Simona thought back as she waited, how disturbingly close the Earth had come to destroying itself. The balance was still delicate even after the gigantic effort to save it, and life still teetered on the edge of a knife blade. Hope gave her courage as she anticipated this next stage of the plan. She sat in the ground car, impatiently awaiting her fellow traveler. Doctor Annalis was not actually late for their departure, but Simona was vehement and excited to get to the site. She checked the time on her wrist unit again, just as the professor rounded the corner of the Oxford administration building. She immediately spotted the vehicle waiting for her arrival and sped up her approach. “My apologies Professor Simona, I had no idea I was late.” Dr. Annalis said a bit out of breath. “No apology is necessary my dear doctor.” Simona said as she gestured for the woman to join her in the car. “You are right on time and if you are willing we can dispense with the formalities. Please address me as Simona.” The arriving woman signaled agreement. “That would be excellent. Please call me Annalis.” She responded as she took her place next to Simona in the back of the vehicle.

“The trip to the pocket zone near Loch Rannoch will take just under six hours.” Simona began. “I would like to give you some history on our facility as we travel and also give you an overview of what we are doing there.  This will help pass the time quite nicely.  Also we can discuss your role in our endeavor if you are agreeable.”  Annalis nodded enthusiastically, closing the door behind her and adjusting herself on the seat.  The driver stowed her small overnight case in the storage compartment on the side of the vehicle and climbed into the operator’s cabin in the front of the ground car.

Professor Simona explained the history and details of their destination as they made their way out of Oxford and headed north on the suspension motorway. The two thousand hectare facility was located between a small loch and a protected range of mountains 750 kilometers north of Oxford.  Only the sister site located in Australia was larger.  The loch location housed the last remaining colony of bees in the British Isles.  Between the two facilities they created a six thousand acre protected environment for the endangered species.  Both were the brain children of Dr. Frances Sten, a twenty-first century bioengineer from Sydney.  His incredible vision was put in place to curb the disastrous decline of the bee population across the globe.  If not for Dr. Sten’s diligence there would no longer exist the world as we know it now.  Simona thought back as she related the story. She hoped this planned stage of the project would deter the next imminent disaster.

As the vehicle neared the site, Simona could feel her excitement boiling over.  It had been months since she had been able to visit, trapped at Oxford with her scholastic duties and research administration for the melittological endeavors.  The jolt of the car as it left the main road pulled Simona out of her reverie.  To their left the shimmering wall of the research enclosure was just visible through the dust kicked up from the dirt road. The pocket environment was dwarfed by the mountains bordering the north side of the facility.  The re-moleculorized polymers that once polluted the Earth, supplied the building blocks for the huge structure.  It also contributed to the distinct rainbow hue reflected off the surface as the vehicle made its way along the outer border.  It gave the impression of viewing the mountains through a polarized lens.  The facility was immense despite its relation to the mountains; it took a half hour of traveling along the site’s perimeter before the main entrance came into view.  “The enclosure is arranged in a rectangle.” Simona explained to Annalis.  “The designers tried to utilize the maximum space with the given allocated land.  With the mountain range bordering on the north,  there was a limit on the size and shape.” She said pointing to the high reaches. “Also the proximity to the public transport way had to be taken into consideration. The southern edge of the facility had to be pushed back several kilometers away from the interference of the public access.  We cannot have the noise pollution, not to mention the particle pollution interfering with our charges.”

The car stopped just short of the entrance, and Simona and Annalis exited the vehicle.  The driver also got out and handed Annalis and Simona their cases before getting back into the car.  He pulled away, heading to a protected parking area away from the main structure. “There are entrance protocols as I explained, so I will step you through them. Please follow me.” Simona gestured toward the sealed entrance as she made her way over the threshold.

The door opened upon their approach and they proceeded through into a narrow corridor lined with small lockers.  “The facility has a triple entry system to protect the inner environment from microbes and similar invaders.” Simona explained as she removed her shoes and coat, placing them in one of the lockers. She indicated to Annalis to do the same, and then they proceeded through the next door. This area provided them with a white coverall marked with the logo of the facility.  She indicated to Annalis to use one of the benches to make it easier to don, and took her own seat across from her. A shelf running along the end of the area supplied the protected boots to complete their outfits.  They then continued on in full garb through the final barrier and into the main facility. 

