[Gotham Airport.]
The clock hands kindly informed me that it was eight in the morning. I was sitting in the car, impatiently waiting for Kavita Rao. She had finished her business in Midvale and had flown to our "cozy" Gotham. I'm sure she'll fall in love with this city… And here comes the guest, straight from the sky…
"Glad you're here."
"Thank you, Alex. I sincerely hope that our adventure will be a success," Rao sighed, adjusting her glasses. "First, I need to get acquainted with my workplace."
"I was thinking of taking you to your apartment first…"
"You shouldn't," the professor interrupted me, sitting down in the passenger seat. "I believe that you wouldn't skimp on my home. Besides, I'm not that picky in that regard. But in terms of the work environment, I'm quite demanding, so we should start with it."
Not wanting to argue with her, I drove towards the workshop, the workshop that would soon become a laboratory for developing the super soldier serum and other scientific experiments. So, I started thinking about giving this place a name.
So far, the only word spinning in my thoughts is "Babylon", which, in my opinion, competently emphasizes the essence of this place, where it will be possible to gain the power with which it will be possible to resist the Gods.
I know, pathos is in full swing, but I like it, so the name remains for now. As soon as we arrived at "Babylon", I gave Kavita the key card and password.
I also saved her fingerprints and retina scan in the database. But all these precautions are nothing against the most important security system - artificial intelligence.
"Kavita, meet my virtual assistant - "Eva". She is responsible for the security of this building, and for everything else, in general. If you need anything, feel free to contact her. She's an irreplaceable assistant," I proudly introduced this miracle.
"Artificial intelligence?" Rao asked in a trembling voice. "Where did you get it? I've heard that only the most influential companies in the world own such advanced technology. And they would never reveal it to outsiders."
"Let's just say that a very close friend of mine is the head of one of those companies, and he kindly provided it to me."
"Bruce Wayne?" the woman said, making a logical assumption in her head.
"Right. So, have I grown in your eyes now? Does this adventure seem less crazy to you now?"
"No, it's still pure madness. Just listen to me from the outside. Dr. Kavita Rao, rising star Alex Reath, and metho-villain Poison Ivy, are trying to recreate the super-soldier serum developed and lost during World War II by studying the blood of Captain America, who is presumed dead. We have an artificial intelligence called Eve and a secret laboratory called Babylon," the scientist finished her monologue.
"Hmm, but it really does sound like something…"
"Crazy?"
"Incredible! You have to admit, this is cool!"
"Okay, that's it, I give up," she covered her face with a facepalm. "If only they wouldn't mistake us for a secret evil society trying to enslave the world. Then I would bury my head in the sand and pretend I didn't exist."
I gave a tour of the lab, showed Kavita her research workstation, as well as her personal office. I had purchased the main equipment a long time ago, so the room was not empty. But when Professor Rao handed me a list of the necessary, as she said, additions, I slightly cringed. And this is what she calls additions?
"Eve, how much will it cost to buy everything from this list?" I asked, and tensely waited for an answer.
"Don't forget that I will not be the only one working here. And I am not going to share my equipment with others, as it may take away my precious time. I am sure Pamela will have a similar requirement. Therefore, some devices and tools you will have to buy two at a time, or better yet three, in case of unexpected breakdown," reminded Rao, and gave me a few more painful blows. "Here is the second list. It presents the basic materials necessary for the work of a botanist. Since this is not exactly my field, the list is not complete, you will have to buy what you need after discussing it with Dr. Pamela Isley."
*Should I take into account the new list, as well as the optimal number of presented machines and tools necessary for full-fledged work, taking into account possible factors of breakdown?* Eva decided to clarify.
"Yes," I said, slumping my shoulders in despair.
*The total amount of purchases will be $ 115 million.*
Hearing the stated amount gave me a headache. Damn, I never expected it to be so expensive. And this is only the initial investment, only preparation for the project. Moreover, I will have to buy additional equipment, and this is additional expenses. When the research itself begins, huge sums will also be needed, which will quickly begin to melt away.
This whole undertaking will cost me a pretty penny, and I'm not sure I can handle it. Perhaps I started this project too early. Besides, I can't just abandon my company. It also needs investment in its further development. Sigh, It's too late to think about that, I'll find the money…..somehow.
"Eva, order everything on the list and have them delivered as soon as possible," I gave the order.
"I'll keep an eye on it," Kavita said. *Until the necessary equipment is delivered, I won't have anything to do anyway. Besides, I need to make sure that the things that are delivered to us are of the right quality. This is not the first time I've done this."
"Okay, in that case I'm calm."
"Alex," she turned to me. "So when will I get a colleague?"
"I'm working on it…"
"The sooner you resolve this issue, the better. You should know that I want to discuss a lot with my partner. For example, how exactly does she control the plants? With spores, or does she use pheromones? Or maybe she is connected to them telepathically.."
Ooo, it seems we are losing her. Her slightly obsessive look gives me goosebumps. I hope she does not scare Pamela away with this on the very first day. And I hope that Pamela does not strangle our obsessed one with her vines out of fear. Tapping my finger on the forehead of the crazy doctor, I returned her to Earth.
"What happened, I think I passed out," Rao said, rubbing her forehead.
"Hey, what's over there?"
"My workshop, I work on my project there."
"Are you serious?" She cast a doubtful look at me. "And what is this project?"
"I call it "GLM Glasses", they…"
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