I12DT: Stan's Lab - Energy Beings Not-So-Anonymous

[David Andros]

After a phone call or two, Dave had arranged to meet the illustrious Doctor Bowen. After exhaling, he walked through the door.

[Stan Bowen]

"David Andros?"

A bearded man with white hair in a lab coat poked up above a wall, looking at the newcomer.

[David Andros]

"That would be me," he answered as he took off his shades to show his softly glowing eyes. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

[Stan Bowen]

"Glad to help, it's what I do. Care to step over to my desk?"

He indicated towards an office area to the side.

[David Andros]

"Certainly," he answered, casting a slightly nervous glance at the lab equipment as he went.

[Stan Bowen]

"Ah, don't worry too much about the equipment. It's mostly non-invasive, used for scanning and investigation."

He took a seat opposite David! and reached for a notepad.

"How are you doing? Are you settling in ok?"

[David Andros]

"It's an adjustment moving up to the big leagues. The other Avengers seem nice enough though."

[Stan Bowen]

"Well, don't feel too much pressure at the moment.. I think, for now, we just want to get a handle on how things function, after your.. Incident? Incident."

He leaned back in his chair, getting ready to take notes.

"Why don't you tell me about yourself, to begin?"

[David Andros]

"Alright, but there's nothing terribly interesting. I grew up in Lucerne, went to university in Geneva, got a degree in environmental science because I wanted to save the world, failed at actually getting to use said degree, and found I was at least good for flying a helicopter."

"Guess I might get to save the world after all."

[Stan Bowen]

"And about the incident? The crash?"

[David Andros]

"The security company I was working for was running a secure rapid transport of a cargo they told us was rapidly degrading. They neglected to mention that their cargo was an intelligent being made desperate to escape by endless cruel experiments . Even then, the consequences of his escape pained him greatly. So much that he sacrificed himself to save the wounded survivor, me. All that is left of him is now part of me."

[Stan Bowen]

Stan nodded, making notes.

"And how do you feel now, compared to before? Weaker or Stronger? Lighter or heavier? More or less energetic?"

[David Andros]

"Stronger, lighter, faster, more energetic, and no longer have any scars or seem to have any health issues of any kind. But then they can't exactly analyze a blood sample to check."

[Stan Bowen]

Stan nodded, remembering the preliminary report.

"We'll need to figure out a technique to work with your new blood type.. Without crystallizing it in the air. But we have time to work on that. You must have lots of your own questions."

[David Andros]

"I actually know quite a bit about what I now am, for the merging is a rare but documented practice in his world. But the Vanadi... that's what they call themselves... or that worlds humans for that matter, don't understand themselves in a particularly scientific way. How their abilities actually function is all but entirely unknown to them. On top of that, having to use anything more than minimal force isn't common to them."

[Stan Bowen]

"Well, I can help with the "how" of your new situation. I'm actually relieved you have a good understanding of the social aspects."

[David Andros]

"Though this world is extremely different from his."

[Stan Bowen]

"I would imagine, quite so."

[David Andros]

"Even now, the facet of me that is he is especially disturbed by the amount of conflict in this world."

[Stan Bowen]

"Well, everyone here are doing what we can to limit that conflict as much as we can."

[David Andros]

"That's exactly why I believe I can trust you."

[Stan Bowen]

Stan nodded, putting down his notes.

"A good place to start, would be a summary of what you are capable of, and what you are experiencing difficulty with."

[David Andros]

"I can change into a being of solid energy that produces nearly no more heat than the human body and almost no radiation, nowhere near harmful levels. Blasts of it hit like... really hard gelatin, I guess? I'm not sure how to describe it, just that it seems only to do impact damage. Oh, and bullets sometimes go through me. And, well, the flying... and the mind-talking."

[Stan Bowen]

Stan nodded.

"Flight is very common with energy-based bodies, as well as some degree of intangibility. I'm glad the radiation emissions haven't been an issue either.. Any difficulties? Any issues with dealing with your new situation?"

[David Andros]

"I still wear sunglasses to hide my eyes most of the time."

[Stan Bowen]

Stan smiled.

"Due to sensitivity? Or due to the new appearance?"

[David Andros]

"The latter."

[Stan Bowen]

"Well, I think that just about everyone here wouldn't be put off by your eyes, but it's up to you. Sometimes, it helps to adjust to the new status quo slowly."

[David Andros]

"I'll admit that here it's just silly."

[Stan Bowen]

"Well, I suppose we could work up some sort of contact lens to filter out your particular wavelength, making your eyes appear standard."

[David Andros]

"I'd have to replace them a lot."

[Stan Bowen]

"Well, I do suppose sunglasses are cheaper."