Today: Mount Everest, 2005
The winds howled across the mountain tops. A lone figure stood gazing down into the open valley below. A grin played across the masked figures face.
"I love this." Hal Stark said. He let out a deep sigh. "This is my favorite part of the world Happy." He glanced at the man standing behind him. Both men wore overcoats, goggles and parkas. "No cell phones, no lawyers." Hal added.
"Careful, Hal." Happy Kalmaku said with a chuckle. "Some of us are lawyers here." He nodded to the second woman trudging up the hill. She too was dressed as Hal and Happy were. Hal chuckled.
"Sorry Happy, but Stark international may be the biggest company in the United States." Hal was saying. "But this." He spread his arms wide.
"Sounds like you don't want to go home Hal." Steward Rhodes called. He pulled himself on to the hill. Hal chuckled again. "Alfred will have my ass if I don't come back to the office." He said. "Besides nothing gets me more focused on the next stage of plans than six-weeks up here."
"With all due respect, Mr. Stark." Hal turned at the sound of Pepper Ferris's voice. "But don't you think that six weeks is enough?" She asked. Hal grinned. "Relax Pep, when we get back to camp, you can tell Alfred our adventure will be short this time." Pepper let out a happy sigh. Hal turned, flashing his flawless grin.
"On Monday, People we face a brand new adventure." Hal announced. He started down the hill. "Board meeting in Metropolis, Nine a.m. sharp."
Dr. Robert Bruce Banner sat quietly in the corner both of Alice's Diner. He started out the window out into the street. Half the street was blocked off. He shook his head and shuttered.
It had only been a week since the Hulk tore though Downtown Metropolis. He rampaged though the city, only to be stopped by the cities own hero Iron Lantern. Banner look down at his soup. A face stared back at him. The face of the Hulk. "Let me out Banner!" The Hulk roared. Suddenly a large green hand burst from his soup, grabbing Bruce by the neck. "BANNER!" The Hulk screamed.
"Banner."
Bruce sat up with a jerk. It took Banner a moment to remember where he was. Bibbo's Ace O'clubs. A dark haired man stood wearing a trench coat on top of a black uniform. He grunted at the man. "How'd you find me Wayne?" He grunted sitting up.
Bruce Wayne slid into the booth. "Sorry I'm late Doctor." He said. "I had a meeting in Gotham City." He leaned back in the booth staring at Banner. "You've seen better days Bruce." Banner frowned. "If you mean The Hulk, I' haven't given it a second thought." He said sharply. Wayne nodded. "Don't take this the wrong way Doctor, but I'm not sure you're ready to come back." He said. Banner sank further in the booth. "What you wanna put me in Cadamus or stick me in Star labs?" He asked.
Wayne shook his head. "I just want to be sure that you ready to come back." He said. Banner blinked at him. "You're serious, you want me back at S.H.E.I.L.D.?" He gaped at him.
"Yes."
"Believe me Sir, I am." Banner said sitting up right. "They've checked my blood three times aday, and there is no trace of the Hulk's D.N.A in my system." He smiled sadly at Wayne. "I'm more worried about waking up and you know…" Wayne nodded. "I understand." He said.
"How about you Bruce or should I, Say General Bruce Wayne." Banner said with a smirk. "How does it feel to run S.H.E.I.L.D. after you were saved by those X-kids?" Wayne chuckled sitting back a little.
"It's like being the Pope and the president all in one." Wayne told him. He nodded to the bar. Banner looked past him to see a dark haired man sitting at the bar, doing his best to look like a drunk. "Can you believe that I have an agent follow me here?" Banner nodded. "Let me guess, Grayson of course." He said then looked out the window. "Snipers too right?" Wayne shrugged. "So why are you here Wayne?" He asked.
"Super-Solider Program." Wayne responded. "The same program you've been working on at Cadamus." He leaned forward. "What if told you that, the president has authorized fifty billion dollars for a new Super-Solider."
Banner reached up, adjusting his glasses. "You're kidding right?" He asked. Wayne shook his head no. "Okay you're serious, but who would invest in SSP?" Banner wondered.
"The president."
Banner's jaw dropped open then closed. He rubbed the stubble on his chin. "What we're talking here is recreating another Super-Solider, the same one who died in during the war?" Banner pointed out. "The one and the same who founded the off world Tech that jump started Nasa." Wayne said.
"Why me?"
"Why not?" Wayne asked shifting in the booth. "We live in dangerous times Banner as you know." His eyes narrowed as if he were telling a secret. "Normal crimes are becoming super crimes." He paused for a moment. "You heard about that Spider-Man and of course the X-Men." Banner nodded. "You're sure about this?" Banner asked.
"Sure enough to move you out of Cadamus and to the brand new facility off the coast of Metropolis." Wayne said. "The president gave me five top scientists and you're number two." He said. Banner frowned at him. "Who's number two?"
