STARR BIOLOGY - BIOSAFETY FACILITY - 11:00 PM (FLASHBACK TO A FEW HOUR AGO)
Dr. Sarah Chen stared at the gene enhancement serum formula on her display—thirty-four active components, zero predicted side effects, revolutionary benefits that seemed too good to be true—and made a decision that bypassed every standard protocol she'd followed in thirty years of medical research.
"We're testing this tonight," she announced to the empty laboratory, then immediately opened a group message to her entire research team, "Emergency meeting in Lab 3 in thirty minutes—we have gene enhancement serum ready for biological verification and I refuse to wait another day when we could be confirming this works."
Her phone erupted with responses within seconds—fifteen scientists who should have been sleeping but were instead clearly awake and thinking about the same thing she was.
Dr. James Wright: "Finally! I've been running simulations all evening. On my way."
