After some light conversation while the plane soared through the skies, Banner quickly caught up on what Owen knew about the super soldier serum, as well as a surface-level"but sufficient"understanding of who General Nathaniel really was.
The plane landed smoothly on the runway of a heavily guarded military base. The rear hatch opened with a mechanical hiss, releasing a wave of hot air from outside.
Owen was the first to step out, as calm as always. Behind him, Banner descended slowly, but his body betrayed his tension. He was on a military base... he couldn't afford to lose control here.
The moment his feet touched the ground, Owen frowned at the sight of the man waiting for them at the side of the plane.
General Ross.
"So it's true... you caught Banner," said Ross with a smirk that was equal parts smile and threat. "Seems like the rumors were right. You really are the best at whatever it is you do."
His eyes, however, didn't look at Banner with fear or respect. They burned with greed. He didn't covet his strength or size… he wanted what was inside. The secret. The key to the ultimate military evolution. Years of research, decades of failed attempts, all of it could be rendered obsolete if he managed to replicate what lived inside Bruce Banner's body. Forget Captain America. This was a living weapon, a walking nuclear bomb. An army of these... would be the end of the world as we knew it.
Ross's stare was so intense that, for a moment, Banner's skin turned slightly green. Instantly, the soldiers behind Ross raised their weapons, aiming with military precision.
Banner's body began to swell. Muscles tensed, breathing quickened. Hulk was about to break out.
But Owen moved immediately, stepping between the weapons and Banner without hesitation. Hulk, already halfway out, looked at Owen… and backed down. He turned back into Banner.
He had made a deal with Owen. And as long as he wasn't in real danger, he would keep it.
"Wow… raising your guns at my guest is pretty rude, don't you think?" said Owen calmly, though his voice carried an unmistakable threat. The soldiers hesitated, then turned to Ross, awaiting orders.
"He's a dangerous beast!" Ross spat. "We can't allow him to walk freely near one of the government's most expensive facilities."
"Silence."
The word rang out with absolute authority. From the far end of the runway, walking with steady steps, came General Nathaniel. His uniform was perfectly pressed, and his gaze could cut through steel.
"Ross, go to hell before I send you there myself. And you," he said, turning to the armed soldiers, "that action could be considered direct insubordination. And you all know what that means in a high-security environment."
Immediately, dozens of soldiers behind Nathaniel raised their own weapons, aiming directly at Ross's men.
Ross seemed torn between yelling or responding… but didn't have time to choose. A sharp punch exploded against his face. Nathaniel didn't need to announce himself. He simply acted.
"What the hell are you doing, Nathaniel?" Ross roared from the ground, staggering.
"I warned you. Even in writing. Stay away from my men. I don't care about your rank bought with your sugar daddy's favors. This base isn't yours. This base belongs to the generals who earned that title by killing the country's enemies, not by buying votes. You're not authorized to be here. And now, even less so."
Nathaniel pulled out a sealed envelope containing an official letter. It bore the signature of every general assigned to the base. It was a direct expulsion order.
Ross's eyes widened in disbelief. He was being officially expelled. Not just by Nathaniel, but by all of his peers. By the very system he thought he controlled.
The general could only remain silent as Nathaniel explained how vital both Hulk and Banner were. Bruce's knowledge was irreplaceable, and his alter ego, if properly trained, could be an invaluable ally. It was also time to officially label Owen as a super soldier. But of course, everything was handled with the utmost secrecy. The soldiers at this base were men of absolute trust. And those who weren't"like Ross"were removed from the board.
When the President was informed of Owen's existence, he was pleasantly surprised. He gave full authorization. It wouldn't be made public just yet, for strategic reasons, but precise tactics were already being formulated to use Owen's presence for the good of the country.
Owen knew this. In fact, it had been his own idea. He wasn't a superhero. He was a soldier. Always had been. He didn't need fame or recognition. All that mattered was keeping his face hidden enough to avoid being chased by flies. He would continue working for the military. With better contracts. Better gear. Better intel.
Besides, all of Nathaniel's enemy generals had been removed. Reassigned. Replaced. Now, every trusted ally of the old general was stationed at this base.
Before leaving, Ross threw out one last bitter threat through gritted teeth:
"You'll see, Nathaniel… your luck won't last forever."
He looked at Nathaniel. Then at Banner. And finally at Owen. He already knew about the serum. He was sure it was the same one he had secretly funded… but he had no proof.
Without another word, Ross left with his men, seething with rage.
Nathaniel allowed himself a small smile upon seeing Banner more relaxed.
