Sangenkai
2014-12-04, 02:00 AM
The not so distant future...
Alterna Laboratories. Biofuels division. Your Bio-Gel research laboratory.
For a research-start-up-turned-lean-and-mean-corporate-high-tech company, Alterna Laboratories knows how to hook a scientist up. Your lab has all the latest goodies - entire ROOMS full of -20 and -86 Centigrade freezers, ALL FOR YOU (no more sharing from your university days); multiple high RPM centrifuges; high-throughput microfluidic array machines; PCR robots up the wazoo; aquariums full of electric eels, rays, and elephantnose fish; and best of all, your own two man team of eager-to-please Ph.D.s.
Well, at least one is eager to please.
One of your pet research scientists, Dr. Richard Hsu, is currently polishing up your research slides on your latest Bio-Gel reactor research, for your presentation in an hour. Your other assistant, Dr. Parvathy Menon, is in the Clean Room working on something or other; unlike Richard, Parvathy has a mind of her own, and despite your misgivings, is pursuing a line of inquiry about testing Bio-Gel for superconducting qualities.
As usual, Richard has his smartphone tuned to National Public Radio as you both work. Suddenly, All Things Considered gets cut off...
"We interrupt NPR for breaking news.... Police are advising that all commuters avoid the area around Chadwick Square, by the Pursuit Bank; there appears to be an armed robbery in progress and traffic is being diverted.... repeat, there is an armed robbery in progress, and hostages have been taken..."
Richard groans. "Damnit, I have to pass Chadwick Square to get home! I hope that crap gets cleared up during our meeting..."
Chadwick square is only 20 miles away, but you DO have that presentation in an hour.
What do you do?
Alterna Laboratories. Biofuels division. Your Bio-Gel research laboratory.
For a research-start-up-turned-lean-and-mean-corporate-high-tech company, Alterna Laboratories knows how to hook a scientist up. Your lab has all the latest goodies - entire ROOMS full of -20 and -86 Centigrade freezers, ALL FOR YOU (no more sharing from your university days); multiple high RPM centrifuges; high-throughput microfluidic array machines; PCR robots up the wazoo; aquariums full of electric eels, rays, and elephantnose fish; and best of all, your own two man team of eager-to-please Ph.D.s.
Well, at least one is eager to please.
One of your pet research scientists, Dr. Richard Hsu, is currently polishing up your research slides on your latest Bio-Gel reactor research, for your presentation in an hour. Your other assistant, Dr. Parvathy Menon, is in the Clean Room working on something or other; unlike Richard, Parvathy has a mind of her own, and despite your misgivings, is pursuing a line of inquiry about testing Bio-Gel for superconducting qualities.
As usual, Richard has his smartphone tuned to National Public Radio as you both work. Suddenly, All Things Considered gets cut off...
"We interrupt NPR for breaking news.... Police are advising that all commuters avoid the area around Chadwick Square, by the Pursuit Bank; there appears to be an armed robbery in progress and traffic is being diverted.... repeat, there is an armed robbery in progress, and hostages have been taken..."
Richard groans. "Damnit, I have to pass Chadwick Square to get home! I hope that crap gets cleared up during our meeting..."
Chadwick square is only 20 miles away, but you DO have that presentation in an hour.
What do you do?