Zoe with her newly developed programmable matter…

You hadn’t read wrong, one of the researchers behind Hideki Labs’ best products was calling you in for assistance, it seemed too good to be true, and that was what worried you. When things seemed too good to be true, it was usually because they were. All the same, you reported to the requested meeting room on the fifth floor for an evaluation for the trial. There wasn’t anyone else there but Zoe herself, who was typing rapidly on a laptop when you arrived. She looked up and brimmed with a smile when she saw you.

“Punctual! Perfect! It’s good to meet you Dr. Dawson, please, have a seat.”

Zoe chirped, gesturing to a chair across from her at the table.

“And you as well, Dr. Hildebrand, your work with adaptive grafting bandages is absolutely astounding. I look forward to the chance to work with you, but… I must admit I found precious little details so as to what exactly this is about…”

You said, taking a seat as she recommended and clasping your hands together on the table as you spoke. She nodded and turned her laptop around so it’s screen would face you. On it, there were some simple questions.

“This is moreso part of a screening process to get you the required clearance levels to even know what it’s about, I essentially have to get you as up to speed as possible without actually providing any intel on the confidential portions of the assignment so you can make an informed decision without being tied up in so many NDAs that you’d get sued out of existence for sleep talking… So, you can fill out the relevant answers to these questions on this computer while we ah… Chat for a bit, yes?”

Zoe said, and it suddenly occurred to you that she was acting different again, just a little too peppy and friendly for what you might expect from her… It also made you wonder if she was just extra quirky, or if there was something behind it.

“Of course! Ask away, I’ve become quite accomplished at multitasking as of late.”

You offered with a relatively friendly smile back, not wanting to seem suspicious of her or anything. The questionnaire was quite long, with a wide variety of questions, including some that were highly personal and specific, including one that asked what body type he was most attracted to..? You thought it a tad unprofessional, but figured they wouldn’t ask it without good reason, and hence filled it out truthfully. While you did, Zoe spoke.

“Without going into too much detail, R&D is working on a brand new topic, researching more into the structure of cells and how they can manipulate molecules, the ways in which cells communicate and react, and their ability to move objects and interpret orders. Their advancements have been rather impressive, but based on the ways in which it can be applied, we need to be highly selective with those whom run trials with what they’ve developed, it’s tied us up in a rather large amount of red tape, you see? From the list of possible QA Evaluators, you stood out in particular, first, for your expertise in the field of Biochemistry…”

Zoe said, and realized she’d been rambling for a bit and pausing, you looked up just as you finished the questionnaire, and slid the laptop back across the table to her.

“And the second?”

You prompted, mostly to show you’d been hanging on to every word she said.

“An eagerness, Dr. Dawson. You were recommended by your superior for a… And I quote: ‘Pertinent and motivated desire to contribute to something greater.’ She spoke as if you are some kinda high powered machine, throttled in your ability thanks to who you know rather than what you can do… I’d like to invite you above that glass ceiling, of course. But it doesn’t come without its perils… Not… Not literal perils, but more metaphorical ones, you’ll need to be loyal, precise, and quick witted if anything goes wrong… And based on these results… I think you more than achieve. Do you have any questions in particular? I’d be happy to answer to the full extent of my knowledge, and the… Lesser… Extent of your current clearance level…