22 - Report

She not only had the presentation but also some samples of LK-92 ready to show.

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The Third Evolution Consortium gave Dr. Miriam Schlinger only a week to summarize Atticus Bates' work and present the latest updates before all members. Her initial optimism quickly curdled akin to a glass of milk being left outside for an entire day as soon as she entered the DOTTE research facility. Catching up with Atticus' fourteen years of work proved to be a challenge.

As days went by, the consortium members started getting impatient. Martha Hillard, the one who recommended Miriam, became the target of criticism. Thankfully, before she ran out of patience, Miriam announced that she not only had the presentation but also some samples of LK-92 ready to show.

For their next gathering, Hong Xizhen, a member of the consortium, made a lavish offer. He proposed hosting the meeting at his grand mansion, a secluded jewel perched on a private island near the Scandinavian Peninsula.

Hong Xizhen's private auditorium was practically a cinematic sanctuary. Stepping through the soundproofed doors, one was transported into a world of plush comfort and cutting-edge technology. A grand, elevated platform dominated the center, a stage for the silver screen's magic. Towering above it was a colossal screen, promising life-sized immersion.

Discretely tucked away at the backside was the projector room, equipped with the most advanced computer manned by an android, ready to grant the viewers an A-list viewing experience.

Plush, custom-designed seats, upholstered in a deep, luxurious velvet, fanned out in a series of half-circles. Each seat rose gently in the back, ensuring unobstructed views for all. Intricate recessed lighting cast a warm glow, the perfect balance between ambiance and cinematic clarity.

"This better be good," Byron Thorne said as he took his seat next to Martha Hillard. His keen eyes were locked onto Miriam Schlinger's lone figure at the center of the platform. She kept fiddling with her wireless Lavalier microphone, checking again and again whether it was working.

"It is," Martha confirmed.

"Have you seen the LK-92 samples she supposedly brought for today?"

Byron's discerning gaze flew from end to end, hoping to find some conspicuous vials of medicine, but failing to do so.

"No, but why would she lie?" Martha sighed. "Byron, being appointed as Atticus' replacement to continue the DOTTE project in an honor most scientists would die for. Besides, it took long enough."

A hush fell over the room as the final member entered in a wheelchair and rolled down the access ramp toward the bottommost row closest to the platform. It was Hong Xizhen himself. In their last meeting, he already appeared pale and frail, but today, the man was a gaunt specter. Half his hair had vanished, his skin stretched taut and pallid, and his reddened eyes drooped like a man burdened by immense illness.

"Poor guy," Byron pulled a grimace. "His colon cancer flared up again last month. Apparently, he had been through some very aggressive treatment methods."

Martha Hillard harrumphed.

"If he hopes to drink LK-92 on the spot, I fear that the other members might break into protests."

"He won't," Byron licked at his lips. "Where are the vials anyway? I am the consortium leader. I should know."

Martha flicked a single glance at Byron. The mention of LK-92 samples in the room sent a ripple through the usually unflappable consortium leader. His calm demeanor vanished, replaced by a predatory glint in his eyes.

"I don't know," she shrugged before leaning back in her seat. "It is about to start. Why don't we just listen to what Dr. Miriam Schlinger has to say?"

"Oh, fine... sheesh."

"Esteemed consortium members, my name is Miriam Schlinger," Miriam introduced herself with a shaky voice. "Welcome to my presentation about the DOTTE project's progress so far."

A relentless barrage of data assaulted the audience as Miriam launched into her presentation. The colossal screen behind her flickered to life, a rapid succession of slides filled with complex graphs and dense scientific jargon. It was a classic display by a scientist accustomed to the insular world of research papers and peer-to-peer communication. But in this room, filled with impatient consortium members, a different language was needed.

The burning question hung heavy in the air – when, exactly, would they be holding a vial of LK-92 in their hands? Lost in the labyrinth of data, the answer remained frustratingly elusive.

At last, infuriated with his incapability of understanding a scientific presentation in a language different from his mother tongue, Hideki Kanno raised his voice and asked, "Can we please cut to the chase? I heard that you brought LK-92 samples. Let us take a look at them."

His words were received with murmurs of assent by the others, particularly the host of today's meeting, Hong Xizhen.

Miriam heaved a sigh of relief, happy that she no longer had to go on and on about Atticus' complicated and long-winded research.

"Alright. Based on what DOTTE project has so far, I managed to synthesize some LK-92 sample."

A sharp click echoed through the room, followed by a long-awaited revelation. The center platform hummed as a circular section ground upwards, revealing a transparent ice box nestled within. Inside, bathed in an ethereal glow, lay three vials of the coveted drug. A column of swirling dry ice surrounded the box, maintaining a frosty embrace despite the auditorium's arctic air conditioning.

Unwittingly, all consortium members save for Hong Xizhen rose to his feet.

Immediately, several androids moved to the platform to protect the drug sample from the greedy members.

"Everyone, please take your seat," Byron Thorne's voice rang out, never mind that he was one of the first people who jumped to his feet to take a better look at the drug samples.

"Three vials," Hideki Kanno remarked, his tone far from being happy and satisfied. "Why only three? Lady, do you not know how many members this consortium has?"

Martha quickly rushed to Miriam's defense.

"Hideki-san, no offense but Atticus did not exactly tidy up his laboratory in preparation for Dr. Schlinger's arrival. Being able to synthesize three vials within less than a month is already quite an achievement, considering that Atticus did not grace us with even a droplet within fourteen years of research."

Hideki clicked with his tongue.

"Fine," he growled. "Then who will get the first three vials?"