August 20th 2626

Gibran has totally revamped Lee's office and makes it his own. The refurbished space has me taken aback for a while because I did not expect the office to be more spacious and inviting. The corner that used to house Lee's books is gone and replaced by a large window that overlooks the campus' main entrance. I can see our university's emblem from high above and the blue orchid statue looks majestic under the morning sunlight. The office now has two sofas, each of them big enough for four students to sit on without being cramped. The walls are lined with paintings of sceneries from places I don't recognize—maybe Gibran loves to travel just like my mom. I wonder if I could interest him into discussing random archeological stuff that mom finds for Nardhia and I—things like clay tablets with ancient hieroglyph, handwritten notes in languages I can't comprehend, and sometimes if she's lucky she brings home musical instruments.

"Hey, Nardho, don't just stand there motionless! Come in!" Gibran's voice brings me back to reality. He looks up from the paper he was reading and gestures for me to sit on the sofa.

"So, what brings you here today? I suppose you want to know more about the study abroad trip, right? I can tell you more, but first let's make sure you're eligible to take the trip", the professor continues while handing me a piece of brochure. I read it and finds out that the trip is for biochemistry majors who has accumulated at least sixteen credit hours or more, although those with fewer credit hours are also welcomed if they can manage the work load and take prerequisites classes before the trip commences. Cool. I have twenty four credit hours already.

I was just about to respond to the professor when I heard a soft knock on the door. Moira, Tony, and Hamza comes in, followed by Risma. It seems that everyone has a business with Gibran.

"Ah, there you are, Risma. I was just explaining to Nardho the eligibility requirements to join the trip to Black Elm. Now that you are here, maybe you can go more in depth since you're my co-organizer and co-lecturer? I'm sure you can briefly explain the purpose of the trip," Gibran addresses the woman professor and Risma takes her seat, ready to give us students more details.

"Alright, so like my colleague said during the orientation ceremony, this field trip to Black Elm is a university-sponsored trip for students and researchers with an interest in a hybrid species called the Kulambas. In this trip, we are going to stay in an archipelago called Amethyst, which contains the biggest islands in Black Elm. The university has a partnership with the local biology research station and so you guys will stay in a resort with modern bungalows. Most of you are on academic scholarships, right? In that case all of the expenses are taken care of."

Wow, bungalows in a resort. Color me impressed. Blue Orchid University really is being extravagant and treating the students like royalties. Talk about state-school privileges.

"Sounds good. Could you tell me more about the geography of Amethyst Archipelago?" Moira raises her hand and I smile at her, approving of her question. Geographical information is important because it helps travelers know what to expect in terms of climate, seasons, cultural differences, and other things that can affect how enjoyable the trip is going to be.

"Amethyst Archipelago is probably one of the most biologically diverse chain of islands in Black Elm!" exclaims Gibran excitedly, "This tropical archipelago is nestled between two oceans and two continents. It is famously surrounded by a ring of fire, also known as volcanic mountain ranges. The archipelago has both luscious forests with evergreen trees and beautiful seas with coral reefs of all the colors you can imagine. Amethyst Archipelago comprises of 5% of all the biodiversity in Black Elm although size-wise it only occupies 0.03% of the land in the entire planet. Here, let me pull up some photographs."

The hologram machine beeps and hundreds of images float around the room. My friends and I can see pictures of leaf cutter ants, tigers, dancing cassowary birds, doves, and stray dogs. I move to the other side of the room and notice that there are pictures of marine animals too—herrings, string rays, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins, spinner dolphins, and many species of sharks. I wonder where the pictures of the local inhabitants are, though. I want to see how the people of the archipelago live—could they still practice ancestor worship and believe in ghosts?

"These are all great, but what about the residents of the archipelago?" Hamza asked, as if he has telepathic ability. I nod subtly, appreciating his interest in anthropology, although I'm a bit creeped out. Is it just me or has people around me show clairvoyant tendencies lately? Maybe he's just perceptive. In any case, I'm glad he is asking what I want to ask about.

"Nice question, Hamza!" Risma praises the transfer student. "The people of Amethyst Archipelago, who used to be nomadic until the 2200s when they decided to settle down given the historical wars in our interplanetary system, mostly have Dutch ancestry and through intermarriage with the local community they have formed a tribe called Crystal Lilacs. This tribal group worships fairies and genies, they believe all animals and plants are assigned to a special fairy or a genie who guards every living things. It is a taboo in their belief system to kill an animal without giving offerings to the fairies and genies that rule the land," she continues while Hamza listens attentively, mouth agape. I too am astonished—I had thought that being religious in any capacity is a rare thing in these days and age, so I was pleasantly surprised to find out that religions are not dead and buried.

"Are they vegan, then? I don't mind not eating animal protein during the trip but I just want to be prepared so that I don't accidentally offend them." Tony raises his hand hesitantly.

"They're pescetarian! They do not eat red meat but they eat plenty of seafood," Gibran says to Tony's relief. "Their culinary delicacy include braised sea cucumber, grilled oysters, boiled prawns and flounder in soy sauce, boneless Pollock soup with turmeric, and roasted cod or haddock wrapped in layers of bay leaf. Of course, their love of fish is balanced with a tribal rule in which they allow certain period of non-fishing to allow for the fish to undergo regeneration and repopulation."

