Chapter 57: Collegiate League
Sarah looked up and managed a smile: "David, you're here." She turned her phone screen toward David. "I just received the reply email from the Equipment Office regarding my inquiry this morning. The news isn't great."
David took the phone and quickly scanned it. The email showed that due to the approaching start of the new semester, the machine time for the GPPD system was fully booked for the next two weeks. The earliest available slot was Tuesday afternoon two weeks from now, with only a three-hour window.
"Two weeks from now..." David frowned. "That's later than expected."
"The email also said that if we decide to apply, we need to submit the paperwork quickly, or this slot might get snatched up too," Sarah's voice was filled with urgency.
She pulled a stack of documents out of her messenger bag and pushed them toward David: "I prepared all the application materials this morning. This is the standard application form for the GPPD system—I've already filled in the basic experiment information, required parameters, and safety protocols."
She pulled out another piece of paper: "This is the authorization form requiring the PI's signature. And this—" She pointed to a blank space on the form. "This needs your project documentation attached, proving you have an active research project that requires the GPPD system."
David quickly flipped through the documents. Sarah was extremely thorough—almost all the required fields were neatly filled out.
"Can you provide the project documentation now?" Sarah asked. "I checked, and a simple project approval form is enough, just proving you're conducting related research. The Equipment Office won't dig into technical details—they mainly look at credentials and funding."
David nodded: "My 3D scanning experiment has approval documentation. It's on my office computer."
"Should we go print it now?" Sarah stood up. "I want to submit the application today. I'm worried about delays if we wait."
David also stood up: "Let's go."
The two left the coffee shop and walked toward the Physics building. Along the way, Sarah remained silent until they entered David's office, where she finally spoke: "David, I'm truly... incredibly grateful to you. If you hadn't been willing to help, my experiment would have been completely dead in the water."
David turned on the computer and pulled up the file: "Don't mention it. Actually, my helping you isn't entirely selfless."
Sarah looked at him.
"Just like I said that night," David said while operating the printer, "I love physics, and I love chemistry. Regarding the synthesis approach I proposed, you hope it succeeds, but besides hoping for success, I have intense curiosity. I want to see with my own eyes if this theoretical concept can actually work in reality."
As the printer whirred to life, David continued: "But there's one thing I need to make clear—I'm supporting you in doing this experiment despite your advisor's explicit opposition. Regardless of success or failure, you might upset him. If the experiment succeeds, you might upset him even more, because it proves his judgment was wrong. In that sense, I don't know if helping you is the right thing to do. After all, his recommendation letter is crucial for you to stay in academia."
Sarah leaned against the desk, looking down at her left hand, which was still in a cast: "I've thought about all of this."
She looked up, her eyes determined: "But I'm all in now. I just hope the experiment succeeds so I can finish my dissertation. Just like you, I love chemistry, and it's this pure passion that makes me focus only on the experiment itself right now, without thinking about anything else."
She paused, forcing a wry smile: "If Professor James refuses to write me a recommendation letter because of this, then so be it. I'll just leave academia and go work as an engineer in industry. That backup plan isn't so bad either."
David handed her the printed project documentation: "Then there's nothing to hesitate about."
Sarah took the document, quickly organized all the materials, and put them into a folder. "I'm going to the Equipment Office to submit this right now."
"Should I come with you?" David asked.
"No need, you've already done so much." Sarah shook her head. "I know the application process. It should be fine. I'll let you know the moment I hear anything."
She walked to the door, turned around, and said earnestly: "David, regardless of the outcome, thank you. You're truly a godsend, my miracle worker."
"I'm just me," David chuckled. "Good luck, Sarah."
After Sarah left, David closed the office door and headed toward the lab. When he pushed open the lab door, he was surprised to find Howard and Raj inside as well.
The two were standing next to Leonard, staring at the computer screen.
"What brings you guys to campus?" David asked, setting down his backpack.
Howard turned around: "We went to the apartment looking for you guys, and Sheldon said you were both in the lab, so we came straight here."
He immediately put on an exaggerated expression: "Also, David, do you know your dog is currently hanging out with Sheldon? Sheldon's training him to do squats—actual squats! My God, that's the weirdest thing I've ever seen!"
Raj nodded vigorously beside him: "H-He was even calling out cadence to Milo: 'One, two, one, two... Maintain formation!'"
David imagined the scene and found it hilarious, but he was more concerned about their purpose: "You came all the way over here without calling first. There must be something important you needed to say in person."
Howard and Raj exchanged glances, then Howard rubbed his hands together, a grin plastered on his face: "There is, actually. So here's the thing, David... there's a Southern California Collegiate Gaming League tournament in three weeks, for the game Mystic Warlords of Ka'a."
Raj took over, his tone excited: "The four of us participated last year and got destroyed. But this year is different—this year we have you! You're amazing at games; we're definitely going to place this time!"
Howard nodded enthusiastically: "David, we've all seen your skill level—you're clearly an expert. With you as team captain, we're guaranteed a good showing this time, at least make it to the quarterfinals!"
David looked at their expectant faces, thought for a moment, and said: "When exactly is the tournament? I need to check my schedule."
"Saturday three weeks from now, all day," Howard immediately replied. "David, will you consider it? The registration deadline is next week, so you have a week to decide."
David nodded: "Okay, I'll think about it. I'll give you an answer this week."
"That's awesome!" Howard clapped David on the shoulder. "Then we won't keep you from your work. We're looking forward to hearing good news!"
After the two left, the lab fell silent again. David walked up to the computer and glanced at Leonard: "What do you think?"
Leonard shrugged: "They're right—you definitely play better than all of us combined. If you want to participate, I have no objections."
David sat back down in his chair, quickly reviewing his upcoming schedule in his mind. Three weeks from now... maybe the timing could work out.
He looked at the data on the computer screen and temporarily shelved the gaming tournament.
"Let's get back to work," he said. "How's the data looking?"
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