The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 11

While traveling to Bangkok Nara called real estate agents to find a parking place for the mobile laboratory. This wasn't easy due to the language and his unusual requirements. An agent specializing in commercial property was finally able to help. The hunt required local knowledge because the area near the Arcadia warehouse was littered with shops and buildings and the only parking was along the narrow streets. The agent, at last, found an abandoned food distribution depot that satisfied most of Nara's requirements.

There was only one problem. It was a ruin. Decaying columns supported the hole-riddled roof, and the walls had openings large enough for anyone to climb through. No need to knock. Multitudes of live wires dangling from dilapidated wooden poles provided free, at-your-own-risk, electricity for anyone willing to chance a connection.

Arriving in the late afternoon he pulled into the open cavity, thinking he could have just parked there without paying and no one would know. But the owner appeared before it got dark. Good thing because there weren't any lights. The mobile lab, fortunately, was self-contained with plenty of lights and a waste holding tank because there wasn't a sewer connection either.

Nara didn't speak Thai, so he conducted the entire negotiation for the building rental using jesters and speaking in English that the owner didn't understand. Pointing and holding up fingers he eventually settled on a price. He was sure it was too high for the otherwise unusable structure but it was still cheap and he didn't have much choice.

Negotiation completed he set up the RV for his stay. Two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom with shower, and a small living space made the mobile laboratory suitable for research trips of two weeks or more. Technical equipment including chemical and microbiological testing instruments packed most of the remaining space. Nara had become adept at using the communications capabilities but he relied on guest specialists for the other fields. Paul taught himself to use most of the equipment, even the sophisticated testing instruments when skilled technicians weren't available.

The customized motor home included the latest security system. Audio, video, motion, and cyber security alarms alerted Paul and Nara of potential threats. Defensive weapons, hidden around the vehicle, could spring into action when needed to repel would-be intruders. Paul altered commercial security devices to enhance their effectiveness. Even with these precautions sometimes things went wrong.

Nara secured the RV before walking to a nearby restaurant for some delicious Thai food. Returning was creepy in the dark. The unlit building cast strange shadows from the surrounding street lights and shop signs. The RV had its own automatic lighting that activated as night approached. Lights, inside the monstrous vehicle, shown through the windows guiding Nara's unfamiliar approach.

Stepping up to the armored door Nara activated the lock remote and heard the click of the actuator. The door was already open. Did I forget to lock the door? No way, not here. Now he became more cautious. Slowly opening the door he peered inside. The owner and a scantily clad young girl sat talking at the dining table.

"What are you doing here?" Nara said. "How did you get in?"

They stopped their chatter and, unconcerned, looked at Nara. The girl said, "You want chicky, chicky?" Then the building owner babbled something in Thai.

He must have thought I wanted a prostitute? "No, no chicky," Nara waved his hands and shook his head.

Both the girl and the owner squawked excitedly, and continuously, exclaiming a flurry of incomprehensible sounds. Nara gently pushed them toward the door pointing at them to go. They shuffled toward the only exit leaving the RV without interrupting their argument. Even after shutting the door he could hear their non-stop argument.

How did they get past all the security? I must tell Paul we need to Thai-proof the lab. Nara engaged the RV systems again making sure they all functioned properly and prepared for bed.