(Should probably add that it is currently 2005 at this point of the story.)
Walking in a straight line, me and my team of fourteen walked into the large main entrance to the base.
It might as well have been considered a cavern, for the sheer size of the space was staggering.
The ceiling soared high above us, disappearing into darkness, as if it were connecting the earth to the heavens.
The walls were fortified, made of thick concrete slabs that seemed impervious to any external threat.
All the way at the far end was the entrance, large blast doors that were seven feet thick.
Currently filling the cavern were large dark green humvees and nearly every armored vehicle you could think of, and large shipping containers holding who knew what.
"This way!" I said, leading my team towards the gathered group of men close to the sliding open blast doors.
"Jacob's. Take your team and stay on security. My team, stay close to me but fan out." I said as we approached the group of high ranking officers.
Splitting from the group, Jacob's, led his men into a security shield bubble position.
Meaning they would form a perimeter around us, ready to respond to any threats.
"So good of you to show up." General Ross said as I approached.
"Yes, sir." I said as the doors finished opening and a black BMW pulled in.
Positioning myself to the rear of the group, I kept my head on a swivel, ready for any premonitions or anything I saw that looked wrong or off to me.
I ignored the hum of conversation as a man stepped out of the back of the SUV, my job more important to me than conversation.
Quickly, the crowd parted in my current line of sight to reveal a youngish looking man with curly black hair and a scruffy beard, not exactly what I had been expecting.
He also wore clothes that looked to be a bit too baggy for his short and skinny frame, not the expensive suit and tie I had imagined in my mind.
"Dr. Banner," General Ross said, guiding the Dr towards me. "This is Staff Sergeant Cole. He will be in charge of your security here at Base Gamma."
Snapping to attention, I looked the Dr over as the General continued.
"He's one of our best, and will make sure you have everything you might need." He said, patting Dr. Banner on his shoulder.
"If you would, Sergeant, show Dr. Banner to his lab then room. We will have his belongings sent there." The General said, turning and walking towards a Colonel some ten feet away.
Turning to look at me, Dr. Banner fiddled with a watch on his wrist.
"If you would follow me, sir. I'll show you to your lab." I said in a friendly tone.
Nodding his head, he followed after me.
As I walked, I saw that the rest of my team quickly followed, three of them getting in front of us to take the lead.
As we walked, I turned to look at the Doctor.
"First time in a military base?" I asked, figuring it was best to start out slow, gaining his trust over time.
"It is, yes," he said, looking at me. "I have only ever worked at college level facilities before. Never anything like this." He said with a small chuckle.
"Daunting, isn't it?" I asked, watching closely as a group of soldiers walked by.
"You could say that." He said as we entered the maze of hallways towards the Doctors Lab.
"Don't let it get to you too much." I said with a chuckle.
"Easier said than done." Dr Banner said with a shake of his head.
"This won't be like any experiment I have done before," he said, turning his head to look at me. "Now they want results for my work instead of theoretical probabilities."
I tilted my head slightly.
"Well, if you were smart enough to come up with the probabilities, you must be smart enough to make those probabilities come to life." I said, raising a brow.
Banner chuckled.
"I suppose so. But now it's like a weight was placed on my shoulders. It feels different when the stakes are this high. It's not just about numbers on a page anymore; it's about real life, real consequences." He glanced at me with an earnest look, his brow furrowed slightly. "I can't help but wonder if I'm prepared for this."
I could sense the anxiety pouring off him, the pressure of expectations weighing heavily on his thoughts. "You're not alone in this, Dr. Banner," I reassured him, hoping to alleviate some of his worries. "But remember, you have an entire team behind you, ready to support you. Just focus on your work, and we'll handle the rest."
As we continued down the corridor, I pointed out various rooms. "That one over there is the armory, stocked with gear and supplies. And down the hall is the medical bay if you ever need anything urgent." I could see his eyes darting around, taking in his new environment. "And here," I said, stopping in front of a door, "is your lab."
With a swift motion, I unlocked the door and pushed it open.
The lab was expansive, equipped with cutting-edge technology that seemed to hum with potential.
The walls were lined with shelves filled with equipment and research papers, while a large, immaculate workstation stood at the center.
"Impressive, right?" I said, watching his expression transform from uncertainty to awe. "You'll have everything you need right here. Just let us know if you require anything else."
Dr. Banner stepped inside, his eyes gleaming with curiosity as he examined the equipment. "This is... astonishing," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've never had access to such resources before."
"Just wait until you see what you can do with them," I said enthusiastically, sensing his excitement beginning to blossom. "But remember, the US is counting on you to deliver results. No pressure, right?" I added with a grin, trying to lighten the mood.
He smiled back, albeit nervously. "No pressure at all," he replied, his voice laced with irony.
I chuckled, "Just keep your head down and focus on what you do best. We'll take care of the security side of things."
After a moment of silence, he turned to me, his demeanor shifting to serious. "I appreciate that, Sergeant. I've heard stories about this place—the experiments, the secrecy. It can be daunting, as I mentioned before. But I want to do this. I want to help."
"Then you're in the right place," I replied, feeling a rush of camaraderie. "We all have our roles to play. Yours is to innovate, create, and perhaps even change the world."
Just as I finished, the door slid open, and a few of my team members stepped in with some of Dr. Banner's belongings. They began to unpack, setting up his workspace with various materials and personal items.
"Let's get you settled in, Dr. Banner," I said, stepping back to give him space. "Once you're ready, we can go over the security protocols and discuss how we'll protect your work."
As he started to arrange his things, I could see a flicker of determination in his eyes. I was hopeful that he would rise to the challenge and thrive in this high-pressure environment.
After a while, once everything was in place, Dr. Banner turned to me, visibly more at ease. "Thank you, Staff Sergeant. I feel more comfortable already. Let's make the most of this opportunity."
"Absolutely, Doc," I replied, returning his smile with genuine enthusiasm. "Now, let's get you up to speed on the security measures. I'd hate for anything to happen on my watch."