[centre][img]https://i.imgur.com/8T07SSq.png[/img][/centre] [h3][COLOR=#70C26B]Reprise of Destruction[/COLOR][/h3] [color=#884CA6]1.02: Out of the shadows, into the fire[/color] As Bruce Banner made his way to the hangar of the S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, he became aware of just how large this complex was. Truth be told Bruce didn’t even know where this facility was located. As both Bruce and the Hulk, neither of them had the clearance to know the location of this base. In fact before today he had only been to the sleeping quarters, cafeteria and laboratory. From what Bruce could tell, it was a similar situation for Dr. Langkowski. In fact it was only the base commander and senior agents that had the clearance for knowing where the hell they were. But Bruce was alright with that. He assumed that the facility was remote, meaning it was away from civilization, a good thing to have when the threat of a rampaging Hulk was possible. However, this was going to be Bruce’s first excursion from the S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, so he was anxious at the thought of being back in the open. But the fellow scientists at S.H.I.E.L.D. had thought of this. They devised a device that wrapped around the wrist and monitored his vital signs. Thus they could remotely see if his blood pressure or breathing were at a level where the Hulk would be coming out. “Nervous, huh,” came a voice from behind Bruce. The gamma powered scientist turned to see the familiar face of Rick Jones. Bruce wondered if he was being that obvious with his body language. But then again Rick knew him very well, just as he knew the Hulk very well. [COLOR=#70C26B]“It’s the first time I’ve been out of the base in months. I’ve almost forgot what direct sunlight is like,”[/COLOR] chuckled Bruce, [COLOR=#70C26B]“So are you to see me off?”[/COLOR] “Nah. I’m coming along,” stated Rick, “All that time in the pilot simulator is about to pay off.” [COLOR=#70C26B]“So you’re piloting the Quinjet?”[/COLOR] asked Bruce. “Well, I’m co-piloting it,” explained Rick, “I’ll be working with someone who has years of experience.” “Would you two hurry it up!” shouted Walter Langkowski from the other side of the tunnel, “The trail is getting cold!” Remembering the importance of locating this gamma radiation experiment Bruce ran toward the hangar, Rick Jones right on his heels. Soon both of them were within the hangar, in which sat several pristine Quinjets. While the public mostly recognized it as the choice vehicle of the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D. had been using Quinjets for several years now. Standing outside one of the Quinjets were two men, clad in S.H.I.E.L.D. uniforms. Rick immediately recognized one and headed over to shake his hand. “Agent Klaus, good to see you again,” said Rick as he shook his hand, “And it’s good to actually be flying.” “Actually, you’ll remain in the cargo hold until such time that I open the cockpit,” explained Agent Klaus, “While it’s not ideal, it is S.H.I.E.L.D. policy for junior agents and other support crew to not know the location of this base. But Agent Jones, I will let you into the co-pilots seat once we’re a lot closer to the destination.” [COLOR=#70C26B]“And what is the destination?”[/COLOR] asked Bruce. He had been told it was in California, but not given specifics. “Just outside a small town called Ferndale, on the northern California coast,” explained the other agent as he extended a hand to Bruce, “Agent Payne. I’ve heard a lot about you.” [COLOR=#70C26B]“About me or the Hulk?”[/COLOR] asked Bruce as he shook the man’s hand. “Well, truthfully both,” Agent Payne replied, “But I have been told of what an asset you are for the S.H.I.E.L.D. science division.” “Well, while these pleasantries are nice, we do have an incident to investigate,” stated Walter. “Of course,” said Agent Klaus. The five men then loaded into the Quinjet. True enough to his word, Agent Klaus alone went into the cockpit, leaving the others in the cargo hold. Once everyone was strapped in, the Quinjet began to rise off the ground. While there were no windows for him to look out, Bruce could hear the sound of the ceiling opening, allowing the vehicle to enter the sky. “Man these things are really smooth to control,” said Rick to himself, “Can’t wait to actually control it myself.” Bruce didn’t say anything for most of the trip, nor did Walter or Agent Payne. For Bruce at least it was because of a mix of exhilaration of freedom of being off base, and anxiety at this possible gamma radiation release. The mix caused his stomach to turn, almost as if the Hulk was punching his organs from within. After a decent amount of time, the door to the cockpit opened, Agent Klaus poking his head out and saying, “Alright, you have clearance to leave the cargo hold.” Rick literally jumped out of his seat and rushed to the cockpit, Bruce and Walter following after him a little bit more slowly. Looking out the front window of the Quinjet, Bruce could see they were above a vast desert. “It’s Nevada,” stated Rick as he sat down in the co-pilot’s seat, “At least that’s what the computer says.” The young agent proved himself to be a competent pilot, navigating the Quinjet to northern California. Once they were near the location, Agent Klaus took main control of the Quinjet. The senior pilot expertly placed the vehicle down near a forest. “Alright, everybody out,” announced Agent Klaus. The five men then exited the Quinjet, Walter saying, “According to our sensors, the gamma radiation was somewhere within ten miles of here. So maybe we should begin lookin-” What Walter was saying was cut out by the sound of a single shot. Bruce’s head whipped around at the noise, just in time to see Agent Klaus collapse to the ground. “Take cover!” shouted Agent Payne as he pulled out his gun. Rick dived on top of Bruce, making a shield with his body. The chaos of the situation began to affect Bruce, his blood pressure rising and his eyes gaining a green tinge. “Now is probably not the time for the big guy,” Rick whispered into Bruce’s ear. Bruce agreed, but didn’t think the Hulk thought the same way. So he began to practice the deep breathing that Dr. Samson had shown him. It seemed to help a little bit, that was until another shot rang out, a loud shout of pain becoming audible.