American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

Chief Henderson's expression was serious but firm. "This is a dangerous plan, Hall. But considering what we're facing, and how conventional channels have proven ineffective, I agree that this may be our best option."

Dr. Morgan agreed, stating, "Project X will provide full support. We have every reason to believe that if Black Hawk isn't stopped, their persecution of mutants will only increase."

Lynn looked around the room and saw the determination on everyone's faces. "Well then, let's begin. First, let's help Dr. Banner."

Over the next week, the haven became the center of intense preparation. Under Dr. Morgan's supervision, Banner began a series of consciousness fusion therapies. Banner was visibly nervous before the first therapy session, but remained determined to try.

“The treatment chamber is ready, Dr. Banner,” Dr. Morgan said, leading Banner, Lynn, and Gwen into a circular, high-tech laboratory. “The process may be a little uncomfortable, but there will be no real danger. Safety protocols are in place, and the system will automatically inject sedatives if there are any signs that the transformation is about to go out of control.”

Banner studied the treatment chamber—a transparent, oval-shaped pod filled with various monitoring devices and biofeedback systems. “It looks a lot like a meditation pod,” he commented, trying to mask his nervousness with humor.

“That’s essentially true,” Dr. Morgan said with a smile, “only with more neuroscience and quantum biophysics involved.”

Gwen took Banner's hand in support. "You don't have to do this, Bruce."

Banner smiled in response. “No, I need to do this. Not just for the plan, but also for myself. For too long, I’ve viewed the Hulk as an enemy, a threat that needs to be suppressed and controlled. Perhaps it’s time to try a different approach.”

He took off his coat, leaving him in only specially designed elastic shorts, and stepped into the treatment chamber. Technicians began connecting various sensors to his body, explaining the function of each device.

“These will monitor your brain waves, heart rate, adrenaline levels, and muscle activity,” a technician said. “This data will help guide you to the edge of transformation, but not completely over it.”

Banner nodded, lay down, and tried to relax. The hatch closed, and the interior lights turned a soft blue. Dr. Morgan spoke through the communication system, his voice echoing throughout the cabin.

"First, Dr. Banner, we will guide you into a state of deep relaxation. Then, we will gradually introduce stimuli that may trigger emotional responses, but the intensity will be carefully controlled. The goal is to bring you close to a state of transition, but to maintain sufficient awareness and control."

Banner took a deep breath. "I understand. I'm ready."

The treatment began, and the others in the lab observed the entire process through monitors. Banner's vital signs were displayed on the screen; as he entered a state of deep relaxation, his heart rate and blood pressure gradually decreased.

“Now,” Dr. Morgan’s voice rang out again, “I want you to imagine the Hulk. Not as a threat or an enemy, but as a part of you, a part that wants to express and protect. Imagine you are talking to him.”

Banner's brainwaves began to change, indicating that he was entering a state between wakefulness and meditation.

“I saw him,” Banner’s voice came through the communication system, slightly trembling. “He looked angry, but maybe there were other emotions too. Fear? Loneliness?”

“Very good,” Dr. Morgan encouraged. “Now try to communicate with him. Not with commands or control, but with understanding and cooperation.”

Over the next few minutes, Banner's reaction became more intense. Monitors showed his adrenaline levels rising, muscle activity increasing, and his skin beginning to show a faint green tinge. But remarkably, his brainwaves still indicated that he remained fairly conscious.

“He understands me,” Banner’s voice deepened, but remained discernible, “not through words, but through feeling and intention. He wants to protect the existence of expression.”

“This is progress,” Dr. Morgan whispered to Lynn and Gwen. “He’s building connections, not suppressing.”

Suddenly, the readings on the monitor changed drastically, Banner's body began to tremble slightly, and the green tinge on his skin became more pronounced.

“His heart rate and adrenaline have suddenly spiked,” a technician warned. “He’s approaching the transition threshold.”

Dr. Morgan quickly decided, "Activate directional spectral stimulation to help him stabilize."

The laboratory was bustling with activity as technicians adjusted equipment, projecting light of specific wavelengths into the treatment chamber. Banner's vital signs gradually stabilized, the green tinge faded, but he remained in a peculiar state of consciousness.

“Dr. Banner,” Dr. Morgan said through the communication system, “if this becomes too intense, we can end the treatment immediately. Do you want to continue?”

Banner's answer was unexpected: "No, I'm fine. In fact, this is the first time I've been able to sense him so clearly, instead of immediately losing control. Let's continue."

The treatment continued for nearly an hour, with Banner repeatedly teetering on the brink of transformation before returning to a stable state. Each time, he seemed to gain a better understanding and acceptance of the Hulk's presence.

Finally, the treatment ended, and Banner emerged from the pod, exhausted but invigorated. “It was…revelation,” he said, taking the water glass Gwen offered. “I’ve never experienced a transformation like that before. Usually it comes too fast, too intense, leaving no time to think or understand. But this time, I could feel his presence, almost like a separate yet connected consciousness.”

“Your readings are very promising,” Dr. Morgan said, examining the collected data, “especially the brainwave patterns near the transition state. It suggests you may indeed be able to establish a new relationship, one that is more cooperative than adversarial.”

Lynn asked, "Do you think this will help with the complete shift in control?" Banner thought for a moment, "I think so. At least, I understand the process and triggers of the shift better now. And, most importantly, I'm starting to believe that the Hulk isn't just a runaway monster. He might have his own purposes and intentions, just expressed in different ways."

Over the next few days, Banner continued his treatment, making further progress with each session. By the fifth session, he was able to remain mostly conscious in a near-complete transformation and even had limited control over parts of his body's transformation—for example, allowing one arm to turn green and gain strength while the rest of his body remained normal.

