Chapter Text
Grace wrung his hands with anxiety as he prepared to read the email he had been waiting for all day. It was all he could think as he worked. And now he was finally in his apartment and could see what they had said.
Now what had gotten him so anxious? Grace had been working for years so that one day he could work with the Eridians. Around 30-40ish years ago, humans learned that they weren’t alone in the universe after all. After all the legal nonsense and actual engineering and science, there was now a way to somewhat easily travel between Erid and Earth. Now, of course, it came with some issues, but overall, it was a rather impressive system.
Anyways, some people, if they made it through the needed background checks, tests, and had proof they could be useful, could join “Stratt’s vat”. Its official name was “The human and Eridian ship of correspondence, cultural diffusion, and scientific advancements” and also just happened to be run by a Dutch woman named Eva Stratt. But the overall public decided the acronym THAESOCCDASA was too long, and no one wanted to say its full name, so eventually, it was just dubbed “Stratt’s vat”.
Now, the main benefit to joining Stratt’s vat, in Grace’s opinion, was that you got to work with the Eridians!
The email on his phone read:
From: The Eridani and Earth scientific program.
To: Dr. Grace. Ryland.
June 13, 2106
Dr. Ryland Grace.
XX Street
XX Town, CA XXXX
Dear Ryland Grace,
We am pleased to offer you a position as a Molecular Biology Research Scientist in the laboratory at The Human and Eridian ship of correspondence, cultural diffusion and scientific advancements starting on June 28, 2106. Everyone in the lab is excited about you joining our group and we have enjoyed our correspondence with you about your research interests and accomplishments. This letter formalizes many of the details we have discussed previously regarding the position.
Your official appointment will be " Molecular biology Research Scientist" in the Department of Molecular biology at The Human and Eridian ship of correspondence, cultural diffusion and scientific advancements.
As a research scientist in my laboratory, you will be involved in the cellular difference between humans and Eridian’s along with other studies as needed.
As a Molecular biology research scientist at The Human and Eridian ship of correspondence, cultural diffusion and scientific advancements, you will be responsible for complying with the policies set forth by the Faculty of Vat rules and regulations as well as the policies promulgated by the Federal Government in the areas of Research Integrity/Scientific Misconduct and Conflict of Interest. The Office of Research Issues provides oversight and implementation of conflict of interest policy applicable to all faculty and fellows at The Human and Eridian ship of correspondence, cultural diffusion and scientific advancements and also handles allegations of scientific misconduct under a policy that applies to all faculty and trainees. For more information on applicable research policies, please visit the Office of Research Issues online at this link.
In anticipation of your arrival to the The Human and Eridian ship of correspondence, cultural diffusion and scientific advancements, there are a number of forms and agreements that will need to be processed to facilitate your appointment as research scientist. One such agreement that must be signed prior to your appointment is the Participation Agreement for all faculty and fellows conducting research at The vat (see attached). Quartz will serve as your departmental contact for any questions or concerns you may have regarding your appointment and may be reached by phone at XXX-XXX-XXXX or by email at XXXXXXXX email. Please by sure to speak to them if needed.
Grace’s face hurt with how hard he was smiling; he felt himself start to tear up. He had been working for three years to get to join the “Stratt’s vat,” and he had finally done it! All his years leaving away at college weren’t for nothing; all those years he spent smiling at people who he knew hated him, all those years he had spent alone swimming in work in hope to one day get to work with the Eridians on Stratt’s vat weren’t in vain!
He walked over to his kitchen, a bounce in his step. He had finally done it! He couldn’t wait to start to work.