DAY 4,543

Space had been working at the office for two years as an intern. He had not yet been offered a permanent role. However, Space hoped his excitement and observations would lead to an official offer by Mr. Milkyway the VP of his lab, lab 3.

Every morning Space headed into the lab to analyze the human history that had occurred while he was out for the evening. A million years of human history would occur in a single day, thousands of which while Space was at home. This morning would potentially be his last analysis, since Mr. Milkyway; would be stopping by for a final intern touchbase. Mr. Milkyway arrived bright and early. He glowed and sparkled in charisma when he moved around the lab making him one of the most liked coworkers in Time. Space hoped that one day he could be the final replacement for Mr. Milkyway when he and his wife Mrs. Supernova retired.

Mr. Milkyway sat down gesturing towards Space to come sit down.

“Hello Space,…. I know you’re expanding to get a promotion and today marks the last day of your internship. I’d love to hear about how you’re feeling about your work along with how long you've been on this particular project. I didn't see that in the continuum.” 

“Well, I’ve been interning here for about 2 years now. I transferred to lab three, 4,543 days ago so I’ve been on this project since it’s re-creation. It wasn’t until a few months ago that I really felt like I was making progress. It had primarily been botany work until we changed the formula and accidentally produced Dinosauria. It was incredible, they adapted to us quickly. Seeing as they were rather open to our visits for data collection and habitat maintenance we were able to collect some extremely detailed analysis pertaining to each micro species. From their individual cellular makeup down to their most trivial memory.”

“And how did you find using the particle compressor to shrink down into the project habitat?” Mr. Milkyway asked.

“I got accustomed to it quickly. The transition back is a rough go the first few times, but nonetheless fairly simple. I did wonder though how it was affecting our most recent species when we would have to do an unplanned probe. Seeing as we couldn’t do it on the project floor and only here in the lab.”

“And how did you feel about day 4378, I heard it was quite alarming.”

“It was unimaginable. I became incredibly anxious since I wasn’t sure we’d make any real progress before the end of my internship. I think Gamma took it really hard though, since it was their lunch that fell in and ignited the habitat in the first place. We could have eventually recreated the Dinosauria, but I think we all felt burdened by the outcome of the original group.”

“I see, it can be hard, but it is part of the job. I’ve been quite pleased to see your resilience in the matter. Sometimes our projects can be rather personal and it’s devastating to lose a group so quickly without notice. Tell me how did you all manage to create the humans so quickly?” Mr. Milkyway leaned in.

“It’s actually quite complicated sir, I think it would be best to review the report. However I must say, to only be 65 days following the collapse and have a complete regrowth of vegetation and new primary inhabitants; “the humans” was a relief. They are much more interesting than the Dinosauria even though I’ve only had about a week with them. Their evolution has been quite remarkable considering what I had read on previous species progress of the project. They’re extremely unpredictable so we don’t interact with them directly the way we did with the Dinosauria or at least we don’t on purpose, but they’ve moved through evolution faster than any other project from lab 3’s history which worked out considering the timing.”

“You mentioned avoiding interactions with the subject. But, as you mentioned earlier there have been a few unplanned probes. Please elaborate on the protocols your team has put in place when such events occur.”

"Yes, we've had a few run ins over the past couple of days during scheduled maintenance. We’ve been extracting those who have seen us, after realizing it was harmful to the human itself to sit with the knowledge in it’s entirety. Once extracted we do a small cranial probe to retract the memories, followed by briefly monitoring the human to ensure their safe return. They seem to vaguely remember anything if at all once they are returned back into the project habitat. The only challenge has been getting them back in the habitat in a timely manner. Our time difference presents a few obstacles. Even with the challenges we've had a 98% success rate.”

Very good. Finally “What are your thoughts on the humans as a species, and I’m curious if the human does remember your encounter what has been the result of the knowledge in the habitat?”

