Steam, smoke, and vapors billowed out of the hundreds of pots, bowls, and cauldrons that were suspended over a stream of bubbling lava that led from one dark hole in one wall to the other side of the room where the stream disappeared through another hole.

“You think we can turn on the fan?” The apprentice asked while she sweated in her thermal suit that didn’t seem to be helping much.

The mad scientist who was scurrying from his cabinets full of chemicals and ingredients to his various boiling, simmering, and burning concoctions ignored her.

“Sir? I don’t think this amount of heat is healthy for our bodies.” The apprentice said as she went to one of the freezers and stuffed some dry ice into the inside pockets of her suit.

The scientist growled, “You want to be a Chemist of the Galactic Order? You need to stop worrying about your health or you won’t make any breakthroughs. Now hush and pay attention to me.”

“But-” The girl started.

“But nothing! If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen!”