. Fury noted to himself that the entire
group was female. The only one without her helmet on was the one
standing at the front of the group.
She had long brown hair and striking green eyes. She also had a
beauty mark just above the left side of her upper lip. She was
wearing her best contemptuous smirk, and was holding her helmet
against her left hip. Her right fist was placed on her right hip.
She slanted her weight to the right and whipped her hair around
before looking directly at Fury.
Captain Talbot, she said. Captain Carla Talbot.
The entire SHIELD group all regarded Carla with a certain level
of scepticism.
Talbot, said Fury. That's a name I thought I'd heard the last
of.
You thought wrong, said Carla.
I too have a special task group, said Ryker. They're called the
Gamma Corps. All special forces operatives, with advanced training
and equipment to deal with threats enhanced by gamma radiation.
Namely, the Hulk.
And they're all girls, blurted out Fitz.
Simmons nudged Fitz with her elbow.
Fitz . . . .
Glaring at Fitz, Carla trudged up to him. Using her height to
look down at him, Carla watched as Fitz shied away from her, taking
great care not to make eye contact.
Women make better soldiers, said Carla, before pulling out a
combat knife from a holster on her leg. Would you like me to show
you how?
Ryker snapped his fingers.
That's enough, Captain.
Carla scoffed as Fitz trembled. She then flipped her knife
through her fingers a few times before stuffing the blade back in
its holster. She stepped back in line as Simmons calmed Fitz
down.
And what made you sign up for this assignment, Captain Talbot?
asked Fury.
The Hulk is a monster and a murderer, replied Carla. He's a
dangerous and vile enemy who needs to be caught and crushed. He's
existed for far too long, and honestly, he needs to be put out of
his misery. But the real problem I have with him is that he killed
the only man who I've ever truly respected . . . . my older
brother.
Major Glenn Talbot went on a rampage, Captain, said Victoria. He
stole a suit of powered armour and massacred over two dozen . . .
.
Carla again pulled out her knife, this time pointing it at
Victoria's throat.
You shut your whore mouth.
I said that's enough, Captain!
Carla looked over her shoulder with derision at Ryker, but again
relented and stepped back in line.
Yes, sir, she said, mockingly.
Everyone took a moment to breathe before continuing.
General, said Fury. We called you in because we have some new
intel.
I'm listening, replied Ryker.
Waynesboro, said Fury.
Kate stepped forward.
Right. I have come across some information that may finally give
us a chance to track down Doctor Bruce Banner. According to my
findings, he is in the forests of northern Ontario. I've marked the
specific area on the SHIELD data map.
The map screen appeared as a holographic display over the front
window of the helicarrier. The map zoomed in automatically over
Ontario, before a small area at the north end was highlighted in
yellow.
We're on our way there now, continued Kate. We'll scour the
area, and then . . . .
Victoria was looking at her phone when she interrupted Kate.
Director, said Victoria. I have something you need to see.
Victoria tapped a button on her phone, and a video screen
appeared over the holographic display. It showed footage of a
street from an aerial view. The footage was from a news report, and
the street had numerous civilians fleeing in terror as green pulses
of energy destroyed multiple vehicles. The sound then filtered in a
second later.
. . . . identity unknown at this time, but what we do know is
that this man has somehow been able to hold off over a dozen
officers of the Toronto Police Service. Blocks all around Bloor
Street East have been cordoned off, with the area being evacuated
as we speak.
The Hulk? asked Ryker.
No, said Fury. This is something else.
. . . . can confirm that . . . . oh my god!
A large transport truck exploded, causing several chunks of
debris to be blasted into the air. As the fireball dissipated, the
footage showed a clear view of a man in a red hazmat suit.
Chen Lu, said Victoria. The Radioactive Man.
The hell is he doing there? asked Blake.
I thought you lost him, said Ryker, turning to Fury.
We did. About a month ago. His convoy was hit before he could be
transferred to Ravencroft.
Sir, said Simmons. Chen Lu is incredibly powerful. He may not be
the Hulk, but we need to deal with this now! The police will be
slaughtered!
Fury turned to look at Simmons.
You're right, but . . . . it doesn't make any sense. What does
he have to gain from this? There's something else going . . . .
I'll tell you what's going on.
Everyone turned to look at Carla, who had pulled out her pulse
rifle.
What's going on is that Gamma Corps just got their first
assignment, she said. Call him Radioactive Man? Sounds exactly like
our sort of guy.
* * * *
I said stay back!
Chen fired off another radiation blast from his palms, which
struck at the closest police squad car. The two officers who were
taking cover behind it were blown off their feet, rolling backwards
along the pavement. Chen then looked around, scanning both sides of
the street. Looking up, he watched as a news helicopter flew
overhead, trying to get a good angle on him to secure more
footage.
He had been holding the police forces at bay for some time now,
having started his assault from inside one of the buildings.
Looking up again, he then saw a SHIELD Quinjet soar over the road
before hovering a few metres above him.
Finally, he said.
He charged his right fist with radioactive energy as five
commandos leaped out of the back of the Quinjet. They all landed on
the cracked pavement, brandishing their pulse rifles. Carla had
since put on her helmet, and began calmly walking towards Chen.
So this is the force SHIELD sends to capture me, said Chen.
They'll have to do better.
We'll do just fine, retorted Carla.
Chen fired his charged radiation blast directly at Carla, who
held up her left forearm as if to block the attack. As the blast
struck her body, a white, hexagonal-patterned shield materialized
over her combat suit, absorbing the blast. She was not even knocked
back at all by the attack. Chen's glowing green eyes widened with
surprise.
Carla then smirked as she aimed her pulse rifle forward with one
hand, firing off a quick shot. A translucent shockwave pulse
jettisoned from the rifle and struck Chen in the chest, launching
him backwards and into the air. He landed on the windshield of a
car, cracking the vehicle in half.
A police officer ran up to the group of commandos standing
behind Carla, who was still casually strolling over to to Chen.
What's going on here?! he yelled. Who are you?
Get them out of here, said Carla, not bothering to look behind
her.
The commando nearest to the officer pulled out her pulse rifle
and fired a blast at the officer's feet, knocking him to his
back.
Stay back, said the commando. For your own safety.
Chen pushed himself off of the vehicle's wreckage. He then
started fuming at Carla.
Want to try again? she asked.
Roaring with anger, Chen punched his fist against the ground,
creating a large shockwave that tore up the pavement around him for
several metres. Carla was blasted off her feet, and the other
members of the Gamma Corps jumped to avoid the shockwave. As Carla
rolled back to her feet, she shook her head.
Gamma Corps! Engage!
The commandos unleashed several rapid-fire pulse blasts from
their rifles, which Chen deflected with his radiation shield. He
then turned and ran back into the nearby building, with Carla and
her commandos giving chase. Breaking through the lobby of the
building, Chen smacked a man out of the way, burning a hole through
the man's chest with his irradiated palm.
Carla kept sprinting after him, with the other commandos not far
behind. Chen fired more radiation blasts as he ran, creating piles
of rubble that she was forced to break through. As she continued
her pursuit, Fury's voice came in through her intercom.
Captain Talbot! There are civilians and law enforcement in play!
What the hell are you doing?!
Stopping the bad guy! Now shut up and lemme do my job!
Chen broke his way through a concrete wall, slipping along the
floor as he did so. More office workers who were in the room
started screaming and attempting to flee.
Nichole! shouted Carla. Cut him off at the entry point!
Carla slid into the room, firing a pulse blast at the ceiling.
Pieces of debris broke off and caved in, landing on Chen and
startling him. One of the workers was also hit by debris, breaking
her leg. She shrieked as she collapsed to the floor. Chen tried to
make his way to the door, but was blocked by the commando named
Nichole, who bashed him in the face with the back of her rifle.
