Capítulo 5: PANSPERMIA THEORY
Presenter: That sounds terrifying, Professor Walid. Is there anything we can do to prepare for this event or to survive it?
Professor Walid: Well, Lisa, I won't lie to you. Had the World Government taken this threat seriously when it was first discovered, it would have been easy to prevent the current state we find ourselves in.
Right now, there is not much we can do at this point to prevent or reduce the impact of Apocalypse2. As I said before, it's too late to use any of our existing methods to deflect or destroy it. We simply don't have enough time or resources to launch a mission that could make a difference. The only thing we can do is to try to cope with the situation as best as we can and to hope for a miracle. We can try to evacuate the most vulnerable areas, to stockpile food and water, to build shelters and bunkers, to cooperate and help each other. We can also try to preserve our knowledge and culture, by backing up our data and records, by creating time capsules and archives, and by sending messages and signals to space. We can also try to enjoy the time we have left, by spending it with our loved ones, by doing the things we love, and by appreciating the beauty and wonder of life. We can also try to find meaning and purpose in this crisis, by reflecting on our values and beliefs, by expressing our gratitude and forgiveness, and by seeking peace and harmony.
Presenter: That's very inspiring, Professor Walid. But I have to ask you, do you have any hope that we might survive this? Is there any chance that Apocalypse2 might miss us or break up before hitting us?
Professor Walid: Well, Lisa, I'm a scientist, not a prophet. I can only tell you what the data and the models tell me. And they tell me that the odds are very slim even the purported nuclear strike by the military.
But I'm also a human being, not a machine. And I have feelings and emotions. And I have faith and hope despite the slim odds. And they tell me that anything is possible. That there might be a margin of error in our calculations. That there might be a hidden factor that we overlooked. That there might be a divine intervention or a cosmic coincidence that could save us. That there might be a miracle.
Presenter: A miracle?
Bosco Masaba was caught by surprise hearing the Professor saying a miracle, as much as he wanted to deny it. But a miracle is what the world needed at this moment. The nuclear strikes of World War III claimed the lives of two and a half billion people, both combatants and non-combatants. The world at large was still in a state of recovery, but some areas in the Middle East particularly Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria were in a terrible state which will take them at least four decades to recover having been the origin of the conflict.
Countries like the USA, China, Japan, Russia, UK, Egypt, Mozambique, Mali, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistani, India, Taiwan, Morocco, Libya, Brazil, Venezuela, and Finland were hit by tactical nuclear weapons in the exchange so the damage wasn't the worst that would happen. It was helpful, that some countries deployed their missile defence systems to neutralize the threats before they reached the ground. Unfortunately, the missile defence systems were not very effective against hypersonic missiles.
Surprisingly enough, North Korea, South Korea and Cuba stayed out of the conflict altogether which was seen as a good omen. The world was dreading what would have happened had the regime in Pyongyang unleashed its stockpile of nuclear weapons on their enemies.
Having flashed back, he returned his attention to the TV where the Professor was still speaking.
Professor Walid: Yes, Lisa. A miracle. You see, Apocalypse2 is not just a threat. It's also an opportunity. An opportunity to learn more about our solar system and our origins. An opportunity to test our limits and our potential. An opportunity to unite and cooperate as a species. An opportunity to transcend our differences and our conflicts. An opportunity to appreciate and celebrate life. An opportunity to evolve and grow.
Presenter: How so?
Professor Walid: Well, Lisa, Apocalypse2 is not just a rock. It's also a treasure. A treasure that contains precious minerals and elements that are rare or non-existent on Earth. Minerals and elements that could revolutionize our technology and our economy. Minerals and elements that could unlock new secrets and new possibilities.
Presenter: Such as?
Professor Walid: Such as iridium, platinum, palladium, gold, silver, osmium, rhodium, ruthenium, rhenium, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, copper, iron, titanium, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum... The list goes on.
Presenter: Wow! That's amazing! But I guess, we shall only appreciate these minerals if we walk out this crisis unscathed.
Professor Walid: Yes, Lisa. It is amazing. And it is also ironic. Because Apocalypse2 could be both the end of our civilization and the beginning of a new one. A civilization that could harness the power and the potential of these minerals and elements. A civilization that could explore and colonize the solar system and beyond. A civilization that could achieve new heights of science and technology. A civilization that could fulfil our destiny as a species.
Presenter: That's incredible!
Professor Walid: Yes, Lisa. It is incredible. And it is also hopeful. Because Apocalypse2 could be both the worst thing that ever happened to us and the best thing that ever happened to us.
Presenter: How do you mean?
Professor Walid: I mean that Apocalypse2 could be both a curse and a blessing. A curse that could wipe out most of life on Earth. A blessing that could save some of it.
Presenter: Save some of it? How?
Professor Walid: Well, Lisa, there is a possibility that some of the debris from Apocalypse2 could escape Earth's gravity and enter orbit around the sun or around other planets or moons. Some of this debris could contain organic matter or microorganisms from Earth or from Apocalypse2 itself. Some of this debris could land on other worlds or be captured by other spacecrafts or probes. Some of this debris could seed life elsewhere in the solar system or beyond.
Presenter: You mean like panspermia?
Professor Walid: Yes, Lisa. Like panspermia. The theory is that life can spread from one planet to another through asteroids or comets or meteorites.
Presenter: So you're saying that Apocalypse2 could be a vehicle for life?
Professor Walid: Yes, Lisa. That's exactly what I'm saying.
Presenter: That's fascinating!
Professor Walid: Yes, Lisa. It is fascinating.
Presenter: Professor Walid, thank you for your time. It was great having you on the show. Look forward to hosting you again once this crisis is gone.
Professor Walid: The pleasure was mine.
"Doctor. Here is the food you ordered." The waitress brought over his order while he digested the information from the Science Insider Show.
"Just put it there, "he told her. "Oh… by the way, leave the teapot, I have not finished." He reminded her when he saw that she was about to pick it up.
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