It was just his second day on Yuma, but Dr. Daniel Brooks already knew that this planet of wonders will take a toll from him. It started from approach and landing. Using access rights of the team leader, he connected to open channel between the bridge of Blackthorn and Yuma ground controls. Never before he heard so many military talk in such a short time. It contrasted so much with the usual liberal and gentle manners he was used to that it literally hurt.
Compound they arrived to was basically a fortress by Dan's standards. Though he spent most of his good 65 years in labs, auditoriums and on the green lawns of Cambridge University's grounds, he still have seen couple of military installations and believed he knows what it looks like. But this compuound surpassed his expectations. Mobile and stationery turrets on like each corner and roof, men and women in uniform and combat armor everywhere, passwords, shields and all. This was not remotely like any science center he has been to. Even his wristband felt like handcuffs.
And pollen. Overgrown vegetation outside was infiltrating the otherwise secure compound with those microscopical particles. It irritated Daniel's eyes and throat, causing nasty allergy which was successfully resisting rather strong antihistamines.
Anyways, Brooks still had job to do. Awaken early in the morning, he prepared his records for the meeting and put on his usual garments: shirt, sweater and jacket, informal look of a scientist away from his lab.
First stop on his way to the meeting was a lobby where Dr. Berg was waiting for him. Brooks met Catrine first on board of Blackthorn and only had time to brief her on the goals and results of the research so far. Daniel stepped into the lobby and reached out for her hand.
- Nice seeing you, doctor. Hope you had good night sleep. We have to do our best today and show the though leadership in this project. Those Crayter guys might have learned something while they were employed with Planetform, but still these technologies are ours.
- But we should be careful, this newly found trust between us is still shaky, as far as I can tell.
