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Frankly, I don’t know what we hoped to accomplish. At one point, I thought I did, but after three (or was it four?) years, at best, we’ve accomplished nothing of value. At worst, we’ve done more harm than good.
I looked out my window and observed the early hours of the murky sunrise. It was the only safe time to have the metal shutters up, to catch a glimpse of this world we so desperately tried to save. Even then, through the ever-present rain and fog, I couldn’t so much as catch a glimpse of the sun. All I could see were the vague shapes shuffling around the woods just outside our facility.
I may have been on the fourth floor, with nothing but sheer metal and two more windowsills beneath my view, yet I couldn’t shake the general unease from watching those creatures. Sure, one or two of them might just be a deer or a stray dog or something, but I’ve seen what those things can do. We might be in the grace period right now. The only goddam time of day those things seem to take a rest. But a part of me has always been concerned that one of these days, one of them will stay up a little late and take a crack at me. I’d probably see them coming in time to close the shutter, but what if I didn’t? No, there’s no point in dwelling on worst-case scenarios. I’ve had enough of those to last a lifetime.
I closed the shutter and got out of my chair. I had to finish writing the soil sample report from yesterday, even if it was just the same as the last hundred times. For once, I wish they’d leave our crops alone. I’m sick of eating the lab-grown vegetables. They barely taste better than the stuff they spit out of the synthesizer.
I descended the stairs and then passed the animal testing lab. The lights were off, and it was dead quiet in there. I guess the head of that lab was still out of commission, and his assistants didn’t make it out of bed again. I shook my head and went down another flight. Immediately on my left was the Hydrology lab. There was only one guy in there, working in silence. Standing in the same place as last night, the poor guy needs to learn when to call it quits. I know the water purification project hasn’t been producing the best results, but everyone in his division had thrown their hat into that ring for a reason.
Finally, I arrived at my own lab. The sign out front had been crossed out multiple times. At this point, even the Chief doesn’t know what lab we are anymore. We’ve absorbed, dissolved, and spun off so many other labs it was hard to say. That, and as the only division with members who regularly go outside, we’ve lost far more people and caused the most damage.
I stepped inside to find the Chief in a slump. There were maybe two other people in the room, working so slowly and quietly that I doubt they were doing much of anything. This did not bode well.
“Good morning, Chief,” I greeted him.
“Oh, that time of the day already?” He picked himself up. “I’m glad you’re up, but I’m sorry to say, there ain’t much to do.”
“Hm? Well, there’s always the soil sample report,” I pointed out.
“You and I both know that’s nothing more than worthless busy work,” he sighed. “Even then, you wouldn’t be able to finish it.”
“Why? Did Jerry not finish running the last couple of tests?” I asked.
“Jerry had a breakdown last night,” the Chief explained. “His friend in meteorology cracked and ran out into the woods. Jerry was witness to all the grisly details of what happened next.”
“Oh,” I realized why it seemed so lifeless in here. Jerry was always cracking jokes and trying to lift our spirits. His jokes sucked, but he was the only one who bothered to try and be positive. I liked him for that.
“Just hang out in the cafeteria for a bit,” the Chief ordered. “Meteorology is under investigation right now. Their weather machine project set us back a couple years and a few hundred trees. That’s why Jerry’s friend crumbled. Now, the big boss is practically court-martialing them, and Jerry’s breakdown is part of it. They’ll be ringing up everyone in the lab as a witness, and I don’t need you to get caught up in that.”
“Alright, thanks, Chief,” I nodded and exited. Like I said, sometimes it feels like we do more harm than good. We think we can save the world, but maybe the world doesn’t want our help. If that’s the case, then we’re the problem. I guess that’s why we’re the last people on Earth.
>>>~~~~<<<
When working with a team or large company, never forget the possible effects of your actions on your broader mission. Remember, your small mistake could cost us all.
Happy Halloween and until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy.
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