Chapter 1: Morning Run

One week earlier…

The mornings had become noticeably colder, Ella thought, as she felt the rush of cold wind on her face. The sun had only started to rise, but it was bright enough for her to proceed with her daily running routine. Just a few minutes ago, she had started her morning run around the campus after leaving her bag at the laboratory where she worked. The night guard was still there, waiting to end his shift and gave her the usual salute before greeting her politely.

There were people already walking outside, mostly with their hands in their pockets to keep warm. She met a few early morning runners like her and exchanged smiles with them along with a slight nod. She knew some of them, at least from their appearance, as they passed each other almost every morning, but she never really engaged them in conversation outside the usual ‘hellos’ and ‘how are you doing’.

The sound of her shoes hitting the pavement were quick and even and Ella also tried to keep her breathing at regular intervals. She quickly glanced at her watch to check her pulse before returning her gaze in front of her. She wiped the sweat off her high forehead and pushed on as she neared the lagoon where she would usually stop for a drink and to look at the morning sun over the water.

Ella heard the sparrows chirping cheerfully and saw some of them busily scratching the ground for food. They immediately flew away upon sensing her approach, leaving the ground with the flutter of their little wings. Ella found her usual spot empty and raised a foot on the concrete bench to fix her shoe laces. With almond-shaped eyes that seemed to look at the world with almost unrelenting inquisitiveness, she scanned the wide expanse of the lagoon and saw the morning sun with its trail of light on the water. There was only a slight breeze that created small ripples over the mirrorlike surface and she could see the reflection of the gray sky, gradually turning golden with the sun’s rays. She removed her ponytail, allowing her ash brown hair to cascade over her shoulders and felt the breeze lift her hair ever so slightly.

Almost instantly, Ella felt the peaceful environment producing a calming effect on her. She breathed deeply and felt invigorated by the fresh air. After a few minutes of quiet reflection under the trees with only the chirping of birds in the background, she opened her water bottle and drank a few gulps. She felt the sweat flow from her skin and underneath her shirt, giving her a good sense of her body working properly. This was her favorite part of her morning run as it always gave her a sense of inner peace and renewed energy.

Ella felt her watch vibrate and looked at it. Someone was calling her. She tapped her watch and took out her phone from her arm band.

“Hello, Matt!” she spoke on the phone after seeing who was calling.

“Still at your morning run?” asked Matt, his voice quite cheerful. “You haven’t checked your email, have you?”

“Uh, no,” replied Ella. “Did you send me an email? I haven’t read it. Sorry.”

“No, not from me,” Matt chuckled. “It came just a few minutes ago and I got excited after reading it. But don’t make me spoil it for you. Read it when you can. And get back here to the lab,” said Matt.

Ella had to smile after hearing the restrained excitement in Matt’s voice. What could be so exciting that he had to call me and then not tell me what it was? Ella thought. She looked at her phone display and saw the small icon at the top indicating unopened email. Immediately, she opened her email app with a gentle tap of her finger.

What Ella saw made her raise an eyebrow. The email was from Wyvern Minerals, the largest mining company in the country with multiple mining sites and facilities around the world. In the previous year, it was recognized as the biggest privately owned company in the country after earning billions of dollars in revenue, gained mostly from its mining operations.

Dear Dr. Ellanor Garcia,

It has come to our attention that your laboratory has been making good progress on your research. Your recent publication on cellular mutation has piqued the interest of our CEO and we wish to touch base with you as soon as possible to discuss the possibilities of a research grant. As you may know, our company has always been at the forefront of science and technology and continues to support several research institutes and laboratories in the country.

We shall be getting in touch with you shortly so that you can present your ongoing research personally and explain why you should get the research grant. This is a rare opportunity for your laboratory to gain substantial funding and I hope you would make the necessary preparations for our visit.

Regards,

Freya

Executive Assistant

Wyvern Minerals

Ella lowered her phone slowly as she mulled over the contents of the email. Then, unable to contain it any longer, she suddenly burst laughing. A couple of runners passing by saw Ella laughing and looked quizzically at her. Ella had seen them many times before along the same running route so, she raised a hand and waved at them. They responded by waving their hands at her, albeit hesitantly. Then, right after passing her, the woman said something to her running companion and they both stole a glance at her while concealing their smiles.

Ella did not mind the couple’s reactions as her thoughts were still about the email she had just read. Wyvern Minerals did support a lot of research work in universities and government institutions along with a number of charitable foundations, particularly in communities where they operated. She heard about the multimillion-dollar research grant that the company provided the Mining and Metallurgy Department of her university for the development of metals extraction technologies.

They may have a lot of money, but that does not give them license to treat scientists and researchers as if they own them, Ella thought. What do they mean by ‘make the necessary preparations for our visit’? Do they expect me to roll out the red carpet for them?

Sighing deeply, Ella removed her arm band to return her phone as well as to readjust the strap. As she did so, she revealed a small crescent-shaped scar from where her arm band was. Ella touched the raised scar carefully, briefly remembering how she got it. Then, she replaced her arm band, making sure that it fit comfortably. Afterwards, Ella removed her ponytail and after smoothening her hair over her head, tied it back securely with a black scrunchy.

Ella rose from the bench where she sat and after a few stretches, she started running back to the laboratory. She tried to make the most of her remaining time before the start of her work day by turning her thoughts away from anything that was work-related. She listened to the chirping birds and observed the dappled shadows on the pavement made by the sunlight streaming through the leaves of trees. She looked at the flowering shrubs that lined her path while avoiding the cracks on the pavement. She had run the same route so many times that she had practically memorized where the cracks and bumps on the path were. The wide cracks as well as the raised parts of the path had become part of her morning run as the flowers and trees.

Ella observed more cars on the road and more people were walking on the sidewalks, but not enough to obstruct her path. Within an hour, she knew that the streets would crowd with honking cars and people hurrying to get to work. At least at that moment, she could still delight in the relative peacefulness of the tree-lined path.

Not long after, Ella saw the building where she worked. It was an old three-story building that rose slightly above the treetops. It housed not only her laboratory, but also several government offices dedicated to science and technology all crammed within the small building. She worked at the Medical Biotechnology Laboratory in the basement. Relatively unknown to most people, the Biotech Lab had conducted research that helped in the understanding of cancer cells as well as in the development of vaccine research. Despite lack of adequate government funding to buy new equipment and to finance their research, the laboratory was able to get donations from international organizations and churn out research outputs that get published in reputable science journals.

As Ella approached the building, she looked at the wide, curving driveway bordered with flowering plants and was surprised to see several black cars parked near the entrance. She wondered if the building’s auditorium was being used and if any of the government offices was holding some important event. Ella walked up the driveway, staring at the sleek cars that looked like they were part of a politician’s security detail.

I didn’t know there was a politician visiting, thought Ella as she ascended the sloping path towards the entrance of the building. As she approached, she looked for the night guard and after not finding him, guessed that he had left earlier than usual. However, the day guard who was relieving him was nowhere to be seen either. Ella shrugged as she walked closer to the entrance where several men wearing black suits were standing motionless. Underneath their coats, Ella could see that they carried firearms.

Ella was several steps away from the door when one of the men blocked her way.