Chapter 2: How Banner Learned to Stop Worrying
"So, care to explain to me why you're being chased by Thunderbolt Ross himself? And why you turned into the Jolly Green Giant with anger management issues?" McGee asked.
Banner looked up from the diner menu.
"It's a long story."
A waitress walked up.
"You two going to get something or not?"
"Southwest salad." McGee ordered.
"Hamburger. Wheat bun. Ketchup and Cheddar cheese, and nothing else." Bruce added.
"You want fries with that, son?"
"Yes, please."
The waitress walked away with their order.
"So, about that story, mister Banner?"
"It's Doctor Banner, Culver Institute."
"Alright, Doctor. Go on, spill the beans."
"Mister McGee, are you familiar with Project Adonis?"
"No."
Bruce paused for a moment.
"It was an international project conducted by the Allies during World War II. It was supposed to create super-soldiers-" he continued.
"Yeah, I know what you're talking about now. But what does that have to do with you?"
"A few years ago, DOD found some of the serum in a fallout shelter in Manchester. They couldn't get the results they wanted it, so they handed it over to us at Culver."
"And?"
"Well, I proposed that the desired results could be obtained by irradiating the subject during administration of the serum."
"And?"
"Well, I tested it on myself, thus creating the dual creature you see before you."
The waitress returned with their orders.
"But you never explained how Ross got interested in chasing you."
"The big guy's not exactly harmless. Combine that with his ugly mug, and why wouldn't Ross be chasing me?"
"Point taken, Doctor."
"Alright, which one of you bozos shot at Banner?"
The soldiers lined up before Ross pointed at one man among them.
"Blomsky!"
"Yes?"
"I told you not to shoot at Banner! That trigger finger of yours cost us millions in hardware!"
"I had that abomination in my sights!"
"It's the Hulk that's the abomination, not Banner!"