Chen swatted at Nichole with an open palm, knocking her gun out
of her hands. He then fired a radiation blast at her, sending her
crashing against the back wall of the nearby hallway. Before he
could move, Carla pounced on him from behind, digging her combat
knife into one of the valves on his back. She then threw him behind
her.
He rolled on the floor before charging his fist again, trying to
punch her with a powered right hook. She quickly kicked his arm
away before spinning around and landing another kick to his chest,
knocking him out of the window. Chen yelled as he fell away and
smashed into the road on his back. He groaned in agony as his limbs
went limp.
Carla scowled at him from the open window before jumping down.
Landing in a three point pose, she then strolled up to him, seeing
that he was having trouble staying conscious. She pulled out her
modified energy magnum and aimed it at his face as the SHIELD
Quinjet pulled around overhead. Before she could fire, she heard
Ryker's voice on her intercom.
Stand down, Captain!
Why?
Because I ordered you to. The job's done. He's stopped.
Not for good.
Your unit is deployed to capture, not to kill. Bring him in
alive, Carla.
Carla growled under her breath as she continued to hold her aim.
After a few more seconds, she held her pistol up and spun it around
her hand before placing it back in her holster. She then turned
away as the rest of the Gamma Corps approached her.
Fine, she said. You can have this one. But the Hulk is mine.
* * * *
Having trouble keeping your hound in line, General?
Ryker turned around and looked at Fury with disdain.
Captain Talbot has a long history of success in the field, said
Ryker. She also has a long history of . . . . brash behaviour.
Brash?! asked Victoria. She ordered her troops to fire on the
police!
To keep them at bay and out of a fight they couldn't win,
replied Ryker. She gets the job done, and that's what matters.
Gets the job done, alright, said Fury, folding his arms. With
seemingly zero regard for civilian casualties.
Don't give me that crap, Fury. You know as well as I the
consequences of what we do.
I can agree with that, General. All I'm saying is . . . . if she
lets it go too far, you might have a dangerous situation on your
hands. Just make sure you can reign her in when you have to.
I'll worry about my team. You worry about yours.
Fury reluctantly nodded. Victoria then sighed and put her hands
in her pockets.
Now, the next matter, she said. What do we do with Chen Lu?
Blake tilted his head to the side.
Last time we caught him, he got out fairly easily, he said.
I can take him, said Ryker. I have operational control of a high
security military facility. I can store him there. Wouldn't want
him to slip out from under your fingers again, would you, Fury?
Fury narrowed his eye before looking over at Victoria and
Blake.
He's right, said Victoria. Probably better off if we let Ryker
take him.
I agree with Agent Hand's assessment, said Blake.
Fury stroked his chin, thinking for several seconds. He then
looked back up at Ryker.
Okay. He's all yours.
Ryker grinned. Fury then switched the holographic video screen
back to Kate's map data.
Now, back to our main objective, he said. We have a general
area, but little in the way of actually tracking the Hulk down. We
have to narrow the search.
Any ideas on how to do that? asked Victoria.
One, said Fury. I know a guy. Expert tracker. Might be just who
we need to end this once and for all.
* * * *
As Chen was loaded into a containment unit and placed on a
military helicopter, a lone humanoid figure watched him from a
window in a building down the street. The figure seemed to be
mostly metallic, with certain sections covered in leather clothing
and modular armour. A black, grey and maroon colour scheme dictated
most of the figure's appearance.
A torn piece of fabric, similar to a bandana, was wrapped
diagonally over three quarters of the face, with only the left eye
section visible. However, what was visible was metallic, with a
silver skull plate and a red, ocular targeting lens over the eye.
The targeting lens zoomed in on Chen, before scanning some of the
other personnel on the street.
Deathlok stood still, so as to allow the people watching the
event through his lens to get as clear a view as possible. He was
transmitting the video feed to a secret location, from which two
figures were watching. The first was a man with green skin and an
elongated forehead, who was sitting in his chair. The second was a
gaseous, green feminine form, with a head, hair, torso and arms all
made out a type of radioactive vapour.
Ann was floating around Sterns' chair as they both watched
Deathlok's video.
Excellent work, Deathlok, said Sterns. You have done well. Chen
Lu's location transponder is activated, and, it appears that no one
can detect it but myself. Exactly as I designed. Return to sentry
mode and await further instructions.
Deathlok's video shut off. Ann then floated in front of
Sterns.
Doctor Chen Lu put up quite the performance, she said.
Indeed, replied Sterns. The pieces of the puzzle are falling
into place.
So, when do we strike?
Not yet, my dear. There's still one last man who has a part to
play . . . .
Sterns pressed a button on the arm of his chair, switching his
display screen to a data file on Bruce Banner.
Soon the Hulk will be ours . . . . and after that, the
world.
Ann deviously smiled as she listened to him speak.
So says . . . . the Leader.
Earth-717: Hulk Vol 2
Chapter 3: Banner in the Woods
Pulling open the door to the bar, Fury stepped inside. He
casually walked through the establishment with confidence, not
bothering to pay any mind to the various patrons. There was a
specific man that he was looking for, and he knew exactly where he
would be. Seeing the man from behind, Fury approached him and took
a seat at the bar counter next to him.
The man had rugged skin and distinctive hair. His muscular arms
bulged from under his layman's clothes, and he carried an air of
danger about him. Chugging down his beer, the man slammed the glass
down on the counter. He then gestured towards the bartender, who
walked over to him.
Reload, the man said.
Fury then held out his hand, getting the bartender's
attention.
Let me, said Fury. I'll pick up his tab.
The bartender raised an eyebrow, before shrugging and turning
around with the glass, ready to fill it again. The man turned to
look at Fury.
Awful kind of you, Nick.
Figured it'd get you to stay long enough to hear me out.
I'm listening.
The bartender placed the glass in front of the man and turned
around to deal with another customer.
Got a problem I think you can help me with.
Kinda busy, Nick.
What? Doing construction? You making an honest living all of a
sudden?
Maybe.
What I got planned is much more fun.
The man and Fury stared at each other for a moment, each one
trying to ascertain the motives of the other.
What kind of fun? asked the man.
You heard of Doctor Bruce Banner?
The man shook his head. He then took a sip of his beer.
What about the Hulk?
The man lowered the beer and raised an eyebrow.
That's what I thought, said Fury. He's close.
Close where?
Close enough. I have a general area, but I need a tracker to
hunt him down. If I knew a better one, I wouldn't be here.
Heh.
The man took another sip and then put the glass back on the
counter.
Hunting down a monster?
That's it, that's all. You'll be compensated for your time, of
course.
One thing.
Hmmm?
I want a crack at him. Alone.
Fury hesitated for a moment before giving his answer.
Done.
The man shook hands with Fury.
Good to be working with you again, Nick.
Same to you, Logan.
* * * *
I just don't think it's a very good idea, sir.
His hands on his hips, Fury turned around to look at Kate. Her
face indicated that she was quite flustered, and she was clutching
her datapad much harder than she needed to be. For his part, Logan
seemed quite amused, leaning his back against the wall and having
his arms folded. He was now wearing his trademark yellow and blue
combat suit.
Fury looked over at Logan, who chuckled. Fury then turned his
eye back to Kate.
We need him.
Kate shook her head.
To find Banner, sure, but after? Sir, I am telling you, we don't
need to attack. Banner is only a threat when provoked. If you do it
my way, we might be able to bring him in without getting into a
fight!
Logan chuckled again. Kate furrowed her brow and scowled at
him.
What's your problem?!
Nothing, darlin', replied Logan. Just didn't know Nick started
recruiting right outta the girl scouts.
Kate scoffed, making a facial gesture to show her disgust. She
then turned back to Fury, who exhaled before speaking again.
