It had been two months since Nicolai started working at the Obstetrics and Fertility office. However, the adoring looks from the nurses were still going strong. Fidgeting in his chair, he leaned forward and closed the door. He paused to admire the new sign on the door: Dr. Nicolai Archibald FACS, MS, OB/GYN sparkled on the glass.

  His reasons for moving back home did not include romance or whatever it was the female population in the office was after. Nicolai had worked hard his whole life; he wasn't about to get distracted just to lose it all.

  Running his hands through his hair, he tried to relax.

  In thirty minutes, he'd be meeting with Dr. Warner Tate, the President of the Genetics Engineering Program. Dr. Tate used to work here at this very office. Sometimes he would take on a doctor from the office to participate in one of his studies.

  Nicolai tried not to get encouraged by the visit; his boss Dr. Brown had informed him of it this morning when he finished with his first patient.

  "Dr. Archibald, I was talking to my former colleague Dr. Tate about how impressed we all are to have you aboard our team. Anyway, he was very interested in meeting you. He wants to stop in today after lunch. Is that okay with you?"

  Nicolai was stunned. He shook Dr. Brown's hand with one hand and patted him on the shoulder with the other. "That's great news. Thank you for the kind recommendation."

  Dr. Brown smiled, genuinely appreciative of Nicolai's reaction. "Alright, I will let him know."

  Although he had only been there a short time, Nicolai was not surprised that Dr. Brown was impressed with him. It was something that he strived for. He was the first doctor in the office in the mornings and often the last one to leave. He had even volunteered to be on-call for the last two holidays. He quickly learned and implemented their policies and procedures.

  Not to mention, the female patients had taken a liking to him. He had become the top requested doctor in the office.

  None of this had gone to his head. He was used to being the golden boy, well, in school at least.

  A busy schedule of patients kept Nicolai occupied for the next four hours-too bad every day wasn't like this, he thought to himself.

  He looked in his desk for a breath mint.

  The knock on his door was right on time.

  Dr. Tate was introduced by Dr. Brown.

  "This here is the talented Dr. Archibald that I have told you so much about," he said.

  Slightly shorter than Nicolai, but only by a couple of inches. He had dark brown hair and dark eyes, with a bit of a receding hairline.

  "Nice to meet you, Dr. Archibald. I've heard many great things," he said. His voice was a higher tone than Nicolai had expected.

  Nicolai gripped his hand. He was confident you could tell a lot about a man from his handshake.

  "The pleasure is all mine, Dr. Tate. It's a privilege to meet you." He gestured to the seats in his office.

  Dr. Brown excused himself from the room. "I'll let you two talk. Nice to see you again, Warner," he said before shutting the door behind him.

  Dr. Tate took the seat across from Nicolai's desk. Nicolai was getting a feel for the type of visit this was.

  "So, Nicolai," he paused, crossing his legs and looking around the space at the awards hanging on the walls. "After Dr. Brown told me how impressed he was with you, I did my research."

  "Oh, and what was it you found?" he asked, curious about the results.

  Dr. Tate straightened in his chair, leaning on the desk to look Nicolai in the eyes.

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  "You have an IQ of 140 and graduated as valedictorian of your high school class at the age of 10. Grew up here in the orphanage until you emancipated yourself at 14, I think it said. After passing medical school, you moved across the border to Strayerfield, then completed your residency and fellowship ." He clasped his hands together. "And now you have returned home. Have I forgotten anything?"

  Nicolai was startled by Dr. Tate's apparent interest in him. Sitting up straight, he raised a brow at the man sitting across from him.

  "Sounds like you know all about me, Dr. Tate. But I was very curious as to the purpose of your visit today," he said humbly.

  The past was the past, Nicolai thought to himself. He was only ever interested in the present and future.

  Shaking his head, Dr. Tate continued, "Right. I am looking for an intelligent and dedicated fellow such as yourself to step in on a confidential experiment we are running."

  "Oh," Nicolai said, "That explains the background check."