“This is a major breakthrough,” Dr. Morgan excitedly reported to the team. “Dr. Banner is achieving what we call ‘fusion state’—the coordinated work of human consciousness and the Hulk’s power. Of course, it’s far from perfect, but the progress is significant.”

Meanwhile, Chief Henderson contacted Colonel Roderick and, after a secret meeting and a detailed presentation of evidence, successfully secured his cooperation. Colonel Roderick, a principled soldier, was outraged by Black Hawk's activities, especially after learning how they were using government resources for illegal human experimentation.

Gwen and Ethan also completed their part, creating a series of elaborately fabricated communications and research data suggesting that Dr. Banner had collaborated with scientists at Dune Outpost to develop a technology capable of controlling transformations while remaining conscious. This misinformation was carefully placed within channels that Black Hawk might be monitoring, but discreetly enough not to appear too obviously a trap.

Finally, after Banner's seventh treatment, the team regrouped to assess the readiness.

“Dr. Banner, do you think you’re ready?” Lynn asked seriously.

Banner stood in the center of the room, looking more confident and calm than when they first met. “I wouldn’t say I’ve completely mastered control, but I’ve certainly made significant progress. More importantly, I’m beginning to understand that the Hulk isn’t just a beast that needs to be suppressed, but a part of me, a part with its own purpose and protective instincts.” To demonstrate his progress, Banner closed his eyes and concentrated; his right hand and arm gradually turned green, the muscles noticeably enlarging, while the rest of his body remained unchanged. After a few seconds, the green faded, and his arm returned to normal. “Not perfect, but much better than I could do before.”

Dr. Morgan added, "Based on our data, Dr. Banner is now able to maintain approximately 60% awareness and control during the transition, at least in the initial stages. This is an impressive improvement, considering the short timeframe."

Chief Henderson nodded. "Colonel Roderick is ready. The security system at Dune Outpost has been modified to record any intrusions without revealing the purpose. He has also assigned a small team of trusted soldiers to provide support if necessary, but the primary objective is to avoid direct conflict and casualties."

Lynn turned to Gwen and Ethan, "Where's the bait?"

Gwen answered confidently, “It’s all set up. We’ve created a series of emails and documents showcasing Dr. Banner’s collaboration with the base’s biomedical department to develop a stable serum. Most importantly, we’ve set a schedule for tomorrow afternoon’s ‘final testing,’ giving Blackhawk a clear timeline that requires immediate action.”

Ethan added, "To increase credibility, we also created some deliberate 'security loopholes' to make Black Hawk believe they discovered this information through their own skills, rather than being intentionally fed it to them."

“Victor,” Lynn turned to the mutant, who now looked much healthier, “what kind of force do you think Black Hawk will send?”

Victor thought for a moment. “Given the importance of the target, they will deploy elite forces, possibly including other enhanced agents. If I know Stern correctly, he might even personally command this operation. Project Emerald Fist is too important to him to delegate to subordinates.”

Lynn nodded. "That would be an added bonus—if we could capture Black Hawk's top brass, it would significantly weaken the entire organization."

Erin and Marcus also reported on their preparations. The two, along with several other mutant agents from Project X, would remain concealed near the base, ready to intervene at any time, especially if Black Hawk did send enhanced agents.

“Well then,” Lynn concluded, glancing around at everyone in the room, “the plan will be executed tomorrow. The schedule is as follows: 3 p.m., Dr. Banner should appear at the dungeon outpost at the false time; 2 p.m., I, Director Henderson, and several agents will arrive at the base and meet up with Colonel Roderick; Eileen and Marcus’s team will be in position around the perimeter; Gwen and Ethan will be monitoring communications and data streams from the command center here. Once Black Hawk makes its move, we will activate the trap.”

Director Henderson stood up, his expression serious but resolute. “This is a dangerous operation, but we have no other choice. Black Hawk International must be stopped. Their persecution of innocent mutants, their corruption of government structures, and the potential dangers of the Emerald Fist program must all end. I want to thank everyone who participated in this operation; your courage and determination will help us achieve justice.”

The room was filled with a tense but determined energy; everyone knew tomorrow would be a decisive day. The plan was in place, the preparations were complete. Now, all that remained was for Black Hawk International to take the bait and walk into the carefully laid trap.

As night fell, most of the people in the haven tried to rest, conserving their energy for tomorrow's challenges. Lynn stood on the observation deck of the platform, gazing at the boundless ocean and starry sky. Gwen walked over to him, and the two stood in silence for a while.

"Do you think this will work?" Gwen finally asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

Lynn took a deep breath. "It has to be effective. We've considered every variable and prepared contingency plans as much as possible. But there are always unforeseen factors in such operations."

“Like Dr. Banner’s control abilities?” Gwen asked.

Lynn nodded. "Yes, that's a variable. But I believe in the progress he's making. He's no longer the person who was terrified of himself when we first met. He's beginning to understand and accept that the Hulk is a part of him, not just a monster that needs to be suppressed."

Gwen leaned against the railing. "You know," she said, "I've been thinking that maybe we all have our own 'Hulk'—those parts of ourselves we try to suppress or deny. Maybe true power comes from accepting and integrating those parts, not from fighting them."

Lynn pondered this point. "Perhaps you're right. This experience has indeed made me rethink a lot of things—about power, control, and how we define 'normal' and 'different.'"

In the scorching, dry desert of New Mexico, the dune outpost sits in a relatively flat expanse of desert, surrounded by rolling dunes and sparse shrubs. The base itself consists of a series of low concrete buildings, surrounded by tall fences and watchtowers. From the outside, it appears to be just another ordinary military research facility.

At 1:45 PM, Lynn, Director Henderson, and several agents arrived at the base. After undergoing a rigorous security check, they were taken to the base's command center. (End of Chapter)