Dr Bruce Banner (docbrucebanner) wrote in na_electronics, @ 2012-05-21 13:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | hulk, mr. fantastic |
Who: Bruce Banner, Reed Richards
Where: Helicarrier / Baxter Building
When: Monday, May 21st, 2012
What: Phone call
Rating: PG
A shower, a shave, a change of clothes, and Bruce was looking like his usual self, even though the people he passed on the Helicarrier regarded him as if he might 'go green' at any moment. Bruce didn't blame them, but it did make for awkward social interaction. To reduce their stress, and by extension, his own stress, Bruce made the decision right away to keep to himself whenever possible.
This was fine, since there was a lot that Bruce needed to do: technology had advanced since he'd last been in a laboratory setting, and SHIELD was state-of-the-art. This alone was fascinating enough to take up most of his attention, but he'd also been given a huge amount of reading to go over. Facts and figures and theories that he'd need to know before starting the project he'd been assigned.
In his quarters, Bruce sat upon his bed, his legs stretched across the mattress with his back resting against the wall. He set the tablet that he'd been holding down upon his lap, giving his eyes a rest from what he'd was reading. He dipped his fingers under the frames of his glasses to rub his eyes and decided that he was going to need a new lens prescription. Would the Helicarrier have an optometrist on board? They seemed to have everything else. He'd have to ask.
He paused to look at his surroundings. His quarters were so bright and clean, practically sterile. A far cry from the dingy shacks he'd been accustomed to, in India. The room was curiously circular in shape, not very large, but then again, he didn't need much space. Besides his bed, there was a desk and chair to work at the laptop he'd been provided, and a wardrobe. Pretty spartan in nature, but Bruce liked it that way - nothing of it belonged to him and there wasn't anything that he could make attachments to. This was going to be a temporary situation, he reminded himself. He wasn't sure where he would be heading after he was finished with this project, but it made Bruce secure to think this way. To remind himself that he was here on his own volition and that technically speaking he could come and go as he pleased.
His gaze rested upon the desk where, beside the computer, there was a brand new cell phone. It was to be used to stay in touch with the Agents on the Helicarrier when he wasn't nearby one of the comm links, but he was given permission to make outside phone calls, within reason. Since this was a highly secretive government base of operations and his job just as highly classified, it was understood that any outside calls would be screened and monitored. Bruce had worked for the government before, so he knew the protocol so this didn't phase him. The thing that was pressing on his mind was the phone number of a friend he hadn't seen or heard from since that fateful day, seven years ago, when an explosion of gamma rays changed his life forever. He wondered if the number was still in use and fretted over the awkward conversation that would follow, should he get up the courage to dial. The idea kept irritating him, and ultimately Bruce knew he had to give his old friend a call.
A minute later, Bruce was holding the cell to his ear, listening to the tone on the other end. The phone was ringing, which was a good start. When he heard the voice answer, Bruce couldn't respond at first, his breath was caught in his throat. Finally, he said, "Hey... hey Reed. It's me. Bruce." He then added, "Banner," in case Reed couldn't remember.