Chapter 2: Chapter 2
I had negotiated a deal with the organisation to fly to Pandora with Sylvie, and I was promised time to work on her cure while I was there. I felt anxious, eager, but above all, scared of the promise I had made. I wasn't sure if I would be able to save her, but I had to try. This seemed like the only chance we had, I thought to myself as we set out towards the camp where our voyage would begin.
It had been some time since I had the means to work on something bigger, as I had only had a small lab for the previous 40 years. I didn't have the same desire to enter the fray and fight as I did back then. It was the first time in a long time that I would be on a team. Forget working, I hadn't even known more than five people in the last 10 years.
While I was lost in these thoughts and staring at Sylvie in the front passenger seat, we arrived at the camp.
"Hi Bruce, glad to see you could make it," said the man in the black suit. "Just in time too…"
"Here, let me introduce you to someone," he continued. "This is Dr. Grace Augustine, a Xenobotanist who specialises in the study of alien flora, fauna, and ecosystems. You will be working alongside her and her team while on Pandora."
Dr. Augustine was an older woman with a strong and confident presence. She had a tall and lean figure, standing out in a crowd, and possessed a commanding presence that exuded intelligence and determination. Her hair was a striking shade of silver-gray and was usually styled in a short, slightly tousled manner, suggesting her maturity and wisdom.
She smiled at me and extended her hand. I shook her hand and introduced myself, "Bruce, Bruce Banner. I mainly focus on radiology and its effects on life forms."
"Oh, that's just perfect. We could use a man like you there," she said with a sparkle in her eyes. "Considering the whole planet looks like one giant glow-ball at night. We are not sure what is causing it, but it looks like some form of bioluminescence integrated into almost every plant and animal." Her excitement reminded me of my past and the man I once was. I wished I could reciprocate it.
Our journey had begun. The ISV Venture Star, a sleek and streamlined spacecraft of several hundred metres, awaited us. Its exterior was predominantly silver with hints of blue, showcasing a combination of smooth curves and sharp edges. The interior was equally impressive, designed to accommodate a large crew and carry a significant amount of cargo. It had various sections for living quarters, research labs, storage areas, and command centres. They had placed us in cryo pods for the duration of the journey.
All I could think about were Nate's eyes, filled with so much sorrow and pain, yet still holding a glimmer of hope because of the promise I had made, a promise I wasn't even sure I could fulfill.
As I drift into a deep sleep, his words echo in my mind, "Keep her safe, will ya?" as we leave.
my mind keeps racing as I start to lose consciousness.
I find myself in a dimly lit, cluttered living room filled with old creaking furniture. Books line the shelves, and dust dances in the sunbeam coming through a crack in the curtains. Once again, I have fallen asleep in the chair, only to be abruptly woken up by a KNOCK at the door.
At first, I try to ignore it, but the knocking persists. Reluctantly, I get up and shuffle to the door, peering through the peephole. I see a lively kid wearing a backpack not more than 10-11 years old, bouncing with excitement.
With hesitation, I open the door a crack. Undeterred, Sylvie squeezes her way in, looking around with wide-eyed curiosity.
"What took you so long?" she asks.
Confused, I inquired, "Who are you?"
"I have to use your washroom. Quickly, move," she says as she barges in.
"To the left," I yell, watching her disappear into the room.
"Sorry, my dad hogs the toilet for a very long time, and I figured you would be home since no one sees you leaving your house."
"It's alright. Well, if you're done now…"
"Hey, what's that?" she says, going to pick up the photo frame.
"Stop! Don't touch that," I raise my voice.
"Sorry. Geez. Hi! I'm Sylvie! What's your name?" she says with a mischievous grin.
Irritated, I reply, "I'm Bruce, and this is my house. Well if you're done, there's the door"
""Hey, be nice. We are neighbours you know.. Me and my dad, we live in this building too"
"Okay and ..?"
"And i would like to be your friend" She says, widening her smile from ear to ear, like a cartoon character about to do something mischievous.
"I don't have any friends here and it can get quite boring sometimes talking to just my dad" she continues
"Well i have a lot of friends, don't really need another one right now" I say, snarkily
She starts giggling and looks around the room "Well no ones gonna believe that"
"If you're done, I would like to go back to my reading. Alone "
Once again, she ignores me and starts exploring the living room, picking up trinkets and examining them.
"Your house is so cool! I love all these old things!"
"It's not a museum, you know. And kids aren't supposed to be poking around where they don't belong," I say with a sigh.
Sylvie picks up an antique hourglass, turning it upside down.
"What's this, Uncle? Time running out for you?" she teases.
Panicked, I rush over and grab the hourglass.
"That's an Antique! Put it down!"
Sylvie innocently places the hourglass back, but accidentally knocks over a stack of books, causing a domino effect. Books cascade to the floor, creating chaos. Frantically, I try to catch them, but end up knocking over a glass of water, making me jump as water spills onto my trousers.
Irritated, I ask, "What's the matter with you? Are you some kind of trouble magnet?"
Sylvie bursts into laughter, finding the situation uproariously funny.
