The Cosmic Angle 1

I sat in a lone chair before the long table of three committee members, the gold GES logo behind them, the opposite of their cold and analytical eyes glossing over my painstakingly written proposal until the harsh silence finally broke.

“Mr. Telesto, is this all you have to offer to the committee currently?” A rather rotund member asked quizzically as he held the papers closer to his glasses.

“Uhm, well, is what I have not enough?” I spoke quietly “Because I believe my calculations on the subject are quite extensive and are due some matter of recog…” I was cut short by a dark-haired lady with a curt expression

“Thank you, Mr. Telesto. That will be all. This committee will contact you later if we see a need to pursue this matter any further.” She spoke plainly as she shoved my papers into a drawer I knew all too well from my days in the custodial department.

“WAIT, please, I-implore you I know my claims are a bit fantastical but my numbers are solid, and while I’ve never been there I can assure you..” as I begin to plead my case the curt lady cuts me short once again

“And there it Is Mr. Telesto; you yourself have never been there to verify your claims, have you?” she spoke coldly

Another man with streaks of grey hair and a metallic arm raised my proposal once more as he read it aloud: “[The existence of fourth-dimensional creatures and their practical applications on space travel] by one [Novan Telesto].” He exhaled as he gripped the bridge of his nose and eyes

“Novan, this committee was created to allot funds towards ventures that have already been proven to have some real-world veracity, not convincing speculation. While your calculations are indeed extensive, we need something tangible. Do you get what I’m saying?” He spoke in a pitiful tone.

“I-I don’t have a lot of money, and I’m not an explorer; I’ve never even left the station. I was hoping you’d help me on that front, like maybe by sending someone else out to verify my claims?” I said pleadingly.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Telesto, but if I may speak freely, I find those who aren’t willing to risk their own lives in pursuit of their findings rather contemptible and a stain on what this organization was built on.” The curt lady spoke as she tapped on a screen and the doors behind me opened wide.

“Thank you for your time Mr. Telesto. You may go now.” The metallic-armed man spoke softly as he motioned towards the door.

“Thank you for making time to see me today,” I spoke as I rose from my seat and bowed, as I fought back tears exiting the room, the creak of the door behind me mimicking laughter as it shut behind me.

I found a secluded, shadowy corner outside the building where I slumped down in defeat as I pulled out my papers and remembered the countless sleepless nights, the double shifts working the observatories just to use their facilities after hours and, worse of all, the joy I felt when it all just came together.

“It all meant nothing in the end anyway, stopped by something so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.” I thought to myself as I prepared to rip the fruits of my efforts to shreds

“Hold on, young man!” a voice called out to me as I turned my head and to my surprise, saw the portly bespectacled figure of the third committee member. “Those papers you and you alone penned them, correct?” he asked as he wiped his brow with a small handkerchief.

“Yeah, I did over six and a half Earth years,” I said bitterly as I weakly let them fall into my lap. “I rather liked your research and was wondering if you would agree to a small proposition of mine?” he asked, pushing up his glasses.

I felt anger rise within me as I put two and two together; I had heard stories of promising explorers getting refused at the door and their discoveries bought for pennies as they left: “You want to buy my research, do you?” I spat as I stood up, ready to defend the papers I was about to destroy mere moments ago. “Well, it’s not for sale, and even if the stupid committee doesn’t see the value in it, I do.”

The Committee Member put his hands up in surrender as he motioned me to calm down, “N-now I know what this looks like, and I promise you it isn’t!” His demeanor oddly reminded me of a dog showing its soft underbelly, and I soon was reminded of who I was speaking to as I calmed down and apologized, “Sorry for the misunderstanding, sir. What is it you wished to discuss?”

“It’s quite alright. I, too, apologize for the committee’s harsh refusal. We’ve had a lot of people with grand promises of discovery recently, only for them to take the initial stipend and run off, so please do understand the heavy vetting we must undergo. The days when explorers were truly bent on furthering humanity’s borders in space are in the past now, and people like you are few and far between.”

He cleared his throat and straightened his robes as he looked me straight in the face. “Novan, if I personally fund your venture, are you yourself willing to make the journey and find veracity in your findings?” he voiced his proposal as my jaw slowly dropped at the prospect. “Ah, I’ve never even left the station, sir I…” The committee member cut me short once more as he asked me a second question: “Novan, do you believe in your research?" he asked. As I stood and ran through the last two years of labor and toil, and the six years before that in custodial, I looked up with certainty and answered his question.

“Yes, sir, I do, and I am willing to stake my life on it.” I said aloud as he smiled and held out his hand, “Please call me Mr. Ganymede and let us be off to make history, young Novan.” I leaned forward as I took his hand in mine. “Yes, Mr. Ganymede, thank you very much for the opportunity. I won't let you down!”

“I’m sure you won’t Novan! Now walk with me; there is much to discuss about your venture and the sooner the better!” We ended our handshake as I quickly gathered my things and walked out into the sunlight, ready to hear what the future would hold for me.