The makeshift lab, nestled in the heart of our camp, hummed with a focused energy as Alicia, Jax, and I huddled around the central workbench.
The 'Sunburst Orchid' samples lay before us, their ethereal beauty undiminished even outside their natural habitat.
The first step in our journey of discovery was a detailed examination, both visual and microscopic, to unlock the secrets held within their delicate forms.
Alicia gently transferred a petal onto a glass slide, her hands steady and practiced.
The petal, even in isolation, seemed to thrum with an inner light, its vibrant colours a stark contrast against the clear glass.
As she placed the slide under the microscope, we all leaned in, our collective breath held in anticipation.
The view through the eyepiece was nothing short of miraculous.
The cellular structure of the orchid was unlike anything we had seen before.
