Lab Log, Discovery
by Emily Reed
Day 1, 18:00- The police recovered strange purple-glowing debris from the bomb detonation site. Five grams of the material were placed in a controlled environment. The glass petri dish, no oxygen, is under 24/7 surveillance and will be frequently checked to report any initial signs of change.
Day 2, 02:00- The sample has doubled in size in the span of six hours. This raises the question, is the substance alive? If so, then it must be undergoing rapid meiosis. In the morning, I'd like to run radioactivity tests on the substance. It's bound to have some radiation, but does it have enough radiation to cause the substance to glow?
Day 2, 17:00- The radiation tests showed that the substance contains no trace of radiation. This comes as a shock to me because after a nuclear bomb explodes, you'd expect the entire area to be covered in radiation. Yet, this substance remained untouched. What is it about this substance that makes it resistant to radiation?
Day 3, 19:00- A sample was extracted from the substance and was looked at under a microscope. There are 244 overlapping orange ovals filled with structures that look similar to veins. There are small green star-shaped organelles floating through the circles that have an unknown purpose. We've never seen anything like this before. This substance can't be bacteria and it's definitely not a human cell. Out of the 25 top biologists at the institute, none of them have any idea what it is. For the greater world, this is not encouraging news because the substance could be dangerous. On a selfish note, I’m enjoying writing a new chapter in the history book.
Day 4, 08:00- The original sample substance has shrunk considerably since yesterday. At first, two grams were taken of the ten to see under a microscope. Then, the remaining eight grams shrunk quickly to four grams. The leading hypothesis for this phenomenon is that the substance is composed of unidentified microorganisms that are violently competing during mating season. Personally, I think this is hogwash. I believe the substance is a brand new element that deserves a spot on the periodic table.
Day 7, 19:00- A DNA analysis was impossible because the sample evaporated before it was mailed to the lab. However, the sample at the lab now weighs 16 grams. This substance defies logic with its fluctuating size and evaporative qualities. This proves my hypothesis that it’s an alien, supernatural substance.
Day 10, 23:00- An impatient (idiot) chemist screwed up the daily check-up and managed to invalidate the entire experiment. He picked up the petri dish and it burst into flames. The conflagration seared his flesh as shards of glass penetrated his outstretched hands. The substance filtered through his fingers and down the sink without warning. He said that the substance had no effect on the temperature of his burning hands. None of that matters now because a majority of the original substance is gone. Perhaps I should be sympathetic towards his injuries but he did destroy what could have possibly been the most influential scientific discovery of the 20th century.
Day 20, 09:00- The sample taken for DNA is now being observed in place of the original. Our personal pride and unwillingness to confess to our mistakes forced us to compromise our scientific integrity. We tried to duplicate the procedure with the sample in hopes of inciting another reaction. Unfortunately, progress is slow and the two grams haven’t undergone any serious changes. I am worried that the lack of progress will lead my team to give into temptation and “accidentally” touch the same again.
Day 27, 17:00- My fears were confirmed when one biologist foolishly touched the sample and it spontaneously combusted into flames. Flashes of plum and periwinkle marbled together in the explosion of glass. The explosion released smoke that filled the empty containment room. Air samples reveal that the smoke was non-toxic. Now that the sample is completely gone, perhaps they will learn to stop provoking combustion that is most likely caused by one of the oils found on human hands. To test our hypothesis, we plan on acquiring more debris from the site. Sure, the margin of error has increased, but, we will still be able to find out more about this mysterious substance.
Day 28, 08:00- Unfortunately, word has reached the biology community of this material’s combustible properties and it was taken away from the site as toxic waste. Perhaps the material could have been useful in the realm of medicine because of its rapid cell growth and replacement. Yet, they argued for its removal by saying that they didn't need to create another type of bomb. We don't intend to make a bomb but they wouldn't listen. These days everyone wants recognition and won’t hesitate to work on a project that goes against their own political and moral beliefs. Their hypocrisy disgusts me and has forced me to move my lab and my associates to an undisclosed location to continue experimenting. Soon, my name will be well known for creating this new medicine and you’ll feel guilty for slowing down the process.
