From Uranus

Anwesha walked into the lab just like every day. She had just completed her new thesis and was just waiting for some of the additional formalisms to be carried out. She started going through her thesis and was trying to figure out any advanced modules she can take up to improvise. Just then, she received an anonymous call. The caller turned out to be Dr. Ihan Paul, the pioneer of Geology and Extra Terrestrial Sciences. Anwesha couldn’t believe that she is talking with “The Ihan Paul”. Dr. Ihan informed her that he has discovered a new project and he needs Dr. Anwesha to assist him with the project. But when Anwesha asked about the project, he told that he can’t tell her without her confirmative nod to assist him. Anwesha took no time to say yes for the project. After all, it is Dr. Ihan! Dr. Ihan asked her to meet him at his lab the next day at 9:30 in the morning. Anwesha was really happy but she pondered that why Dr. Ihan called only her. There are many radio biologists but why her! And what could be so secretive about that project.

Anwesha was one of the brightest radio biologists but she was humble enough to acknowledge the fact. She loved following her regime strictly and was never over possessed. But she was extra sincere. There were issues that boggled her mind now and then, and she tried to devise steps towards them. A girl with a clear vision, she is sufficient for herself.

The next day, Anwesha woke up with a look into the day ahead of her. She wanted to apprehend what was waiting for her but she rarely had apprehensions. It was a fine morning. The e-walls showed a temperature of 42 degrees and the visibility hour for the sun to be 5 hrs. That was a great sign to start a new day. She took in her nutrition capsules and checked her nutrition levels. She reached Dr. Ihan’s lab at 9:20 am. She saw some researchers busy working there. They are perhaps Dr. Ihan’s team. She saw Dr. Terra in the waiting area. Dr. Terra and she had both worked together for a common project in the past. Dr. Terra was one of the most amazing chemical researchers she has ever met. She moved to the waiting area. Dr. Terra and she exchanged formal greetings. She came to know that Dr. Terra was also invited by Dr. Ihan for some project, maybe it’s the same project she is invited for. Dr. Ihan walked in, sharp at 9:30. He welcomed them both and invited them to his cabin.

“Thank you both for coming here. It’s about a project that was discovered just yesterday. And that’s why I need your help.”Dr. Ihan said. “But why us?” asked Anwesha. Dr. Ihan replied, “Well, you two are the most eminent and dedicated researchers in your respective fields and both support the cause for reviving the resources our earth had in abundance before.” “So is this about this?” asked Dr. Terra. “Partially yes”, replied Dr. Ihan, and said “let me talk about the project. You both know that the petroleum that was once available abundantly is now scarce and it’s going to finish in just a year from now. The thing that was once available just by paying money is now a luxury available to the petro card holders; even they can access only two litres a year. The fellows at the UNO want us to find a substitute for the petroleum within the next 10 months and I am afraid no significant work has been done till now.” “So, are we here to discover petroleum or something”, asked Dr. Terra. Anwesha said, “Is it really so?” “Not exactly!” replied Dr. Ihan, “Actually one of our space rovers returned some samples from Uranus yesterday. I found a sample of a rather interesting rocky material among the others. It has radioactive qualities and a rather strange greenish substance that resembles chlorophyll pigments. In addition, it is amalgamated with a strange chemical that we are unaware of till date. I examined it and I guess we can do something on it. I mean, it can be developed to act as a substitute for petroleum. If it can, then it’s well and good, but if it’s not, then we can come up with a new substance. Right? What do you think?” “Well, I need to see the substance first” Anwesha said. “Of course. But, you have to sign an agreement before that, confirming doing the research along with us.” Dr. Terra and Anwesha exchanged glances and after a few moments affirmed to the proposal. They took out their signing devices and signed on the interface at Dr. Ihan’s cabin. The three of them then walked into a well protected chamber. The chamber housed that substance, a substance from a strange planet Uranus; a substance that can change their lives on earth, the substance definitely had potential. The substance was kept in a Silicate-Iridium container. “Stunning!” gasped Anwesha. “And you have to work on this stunning piece from now. Today is the 5^th of January and we have authentication on this substance, and hence the research, till the 12^th of June. On the 12^th, at 11:30 pm, this substance will be handed over to the International Radiology and Geology Agency for sending it back to the ISS. So, we have 160 days with us. Let’s begin.” said Dr. Ihan and showed both Dr. Terra and Anwesha their working units.

Anwesha started examining the sample provided to her. The substance had very unusual radioactive qualities. It was an unusual kind of radiation. The pigments that resembled chlorophyll were another mystery. Perhaps, the radiations affected the pigment,s but it was not clearly perceptible. She used the pigmentolium to observe the pigment’s activity but it didn't show any significant observations either. Throughout the day, Anwesha couldn't find anything significant about the substance. Anwesha saw Dr. Ihan and Dr. Terra working, through her borosilated window. She saw Dr. Ihan rarely moved from his unit. He remained glued to his place but he always maintained a calm face. Composed as always, he was deeply engrossed in his work. Dr. Terra, however, portrayed various changes in her emotions during her work. The work continued.

