Intern Assignments (Luke)

More than a week have passed since I started the internship program in Skye Tech Industries. It's been a busy week of training with my fellow interns. The first week was kind of boring for me to be honest. It was all about paperwork. We were taught and trained regarding the necessary paperwork required for a single project to be approved. I'm not exaggerating when I say it was a ton. Many of us found it boring, except for Maria and Gary. They seemed to enjoy the job more than we do or they just found it less boring. Clari, Walter and myself were absolutely begging for the week to pass.

I think it’s safe to say that the first week were not as exciting as I hoped it would be. Well except for that encounter in the alley. It still wasn’t clear to me what happened then. I still have no idea why those men attacked Olivia. It couldn’t have been a mugging incident since they seem to know her. I asked Olivia about it the next day when I found her in the main lab. She just dismissed it and said it none of my business.

This week was a lot more exciting than the first one. We observed some senior scientists these few days and might even be assigned as their assistant/apprentice for a couple of weeks. Ms. Soo explained to us that while we were observing some of the scientists working on their projects she will let us experience working on a project with some of the scientists that might require our assistance.

Ms. Soo lead us to the main lab. It was the biggest lab in the building. It takes more than half of an entire floor. She lead us to the elevator and used her keycard to access the 10th floor which is where the main lab was located. Clari was absolutely giddy and Walter can't help but smile. They were probably excited to get their assignment. Maria and Gary were not as excited as the two. I noticed that Maria was silently swaying in the back, while Gary kept tapping his foot. I just stood still, waiting for the elevator to open. I’m nervous about our assignment. I just hope I get assigned to someone who’s nice or at least not an ass of a person.

The elevator door opens to a long hallway. We walked straight in the hallway until we reached a giant double glass double door. Ms. Soo scanned her keycard and put in a code. A small beep came out of the keypad which was followed by the double door opening towards the room.

I still haven’t got used to the sight of this laboratory. Every time I enter I still get amazed. It was like I was seeing it again for the first time. I still remember Ms. Soo’s smile when we first entered this room and she said, “Welcome to the main lab.” My fellow interns couldn’t help but smile as we took in the scene. I think it was safe to say that we all dreamed of being part of this lab and this community.

Many people in lab coats who seem to be in their own worlds, busy with whatever project they are working on, filled the room. The other interns and I turned our heads around, taking in the sight. Our faces and reactions were a mixture of amazements and wows.

My memory faded as my attention now went back to Ms. Soo when she called someone and a person wearing a lab coat approached us.

"Hi everyone, I'm Dr. Alistair Thompson," The man introduced himself with a noticeable British accent. He explained to us that he is the head scientist managing the main laboratory. That's what I understood anyway. He was talking very fast.

Ms. Soo let us introduce ourselves to Dr. Thompson. Clari went first. She shook Dr. Thompson's hand violently while she talked about how impressed she was on the new invention he was working on. I remember hearing that invention on the news, it was supposed to be applied on the military and is awaiting approval for testing. Dr. Thompson just went along with Clari's energy and smiled during the whole thing. Next to introduce himself was Gary. Unlike Clari, he just said his name and shook Dr. Thompson's hand. The same was for Walter and Maria who came next, respectively. I was the last one to be introduced and when the head scientist heard my name, more specifically my last name, his smile changed into a frown.

"Are you related to Dr. Harrison by any chance?"

I nodded my head, "Yes sir, he's my brother"

"I'm so sorry about what happened to your brother. He was such a smart and kind individual. He had a bright future ahead of him. It was so unfortunate what happened to him."

I just continued to nod and kept my head down. I didn't want to get so emotional remembering my brother. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see that it belonged to Dr. Thompson. On the corner of my eye, I can also see Walter with a sad smile on their face, trying to comfort me. I gave them a small smile in return to assure that I'm okay.

After making sure I was okay, Dr. Thompson walked around the main lab as we followed him. I recognized some of the scientists working on their own inventions. Some of them were introduced to us during our first time in the main lab. While they seem to be working alone on their projects, there are also some who are collaborating on their works. It was amazing seeing such great minds working on their creations.

Dr. Thompson explained that while we were training during the past few days, he was observing us and assessing our skills. He also said that he will assign us to be an assistant to a senior scientist. He did not yet mention which ones needed an assistant but according to him, he based the assignments on our performance.

I got a bit nervous about it once again when I saw that in the end of the room there were three people in lab coats waiting for us. I think I recognized the three of them as some of the senior scientists we were introduced to before. We were kind of introduced or subjected into their works but only about the basics. If I'm being honest, I sometimes find myself zoning out. As much as this job or training is interesting, my brain just tends to wander off I guess.

