The next morning Alex woke up early, got ready, and headed to the lab. The sun had barely begun its rise as he zoomed down the path on his scooter. Alex swiped his badge and entered the lab. He walked straight to where the materials were, grabbed a sample and set it on the press table. He looked at it for a moment then walked to the panel and set the press calculation to match the numbers for experiment #2.

  “This should work,” he said to himself as he started the machine. He watched and waited until the press released and walked over to see the results. “I don't get it.” he said as the material was unchanged. He entered his data in the system and moved the sample. Let’s try this again, he thought as he grabbed fresh material and set the experiment up again. Leaving the calculations the same he pulled the lever. Come on, he willed, work! The press released and as it lifted Alex gasped as the material was solid.

  “What is happening?” he said as he walked over to the table and picked up the solid piece of matter. His hands glowed slightly as he felt a slight vibration from the rock. He dropped it in shock and looked at his hands as the glow faded. “I think I'm losing it.” Alex said, blinking rapidly, still looking at his hand and the rock. Alex walked over and grabbed the results from the second and fourth experiments. Laying them on a table he pulled up the entries and looked over all the data.

  “Why is it that only you three have worked?” he said, perplexed. “The calculations are the same for two of you and different for one but these are the only ones that have worked.” Just then the door to the lab opened and Zayd walked in.

  “Oh, hey Alex, I wasn't expecting anyone here yet.” he laughed. “What are you up to?”

  “Morning Zayd, I woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep so thought I would get an early start today,” Alex said. “I am just comparing some calculations and results.”

  “Wait, did you get it to work again?” Zayd asked as he noticed the third rock slab on the table near Alex.

  “Yes I did, but I ran the test twice with the same calculations, one worked and one didn't. I’m not sure why this is happening,” Alex replied as he turned back to the computer.

  “Maybe we just have to ask nicely,” Zayd chuckled.

  “If only it was that easy,” Alex laughed in reply.

  The door opened again with Reshma and Evalyn entering the lab.

  “Good morning gentlemen,” Evalyn said, smiling. “Oh! You guys got it to work again!” She walked over and examined the new sample.

  “Alex did, I just got here a few minutes ago,” Zayd replied.

  “Let me see,” she said looking at the computer.

  “Sure, I am going to set up the next experiment,” Alex said, getting up and going to the back of the lab.

  “These results are so chaotic, we have to be missing something. It doesn't make sense that the same input is giving different results. Why has this only worked three times?” Reshma said, examining the data.

  “Zayd suggested maybe we are not asking nicely enough?” Alex said with a grin at Zayd’s direction.

  “I was joking!” he exclaimed.

  “At this point it’s worth a shot,” Evalyn said, still looking at the data.

  Alex finished setting up the material on the table and walked to the panel. “I am going to put in a number slightly higher than the last experiment from yesterday,” he said to the others. He stood back and pulled the lever. Come on work this time, he thought.

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  “Please work?” Zayd said next to him. The press released but the material was unchanged. “Damn,” Zayd said, snapping his finger. “I thought that was it.”

  “Hopes and dreams are not science,” Reshma said. “Let’s try this again, increase the numbers slightly. Also where is Siddiq?”

  “Humm, it's not like him to be this late, it's already after 9,” Evalyn replied. “I will input the data from the last run, go ahead and get the next one set up.”

  “Thanks,” Alex said as he cleared the table. Setting up the next experiment he tweaked the number like Reshma suggested. “Alright, ready?”

  “Let’s begin,” Reshma said.

  Alex pulled the lever and the press came down. Come on, this has to work, please? Alex thought, gritting his teeth. The press lifted and on the table was a solid slab of rock. They all stared at it. Evalyn walked over and measured it and entered the data.

  “Run it again with the same numbers,” Reshma said.

  “Yes sir,” Alex said as he walked to the back of the room to get fresh material. Zayd removed the slab from the table and Alex set up the fresh stuff. The door to the lab opened and Siddiq walked through carrying bagels.

  “I am so sorry I am late! I brought food!” he exclaimed. “My alarm went off and I thought I snoozed it. I did not.”

  “I was starting to worry about you, I was going to send a search party!” Alex laughed.

  “Haha, come eat, I know you all probably haven't,” Siddiq said, setting the food on one of the counters.

  “After this next test, come.” Zayd motioned at Siddiq to join them.

  Alex pulled the lever and the press activated. They all stood and watched waiting for the release. Come on this has to be it, Alex thought balling his fists. Zayd looked over at Alex and saw what he thought was a light around his hands. As the press released a slab of rock lay on the table. No one moved.

  “Again.” Reshma said. Evalyn removed the slab to measure and document. Siddiq rushed to get material and set up the table. Reshma pulled the lever and they all waited, not one of them moving an inch. As the press released Zayd looked over at Alex but didn't see anything this time.

  “What?!” Evalyn exclaimed looking at the table in disappointment.

  “Siddiq, gather it and document it. Lets eat and think,” Reshma said, scratching his head and looking at the others. They all headed to where Siddiq left the bagels and grabbed some to eat. They gathered around Siddiq as he entered the data.

  “These results don't make sense. It's too sporadic. We are using the same input but it is not giving us the same results. I suggest we take it apart, examine it and reassemble it,” Evalyn said.

  “This was your idea so you take the lead. If this is what you think,then let's give it a try,” Reshma replied. The others nodded in agreement.

  “Alright, let's finish eating and get to it then,” she said. The team spent the rest of the day disassembling the press and inspecting the parts. “Okay, I think we need to re-order these parts,” Evalyn said as she pointed to an array of parts.

  “I concur, I will get these ordered tonight hopefully they will be here tomorrow.” Reshma nodded, taking an inventory of the parts. The team gathered their things and headed to the door. “I say tomorrow, while we wait, we go over all the experiments that we have run thus far.”

  Alex walked over and looked at the solid rock slabs again. Hovering his hand above them he thought he felt a slight vibration.

  “You coming?” Siddiq called to Alex.

  “Ya, right behind you,” Alex answered, as he turned towards the door. I just don't get why sometimes it's working. Maybe these new parts will fix it…

  “You okay?” Siddiq asked, tilting his head as he looked Alex over.

  “I'm fine, just thinking about the experiments,” Alex answered.

  “Hopefully we will get it smoothed out. If not, I am still down for the laser!” Siddiq laughed. Alex laughed with him as they rode towards the apartments. “Tomorrow, bright and early!” Siddiq called as he headed to his building.

  “See you then,” Alex replied and headed to his own building. He put his scooter inside, locked his door and headed back out. Walking around he sat on the grass and ran his hands across the blades. I have been so focused on the project I haven't just relaxed, he thought as he laid down. Closing his eyes he relaxed his mind and heard the rhythmic thumps of his heartbeat. Then he heard another thump. A deeper one. A slower one. One that made his body vibrate. What the hell?