Laying the Foundations

Chapter 18: Laying the Foundations

Alden stood in the wide clearing near the edge of the estate, his mind buzzing with anticipation. This spot, nestled just beyond the farmlands but close enough to the estate for supplies, would be the perfect place to build his laboratory. It wasn't much now—just a flat patch of earth bordered by trees—but in his mind's eye, it was already teeming with activity.

Though the mysterious object was gone, its absence had not broken his resolve. If anything, it had sharpened his focus. He would move forward, build his own research space, and lay the foundations for a new science in this world.

But first, he needed a plan.

Returning to his room that evening, Alden sat at his desk, grabbed a piece of parchment, and began writing a list. He drew on his knowledge of genetics and biology from his previous life but tempered it with the constraints of the medieval technology surrounding him. No microscopes, no automated equipment—at least, not yet. He would have to get creative.

List for Laboratory Construction:1. Tools and Equipment

Basic Cutting and Measuring Instruments: Scalpels, scissors, small blades, tweezers, rulers. These could be commissioned from the local blacksmith. The quality might not match modern standards, but with precise instruction, they could produce tools fine enough for his needs.

Magnifying Glasses: While microscopes were far beyond the technology of this world, magnifying glasses were within reach. He had already seen merchants selling lenses for reading; he could obtain or commission higher-grade lenses for detailed work. He'd need them to study plants and, eventually, cells.

Flasks and Beakers: Glassware would be essential. Fortunately, the local glassblowers had a decent skill level. They could produce simple flasks and beakers to hold various solutions, plant specimens, and other organic materials. He would need to be mindful of the fragility of the glass and ensure he had plenty of spares.

Clay and Metal Containers: Some experiments, particularly those involving heating or chemical reactions, would require heat-resistant materials. Clay pots and metal containers could serve as makeshift equipment for more rudimentary tasks, like fermenting solutions or mixing plant extracts.

2. Storage and Workspace

Shelves and Cabinets: His research would require a clean, organized space for storing plants, seeds, and tools. Local carpenters could construct sturdy wooden shelves and cabinets to store samples, equipment, and notes.

Workbenches: Flat, stable surfaces were essential. He needed plenty of room to work—whether dissecting plants, recording observations, or simply organizing seeds.

Drying Racks: Since much of his early experimentation would be with plants, drying and preserving specimens would be important. He could have the carpenters build racks for drying leaves, stems, and seeds.

3. Environmental Control

Temperature-Controlled Chambers: Here, Alden's modern understanding would meet the challenges of this world's limitations. He needed a way to regulate temperature for certain experiments—particularly for seed germination and cultivation. With careful instruction, he could fashion insulated wooden crates or chambers lined with clay to maintain a more stable environment.

Natural Light vs. Controlled Light: The greenhouse concept came to mind, but full-scale glasshouses were out of the question. Instead, he'd experiment with constructing a small space with adjustable panels to control light exposure. He could manipulate light with cloth coverings or thin wooden shutters to mimic natural cycles for plants.

4. Seeds and Specimens

Drought-Resistant Crops: This was one of his major goals. He needed to start with local grains, legumes, and vegetables—collecting seeds from the hardiest crops and using selective breeding to develop strains better suited to this world's harsher climate.

Herbs and Medicinal Plants: He would gather various medicinal herbs. Many of the local plants had magical properties, but Alden was more interested in their biological effects. With selective breeding and careful study, he might uncover new applications.

Soil Samples: His experiments with the mysterious object had shown that soil could be transformed in strange ways. Though that particular soil was now out of his reach, he could still begin experimenting with different soil types from around the estate to optimize growth.

5. Alchemy Tools and Techniques

Herbal Extracts and Potions: Though Alden's approach to genetics was grounded in science, he understood that alchemy was a prominent field in this world. He could adopt some of their techniques—like distillation and extraction—to create potions, balms, or even plant-based elixirs to assist his work. This wouldn't require much—only a distillation apparatus, which he could have fashioned by a skilled craftsman.

Incubation Chambers: Alchemists often used heat in their experiments, and Alden could adapt this for more scientific purposes. He'd start by using controlled heating sources, like enclosed hearths, to create incubation spaces for seeds or biological specimens.

6. Scientific Notes and Record Keeping

Parchment and Ink: Detailed records would be vital. Alden planned to document every step, every failure, and every success meticulously. He would need large amounts of parchment and ink for detailed observations, diagrams, and eventually, publications.

A Code System: To keep his work from prying eyes, Alden considered devising a personal code. He would encode his notes with symbols or languages from his previous life. This would ensure his most sensitive discoveries remained hidden until he was ready to share them.

7. Animal Specimens/Small Animals for Study: While his focus was primarily on plants, Alden was also curious about the fauna of this world. Selective breeding of livestock, or even smaller animals like rabbits or chickens, could lead to breakthroughs in their biology. He would need enclosures for these animals—nothing too elaborate, but secure enough to prevent escapes.

8. Laboratory Assistants/Local Helpers: Alden couldn't do everything alone. He would need trustworthy assistants to help him in the lab, whether it was recording data, preparing specimens, or simply helping with physical tasks like cleaning and organizing. Training them in the basics would take time, but it would pay off in the long run.

With the list in front of him, Alden allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction. This wasn't going to be easy, and he knew that much of it would require time and effort, not to mention clever improvisation. But this was his start—his first step toward bringing a scientific revolution to this world.

He folded the parchment and tucked it into his satchel. The next step was putting it all into motion. He had the gold, the drive, and now a plan.

The following days were spent traveling to local towns and villages, commissioning the tools and equipment he needed. The blacksmiths were perplexed by his requests for such fine instruments, and the glassblowers shook their heads at the idea of making beakers and flasks to such specific dimensions. But with enough money and persistence, they began working on Alden's orders.

The carpenters were more straightforward—wooden benches, shelves, and drying racks were easily understood and quickly made. Still, Alden spent hours overseeing their work, ensuring that everything was precise and up to his standards.

The estate's farmers, now used to Alden's strange requests and methods, watched with mild amusement as he experimented with various soils, adjusting irrigation techniques, and testing how plants responded to the smallest of changes. Though many still regarded his ideas with skepticism, there was a quiet respect growing for his relentless drive.

Weeks passed, and slowly but surely, the lab began to take shape. It wasn't grand—not yet—but it was a start.