( video )

[hyperkinesia]

[ Bruce greets the camera with a cordial smile, there and gone, replaced with a somewhat tired and worried look. ]

Hi, Moira. Bruce Banner, for those of you who don't know me, and I'm the Chief Science Officer on board. In light of our current situation, I've been working on a number of devices to be placed on the surface of the planet, that once activated will link together and create a barrier around the planet. It will work as a kind of shield that would effectively make it impossible for any ship to dock on the planet, or for anyone to go down to the surface.

I've talked to the captains about this, and we're going ahead with the project. Needless to say that this is incredibly time-sensitive, and while so far everything's going smoothly and the results are promising, I could use as many people with the necessary knowledge involved in this as possible. Science officers on board are working exclusively on this right now, and I'm contacting a few people that I know have the knowledge necessary to help, but if anyone else thinks they have what it takes to join in, drop me a line.

This is a serious request. Don't waste my or anyone else's time, please.

[ Not that he thinks anyone would, but just covering his bases, in case there's some prankster or smartass on board. ]

I'll also need people to place the devices down on the surface of the planet. It's a fairly simple process so no need to have any kind of knowledge about how the machines were built or how they work, so long as you can handle the weight with relative care.

Another note— [ He pauses, presses his lips for a moment. ] Along with a holographic map of our journey, I've been putting together an information file about our current situation, to be delivered to all the new arrivals as they come in. Things I'd like to cover include: where we are, how or why we're here, who here can help them with certain fundamental needs, a rough overview of varying timelines and parallel universes, as well as a general overview of what's happened so far. I'm also planning to include the information regarding the Space 101 lesson that's held after each wave of new arrivals, to those that might need it. There's no guarantee everyone will read it, of course, but it might cut down on the number of people asking similar questions time and again.

Furthermore, I've put together a file about my condition. At this point about half the ship already knows about it, but I'm posting it on public domain and making it available for anyone to consult at any time. This document will also be attached to the main information file when sent to all the new arrivals. For anyone interested in reading it now, follow the link.

[ Attached to the message, follows said link. ]

If anyone wants to suggest any information they think important to add to the main information file, let me know here. As for my personal file, I wrote it because I don't think keeping it a secret is feasible anymore, and even if it were I think it's safer for everyone here to know what they're dealing with, and avoid potentially dangerous situations. I'm not going to write files on everyone on board or anything like that, don't worry.

[ He takes a deep breath, silent, shoulders lowering. ] That's it. Let me know if you have any questions about any of this.

[ And the feed cuts off. ]


(( ooc: details about the machines, how they work or how they're built will be handwaved on my end, since it's all technical gibberish and I don't have the necessary knowledge or the time/patience to go googling about it right now. SORRY. ))

Comments

[skelepun]

[Curse you, Doctor Banner, you vile temptress.]

eh... alright. guess it won't hurt.

seeya then, doc.

[hyperkinesia]

I know. I've been working on a simple enough mechanism for them, but not so simple that one of them could activate it accidentally.

[ Seeing as they communicate amongst themselves, Bruce imagines the information will spread through word of mouth— so to speak. The important thing here is they know why they're setting up these devices, and that they can shut them off later on. Or now, even, if they don't want that added protection; it's their choice to make. ]

I don't know how the shutdown system will work yet, but I can explain you now how to activate the grapples. We can go over everything else later on, once it's all ready to take down to the planet.

[hyperkinesia]

It's supposed to be spelled with a K. [ Artistic liberties alright Peter, give it a break. ]

All of those are great fun, actually. Have you tried any of them yet? By the way, Pong's pretty basic and easy enough to program, so if you like it so much, it's completely doable to set it up for you.

[hyperkinesia]

Well, chances are the ship wouldn't last very long if we were all a group of dumb idiots. [ Not that everyone is a genius on board, but Bruce rather likes the numbers. Makes him feel a little safer, and he knows who's capable and who he can trust to get things done right. ]

[hyperkinesia]

Alright, well... later today? I'm having other people coming by in the meantime, it's better to space it out so it's not too crowded here. [ While he'd save time by explaining the same thing to a larger group, the people working on the devices need the room to move around freely and with little distractions. ]

[hyperkinesia]

That would be ideal, yes.

[ Not only would they destroy the whole planet, they'd probably all die in the fire that would spread across the surface in record time. Or in a likely chain reaction of explosions.

