Annie’s POV:
"Welcome to Oscorb, Equinoxia. I hope you have a good and new beginning in our city. I will be your tour guide today. I am Venice Crook, you all can call me Ms. Vee. I am the lead tour guide here in Oscorb. I'll take you on a tour of the new Project Melos site so you can familiarize yourself with the surroundings and not get confused. Please follow me and listen carefully," said Ms. Vee.
We got off the bubble bus and followed him. Bonnie and I were amazed at the beauty of the surroundings. There are many trees here and the grass we walk on is made of Bermuda grass. I felt it was not artificial because the soil was moist and alive. Fortunately, this is true. There is still very little vegetation in Equinoxia.
We entered from outside the gate of Project Melo's new research facility. There are also many new employees who have just arrived. It seems that those who work in other cities have also moved here. I heard that we will also be staying here at the new research facility. It's also better because Bonnie and I will have a hard time finding a place to stay. Fortunately, now there is a free one.
When we got to the lobby, the guard scanned our barcodes. When the radar he was holding turned green, I entered. Bonnie is also next to me.
There are just as many unregistered civilians and just forging their barcodes. Most of those who don't get caught are criminals caught by the law. Others are not illegal citizens.
In the lobby, we were given our new IDs. We were honored by Ms. Vee on the way to our apartments. When we got to Wing A, Bonnie and I went shopping for a place to stay. There are four in one room, so there are two of us from the Biology section who are also our coworkers.
Bonnie and I got dressed in our uniforms. It will be fresher because the fabric has become thinner. Bonnie and I went out again after we cleaned up and the tour started again.
We passed by the library section. Here we will get research and knowledge about the things that will be required of us. We will start later, said Ms. Vee. I can't wait to have a new adventure. It looks exciting.
Next, we went to the cafeteria, the food was free but there was a minimum amount that could be eaten in a day. Everyone has a free meal three times a day and that is the free food of those at the top. We will pay for snacks or when there is not enough food as well as when we are still hungry. That's fine too, free food and pay more.
Next, we went to the research facilities. There are different floors here in the research building and each floor is dedicated to the fields. Ours is on the fourth floor, the Biology floor. The building across from us is for the Natural Science field. There are two other buildings that I think are for Chemistry and Physics where the field is mixed.
There is also an auditorium where meetings and discussions are held. There are also other sections that Ms. Vee. Others are said to be storage for supplies, clinics, gardens, and so on.
After our tour, Ms. Vee sent us straight to our respective offices. Bonnie and I went to the main building ahead. We went up to the fourth floor and immediately arrived. The new elevator is very nice, the whole cube is glass. The lift is obvious even the beauty of the outside.
When Bonnie and I stepped into our office, we had a pile of papers. We quickly sat down and looked at them. Bonnie's favorite work is more on medical technology work-stuffs. Mine is field work, but I'll start there in a week. Today Bonnie and I went to the Natural Science Research Building. We were there this week to help with the studies.
We breathed a sigh of relief because we could use a bubble car to get there because walking is tiring. Bonnie and I immediately got in and of course, I drove.
When we got to the opposite side, we quickly took the elevator. Because the employees in biology, on the fourth floor, are already paging. Looks like they're getting started.
When Bonnie and I arrived we went inside. Dra. Ye stared at us evilly. By the way, he is the head of Natural Science, it looks like he will monitor us now.
"That's why it's taking so long, these pregnant women. Sit down and I'll start explaining what to do," said Dr. Ye to us.
He pointed to the far seat. Bonnie and I were two at the wrong table, right next to each other. It seems that fate really doesn't want to separate the two of us. Best friends for life.
"Let's do critical thinking today and study the human body of a 30-year-old and a 16-year-old teenager with Melos Syndrome. Watch this video first," said Dra. That's why I focused our attention on the screen.
There were two people on the metal bed inspecting the body. At first glance, it sounds disgusting, but this is Biology. This is the field I entered, so I'm immune to bodies being ripped open, even dead people who have had horrible experiences.
It doesn't look like there is any difference between the two bodies, just like that. Maybe the two are different in genes, DNA, RNA, vitals, and immune system. Physically, the left leg of the girl with Melos Syndrome is broken.
"As you can see, there is almost no difference in the structures, it's just because the girl with Melos Syndrome is missing her left leg. Now, what I want you to do is get the blood samples on your table. Make it ready so you can check the difference between a normal person's blood to one with Melos Syndrome. I will be back within an hour. Fix the things I ordered," said Dra. Ye before going out.
Bonnie and I took care before starting. We speed up the action so that everything goes well and we can write the findings properly.
