With a quick glance over her shoulder, the Creative Directory reached up to the top shelf of the bookcase, and her lithe fingers tipped the worn leather-bound copy of   The Naturalis of Alchemy  forward. The bookcase silently swung open. She quickly stepped through and pulled it closed. Illuminated by naked incandescent bulbs hanging from the ceiling, the ancient gray stone stairs led downward towards a warm yellow light. She stepped out into the new lab. With an approving glance, she studied the new power tool workstations against the walls. Her eyes caught the motion of the automated gantry crane, sliding down its rails over the huge work table, gracefully braking exactly over the crucible.  The new casting table was surrounded by rolling carts filled with instrumentation. Bright LED and digital displays flickered as the Technical Director's head popped up. "The programming is finished, and the silicon heaters are configured. I think were are ready for the first run," h