“Humans as a whole are aloof to us watching. I initially thought they'd realize our office lights up their night, but they still haven't. I find it interesting and troubling that some believe we’re up here looking down on them. And for no reason at all, like an inner knowing. With their communication evolving so quickly we found ourselves evolving with them. For example we had initially been referring to them by their genus. However, they adopted a revised term yesterday and we’ve adapted with them. Now referring to them as Humans. But, what’s truly fascinating is their juxtaposition in demeanor amongst each other. They can be quick to turn on one another and at times violent; typically about nothing of vital importance in the grand scheme of things. They seem to exhibit what is called greed to a magnitude unmatched by any other species. I’ve never seen a species make things that could accidentally eradicate themselves just to get more of something or to ensure others couldn't have what they have. Yet, I'm fascinated by the togetherness they show in times that seem insurmountable. At a moments notice they will help each other in true peril. An unseen web of unity that usually is overlooked. I think if they were more than just a project I’d be... scared. Their unpredictable behavior leaves too many variables. And as far as those who have had encounters. Well, we’ve seen those who don’t entirely let go of the encounter struggle to adapt back in the habitat. The weight of the truth is too much to bare alone for them.

Mr. Milkyway I wanted to mention the memo that was just sent out... from Mrs. Uni Theverse regarding our interaction with the subjects. I just wanted to specify that Cellu and I in no way compromised the project, but I do think it would be a good idea to schedule more checkups for the crafts we use on maintenance visits for other projects. Having our engine cut out and falling from the opening of the habitat into quadrant “N.M” could have taken a real turn for the project and us. I followed protocol, and submitted a formal report to Mrs. Uni Theverse once we were recovered. But, we were very lucky; more checkups could prevent this in the future and could be a real benefit to the longevity of the company.”

Mr Milkyway leaned in putting one stardust on Space’s space-

“We have technical failures and there isn’t much you can do about that other than follow protocol, but I'll take this matter up to the my manager for review. So Space is there anything else about the humans that would make them potentially disqualified as candidates for the experiment planned for today?”

Mr. Milkyway started to squint staring deep into Space.

“Not really, but you should know Cellu “accidentally” sneezed in the habitat today and all dark matter broke loose. The humans are traumatized from the health scare, although they seem to have recovered, I think it would be a good idea to wait a millisecond before starting the final experiment. This project iteration might be the best findings ever recorded- being the most violent and self destructive species we’ve seen to date it should work in our favor for some spectacular results. However, if they as I mentioned, come together. I could see the outcome being more than our department could have foreseen in the billions of years the company has been in service. It’s quite remarkable how much progress they’ve made to qualify so soon, so I'm sure they won't disappoint either way leaving me to believe they are very good candidates”

Mr. Milkyway suddenly standing up put out his stardust to shake Space’s space “Okay, well thanks Space I will keep you on the microgravity clock until you have our final decision.” Space stood up still shaking Mr. Milkyway’s stardust.

“Thanks so much Mr. Milkyway. I really appreciate getting to intern in lab 3. I know this lab will only be open through tomorrow and then I would be transferred but I really can’t wait for what’s planned for in a few milliseconds.”

Mr. Milkyway headed towards the door.

“Well the humans won’t be excited. But we will finally get our answer.”

Mr. Milkyway shouted as he headed out the door.

The moment Mr. Milkyway was out of sight Space received the email:

Hi Space,

Thanks for sitting down with me today, we would love to offer you a position here in Time and will be sending you official documentation for your on boarding. Please note we will be keeping you in lab 3 to finish the evolution findings today and then we will be transferring you to lab 12. Where we will plan to further lab 3’s experiment. What life remains in your habitat in lab 3 will be used to run project Gemini 2054. Please check in with Star tomorrow morning for further details.

As a follow-up, please send me your final findings of today’s last experiment for Lab 3. As you know we have performed this project hundreds of thousands of times but have never gotten this far. Please make sure to take plenty of footage, I’d love to see how humans respond in a crisis of this magnitude.

Thanks again and welcome to the team,

MR.MILKYWAY | VICE PRESIDENT OF 1-8 LABS

Communication #: RA 17h 45m 40.04s, Dec −29° 00′ 28.1″