Annalis arranged her coverall hood, not used to the cumbersome outfit and took a deep breath.  The air was sensual and a rush of anticipation greeted her as the pungent smell of fertile loam and sweet pollen filled her senses.  “The enclosure is very utilitarian.” Annalis stated as she took a first look at her surroundings.  Simona looked around at the neatly planted rows of fragrant vegetation and the crisp lines of barren ground bordering the walls of the facility. “Yes, I suppose it does give that impression.” She answered. “It creates an easier habitat to maintain. The barren border around the interior wall was a necessary inclusion in the design. As resourceful as humans are, bees are more resourceful and cunning.  When the ground cover was allowed to encroach on the walls of the enclosure the bees became escape artists.  Our researchers found that only if the bees were drawn to the barrier by attractive vegetation were they even aware they were held in captivity.  So the vegetation was cleared twenty centimeters from the barrier wall all around the facility. Now there is nothing to entice them close to the encircling barrier.  They seem to remain content now within their terrain. All ten of our pocket zones around the world use this method.  Unfortunately many of our populations were lost before this process was perfected, escaping into the outer world and bringing back the fatal bacterium that nearly wiped out their wild ancestors.” An expression of sadness passed across her face before Simona gestured for Annalis to move into the central path cutting through the vegetation. Simona did not like to recall that devastating phase of the project.  The memory still brought unwanted emotions to the surface, and now was not the time to lose the attention of her guest.

A young woman approached their position, also clad in the white coveralls. Her adornments also included a security hologram displaying her name as Samantha Barnes, chief bioengineer. “Well met Sam,” Simona said as she extended her hand to her colleague. “May I introduce our guest Dr. Annalis Morgan.” Annalis also extended her hand in greeting and Samantha gave it a friendly shake. “Dr. Morgan, such a pleasure to meet you.” The young woman said as she stepped back from the path to allow one of the workers to pass their position. The blue clad employee was pushing a wheelbarrow full of green cuttings followed closely by an interested group of bees. Simona saw Annalis raise her arm to wave away the oncoming denizens, before changing it into a gesture towards Samantha.  “Please call me Annalis.” The scientist stated as she stepped back for the passing worker, slightly embarrassed by her reaction to the habitat’s key occupants. The woman pushing the wheelbarrow gave her an unreadable look before continuing with her task. “It is very busy here; so much industrialization.” Annalis said to cover up her embarrassment. Simona nodded agreement and indicated that Annalis and Sam should follow her.  “Don’t worry Annalis.  Your response is a normal one. They will not take offense. Sam, I will be giving the good doctor a full tour today, but we would like to concentrate our final observations on the Moramet habitat. Can you indicate if any large scale activities are scheduled for today?  I would like to share the habitual activities of our residents without too much outside interference.” The bioengineer shook her head in an indication of the negative and the three women started their tour of the large facility.

The first part of the tour concentrated on the biological residents of the pocket environment.  Twenty-five different species of anthophila were spread over the two thousand acre structure. Each species had a designated territory, with hives doted throughout their favorite vegetation.  No physical barriers were in evidence between these areas, but Simona explained to the attentive Annalis that there was very little natural cross contamination between the species.  They mainly kept to their territories and the twenty-five species were chosen for their locations based on their natural lack of aggression and competitiveness toward each other.  They spent a pleasant afternoon viewing the different habitation before Simona led Annalis into a large block building dominating the southern end of the facility. “This building holds the saviors of the Earth’s food crops.” Simona explained as she sealed the double doors behind Annalis. “After the near extinction of our anthophila brethren, Dr. Frances Stern set his mind to the creation of an indestructible population to replace their fragile brothers.” Simona opened a third door and entered a large low ceilinged laboratory.  The outer walls were lined from floor to ceiling with a mixture of hexagonal and cylindrical cells.  Some of the cells were occupied by an ebony inhabitant, barely visible through the opaque walls. The air of the room was filled with flying objects, busy with various tasks. “Dr. Sten kept his creations as close to their biological counterparts as he could.  It makes the imprinting process more efficient and extremely successful.” Simona explained as she motioned Annalis closer to one of the covered walls.  Simona could now make out the distinctive markings of the flying inhabitants of the room.  They vaguely resembled the North American bumble bee, with their large striped body, covered in course hair, but these were completely black and no noise emanated from their flight. 