We've been over this, Waynesboro. The Hulk's a threat.
The Hulk, yes. But not Banner.
Kate paused, carefully watching Fury's body language as she
chose her next words.
You brought me in on this because you trusted me, right?
Fury nodded.
Because you thought I could be valuable.
Yes.
Then listen to me, she said. I'm telling you, this isn't the
right call. Bruce Banner was a scientist. Still is. He's been on
the run for over half a decade. He's tired. He's distraught. He
just wants to be left alone. Now, I know that's not an option, but
if we send someone in to talk to him, rather than try to, I dunno,
release the Hulk and hope you can win, well . . . . maybe we can
earn his trust. Tell him he doesn't have to run anymore.
Fury sighed.
He's still a human being! she cried. That has to be worth
something!
Thank you for your assessment, Agent Thirty-Five, but we've got
far too much at stake here. It's not just my call. Ryker and the
Council both have a say in this, and they would never go for
it.
But sir . . . .!
The decision's been made.
Kate sighed.
That will be all, said Fury.
Fury stepped out of the Quinjet's main section and walked back
to the cockpit. Logan smirked at Kate, who rolled her eyes and sat
down on one of the chairs on the opposite side of the jet. Fury sat
down in the passenger seat in the cockpit, and looked over at the
pilot, who was an Asian woman. A copy of her SHIELD identification
badge was plastered on the side wall of the cockpit.
It had her photograph, and read 'Agent Fourteen Melinda
May'.
Approaching target area perimeter, she said.
What's the word on Ryker's team? asked Fury.
They're ready, answered May. Though they heard about your deal
with Logan. Talbot's pissed.
Well, that's unavoidable.
Sounds like crazy runs in the family.
What about Banner?
May turned her head to face him.
You agree with Waynesboro? asked Fury.
May sighed, taking several seconds to respond.
He's dangerous. I were you? I wouldn't take any chances.
Fury nodded. Pulling out her phone, Kate opened the specialized
and untraceable application that she had designed for messaging and
communication.
-NEW MESSAGE TO:-
-ELIZABETH ROSS-
You had better hurry. They're closing in. Sending you data for
my tracking co-ordinates. Follow it . . . . and hope you can find a
way to get him out of there.
She then put her phone back in her pocket. Logan looked over at
her again.
Don't worry, he said. I'll bring him in nice and quiet, heh
heh.
* * * *
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!
Logan shouted as he was tossed backwards, his body smashing
through the trunk of a nearby tree hard enough to snap it in half.
Landing on the ground, Logan quickly got back to his feet as he
snarled at the menacing green creature before him. He had spent the
last few hours following any trail he could until he located
Banner's cabin, and now the beast known as the Hulk was ready for a
fight.
Hulk growled, holding his fists to his sides in a battle ready
pose. He then roared again, and Logan retorted with a roar of his
own. Unsheathing his adamantium claws, Logan stared down Hulk,
whose muscles bulged under his skin as his rage grew.
Let's try that again, said Logan.
Hulk's response was another roar. Logan leaped towards Hulk,
both sets of claws pointing forward. Hulk slammed his fists
downward, but wasn't fast enough to avoid Logan's pounce.
Unleashing a furious combo of slash attacks on Hulk's chest, Logan
pushed the monster back, even managing to break open his skin.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!
Hulk looked down in dismay as he started to bleed from three
parallel gashes on his abdomen. He seemed completely stunned that
anything could actually cause him physical harm. Logan smirked as
he stepped back, letting Hulk take in the situation. Clenching his
teeth, Hulk's neck muscles strained as he glared at Logan with
newfound fury.
Puny claw man hurt Hulk! Puny claw man make Hulk bleed! HULK
SMASH PUNY CLAW MAN!!!!!!!!
Logan chuckled, ready to continue the battle. Closing his eyes,
Hulk started wildly pounding his fists against the ground, trying
to crush Logan. However, Logan was too fast, dodging each strike
with little effort, leading Hulk towards another large tree. As
Hulk crashed into the tree, Logan dashed around his body before
jumping at him from behind.
Stabbing both claws into Hulk's back, Logan sneered as Hulk
shouted in pain. Logan then started to repeatedly skewer Hulk's
back, drawing out more blood. Hulk then attempted to jump backwards
and crush Logan with his body weight, but Logan anticipated this
move and scrambled out of the way.
Hulk swung his fist backwards as he turned around, crashing
against Logan's side. Logan spun around and collapsed to the ground
from the force of the attack. Hulk then jumped into the air,
intending to land on Logan. Again Logan scrambled across the
ground, barely able to avoid the shockwave caused by Hulk's ground
pound.
Get back here, puny claw man!
Rolling towards Hulk, Logan leaped upwards and performed an
aerial slash, which Hulk blocked with his forearm. Hulk threw a
forward jab, but Logan fell under the attack, swiping at Hulk's
legs. Hulk then pulled his elbows in, smashing his right one
against Logan's back. As he fell to the floor, he could not do
anything to counter being seized by Hulk's right hand.
Logan yelled and wildly swung his claws around as Hulk held him
up. Roaring into the air, Hulk then threw Logan downwards, slamming
him against the grass. Logan shouted in agony as the pain of the
savage blow reverberated through his entire body. Hulk looked down
at Logan with curiosity as the man started wobbling back to his
feet.
You're tough, said Hulk. For a little man.
Bub . . . .
Logan wiped a small bit of blood off of his mouth.
You got no idea.
Logan growled and slashed at Hulk again.
* * * *
Quite the grudge match.
Fury looked over at the display screen that showed Victoria's
face. She was on the helicarrier, acting as director in Fury's
absence. Fury himself was standing on the Quinjet with May and
Kate. The other display screen showed the face of Ryker, who was
with the Gamma Corps in a military helicopter that was also
hovering just outside the battle zone.
This is how you handle things? asked Ryker. Just grab another
freak off your shelf and say 'go at it'?
Don't see how it's any different from sending Captain Talbot in,
replied Fury.
Captain Talbot is a member of the military, trained for an
operation like this. Who is this guy? What are his credentials?
He and I have a past, said Fury. That's all you need to
know.
Hmmph.
I've had enough! shouted Carla.
Ryker turned around to look at her.
I'm going in, she said. Open the door.
Fury exhaled.
Captain . . . .
Your circus freak had his playtime, said Carla. My turn.
One of the Gamma Corps commandos pressed a button on the back of
the helicopter, opening the cargo compartment door. Carla stepped
to the edge of it.
Gamma Corps! Move out!
Carla and the Gamma Corps all leaped out of the back of the
helicopter before the cargo door closed. Fury put a hand on his
forehead as May looked up at him with concern. Victoria rolled her
eyes. Ryker just folded his arms, internally hoping that Carla was
as ready to finish the job as she claimed she was.
* * * *
As Hulk and Logan charged at each other for another bout, both
were taken by surprise when a large pulse blast collided with the
side of Hulk's ribcage, heaving him cleanly off the ground. The
green goliath bellowed with confusion as his body tore through
multiple trees, leaving a chaotic mess of wood pieces and torn up
grass.
Logan turned his head to where the blast had come from, seeing
Carla and the Gamma Corps commandos approaching. Carla pulled a
lever on her pulse rifle before holstering it on her back. She then
closed her fists and pumped her forearms, causing the armour
surrounding them to be charged with green energy.
The hell are you? asked Logan.
Carla grinned with an odd mixture of both amusement and malice
that even Logan found perturbing. She did not deviate at all from
her slow, methodical pacing. Logan's breathing slowed as he
regarded the woman walking towards him. He was not a man who
readily felt fear, but he was smart enough to know when to be
apprehensive about someone.