When we looked at the blood under the microscope, we noticed that the blood with Melos Syndrome was anemic. I am right that their immune system is weaker against diseases. We also tried to combine the two bloods but the blood with Melos Syndrome was stubborn. They almost eat each other.
"Why is that? The blood of people with Melos Syndrome seems to be strong and toxic. It was not discussed and told to us. New findings are impossible," Bonnie whispered to me.
"Let's just ask Dra. Ye later when she comes back. For now, let's write down the findings," I whispered to Bonnie so she looked at me.
When Bonnie and I finished we took pictures of each result. We included this in the findings we wrote. We also threw the specimens out of order because they might have been contaminated.
We waited for Dra to return, but it's been a while since she hasn't come back. A woman wearing a lab coat entered suddenly. I saw her, he was Dra's assistant.
"Dra. He is telling you to put what you did in an envelope and give it to me. You can go out first and rest. Your work is done for today," said Secretary Shen.
Bonnie and I got an envelope and put the papers inside. We thanked Secretary Shen and handed over the paper. Bonnie and I both laughed as we boarded the elevator. Finally, macaroni salad!
When we got to the cafeteria, Bonnie and I immediately got in line. We shopped from today's menu for what to buy.
They have macaroni salad, Caesar salad, mashed potatoes, steak, and more. We chose macaroni salad and mashed potatoes because it was just a snack. We drink water, Bonnie and I have passed on soft drinks and juice because water is the healthiest.
We looked for a seat, luckily there were many vacancies. Bonnie and I ate deliciously while looking at the others in line. People are growing.
"What do we do later?" I asked Bonnie.
"They say we're done for today, I can't think of a plan. Shall we go to a movie marathon? Advance study? It's like we're going to college again. After all, being a scientist that we entered is not something we do lightly. We really have a lot of processes to go through," Bonnie answered me.
I nodded my head. What Bonnie said is true, our education doesn't just end in college. We also need to learn everything about Melos Syndrome because it is a complex class of diseases. The director of Project Melos believes that every single brain and thought is important. The more people think and act, the easier the job will be. A few months from now we will all be divided. Some will stay here in the research facility and some will be sent to hospitals.
Bonnie and I's goal is to stay here in the research facility because those who are left will be the lead and tentacles of Project Melos. Those who are left will determine and travel to discover possible cures, ways to avoid, how to strengthen resistance, and if there is hope for it to be curable even as a syndrome. Even if it is not curable, at least it can be prevented at an earlier time while a mother is still pregnant with the baby.
I do worry for Bonnie and her babies, I want Project Melos to end and for this project to succeed in the hope of at least saving our children from Melos Syndrome. Many people are already suffering and I don't want our children, or any child to be born, to suffer anymore.
"Hey, I think you're thinking too deeply. I said come on, let's go home first. I'm sick because I smelled some vinegar with chili," Bonnie said to me.
"I'm sorry, I'm just thinking about something. Let's go so we can rest. This day is very tiring. Maybe it's because of our long flight earlier that we're already exhausted. Add to that the fact that I'm pregnant so I always feel bad," I said.
Bonnie and I left and threw our disposable food into a nearby trash can. It is self-service here and it is forbidden to leave or just throw away garbage. The maximum penalty for that is life imprisonment depending on how many times an individual has been warned.
Bonnie and I took a bubble car to our wing. I drove again because Bonnie was driving with a headache.
After we arrived we caught up with Claret and Animad leaving. They are both female and also work in the Natural Science building.
"Are you just leaving?" Bonnie asked them.
"Ah, yes. Our schedule is in the afternoon. Be careful," the two said goodbye so I waved them off.
Bonnie and I were lucky because our roommates were kind. Both are also smiling and approachable. Bonnie and I met them earlier.
"They're finally gone," Bonnie said and plopped down on her bed.
"Oh, I thought you weren't feeling well? You said you were sick so we're rushing here? Bonnie, don't tell me you're fooling me again?" I asked him rudely.
"Don't be angry, let's go home early because I want to talk to Billy and Chan because I miss them. I'll also show you my son," Bonnie said apologetically.
I just got tired and sniffled. I feel sorry for Bonnie, of course. Then I also want to see his son, it's good that he has a partner in life. I've been hit, I've been run.
I turned to Bonnie's cabinet when something vibrated there. He immediately took an old cell phone from there and smiled at the camera. It looks like it's his father and son.
"How are you? Oh, my baby is really handsome!" he happily greeted Chan.
I peeked in and waved to Bonnie's father and son. I felt like crying, I was so happy for Bonnie. It's also envious because I thought my child's father would be with me forever, but not yet.
I can support my child even though I am a single mother. I will protect her no matter what it costs. I love my baby very much and I don't have any other family members left without him.