From the notes of Dr. Robert Banner: September 20th, 1985

I have made much progress with Gamma radiation. With the help of Jones, my assistant, we built a prototype of the G-bomb, and we are going to test it tonight. If it works, the government will pay me a stipend, and I will be able to start work in whatever field I want. I'm looking forwards to it. Gen. Ross, I'm sure is an efficient men, but his constant talk of wars and weapons unnerves me. I wonder how such a hard man could have such an understanding daughter. Elizabeth Ross is a marvel. She doesn't play games with men, as women often do, but is honest. I admit, I have feelings for her. But to ask permission to court Elizabeth seems terrifying! Gen. Ross has made it quite clear he doesn't think much of for choosing to be a scientist instead of a soldier. But it takes all kinds to make the world go round, doesn't it?

But anyways, the G-bomb test is set for eight o'clock pm. If I'm lucky, all will go well.

From the journal of Rick Jones September 21st

This is all my fault. I've ruined the lives of countless people, all because of one stupid mistake.

I was making some last minute check to the G-bomb in the lab, before we brought it out to the testing grounds. I think I accidently knocked a gear or something. But it activated the bomb. I had walked out of the lad looking for Dr. Banner, when- it exploded. It turns out Banner was inside, and so were Michael Steel and his entire team. The army can't send anyone in to the wreckage right now, there's too much radiation. We've been out here all night. If they're dead…

At least the sturdy built of the base contained most of the blast. And the bomb wasn't quite ready yet, so they could still be alive, couldn't they? Please, please let them be alive…

Report from Gen. Ross, dated September 21st 1985

Desert base has been destroyed. There is a strong probability that some of the world's most advanced scientists and one politician have been killed also. Apparently the G-bomb exploded early, having been accidently started by that fool of a boy, Jones. The base is in ruins, and the radiation surrounding it is so high we can't send in a rescue team. Not that there'd be anything left to rescue. They'd all be mincemeat by now. It's too bad. There were a lot of weapon prototypes and blueprints in there. It's going to be expensive to replace all this.

September 22nd

Halfway through the day the radiation had sufficiently dispersed for a team to go in wearing heavy protective suits.

We found doctors Banner and Steel, and Steels team. All alive. Simon Utrecht has black splotches all over his skin, Dr. Steel seems to have gotten some metal fused to his, and James Darnell is- glowing. Other than that, they all seem in working order. I'm never working with radiation again. Now I have five million reports to fill out.

From the notes of Dr. Robert Banner: September 25th

It's happened every night since the explosion. Every time I go to sleep, I transform. Jones is the only one who knows that it is really me. I see I'm not explaining properly. I'll start over. The first night after the lab accident, I was taken to a hospital, where I was diagnosed with Radiation sickness, and some superficial injuries. They kept me overnight for observation. I don't remember anything, but when I woke up, the doctors and nurses where in a panic, saying that a hulking grey creature had been seen at the hospital. I thought it strange, but was more interested in when I could leave, that a monster I assumed was some silly joke. My assistant, Rick Jones had offered to let me stay at his house until I could find a place of my own, and I had agreed. I went there as soon as I left the hospital. I retired early that evening, due to a headache. When I woke, about seven o'clock the next morning, Jones was sitting by my bedside, wide eyed and nervous looking. He said that as I slept, I changed. Into what seems, from his description, to be the same thing seen at the hospital! How could this be? I believe that it is a side effect from the amount of Gamma radiation I was exposed to. This means that Dr. Steel and his team could be having similar problems. I should find them, and help. But how can I help them, when I cannot even help myself? I have changed every night into an uncontrollable beast. How can I stop this? How?

From the diary of Ann Darnell: September 26th

I don't know what going on! Simon had us all kidnapped, and locked us in very bare rooms, and hasn't explained what going on! But I'm frightened. When I was in the hospital, I was- well, it was as if I was made out of vapor. I've been practicing, and I can change into any gas I can think of, but I can only stay solid for so long. What's happened? It must have something to do with the explosion! We all got covered with Gamma rays. Is that what made me like this it that what made me Vapor?

From the journal of James Darnell: September 26th

The Gamma rays changed us. I have power now, such power. Simon Utrecht had us all brought to a secure facility, to grow accustomed to our new forms. This will take some getting used to. I am energy now, intangible and immune to most physical harm. I can expel radiation in a blast form, and turn invisible and fly. I'm still getting the hang of flying.

Michael Steel has changed too. He seems to be made out of, well, the only way I can describe it is as an organic metal. He now also has super strength, and can control his own weight, decreasing of increasing it to alternately hover in the air or crush like a mountain. He's calling himself Ironclad. Good name. I'm thinking of X-ray for me. I saw Ann a few minutes ago, no one had explained anything to her, and she was in her gaseous form and weeping. We had a talk, and she chose the name Vapor.

Who's left? Oh, yes, Simon. He has telekinesis, which, when he concentrates, he can form into blasts, which are very destructive. He can also fly. And there are patches on his skin which look like a black hole.

I wrote once that with power we could rule the world, no one is our equal, and no fighting force on earth could stand up to us! Except- Dr. Banner was also in the explosion. And he also survived.

Well, the U-Foes just might have to fix that.