His animal instincts that had been honed over his decades of
combat experience were promptly flaring at Carla. He could read her
body language; the harshness of the lines on her face, the cold
confidence in her stride, the aura of menace that seemed to follow
her wherever she went. He knew to listen to his senses, and they
were telling him that no matter how bad the Hulk was, she was a far
more dangerous monster.
As Hulk used his left elbow to push himself off the floor, he
looked backwards with a dumbfounded face. He could see the outline
of a figure approaching from the distance, moving through the trees
that were on the edge of the base of a nearby mountain. Squinting
with curiosity, he put so much of his attention on the incoming
figure that the sounds and feelings of his surroundings melted
away.
Hulk calmed down as the figure finally came into view. He was
stunned to see that it was feminine, and one that he knew all too
well.
Betty.
Betty made a facial gesture that combined a smile and a gasp
upon looking into Hulk's eyes. As Carla walked past Logan, he
gestured at her.
What're you doing? Fury said I take him. Solo.
Carla slyly peered at Logan through the corner of her eye.
And you did, she said. You've done quite well. But . . . . I'll
take it from here.
Moving far faster than Logan was expecting, Carla drew her
energy magnum from its holster and pulled the trigger, shooting him
square in the chest. She then fired two more shots, causing him to
collapse to the floor.
Ugh!
Carla giggled as she held her magnum up.
Healing factor, right? she asked. You'll be fine. Just stay out
of my way.
Captain! yelled Fury through her intercom. The hell are . . .
.
Carla groaned as she muted him. She then continued to approach
Hulk, who was now standing up and facing away from her. She held
her hands out laterally.
Excuse me! she mockingly shouted.
Hulk turned around, looking down at Carla as the other members
of the Gamma Corps took positions around him. Hulk focused on
Carla, sniffing her at first before snarling.
Who . . . . are you?
Who am I? Why . . . . I'm the girl that's going to kill you.
Carla then pumped her forearms again, charging her fists with
more green energy.
NOW!
Two of the commandos fired electric lashes from their rifles,
which latched onto Hulk's wrists. Searing his skin with
electricity, Hulk fell to his knees and yelled into the air. Betty
screamed as she started running towards Hulk. Putting on her best
wicked grin, Carla then rushed for Hulk's chest and began
relentlessly punching it with her charged gauntlets.
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!
The other two commandos fired energy blasts at Hulk as Carla
continued her physical assault. As she charged up for a powerful
seismic blast, Hulk threw his arms forward, heaving the lashes off
and causing the two commandos that were holding him to fall off
their feet. Carla took a step back as Hulk threw his fist down.
Reacting with almost inhuman speed, Carla performed a backflip
to dodge the attack, landing safely on her feet. Hulk snarled at
her again. Having healed from Carla's gunshots, Logan stood back up
and saw the altercation happening before him, noticing that Betty
was fast approaching Hulk from behind.
You're a flippy girl? HULK HATES STUPID FLIPPY GIRLS!
Carla gave him a spiteful smile before firing a double pulse
blast from her gauntlets. The blast sent Hulk flying backwards
again, right in Betty's path.
NO! shouted Logan.
Betty jumped to the side, landing just out of reach of Hulk's
body as it slammed against the ground. Logan ran up to Carla.
You crazy bitch! There's someone over there!
Logan unsheathed his claws, ready to slash at Carla because of
her reckless behaviour. Before he could, Carla fired a surprise
blast from the side of her gauntlet, blowing Logan off his
feet.
I said stay out of my way! shouted Carla.
Betty looked up with fear as Carla then jumped onto Hulk's body.
His back was on the ground, and he was writhing in pain. Carla then
pulled out her combat knife, pressing a hidden button on the hilt.
The blade charged with the same green energy that was in her
gauntlet. She yelled as she plunged it down, aiming straight for
Hulk's heart.
Everyone there was stunned as they heard a gunshot go off. Carla
held her chest in pain as she realized that a bullet had struck her
in the ribs. Looking to the side with her mouth agape, Carla saw
Betty aiming a pistol at her. Betty then fired two more shots at
Carla's chest, knocking her off of Hulk's body.
Hulk turned to look at Betty.
Run, Hulk! she shouted. Run!
Not without you!
The Gamma Corps commandos ran to Carla's side as she heavily
breathed. Hulk quickly got up and took Betty in his arms, cradling
her before leaping away. Carla stood back up as she pulled one of
the bullets out of her armour, which had absorbed the shots. She
then watched with disdain as Hulk escaped into the mountains.
Earth-717: Hulk Vol 2
Chapter 4: Reunion
As always, Chen's breathing was deepened by the gas mask that he
wore, which was an internal one that was placed inside of the domed
helmet of his hazmat suit. The mask regulated his breathing and
ensured that he constantly received the modified form of oxygen
that his perpetually irradiated body required to survive.
He was sitting inside of a transparent containment cube, very
similar to the one that he was in a month ago when he was taken
into custody after his most recent battle against Tasha Stark. At
that time, he had been in the employ of Advanced Idea Mechanics,
otherwise known as AIM. However, they were unable to dispatch
anyone to rescue him because they were busy fighting off a joint
assault from the United States Armed Forces and SHIELD.
His hands on his lap, Chen hunched over as the military
helicopter he was in started its descent. He thought back to how
similar his current situation was to his capture a month ago, when
he was first rescued by Deathlok. He remembered how stunned he was
to see such an advanced cybernetic organism; a being that was a
fusion of organic and synthetic matter, programmed to be a
ruthlessly efficient machine for the purposes of assassination and
espionage.
He remembered how he was even more surprised when he learned who
Deathlok had been sent by. For a long time, Chen had put little
thought into the idea that there could be others who had been
affected by radiation in the same way he had been. He was first
exposed to radiation over ten years ago, back when he was a
researcher for a prestigious university in China.
At the time, he was conducting an experiment involving attempts
to make radiation therapy less dangerous for cancer patients.
Instead, a malfunction involving the apparatus responsible for
distributing the radiation caused the entire machine to explode,
dousing Chen with enough energy to kill ten people. He was
pronounced dead within seconds.
He woke up four days later, his body completely changed.
Despite now being a marvel of modern science, he was silently
expelled from the university by the administrative board out of
fear of an investor panic, and even ended up being deported from
the country as a way of covering up the incident. After designing a
specialized suit to keep himself alive, Chen then started to wander
the globe until he was approached by an associate of AIM, quickly
accepting a research position within the organization.
Chen chuckled to himself as he remembered how AIM helped him to
sneak back into his home country so that he could personally kill
all of the members of the administrative board and their
families.
Now, however, things were different. He had since met others who
had been mutated by radiation, just as he was. Deathlok had
introduced him to his master, Samuel Sterns, a fellow scientist who
called himself the Leader. He was also joined by Ann Darnell, a
woman who had been transformed into a living gaseous form.
Chen was finally jostled out of his drifting thoughts as his
containment unit was carted out of the back of the helicopter. He
looked around as he saw that he was being led into a military
installation built into the side of a desert mountain. Once inside,
he was rolled through numerous hallways, until he reached the
detention wing.
There were several cells, each one with a green industrial door
with a yellow number painted on the front. While most of the cells
were uniform, the one in the centre was much larger, and did not
have a number on it, instead just having an 'A' as the only
marking. There were two gigantic tungsten pistons that held the
door in place.
Chen turned to one of the soldiers moving his containment
unit.
What's in there?
The soldier looked at him with surprise, taken aback because of
how silent Chen had been for the entire trip.
Man, you don't wanna know.
Chen sneered as he looked at the door again. He thought he could
hear a faint growling noise coming from behind it. The door was so
large that it went from the floor to the ceiling, and Chen couldn't
possibly imagine what was so dangerous that it required such a
confinement. He figured that it was designed for the Hulk, but
obviously there was something else already occupying the room.