I can see Tony's face lights up in the same way Moira's does whenever there is any mention of desserts. It amuses me to witness how one's favorite foods can make one so happy. I wonder what my face looks like whenever there is chicken porridge or egg fried rice. I like those a lot.

"I think I'll enjoy being in Amethyst Archipelago very much. You haven't told us about the real deal, though. The Kulambas! So, what exactly are the Kulambas?" Moira raises her hand once more and I agree that with all the talk about the biodiversity and the culture we have seemed to almost put the environmentalist mission to the side. Moira must have taken notes while we speak. She can be very quiet at times and don't even make eye contact with whoever is speaking, but I know she conscientiously observes everything despite exterior display of aloofness.

"Ah, yes, the Kulambas. So, this study abroad trip also has an ecological and preservationist mission at heart." Risma begins to go deep into a comprehensive anatomy lecture. "The Kulambas, also known by their Latin zoological binomial nomenclature Delphiequus aureasalum, is a genetically engineered species that is half dolphin and half seahorse. This means they are mammals like dolphins but have the traits of seahorses—they are highly intelligent and trainable and yet they are poor swimmers and need to rely on ocean currents to carry them from point A to point B. They also reproduce like seahorses—the males are the ones getting pregnant and taking care of the offspring inside their pouches when the baby Kulambas hatch from the tiny eggs. The Kulambas live in temperate, shallow, warm waters, among the kelps in estuaries. Similar to salmons and some amphibians, adolescent Kulambas transition between land and sea where freshwater and saltwater mix."

"What a peculiar hybrid species. Are they endangered? Are humans at fault?" Moira's eyes grow huge with anticipation. I silently pray that this isn't gonna be another Gaburs situation.

"They are protected because they are vulnerable to environmental stressors", Risma sighs with apparent pang of conscience in her voice. "Yes, humans are unfortunately at fault. Way before the Crystal Lilacs tribe of Amethyst Archipelago banned commercial and recreational fishing, the Kulambas used to get entrapped and entangled in fishing gears as bycatch, A LOT of times. Add to that the history of sailing and boating as leisurely activities that the tourists did excessively and we had oil spills. Those oil spills, full of bio-toxins, traces of heavy metals, and other pollutions, triggered a series of diseases that affect the Kulambas. As if that's not bad enough, history of offshore energy exploration and drilling for gas make everything worse since those alter the habitat of the Kulambas and increase the ocean salinity. Don't even get me started on plastics that ended up in the ocean and get eaten by the Kulambas."

"That's awful!" Moira shouts and I can see that she's on the verge of tears. "But we can help the Kulambas, right? So, what can we do as students? Maybe we can build an aquarium for them so that they don't have to suffer in the wild? I'm sad thinking that they have to live in captivity all their lives, but it might be better than letting them get hurt out in the open. Maybe we can build a fish nursery? That is, if we get the permission to do so from the local people."

Gibran and Risma glance at each other and smile kindly. "Something like that. Risma and I talk to the leaders of the Crystal Lilacs tribe and they do agree to let you Blue Orchid students come stay in the archipelago, provided that you guys help with the construction of the sanctuary for the Kulambas. There is only one problem—financial problem. As it is right now, we struggle to get enough funding to begin the construction, so we will be grateful if you guys have any ideas on how to get more funding. The university has donated a significant amount to the project, of course, but we need more donors. We have contacted some philanthropists and they do cover some of the expenses, but we are still struggling."

Moira seems crestfallen but a minute or two later she does not look as dejected and springs up from her seat. "What about us students finding jobs in the archipelago and use the money from our jobs to fund the project? Would that be helpful?"

Tony and Hamza look at Moira dubiously. An internship is something sophomores can get pretty easily, but a high-paying job for fundraiser purpose? That's like asking a toddler to do calculus or asking a kindergartener to do accounting! I was about to pull Moira aside to let her know gently that her plan isn't feasible and she should drop it, but Gibran beats me to it.

"I am not opposed to the idea, Moira, but are you sure there are jobs that compensate you well enough for them to be worth your time? I do know of agents that do job placements for college students, but those are usually low-paying entry-level jobs."

Moira surprisingly does not look disappointed and she speaks up passionately. "If no one is hiring us and offering high enough salary, then it's time for us to be entrepreneurs! We can create our own products and sell them and then use the profits to fund the project."

Risma looks at Gibran worriedly, seemingly not convinced that teenage students could have an interest in entrepreneurships. Gibran, however, seems to be invested on the possibility.

"Well, Moira, I'm not one to discourage entrepreneurial spirit. However, any business proposal must be evaluated by both me and Risma before you guys launch your own businesses for real. So, the trip is in five months. If you and your fellow students can come up with solid drafts of business proposal at least three months before our departure, I will let you proceed with your idea. Otherwise, we will keep on looking elsewhere for funding opportunities."

Moira and Gibran shakes hands, sealing the deal. Hamza and Tony watch in amazement while I am too stunned to provide any comment. Just what is going on in my girlfriend's head? I guess I would need to wait until we are in the dorms and I can talk to her alone. She perplexes me.