The Living Dead

No matter the state of her emotions, Varya had to keep moving forward as usual.

She and Dr. Brie spent a day perfecting their presentation about the microscopic robots. They had to find a way to present the information in a way that wouldn't be overwhelming and could be easily understood by someone with no scientific background.

Varya found comfort in the fact that she would have Dr. Brie at her side while facing the emperor. Throughout his decades-long career, he had won the grant two other times.

Even in the advanced society they were living in, Varya knew deep down that Dr. Brie's invention was groundbreaking.

The morning of the presentation, Varya quickly got ready, putting on long-sleeved green spandex and her largest lab coat.

As she buttoned up the white coat, she stared at herself in the mirror. When the small bump on her stomach was hidden beneath the white fabric, she reminded herself that she needed to remember not to touch her stomach.