On the 29^th of February, they had a formal meeting to discuss their findings and proceedings on their research. Anwesha presented the particulars from her research. She said, “I have discovered the nature of radiations. It’s sort of novel. It’s a purplish-white radiation with properties of iodine in it. Yes, iodine. The radiations are not exactly getting radiated. I mean they are emanating from them but they are not lost completely to the surroundings. In fact, they are absorbing the properties from their surroundings and are converting it into another form. The pigment found in the substance, I think, is perhaps the source of the radiations. I can say this because the pigment has some iodine like properties as well; though it has some additional properties, some resemble Iridium’s and some are still unidentified. The pigment is not exactly green. It changes color. That is, it changes its pigment formulae with respect to time and the radiation. The formula, that I first identified, was an amalgam that contained iodine and some other elements. After the first period evaluation, which is around 20 days, it changed its formulae again. It has now a compound that contained carbon. Actually it was an allotrope of it. Among the other elements, one resembled Iridium, but the rest are still a mystery for me. I hope you may have the answers for the mystery elements Dr. Terra.” Dr. Terra looked up and said, “Some of the mysteries are still to be unraveled. Yes, I have identified some of the elements but there are numerous others which are still to be identified. The thing, that you are calling as resembling iodine is in fact not iodine but a chemically-modified compound that has the same number of electrons always. However, it loses protons in order to combine with others. That is, it forms a compound not by donating or accepting electrons, but by protons. I have observed it to be rarely donating protons. All the time, I mean frequently, it accepted protons to make bonds. So, it’s rather an unusual behaviour. Also, I have discovered yet another element; actually I don’t know whether it is really an element or something else. It’s like a vapour with no protons, at all, in its nucleus. It has only two neutrons and five electrons. And it seems rather odd in its chemical properties because it doesn't show a stable set of properties, they vary from time to time.” “That’s rather peculiar. I hope it’s something that is native to Uranus because earlier we discovered a similar kind of substance which showed different properties every time it was inspected!”, exclaimed Dr. Ihan and said “I guess whatever we have found out till date is pretty good but, we need to find something more. Finding an allotrope of carbon is really a breakthrough. That means it surely possess something meaningful for us. I hope to find a way out to deal with those allotropes and the radiations. Yes, one more important thing, I want you people to know, is that the pigments that you say may be the cause of radiations are actually the source of radiation. I have confirmed the fact. So, let’s proceed to our work stations. I hope we will definitely find something by June 10^th. That’s the day for next phase of assessment and discussion and then we will convey our successful findings, hopefully, to the International Radiology and Geology Agency on the 12^th of June.”

May 1^st . Just 40 days left. Anwesha thought she has to do something else. She just can’t keep staring at the sample and perform some test based experiments. What they needed now is a major breakthrough. She has to take some viable steps, but what? Should she expose the sample to high temperature…No, because if it actually contains flammable substance, she doesn't even know the volume of explosion it may result in. She still has not been able to find out the exact properties, that is the flammable properties, of the radiations. But she has to take a risk. What if she takes the pressure in control and slowly manipulate the ratios? She thought of taking that risk. She started all that she can do. But, nothing significant did happen. Days rolled by. Tomorrow, they have their next and the last assessment. Two days after, their hope, officially, will die. Anwesha thought, she should go back home. She should spend a few moments alone before the moment dooms on her. She took the sample with her and went to her home. She kept on thinking but she didn't know exactly what was in her mind. She couldn't even sleep throughout the night. She moved out of her room, took out the sample and just gaped at it. She just hoped for some miracle to happen. She has found so much but nothing has proved to be actually useful. She wanted to find something meaningful, if not petroleum properties, something which could have been of some use. But she has found nothing more than some mysterious properties which didn't seem to be of any use now.

The next day. She went in to the lab. They had their assessment discussion and as expected, it was decided that the sample will be handed over after 48 hours. Dr. Ihan asked them to prepare their thesis on the findings, whatever they may be. Anwesha moved on to her work station and started on with the thesis work. She was kind of sad and gloomy. On the 12^th, at 10 am they prepared themselves for the handover. They had to deposit the samples provided to them, for research, to the prime source in the silicate- Iridium container. Anwesha thought to have a last look at the sample. She took the sample to her work area and looked. To her amazement she found a different, altogether different, form of radiation. This was more severe. It had a more dynamic behaviour and the pigment was not just a pigment any more. It was a more prominent substance. It had shown the property of growth. It has now a substantial growth associated and when she tried to find any other properties; she discovered that it is perhaps showing some locomotion. If this actually is something, she has perhaps found out the most amazing things which SETI has been trying to find out since decades. But how did this happen?  The handover process was scheduled at 11:30 and she is supposed to return the sample by now. But….She took a closer approach on the properties and moved the temporometer backwards for a few hours. She found out that the sample has responded to some external temperature issues. And it had now some terrestrial properties. Anwesha couldn’t stop herself and stirred in to find more. She saw more allotropes of carbon and some of nitrogen too. Dr. Ihan then walked into her work area and asked her to deposit her sample. Anwesha called him and asked him to just have a look. It certainly has to be the most major breakthroughs of human civilization.

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[       This piece of writing was actually written when I was in my 11th grade. But some parts, specially the characters have been modified. This modification is dedicated to the 4 years of my engineering life at my college, My ITER. I love my college and am already missing it. I was an IT- A. Initials of the characters played here signify that. Ihan-Terra-Anwesha. Moreover, the planet Uranus specify me, as it's the initial of my second name.

By: -  I.U.  of  I.T. A    ]

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