Day's work

In Short

This science fiction short story reimagines the creation of humanity as a contentious boardroom dispute between two galactic gods. Dalen, a younger deity, seeks to experiment with a new life form—a biped with an opposed thumb—to prove that intelligence can be tempered by sentiment. He must overcome the stubborn, cynical opposition of Mogar, the senior overseer of the galaxy. By casting the dawn of man as a precarious cosmic labor, the work captures the intersection of immense power and petty political ambition, lasting as a unique, imaginative take on creation myths.

The Story

The narrative centers on a conflict between two gods, Mogar and Dalen, whose jurisdictions cover vast swaths of the IX Galaxy. Mogar, an elder god and self-important bureaucrat, holds the temporary appointment of Director of Creation. He is deeply conservative, cynical, and committed to maintaining the status quo, believing that any bipedal species with an opposed thumb is inherently self-destructive and incapable of lasting peace. Dalen, representing a younger, more idealistic generation, proposes an experiment: he wishes to create a specific bipedal species on a new planet in his home constellation.

The tension escalates as Mogar attempts to browbeat Dalen into abandoning his project. Mogar argues that the experiment is sentimental and potentially disruptive to the "dynamic balance" of the galaxy. Sensing that Mogar intends to sabotage his work—perhaps by introducing a lethal virus to ensure the race fails—Dalen realizes he cannot simply seek approval. He must break through Mogar’s defensive shields to prove he is a force to be reckoned with.

Dalen engages in a mental duel, probing Mogar’s mind with increasing intensity. He navigates complex, higher-dimensional space-warps to focus his power, risking his own exhaustion and potential relegation to a minor post if he fails. As the entire IV Universe watches the confrontation, Dalen prepares a final, cataclysmic strike. Just as he reaches the limits of his capacity, Mogar abruptly concedes, though with heavy, condescending sarcasm. Mogar demands a progress report for the following week, mocking the long evolutionary timeline Dalen faces.

Dalen secures the right to proceed on the fringe of the galaxy. He begins the arduous process of star-shaping, bringing two stars together to form the basis for his new solar system. He names his experimental species "Man." Although he understands the odds are stacked against him and that Mogar will likely continue to interfere, Dalen is optimistic. He believes that if his experiment succeeds, it will demonstrate the value of a species that pairs technical ability with sentiment, potentially earning him a seat in the highest halls of the cosmos. He leaves the meeting satisfied, viewing the initiation of this project as a productive day’s work.

How It Unfolds

The divine impasse Mogar and Dalen clash over the merits of creating a bipedal species. Mogar views such beings as destined for self-destruction, while Dalen argues for the potential of a race that balances intellect with sentiment.

A dangerous challenge Dalen realizes that Mogar’s opposition is not merely professional but rooted in a desire to see the experiment fail. He decides he must bypass Mogar’s mental defenses to ensure the elder god cannot sabotage the project.

The power struggle Dalen executes an audacious, high-stakes mental strike, utilizing forbidden dimensions to overwhelm the elder god’s shields. This maneuver threatens to expose Mogar’s own hidden, ungodlike thoughts to the entire galactic council.

The grudging concession Faced with the threat of being exposed and relegated, Mogar unexpectedly backs down. He grants permission for the experiment but dismisses Dalen’s hopes, mocking the long, difficult road of evolution.

The birth of Man Dalen begins the physical labor of arranging stars for his experiment. He selects the name "Man" for his creatures and settles into his task, bolstered by the pride of having successfully challenged the old guard.

The People

Dalen is the protagonist, an ambitious and idealistic young god who values innovation and believes that sentiment can be a positive force in the universe. He is defined by his willingness to take calculated risks and his refusal to be intimidated by the hierarchy of the gods.

Mogar serves as the story’s antagonist, a crusty, powerful, and deeply cynical elder god. Having failed to ascend to the highest levels of the cosmos, he clings to his position as Director of Creation, using his seniority to stifle the ambitions of younger deities. He is a master of bureaucratic intimidation and remains a looming threat to the success of Dalen's experiment.

Lennat is a secondary figure, a middle-aged god who acts as a cautionary tale for Dalen. Once a victim of Mogar’s power, Lennat has spent eons in an obscure, stagnant constellation, illustrating the price of losing a conflict with the elder gods.

In Its Own Voice

"He came striding across the galaxies with feet that spanned eons as well as parsecs, and with a goal in his mind--the goal of a creation forbidden by members of the Council of the Gods."

This opening sentence establishes the scale of the gods and the transgressive nature of Dalen's mission.

"He wanted to create a certain kind of biped!"

The author uses this exclamation to emphasize the specific, singular focus of Dalen’s divine ambition.

"Dalen wanted to see a species evolve that could temper intelligence with sentiment."

This quote captures the core philosophical motive behind the creation of humanity.

What It's Really About

The story explores the tension between stagnation and progress. It presents the universe as a rigid, top-down hierarchy where "conservative" forces seek to prevent any change that might upset the status quo. By framing the creation of humanity as a "hot-house" experiment, the book challenges the idea of mankind as a purely divine or natural occurrence, suggesting instead that our existence is a fragile, experimental byproduct of a political struggle. It asks whether intelligence is inherently destructive or if it can be steered by emotion—a question the gods themselves seem unable to answer. Ultimately, the work is a meditation on the audacity required to create, suggesting that advancement always comes at the cost of defying the established order.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy "cosmic" science fiction—where the stakes are measured in light-years and the characters are entities of pure energy—will find this a refreshing, imaginative read. The prose is brisk and confident, moving quickly through grand concepts without getting bogged down in dense technical jargon. It feels like a piece of mid-century speculative fiction that takes its own absurd, high-concept premise seriously.

However, the reader should be prepared for the stylized, period-specific language of 1950s science fiction magazines, which can feel somewhat jarring to modern sensibilities. The gods speak in terms of "thought-force" and "macro-ergs," which serves as a colorful shorthand for their power but lacks the scientific grounding a modern reader might expect. Additionally, the characterization is functional; the gods are archetypes rather than deeply interiorized individuals. Despite these constraints, the story remains a charming curiosity. It stays with you not because of its emotional depth, but because of its singular, bold proposition: that humanity is the result of a mid-level manager’s pet project, fought for in a boardroom that happens to span the entire galaxy. It is a brief, thought-provoking piece that reimagines our origins with a distinct, ironic wit.