When we reached the three of them, they all greeted Dr. Thompson and the rest of us. I can clearly identify who they are now that I am in front of them. The one on my right was Dr. Antonio Ramirez, as far as I can remember his project was more into chemical engineering. The one on the middle was Dr. Yuri Pavlov, his project leans into a mixture of microbiology and nanotechnology. Lastly, the one on my left was Dr. Penelope Morgan, her project was more on rocket design and machinery I think.

Dr. Thompson once again introduced the scientists to us and us to them, even though we clearly met each other before. It seems kind of weird though. I thought each of the interns were supposed to be assigned to one senior scientist. There's five of us and only three of them. I wonder if two interns might get assigned to one senior scientist.

After once again explaining how the assignments were chosen, Dr. Thompson finally gave us the assignments. Maria was assigned to Dr. Pavlov since she has a background in medical technology. Clari was assigned to Dr. Morgan as she has a master's degree in mechanical engineering. Gary was assigned to Dr. Ramirez as he would be perfect for it with his degree in chemical engineering. I was assigned to a Dr. Pickett. I don't remember being introduced to a Dr. Pickett during the training. I wonder who that is. Finally, Walter was assigned to Dr. Thompson. I didn't even know he needed an intern assistant.

Once the assignments have been assigned, Ms. Soo seemed to type some things in the tablet she was holding. She turned to us interns. "I have reprogrammed your keycards to have access on your assigned projects. You now have access on the laboratories where the projects are located. Additional access to some other labs, storage and facilities will have to go through your assigned senior scientists first before being granted."

We just nodded in response. The senior scientists seem to already know these rules. "Congratulations interns, you now have your first assignment. You will now be under the provision of your assigned senior scientist until the end of the program where they will evaluate your performance. Good luck," Ms. Soo smiled at us before leaving.

One by one, my fellow interns started to leave with their assigned scientists. Dr. Thompson, Walter and myself were left from the group. Before Dr. Thompson was about to leave, I called out to him, "Dr. Thompson, I'm sorry but I don't know where my assignment is. I don't think we've met Dr. Pickett yet."

When I finished speaking, Dr. Thompson looked at Walter with a frown as Walter looked back at him as well. They then turned their attention back to me as Dr. Thompson responded, "I thought you already know Olivia, I saw you talking to her on a few occasions."

Olivia. Of course, I get assigned to Olivia.

"Oh," it was the only response that came out of my mouth.

"Yes. Olivia and Matthew was working on a project before the incident with the fire. I'm afraid that after your brother, she refuses to work with anyone else. After seeing you interact a few times, I figured she might respond to your assistance better since you're Matthew's brother," Dr. Thompson explained.

I just nodded in response. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this assignment.

"She might not admit it, but she clearly needs help on that project. I think you're perfect for the job," He turned his back at me with a wave as Walter followed behind him. Walter looked back at me and mouthed a good luck before they were completely out of the room. I just gave him a small smile and whispered, "Thanks, you too."

Once they were out of the room, I once again realized that I still don't know where I should go. I hurriedly went out of the room to chase after Dr. Thompson and Walter. When I did, they were nowhere to be seen and I noticed that the elevator just went down a floor. I looked around myself, trying to think of something. Where can I find Olivia? More importantly, how can I find her?

I thought for a while until I remembered when my brother brought me here the first time. He mentioned working with Olivia on a project, which I think is in the lab he showed me, the one with the giant circular metal thing. I tried to remember which floor and room that was. I don't really remember the room number, but I think it was on the sixth floor. That was the floor where the event was held, and I think the lab was close if not behind it.

I went to the elevator, scanned my keycard and pressed the number 6. I was expecting my access to be denied, a confirmation of my failed theory on where Olivia might be. Surprisingly, I was granted access to the floor and within a few moments the elevator door opens to it. I stepped out of the elevator to try and find the lab in question. I wandered around the floor until I found a seemingly large room labeled, showroom. I think this was the room where the event was held before. If I could find the exit we went through I could probably find the way to that lab.

After tracing my steps from the event, I finally found the familiar large metal doors where my brother took me before. My hands fumbled to bring out my keycard to be scanned. I think I'm kind of hesitating to go in. This was one of the last places I was with Matthew. I'm not sure what that makes me feel. Finally, I took a deep breathe and put in a code. The doors open to the decontamination room and I went in. I took another deep breathe before stepping out of the glass room into the lab itself. I was met with a familiar sight, along with a familiar face and voice.