Something far worse.
Chen was placed inside of his cell, and was soon left alone.
Sighing as he grew accustomed to his new environment, he waited a
couple of hours before an internal heads-up display appeared in his
helmet. It flashed a few strings of data for a brief moment before
dissipating. A second later, Chen started to hear a voice that
seemed to come from within his mind.
Suit uplink established, said Sterns. Can you hear me?
Yes.
Excellent. Data feedback is secured and optimized. I will be
feeding you status updates regularly.
Is this gambit of yours going to work?
Why, my friend, would you even ask? Of course it will work.
It's just that you saved me from being sent to prison . . . .
and then your next ploy involves me getting sent to prison.
You won't be there long, my friend. After all . . . . it's all
part of the plan.
* * * *
Logan . . . .
Don't start, Nick.
Logan, who had since changed out of his combat uniform and back
into his civilian clothing, walked away from Fury. He went up to
his motorcycle that he had parked outside of town, and didn't
bother look over at Fury as he got on.
Logan!
Logan sighed and reluctantly turned his head to meet Fury's
eye.
I know that . . . .
No, Nick, you don't know. Don't know what you're doing anymore.
Met my share of hotheads, sure . . . . hell, even was one for a
damn long time. You and me know that.
Fury took in a breath as he listened, knowing what was coming
next.
But her . . . . she's no hothead. That there's a fuckin' maniac.
Knew it, soon as I laid eyes on her. She's a monster, Nick. One of
the worst I've ever seen, and you know I've seen some bad ones.
So have I.
You're working with her.
Fury put his hands in his coat pockets, taking a few seconds to
look at the ground before he continued.
My options were limited, he said. There's so much . . . .
You've let yourself go, Nick. I know we did some things we
aren't proud of, but there was a line. The guy I knew . . . . the
one I served with . . . . the one I bled with . . . . would never
work with someone like that. You'd have put her in a cage, where
she belongs.
Fury and Logan both went silent for a few moments.
Where are you gonna go? asked Fury.
Don't know. Don't stay in one place too long nowadays. Just
sorta . . . . drifting along.
I know that this went south, but . . . . I might have something
else for you. It's . . . . a school for mutants. Good place. Had my
eye on it for a while now.
Logan raised an eyebrow.
Might be able to do some good there. I'll have Coulson call you
about it.
Alright.
Logan.
Fury paused before he asked his next question.
We good?
Logan gulped before he responded.
Nick . . . . you're one of the few people I actually trust. Been
on a long, hard road together, and we've seen some shit. You helped
me when no one else would . . . . so, yeah. But Nick . . . . as
your friend, I'm warning you . . . . get away from her, because
I've seen the eyes of killers. Not just people who kill cause they
have to. The kind that like it, live for it. And boy, does she have
them.
Logan turned on the engine, and drove off along the dirt road
out of town, not bothering to look back. Rubbing his forehead for a
moment, Fury then turned around, putting his hands back in his coat
pockets. He then made his way back to the Quinjet that May had
landed in the forest, ready to take him back to the
helicarrier.
* * * *
Fighting to regain her breath, Betty watched as Bruce shrunk
back down to his human form. She was leaning against a large rock,
with a hand on her chest. Her eyes were sullen as they observed him
collapse from exhaustion, his bare chest colliding against the
muddied ground. The two of them were inside of a cavern that was
built into the side of a mountain.
Betty had lost track of how long and far they had fled while
Bruce was the Hulk, but she didn't actually care. Seeing him there,
in front of her in that moment, was enough to cause all of her
inclinations towards pragmatism to melt away. As he sputtered and
pushed himself off the floor, she trudged over and got down on her
knees beside him.
Gently grasping his closest shoulder, she helped him to get into
the same kneeling position that she was. She used her free hand to
press against the contours of his chest, swiping off some of the
stray mud that had affixed itself to his skin. He barely had time
to recapture his own breath before his eyes opened and he looked at
her.
His gaze was empty, as if he was unable of recognizing what was
happening. She had only seen him like this once before: when the
Hulk had ran off with her after his battle with Ruth Bat-Seraph in
Santa Fe last year. Like now, she had watched him transition out of
his monstrous form, and had been met with the same empty gaze, as
if his mind had not fully recovered from being reduced to such a
bestial state.
For a couple of minutes, they both just stayed there, relatively
motionless and staring into each other's eyes. Then, after
swallowing and blinking, sentience seemed to return to Bruce's
pupils. Betty noted to herself how beautiful his eyes were once
they reverted to their natural state. While she now knew that he
could speak, they both silently decided not to, instead choosing to
just take a few minutes to appreciate each other's presence.
They had not seen each other in quite some time, and they were
both still somewhat in a state of shock at being reunited. Bruce
then reached out as if to touch Betty's face, but she stopped him
by grabbing his wrist. Without speaking, she then pulled his hand
down so that it was placed against her breast, and within seconds
they gave in to their urges.
The sexual encounter that followed was not ideal. Their bodies
more smashed against each other rather than truly operating in
unison. They sloppily tore off their clothes, not caring that they
were becoming caked with filth and moisture. As they pressed into
each other, they rolled their bodies against the grass and mud, and
more than a few times winced in pain when they would lay down
against various small rocks that littered the cavern floor.
As their loins crashed together repeatedly, both Bruce and Betty
found that what they were doing was far more haphazard than they
would have liked. They had both been so overwhelmed with emotion
that they hadn't even realized how desperate they appeared to be.
This epiphany was something else they silently shared, but it did
not stop them from finishing; rather, it spurred them to get it
over with as soon as possible.
As Bruce finished inside her, Betty privately sighed with relief
upon remembering that she had an extra set of clothes both for
herself and Bruce in a satchel that was stashed along with her
motorcycle. She then sat up, wrapping her arms around her bent
knees. Bruce sidled over to his pants, frowning as he pulled them
back on over his legs.
Once they had both put their clothes back on, Betty stood up and
walked back over to the large rock. Leaning against it, she ran her
fingernails through her hair a few times, ruffling out small specks
of dirt and blades of grass. As Bruce stood back up, ROB
deactivated his invisibility matrix.
Hello, Doctor Banner!
Betty shrieked as she aimed her pistol at ROB. Bruce threw up
his hands.
The hell is that?!
Betty! Betty! Calm down!
Please, Doctor Ross, don't shoot me! Bullet holes might make it
more difficult to accomplish my assigned tasks!
Betty blinked a couple times.
What the . . . .
Bruce reached forward and pressed his hand against the one Betty
was holding the pistol with.
It's alright, he's with me, said Bruce. Betty, this is ROB. ROB,
Betty.
A pleasure to meet you, Doctor Ross. Doctor Banner has done
nothing but sing your praises. Well, technically he's done many
other things beyond that, actually . . . . but, well, whenever he
speaks of you it's always with a positive connotation!
Betty looked back and forth between Bruce and ROB a few times
before she finally lowered her pistol.
What is this? Your . . . . personal robot?
Something like that, answered Bruce. It's, it's complicated.
When Doctor Banner transformed into the Hulk, I activated my
invisibility matrix, to ensure that I was not detected. Then, I
followed you both through the forest and to this cavern. I was
going to say something once I arrived, but you seemed to want a bit
of privacy, so I stayed invisible until you were done.
Betty shook her head, clearly disturbed.
You were watching . . . .?
Betty, please. ROB has a bit of a . . . . personality. He
doesn't mean anything by it. He's . . . . been with me for this
whole year, okay? He's helped me. A lot. I trust him.
Trust him? Didn't you build him?
Uh . . . . no. Look, it's, it's a long story, and we should
probably get a move on. They'll be looking for us.
They're always looking for you. They just started looking for
me.