"Welcome," he said. "Although… I'd like to meet the other guy. But this isn't the best place. How about we talk somewhere more peaceful?"
His expression softened. The fury was gone, replaced with a calm, controlled warmth.
"Don't trust the old man's face," Owen muttered to Banner. "Even his expressions are calculated. Everything he does has a reason."
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow at him.
"Come on," he finally said, leading them into the base.
Meanwhile, as Ross walked away, he muttered something that stuck in Owen's mind.
"The lab's already operating without needing this base. All that's left is that."
But Owen had no idea what he meant by "that""yet he had a sinking feeling that in this age, at the dawn of heroes, it wasn't anything good.
…
Owen calmly followed Nathaniel and Banner, who were walking and chatting as they went. A car had come to pick them up, taking them to a remote, deserted area. Though a pair of men followed them, they stayed behind in the military vehicle.
Meanwhile, Owen was thinking that he could smell barbecue coming from the other car behind them.
"Are you sure about this?" Banner asked, a bit nervously.
"Don't worry. Owen's here. He's your friend, right?" Nathaniel replied as they stopped at what looked like a field used for shooting practice.
"Even with Owen here, I'm not sure how that guy will behave..." muttered Banner, still uneasy.
"Like I said, don't worry. If anything happens, I'll handle it," Nathaniel responded seriously, leaving Banner with no way out.
"Fine... whatever," said Banner, giving in.
He then took a few steps back while Owen stood calmly beside Nathaniel.
Banner closed his eyes for a moment and, resigned, began to transform rapidly into Hulk.
Nathaniel watched without showing any emotion. He was trained to suppress them"it was a way not to show antagonism or fear, emotions Hulk might interpret as a threat.
Hulk, now fully transformed, quickly glanced at Owen. Then his brow furrowed when he saw Nathaniel.
"Hey, big guy. This is the old man. You can call him that. He said he's got something interesting for you," Owen said, staying close to Nathaniel. Though Hulk never attacked when Owen was nearby, there were no other people around"so they didn't know how Hulk would react to someone new like Nathaniel.
"Friend," said Hulk, looking at Owen. But his eyes stayed locked on Nathaniel with suspicion.
"Hello, Hulk. I've got a game for you. How about a contest? If you win, I'll buy you all the barbecue you want"and other cool food too"every time you see me," Nathaniel said with a friendly smile, talking to him as an equal.
"Barbecue?" said Hulk, immediately interested.
"Barbecue is great, but I've also got other food you might like. Wanna play?" Nathaniel asked with a genuine smile.
"Play for barbecue!" Hulk said, clearly excited.
Owen looked at Nathaniel with respect. He understood the plan perfectly"make Hulk associate something he likes with Nathaniel's presence. That way, he'd see him as a friendly figure. Nathaniel was even willing to lose on purpose, just so Hulk would think of him as the guy who brings delicious food.
"See that rock?" Nathaniel said, pointing at two stones. "I'll take the small one and you take the big one. Whoever throws it farther wins. Then I'll tell the guys over there to bring you your barbecue."
Hulk didn't even wait for a signal. He grabbed the larger rock"about the size of a car"and threw it like it was paper. It soared through the air and vanished into the horizon.
Nathaniel smiled, picked up the smaller rock, and tossed it too"though it barely went a few meters.
"Darn. I lost," Nathaniel said with a mock-disappointed look. "Now I'll tell the men to bring the barbecue, okay?"
"Yes," Hulk answered happily.
Nathaniel gave a hand signal, and the soldiers from the second vehicle brought out a giant pot filled with meat. Four people carried it with effort.
Hulk saw the food and rushed toward them. The soldiers, though well-trained, showed a flicker of fear. Still, they quickly put on serious faces and gently set the pot down, standing firm.
Hulk shoved his hands into the pot and began pulling out pieces of meat, eating them joyfully.
Owen and Nathaniel approached him calmly.
"Anytime you want food, just ask the soldiers who wear clothes like that," said Nathaniel, as Hulk kept eating.
Hulk looked at the four soldiers. They, with discipline, gave him a respectful military salute.
Owen noticed they were holding back their fear as best they could. But it seemed Nathaniel had given them very specific orders to stand their ground and not move.
"Good," said Hulk, going back to ignoring the soldiers"who all let out a synchronized sigh of relief.
"No wonder he's a general," Owen commented, watching Nathaniel, who had managed to win Hulk over in just one conversation… and even allowed ordinary soldiers to be near him without being sent flying.