Science fiction: A celestial journey and a miraculous encounter in a Tamil solarpunkfuture

SouthernBio Report – File No. 786

Survey Assignment: “Bovid X”

To Be Conducted by: Apprentice Maria Samson Nafis Rahim

Recent AutoTrack analysis in Zone H of the Western Ghats Ecological Reserve has detected evidence of an unidentified member of the Bovidae family. The data suggests that this species is likely nocturnal, but there have been no confirmed sightings or images to date. Due to its elusive nature, it is unclear whether it is a solitary individual or part of a larger population. Zone H is classified as a low-risk area, with no resident population of armored boars or other potentially aggressive wildlife. Consequently, this Survey is classified as a Level 1 assignment and deemed suitable for an apprentice researcher by the SouthernBio Senior Research Team.

“What will you do in the case of a geolocator malfunction?” Mr Magizhan asked, watching expectantly across the table. The SouthernBio office room was muggy with the approaching monsoon, and two untouched glasses of nannari sarbath collected condensation between them.

To Nafis’s chagrin, she was still recalibrating during the assessment. The sickle-shaped magnetoreceptors in her temples were hot from post-procedure dizziness, and she regretted waiting until the day of her Survey to get the routine neural bioenhancement updates.

“I would…” Nafis stalled and avoided eye contact while…

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