Bruce Banner | 001 | Video

[greenisnteasy]

Hi. My name's Bruce Banner. I'm a doctor and a scientist. Not to flood everyone with information or to alarm anyone, I feel like I need to say a few things.

If you could gather up the medicine you find in your house and bring it to the pharmacy in the middle of the town, that'd be appreciated. You're welcome to keep a small supply of your typical things, like aspirin, but it'd be a good idea to centralize everything else.

Clearly whoever was living here left in a hurry. Keep an eye on yourselves for signs of illness, including radiation sickness, in case there was a biological reason for the evacuation. Nausea and vomiting are going to be your first indicators that something could be wrong radiation-wise.

I could make a Geiger counter or something similar to test the radiation levels, but I need some electronic parts, and I can't seem to find any except for these cameras. And I don't really recommend taking those apart unless you like getting electrocuted and blacking out.

[That had been fun, and by fun he means he was incredibly grateful that he hadn't Hulked out.]

If you find any parts that don't give you a shocking experience, could we share?

Um... Keep calm and carry on. [But no really, he hopes they can avoid some The Monsters are Due on Maple Street style panic.]

Comments

[thezerothlaw]

It's quite fine with me. I merely needed that limit to be made clear. Believe me, Dr. Banner, the limitation is for your own safety, and not my own.

[He moves inside, looking around and committing what he sees to memory.]

Is there somewhere I should position myself?

[greenisnteasy]

You can have a seat there, if you'd like. [He indicates a chair and hovers nearby, hands in his pockets.]

What do you mean, 'my own safety'?

[thezerothlaw]

[Daneel sits, watching Bruce calmly, although the question is one he's not very comfortable with, and some of his disquet does show on his face.]

I was given a warning, shortly after I arrived here. If anyone attempts to do anything of the sort with my inner workings, then everyone here will be killed.

[He says it with difficulty. The idea of being directly responsible for so many deaths is painful.]

It is not something I am pleased about, Dr. Banner.

[greenisnteasy]

[It's like a splash of cold water all over his science boner. He stops fidgeting excitedly, growing still and raising his eyebrows.]

Yeah, I wouldn't think so. How were you given this warning? Did anyone talk to you?

[thezerothlaw]

There was a voice that came from my wrist communicator. It sounded to me like another robot, but he did not respond to my questions. Either he was ordered not to answer questions, or it was merely a prerecorded voice. I haven't determined which, though I favour the latter theory.

[After all, any robot of his acquaintance would have found it difficult even to announce something like that. He has enough trouble with it himself.]

I don't understand why I should have this limitation placed upon me.

[greenisnteasy]

Well that's obvious, isn't it? They don't want us getting access to technology, and they zap us if we so much as try to dismantle the most technologically advanced thing we have handy. [He gestures up to the cameras, and then pulls his hand back in to his waist. He hesitates before he presses on, his eyes flicking up to Daneel.]

Except for you.

[thezerothlaw]

Then your hypthosis is that I'm under this restriction for the same reason that the cameras are to be considered off-limits.

[It explains without really answering; why should he be permitted to be here at all? It isn't logical, but humans are not always logical, and perhaps he needs to serve some purpose here.]

It seems a very drastic method, Dr. Banner, but I cannot fault your reasoning.

[greenisnteasy]

[Why are any of them here? What logic was there in deciding who was zapped in and who wasn't?]

I know it's not very pleasant reasoning, but it seems the only explanation. Whoever brought us here wanted you here for a reason, and obviously not to farm out your tech to us.

[thezerothlaw]

Then I can only hope that this restriction will not apply if I need to perform some sort of repairs on myself.

[Which could be a serious concern. If he were to break down entirely, he certainly couldn't keep anyone from taking him apart, and he doesn't know their captors well enough to judge how merciful they might be in that case. Daneel looks up at Bruce, his expression serious.]

You may still examine me, if you wish, if you consider the risk minimal enough.