Novo Cetus

Chapter 23

        

The skin samples were stored in a cold room in the sub-basement two levels below grade. This working space was long and narrow. A stainless-steel counter stretched down the center of the room. Conveniently placed along its length were sinks, microscopes and other all-purpose laboratory equipment. The flat walls were baked enamel with a satin finish, and the recessed lighting delivered a soft, steady illumination over the work surface. This room was perfect for cellular biology research.

"Hank asked that I leave you here and join him elsewhere. If you need additional items, you can contact me through the intercom system." Moto nodded to the simple wall communication panel. "Melinda did some research here earlier; she can direct you to the envoi-suits. I am required to remind you to observe OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limits Protocol." Moto eyed his team for a hint or tell of hesitation at using the protective gear; sensing none, he turned and left.

James was in awe of this laboratory. Though proud of the functional lab in the Andes he'd cobbled together through trading, borrowing and outright thievery, today he would occupy an actual environmental room designed for research and development. He would not have to worry about room temperature flux, refrigeration quality or avalanches.

James pulled on a blue environmental suit designed to moderate human temperature. The lightweight gear allowed one's own body heat to circulate to maintain body temperature. Melinda surprised him by leaving her face uncovered and her hands bare. He cocked his eyebrow in concern; she took time to explain.

"The first researchers who worked on the samples used minimal caution, except the biologists – and you know how they can be." She winked at Dan acknowledging her flippant remark. He rolled his eyes in response. "Anyway, your hands may get cold so just rub 'em together, or if you have to, you can warm up with the heat lamp in the chemical hygiene area adjacent to this room."

Once dressed, Melinda punched in the security code on the door panel, and with a slight popping noise and a blast of cold air, the door opened. A sealed container sat on the aluminum lab table.

James looked into the see-through container. "When was this specimen gathered?" he asked. Despite being in an airtight or dry case, it appeared moist and glistening.

"Good question," Melinda replied. "It's a piece of what was recovered several days ago, and, yeah, it looks like we just pulled it from the water." She ducked down, opened the panel under the lab table and hoisted another container up next to the dry case. "This tub is filled with water and another piece of the recovered specimen," she said.

James peered into the wet container. The sample looked exactly like the specimen in the dry container.

"Dan and I examined these two specimens several hours ago. Microscopic examination indicated the nanos provide whatever the specimen needs to remain healthy." Melinda paced back and forth next to the table with the crates, as she tutored James on the discovery.

"For example, the water in the wet container started out as a simple saline solution. If you were to examine the water now, it would prove to have the composition of seawater. We don't even have to control the water temperature! When we examined it at the microscopic level, we discovered the nanos replicated microprocessor controls and temperature recorders to monitor internal and external conditions." She stopped to let the information soak in; Dan used the space for further explanation.

"I monkeyed around with water and ambient temperatures and the nanos consistently adjusted to a healthy level for the specimen," he said.

She turned and pointed to the dry container. "This specimen is really remarkable. There is a critical need for water for this sample to stay viable so the nanos have developed a process to leach water out of the fat cells. They are reconfiguring at the cellular level and producing whatever is needed – water, nutrients, etcetera."