Bruce nodded in agreement with Betty's statement. She then
pulled out her phone. Bruce looked down at her other hand, and
blinked upon seeing the pistol again.
Wait . . . . why do you have a gun?
Huh? Oh . . . . uh, I have it for emergencies. Saved your life,
actually. There was uh . . . . some commando chick. She was gonna
kill you, so . . . . I shot her.
Bruce didn't respond to Betty's story. He took a few moments to
think before speaking again.
Where did you learn to use a pistol?
Learned a lot of things over the last year, said Betty as she
put her pistol back in its holster. I mean, I've been looking for
you. Made a few contacts, got a motorcycle . . . . trained with
some weapons. Just in case. Seemed like a good idea. Pistols,
assault rifles, shotguns, hand grenades . . . . rocket launchers .
. . .
Rocket launchers?!
Betty shrugged.
Pays to be prepared.
Where'd you learn all this?
My father's a general, Bruce. All I had to do was ask.
Right. But, but what about your job? At the university?
Sabbatical.
Bruce scoffed.
Hell of a sabbatical.
Betty looked at her phone again.
Come on. My bike's not far from here. We have to move.
Bruce looked over at ROB.
Coming, ROB?
Of course, Doctor Banner! Always happy to help.
Earth-717: Hulk Vol 2
Chapter 5: Freeway Threeway
Arriving at the place where Betty had stashed her motorcycle,
both she and Bruce were relieved to find that everything was the
same as when she had left it. Betty eagerly opened her satchel to
reveal the extra set of clothes she had brought. After changing and
discarding their old garments, Betty reached into her satchel again
and pulled out a medical injector.
Betty waved the injector in front of Bruce's face. He tilted his
head to the side as he looked at it, and ROB did the same.
What is that, Doctor Ross?
This . . . . is a special something I designed just for you.
Just for me?!
Betty rolled her eyes.
No, not for you, ROB, she said. For Bruce.
Oh, said ROB. Yes, yes, that makes sense.
Bruce chuckled at ROB's comment before looking back at the
injector. He took in a few breaths before he asked the obvious
question.
What's in it?
Betty sighed, before taking the injector and holding it in both
hands.
It's . . . . hope.
Bruce blinked as he waited for her to elaborate.
Something I was working on. Went back to the old lab data, and .
. . . well, it's a start. A temporary antidote. The serum, once in
your bloodstream, should give you a grace period. You'll be safe
for twelve hours.
Bruce blinked again, before staring down at the injector with
awe. He had never been able to get even a temporary antidote to
work over all of the time that he had been on the run. Every serum
he had ever attempted had ended up a failure, usually because he
could spend so little time in any one location, and never had
access to decent laboratory equipment.
Betty sighed again before reaching forward and holding the
injector out to Bruce. He wordlessly took it from her hand, before
looking down at it, rubbing it with his fingers. He could hardly
believe that it actually existed.
It's untested, obviously, said Betty. Don't exactly have many
people running around with . . . .
I understand. I . . . . I trust you. Thank you.
Betty smiled. Taking in a deep breath and closing his eyes, he
then held the injector up to his neck. Taking almost a full minute
to mentally prepare, he then finally jutted it against his skin and
pressed the button on the injector. He winced as he felt the serum
enter his veins, pulling the injector out once it was finished.
For a few minutes, both Bruce and Betty just stood there and
waited. When nothing happened, they shared a smile before warmly
embracing. Betty allowed a few tears to fall down her face and onto
Bruce's shoulder before the hug ended. She then gestured towards
her motorcycle.
Come on.
What about me? asked ROB.
Betty held her satchel up, handing it to Bruce.
You wear this, she said, before pointing at ROB. You, get in
there.
ROB turned and looked at the satchel.
Why am I always travelling inside of backpacks and such?
Because it works, ROB, said Bruce. Now shut up and get in.
Very well. At least we get to go on a new adventure! Speaking of
which . . . . where are we going, exactly?
ROB floated into the satchel as Bruce slung it over his
shoulder. Betty and Bruce then got onto the motorcycle, with Betty
driving and Bruce holding onto her from behind.
Yeah, I'd like to know too, said Bruce. Where are we going?
Betty exhaled as she started driving, heading out of the forest
and towards a nearby road.
One of my new contacts might be able to help you with something
more permanent. Not sure yet, but it's the most promising lead I
have. Still, I'd rather not discuss it just yet . . . . you never
know who might be listening.
So . . . . a surprise?
You could say that.
Surprises! shouted ROB. How exciting!
As Betty drove down the empty road, Deathlok stepped out from
behind one of the trees, zooming in his ocular lens.
* * * *
Sterns folded his hands together as he watched the video feed
being sent to him via Deathlok's neural link. Ann floated around
Sterns' chair as she also watched the footage.
How interesting, he said. A temporary antidote? We may be able
to move up our timetable.
How so? asked Ann.
The only reason we could not acquire Banner as soon as possible
is because engaging him would trigger a transformation that we
could not overcome. However . . . . if Banner can't transform, then
he's just a man. An important man, of course . . . . but just a
man, and one that can easily be captured.
Ann made a moaning noise as she then flew over in front of
Sterns' field of vision.
But what about the surprise party?
We'll still have it, of course, answered Sterns. But I cannot
give away such an ample opportunity. Besides, I'm quite sure Chen
will be very happy to be let out earlier than expected.
Ann chuckled, her laugh carrying a hint of hissing that had
become inherent to her voice since she had been transformed into
her gaseous state. She then sidled back to her position behind
Sterns' left shoulder.
Deathlok, said Sterns. Pursue the target. Acquire Banner and
bring him to me. As for Doctor Ross and that traitorous little orb
. . . . kill them.
* * * *
Aren't you glad you received that antidote now, Doctor
Banner?
Shut up, ROB!
Bruce screamed as Betty swerved through two lanes of oncoming
traffic before darting back to the right side of the highway,
having placed a large truck between them and their pursuer. Bruce
desperately clung to Betty's body, his eyes clenched shut and his
chest profusely pounding. For his part, ROB was bouncing inside of
the satchel, which had the zipper open just enough so that he could
see outside, and he seemed to be enjoying himself.
Looking behind them, ROB saw their pursuer, Deathlok, on his own
motorcycle. The cycle was heavily modified, with heavy black armour
plating placed over all of the internal components, and attachment
modules that seemed to latch Deathlok's limbs to the vehicle. There
were also twin cannons affixed to the sides of the front wheel.
Weaving between various vehicles as he tried to reestablish a
clear line of sight with Betty, Deathlok then fired a blast from
the twin cannons, barely missing his target. Scowling, Betty then
swerved hard to the left, trying to gain some distance on him.
Deathlok responded by boosting past the truck and smashing his way
through a passing car so that he was close behind.
Doctor Ross! I believe this man intends to do us harm! It would
be most prudent of you to stop him from doing that!
Betty wordlessly pulled out her pistol and aimed behind her,
blindly firing off several shots. Only a handful of the bullets hit
Deathlok, with most of them bouncing off. The last one struck him
in the throat, jostling his entire body and causing him to lose
control of his motorcycle for a moment. Betty used this small
advantage to speed out of his line of sight.
Who the hell is this guy?! shouted Betty.
Like I know? asked Bruce.
I am not aware of his identity, said ROB. However, I do believe
that he does not like us very much!
Betty rolled her eyes.
Your insight's astounding.
Thank you, Doctor Ross!
As Betty continued to speed down the highway, a SHIELD Quinjet
rocketed into view overhead. Spinning around, it then doubled back
and ended up flying parallel to the highway, matching Betty's
speed. Betty and Bruce could then hear May's voice sounding over
the loudspeaker.
Stand down, Doctor Ross! This is a direct order from an agent of
SHIELD! I repeat, stand down, or we will take you in by force!
