The robot unit followed the old man further into the abandoned factory. He led them down to the lowest basement level. There was old storage that hadn't been touched in a really long time. Boxes and crates, covered in dust filled many of the rooms hidden behind closed doors. Some had been forced open, many had not. The robot unit of 5 followed the old man to one of the rooms. After going through a few hallways they came across a room that was very clean. There was a metal fireplace set up so that the smoke rose into the vent at the top. A full bed with old blankets on it in the corner, a very large sectional couch facing a large old television, and bookcases. There was a large decorative carpet that had some stains on it, but was still in good shape. Paper lanterns of various sizes hung from the ceiling making the atmosphere cozy. It looked like a very comfortable place to live.
"Welcome to my home," The old man said. "While you are here, you can be my guests."
The robot unit looked at each other and then to their leader. They nodded to the leader.
The leader looked at the old man, "Thank you for your hospitality, but why did you help us?"
The old man looked a little lost for a moment and heaved a sigh full of weariness. He was so old now. He remembered his life so long ago when he was just a young chemist. He remembered that before he created mixture 2983. "Please, sit," he pointed to the couch.
"It's a long story, and you are so new," the old man explained his reasoning. The robot unit would not get tired. But it was inhospitable to leave guests standing.
He brought out a comfortable looking camping chair. And set it in front of the couch. This would be a hard story to tell.
"My name is Dr. Frederick Behrman…"
…
…
The removal team used barrels of water with electric lines hooked up to them. The electric lines went through the factory, and into very complex equipment. Frederick passed by the factory on his way to his new job. Finally he would work as a chemist at the lab. He was now 20 and had passed all his examinations. Even the internship he had done in the lab counted toward a brilliant experience. Thanks to that he was a bit ahead of many other 20-years. He already knew the rules of the lab, and was not likely to get lost in the complex mazes of hallways the lab had. If you were not careful, you could end up in the restricted side of the lab.
If you did that, it could be a big mess. Especially if you were caught in that area without the proper clearance. There were some young researchers who had even been accused of being spies because they had entered the area. The major thing was, all the rooms in the lab required key cards. The labs in the restricted area not only needed key cards with a high enough clearance, but they also had iris verification. Not all species on this planet had fingerprints. But all of them had Irises, and every individual had a unique Iris. Frederick worked exceptionally close to the restricted area, so he was always very careful around the area.
Frederick was very happy at the lab. For the first few years as an assistant, he would show the new members around, in addition to his regular duties. He was responsible for testing out the hypothesis of other researchers and doing most, if not all, of the actual experiments. But the researcher who came up with the theory was the one who got all the credit. If you worked for an especially upright researcher, they would likely also include your name on the paper as a contributor. But you had to work your way up to being a senior researcher. It was a long road. The researcher he was now working under was not one of those upright fellows who would include his name on the project notes. Not even an honorable mention. But the work must be continued. He had to endure until he too could be a senior researcher. They were now studying better ways to release the charge from the lightning balls. He was the head assistant on this team. He had finally thought of something that could possibly work. His Idea was revolutionary. He created a thick viscous liquid that could immediately absorb and negate any charge of any voltage. They had finally discovered a safe way to get rid of the charge from the lightning balls! Liquid substance 2683. It came from the 2nd floor, in the 6th month of the year, and was the 83rd try. This time he was sure the experiment would be a success. He turned on a machine, and put a charge through to the rod. The machine simulated a lighting ball. He submerged the rod.
Eureka! It worked!!
These storms happen at least 2 times a year, and can be difficult to deal with. Getting the lightning rods safely to the processing plant was complex. Each rod had its own rubber cartridge. If the rods were all placed together it was too dangerous and could cause a fire or an explosion. So they used the cartridges to keep the rods separated. The cartridges were put in a truck and taken to the processing plant. There the rods were processed and the charge was removed safely. In order to figure out what to do with the excess electricity from the lightning balls, they used the electric charge to ionize many products including fertilizer. But these things could still be ionized through much safer means.
He contacted the special researcher and let him know the results. The special researcher Charles Hill came down to supervise the second experiment. There was success!! The special researcher looked at Fredericks hypothesis and results, and realized the hypothesis was no longer what he had first stated. What kind of garbage was this? He slightly remembered some emails from this kid, but he had ignored them. His name was still at the top of every paper. It was still his 'discovery.' Charles confiscated the documents to study them, telling Frederick that he might be able to receive some credit for this one. They were due for another lightning ball storm soon. No matter how the original hypothesis had deviated from what he had originally suggested; this was his success. Experiment 2683. It would forever be attached to his name. Special Researcher Charles Hill.
Though this discovery was his in name, he still needed to treat Frederick well for now. He would have the young man accompany him, then in the end, Fredericks name, he… He would think about what to do when the time came.
…
…
After the storm, the test had passed successfully. They used 2683 in just one neighborhood. Frederick had been there every step of the way. He was included in the manufacturing process to create more of 2683. He had even gotten to see them test it right after a real lightning ball storm. The storms may happen 2 times a year, but to see his research come about in such a way to make the jobs of all these people safer… This was what life should be about. Improving the quality of life.
It was a little strange that they did not include him on the conclusion of the experiment. Right after they cleared the area of the charges left behind by the lightning balls, they took away the liquid to see the 'final results.' Frederick thought that was a little strange, but also thought about how Special researcher Hill was supposed to be in charge of the entire thing. Legally the research belonged to him. So he naturally was to be the one to conclude the research. This did not stop Frederick from wanting to be there though.
Alas it was not to be.
But tonight!
Tonight was the banquet to celebrate the success of 2683. He was not only included in the guest list, but also sat at the same table with Hill! He was certain Hill would be true to his word and include his name in the research files.
He was on cloud 9 right now. Hill was giving his speech. Stating how arduous the process was. Speaking of the disappointment of so many failures. And then finally there was success! They fought through the process, and made it out to the other side as a success.
"Now I would like to bring forth the team who worked on this special project with me."
Team? Special Researcher Hill was not only giving him credit, but a team? Well at least his name would be up there with the rest.
" Allow me to introduce first and foremost the person who worked the longest and the hardest on this project. This person was the one who refused to give up, and encouraged the rest of us to keep going…"
This was it. This was the moment Frederick was waiting for. He pushed his chair back so he could stand when introduced.
"Assistant researcher Rina Standish!"
A beautiful green haired elf he sometimes saw in the cafeteria came forward from the backstage and bowed. Then she took the microphone. "Thank you for including me in this project. I greatly appreciate your faith in me, and your acknowledgement of all my hard work."