Pryce Institute-Cambridge

[Pryce]

[color=#33CC00]The Pryce Institute, Cambridge Annex
City of Chesterton, Planet Cambridge.


Professor Matthew Cook strode into the lobby of the Institutes' newest acquisition, The room was decorated in various shades of red and maroon, a theme chosen for the Institutes Bretonian operations. Various planters filled added a touch of green, clashing quite a bit with the red, but seemed to add cheer and optimism to the room anyway. A fountain cycled in the center of the lobby.


The Cambridge Annex was smaller than the Facility at Los Angeles, but Cook hoped to someday made it their main research complex, here in Cambridge, the seat of scientific advancement in Sirius. The wealth of resources to be tapped here was limitless, and Cook knew the Institute was on the right track. He started his way to his office, deeply involved in his thoughts. The receptionist at the front desk spoke, a faint Rhineland accent; "Good morning Professor!" her smile adding further brightness to the room. Stopping next to the desk, He smiled back and nodded. "Good morning Angelika, how are you this morning?"


"I am very well Professor, thank you. I have completed my exams for admission to the University! I begin my studies next week."


Cook nodded. "That's great news, how wonderful for you!" The young woman was beaming, apparently enjoying the exchange. She spoke again;


"There are three messages for you. I have forwarded them to your office. I prepared the coffee processor for you, all you must do is to activate it."

Cook nodded, his Bretonian accent causing the woman to smile more. "Thank you very much. I trust it is a bit more tolerable than Ms. Ellis' coffee?"

"Yes, it is much weaker as someone like you would prefer. ... I mean the coffee is less strong." The smile had faded, uncertain if she had offended him of not.


He showed no negative reaction to the statement, replying; "That sounds good. Please begin setting up the conference room at 1430, and show our guests in once they arrive."

The smile returned, perhaps a bit cautiously; "Yes Professor."


Cook continued on his way to the lift, and then stepped inside. Odd girl Ms. Ellis had recommended her highly once the need for staffing at Cambridge had presented itself. When she'd first arrived, He'd seen a tangible vulnerability in the girl, who managed to look far older than her age would suggest. But she'd quickly become a positive and friendly asset, and was well-liked by the other staff. But she would never say much about where she came from, or anything else prior to her arrival, Doctor Altura had signed off on the girls hire, and had also sealed her employee file. Very odd He had noted that the hire date had been around the same time that Ortega woman had stopped on Los Angeles, and wondered if there was a connection. Very odd


He reached his office. A skylight, and a nice view out of the windows. Lovely.

He sat at the desk. The first message was from the Shipwrights, confirming the meeting later in the afternoon. He skipped the rest of the message. The second was from an old colleague at the University, welcoming him back and inviting him for lunch.

The third was a rather disturbing message from Doctor Morris, who had been in New York dealing with some government tape. He considered the report, of Denise Ellis endangering a project, not to mention Institute staff. It just didn't sound like her. Still, she had taken the loss of her husband very hard. Anger was often a reaction to grief, sometimes taking some time before it presented itself. He saved the message. He would get her side before making a decision. He hoped the delay wouldn't be a fatal mistake. This business with the lawsuits had very nearly bankrupted the Institute, already low in resources, what with the new ship being constructed, the new building and staff. He didn't think the Institute would survive any more catastrophes.

He started a message to Doctor Hart, then remembered she was with Doctor Ross' team in New York. Later then.

It looked like a full day ahead.

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