Pentagon, The Next Day
General Ross walked down the corridor towards the Pentagon's main briefing room, his body appearing sturdy but his mind far from calm. His back seemed to carry the weight of the world, and each step echoed heavily off the concrete walls. Behind him, several aides followed with notes in hand, preparing for a meeting that would likely become a political battlefield.
Elsewhere, Betty Ross sat in a small room provided to calm her emotions. Two female soldiers stood like statues in front of the door, watching her with emotionless expressions. After her long cry, Betty's voice began to feel hoarse, but her thoughts remained focused on Bruce Banner. What will they do to him? she thought, the image of Bruce on an operating table haunting her.
Betty tried to speak to the female soldiers. "Can you at least tell me what they're going to do to Bruce?".
One of them answered curtly without turning around. "We weren't told. We're just following orders".
"Whose orders? My father's?" Betty pressed.
The other soldier turned slightly, just to give a cold stare. "We're not here to discuss. Sit down and wait".
Betty sighed in frustration. She knew fighting them wasn't a wise option. This is the Pentagon. I can't even take half a step without being watched. But staying silent wasn't in her nature either.
…
The sound of firm footsteps approached the room. Betty looked up, her eyes widening as she saw who arrived. A burly man in military uniform entered without hesitation. His hard, scarred face reminded Betty of an old wolf who had survived many battles.
Betty recognized him. Emil Blonsky. One of her father's trusted soldiers.
"The General asked me to have a few words with her. You two step out first," Blonsky ordered firmly.
The two female soldiers glanced at each other, seeming hesitant. But Blonsky held a high reputation among Ross's troops. After a moment, they finally turned and prepared to leave the room.
However, as they turned their backs to Blonsky, a sudden action occurred.
"Boom."
A hard blow struck the back of the first soldier's head, knocking her out instantly.
"Boom."
A second blow hit the other soldier, with the same result. Both fell without making a sound.
Blonsky moved quickly. He pulled binding cables from his belt, deftly tying the hands and feet of the two soldiers. Then, he gagged them using cloth from his uniform pocket. All this was done with the calmness of a war veteran.
Betty stood frozen, unsure what to say.
"Look what you've done? Now we have limited time," Blonsky said, waving Betty over. "Come with me".
They exited the room calmly, walking side-by-side like two inconspicuous people. Blonsky wore a military cap covering part of his face, while Betty kept her head down, trying to look ordinary.
The Pentagon, despite being late at night, was still buzzing with activity. Staff moved back and forth, most paying them no attention. But every step they took felt heavy to Betty. Her heart pounded, as if every passerby could see their plan.
Blonsky seemed calm. He even hummed softly, as if enjoying the situation.
After passing through several corridors and turns, they reached the elevator heading to the underground facility. As soon as the elevator doors closed, Betty couldn't hold back any longer.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me?".
Blonsky initially just stared straight ahead, not answering. But when Betty repeated her question, he sighed softly.
"I am a fighter," he finally answered. "And I want to fight him".
Betty frowned. "Fight who?".
"Hulk," Blonsky replied curtly. "He is the only real challenge. I need that fight".
Betty looked at him, confused. "You're doing all this… just to fight him? You know you could die, right?".
Blonsky smiled faintly, a smile that convinced Betty even more that this man was slightly insane. "All true fighters know that risk. But you wouldn't understand".
Betty shook her head. "You're right, I don't understand. But if you want to save Bruce, I'm coming with you".
Blonsky didn't answer again. He just watched the numbers on the elevator display descend, as if counting down the seconds to his battle.