7 The gem in the forest.

After the team had tasted the snacks and drinks, Qin An led them to the next room. She pressed a button and the mechanical whirls of the gear came alive. The huge "wall" in front of her slowly split and retracted to both ends, revealing a glass window which gave them the clear view of the forest.

"How is it, from here we can see the whole forest." Qin An chirped excitedly, while pushing another button. This button results in a panel coming up from the ground and the monitor screens unfolded itself.

"Using this robotic bees with an internal camera, it will sync it's footage directly to these screen and control them using this panel. With this we can safely monitor the forest before heading in to take whatever we need." rambled Qin An. Her eyes sparkled like a kid and she waited in anticipation for the awes of her team members.

Both Si Si and Xian Ren gave her anticipated response, by gaping at the huge glass and politely clapping. What Qin An did not expect was the broodiness of Chen Xue. "Why did you volunteer to stay back at first when you know you could be such a huge help?"

"I...I wanted to keep this a secret for as long as I could... What do you think will happen when everything is over? The government would take it all away for 'research' and force me to work on it for the better good. This was created by me for me. And I plan to keep it that way." Qin An face grew red with indignant, though she felt a little guilty at the truth of Chen Xue's words, she was more concern about this pet project of hers. "I would like all of you to keep this a secret. Please." she huffed out, before adding the 'please' softly behind. Her eyes watered as she stared at the team.

Si Si and Xian Ren nodded. All of them turned to look at Chen Xue. Chen Xue felt the growing pressure from Qin An's pleading eyes, and the immense need to reassure her. "I understand. I'm sorry if I was a little harsh. I promise I won't tell." Qin An heaved a sigh of relief and added, "Don't tell my brother too, he doesn't know, never invited him over."

They quickly set up the robotic bees and got to work. Their mission was to find what was going to be the core of the machine. It's a blue sapphire like gem, shaped as a sphere.

"Hey, look at this!" Xian Ren exclaimed, pointing towards the centre of the forest. "The animals, they are moving in circles. Maybe they are circling the gem we are looking for!" he hypothesised.

"Only one way to find out." Si Si said as she presented the robotic bees that she was syncing with the monitors. Qin An quickly opened a small opening at the side of the glass window and released the bees.

"Besides looking at that, we should try to see if we can find the aliens headquarters in the forest. It may be close to the weird animal movements." Chen Xue instructed.

"Xue Ge, can the aliens control animals to do such weird movent?" questioned Qin An. Chen Xue shrugged and replied, "They don't control them. They have good relationship with nature and respect them, earning their respect in return. These animals may not be controlled, they may be helping them to guard, out of good will."

Soon, the team needed to decide on a roaster to monitor and control the bees. "Si SI, wants to go with Xue gege." Si Si whined, grabbing Chen Xue's arm.

"Why is it that you get to be with Xue Ge?" Qin An retorted,upset that Si Si was taking charge and deciding the roaster all by herself, and grabbing Chen Xue's other arm. Chen Xue looked at feisty Qin An and thought that it might not be that bad of an idea to be with her. At least the shifts would be more interesting.

"Why don't I be with Chen Xue?" offered Xian Ren.

"Shut up!" shouted both women at poor Xian Ren. "We will draw lots." announced Chen Xue who was getting tired of being torn apart.

As luck may have it, Chen Xue and Qin An, Xian Ren and Si Si. Besides the whining from Si Si, Qin An volunteered to take the night shift, and the roaster was set.