A sales representative opened the huge metal doors for us. My eyes went open wide at the sight before me: an endless array of aisles stood before me, all of them full of plants of all kinds, many with ripe fruits, plump vegetables, and colourful flowers.

"This hydroponics lab is amazing!" I exclaimed with joy. I turned to James. "Are you sure we've got this all to ourselves?"

He smiled and nodded. "Yes, Maester Khan called the client service and arranged it so that we'd be the only clients this afternoon."

As I stepped into the hydroponics lab, my breath caught in my throat. The soft hum of machines filled the air, a gentle reminder of the precision and care that governed every inch of that place.

"Oh my God..." I whispered.

"If you need anything," the sales representative said, "I'll be in the apples' section."

I came closer to the first plants I saw with fascination.

Rows and rows of glowing plants stretched before my eyes, their roots suspended in nutrient-rich water. I had spent days dreaming of this—a place where life flourished without soil, where the purest forms of nature could be nurtured for their healing properties. The lighting above bathed the herbs in a soft, almost ethereal glow, making each leaf and petal shimmer.

To my left, Gotu Kola stood tall, its fan-shaped leaves delicate and thriving. I reached out to touch one, marvelling at its cool texture.

"Amazing specimen," I said. I bit my lower lip as my gaze ran from leaf to leaf with fascination.

That humble herb had been used for centuries to enhance cognitive function, improve circulation, and even aid in the recovery of nerve damage. It was a cornerstone of my research.

Further down, the small yet vibrant Bacopa Monnieri—or water hyssop—caught my eye. I almost ran to it. Its small white flowers seemed unassuming, but I knew the power that lay within. It was known to improve memory and reduce anxiety, a boon for patients with Alzheimer's or those suffering from chronic neurological disorders. The idea that such a gentle-looking plant could help repair damaged neural pathways filled me with admiration.

"Oh my God. How many aisles are there?" I asked, taking a peek as I tiptoed to check how large the place was.

"The facility has got 20,000 square meters, so..." James replied somewhere behind me.

"It's... huge!" I exclaimed.

Next, St. John's Wort sat in its own section, thriving under the soft LED lights. Its bright yellow flowers never failed to make me smile. Long known for treating depression and mood disorders, it also showed promise for nerve pain. I couldn't help but imagine the patients who had found relief through this remarkable plant.

As I continued walking with an invigorating energy, James wheeled behind me. I was hoping he could keep up with me, because I was too thrilled to see it all that I forgot to be civil and wait for him.

I turned to him, and he was looking at me with a warm smile. I smiled back at him.

Then, I reached the Valerian root section, its earthy scent wafting towards me. Used primarily for sleep disorders, it also had neuroprotective properties, helping calm patients suffering from restless leg syndrome or even Parkinson's disease. I gently brushed my fingers against its leaves, feeling a deep sense of respect for its soothing effects.

And then, in the far corner of that aisle, there was Lion's Mane. Its soft, almost furry appearance belied its importance. Known to stimulate nerve growth factor, it had become a focal point in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis and ALS. I felt hope surge through me. Could this odd-looking mushroom hold the key to repairing the damage caused by that neurological disease we barely understood?

The next section held Ginkgo Biloba, its fan-shaped leaves swaying slightly under the gentle air circulation. It improved blood flow to the brain and had shown promise in helping patients with motor diseases regain their balance and coordination. The potential there was overwhelming, and I could barely contain my excitement as I stared at each specimen.

That lab was more than a space for experimentation—it was a sanctuary of hope. A place where science met nature to fight the battles that so many people had been waging against neurological disorders. I could feel the pulse of possibility in the air. These plants weren't just herbs; they were lifelines, each one holding the potential to change someone's future.

My father could be one of those whose life was in the balance.

As I started deeply and caressed a small leaf of a Ginkgo Biloba before me, I wondered how he might be coping with the disease. I wished I could call him and hear his voice again.

James cleared his throat, bringing my attention back onto the here and now. "Maester Khan places an order to the client service and gets the herbs he needs delivered to his study the next day," James said gently. "Choose the ones you want. In any quantity. I'm paying."

I turned my face to him and asked with trembling lips, "Are you sure?"

He nodded, but his smile convinced me.

His extreme generosity felt a huge weight on my shoulders. He had just bought me a smartphone—and not just the one with the most basic features. "How many can I order? I don't want to put your finances under strain."