"Maybe I am, Mister! But this is way more fun than sitting at home!" Sylvie exclaims.
Bruce glares at her but can't help cracking a reluctant smile.
"You're a handful kid " Bruce sighs.
Sylvie's eyes light up, realising she's made a connection. "See? I knew there was more to you than just grumpiness!" she says excitedly.
For a while, we spend time together going over various books and trinkets lying around the house until we are pulled back to reality by another knock on the door.
It's Nate, the first time I met him. He was a well-built man, well-dressed and groomed, and looked a lot younger—a man with vitality and hope, radiating warmth with his bright smile. He was oblivious to the heart-wrenching tragedy poised to cast a shadow over his existence.
"There you are, Sylvie!" Nate says.
"I am so sorry about her. You take your eyes off of her for one minute, and she's halfway towards burning the house down."
After a short pause "Hope she didn't bother you much."
" I'm Nate Richards. Her father. We live a few doors down, and yet we haven't spoken till now!" Nate introduces himself with a bright smile.
"Bruce Banner," I say.
"I can see why now. Not much of a talker, are you?" he jokes.
"We don't see you leaving the house. Not gonna lie, I was scared for a second. Glad to see her enjoying herself here."
" She is ..... quite Spirited "
"That she is, got it from her mother I believe. Sylvie, let's go," Nate directs.
"But I wanna stay here" Sylvie protests.
"Let's not bother Mr. Banner. We also have lots of work to do at home. Help your dad, Miss."
"You can come back anytime you want. Not like I am going anywhere," I say already regretting my words as they came out.
"Really? Well, I didn't think you'd want me back. I will hold you to your words, then," she says elated.
"Don't make me take them back, then."
"Let's gooo, Dad. Lots of work to do," Sylvie runs out, tugging along Nate's arm.
"Have a nice day, Bruce, and thank you for taking care of her!" Nate yells as he is being pulled away.
As the sun sets, I go to make dinner for myself. I cannot stop thinking about all the events that took place today. It had been a while since I smiled or felt anything.
It was a good day.
Soon it became a common occurrence; she would visit often, spending the day going through my books and talking about her day. She would ask about my past, but I would divert the question. Even Nate would tag along once in a while, he was my biggest source of the outside news and a new friend after a long while.
One day, while I wasn't looking, she entered the room I had transformed into my makeshift lab. Startled, I said, "Hey, you shouldn't be in here."
"Woah, why was this closed? What's all this, Uncle?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Nothing. Just work," I replied, feeling slightly flustered.
She picked up a petri dish and examined it. "What's this for?" she inquired, her eyes wandering to the microscope, where a sample of cells lay.
"Ew, what's this green thing?" she wrinkled her nose looking into the microscope
"That's a cell," I explained. "Cells are what we are all made of—every being on this Earth has a basic component called a cell. We are all made up of different types of cells."
"Gross," she exclaimed, her fascination mixed with repulsion.
"Let's get out of here," I suggested, wanting to redirect her attention.
"What do you do here?" she asked, curiosity still lingering in her voice.
"Nothing really... Well, I am working on something that might someday help this world. I want to change it for the better, eliminate hunger and diseases, or at least try to," I replied.
"Well, can you bring back chocolates?? I had one quite a few years ago and it still lingers in my mouth. But I heard they are gone now " she asked, her eyes shining with hope.
I chuckled. "I can try... for you."
" awww.... thank youuu"
Her excitement overwhelmed her, and she jumped forward to hug me, accidentally knocking into a beaker with her elbow. It fell and shattered into several pieces.
"Careful!" I shouted, but quickly added, "It's alright. We can't fix what's broken, but we can clean up the mess together, Miss Trouble Magnet." I grabbed a broom and dustpan, and she joined me, apologising as we worked side by side.
Before long, she became a frequent visitor to the lab, her curiosity growing as she asked questions and eagerly absorbed knowledge. It was evident that her interest in science was blossoming, steadily expanding with each interaction. She also helped with cleaning and various chores around the house. The once barren house now felt alive, as if a person lived there.
Tired from the day's activities, she went to the couch to take a nap.
"Uncle Bruce, could you please tell me a story?" she requested, her eyes pleading.
I hesitated for a moment, thinking. "Alright, alright," I relented, knowing that storytelling was not my forte but wanting to make her happy.
As she nestled on the couch, I began weaving the tale of a fantastical adventure about Thor, the mighty Asgardian god, who finds himself imprisoned on the planet Sakaar, ruled by the eccentric Grandmaster. Stripped of his hammer, Mjolnir, Thor must survive deadly gladiatorial battles. His opponent? His old ally-turned-enemy, the giant green Hulk. Which was won by the Incredible Hulk with his unmatchable strength but then he decided to let Thor live and Together with the cunning Valkyrie and a mischievous Loki, Thor forms a plan to escape Sakaar and save Asgard from the imminent threat of the all-powerful Hela, the goddess of death.
