"All the necessities in the laboratory are ready, Professor."
"Good job, Rene. What about the people who will join beside Elsa, you, and I?"
"I think there will be some, and I'm waiting for confirmation of an undergraduate student's participation as a technician..."
Rachel lazily rolled her eyes, bored to hear the conversation of the two people beside her: Niels and Rene. The two sat next to Rachel, with Niels between her and Rene. Rachel was annoyed because Niels only chatted with Rene. He didn't mince words with Rachel at all. The conversation was even getting more fun, punctuated by their laughter.
Lars in the front passenger seat glanced through the rearview mirror, holding back his laughter. Rachel seemed very resentful of being there.
Rachel is jealous.
At least, that's what Lars got from her expression.
"We'll be away for another month, so prepare yourself," Niels said, still to Rene.
Rachel was forced to turn her head, and it seemed that Niels had noticed. The man also turned his head, and for a few seconds, their eyes met, though Niels couldn't look the girl in front of him in the eye because she was wearing thick sunglasses.
"Why?" asked Niels coldly.
"You're noisy. You better shut up or talk to me."
****
Cyclops Intelligence Main Laboratory
District 14, Mazsea, Hatemoor
February 23, 2157
12.30 NPM
The metal-aluminum laboratory entrance opened as Rachel, Niels, Rene, and Lars arrived in front of it. One by one scanned their biometrics at the door before entering. Niels and Rene specifically had recorded their data as it was their first came. Perhaps they will come back and will be considered regular guests.
"This is the main laboratory. There are eleven sub-laboratories in this building. They are arranged like an X shape. Between the junction of the two wings, there is always a green open space and a greenhouse. So even if we eliminate the need for oxygen massive for humans, we keep it, restore it here."
Rachel explained the basic features of the laboratory, pointing to a few that appeared as they walked inside. Niels and Rene, who are environmentalists, seem to be very interested in green open spaces and futuristic greenhouses behind the large windows of the laboratory.
"I heard you collect a lot of trees in your house, Niels Geyer?"
"Ah, yes. How did . . . you know?"
"You don't need to know. I just know."
Rachel walked in first, opening the door to her favorite sub-laboratory. "This is a primate quarantine laboratory. Actually, not only primates but also all of our test animals are here. I call them by their name because I really like them," she continued, casually touching her kids from behind a glass wall.
Niels smirked. "They're adorable. You like orangutans too, don't you, Rene?"
"Yes, of course."
Lars had to hold back his laughter again because right now, Rachel must have been blushing red in anger. Niels is outrageous.
Rachel then sighed, speeding up her explanation. "On the right and left are histology and neurology laboratories. These three laboratories are specifically for animal testing, not humans."
"As for yesterday, Lars dissected me here..."
Rachel continued her walk and explanation inside, from the neurosurgery room to the medical examination room at the rear. As promised, Rachel gave a detailed simulation of each technology used. She also explained the system the company developed so that Niels and Rene looked more confident than ever on the forum.
"It's like that, and I hope you can have more confidence in our company, Niels, Rene. We have developed the entire system from administration, ethics, surgery, and client assistance, from beginning to end." Rachel gave her conclusion, speaking more politely after being reprimanded by Niels in the forum earlier.
Then it seemed that Rachel had managed to de-escalate her tension with Niels, for the man nodded kindly this time. "Your company is amazing, Rachel. There's no doubt about that, but as a fellow scientist, I'll still be the one to critique and keep an eye on any of your great discoveries to keep you going."
Rachel smiled faintly. Was that worthy of being called a form of attention?
"I also want to clarify that I behaved like that to you because I cared, not because of being ordered by politicians..."
"I hope you haven't misunderstood either."
****
Rachel looked uneasy, tapping her hand on the table as she kept looking at a live flower in the glass case. There's nothing wrong with that bright purple flower called purple passionflower. Only Rachel doubted whether or not to give it to Niels as a gift.
Rachel had planned it two days ago. She chooses the rarest flowers from her greenhouse because Isabela says Niels loves exotic plants to bring to his home. Rachel also made an impression on him through the flower's implied meaning: beautiful, intelligent, ambitious, attractive.
"Tsk! Why should I bother thinking again? This flower is for him." Rachel had already made up her mind. She quickly packed the glass box into a silver paper bag.
Oh, silver was her favorite color too.
Yes, the meaning of the gift was all about Rachel, for Niels.
Rachel then left her room, finding Niels and Lars, who had been chatting in the garden next to Rachel's working room, while Rene had already left.
Just as Rachel was about to say hello, Niels turned and walked towards her, parting with Lars, who went straight to a different room with another door.
"I have to get back to the office. Thanks for the opportunity."
"You're welcome. Come back when we've started clinical trials since you might be interested," Rachel said, smiling faintly. Then she subconsciously followed Niels' steps towards the exit, waiting for the right moment to deliver her gift. Rachel was suddenly nervous about walking alone like this.
"I heard Isabela bothered you in the isolation room. Sorry for that."
Rachel smiled lopsidedly. "It doesn't matter. She cheers me up a lot on boring days. I'm really grateful."
"Really? I hope she doesn't talk bad about me."
"I don't remember, but there doesn't seem to be. She's a sister who loves and takes good care of her brother's reputation."
Niels chuckled softly, making Rachel unable to stare at him any longer. Finally, after waiting for so long, the man interacted 'rightly' with her.
"This is for you." Rachel handed him the small gift in the paper bag then. "Think of it as a keepsake. You can keep it with your other exotic plant collections."
Niels looked confused. But he still saw what was inside the paper bag. "Passiflora incarnata. Purple Passionflower?"
"Yes, do you like it?"
"Of course... this is..."
Niels didn't continue. He suddenly clutched his head, seemingly groaning in pain.
"Niels?" Rachel was worried, supporting Niels' arm so the man wouldn't stumble and fall. But sadly, she is not that strong.
Niels collapsed, falling to the floor with the glass case he had when holding. Not only did he fall. He also fainted, and suddenly went unconscious.
Rachel panicked, and carried Niels on her lap, lightly patting the man's cold face. "Niels Geyer! Can you hear me?"
No response.
"Gosh, are you sick?"
"Lars!"
"CI! Please call Lars here!"