"Not... technically. Classification is a government matter. We are covered by an entirely contractual non-disclosure agreement, though we will enforce it quite strenuously. People's lives are on the line, if it's disclosed in the wrong way."

"I'm not much of a rule-follower."

"It's worth it. And... moving to a private research site with others from the project is an option. There, as long as you don't break some common-sense rules, privacy is not particularly required. It might make vacations awkward, if you're out of practice."

Lesya considered, especially given that his favorite vacations to date all took place entirely within his own mind.

"I might be willing to consider it. For enough of a draw."

"Both the money and the scientific interest are extremely large draws. I'm not enough of an expert to participate in the research, but I understand enough to assure you no one on Earth is working on anything whose experimental biology is nearly as advanced or fascinating. There are also some fairly substantial perks, and drawbacks, but you'd need to sign this initial NDA to hear that."

Lesya looked at the NDA; it looked inoffensive, and was enforceable purely as - large, to be fair - fines and court orders. He was interested; he signed.

"We're working on modified organs. Implants, inheritable. Over a hundred viable modifications created so far, all adding very noticeable capabilities to those implanted. Arrested aging and vastly improved recall are among the tamest. There are some very common side effects, but they're cosmetic."

"...No one, but no one, understands the human body well enough to do that. Just having had anti-agathics long enough to see the effects would require you be... fifty years ahead of the state of the art, at least."

"Not all of these are entirely our own work. Anti-aging was based about eighty percent on a data dump we received at the start of the project. Which also came with designs for tools to work on the project in detail, which are, indeed, about fifty years ahead of the state of the art. Maybe a hundred, if it advances slower than we expect. You will not get any offer anywhere else that advances the real state of the art."

Unless he prefers electromechanical implants and their rivals find him. But he's not going to say that.

"And you want me."

"Your early completion of your doctorate drew our attention, and the... chemical self-experimentation... as well. We need more work on the psychological effects of some of the nervous system and brain modifications."

"LSD, particularly, has the potential to be... what was it that I heard it called? 'The microscope of psychiatry,' I think. It's a good metaphor, letting us look at the mind in a more detailed view. Salary?"

"Twenty-five thousand a year. Better than Harvard."

He raised his eyebrows slightly. Yes, that was about a fifth higher than Harvard's tenured salary.

"I will admit, however, that a great many of our researchers donate much of their salary back to the project. Especially those who live on the private sites. It's... extremely important work, very much justifying treating it as highly classified."

"Dangerous."

"For the world. Not for our research staff. We also hire from other walks of life."

"Military? Intelligence?"

"Some of each."

"...Okay. I'm in, enough to sign the scarier NDA and hear more."

"I have a copy. The contents are covered by the weaker NDA and should not be unsealed anywhere you are not very sure of your privacy."

"How should I contact you?"