Rain is grace...
This article, written by Rtr. Nimthara Senevirathne of Rotaract Club of Faculty of Science – University of Colombo under the theme “A write-up based on a quote”, was awarded first place at Write Out Loud 2019, the English article writing competition organized by Rotaract Mora.
Rain is grace; rain is the sky descending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life.
John Updike
Morrow was a guy who worked in Dan’s water purifying workshop, where they purify sea water and distribute for the whole area. A few years ago in the year 3000, when they realized Earth is becoming a dead planet, NASA scientists developed an orbital space station for civilization. And the people left behind on Earth, who were poor and desperate, died struggling to survive.
It was almost sunset when Morrow arrived home.
“One new voice message from Miss Kie,” said his robot.
“Read,” he said while opening a dried seaweed box, which was literally the only food left on earth.
Kie was Morrow’s only friend who lived on NASA base. He walked down the metal stairs to his lab, followed by the robot who was muttering.
“You have to talk to miss Kie. She’s been waiting.”
“I guess 75% humanity is too much for you. I should reassemble you some time,” Morrow said laughing.
“So mean!” the robot muttered and moved away.
Morrow leaned towards the corn plants. After some unsuccessful months, finally they are growing. He didn’t feel guilty when hacking NASA database. He was curious how they grow plants on base. Without that N137 device he accidentally found near electronic garbage, nothing of these would be possible.
Suddenly a cracking sound came from outside. He didn’t even have time to jump upon the bench. Five men with weapons came in. One gunshot and everything went black.
* * *
Morrow tried to open his eyes. But bright white light was hurting. The circular room seemed to be a court.
“Where am I?”
“NASA base,” A male voice rang across courtroom.
“Mr. Tom Morrow we are here to investigate your case of illegally entering to NASA database. The charges against the accused: With full awareness of illegality, trying to enter the NASA security database. Plus stealing and misused a N137 device.”
“People on earth are dying!”
“It’s not a question about how pathetic your Earth is.”
“Earth is dying. You have nothing to do.” A kind voice came from somewhere.
“That’s not true. I’ve been working on…”
“Oh boy! Do you really think our scientists haven’t worked on reforestation? Besides, you can’t make earth live with just corn plants.”
“What NASA did was just left people to die.”
“Enough!” said the judge loudly.
The metal door opened and a girl came in. Slim face…gold hair and bright blue eyes!
“Kie!” The man who was kind previously exclaimed.
“Dad…” Kie said nervously. Then dropped her gaze to the judge.
“I take the full responsibility of stealing and misusing N137.”
“Miss Clevergon, this is a serious situation. As the daughter of the prime minister…”
“I have evidence…” she said holding up a pen drive.”Let me talk”
* * *
Hours went by. Morrow was locked in a room. Kie confessed she stole prime minister’s device and sent it to earth so that Morrow would get it. But why?
The metal door opened.
“Kie?”
“Listen, they are going to send you back to earth. Since I involved they can’t take any legal actions but that’s temporary. You have to come with me, I know a place where you can be safe.”
“I can’t turn back. We’ve come this far.”
“But…”
“You believed in me right? You knew we could do this.”
“They will try to harm you.”
“This is the last hope of repopulating earth,” Morrow said looking straight at Kie’s eyes. “I’m going back to Earth. Kie, Would you come with me?” Kie’s eyes were glistening. And finally Earth had a new hope.