In reply to Zoey Krass (msg # 18):

Susan nodded, smiling wryly.
"Just as long as it's something we can get without raising any eyebrows.  We can't be normal students if we get things from the bottom of the Mariana's Trench."

Zoey smiled, "Im sure we can come up with a cover story if someone gets too nosy."

Susan frowned, but with more amusement than anything else.
"Zoey, Bubelah....the key is avoiding the need for a cover story.  Too many cover stories can only make us more visible, after all."

She nodded, "Hm, you may be right about that.  So, we went scuba diving and found the algae in the cave.  If anybody asks that is."

With a chuckle she smiled and sat down to finish her bowl of pasta.  She picked up her tablet again and Googled 'glowing algae'.

Susan nodded, approvingly, and helped get things organized.

Zoey glances up from her tablet "Hey check this out Susan, we can make our own glowing algae.  This website can show us how to do it.  Doesn't look too difficult."

www.instructables.com/id/Grow-Your-Own-Bioluminescent-Algae/

She looked at Rory, "You've been really quiet today.  You alright?"

"Yeah, just thinking about the project. I was really looking forwards to building Mr Butler." Rory sighed. "I guess that we could build an eco-bot but that would be stretching things a bit. What do you think Allura?"

"I don't even know how to build a normal bot. We have to focus on the ecosystem man this is lame why can't we build death lasers or something."

"Mostly, because they said nothing dangerous. I mean, where's the fun in that?"

"I know right ! I mean death lasers could protect endangered species." Allura smirks.

Zoey laughs and shakes her head.  "How did they let you two pair up?"

Susan smirked.
"I suppose they thought the two of them would be a good influence on each other."

"Yeah, you're probably right," she chuckled.

Looking to Rory and Allura, "I can't wait to see what your robot is going to do.  This is gonna be an awesome science fair this year.  Mm, smells like the pizzas are done."

"Hey, I will get the pizza you guys relax. I am sure Rory and I will come up with something good. Maybe not a robot but something. Just wish we weren't restricted."

Allura heads off to get the pizzas.

"Look for a loophole, there's always one somewhere," Zoey replied.

"You want a slice of pizza, Amanda?  There's pepperoni and three meat."  She got up to get some pizza for herself, "Sam you want any?"

Rory nodded. "Yeah, we'll definitely make something good as long as we don't get disqualified for breaking the rules."

Susan shrugged,  smiling wryly.
"sometimes limitations and restrictions can spur creativity.   Think of it as part of the challenge. "

The audience could tell that Susan was thinking of herself,  as the physically weakest member of the group,  which , as a former school athlete,  was a bit galling at times.
"Zoey, I'll shop around for some cheap fish tanks, something to grow algae in. "

Zoey nodded, "Okay cool.  I'll get some of those samples from the cave soon too."

Amanda nods, "I want to try everything sis !"

"Bring on the pizza !"

Zoey grabbed one of the cut pizzas and some paper plates and brought it over to the table for everyone.  She handed her sister a slice of pepperoni pizza, "Its still a little hot."

Amanda looked at it.

"It looks pretty flat." She watched seeing how others were eating it and took a bite.

Then she began waving her hand in front of her mouth.

Iff goo.

Susan smiled, charmed by Amanda's thrill of joyous discovery.

Zoey giggled, "Thought you would like it."

She ate her slice of pizza then finished off a bowl of pasta as well. "What's it like going to school in Atlantis? What are your friends like?"

Sam holds his stomach and closes his eyes.
"I am not feeling too well."

Amanda is about to speak when she looks over at Sam.

End Scene