• Landing in 30 minutes. Please make sure you're seated with safety bars securely fastened, thank you.

• This is it. I thought in my mind as I heard the landing gears of the shuttle being engaged.

Being a xenobiologist has always been a dream of mine ever since I was a child. Seeing all of the new and wonderful flore and fauna has always piqued my curiosity. As one might expect, getting the needed certifications is quite a strict process and a competitive one at that. And as the luck would have it, I managed to pass the certification with flying colors! Looking outside the windows, I saw vast expanses of a jungle as far as the eye can see. After a while, I could sense the craft touching down on the runway. Luckily, the local atmosphere has already categorized as 'safe' so there's no need for masks. The hatch on the back then opened, allowing all of the passengers to disembark. The base itself we arrived was quite small, no doubt because it was only built very recently. The buildings were still efficiently build thanks to advanced printing techniques. After making entering the main bulding and showing my credentials, I immediately set off to the lab.

• So, you're a new xenobiologist they assigned here, huh? A voice called as I entered the lab.

I looked around and saw an another scientist. He was a bit taller than me and for some reason decided to wear his labcoat like a cape for the occacion.

• Oh, hi. Yes, that is me. Bob Gullichsen at your service! I said with sorta-obvious glee.

• Jason Walker, nice to meet you too. I've been here for about 4 months before you. I'm sure we'll make a great team!

• So, do you have any idea what they're gonna do with this planet? Is a corporation about to start some operations in here or something?

• As far as I know, there's going to be a colony around these parts. And it's up to xenobiologists like us to determine the safety of the environment.

• Of course. Our work is very important when it comes to environmental verification after all.

Suddenly, my body got cravings for coffee. Looking around, managed to spot a coffee dispenser in a corner. After having my fix, I started to look at the many equipment they had in the lab. Microscopes, tissue analyzers... Yep, everything's been accounted for!

• So, what made you pursue this profession, Mr. Gullichsen? Jason asked me.

• Science's one thing. But I suppose I'm in it primarily for the adventure. And of course money since the Union does pays excellent wages for this job.

• Heh, looks like you have it good. Just remember to be careful, alright? After all, we're dealing with unknown species here. As you might have heard from your briefing: 'Never touch or ingest anything you don't know about'. It's a job that demands patience for a reason.

• Yeah, I'll always try to keep that in mind, thanks.

Just then, a young woman appeared in the doorway. He had brunette hair tied up in a knot and wore circular framed glasses. Unlike Bob and Jason, she wore a suit.

• Excuse me. She said. - Have you seen a missing book lately? My coworker has lost it a few days ago and he's getting a little desperate.

I took a quick glance at the room. There didn't appear to be any missing books around. At least, no books that weren't meant to be there.

• Sorry, looks like you're out of luck as far as this lab is concerned.

• Oh, you must be the new guy. Name's Carol Robinson. I'm from the off-world financial department. It feels so good to have new xenobiologists onboard.

• The pleasure's all mine. See you around Carol.

Carol made a little wave and continued on her way. I then noticed a sample on one of the workbenches.

• So, what can you tell me about this sample, Jason?

• Oh that plant. Yeah, I took from an expedition about two weeks ago. Pleliminary results indicate that's an edible plant somewhat similar in composition to tomatoes found back in earth.

• Wow, sounds sweet. Has anyone eaten it yet?

• Not yet. The alimentation tests still needs to be given before the final verdict. I was actually going to ask the Board tomorrow if they're willing to give the permission.

• Right, of course. Now, when it comes to my assignment, it looks like my first expedition's in a beach area, on an island about 120 kilometers from the base southwest.

• And what do you expect to find there? Jason inquired.

• If I'm lucky, probably a couple of coconut samples. But since they only LOOK like coconuts, it would be a mild disappointment if they turn to be inedible at best. And even though I'm gonna be decked out in the field gear constantly during the trip, you can bet I can still be nervous at the prospect of encountering mosquitoes with who knows what in them. Though they're also going to be important all the same.

• I'm gonna root for you no matter what. Say, are you hungry? I suppose you don't mind heading over to the cafeteria for a few snacks?

• No, I don't mind. It's lame to do everything with an empty stomach after all. I hope they'll have soup today on the menu.