Scriptures

"Scripts?" Ishar asked.

"Yeah." Naren said. "Like words flashing on a computer. Our scientists tried to decipher it, but the language looks older than Sanskrit. The same lines kept flashing over, again and again, which means…" he trailed off to a stop.

"It's a communication device, an ancient satellite dish. There was nothing attracting Pralay-1. It was contacting that ancient kingdom, consciously and voluntarily. 

We didn't receive the signal…we intercepted it." 

Ishar finished. 

The only noise audible was the low rumble of the submarine's propellers. Naren spoke up, with a twinkle in his eyes. 

"Well, if our scientists can't find out the repeated series, we need someone who has been studying this their whole life, someone who knows this history like the back of his hands, someone like…Venkatesh!" 

Ishar grinned and nodded. Tanik looked at them confused, and asked, "Who is Venkatesh?".

"Don't worry-" Ishar replied, "You'll soon find out. He's a really clever scholar and an even greater warrior.. From Aramal."

"Oh. Nice." Was all Tanik could say.

After reaching the underwater tunnel, the three got off and exited towards the 'scuba room' to dry off. After everything necessary, Ishar called Venkatesh and told him all about the findings. 

It was absolutely clear from Venkatesh's voice about how excited he was about the findings. In a quick twenty minutes, Venkatesh was already at their base-step, smiling with his amazing teeth, and looking quite awesome. 

"Come in", Ishar said. 

"Remember those Vedic kingdoms you told us about? Well, like we said, we found them, but along with it, we came across an ancient device that the aliens are using to contact us. The only problem is that the device is a little…more like a lot out of age…so we need your help to decipher it. After all, you've been a great help to us until now, and we know you've studied this for years."

Venkatesh nodded and followed Ishar inside, towards the research room. 

Over there, on a white table, stood a computer that was flashing some scripts on its screen. It was actually just showing what the underwater camera in front of the 'ancient computer' saw, just like how security footage works. 

Dr. Tanvir stood up and said, 

"Greetings, my boy. I am Dr. Tanvir Jaiswal, a scientist from ISRO who is collaborating with DRDO to research CB-1."

Venkatesh smiled and shook the doctor's hand. "I am Venkatesh, a humble villager-"

"Oh please! Don't be so down to Earth. Ishar and Naren have told me all about you. It's a pity that a clever mind like yours has to be hidden so secretly. Of course, when all this is over, I hope that you will accept my request to join ISRO as a researcher- and maybe an extraterrestrial scientist."

Venkatesh grinned, as a faint crimson creeped up his cheeks, 

"Thank you doctor. I'll be honored to join." 

Ishar's heart melted at the caring interaction. It was times like this that he couldn't help but think about his mother. How strongly he wanted to visit her, to hug her and comfort her in this dark time, but he knew that his mother would've been disappointed if her son didn't express his duty towards his country. 

Obviously, whenever he had free time, he would call her, and ask about her well being, but no matter how hard he hoped- it was always the same news. 

The only factor that helped him have a little faith was when the doctors had called him a few days ago, before his call to the General, and told him that there was a slight upliftment in her health.