Alaskan hidden laboratory

Gripping the armrest tight, I could not contain my excitement as the specks came into focus as the pilot prepared to land. Anchorage looked even more beautiful than we had imagined as I admired my partner watching in awe. I felt a knot in my stomach as we approached the gate. I had waited years for this chance, and it was finally here. Years of grunt work investigating antibiotic discoveries, biological warfare, and the hidden side of pharmaceutical companies has finally given me my moment. While collecting our luggage, a slender man with fair skin approached us.  

“Hello. Eleanor and Jack, my name is Anthony. I will be escorting you to the home base. I trust you had a safe journey,” he said with a deep timber voice. “We still have a few hours of traveling. If you need to eat or use the restroom, this is your time.”  

Jack opened his mouth but stopped as I kept shaking my head. He chuckled. “I guess we are ready to leave now. Ellie is itching to get to the tour.” Beaming like a child, I looked lovingly into his hazel eyes, thinking how lucky I am to have someone who knows me so well. He continued. “Plus, if we wait any longer, you might realize how annoying she is and send us back to Tampa.”  

I scowled as Jack shrugged before striding after Anthony. I ran to catch up but was startled as I exited into the chill of an Alaskan spring day. Shivering and out of breath, I finally reached the car. Dropping my bags into the trunk, I slid into the warmth, exhaling with relief. Anthony rolled his green eyes as I dramatically rubbed my hands, holding them against the hot air before he started off.   

I woke up to Jack fidgeting, then wiped the drool off my ebony cheek. Through all my excitement, I had forgotten how exhausting traveling is after sleeping through almost all of the drive. Gazing out the window, I gasped at the beauty of the glistening stars around the northern lights, thinking about how I had never seen such natural beauty.  

Sneakily, I removed my phone and aimed it at the sky. Just as I went to take a picture, Anthony cleared his throat. “Please let me remind you that the agreement is that you are not to take any pictures, videos, or anything other than handwritten notes from the minute I collect you from the airport to the minute I drop you back.”  

Like a child, I sunk into my seat and nodded. I placed my phone back into my pocket, ignoring Jack giggling away, we approached a security checkpoint.  

“Hey Anthony, these those Floridians you been telling me 'bout. Well, I still got to check the docs, tell 'em to pass it over.” The officer bellowed through his mask. He was padded in layers, barely able to see through his goggles. Gathering the documents, he stumbled back to his office. Anthony chuckled as he closed the window.  

“What is so funny?” I demanded.  

Anthony turned his head to us. “Oh, nothing, just this silly thing between us. Geraldo thought you would only stay ten minutes in this weather before turning around.” Laughing to himself, he saw the displeasure in our faces. “Just a harmless joke. Besides, I have read most of your work and knew that this weather cannot stop Eleanor Davis.” He looked back and smiled.  

“I forgive you, and you are right. Nothing will stop me!” Looking over at Jack as he took my hand, I blushed before continuing, “Nothing will stop us.”  

Geraldo returned with our passes and wished us well while slipping Anthony a crisp $20 bill before leaving with a little huff. The gate opened, and we drove into the facility.   

It was difficult to tell in the dark, but the buildings seemed small and sparse, with lots of empty space. I was underwhelmed but decided to dictate even the most mundane moments. After a few minutes, we approached a small shelter and headed inside.  

Through the entry, we crammed into this spotless room with a giant secure door. It was the first time I had to do a fingerprint, image, and pass scanning just to be allowed into a facility. The security was quite impressive. Through the door was just a singular escalator going down. I hesitated but stepped on with Jack right behind me. As we descended, I slowed my breathing but felt nervous as each second felt like a minute.   

We reached the landing and walked along this long corridor. It was bright white with no doors, windows, or anyone in sight. Finally, we stopped along a railing at the end that overlooked this enormous space. We were thousands of feet below the surface, in a facility with laboratory work as far as the eye could see.   

“I…hmm, is, how?” Fumbling and failing to formulate a sentence. I fell silent.  

“So, what is the work going on here?” Jack asked. 

