Remembrances: A Meeting of The Minds - Bruce Banner [Side Story]

Aaron couldn't believe his eyes, standing not far from him was the one and only Tony Stark but as much as Aaron wanted to talk to his hero he wasn't ready. He needed time to gather his nerve so he decided to talk to someone else before he made a run at Tony just to build some momentum.

"Is that Bruce Banner?," Aaron thought as his eyes landed on a Man not far from him sipping on a glass of Champagne who looked very nervous and almost as out of place as Aaron himself.

"Well Here I Go."

As Aaron approached his suspicions were confirmed, It was Bruce Banner. He was somewhat shabbily dressed in an off the rack Tuxedo., "It Appears The Rumor's of Banner's Poor Fashion Sense Haven't Been Exaggerated." Aside from his poor wardrobe choices, Aaron took note that Banner was a well-built Man if suffering from bad posture with light brown hair and faded brown eyes behind a pair of thick horn-rimmed glasses.

It only made sense that Banner would be invited to such a Meeting of The Minds, After all he was One of The Ten Smartest People on The Planet and The World's Foremost Expert in The Field of Gamma Physics not to mention that he and Tony Stark had attended Oxford University together where they developed not only a life-long friendship but a friendly rivalry.

"Why Did I Let Tony Talk Me Into Attending His Party.... I Hate Parties!," Banner thought sipping his Champagne,., "I Should Be Taking Betty Out To Dinner... Not Rubbing Elbows With A Bunch of Snobs and Stuffed Shirts."

"Pardon Me Bu...," Dr. Banner heard a youthful voice from behind him that jarred him out of his dour thoughts and back to reality, nearly **** on his Champagne as he turned to see who it was.

Dr. Banner had been at the party for over and hour and aside from Tony no one else had even tried to approach him let alone talk to him but it wasn't anything he wasn't use to. His theories on The Potential Applications of Gamma Radiation Exposure had made him something of a Pariah in The Scientific Community.

Dr. Banner looked at the sharp dressed young Man in front of him and Aaron was surprised that Banner didn't even seem taken aback by his odd appearance as most people were when he met them for the first time but he didn't allow it to deter him.

"Excuse me sir but you wouldn't happen to be The Esteemed Dr. Bruce Banner by any chance would you?," Aaron asked with a genuine smile as he offered his hand for Banner to shake.

Banner shifted his glass from his right hand to his left before smiling and shaking Aaron's hand.

Aaron was surprised by the strength behind Banner's grip and he returned it in kind before Banner said something that surprised him., "Genetic?"

Aaron suspected what he was talking about but he replied cautiously., "You Mean... ?"

"I'm referring to your unusual pigmentation and your low body temperature... I'm guessing its Hereditary. Probably on your Father's side... Am I right?"

"Correct on all counts. It was dormant until activated by trauma when I was a child. It's apparently very rare. I'm surprised you even know anything about it."

"Nuclear Physics and Progressive Applications of Gamma Radiation may be my speciality but it isn't my only area of expertise.," Banner spoke confidently.

"So I see. It was actually your use of Gamma Technology and your discovery of the supposed Gamma Gene that I wanted to talk to you about Dr. Banner."

"It's not Supposed and I Can PROVE IT!"

"It Appears I've Inadvertently Struck A Nerve."

Aaron held up his hands., "Please... I didn't mean to insult your life's work. I only meant that not much information has been released about it so its easy for most people to write it off as Science-Fiction. You haven't published an article on Gamma-related Genetics in the last five years... I know... I've kept an eye out. Your early work on the subject was fascinating but you haven't published anything of substance since."

Banner's face fell and his shoulders slumped., "It hasn't been for lack of trying... But none of the journals will publish my papers. They say its too... Radical... Too Bleeding Edge. Not Mainstream enough."

Aaron snorted., "Narrow Minded Fools that's what they Are! Don't they realize the medical benefits alone could help so many people in need?"

"That's what I said... But try getting them to listen. All most scientists care about nowadays is their image... their reputation and... looking good for the magazines and newspapers... Not Real Progress... Real Change."

Aaron gave Banner a knowing smile., "Progress can be Difficult and Brilliant Individuals like yourself who challenge the established boundaries and offer new ideas that have never been considered before aren't very popular."

Banner relaxed., "Then you do understand?"

"Yes. I understand. I'm in remission for Brain Cancer. None of The Doctors or other so-called Professionals thought I would survive but I was determined to hold on for my Family and the way I did that was through Science. I don't have the benefit of Genetic Enhancement... The same Dormant Atypical Genes responsible for making me what you see prevent me from accepting any kind of Genetic Upgrades... So as a Child can you imagine what it felt like to see the other kids walking, talking, running, and playing while all I could do was watch? Can you imagine the embarrassment for my Mother having to hire specialists to teach me how to walk and talk and read? I was too young and too weak to do anything about it but I understood why everyone looked at me like some freakish curiosity?... Everyone that is but My Mother and Sisters. I began my life way behind every other kid my age but I was determined to measure up and eventually I did. It was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do but I pushed myself everyday and everyday it got easier and easier to catch up. I devoured knowledge like a hungry computer **** to fill its empty memory banks..."