Bruce isn't going to bother telling Bel not to do this, though. That wouldn't change anything. He focuses on getting all the data he can out of the shaky video, frown settled on his features as he watches the place being torn apart. He can't really find wrong in doing that; saying that the museum is morbid and obscene is putting it mildly, the mere knowledge that it existed had made him sick to the stomach.

He just hopes this won't evolve into an open conflict with the hunters, when the whole purpose of these devices was to solve things as peacefully as possible. Some degree of violence was to be expected, once they had to get around to finding a way to kick the hunters out of the planet, but starting now could make things escalate much more seriously and completely out of their control. ]

[hyperkinesia]

[ Bruce nods. Four's good, it's great actually. Especially when he says they each could take more than one device. That might just make things easier, even if they have to take the time to move around from one spot on the planet to the next. He makes a mental note to ask how fast they can go, if they'd even need a transporter like most everyone else. ]

I am, and the department's more or less quiet right now. Come by whenever and we can talk a little more about the details.

[hyperkinesia]

[ Mwahaha. I mean, you're welcome Sans. ]

Great. I look forward to seeing you around.

[hyperkinesia]

Alright. That makes sense, yes.

[ He'd wondered, both after years being part of the Avengers, and the whole thing with Wanda, if his identity would even be a secret anymore— he's not sure if this comforts him or not, but it doesn't really matter right now, anyway. ]

I'll share a little more about it later, if you want. The condition itself. I'm not sure if it's up your alley, but if it interests you, I don't mind talking about it. [ Not that he expects to learn anything new about it, after years of studying it himself, but he does appreciate having people around who don't tiptoe around the subject. ]

lamdksla perfect

[hyperkinesia]

I figured you would. And it's just the kind of thing you excel at, so I really was hoping you'd join in.
You know where to find me, whenever you have the time. You should have no problem catching up to what we've done so far.

[hatesimprovising]

Yeah, and I'm not even sure how many people here have, like, superhuman strength. So two-person teams sounds like a good plan, even if it might mean we have to make a couple of trips to get all the devices down there.

[ A beat. ]

...And, uhm. The whales will be able to survive under this barrier, right? It won't end up damaging their ecosystem in the long run, or anything like that?

[fiercestwarrior]

We have an agreement.

[ She'll come over later, in all her stuffy, pseudo-shakespearian glory. ]

[getweird]

[Scott'd had a lot of time in prison to do a whole lot of nothing. Watching the t.v. and analyzing certain information, plus what Hank had told him. He'd come to the conclusion on his own, but it wasn't a major focus point or something he thought he should tell anyone.]

I'm here and whenever you're free, I'll listen.

[He walks up to the science room door, and steps inside with an impressed look on his face.]

[cookshisgoose]

[She's not average in the slightest, but super strength isn't among her skillset.]

Is there anything else you need help with, then? [Honestly, she doesn't even care what at this point. She just wants to do something.]

I'm already looking forward to it. How long do you think it will be before it's ready?

[hyperkinesia]

Exactly. Possibly not as many as the devices, even if a few already have offered to carry more than one. It could take a while to do that with more than two devices.

[ Bruce smiles at the question and nods promptly. He's been asked that question already. ]

Yes, they'll survive. The barrier won't affect the animals, the planet or its interaction with the system. For instance, it will continue getting energy from the nearest sun, and the atmosphere will still produce the same chemicals through the same reactions. It's really just designed to keep any hunters from getting to the planet.

[hyperkinesia]

Great, I'll be waiting.

[ That's indeed a lot of glory. ]

[hyperkinesia]

[ Bruce doesn't answer the last text, spotting Scott by the door and waving at him from farther away. The area's large but it's not so crowded right now that he wouldn't be able to spot him. ]

Scott, [ He calls out a little louder, then gestures at him to step farther inside. ] Come on in. How are you?

[hyperkinesia]

[ Bruce presses his lips in thought at the question. ]

Well, we always need help assembling the devices. The inner workings are a little more sensitive but the outer shell doesn't take too much scientific knowledge, just some muscle and knowing how to use tools. Would that work for you?

[ Because Peggy is strong, Bruce's pretty sure of that much. She can probably handle that. ]

I gave it a good head start during the beginning of the month, but it's on hold right now, for obvious reasons. I'd like to say It'll be ready by the end of the month, but it depends on how long it takes us to finish these devices and leave Ceta.

[takeitslow]

So what I'm hearing is that spelling stops being important in the future.

