From the notes of Dr. Robert Banner: September 5th, 1985
My dreams of pursuing a purely philanthropic brand of science has been crushed, I'm afraid. No one wishes to fund my research on nuclear physics. However, I have been approached by a General Thaddeus E. Ross, looking for someone to work on a military project, the G- bomb. It uses a type of Madame Curie's newest discovery, radiation. When it explodes, it puts out a high level of radiation, which should eliminate anyone within a large area. The G- bomb uses Gamma radiation. There's almost no information on Gamma. I'll be the first to do any extensive experimentation with it. I'll be going to New Mexico, to work at a New Albion Defense Department laboratory named Desert base.
Also at this facility, is Michael Steel, working with Gamma rays. It's a different form of gamma, geared more towards being a biological agent than creating explosions. I believe he is trying to replicate the powers given to Dr. Richards and his team during their lab accident. He's being funded by Simon Utrecht, the politician. I wonder what Utrecht's doing, funding something like that? It's possible that he thinks cosmic rays are the answer to unlocking Erskine's Elixir. Now that's a problem worth working on! The perfect man. But could a man, bred for war, ever really achieve perfection? Wouldn't a man with a weak body and strong mind be the perfect man, in times of peace? But ever since my childhood, I have wished to be stronger. Perhaps it is the primitive instincts in us, the warmongering ones, which keep us from ever really achieving peace, that keep us savage, and angry…
Report from Gen. Ross, dated Sept. 8th
Dr. Banner arrived today, to begin work on the G- bomb. I've set him up with an extensive laboratory and testing grounds, and the best lab assistant we have, a man named Rick Jones. I'm not sure about Dr. Banner. He's not a military man, to be sure. He wouldn't last a day in the army. Too shrimpy, and he looks like he's afraid you might bite him. He better not be one of these men who spends all that theoryorizing. I need functional weapons, and I need them now! Elizabeth always said I am a man of action, and she was sure right about that. It's my job to defend this country, and I will not hesitate to remove any threat to our people.
As well as Banner, we have another scientist here, Michael Steel. He's in with some bigwig, who wants research done on some sort of rays. Dr. Steel, I feel, has no right to be working here with the army's equipment. This facility is so that we may expand the arsenal of the New Albion troops, and all that being expanded here is the stupidity of some politician.
From the diary of Ann Darnell: Sept.9th
James and I have been working here at Desert base for almost a week now, and I was despairing of ever finding some fun (Simon Utrecht could have me fired, so I won't flirt with him, and Michael seems utterly immune to my charms!) when, yesterday, my salvation arrived in the form of one Dr. Robert Banner. He's quite nice looking, rather wiry, not overly muscled, as all the soldiers here tend to be. He's got long-ish brown hair, and the dreamiest grey eyes you ever saw! I was doing some research for Michael when I saw him, chatting with that general's daughter, Elizabeth. But I smiled and said hello as I walked past, and he said hello back! I shall have him trapped in my snares by the end of this month! He can't possibly fancy that Ross girl over me! I'm much better looking. I heard one soldier describe me as a 'Juno'. I asked James about it, and he said that they were referring to how tall and regal looking I am. Then James said I was too besotted with myself. But brothers always think silly things like that. I wonder how I should do my hair tomorrow. It almost reaches my waist, and it is the most becoming chestnut color. I plan to dazzle Robert Banner…
From the journal of James Darnell: Sept. 9th
She's got her claws in another one. If Ann doesn't watch out, I'll send her to a convent! She's been flirting with Dr. Steel since we arrived, and distracting all the soldiers. Now Ann's got plans for the new scientist who has arrived. She took an instant dislike to Gen. Ross's daughter Elizabeth, even though she's been nothing but accommodating. Are all sister such minxes? God help all older brothers if they are!
But enough of her, I'm here to work with Gamma rays. Being sponsored by Utrecht like this was real lucky. We'll have enough funds to build the machines we need to recreate the Richards accident, and the situation that gave them their powers! Imagine all we could do with the same powers! Richards's team uses theirs to keep the world as it is, I would change it. A perfect world, ruled by supreme beings such as us! The possibilities are amazing! But I need to finish this gamma generator first. Better get back to that.
Mabel,
I thought it would be boring here with my father at Desert base, but I find myself pleasantly surprised at the amount of thing I find to amuse myself, both at work and at play. I do some paper work for father, and take inventory and order supplies. Also, I talk with some of the officers and scientists here at desert base. There is one in particular who catches my interest. His name is Robert, and he is collaborating with father on some weapon. He's been quite nice at telling me about his work with different types of radiation, even though my education isn't parallel to his. But it is thrilling (or at least I find so. You'd be bored to tears, Mabel. But science has always interested me, that is why I pursued an education in it.) And he isn't secretive about it all, as the other group here is about their work.
You next letter to me, I'm sure, will be full of demands for more information on this more admirable man, but you shall have to wait, for there is a dinner with the officers tonight, and I must get ready.
Your friend,
Elizabeth Ross