"Where has my taxi been? It's been 10 minutes I'm waiting." The scientist reproached.
"I sent it back." Said the chief editor. "This is very important news. I mean the asteroid. Please do not go. We will be on air in five minutes. And I promise no one will interrupt you."
The scientist accepted the offer and came back to the studio. She and the chief editor were on air now.
"We as NASA have been reporting several asteroids near collision course with the Earth for over a year. Six months ago our predictions became clear that one was going to be a direct hit. Today we accurately know when, where and how impactful the collision will occur."
While she was speaking, the editor requested pictures of the asteroid to be displayed. People watching likened the asteroid's shape to a dragon and the #DragonAsteroid hashtag became a trend which was quickly noticed by the editor.
The editor had only the ratings in his mind as he asked some questions. "Tell me how we can destroy the dragon. We could easily nuke it right?"
"You cannot destroy an asteroid like the way we see in some films. But if we could land a spacecraft and deflect the asteroid only by a fraction of a degree, we could avoid it. Despite our loud warnings, the media and the government kept ignoring us and now it is too late. A week later from now, next Sunday, the asteroid will enter our atmosphere at 18:15 by the local time of Pakistan and hit The Indus Valley at 18:17 with an impact as strong to change our planet's climate turning it inhabitable for many animals including humans."
"OK. Let's take a deep breath. As I understand, next week, the dragon will hit Pakistan right? It sounds like the next big terrorist hunt after Osama bin Laden ha? Is this not a good thing for us?"
The scientist turned mad during the live broadcast and started shouting at the editor. "I cannot believe your ignorance! I am trying to tell that the impact is going to be devastating but you are still misinforming the society! I am sure it is going to be a good thing for you!"
She left the studio in a hurry while the editor kept the show going. "Dear audience, as the NASA scientist explained, it is going to be a good thing for us. We will be broadcasting the dragon asteroid live from Pakistan. Stay tuned!"
YOU ARE READING
The Return of Dragon of Mohenjo-Daro
Short StoryWhat would people do in their last 24 hours when an asteroid is about to hit and destroy life? This story is a last minute search for the meaning of life. It is a political and an environmental criticism melted in one pot.
