Starbase Lab 12

The smooth, cool surface of the table is a welcome respite from the heat outside. I trace my finger along the grain of the wood, admiring the way it catches and reflects the light. This is one of many labs inside Martian Starbase, a sprawling complex that serves as both a research facility and home to some of humanity's best and brightest minds. This particular lab specializes in exobiology, and right now its scientists are hard at work trying to unlock the secrets of Martian lifeforms. The room is spotless - not a speck of dust or dirt anywhere. That's intentional; even though these creatures are tough enough to survive in Mars' harsh environment, they're still delicate enough that any contaminants could easily kill them. So everything has to be meticulously clean before anyone can enter. Walls lined with shelves full of equipment surround us on all sides, leaving just enough space for a small group to work comfortably around each table. The atmosphere is electric; everyone knows how important this research is, and we're all eager to make some breakthroughs today.