Day 2, 02:00- The sample has doubled in size in the span of six hours. This raises the question, is the substance alive? If so, then it must be undergoing rapid meiosis. In the morning, I'd like to run radioactivity tests on the substance. It's bound to have some radiation, but does it have enough radiation to cause the substance to glow?
Day 2, 17:00- The radiation tests showed that the substance contains no trace of radiation. This comes as a shock to me because after a nuclear bomb explodes, you'd expect the entire area to be covered in radiation. Yet, this substance remained untouched. What is it about this substance that makes it resistant to radiation?
Day 3, 19:00- A sample was extracted from the substance and was looked at under a microscope. There are 244 overlapping orange ovals filled with structures that look similar to veins. There are small green star-shaped organelles floating through the circles that have an unknown purpose. We've never seen anything like this before. This substance can't be bacteria and it's definitely not a human cell. Out of the 25 top biologists at the institute, none of them have any idea what it is. For the greater world, this is not encouraging news because the substance could be dangerous. On a selfish note, I’m enjoying writing a new chapter in the history book.
Day 4, 08:00- The original sample substance has shrunk considerably since yesterday. At first, two grams were taken of the ten to see under a microscope. Then, the remaining eight grams shrunk quickly to four grams. The leading hypothesis for this phenomenon is that the substance is composed of unidentified microorganisms that are violently competing during mating season. Personally, I think this is hogwash. I believe the substance is a brand new element that deserves a spot on the periodic table.
Day 7, 19:00- A DNA analysis was impossible because the sample evaporated before it was mailed to the lab. However, the sample at the lab now weighs 16 grams. This substance defies logic with its fluctuating size and evaporative qualities. This proves my hypothesis that it’s an alien, supernatural substance.
Day 10, 23:00- An impatient (idiot) chemist screwed up the daily check-up and managed to invalidate the entire experiment. He picked up the petri dish and it burst into flames. The conflagration seared his flesh as shards of glass penetrated his outstretched hands. The substance filtered through his fingers and down the sink without warning. He said that the substance had no effect on the temperature of his burning hands. None of that matters now because a majority of the original substance is gone. Perhaps I should be sympathetic towards his injuries but he did destroy what could have possibly been the most influential scientific discovery of the 20th century.
Day 20, 09:00- The sample taken for DNA is now being observed in place of the original. Our personal pride and unwillingness to confess to our mistakes forced us to compromise our scientific integrity. We tried to duplicate the procedure with the sample in hopes of inciting another reaction. Unfortunately, progress is slow and the two grams haven’t undergone any serious changes. I am worried that the lack of progress will lead my team to give into temptation and “accidentally” touch the same again.
Day 27, 17:00- My fears were confirmed when one biologist foolishly touched the sample and it spontaneously combusted into flames. Flashes of plum and periwinkle marbled together in the explosion of glass. The explosion released smoke that filled the empty containment room. Air samples reveal that the smoke was non-toxic. Now that the sample is completely gone, perhaps they will learn to stop provoking combustion that is most likely caused by one of the oils found on human hands. To test our hypothesis, we plan on acquiring more debris from the site. Sure, the margin of error has increased, but, we will still be able to find out more about this mysterious substance.
Day 28, 08:00- Unfortunately, word has reached the biology community of this material’s combustible properties and it was taken away from the site as toxic waste. Perhaps the material could have been useful in the realm of medicine because of its rapid cell growth and replacement. Yet, they argued for its removal by saying that they didn't need to create another type of bomb. We don't intend to make a bomb but they wouldn't listen. These days everyone wants recognition and won’t hesitate to work on a project that goes against their own political and moral beliefs. Their hypocrisy disgusts me and has forced me to move my lab and my associates to an undisclosed location to continue experimenting. Soon, my name will be well known for creating this new medicine and you’ll feel guilty for slowing down the process.