153 Testing in Preparation For Dimensional Travel (1/2)

The island had reached New Orleans swiftly, the ruined city looked abandoned by both people and hope. The only light coming from the very outskirts, from the people that either refuses to leave or belong to criminal organisations.

Fortunately for the ones that refuse to leave, with the Explorer's Guild there they're still able to earn money and a reputation. Every now and then they're hired to go to another state before coming back with the rewards.

It's quite possibly the only thing that keeps them sane.

The skyscrapers in the distance have been torn apart and collapsed in on themselves, after being abandoned for so long their structural integrity wouldn't last long. Especially with the attacks from aquatic beasts every so often. Although they don't target the buildings; when fighting against another beast the surroundings are always under threat from the damage.

”It really has been abandoned,” Lachlan remarked by the edge of the island. He was standing there along with the rest of the group, Marie, Valentina, Pedro, and Elena. They looked in awe at the ruins of the city, with the sunlight hitting the building the right way they could see light beams pass through the holes.

The overgrowth began to climb the walls, the roads have cracked and ruptured along with the pathways. The riverside has basically been completely destroyed, the trees were broken in half while any houses or buildings have been smashed apart.

”Should we really set up a branch here? I know there are still people and everything but it just doesn't feel right.” Phoebe was concerned about the location, Marie had informed everyone of the residents of New Orleans. Phoebe wasn't too keen on making a branch here to help feed them. And although no one else spoke up it was obvious most of them agreed.

”What are you talking about, this is exactly the place where it's best to start a business!” Marie shouted abruptly. ”Although it isn't exactly a nice business strategy, with the people here already in such desperate circumstances staff would be easy to find and there would be plenty of customers wanting good food.”

”That kind of feels wrong,” Phoebe muttered quietly. She wasn't alone either, something just felt off about exploiting people's situation to make money. Granted, just about every big brand did it before the evolution.

”Yes, it will feel wrong but remember, you're giving them both food and money. It's a win-win situation, not to mention there would be a lot more requests for the Explorer's Guild when it comes to hunting, so you're also providing jobs,” Marie explained.

”She is right,” Flynn stepped into the conversation. ”Not only does it provide any current Explorer's Jobs, but it also gives people that aren't strong the chance of making money by getting employed. Not to mention just helping out won't be enough, sure it'll keep them on their feet for a month or so but then they'll be back to struggling. Giving residents a means of living is a great way to help.”

”Well if you put it that way I suppose it does sound good,” Phoebe said as she backed off. She couldn't argue against the logic, she too knew that temporary support won't be enough. Phoebe also knew that being in the industry they need to do such things to advance steadily.

”Alright, you can all deal with that, I'm going to stay on the island and do a bit of testing,” Lachlan said before taking off. The group stared at his fleeting figure, disappearing above the treeline and past the mountains.

”What's he doing?” Simon asked as he tilted his head curiously.

”Probably going to do a few tests on the gravity stones and the spatial gate; he really wants to go through and explore but he also doesn't want to put the entire island at risk of collapsing due to it,” Phoebe answered.

”Fair enough, he's probably jealous of my Wildfire,” Simon said proudly. ”We'll go do our things and let him do his things, and since he's doing it for the sake of the island we can also help out once we've finished down in the city.”

Responding with a nod they all lept off the island; Marie had to be grabbed and pulled off the island because she was too afraid to jump. Just the sight of them being so high in the air made her slightly nauseous. Chloe was the on to pull her off, carrying Marie in one arm she carried them through the air.

...

In another area on the island, Lachlan had just landed on Anne's research laboratory. If there was anyone with the most experience in conducting experiments it should be Anne. Although there was plenty of things he could do by himself he doesn't want to miss anything that could jeopardise the island.

Walking into the laboratory Lachlan saw the screens were all lit up. Anne had set up hidden cameras around the edge of the island, hidden on treetops and in bushes they were heavily hidden. She wasn't worried about any human intruders but was instead interested in the beast intruders.

There were beast limbs just about covering every inch of the lab; Anne had continued experimenting with the limbs. Seeing if there was a way to use the blood of a beast to help a human, as their blood is far stronger and superior. There were also some rather unique ones as well; a flying spider had landed on the island a few days ago yet none of them noticed. Anne had taken care of it with technology, saying that the spider was a glass canon.

Lachlan never got to see it alive so he wasn't able to determine whether or not the flying spider was a high grade or not. If that was so then it could mean many other beasts would grow wings in the future, which would make the skies slightly more unsafe.

”Hey Lachlan, what do you need from this old one.” Anne was relaxing on her chair, looking at the screens that were analysing the spider's venom, she was wondering if she could make stronger anti-venoms, possibly saving humanity from the fear of venomous bites.

”I need your help with some experiments I want to try out. It shouldn't take long, only ten or so minutes if even that,” Lachlan replied as he took a few steps forward and took a look at the screens. ”So, have you gotten any closer in creating an anti-venom?”

'Surprisingly I actually have; that flying spider possessed a few components needed for the current anti-venom I'm working on,” Anne replied with joy. She loved creating things of science, whether it be technology or cures; cause she knew they could be used to help people.

”That's great, how much longer till you think you could experiment with it?” Lachlan asked. Although he was curious as to how she would test it, they didn't have any small mouse to inject with venom or anything.

”It'll probably be another half a year before I'm able to assemble a good anti-venom; the problems with testing can be sorted out afterwards,” Anne said, she knew what Lachlan was thinking about. It was also an issue she would have to deal with when the time comes.

Standing up she turned to Lachlan. ”Alright, let's go do your experiments, I don't have a lot of spare time so we should hurry. And no, that is not consent for you to grab me and drag me through the skies as the speed of sound.”

She was monitoring the cameras almost 24/7, she had seen the fright Lachlan gave Marie during her first time flying. Anne thought it was reckless and irresponsible; although she trusted Lachlan's abilities Lachlan wouldn't know how Marie would react to suddenly being brought into the air.

Lachlan faintly laughed. ”Alright, I won't be doing that. You also have a stone of your own so go at your own pace. Granted, since you're in a rush I would suggest not going too slow.”