First Time Traveler

“Extraordinary! He is able to outpace the other subjects,” exclaimed the professor. “He can withstand extreme pressures and overcome the highest g-forces. His cognition shows a high degree of logic and decision-making. He has beaten every mouse in every category. It’s as if he knows how crucial our work is, and he’s willing to push himself beyond normal capabilities.”

            “I believe you are correct, Professor!” Said his assistant enthusiastically.

            Merlin Mouse is my name, number 882, and the professor is right; I do know what is at stake. This is the day I am being chosen for the most important experiment in humankind, in micekind, in all kind.

A few months ago, I was just an ordinary mouse in a huge cage with other ordinary mice, just waiting to be a pet, or diner for someone’s pet. Then the professor and his assistant, walked into the shop. I overheard them whispering, “Professor, do really think we will find a mouse here? Do you think we should test it on mice?”

            “What better way to find out if the human body will survive traversing time,” replied the professor. As they began to collect all the mice, I thought to myself, “It has to me; I must stow away on this trip.” As I pushed and pulled my way to the front, I heard a rough voice say, “That makes a thousand.”

            “Oh know,” I squeaked, “I have to act quickly.” Determined, I jumped from one body of mice to another, over a big fat one, a mother, and squeezed through the closing door, managing to tuck myself in between the others. “That was close.” I thought. With time traveling days ahead of me, I was on my way to a remarkable adventure.

            As the days followed, we were tested regularly, given food and a funny green liquid that had hint of strawberry and mint. They said that was to help make us smarter and stronger. Most of the other mice were not excided about traveling in time. I would hear, “What if they blow you up, or burn you to a crisp? No way, I am staying right here.”

            Not me. As soon as I got back to my wooden quarters, I continue to train, doing mice sit-ups and mice push-ups, running on the in-door tread mill each of us had. I wanted to be the mouse that made history. Finally, tomorrow is the big day. As I laid in my feathery bedding, I thought of all the possibilities. Whom would I meet, George Washington, Isaac Newton, Copernicus or maybe Jesus, I was so excited I could barely sleep.

            The next morning, I was awoken by the professor ushering me out my quarters and then into the testing chamber. I remember them mentioning it would be best if the experiment was conducted on an empty stomach. As I waited, I pondered the process: Would it be painful? Would I remember?

            In the distance I could hear a mechanical voice, “T-minus 10 minutes.’ Less then ten minutes, I thought, my heart rate…

            “…normal, Professor,” calmly said the assistant.

            “What was that?” the professor asked, exchanging a glance at his assistant.

            “His heart rate is normal.”

            “Excellent!!”

            I could hear faint switches clicking and beeps continued to echo in to the chamber. A feeling of cold air started to surround me, my fur danced on my skin, and a buzzing swelled my ears.

            “T-minus five minutes!!” echoed the mechanical voice.

            “Explain again to me Professor, what is happening?” Asked his assistant.

            “Those capacitors are building a huge amount of energy, which will be used to power the chamber. Once charged, those rings will begin to oscillate, spinning faster until they become super magnetized. Once that happens, I flip that switch, and it will begin to pull the nucleus of an atom apart. In simple terms, we will be stretching an opening and then push him through it,” explained the professor.

            “The rings are spinning, Professor.” Said his assistant, with more enthusiasm than he could contain.

            I began to float to the center of the chamber, sounds of ionized air surrounding me, static charging, the rings spun faster and faster. My body was being pulled in every direction.

            “T-minus 5, 4…” the pressure and pain filled every muscle. “I go to hold on,” I thought, grinding my teeth, balling my fist. “Remember your training…”

            “2, 1…” click and a sudden, POP!!

            “He’s gone!!” yelled the assistant.             “Extraordinary!!”

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scientificjack

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