It was Earth's third millenium CE. The inhabitants of Earth were under severe water rationing. The Global Water Conservation Committee initiated Project Watershed. The project funded exploration of ice covered planets as a source of water safe for human consumption. The Spaceship Naiad was designed, built and launched for this special mission.
Dr. Boyd approached Captain Allen, "Observations of Planet 3367 show an ice surface. We'll be in orbit in two hours."
"Good. Get the crew ready," Captain Allen replied.
Three hours later, Dr. Boyd and three other scientists were riding in the landrover over the frozen surface. The dial on the water quality instrument had continually registered in the green zone. Dr. Boyd could hardly contain his excitement.
"Captain Allen, we're looking good here. The water quality is perfect."
"Congratulations! Good work. Now, head on back to the shuttle. We'll wait for your return before we start celebrating. Real champagne for all!"
"We're on our way," Dr. Boyd said as the crew in the landrover congratulated each other.
When the driver turned the landrover toward the shuttle, Dr. Leon, the ship biologist, noticed something strange moving on the horizon.
"Look at the horizon line. There are white objects moving across it," he said as he pointed.
"You're right. I see it. What's happening? Get out the scanner, quickly," Dr. Boyd commanded.
The biologist pointed the instrument at the white anomalies and said, "I don't believe it. I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it myself."
"Why? What is it?" Dr. Boyd said gruffly.
"There is a legend in the field of biology about an eccentric billionaire scientist who searched for a planet with an environment similar to the Earth's Arctic Zone. He wanted to relocate small groups of animals living in the Arctic Zone that were under the threat of extinction. He was dead set on saving as many species as possible. No one knows if he was successful or where he went. He never returned."
"You're kidding."
"I'm not kidding. He did it! Look here," he said pointing to the instrument's screen. "That's a group of polar bears."
Dr. Boyd approached Captain Allen, "Observations of Planet 3367 show an ice surface. We'll be in orbit in two hours."
"Good. Get the crew ready," Captain Allen replied.
Three hours later, Dr. Boyd and three other scientists were riding in the landrover over the frozen surface. The dial on the water quality instrument had continually registered in the green zone. Dr. Boyd could hardly contain his excitement.
"Captain Allen, we're looking good here. The water quality is perfect."
"Congratulations! Good work. Now, head on back to the shuttle. We'll wait for your return before we start celebrating. Real champagne for all!"
"We're on our way," Dr. Boyd said as the crew in the landrover congratulated each other.
When the driver turned the landrover toward the shuttle, Dr. Leon, the ship biologist, noticed something strange moving on the horizon.
"Look at the horizon line. There are white objects moving across it," he said as he pointed.
"You're right. I see it. What's happening? Get out the scanner, quickly," Dr. Boyd commanded.
The biologist pointed the instrument at the white anomalies and said, "I don't believe it. I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it myself."
"Why? What is it?" Dr. Boyd said gruffly.
"There is a legend in the field of biology about an eccentric billionaire scientist who searched for a planet with an environment similar to the Earth's Arctic Zone. He wanted to relocate small groups of animals living in the Arctic Zone that were under the threat of extinction. He was dead set on saving as many species as possible. No one knows if he was successful or where he went. He never returned."
"You're kidding."
"I'm not kidding. He did it! Look here," he said pointing to the instrument's screen. "That's a group of polar bears."
