Author's Note: No, I did NOT give up on this fic, though it may have looked like it. I am GOING to finish it before Age of Ultron comes out. You have my permission to hold me to that promise. Anyway, here you go.
Chapter 4
Banner was a scientist, heart, mind, and body. He was a very clever scientist, too. And he just so happened to be in New Mexico, with a radio tuned to the news station. More than that, he just happened to be very bored.
He also didn't happen to like the Feds. So when the news came on that a satellite had landed five miles away, as it happened, that no one had been able to pick it up, and that the Feds had blocked off the area, he decided he might as well have some fun.
20 minutes later found him at the crater site. He had been planning on cutting the wire, and had even brought wire cutters, but he was surprised to find that there was already a man-sized hole near the ground...perfect for him to squeeze through.
He fell to his stomach and wriggled through, then crept across the darkness of the crater site towards the white tubing that was the construction zone.
"Intruder alert," said Agent Hill over Coulson's bluetooth. "Shall I put an agent on it?" Normally she would have done so without a second thought and asked afterwards, but Coulson had been acting weird about security just lately.
"No," said Coulson, justifying her hesitation. "Just keep an eye on him. And put eyes up high with a gun."
"You detained Agent Barton," Hill reminded him.
"Another Agent will do," replied Coulson, making his way to the platform from which he could see the 'satellite'.
Meanwhile Bruce made his way through the tubing, wondering why he hadn't encountered a living soul so far. The white tubing suddenly opened up, and he found himself facing a huge crater with a lump of mud in the middle with a hammer on top.
Banner smiled. Just as he thought.
He walked up to it and experimentally tugged at the handle. It didn't budge.
Not a problem, thought Banner. He opened his handy dandy science kit that he had brought along for just such a case as this.
From far above, Coulson watched in amazement as Dr. Banner, arrayed in gloves and goggles, began applying liquid solutions to the dirt beneath the hammer. The soil began to dissolve and crumble away bit by bit.
"I need some Agents at the hammer right now," Coulson whispered into his bluetooth.
Half a dozen agents rushed in and prepared to collar the intruder. Bruce jumped to his feet and held out a small bottle.
"This is highly dangerous acid!" he cried, holding it in a defensive position. "If it touches you, it will be extremely painful. Don't come a step closer."
The agents hesitated, and glanced questioningly at each other. Coulson decided it was time to make his presence known.
"Stand down, Dr. Banner!" he called, snatching a convenient megaphone. "Stand down! I am Agent Coulson of SHIELD, and I know everything about you. You don't want this to get messy."
All the air seemed to go out of Bruce's balloon. He hesitated, then set down the acid and raised his hands.
"Take him to the detention level," said Coulson smugly.
The door opened of the interrogation chamber opened and two agents marched Bruce Banner in.
"Oh my goodness," gasped Tony in an undertone to Natasha, "is that the Hulk?"
Natasha didn't answer. She had gone bright white and was shaking visibly.
"What happens if he gets angry in here?" Barton asked the agents as they turned to leave, his voice a bit uneven.
Bruce only cast them all a condescending glance.
Author's Note: Oh no! Will the Hulk smash? Will our favourite team perish in the interrogation chamber? Will anyone EVER pick up the hammer? Did I just offend you by insinuating that all your favourite characters aren't worthy? Find out next time!
