Skinkle and Geo huddled around the screen as Tanim made his way slowly across the screen with a dot. The two younger Tark'ee were eager to see the results of the project they'd helped with. Tanim pressed a button and the screen changed color. Skinkle and Geo leaned forward in unison, unable to hold back their interest. Tanim chuckled to himself in the background and shook his head. Youngsters- always so impatient. In truth, neither Tark'ee was all that young, but Tanim far exceeded the pair in age, wisdom, and experience. He knew exactly what was going to pop up on the screen and he sat back wordlessly, patiently waiting.

Skinkle let out a disappointed squeak while Geo audibly groaned as a long loading bar appeared on the screen before them- just a single space ticked forwards and seemingly an eternity left to wait. The draconic Tark'ee whipped around to consult Tanim. "When will we get to know?" Geo also turned expectantly. Tanim merely shook his head again. "These things take time. You can't rush science. If you want to know what makes up your charring trait, we'll simply have to wait and see." Geo and Skinkle exchanged a look and defeatedly settled down to wait the eternity left on the loading screen.

Not long before, Skinkle and Geo had entered the lab at Tanim's request. The older Tark'ee had explained that community research was still a little lacking and that Skinkle could help if they were willing. "Do you remember that genetics research I was working on where we were extrapolating the characteristics that made up certain traits that appear on colonists, or even ones that seem invisible but pop up later?" That had jogged both of the Tark'ee's memory and they'd nodded. "Well we're so close to mapping out a complete genome! We're just lacking data points for a few markings at this point, and Skinkle- you have one of the markings we still need data for." Skinkle had wiggled happily at Tanim's words, taking the statement as a complement. "Would you be willing to come in to the lab and allow me to take a sample from you so we can add the data for the charring gene to our database? It would be a help to planet-wide efforts of the scientific community!"

With a request like that, Skinkle simply couldn't refuse. Later that same day, after Tanim had had time to set up the lab equipment for the specific tests he needed to do, Skinkle and Geo both entered the Oceanside lab building in Tsidal, eager to help. "Hi Tanim! I brought Geo with me for moral support, and cause he's just super curious about this whole extrapolation process." Tanim had nodded at them, not one to turn down a curious mind. "Well step this way then, and I'll show you both what we're about to do."

Tanim had led them to an inner section of the lab. Before the trio lay strange looking machines, vials, syringes, microscopes, agar plates, and many small pieces of lab equipment that the younger Tark'ee didn't recognize. The lights overhead were crisp and bright, and the entire room felt very sterile. In the corner was a designated sink area with what looked to be bowls sitting in it, perhaps waiting to be washed. A padded table lay in the center of the room along with a step stool, clearly an elevated place for a patient to lie or sit so a scientist or doctor could better reach them. Being an inner room, no windows were present, almost giving an off putting feeling to those who were so used to natural lighting and being outside. Before either Tark'ee had time to dwell on that feeling though, Tanim ushered Skinkle towards the padded table.

"If you could hop up there my friend, I can proceed with the tests." Geo also moved to follow his friend and stand by their side. "What exactly will be done?" The golden Tark'ee questioned. Tanim nodded at him. "Yes, yes let me show you." He laid out the materials he would use on the table next to Skinkle and talked the two Tark'ee through several of the tests that they could run with the machines that lined the walls of the room, and how he would like to collect the samples. After his explanations, Skinkle nodded assent, signed a waiver, and sat perfectly still while Tanim went about his work.

Eventually the samples were taken and the tests began to run. "Here, come with me you two. I'll show you the big screen." Tanim had taken them out from the inner lab and to a cozier room with a window and a larger screen. "The results of these tests will pop up on this screen once they've finished running! Now all we have to do is wait." He'd said, gesturing to the screen. The two had excitedly rushed to view it, not realizing just how long tests always seemed to take.