Progression in Interdimensional Travel (39)

"It's almost like it's communicating," the lead biologist said, marveling at the response. "We'll need to isolate the chemical compounds responsible for this."

Not far away, a group of botanists examined larger plant specimens that resembled spiral ferns, their coiled fronds shimmering with iridescent hues. One frond was carefully uncoiled under a transparent dome, revealing a series of nodules along its surface. A botanist touched the nodule with a gloved finger, and the entire plant seemed to shudder in response, releasing a faint mist of spores into the air.

"Collect those spores!" the lead botanist instructed, motioning to an assistant who quickly activated a vacuum sampling device. The spores were funneled into a containment vial, their soft glow casting a faint light onto the researcher's hands.