  Dr. Tate laughed, "Sorry, but it is a consequential case, and we have to make sure whoever we bring on board can be trusted. There is a lot at stake," he explained, his face growing serious.

  Nicolai was starting to think that the details of the job offer would not get much clearer than this. However, he would not turn down the opportunity to work on something for the Genetics Engineering Program. This could lead to potential offers here and in Belrathe if he ever wanted to leave.

  Clearing his throat, Nicolai asked, "Dr. Tate, are you offering me a job?"

  Wrinkles formed lines on Dr. Tate's forehead as he shook his head. "Yes, we would like you to join our team. I understand that you work here, so this opportunity would be secondary. Dr. Brown has agreed to extend your weekend duties to coworkers."

  Nick felt his stomach drop; he didn't want to cause a fuss with his current colleagues.

  "There might be some travel. I mentioned that to Dr. Brown as well. Anyway, I can't go into more detail than this until you accept the offer and sign some forms for us," he said as he handed Nicolai confidentiality waivers and a form listing the wages and benefits.

  His earnings for this job offer were equal to what his current wage would be working full time. This was more than generous, he thought to himself.

  Waiting patiently, Dr. Tate smiled. "I hope that you will find we will compensate you well for your time," he said.

  "I can see that," Nicolai paused, setting the papers on the table. "But why do you want me? You listed my accomplishments and did so accurately, I might add. But other than my intelligence and dedication, why me?" he asked.

  Smiling, Dr. Tate sighed. "You are very perceptive, too."

  Waiting for him to answer his question, Nicolai just nodded in response.

  "I selected you because you show passion and endurance, for finding solutions. You are not hasty in making calls. Emotion does not get the best of you. I believe your previous Chief of Surgery said something about you 'thriving best under pressure.' You're young. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Please sign the papers so I can tell you the rest..."

  Nicolai rarely did anything without really doing his homework, especially with job offers. But he was impressed at Dr. Tate's determination and confidence. He felt compelled to accept the position.

  Taking a pen from the pocket of his coat, he signed his name.

  "Now you can tell me," he said, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms.

  A satisfied smile crossed Dr. Tate's face.

  "We at the GEP have been working alongside other countries to develop a cure for the conception issue. We have an experiment where an antidote was established using the DNA from the last naturally conceived baby. The antidote was successful on select individuals from Strayerfield," he said.

  Nicolai's mind was blown. He hadn't even thought about this possibility.

  "That's incredible," was all he could say.

  "Yes, this could mean bringing back natural conception and eventually fixing the population issue. The doctors at the GEP and I have decided to orchestrate a mission to obtain the antidote from Strayerfield and bring it back. It needs to be tested on our men to be sure that it can work."

  "When is the mission?" Nicolai asked.

  "Right, it is to be by the end of next week. A select number of soldiers have been chosen to accompany you and a few others. We need you to secure it for travel."

  "I understand," he said, processing it all.

  "Nicolai," Dr. Tate said, his voice serious, "This is a one-shot deal. The child that the antidote was made from has died. There is no one left for us to try this again."

  The weight of his words fell on Nicolai.

  "Then we won't fail," Nicolai assured him.

  "I had hoped I could count on you," Tate said as he stood.

  He extended his hand to Nicolai.

  "I will see you at 7 am on Saturday."

  "See you then," he said as the men walked out of his office.

  Dr. Brown met Dr. Tate in the hall, and the two of them walked out of the building together.

  Nicolai bit his bottom lip, trying to figure out what he had just agreed to.

  He could be part of the solution to the cure of the conception issue.

  What a great way to start his career, he thought on his walk back to his office.

  Ollie, the friendliest nurse they had, greeted him at his door. "Hi, Dr. Archibald, your patient is prepped for you in room three," she said.

  Looking at his watch, he realized that he was almost late for his appointments.

  "Thank you, Ms. Ollie. I appreciate your help."

  Quickly, he stopped in his office to secure the documents Dr. Tate had left for him. There was a manila folder containing information on the mission and experiment.

  Wishing he had a minute to look it all over, he stepped out of his office and darted down the hall.

  What an afternoon, he thought to himself.