"That's incredible!," Admitted Banner.

"I wasn't afforded the same gifts as everyone else but Nature saw fit to give me some of my own to balance things out. Eventually my intellect not only approached but exceeded that of my peers and in time The Cancer receded, my physique improved from a withered husk of a Man to what you see before you now and along the way I created things to help others and make my mark on this World. My love of Science and the unflagging support of my Family helped me through alot of dark and lonely nights."

"I can't even imagine.," Banner admitted aloud.

"I hope you don't ever have to. I regained my life but I missed alot of precious moments. I know I can't get them back but sometimes when I'm alone at night and its dark I stare up at my ceiling and wonder what it would've been like to be a kid... Running and playing in the yard with my Sisters... Going to school like everyone else... eating my favorite food instead of having it pumped into my body through tubes and needles... I loved a Girl that lived not far from me but I couldn't tell her how I felt knowing that I could die at any moment. How I wish I could've threw stones at her window in the late hours of the night and asked her to walk with me in the park or lay on the grass and look up at the stars while we held hands... But despite all the regrets and didn't haves I've racked up in my admittedly short life I've never let my limitations or people who say "You Can't Do This" or "You Can't Do That" stop me from striving to make myself and this World Better than it was..."

Banner was teary eyed as he listened to Aaron talk about his life and his dreams., "... And I suggest you do the same. Keep at it... Prove them wrong. Show them that they should've been helping you all along instead of telling you you can't."

Aaron and Dr. Banner spent the next 30 minutes talking, Mostly discussing Banner's ideas on The Harnessing of Gamma Energy as a new Power Source and the use of Gamma Irradiation combined with recent advances in Nanotechnology to cure disease, heal injuries and extend a person's lifespan.

How was Aaron to know that not only would this be the last time he would meet Tony Stark but Bruce Banner as well because barely a year later Banner would meet his end in a terrible accident when The Revolutionary Gamma Reactor he was building overloaded and irradiated several hundred square miles of New Mexican Desert killing thousands and producing numerous Genetic Aberrations.

Thanks to Aaron's incredible and sometimes problematic memory he could still remember the moment he heard the news... He had just finished an intense workout in his personal gym in Knowhere and was toweling himself off and about to take a shower when he heard Gog's cute and plxieish voice say., "Father I Think There Is Something You Should See."

"What is it?," Aaron asked as he wiped the sweat from his face and neck.

"It's Dr. Banner...," Gog was silent for several moments., "... Something Terrible Has Happened!"

Aaron paused throwing the towel down on a nearby weight bench., "I'm on my way."

Aaron turned and took only a handful of steps before his thoughts caused the space of Knowhere to ripple and fluctuate around him and within a matter of seconds he was stepping out of a rippling void and into the control hub of his very own Fortress of Solitude. He was greeted by Gog's beautiful, computer generated face on the main monitor except instead of her usual cheery and smiling expression she was sad and solemn.

The shirtless Aaron stopped., "Gog... What's Wrong?"

Immediately the image of Gog on the enormous monitor was replaced by a live news broadcast from New Mexico.

The on-scene news anchor was wearing full hazmat gear., "This is Parker Evans and we are live in New Mexico where earlier today a Catastrophic Overload of The New Gamma Reactor being built at The Los Diablos Military Missile Base has irradiated an estimated 250 square miles of New Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert and is responsible for killing approximately 3,025 People, among them is The Reactor's Creator Dr. Bruce Banner while leaving some 2000 more irradiated..."

Aaron fell back in his chair and slumped down, unable to believe what he was seeing., "H-How... How could this happen? I checked the designs myself... Th-The-They were perfect."

"... It's not clear what lead to The Overload but sources inside The Military say there may be reason to suspect sabotage. We will have more for you as the story develops and this horrible, horrible tragedy unfolds."

"Sabotage?!," Aaron growled at the screen.

"Father... Are you okay?," Gog's worried face reappeared on the screen.

Aaron was silent for several moments., "No Gog I don't think I am... The World has lost a Great Scientist and... I have lost a Friend. I think I want to be alone for a while."

Gog's expression was apprehensive., "As You Wish, Father."

The screen faded to black and the lights dimmed, and Aaron was left alone in the dark to shed a few somber tears for his fallen friend.

"You will be missed.," Aaron's pained voice the only sound within the darkness of Knowhere's command center.

(Dear Reader, As you read this or any other story please remember that if you like any of the chapters that you read please take a second to click "Like". It only takes a second of time and really helps motivate every Author on THE CHYOA SITE to keep on writing and let's us know what we're doing right. So remember to like and bookmark your favorite chapters! Thank you.) - Your Appreciative Author, Marcus Dark