Anthony hesitated a moment, then responded while descending down the steel staircase. "The laboratories are sectioned into areas ranging from defense to biofuels but are mostly biology-based. This company works with military, government, and private contracts with the best scientists in the world.” Turning left, we kept walking down the corridor until he stopped and turned. “More on that tomorrow, save your questions for the tour. If you step in here, this will be your sleeping facility for the night.”  

“How about just a tour of the canteen?” Jack broke in. I laughed as his stomach growled.  

Unamused, Anthony replied. “Per your dietary restrictions, we have fully stocked your refrigerator and pantry. You have a working stove and microwave, which should be plenty to tide you over till tomorrow. To this side, you have a fully functional bathroom and shower.” We walked to our mini apartment as he continued, “As for the canteen, after the virus outbreak, we decided not to allow that anymore. I will meet you just outside your door at 0900 hrs. There will be no need to leave your quarters, and shall remain here at all times unless escorted by security personnel such as myself.”  

“That is all fine, but can we make it earlier?” I blurted out. “There is so much to see, and I want more time listening to Dr. Rollins.” I was excited like a child in a candy store.   

“No. " Anthony spoke sternly. "Dr. Rollins set the schedule. I will see you tomorrow.” He left as we started to unpack our things. Glad to finally wash the grime from traveling, we made a few grilled cheeses and passed out.  

Beep! Beep! Wriggling around and pushing my eye mask away, I tried to focus on a blurry figure beside me.   

“Rise and shine, sleepy head. It is 8 am, are you ready?” Jack passed me a steaming cup of coffee with vanilla creamer and whipped cream. Excited, I frantically rushed to prepare and get dressed.   

We met Anthony wearing a duplicate navy suit to the one he had worn yesterday. The tour was a maze of excitement. Trying to keep up and write everything down was challenging. We spoke to scientists in lots of different specialties. Finally, after over an hour, we reached the laboratory I had been most eager to see. We stood before a large chrome door with the name Dr. Jeffery Rollins etched into it. I felt my heart pounding faster. Anthony slid his access card, and a waft of air hit us as the door slid open.  

I could barely believe it was finally time to meet him. At twenty-five years old, he took the medical field by storm. He discovered a compound that reduces tumor growth by sixty percent in most cases. He then went on to win numerous prizes and worked on the leading research at only thirty years old. He is nothing short of an inspiration. Rarely seen in the public eye, he is an enigma to the world. 

There were whiteboards covered with equations and ideas, centrifuges spinning away, and just a whirlwind of fantastic machinery working away. We stopped at an office, and Anthony knocked on the door.  

"Die, die, die! Come on, what are you doing?" Silently, we listened as the strange voice emanated from the room. Anthony knocked louder. "Is it time already? Ugh, fine, I got to go. Come in." 

Anthony pushed the door to release a lingering sour stench. We stepped into a dark room with large screens on the far side with what looked like a video game of cars playing soccer. The leather chair swiveled, revealing a stocky man finishing a bag of chips and brushing the crumbs off his pants leg. He reached out a sweaty fair palm. 

"Hey, nice to meet you. I am Jeff, but my fans call me the tumor blaster," I shook his hand, trying to ignore the feeling of disappointment. We sat for a while as he conversed about his video games, rankings, and not letting anyone get a word in. Finally, he stopped and looked up at the confusion on our faces, then continued, "Sorry, I get carried away. You are not here to listen to that, so fire away with your questions." 

I started with my most difficult questions. Jeff pushed himself up, smiled, and wiped off a complicated equation on the whiteboard with his sleeve. He went on to explain everything in detail of every question I had. I felt my excitement return after listening to him for hours. Eventually, it was time we said our goodbyes.  

Swiftly, we arrived at the airport then stopped before security. "It was nice to meet you both, and I assume the facility lived up to your expectations,” said Anthony. “Have a safe flight, and I look forward to reading your article." 

We shook his hand as I apologetically said. "Jeff is exceptional. He was different from what I expected, and I misjudged him. Tell him I am sorry." Anthony nodded, then turned to leave.  

On the plane, we watched as the city turned into a speck in the distance. I let out a sigh. "That was something," Jack chuckled as he put an arm around me. "You really never know what you might find in a secret laboratory." 

"Yes, but it was even better than I expected." I smiled as we returned to Tampa with a new outlook on scientists and a newfound respect for Dr. Rollins.