Betty didn't bother to respond in any way, focusing instead on
maintaining her speed. After a few moments of waiting, the Quinjet
then broke off its holding pattern and soared upwards so that it
was directly overhead of the highway. May flipped a switch on her
command console, and a hatch on the underbelly of the Quinjet
opened up.
Go get her, she said.
As the hatch finished opening, a motorcycle dropped out of it,
with Carla driving. Landing between two trucks, she immediately
burst past them, mentally scanning for the fastest route to
navigate through the highway traffic. As she narrowed her eyes and
pressed her acceleration, Ryker's voice came in through her
intercom.
Take in Banner and eliminate the third party. No mistakes this
time, Captain.
I didn't make any mistakes last time. Bitch shot me. She's going
down, just like Banner is.
We need Banner, Captain. I know you have feelings about this,
but we need him. His physiology may hold the key to . . . .
Spare me the hard sell, General. I meet him, he dies.
Captain . . . .
You can study him when he's a corpse. Isn't that what they have
dissections for? Don't worry . . . . I'll bring him back as intact
as I can.
Carla put on her best mocking tone, showing a clearly feigned
sweetness.
I promise, she said.
Deathlok fired another blast from his twin cannons, tearing
apart one of the sedans in his path. Boosting forward, he found
that he was nearly parallel with Betty's cycle. She again opened
fire with her pistol, but this time Deathlok was prepared, holding
up his left forearm and equipping a metal shield that formed out of
his wrist.
Her shots deflected by the shield, Betty growled under her
breath. Deathlok then switched the module on his left arm, causing
it to form a plasma cannon that emerged from his shoulder. As he
was about to fire, Carla caught up with him, pulling out her energy
blade. Swinging down hard with a slash that targeted his back
wheel, Carla cleanly severed off a piece of the armour plating on
Deathlok's cycle.
The force of the attack threw him off balance, causing his
plasma shot to go off at a poor angle, harmlessly tearing through
the air above Betty's head. He then turned to see Carla pointing
her energy magnum at his face.
Dodge this, scrap heap.
A large part of Deathlok's face plate was torn apart by Carla's
bullet. Despite this, he was still able to swerve hard enough to
ram into Carla's cycle on purpose, before throwing out a sideways
jab that connected with her right cheek. He then once again swapped
the module on his arm, changing his wrist into a cutting laser,
which he used to slice off half of Carla's front wheel.
Agh!
Launched off the bike as it was torn asunder, Carla flipped
backwards, landing on a transport truck that was behind her.
Reaching out, she grabbed the front end of the cargo container,
keeping herself from flying further away. She then aimed her magnum
again at Deathlok, firing another shot that severed his left arm's
connection to the cycle.
Deathlok's body became detached from his vehicle, causing him to
smash against the concrete road and spin around. His motorcycle,
using its internal direction technology, stayed at a constant speed
and was otherwise not affected, driving itself perfectly well
without an occupant. As Deathlok slid past Carla's transport truck,
he used his right hand to aim a grapple launcher, which snagged the
back end of the truck and allowed him to be carried along with
it.
As all this was happening, Betty continued to gain further
distance from their pursuers. For his part, Bruce was still riddled
with anxiety.
Please don't let me die please don't let me die please don't let
me die . . . .
You're not gonna die! yelled Betty.
Actually, in all likelihood, we are all going to cease function
at some . . . .
SHUT UP, ROB! shouted Bruce and Betty in unison.
Deathlok retracted his grapple cable, hurling himself onto the
cargo container of the truck. Carla turned around and snarled at
him as she watched his left arm equip an extra hand to replace the
one she had shot off. He then charged towards her as she tried to
blast him again with her magnum. This time he blocked the shot with
his wrist shield before seizing her by the throat.
Equipping his cutting laser, Deathlok moving his arm up forward
to try and decapitate her with the weapon. Before he could, Carla
threw up her legs and wrapped them around his head. Twisting her
thighs, Deathlok was forced to let go of her throat before she
slammed his body against the top of the cargo container.
Turning her head to see how far away Betty was getting, Carla
scowled as she pumped the gauntlet on her left hand. Throwing her
arm up, she caused a seismic rupture to form on the road just ahead
of Betty, nearly causing the motorcycle to flip over. Carla then
fired a pulse blast that destroyed two cars, with Betty barely
dodging it by sliding sideways into another lane of traffic.
Sensing that Deathlok was standing up, Carla spun around and
landed a punch on his face. This wasn't enough to stagger him, as
he countered with two jabs to her stomach and an uppercut to her
jaw. Roaring in frustration, Carla fired a twin pulse blast from
her gauntlets, knocking Deathlok off the truck.
Syncing his trajectory data to his motorcycle, the vehicle
reoriented itself so that Deathlok would land on it, and he
instantly took off again, continuing his pursuit of Betty. Firing
more blasts from his twin cannons, Deathlok destroyed another truck
on the road to clear a path to Betty's cycle. ROB had a clear view
of the approaching cybernetic assassin.
I have had quite enough of you! said ROB, as his blue eye turned
red.
ROB then fired a laser blast from his optical centre, connecting
directly with Deathlok's torso. The cyborg was jettisoned from his
bike as it exploded, and he crashed face first into the pavement
before being run over by a sedan. Bruce looked back at ROB with
pure shock on his face.
ROB . . . . you . . . .
Always happy to help!
Betty nodded in approval.
Nice work. Now, look in the bag and gimme a grenade!
Still standing on the transport truck, Carla yelled as she fired
off more pulse blasts, trying to destroy Betty's cycle to no avail.
Reaching out with his retractable appendages, ROB handed Betty a
grenade from inside the satchel. Biting off the pin, Betty looked
back and tossed it right towards the truck Carla was on.
Carla's eyes grew wide as she saw what was coming towards
her.
Oh, fuck . . . .
Carla was cut off by the grenade exploding under the cargo
container, blowing the truck into the air and jettisoning her
skywards. Wildly flailing all of her limbs, Carla shrieked as she
fell off of the highway, landing on top of a passing bus on a lower
street. The force of her impact put a huge dent in the roof of the
bus.
All of her bones brimming with agony, Carla gritted her teeth as
she fought to stay conscious.
I'm gonna kill her . . . . I'm gonna kill her . . . .
Smiling with satisfaction, Betty then swerved to an off ramp,
before jumping over the edge and landing on a lower street. May
tried to follow her in the Quinjet, but she quickly lost her amidst
the concrete jungle. Betty made sure to avoid any further pursuers
by taking a zigzag route through the city.
Holy shit, said Bruce, his adrenaline finally draining.
Guess that was the antidote's stress test.
Yeah. Shit.
Riding silently for a few minutes, Bruce then spoke again.
So really . . . . where are we going?
Over the border.
What?! They'll have . . . .
The border covered. I know. That's why we're not crossing the
border. We're going around it.
I don't . . . .
I have a boat waiting for us. It'll take us right to where we
wanna go.
And where is it we wanna go?
Betty shrugged.
I told you. It's a surprise.
* * * *
Shambling along with broken leg joints, Deathlok trudged to an
empty back street in a downtrodden residential area. Having since
activated his distress beacon, he then watched as an advanced,
black and green stealth craft, in the shape of a V, turned off its
invisibility matrix and landed on the street in front of him.
Deathlok clambered over once the loading ramp dropped. Once he
was inside, the ramp closed and the stealth craft turned invisible
again as it boosted into the clouds.
Earth-717: Hulk Vol 2
Chapter 6: Science Team
Please, remain calm. I am trying to help you, after all.
Carla sighed as she stopped fidgeting. She was sitting on a
medical table as Simmons looked her over, taking note of all of the
cuts and bruises on her skin. Carla had changed out of her battle
armour and was now wearing her civilian clothing. As her fury
slowly melted into sullenness, Carla finally let some of the
tension in her face fade away.
