“I don’t know. I saw him and the General talking at the Rec center a couple days ago. I wonder what he said to him just now,” Alex said softly.

  “I hope he isn't getting reassigned. I mean he hasn't been super helpful the last few days but we all have off days,” Evalyn said, wringing her hands as she looked at the door.

  Reshma reached out and gently patted Evalyn’s shoulder, “I hope so too. I guess we will find out in a few days when we get the report from the Admin team.”

  “So what do we do now? I haven't been here for one of these reviews. Do we just keep working on the experiment like normal, or do we wait for the report?” Alex asked, looking at Reshma.

  “Well we have a couple things to take care of. First, we need to run a diagnostics on the press with these parts. Especially since we got a positive result!” Reshma stated. Alex had a twinge of guilt knowing it was because of him. “Secondly, but I suppose this is more something I need to do, we need to find out who was in our lab that stole those parts!” Everyone nodded in agreement. “I do think that once we get our results and know whether or not anyone will be reassigned to join our team we should start to get the parts in and begin the build for Siddiq’s project.”

  “Really?!” Siddiq exclaimed.

  “Yes, your presentation really sold it, and they seemed to love the idea for it. So let’s go ahead and make sure we can get started or even work both projects in tandem,” Reshma smiled. “Of course that will depend on the outcome of the review. For now, let us complete the diagnostic on the press.” Reshma walked towards the press as the others followed.

  “I find it fascinating that it worked. I was just hoping the lever would move!” Evalyn chuckled.

  “Yes, I was a little worried but the parts were in good condition. I am just thankful that I never sent them back,” Reshma said, raising his hand to his chin.

  “I just can’t believe someone would want to sabotage us. How would they even know what we were working on?” Alex asked.

  “That is what I will have to find out,” Reshma said, tapping a finger on his chin. “For now, let's run our tests and a few experiments. Afterwards, if you all are up for it I would like to celebrate and treat you all to a meal!”

  “Wait, like the food court or are you cooking?” Siddiq practically drooled as the words left his mouth.

  “Well I was thinking about the food court, but I could make something if you would all like to hang out and wait,” Reshma smiled at him.

  “I am down to wait!” Siddiq exclaimed.

  “Well, with that reaction I am curious,” Alex laughed.

  “Oh, Reshma is a wonderful cook,” Evalyn added.

  “Well that settles it. When we are done here I will go to the Recreation Center to pick up some items. Oh, I need to go to the admin office too,” Reshma frowned.

  “I could go there. I need to find out about what teams I am going to have to go meet with anyway,” Alex offered.

  “Oh that would be wonderful,” Reshma said. “Well then let's get this done, shall we?” Alex and the team worked for the next couple hours. Taking pieces off the press, checking them and putting them back on.

  “Alright, I think that is all we can do. If we get out of here now, I will go shop and you all can meet me at my apartment Building 1, room 122,” Reshma smiled clasping his hands. Everyone nodded and headed out.

  “I will head over after I take care of stuff over at the admin building,” Alex waved as he rode off on his scooter. Alex turned down the path that led towards the building. He hopped off his scooter, locked it and headed up the stairs to the reception area. As he opened the door he was surprised to see an older woman with auburn hair and glasses sitting low on her nose peer up at him.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Hello, how may I help you today?” she inquired

  “Oh, hello. I am Alex Moorez. I had a couple of things to ask about,” he replied.

  “Yes, and what would that be?” she asked, peering over the top of her glasses at him.

  “Right, uh my group just had our evaluation and I was told that I would be meeting with some other teams to go over some data. I just wanted to know if there was a list of who and where to meet them,” Alex gulped.

  “Oh, yes of course. General Dempsey did say something about this. Let me see here,” she looked back at the monitor and started to type the clack of her overly long nails, grating on Alex’s nerve.

  “So how long have you been here?” Alex asked, trying to make some small talk.

  “A while. This is going to take a few moments,” she replied without looking up.

  “Okay.. I am going to go look at the tank while you look that up. Thanks,” Alex said, as he turned towards the lobby where the large tank was. I wonder how the little octopus is, he thought to himself as he searched the tank.

  Alex heard the door open and a familiar voice called out, “Hey Glenda! I am back thanks so much for covering the desk.”

  “No problem, I am just helping, Mr. Moorez,” replied Glenda.

  “Oh I can take care of that if you want to go. Is he still here?” Emily asked her.

  “Lobby, and sure, I will take off. I need to go meet with a few of the reps,” Glenda said, her tone was short. She stood up, grabbed her bag and left the office without another word. Alex heard Emily sigh before hearing her footsteps move towards him.

  “Hey Alex!” she said as she leaned against the wall. “How can I help you today? Glenda didn't actually say what you were asking.”

  “Yeah, well she is super friendly. I'm surprised,” Alex said, raising his eyebrows at her.

  Emily giggled, “We get that all the time when it comes to her. I honestly think she is upset that I was named office manager and not her.”

  “Well I needed help with two things. First, General Dempsey said that I would be called to help with some other teams. So I just wanted to know who and where. Second, and this is a little more sensitive. Someone broke into our lab and stole parts from our press machine before our evaluation today,”Alex said.

  Emily gasped, “What?!”

  “That was our thoughts. Thankfully we still had parts from our original build that we could use. We put the press back together just in time for the review, but we need to know who was in our lab and why they did this,” Alex finished.

  “That is a very serious problem. The culprit could end up in prison for this,” she said, biting her nails. “Hmm, okay, so getting you the list should be simple. I will have to dig into the logs and cameras for the lab situation though.” Emily walked back towards the front desk and sat at the computer.

  “Hopefully Glenda had started on the list?” Alex asked as he followed her to the desk.

  “Well she was working on a list, just not yours. Unless you are looking to meet up with three crowns of broccoli, two carrots, two cucumbers, and a head of lettuce?” Emily laughed.

  “Uh, I think not,” Alex answered, scratching his head.

  Emily chuckled and started to type. A few moments later she got up and grabbed a sheet off the printer and handed it to him. “It looks like they have seven teams listed here. I know they still have a few more, so it may get changed, but I will let you know. This way you can at least get working with them. The list has the team names, building and lab number. You will be authorized to these labs for the next four days. After that your access will be revoked.”

  “Wow thanks Emily,” Alex said looking at the list she handed him.

  “No problem,” she smiled. “As for the other matter, give me a few days to dig into that. I will reach out to Reshma or you if I find anything.”

  “Reshma would appreciate that. He was going to come here himself, but I told him I already needed to, so I would ask. Thanks, as always, for all your help Emily. You’re the best.” Alex smiled back at her. “I am going to get out of your hair now. We are meeting up to have dinner as a team.”

  “Have fun. I will get to work on this right away,” Emily said solemnly.

  Alex nodded and headed out the front door, hopped on his scooter and headed to his apartment. I think I will freshen up before heading over. Alex rode down the walkway and headed to his building. As he approached the door to his apartment building something felt off.

  Danger! The voice rang in his head. Making him freeze in place.