"I insist. Order as many as you want, Mia. The future is at stake here."

His faith in me spurred my pride, but also ignited my fears. Yes, the future was at stake—but I wondered if I could achieve the goal of saving humanity from a pandemic on my own. What if I couldn't make it? If I failed, would James, Maester Khan, and Lord Commander Melnik turn their backs on me?

I briefly shook my head. I needed my wits sharp and trust my potential.

"Are you alright?" James asked with a worried frown.

"Yes, it's nothing." I smiled a bittersweet smile. "How do I place an order?"

"Easy. Use the phone I just bought for you." He chuckled as he pointed at a sign near me hanging from a metal column, which explained how to place an order. "Here, download the Flora Innovation app using the QR announced on the sign or the plant's card. Create your profile and start ordering."

I did as told, eager to put the smartphone James had just bought me some minutes ago to good use. A few minutes later, I had placed an order for all the plants and flowers I wanted to experiment with over the next few days.

The research I had carried out so far in Maester Khan's study room showed promising pathways to explore, especially those which, surprisingly, bore a striking similarity to the chemical formulas and components which my former team and I used to work on back at our lab at Mercy Hospital in Purple Rock. With some tweaks and touches to those formulas thanks to the plants and research here, I was convinced I could actually make it.

"Here, my card number, expiration date, and CVC code," James offered as he handed me his credit card.

I made a funny face as I bit my lower lip as I stared at it, not daring to touch it—much less take it.

Sensing my hesitation, he added, "Come on. Take it, Mia."

"You've paid a gazillion things for me. I feel terrible," I whispered, frowning a bit.

"Are you kidding me?" He scoffed. "I wish I could pay all my worries and problems away, but I can't. You've done a lot more for me than what I'm doing for you! To be honest..."

He made a brief pause as his mouth was ajar, and he gently shook his head.

"To be brutally honest," he then added, "I feel... so small compared to you. The things you've done since you arrived here... I'm speechless." His eyes started to glow with admiration, searing my retinas with his unyielding devotion. "So are my father and Maester Khan. So, I feel the need to be of more value to you than a mere crippled bodyguard."

A mere crippled bodyguard?! He was more than that.

My shoulders dropped. "No, James. Don't think like that! I..." I shook my head, smiling gently. "You've been wonderful. I don't know what I would've done without you. You and Maester Khan... and your father, the Lord Commander. I owe you so freaking much!"

I chuckled, forgetting about the phone in my hands and the unfinished order in it, waiting for the payment data.

"You let me stay under your own roof," I added. "You've protected me and guided me around. You dealt with the hacker crisis. You... you're helping me get around and go on with my research, which was extremely hard to do on my own in the other colonies! Nobody was willing to help me—not to mention that I needed to accept lousy jobs to make a living. I'm so so grateful to you."

"Nonsense. It's me who's grateful to you." He took a deep breath. "You found the deformity on my spine. I'll soon be able to walk again, thanks to you." His lips then drew the most wonderful and sincere smile I had ever seen. He let go of a deep breath. "I've never been happier. Nobody besides my father, my brother Patrick, and Maester Khan has ever been willing to give me a chance in my entire life—I'm glad I met you that day at the marketplace."

I blushed, but before I could reply, a metallic noise startled us in that otherwise lonely section of the hydroponics lab. In fact, we had been completely alone the entire time. I just guessed that the workers were busy somewhere else.

A light flickered. A shadow hesitated for less than a second, but I saw it. So did James.

"Hello?" James said. "Anybody there?"

No reply came. The ensuing silence was eerie.

"Hello? Are you a worker here?" I insisted, taking a step forward, but James rose an arm to stop me from advancing any further.

Nothing. Just the white noise of the air circulation system.

James' frown deepened as he put a hand on his gun, strapped on his right thigh.

Considering the threats to my life, I started to think they might've caught up with me. It had been a long time since I was attacked last—and that was in the last colony I visited.

Two Dawns was the safest place I had lived in. How could that be possible? Was it a suit? A thug from Suit Robotics? My heart started to beat faster while a cold sweat ran down my spine.

"I know you're hiding there," James shouted in a harsh, commanding voice. He took out his gun and aimed ahead. "Come out right now and identify yourself!"

Thank God James was allowed to carry his service gun despite being let go from the force.

