helium

The old machine shop had been vacated a few months ago, a more modern replacement having been built about a block up the road. And when the university's maintenance department gave up their claim to the building, the science department swooped in and planted their flag. Having their experiment labs was nice, but they were too small. This allowed the department to work on larger-scale experiments. Fortunately, the robotics group had finished up their work in the shop on Friday afternoon, leaving the floor cleared and the weekend open for more unofficial activities.

"Am I the only one who thinks this is a waste of time?" Troy set his pen down atop the reports in front of him, leaning back and clasping his hands behind his head. The outburst halted the company board meeting. Along with the ten other businessmen and women seated at the large oaken table, a white bearded man standing in front of the projection screen turned to face the source of the interruption. "Without the chairwoman present, whatever we decide on during this meeting won't matter. She has to finalize-"