“Ms Bee, will the Union declare optimistic results?” Nean asked glumly, his prominent arched brow ridges rising.

“You worry too much, Nean. This is a time to rejoice. Everyone knows we have worked hard to push the frontiers of science and technology to where it stands.” I said, trying not to reflect concern in my voice.

“Us sitting at this dinner table itself signifies that we are indeed evolving as a race. We have outlined the definition of humanity, that’s for sure.” Heme echoed robotically, raising his cup of wine.

Nean looked uncertain but raised his glass of honey and hollered. I couldn’t help but wince a bit at his loud voice. Does this mean habits are an outcome of the underlying genetic components? I pondered. For a minute, I observed Nean, trying to understand his behaviour. 

Wearing a long black polyester shirt suited with blue shorts, Nean was frantically moving his eyes everywhere. His big lower jaw gnawed on the thick droplets of honey while his neck was bent a little bit as he drank his favourite food from the glass. His long golden hair complemented his smooth fair skin. He looked at me and grinned, showcasing his sharp-angled cheekbones and the most imperfect set of teeth I had ever seen. Nean was our first successful In-Lab developed Neanderthal. My team kept track of his behavioural and genetic fronts since he was merely an embryo. 

“Why would you even do such a thing?! Why would you want to resurge an extinct species?” Mr Gostani had questioned me quite aggressively in the famous interview which took place almost 25 years ago, designed to announce the project. One might easily say that every person on the planet had eyes on it, ready to either appreciate or criticise the efforts.

“Being a neuroethologist, it is natural for me to be curious about how individuals interact with their surroundings. Questions such as: – What led to the extinction of Neanderthals? Did their interaction with our species lead to their extinction? If yes, how? How will the change in the environment play a role in the evolution of their brain size? How will this change affect their behaviour and coherent cognitive capabilities? If possible, can we again revitalise the Neanderthal population to observe the possible dynamic changes that lead to their ultimate evolution into our species? What are the responsible factors for this evolution? Can we predict the quintessential evolutionary trajectory of humans with known biology? I am just touching on some of the golden questions we are trying to address. There are multiple more which make this project a vital study for the betterment of humanity. My obsession with anthropology and my curiosity for our extinct ancestors lead to the inception of the Project Renaissance.” I had said, with confidence and an energised smile on my face.

“So, if I understand this right, you are using your position as the Head of the Science and Technology of the Earth Union Government to pursue your own interests, just because you are obsessed with anthropology?” Mr Gostani had scoffed. “What if these beings you create turn out to be monsters and be the cause for the destruction of our species?”

At that point, I had lost my patience. Did that impertinent man not listen to a single word I had spoken? My life mission was to make people understand how incredibly valuable such studies would be for the future of our race. How wonderful it would be to predict how we would evolve! Unfortunately, agnostic people like Mr Gostani could never understand the divine reasoning behind the advancement of science and would always be ready to originate public-derived political issues to gain more views. I had hoped this interview would be a cause of enthusiasm amongst common people but as it turned out, my project was pushed deep into government scrutiny and political absurdness.

“Ms Bee is investing billions just for the fun of it, it seems. This project will be doom for humanity, mark my words.” Mr Gostani had declared cynically at that time, making me sick with rage and anxiousness.

Light comes even in the darkest of hours. Heme was that light for me. Out of all the Parties, the largest Party, Organoids Sempera, supported me immediately. As Heme, the Organoid Head came forward, all the other parties reluctantly supported the project. Later, Heme not only became a co-scientist in the project but also my dearest friend. He supported me, motivated me, and mentored me and together we made it possible to revive an extinct being as an extension of the Nobel Prize-winning research, merely through the exploitation of the advanced technology of DNA sequencing and genetic manipulations.

“Bee, are you fine?” Heme questioned. “You look lost.”

“Oh, that’s right! Don’t ask the person who is literally on the verge of becoming a useless scientific guinea pig how he’s doing,” Nean said dramatically, making uncanny faces. Heme grunted and looked at me for help.

As a part of the project, twenty-five Neanderthals resurged in my lab. When Nean turned four, Heme and I were assigned as his guardians to study how social interactions change underlying developmental mechanisms. Our job was to socialise with Nean, make him comfortable with his surroundings and study the genes responsible for social development and higher-order cognition. Also, our goal was to observe how Nean would behave with a human versus an organoid. Today, Nean was 17 years old and was most fond of Heme. The two of them were extremely close and Nean followed Heme’s every instruction. I had a different relationship with Nean. I was the strict one and Nean often complained about me. Still, whenever he needed a piece of advice to impress Nia, a female Neanderthal two years younger than him, he would come straight to me.

Nean was also staged as the leader of the Neanderthals as he was the oldest and recognised why he existed. He was made aware of the historical events by Heme when he was old enough to understand. Even if it took some time for him to digest the facts, he was most supportive of the research. He had accepted his fate for which we were most grateful.

“Relax Nean. The committee is satisfied with our research. The behavioural data and genetic tests have been valuable to the scientific community,” I said self-assuredly. Today was the day when the World Union was going to deliver its final statement regarding the credibility of the project, based on the published data. World-renowned scientists were part of the council. I knew that the Union will certainly accept our proposal to not only continue the project but also take it to the next gigantic level, where more Neanderthals would be resurged to make a significant population.

“Look!” Nean shouted. “The virtual screen is live. It is time.”

I looked at Heme and a knowing smile was already decorated on his semi-human face.

“Good evening Earthians. Today, we have gathered to announce the outcome of the Project Renaissance case. The Union has decided that the Project is of utmost importance to the future of our race and involves diversity unknown to us. We live in 2082. If humans, organoids, machines, trees and animals can co-exist, why not a resurged extinct ancestor? Based on this, we declare our support for the project and direct the Project associates to continue with the similar zeal demonstrated before. Let us all live peacefully and work for the betterment of …” I couldn’t hear the rest of the Union President’s speech as the Nean’s joyful squeals filled the dining room. Heme stood up happily and approached me.

“Your hard work paid off, Bee. Congratulations. You deserve it.”

“Oh Heme, I couldn’t have done this without you,” I said emotionally.

 “I am not worthless! Thank god I will be accepted as a citizen.” Nean exclaimed. I couldn’t help but laugh. It felt surreal. All that criticism had only made me stronger. Even the thought of Mr Gostani brought a proud smile to my face. 

As my virtual phone started ringing unceasingly, I excused myself and went outside to receive the calls from people bidding good wishes. It was fifteen minutes later that I was about to open the door to the dining room when I heard Nean and Heme arguing.

“Don’t be stupid, Nean. You can’t say things like that in open.”

“I just said now my people can prosper and take what was ours in the first place. That was our plan, remember?”

“Yes. That is still the plan. Neanderthals and Organoids will take over the planet. But, we need to be patient and wait for the right moment to strike,” Heme said coldly.

“I understand. I’ll be more careful.”

“Today was our first feat. No one can stop us now. We shall rule.” Heme proclaimed, followed by Nean’s wicked laugh.

Too shocked to react, my brain could only remember the harsh words spoken by Mr Gostani.