Simmons pressed her hands along the ridges on Carla's back.
Doesn't seem like anything major's broken. Quite remarkable,
really. Your armour must have absorbed all of the shock.
Carla rolled her eyes.
Uh huh.
Too bad it couldn't have absorbed all of your personality.
Carla growled, but otherwise did not respond to Simmons' jab.
Simmons then turned to see Fitz walking into the room with several
sheets in his hands.
How's she look? asked Simmons.
X-Rays check out, answered Fitz. She's fine. You know, aside
from the whole psych . . . . psych bit.
Fitz.
Stop talking. Got it.
Carla scowled at Fitz, who took a nervous step back. He then
looked down at the ground as he puts the sheets on a nearby
counter, before walking off to the other part of the lab. Simmons
looked at Fitz with saddened eyes. Getting a good look at Simmons'
back, Carla ran her eyes up and down the woman's figure, with her
gaze lingering on Simmons' shoulder blades for a moment.
He's scared of you, said Simmons.
Carla scoffed.
He should be.
Well I'm not, said Simmons, turning around and defiantly putting
her hands on her hips. Just because you walk around with a big
knife and act like a big bully doesn't mean I have to be afraid of
you. I only fear what I can respect, and you certainly don't
qualify.
Carla sneered.
What, just cause you can treat me, you think you're better than
me?
I try not to place value judgements on people. I'm treating you
because it's my job, not because I like you, which I don't.
Personally I would prefer not to have to work with someone so
unpleasant. Besides, what are you gonna do anyway? Huh? Take out
one of your laser blades and cut me up?
Carla raised an eyebrow.
Huh? Slice me to itty bitty ribbons and take a gander at all my
innards? You would do that, wouldn't you? But you won't, because
you would be in big trouble, with . . . . with . . . .
Carla blinked a couple times as Simmons looked around the lab,
seeing that she and Fitz were alone with her. The colour then
drained from Simmons' face as she turned back to the woman sitting
in front of her.
You know what? Never mind. Afraid of you now. Don't cut me.
Please?
Before anyone could say anything else, the door to the lab
opened by retracting into the ceiling. Blake walked in, followed by
Ryker. Blake gestured towards Carla.
Here you are, General, said Blake.
He then put his hands behind his back, staying near the door.
Carla shuffled off the medical table and stood up.
Ah, yes, Mister Ryker, said Simmons, as she beckoned Fitz to
come over and stand beside her.
How's my Captain doing? asked Ryker.
Simmons opened her mouth as if to answer Ryker's question, but
she was cut off when Carla shoved past her.
I'm fine, said Carla. Just let me out of here.
Fitz folded his arms and pursed his lips.
You're welcome.
Carla turned around with a scowl on her face, but held herself
back from actually doing anything. Ryker shifted his eyes from her
to the two scientists who were clearly overshadowed by Carla's
statuesque figure.
I appreciate what you've done, said Ryker. Even if, you'll have
to forgive me . . . . what were your names again?
I'm Fitz. She's Simmons.
He's engineering. I'm biochem.
Which means, I build stuff. She dissects it.
Simmons eyes perked up.
Oh, are we gonna do the thing?
Fitz turned his head to look at his partner.
The thing?
You know, the thing, the thing!
Oh, yeah, the thing! I was hoping we were gonna try that
out!
Yes, yes!
Ryker and Carla looked at each other and shrugged. They then
both looked at Blake, who also shrugged.
I've got no idea what they're talking about, said Blake.
Fitz and Simmons both struck a pose, with their backs placed
against each other. Everything went silent before Simmons spoke
up.
You wanted to know who we are?
Fitz and Simmons closed their eyes for a few moments as they
allowed the atmosphere to settle in. They then broke into a
synchronized routine as Ryker, Carla and Blake all watched in utter
confusion.
Masters of our fields, for we know them best, said Fitz.
Each day we put our lab skills to the test, said Simmons.
We strive to be better than all the rest . . . .
To find all the answers is our main quest!
Both Fitz and Simmons sharply turned their faces to look at
their audience.
Fitz!
Simmons!
The two scientists then faced their bodies forward and held
their arms out in what looked like battle ready poses.
For we are the ones that the world call . . . .
When they need an answer, big or small!
The last segment they spoke in unison.
Goooooooo . . . . SCIENCE TEAM!
Fitz and Simmons held their poses for a full minute as Ryker,
Carla and Blake all blinked, seemingly unable to process what they
had just witnessed. Ryker then scratched the back of his head.
Right. Okay.
Ryker turned around and walked out of the room, followed by
Carla. Fitz and Simmons both gave a pleading look at Blake, who
shook his head before also leaving the room. Once the door shut,
the two scientists held their arms up in frustration.
Ugh!
They just don't understand!
After all our rehearsal! It's like they don't want it to be a
thing!
It'll be a thing, Jemma. We'll make it a thing. Don't worry
about that.
It was so well synchronized . . . .
It was, but . . . .
But what?
Told you we should've had the monkey. It needed the monkey.
Ugh, Fitz!
* * * *
His forearms placed together and pressed against the railing,
Bruce stared out at the ocean sunset. He was standing on a
commercial ferry, which they were using to move between Canada and
the United States. There were hundreds of people on the boat, which
at first had made Bruce feel a bit uneasy, but Betty assured him
that not only had she taken all of the preliminary precautions to
secure safe passage, but that her government source had ensured
that they would not be followed.
For now, Bruce just focused on sorting his thoughts together.
The last twenty four hours had been a whirlwind of action and
emotion, with the whole life that he had spent building over the
last year ripped out from under him. Grabbing both of his elbows
with his opposite hands, he rubbed the skin of his arms as he
continued to ponder.
He barely noticed when Betty approached him from behind, taking
a spot next to him and assuming the same pose.
Nice night, isn't it?
Bruce blinked before he answered.
Yeah.
Betty looked down as she considered what she was going to say
next.
Your, uh . . . . your friend's enjoying the room. Bouncing
around in there. He said there's plenty of stuff to scan.
Bruce laughed.
Where did you get that guy?
Bruce licked his lips before answering Betty's question.
Last, um . . . . last year. Last time we saw each other. He and
I met, and . . . . I thought I could get a cure. I was led, heh . .
. . led. More like misled. Right to someone who said he had the
answers. Same guy who built ROB.
Who?
Bruce sighed.
Sterns.
Sterns? Professor Sterns?
Yeah.
Betty blinked and turned her head so she was looking at the
ocean for a moment as she considered this new information. She then
looked back over at Bruce as he continued.
He was working with your father at the time, but he also had his
own . . . . goals. Told me that he had been looking for me, and
that ROB was built to find me. Bring me to him. He had a secret
lab, middle of nowhere . . . . and he told me the truth.
What truth?
Bruce gulped as he prepared to speak about the thing that had
been tormenting him since he had learned it.
That it was his fault, said Bruce. All of it. That he . . . . he
knew the experiment would go wrong. From the beginning.
Betty felt her breathing stop as she listened.
Said he saw something in my genes. A mutation. Passed down from
my father, who . . . . who did his own gamma experiments on
himself. But Sterns wanted to see what would happen, so, he didn't
tell anyone. Anyone else was in that room . . . . it wouldn't have
worked. But with me . . . . with me . . . . with me, I got . . . .
all this.
Betty exhaled as the two of them went silent again. She then
reached out and grasped his right hand with her left. Bruce closed
his eyes for a few seconds before Betty spoke up.
What happened next?
Sterns said he wanted it out of me. Said he wanted it for
himself.
What?
He wanted the power. He'd been doing experiments on his own,
even killed Amadeus and used him as a guinea pig.
Betty cringed.
Built a devi