Then, the alleged intruder stepped out of the shadows at the end of the aisle.

"Goddamit!" James exclaimed in mild anger, lowering his gun as he exhaled deeply. "Don't give me such a scare, Pearl! I almost shot you!"

It was only Pearl, James' little sister.

"I'm sorry," Pearl said in the squeaky voice of a little mouse. She approached us carefully. "I followed you. I know I shouldn't have, but... I..."

"But what?" James asked, still pissed. "You know I'm her bodyguard and that I'm armed. I could've killed you!"

Wrinkles appeared on either side of her eyes and nose as she squeaked louder as if she was about to burst out crying. "I'm so sorry, James! I just wanted to know why you were so happy lately."

What? I raised an eyebrow.

"Pearl, why... why didn't you just ask me?" James asked, now less angry. "You know you can come to me with anything."

It was good to see those siblings getting on well. Pearl was only a preteen girl, but she seemed like a good influence on James' life besides his father, Maester Khan, and his brother Patrick.

"My sister Athena said you wouldn't tell me the truth," she replied, her eyes shying away from ours.

"Why is that?" he asked, dumbfounded. "I always tell you the truth."

"Because she thinks you're happy because you've been... you've been..." She hesitated and fell silent for a moment. Then, she blushed a lot and went on, "... that you've been fucking Mia."

Both James and I went crimson.

"That is not true!" He yelled as he gripped the wheels hard. "We've spent a lot of time together, but it's not like that—at all. Tell your stupid twin sister to stop spreading rumours and lies about me, as usual. She's just like her mother, Jesus Christ."

Really? That was appalling.

"I know. She lies a lot, but not always. She sounded convincing this time. I keep telling her to quit it, but she won't listen to me." Pearl sighed as she put a stray lock of her short, wavy hair behind her ear. "Anyway, I'm glad you're happy because you're spending time with Mia. I'm happy she can make you smile."

James' blush went redder and didn't offer any answer.

I decided to contribute to the conversation. "You're very considerate, Pearl. I like you. I wish more people here were as charming and nice to James as you are."

"He's my favourite brother." Her straightforward reply bore the unmistakable mark of sincerity.

"Really?" I asked. "What about Patrick? He's nice too, right?"

"He's always busy with our father," she replied. "Since he's the heir, he's his right hand. He spends little time with me—but James has always found time for me, no matter how busy he is."

"That's great," I replied, widening my smile. "But you're partly wrong about the reason he's been happy lately. You see, we were planning on giving your entire family the good news about James' condition later, during dinner."

"What good news?" She raised an eyebrow.

"He will soon go into surgery and will be able to walk again, if all goes well," I said.

James smiled at me and added, "She examined me and found a way to make it so."

Pearl let go of a cry of joy. "Oh my God! This is amazing!"

I turned to my phone for a moment and tapped the order button to confirm all the plants I wanted to experiment on. Then, I put it back in a deep pocket of my jacket.

I winked at Pearl and said, "No spoilers, okay? Let him give everybody the news later tonight."

Pearl smiled widely and nodded.

But her lovely, blissful expression lasted only a second. The shot of a gun echoed like thunder in the hydroponics lab. Pearl's subsequent ear-splitting cry hurt both my eardrums and my heart as she fell to her knees.

"NO!" I yelled, rushing to aid her with open arms.

Everything seemed to flow in unbearably slow motion.

My arms enveloped her at a painfully slow rhythm as I also fell to my knees. My eyes shot forward at the aggressor, a cloaked tall form at the end of the aisle, still pointing a gun at the three of us. James' hand on his gun, a gentle click from the safety echoing in my ears. The subsequent anger-driven shots from him as a reply for hurting his beloved sister. Me trying to pull the preteen with me, out of range of any additional future bullets.

Our wannabe murderer got shot. James' aim was good—he aimed right in their left eye. No cry came as a response. No grunt, no nothing.

The hood came off, revealing a mechanical face. A dark substance, probably lubricant, slowly spilt from that wound. The creamy liquid lazily travelled down the smooth metal cheek as the other eye, with its icy blue hue shivering and becoming vivid red in a split second, zeroed in on us.

"It's... It's a suit!" I whispered-shouted with trembling lips.

How was that possible?!

Hello, my sugar cubes!

How did a suit manage to infiltrate Two Dawns?
Are Mia and James safe?

Stay tuned!

XOXO

Mar