“No crowds today,” he thought. Perfect.

With a cane assisting his limp, Ulrich leisurely strolled down the narrow, hedge-laden path.

He hated the hustle, bustle, and overabundance of new noises that modern living brought with it in recent decades.

Ping. Ding. Brrrang. Level 4! Call from John.

Ear-drum-shatteringly loud music from crackly car radios. He missed a slower-paced way of life back in his younger years, but fearing ridicule and of being labeled a ‘Boomer’, he kept his ideologies mostly to himself.

It was abnormally hushed, save for two small sparrows and the slight rustle of the wind through the trees. A light cardigan was perfect for his last interview with his new employers this afternoon. After a few minutes, Ulrich rounded the corner to see two men in black suits and ties standing side-by-side by the rustic water fountain.

Both on the thinner side but strong, they had kept their physiques well for men in their late thirties. Most would be intimidated by two towering muscular men in such official attire, but they were different. A quiet sense of deep gratitude and humility seemed to emanate from them like warm sunshine, unlike one of stereotypical stoicism.

“Hello Mr. Lamb, I’m Agent Maffei One and this is Maffei Two.”

The three men exchanged firm handshakes as Ulrich replied, “Greetings Gentlemen! Quiet today isn’t it?” They nodded nonchalantly.

“Ah!” He gave a knowing smile,

“So you both are the reason.”

“You see Mr. Lamb,” Two began, “Considering the sensitive nature of our subject topics, we thought it best for our meeting to be carried out this way.” Ulrich chuckled, “I understand.”

Two adjusted his dark shades and continued, “We were wondering if you had any questions before we continued to the second phase.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm?”

“You said that my family would be compensated financially?”

“Yes, Mr. Lamb. Due to the immense and most gratuitous nature of your contribution to this project- your wife, child, and grandchildren will be financially taken care of for the rest of their lives and will not see another day of work if they so wish.”

“And the faking of my death?”

“The fabrication will be handled in a fashion that will draw the least amount of shock and grief possible for those closest to you. I’m sure this aspect will be especially difficult for you, but please believe that it resides in trustworthy hands.”

Ulrich nodded and sniffed as he wiped a lone tear away from his eye.

Melancholy began to well up from the agent's faces as they looked upon the older gentleman wiping yet more tears from his eyes.

One spoke sympathetically,

“Mr. Lamb, it isn’t uncommon for some to withdraw themselves from the project at this stage. Are you sure you would like to proceed?”

He began to nod furiously as he wiped his last tear, “I know this is the right thing for me to do.”

Determination and endurance suddenly seemed to seep into his being.

“Boys, I don’t have a lot of years left in these old and tired bones. I’ve served in two wars, lost several family members to various illnesses and accidents, and have memories so heinous that I do not wish to recount them. I am needed. If I can both secure the future of my family and make the world a better place to live for all, then the way I see it- I have a duty that must be fulfilled. There’s just no other way around it for me.”

They were thoroughly impressed and shook his hand once again. One smiled gently, “With that being the case then, we happily welcome you to our branch of over 500 participants. We’ll be your testing supervisors, so we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other in the years to come. Your contribution to this project will further segue our opportunity to educate the global public about bettering both themselves and future generations.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Two reached into his suit pocket and extended his hand to reveal a circular lavender pill which seemed to gleam and sparkle underneath the fading afternoon sun.

Ulrich stared uncertainly at the pill for a moment, then back to the agent.

Seeing the older gentleman slightly unsettled, he looked to him reassuringly, “It won’t cause harm. It was specifically designed to give the recipient a calming effect before being gradually rendered unconscious. We deeply appreciate your trust in us to hold your life in our hands.”

Ulrich gently took the lavender pill and examined it up close, then observed its shimmering effect from the sun by moving it back and forth.

“By the time you wake, we will be on a boat en route to Antarctica, where you’ll meet a small fraction of other recruits from your branch.”

He only stared at the pill now, “A new start,” he thought. “A new life, or at least what’s left of it. Goodbye Barbara.”

Ulrich gently placed it in his mouth and began to chew the pill, sealing his fate. Just like its lavender color, it seemed to have a- hmm?- a presumably lavender taste? It was pleasant and mild whatever it was.

Expecting something instantaneously he looked at his legs, arms, then raised an eyebrow at the agents. “I don’t feel anything yet.”

“You will Mr. Lamb,” One said adjusting his watch.

“Hey um- are the rest of them like you?”

They both stared at him curiously.

“Out there, in that big expanse that we call the universe; the rest of them, are they like you?”

One gave a somber sigh, “I wish I could confidently say they are. Sadly they are not.

But- that is one of the many reasons why our race is considered the teachers of the universe, and why the universe itself has asked us to intervene in its behalf. We are here to help you, as well as ‘the rest’ come into peace and harmony.”

“Oookay I need the bench, I feel my eyes getting heavy now.”

The two agents aided an unsteady Ulrich over to the bench in front of the fountain, and Two tucked the cane under it proudly proclaiming,

“You won’t need this anymore!”

“I’ve been looking forward to that!” Ulrich laughed boisterously and smiled wide. The agents also laughed and smiled as they watched their recruit close his eyes.

Warmth gradually spread throughout his limbs and with it came abnormal heaviness, and he could no longer move even if he so desired. This surprisingly did not scare him in the slightest, as a peace unlike anything he had ever felt had pervaded his body.

“Can you still hear us, Mr. Lamb?” One inquired.

“Mmhmm.”

“When you wake up, do not be frightened. We will look quite different to you and you will not be familiar with our native forms. This is how it will be from this point forward.”

The wind, the tweeting sparrows, and the agent's voices faded, being replaced by a ringing in his ears that grew louder and louder- stiflingly loud- until suddenly there was silence.

Ulrich was unconscious.

One gazed at the old man the way a father would gaze fondly upon his sleeping child.

“Thank you for your sacrifice, Mr. Lamb.”