Science fiction:

The chip

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From last week

The escapade of the two boys - Achala and Missaka gets Missaka killed.

When Achala is questioned by the two CID officers - Sameera and Mayuri, he claims that they promised to meet at a rendezvous point to see the 'flying lights'! but Missaka never turned up as promised. Sameera and Mayuri may be Achala's only hope for exoneration when he's accused of murdering his best friend.

But the account he gives when he's hypnotized, sends everyone off guard. Apparently he's not alone in witnessing the phenomenon of the 'flying lights' and Mayuris among the few other people in his account!

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by Sajitha Prematunga

Sameera decided it was not necessary to inform Mayuri about what Achala said. 'The boy is nuts.' He thought. 'He's just trying to scare us off.' Although he couldn't get it out of his mind. Although he couldn't get it out of his mind. He was worried about Mayuri.

He called Mayuri that night, at her quarters, just in case, but there was no answer. It was mid week and she wasn't likely to go anywhere. Sameera decided to pay her visit. On his way he was startled by the sight of a woman walking in the middle of the road, wearing a night dress.

Sameera quickly parked his car by the side of the road and ran to the woman. Sameera couldn't believe his eyes when he saw who the woman was. It was Mayuri. She walked on, like a zombie, with out even so much as a glance at Sameera. The ham of her night gown was torn and muddy. A thin line of blood ran down one of her nostrils.

Sameera called softly "Mayuri...." She didn't even blink. He called out a little louder. Still no reaction, she kept on walking. Sameera shook her by the shoulders violently.

Mayuri looked at Sameera and then at her dress. Then she covered herself with her arms and her face flushed with embarrassment.

Sameera brought her back to her quarters and gave her time to wash and change. She came to the living room holding a coffee cup and sat heavily on the couch. She began as usual, nonchalant. "What'll happen to Achala?" "He'll be released. We have nothing to pin him.

No evidence....Let's not change the subject. What were you doing out side at this time of the night Mayuri?" Her face flushed. "I don't know." "What do you mean you don't know?" Sameera was getting impatient. "I don't know Sameera. I'd rather not talk about it."
Sameera was staring at her weirdly. She touched her nose and noticed that her fingers were bloody.Next morning they were at the coroner, studying the autopsy report of Missaka.

"I found something very remarkable." said the coroner, escorting the two officers to the lab room. He took out a small plastic container from a drawer and handed it to Mayuri.

Inside the container was a glistening metal chip. "What is it?" asked Sameera curiously. "I found it in the boys left nostril....." Explained the coroner. "It's some sort of tracking device. I have never seen anything like it before." A drop of blood fell to the floor between Mayuris feet. Her nose was bleeding again.

"Can I take a look at that for you Mayuri?" said the coroner handing Mayuir a tissue. "Oh, sure thanks." said Mayuri pressing the tissue to her nostril. The coroner showed her to a seat. He looked inside her nostril with the help of a flash light.

His face turned grim when he was done with the examination. Smeeras I think you should take her to a physician. But make sure to keep me posted." The look on the coroners face told the two officers that this matter should not be taken lightly.

The face of the physician they channelled told the same story. She was immediately taken in to surgery, while Sameera waited impatiently outside the operating room.

The surgeon examined Mayuris nose. Mayuir didn't see the look on the surgeons face since she was under sedation. The surgeon put in a pair of forceps and pulled out a piece of metal, identical to the metal chip that was pulled out of Missakas nose.

A week later the old town of Horana was back to normal. There were no new sightings of UFOs, no dead bodies, or people disappearing in to thin air. "Achala was released yesterday....." It was Sameera who started the conversation.

The judge thought that the case should not have come even this far." "Let me guess...." started Mayuri sarcastically "Achalas lawyer advised him not to say anything about flying lights at court." "Yup." "Another unsolved murder." Said Mayuri.

"I wouldn't call it unsolved. We all know what happened." Mayuri was in denial. For the past few weeks she changed the subject when ever Sameera started to talk about the Chip. But didn't get rid of her fear or her confusion as to what happened that night.

May be Missaka wasn't murdered but abducted. Will they be back for her one day? Sensing her need to be left alone Sameera left her at her office. Unable to come to terms with how much had changed during the past.

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