Mike personally escorted Lana because the Green Family was involved in the issue. Lana took him to Logan's room. Logan had no desire to allow a general into his room so he met them at the door and provided the contract to the General.
Lana asked, "Can you send one to my team members as well, please? Since testing requires them to spend time inside, I think it's necessary."
"Already done. In fact, I have already gotten it back from all your team members. They can participate now. Remember, there are 5 beds."
Lana nodded, "exactly. I'm planning a week with 5, then a week where we add more people to test the limits of the system. Then I plan to test it using it as a portable lab."
"Portable lab, huh?" Logan rubbed his chin. "The tournament is still a week away… Come see me tomorrow to discuss some things. I will also need to make a modification to the model you have on you after you have completed the current research. I need to get back to my current project." Logan then closed the door.
Mike looked at her. "kinda rude, isn't he?"
She shrugged, "That's just him. He doesn't mean anything by it. His focus is on his projects. Would you feel more comfortable about this if you could see what I have doing? Do you have time to walk a bit more with me?"
He smiled, "I will make time."
She took him to her tree area. "This open space here is where the next prototype will be placed. I've kinda taken over this area. This stand of trees here is where I was when that boy attacked me." She took a deep breath. "Behind us," she turned around, "is my tree."
"I was wondering where this huge tree came from. Did you grow this?" Mike asked in earnest.
She nodded. "I have kept out all adults and most students because I do my own research. Only three teachers have been in here." She took another deep breath. The branches swung open. "After you," she swept her hand to invite him in.
He looked at her then the tree then went in. He whistled a low sound as he looked around. "It looks like you could live here."
She nodded and pointed. "Up there is my lab and over there is my bedroom so I can take naps during the day. I use a lot of MC when I'm working so naps during the day can be important."
"Aren't you worried about safety?"
"A few things. I have been using the student market to make money with my friends to buy them ability books to make them stronger. With the danger ever present now, they are with me more often. This room over here is the store room where I keep the things I need for the market stall. Second," she fidgets, "tree, lock down."
They didn't see anything happen. "Go to those hanging branches and try to move them."
He did and they didn't move. He looked back questioning.
She breathed deeply then decided to trust just a bit more. "My file says that my ability is plants."
Mike nodded, "Right. What does that mean? Is that why you are in the agricultural department instead of science?"
"Understand, the three teachers that have been here are the Agriculture teacher, Leo and the science teacher, though I don't see him much. As a student who has never been published, I needed a scientist to validate that I conducted my studies in accordance with proper parameters. The science teacher has only been here twice and it was just to validate my methodologies. I actually studied that aspect on my own because I need the plant aspect more than anything. As a result, I have three studies I'm working on the finishing touches of and should be published by the end of term. I may need to cancel the market for those last two months. I'll play that by ear."
"Did you really upgrade your people solely from the market?"
"Uh, no…" She fidgeted again. "On Caladi, I bought the book on creatures and decided the fire snakes would be best for us to go after. The first couple of battles offered a bit of a challenge but it turned out our abilities were truly perfect for such a foe. We stayed out over night in a tree much like this one so we could hunt longer. Well, on that second day, toward the end of our day, we stumbled upon a nest. We barely got out of there alive but we were able to clear the nest."
Mike whistled. "So, you came back with a lot of intermediate crystals."
"Yes. I bought ability books, armor, even weapons for my team. I have full confidence in them that if the person at large comes, I will be okay if they are here. What I don't trust is that he has help from powerful people." She looked him in the eyes. "If my life is threatened, I will defend myself as well as my friends. We have been through a lot this year. We are more like family."
"I'm more impressed by you, personally. The Green Family truly has a great asset in you."
Lana smiled shyly. "Did you want to see my lab or anything?"
Mike shook his head. "I'm confident that you know what you're doing. I'll sign off on you doing the research for the Green family. Send me a list of those participating and I'll clear them being here during curfew hours. But they have to stay here. No wandering around campus. Oh, is there a place in this contraption for going to the bathroom?"
She laughed, "yes. Once you've read the contract and Logan has confirmed you have returned it, I'll let you see the inside."
"Is it secure?"
"Yes. Just in case you need to be told this, the only reason you are being invited to see it is because we need permission to conduct this level of research. There will be no invitations to any other officials or students outside my own group of friends. I add in the word friends there because I will need extra people to challenge the system. I want to see how far over capacity we can go before the system gets stressed."
Mike nodded and looked at his watch. "Looks like lunch is about ready. Do you want me to escort you to the canteen so your friends can take over escorting you?"
She shook her head. "I'm in my tree. I'm safe here. I just need to message them to come here for lunch and I'll feed them. Then I'll stay here for afternoon club."
Mike nodded. "I'll leave you here then."
"General Mike, Thank you."
He smiled, "anytime."
She then issued the command to end lockdown so he could leave and her friends could come in.