Simona indicated a pair of benches situated in the center of the structure.  She took a seat and Annalis sat down on her right. “This drone burrow contains over 50,000 individual at one time.” She began.  “These mass produced similes of the once prolific species of honey bees are almost indistinguishable from their biological counterparts.”  The professor motioned to the cubical around them and the swarming creature clouding the space.  “Created by using drone and nanotechnology along with the incorporation of DNA gene splicing breakthroughs from the twenty-second century, these cyber drones are the savior of the world as we know it. Once the mechs as we call them have been created,  they are integrated into the  colonies outside this building in the main area of the biosphere.  They assimilate the methods of pollination and survival from their natural family.  Once this learning has been embedded into their gel network, they are recalled from the biosphere and stored here for later transport.  Once released into the agricultural zones of Earth, they provide a sustainable alternative their endangered family.” Annalis gazed around in amazement at the community made up totally from mechanized creatures.  “An impressive display!” She said as she admired the industry around her. Simona nodded agreement as she pulled a few drink containers from her travel pack. “Let us have a short rest and refreshment while you take in the site, then I can show you what you came all this way to really see.”  She said with a tinge of excitement in her voice. Annalis took the offered beverage and sat sipping the chilled tea taking in the activity around her. 

Once they were refreshed and the drink containers stowed back in Simona’s pack,  the professor gestured toward the enclosures east exit, suggesting that they continue on.  Once outside the outer isolation door, Simona turned right and headed down a compact dirt path heading straight for the far wall of the enclosure directly opposite the main entrance to the facility.  After a few minutes walking they entered a forty acre plot of land that stood apart from the surrounding areas. The top layer of ground had been removed and replaced by a slightly darker soil.  Strange plants covered the area in a rich carpet of fanciful colors.  Annalis stared at the exotic foliage of dark magenta, true blue and dark azure trying to recognize any of the plants from her travels.  “I have never encountered any of these varieties before.”  She asked of Simona. “Where are they sourced from, some exotic hidden paradise?” A small laughed escaped her as she glanced toward the professor in anticipation.  Simona shook her head in a negative response and indicated for Annalis to follow her down a side row blanketed in azure blossoms.  The constant hum heard in the previous area of the habitat was now only slightly auditable as the two woman made their way down the new path.  Studying the azure flowers, Annalis discovered that each was adorned with a violet star in their center.  The plants stood waist high to Annalis and completely obscured the ground beneath them.  

Halfway down the row Simona squatted down and motioned for Annalis to join her.  Now at the same level as the blossoms, Annalis could see they were not alone.  “Here is the creature I have brought you to meet.” Simona said indicating a spindly form clinging to the stem of the plant just below the roof of dark blue flowers.  The creature was moss tinted with six delicate legs.  At the end of each leg a small bristle like appendage sprouted.  The fairly like creature was caressing the tops of the flowers with these small yellow brushes, collecting the violet substance and transferring it to a pouch at its belly.

“This is the aerial Moramet.” Simona began, pointing to the creature. “It was once a prolific resident of the planet Fleres.  One of our research teams encountered this species on an expedition to study the binary star system Ceres over 50 years ago. The environment of the planet had been decimated by solar activity from one of the twin stars and most life was near extension.  A small community of the Moramets was retrieved and they have thrived within our enclosures.” Annalis studied the creature as Simona told its history.  Once the Moramet completed its violet collection,  it unfolded delicate transparent wings from beneath a fold on its back and hoovered just beneath the cover of the blossoms to move on to the next stem.  “Amazing!” Annalis whispered as she sat down on the damp soil. The creature never ventured above the floral canape, remaining invisible to the observer above. 

“The exploration team also retrieved as many biological samples of flora as they could before completing their investigation. The Moramet has very specific tastes in plant species and they wanted to ensure the survival of the species once their planet became unable to support life.” Simona rose as she completed the history of the denizen, dusting off the knees of her coveralls as she straightened. 

These will be your companions on your upcoming voyage to New London.  Although it is a controversial decision, the foundation has decided to seed the A zone of Neo-Britannia with these resilient creatures. We have discovered that much native foliage on New London is compatible and even preferred by the Moramets. And then there is the Anomaly. We believe this species will have a favorable response to the creature occupying the space of that system. It is even possible that the cooperative and communication systems of the Moramets will be affected by the Anomaly’s influence.  This is the mission I would ask you to accept from me.  With your work already taking you to the Alpha Centauri system, and the secrecy of your own project,  I believe you are the ideal candidate to undertake this task.

Annalis stood up facing Simona. “I accept with honor this great responsibility you are asking of me.” Annalis stated with as much ceremony as the occasion called for. “I see the logic in asking this of me.  It fits strangely in with my own endeavors.” Simona smiled and indicated the direction of the entrance to the enclosure. “Excellent! Let us retire to the human habitat area of our facility and drink to the success of our join endeavors. We have much to discuss and arrange.” 

Annalis followed Simona out of the enclosure doors, excited and ready for the next stage of her existence.