With Hela's forces overpowering Asgard, Thor discovers his true power lies within him, not in his hammer. Embracing his newfound abilities, he leads a rebellion against Hela with Hulk by his side. Thor and his allies confront Hela and her army, sacrificing Asgard to save its people. As Asgard crumbles, Thor realises that its strength lies in its people, not the physical realm. With the survivors aboard a spaceship, they set off to find a new home. Thor takes his rightful place as the king of the people, promising to rebuild Asgard and protect his newfound family.
With each word, her eyes grew heavy
"See Uncle Banner, you can make up some good stories too… "
and soon she drifted off to a peaceful sleep, a faint smile lingering on her lips.
6 YEARS LATER
The living room has undergone a transformation. It's now cosier, adorned with a framed picture of me and Sylvie on the wall. If I were a normal human, I would be in my late 70s, sitting in my favourite armchair, engrossed in a book.
Sylvie, now a teenager, has grown taller with sharper features, sporting short hair and a spark of rebellion in her eyes. She enters the room with a grin on her face.
"Guess what, Bruce? I just got detention again," she announces.
I look up from my book, a mix of amusement and concern on my face. Shaking my head, I respond, "You really know how to push the boundaries, don't you?"
"The world outside is a mess, Bruce. It's falling apart, and nobody seems to care. Detention is nothing compared to that," she defiantly retorts.
I put down the book and gaze at her, a touch of sadness in my eyes. Speaking gently, I say, "I understand your frustration, Sylvie. But there's still good in the world. You have to believe in it. Fighting with everything and everyone is not the answer, you know that, right?"
Sylvie plops down on the couch, crossing her arms. "I try, Bruce. But sometimes it's hard to see it," she sighs.
I joined her on the couch, my voice filled with wisdom. "You know, when I was your age, I thought the same way. But then I realised that change starts with us. We have to be the ones who make a difference, no matter how small."
Sylvie looks at me, contemplation in her eyes. She speaks softly, "Do you really think we can change anything, Bruce?"
I take Sylvie's hand and gaze into her eyes. "Yes, Sylvie. I do. We may not be able to fix the whole world, but we can touch the lives of those around us. And maybe, just maybe, that ripple effect will bring about change."
" Okay, Bruce " she says as if she is speaking to herself. contemplating my words. I am not sure if my words got through to her.
A few weeks later
Sylvie bursts into my house, huffing and looking visibly panicked locks the door behind her.
"I messed up, Bruce!" she exclaims, her voice trembling. "I used my dad's ID to sneak into the corporation he works for. I... tried to steal something, but was unsuccessful and now I think they might be onto me."
Bruce's eyes widened in surprise and concern. "Sylvie, what have you done?" he asks, a mix of worry and disappointment in his voice.
"I heard they have something they have been using to generate energy, they say this could power the whole community for a month. They are hoarding all these resources for themselves while we sit here and suffer. How is that fair?"
"We have to tell Nate about this" i say firmly
"No no, you can't tell him. He will kill me. He might lose his job. Please don't tell him "
Sylvie's eyes welled up with tears. "I thought I could make a difference, Bruce," she confesses, her voice shaky. "I thought I could expose the lies and injustice, that even though we struggle to survive they have been living on their thrones, above everyone "
my expression softens as I realise the turmoil Sylvie is going through. I reach out to her, wanting to console her, but she pulls away.
"I understand, but what you did wasn't right either " I say with a increasing concern in my voice
"You don't understand, Bruce! You're always talking about making a difference, but what have you actually done? Sitting in your cosy house, reading books, while the world is falling apart!" Sylvie's voice quivers with anger and frustration.
I feel a pang of hurt at her words, but remain composed. "Sylvie, I may not be out there causing chaos, but been trying to help others. I've spent years working on projects to bring a positive change," I respond,my voice calm but resolute.
Sylvie's anger intensifies. "Well, it's not enough! You're not enough!" she shouts, her voice filled with bitterness. "I thought you were different, that you would understand, but you're just like everyone else"
Her words sting, and my face reflects the hurt I feel. However, I understand that Sylvie is acting out of frustration and desperation and that there is some truth to her words.
Have I really been trying or just telling myself that I have, so I can live with myself?
"Sylvie, I may not be able to solve all the problems in the world, but I know that stealing and causing harm is not the way," I said, my voice filled with a mix of firmness and compassion. "There are better ways to fight for justice and create change. Let me help you."
But Sylvie's anger has consumed her, and she abruptly turns towards the door. "You can't do anything! You're just a washed-up old man stuck in his comfort zone," she retorts, her voice laced with bitterness. "I'll find my own way."
With those words, Sylvie storms out of the house, leaving me alone in the room. She stopped visiting for a while.
Then a few weeks later I heard from Nate that she had collapsed and was taken to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a neuro degenerative disease.
I couldn't sleep for a while so I decided to take a lot more of the sleeping pills I had stashed.
I am suddenly awakened by a voice saying, "We have reached." I am not sure who it was; my vision is blurry, and my hearing is distorted. I quickly get up and look at Sylvie's cryo-pod. She is still inside, looking calm, almost making me second-guess whether I should wake her up right away.
I decided to get out, still hazy and floating without gravity. There I saw PANDORA.
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