The bio lab where Michaela watched over Vik’s shoulder was on the Pod’s west side, second level, directly over the living quarters. Scientific and diagnostic equipment packed the room, everything necessary for a preliminary cataloging and study of Donovanian marine life. It had microscopes, FTIR, genetic sequencers, its own dedicated quantum computer, centrifuges, racks of test tubes and sample jars, imaging equipment, spectrometry, freezers, a Level 5 biohazard unit and incinerator, hood, and vent, as well as a myriad of other tools and chemicals.

“So, here’s what I’ve done,” Vik said. “I’ve used the centrifuge to precipitate some of those seawater samples that Kevina collected. I’ve siphoned off the liquid, leaving a sludge consisting of microorganisms. This, I’ve placed on the slide and stained. And wow. It’s a whole wild and incredible biota the likes of which I’ve never seen. But, that said, the plankton morphology could almost be terrestrial. I stress the word almost. I mean, there’s claws, cilia, eyes, scales, limbs. First thing that’s readily different? Trilateral symmetry in all the multicellular organisms. The stuff we might equate with plankton. Second thing that pops? When you increase the magnification, all of these lifeforms are composed of prokaryotic cells. That means no nucleus.”

“Same as the land-based organisms.”

“Right. But it’s still early in the cataloging process.” She pointed to a row of sample jars. “I still have a backlog of thirty samples that Yosh, Kevina, and Odinga want analyzed. The memorials have me three days behind on running them. Maybe when I can get to them we will find eukaryotes in one of the more complex and advanced marine organisms. Maybe an order that hasn’t transitioned to land.”

Vik glanced sidelong at Michaela. “Our job is to check the boy for TriNA. To do that, we’ve got to isolate some TriNA and feed the data into the scope. I’ve chosen a single-celled specimen from one of Kevina’s original water samples as the easiest source for locating TriNA. Keep your eyes on the screen.”

Michaela crowded close, watching as the tube-shaped image of a microorganism resolved. “Do we still call it a cell?”