I've tried the ones with multiplayer options. That's all BB put on until I got a hold of all of them. [It was a lot of racing and fighting for the two of them.] You know how to program a game? I've messed with the mechanics of arcade games before but I've never thought about doing it from scratch.

[He was surprisingly good with mechanics in his time, but he's not sure he could mess with whatever Bruce cooks up.]

[hyperkinesia]

For a kid who's not a fan of classes, you sure sound strict about proper spelling right now. [ Eyebrow raised. Just saying. ]

I can't do anything too complex, but Pong's simple enough. Just the software should be easy to manage and maybe incorporate into either the MID or whatever video game platform you have. Or we could always build a platform from scratch too, I don't see why not.

[ It's just a very basic kind of computer after all, Bruce can definitely manage something like that. ]

[handing]

[She's not answering his call for scientists, or people to place the devices, for what should be obvious reasons. While her original intent had been to offer her help with the introductory file, what ultimately gets her attention is his willingness to be so open about the Hulk--except maybe that's not the right way to put it. After all, she'd heard about Cadacus Primary after her first transmission, and there seemed to be any number of people who still remembered it. On top of that, clearly that glass planet wouldn't be their only stop on a fragile world--case in point, the planet they're on now.

One that, if Pepper were put into a bad situation, she could easily destroy herself. Thinking of her own condition in those terms terrifies her, to say the least. So on some level, it's easy to understand why Bruce would do such a thing.

It almost makes her wonder if she should too.]

That's very brave of you. [He'll know which part she means, even if Bruce doesn't agree. Being that open isn't something Pepper can't manage, not yet. So she's allowed to admire the fact that he can, regardless of the circumstances that have made it necessary.]

[foggybear]

I can't believe you're the hulk.

[ It's blowing his mind tbh ]

You have brains AND brawn? That's probably the coolest thing I've heard of. Except for the wrecking cities part, that's not so much.

» private.

[hyperkinesia]

[ She's right, Bruce doesn't agree. Not even a little. Which is made more than obvious with the first words out of his mouth, a tone too dry and self-deprecating for it to sound like an even remotely genuine question. ]

Is that what I am? [ No, he's not, she can say all she wants but it won't really pierce through his skull or make any dent in the image he's already built of himself. He clears his throat, leans in to turn the feed private before he goes on to add. ]

I did it because I had no other choice. There's no way of keeping what happened in Caducus Primary a secret, or keeping what I am a secret. It's not about... being brave. I'd be lying if I said it is, but the truth is new arrivals will find out about the— the other guy one way or another, about what he did. I may as well provide that information right from the start, instead of having them come to me for a myriad of clarifications. [ Or excuses, apologies, reasons why the monster did what he did. ] It's also a good way to minimize the number of people shooting darts in my general direction, or getting hostile or violent towards me in any other way.

[ He really doesn't want the Hulk to punch a hole through the ship's hull. ]

Re: » private.

[handing]

[She's expecting some of that, for Bruce to point out all the ways she's wrong to try and point out even the smallest aspect of admirablity in his efforts. And she takes it, silently, lets him spit out the bitterness he feels by spelling out all the reasons Pepper's already pieced together about the why. They're all sound, logical, things she won't argue against because it would be pointless. He's entirely right in his rationale, and if Bruce hadn't come forward himself, if he'd been presented with a mandate to make this move, Pepper might have pointed them out to him should he show reluctance.

But it hadn't come to that. He'd taken control of the situation, out of regret and guilt, out of trying to prevent it from happening again. She swallows, her voice purposely calm as she looks steadily at him through the feed.]

Do you think I'll be able to keep what I am secret for long?

[Or that she even should. They both know what a disaster it would be if Pepper went down to the planet and tripped, or grabbed something the wrong way. But no one else beyond them and Tony share this knowledge. No one else knows what could happen if they touch her at the wrong moment or heaven forbid, if the compound once more breaks down in her system. She's a risk, a walking match waiting to ignite, and the consequences could be just as disastrous under the right circumstances.

That's why he's brave. Even if it's because he's forced to face it, to publicly acknowledge what he is--it's a much nobler step than Pepper has managed to take.]

[hyperkinesia]

I'm not sure 'cool' is what I'd call it. But thanks, I guess.

[ Sarcasm is much more difficult to convey over text, but it's definitely there. ]

I thought Tony or Steve would be cooler. Or Thor.