Chapter 134: Bruce Banner's Research

Abandoned New York Gamma Radiation underground base. 2:10 AM.

Through his own search, Bruce Banner successfully powered up the base's backup generator. While the current was insufficient to run all of the facility's equipment, it was enough for Banner. He only needed the gamma radiation emitter to function. To ensure it operated at full capacity, he shut down most of the other instruments, diverting nearly 99 percent of the power to the emitter.

Banner touched the stubble that had grown over the past few days of flight. He hadn't had the chance to trim it, and the slightly prickly sensation reminded him of those early days.

As a man with seven doctorates, Bruce Banner had been invited by his girlfriend's father, General Ross, to participate in the "Super Hero Serum" project, also known as the "Super Soldier Serum." At the time, Banner was unaware of the project's true purpose; he believed he was taking part in a great medical endeavor that would benefit all of humanity.

In the beginning, General Ross told him they had drawn inspiration from the first American superhero, Captain America. They wanted to replicate the serum used by the Captain, but Ross assured him it was not for war. He promised that once developed, the serum would never be used by the military, but would instead reach major medical institutions to save children suffering from terminal illnesses and muscular dystrophy.

"Think about it," Ross had said. "Rogers was so sickly and riddled with infections, yet after the serum, his illnesses vanished, and he became exceptionally strong. I often wonder if we could contribute to those children suffering from genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and terminal conditions. If we replicate this serum and reduce its potency, we could transform it from a weapon of war into a miracle cure."

Those had been the General's words, and at the time, Bruce Banner had actually believed him. Looking back now, he found it incredible. He didn't know if he had been blinded by love or simply led around by the nose by the General’s sophisticated rhetoric. "I was such a pathetic fool back then," Banner thought, unable to help but mock himself.

And so, he began his research into replicating the World War II-era serum. With General Ross's full support and ample military funding, Banner recruited a team of brilliant staff, including his girlfriend, Betty—Ross's daughter. Because of this, it didn't take long for Banner’s research to see significant progress. He had truly created a serum that could enhance human physical performance. However, its effects were modest, falling far short of the rumored Captain America serum, and even further from the medical breakthrough they had originally planned.

Banner was puzzled. It wasn't until one day, while reviewing classified military archives regarding the original Captain America experiment, that he discovered the pivotal role gamma radiation had played. He began to study the connection between the two. But just as his inspiration was peaking, Betty came to him with the news: they had been deceived.

General Ross’s goal was never to save children; it was to mass-produce an invincible army of super soldiers. Even the semi-finished products they had created were already being used in secret military human trials, and a number of soldiers with significantly enhanced physical capabilities had already been produced.

"How are we any different from those damn arms dealers at Stark Industries?" Betty had cursed in rage.

She and Banner left the lab in fury. Betty moved out of her parents' house, broke ties with them, and went to live with Banner. Without their lead scientist, the military's efforts to improve the serum stalled. They tried various experiments on the semi-finished batches Banner had left behind, but all were in vain.

General Ross, having tasted the potential of the serum, was not about to give up. He desperately wanted a super-squad where every member possessed combat prowess rivaling Captain America—a sharp blade that would be invincible in future wars. When the lab couldn't make further progress without Banner, Ross sent men to track down the couple.

Banner refused to return, as he was a man of peace and could not bear the thought that his inventions might become the cause of future wars. But for some reason, Betty agreed to return to the lab. She later told Banner that her mother missed her, and that if she didn't return, her father would forbid them from ever seeing each other again.

Banner remained silent for a long time after hearing this. He ultimately chose to respect Betty's decision. After all, they were her parents, and that bond was not easily severed. Neither did he want to be separated from Betty. In their private discussions, they reached a compromise: they would return to the lab together.

They would continue the research, but it was all a ruse. In reality, they intended to strip away the serum's physical enhancements and truly refine it into a medical serum designed solely for healing. It was a compromise that allowed them to keep their promise against creating weapons while preserving Betty’s relationship with her parents.

Everything proceeded according to their plan. Banner felt his improvements to the serum becoming more mature. He discovered the link between gamma radiation and the serum: high-dose irradiation could amplify the serum's effects tenfold. Most miraculously, it could dissolve all incompatibilities between the serum and the human body, even neutralizing its side effects. It was as if gamma radiation were a universal catalyst.

Banner didn't delve too deeply into the radiation itself, as his primary task was to eliminate the physical combat enhancements and maximize the healing properties. This was the key to turning a weapon of war into a medical miracle. With his genius, this step proceeded smoothly. He even successfully restored the severed limb of a chimpanzee, much like a lizard regrowing its tail.

He and Betty were ecstatic. They felt they were on the verge of changing the entire era of medicine. They prepared to begin human trials. But at that moment, the seemingly stable gamma radiation emitter malfunctioned, leading to a massive leak. Banner, who was in the room, pushed his colleagues to safety, only to be struck by a lethal dose of radiation.

In an instant, his vital signs plummeted. His cells began to break down, and under the sheer intensity of the radiation, he was on the brink of death.