Barbara leaned back in her chair, letting the cool metal against her skin ground her amidst the overwhelming information flooding the room. Dr. Kate was in the middle of introducing her team, and Barbara’s focus drifted as the group of scientists began sharing their experiences on Ethereal Island. She couldn't help but smile, a flicker of warmth amidst the sterile environment, as each scientist added their unique twist to the stories.
“This one bird—no joke—swoops down, grabs our rations, and nearly flies off with the whole week’s supply,” Alex, the tall, wiry scientist, said with a grin, his hands motioning dramatically to illustrate the size of the bird.
“It was the size of a small plane,” another scientist, Lena, chimed in with an exaggerated gasp, nudging Alex playfully. “And Alex he
