Submitted for the January 2024 prompt: Weather Warnings

A violent storm buffeted the domed city of Las Vegas. Indra heard rain hammering against it, matching his panicked heartbeats.

 

Ten to one against that the shield held up during the next cyclone. Water was already seeping in. Indra, a climatologist with several patents on cloud seeding, felt responsible for the current atmospheric catastrophes. Not just felt, he was responsible. He had just been trying to help his brother.

 

Earth Video Log 2456, November 18, 2134

Surya, I’ll be on a shuttle to Africa’s Sahara gardens by the time you get this. The Americas are flooding at a catastrophic rate. The balance of silver iodide in the last formula I sent you is off. The supersaturation of the atmospheric cloud formation is out of control. It’s feeding off itself, Surya! The storms haven’t stopped for months. The sun has become but a memory for much of the world. I sent you the formula, but please don’t initiate the protocol. It’s disastrous!

 

Surya and Indra were identical twins who were different from birth. Surya, named after the Hindu sun god, was intense and hyperactive, never one to sit in one place for long. Indra, named after the storm god, was serious and brooding, one who saw dark clouds behind silver linings. Both were geniuses. Both lived up to their names.

 

Mars Video Log 5367, November 19, 2134

Indra, you’re astounding! They tell me the deserts of America flow with water from heaven. I know you worry about the storms, but I am sure Earth’s scientists will soon harness that power to fuel their cloud cities. Living on land is so archaic these days. Yes, I know I speak to you from the dry skies of Mars. I envy your moisture. I crave your storms, dear brother. I have taken your recipe to our scientists to see what they can cook up with their meager resources. The last transport flight brought us more Earthlings than materials. They talk of mold and rot, but we see the glory in the water they reject, having lived so parched for decades. Surely Mars could adapt better to your science?

 

This was typical Indra overreaction, thought Surya. Climate patterns adapt. The oceans would sweep this current storm out in a matter of weeks. It’s done it before. Mars could do with a few uncontrollable rain clouds. The atmosphere could use some cloud cover, and the Martian soil could use some hydration. They all could benefit from Indra’s work.

 

Earth Video Log 2468, November 19, 2134

Surya, did you not see my last video transmission? The formula behind my last cloud seeding is unstable. I may have to face trial for my part in the process if Africa extradites me. Playing weather god has brought nothing but pain for the Americas. Sure, they were a dust bowl of overheating deserts and arctic cold nights, but they were surviving. Now they say I murdered the sun!

 

The Saharan Sultan is calling me, and I must go. Surya… please… don’t do it.

 

Surya ignored this plea just as he did when they were younger and had eaten all the candy that Indra had been saving for a rainy day. He’d envied his older-by-three-minutes brother, his top marks at University, his quick rise in the NOAA ranks, and his ultimate achievement as a rainmaker. Surya had fled Earth to make a name for himself. The sun doesn’t share the sky.

 

Mars Video Log 5375, November 30, 2134

Brother, you’ve been radio silent for some time now. We have reports that weather patterns over the Americas have been spreading across the ocean. I’d imagine they will fizzle out before arriving at your coast. A report says you’ve gone into hiding. But we Martians have long discounted the information coming to us. By the time it arrives, it’s already shifted like sand dunes. In happier news: Our scientists have been able to re-engineer your cloud seeding formula. They may not be as talented as you, but the information you gave me propelled them faster than they could’ve on their own. Yes, I know you told me to destroy all your missives, but I’ve kept an archive of your work under my name, so no one will know. Your scientific debacles would make you a hero here on Mars.

 

There were only specific times when Mars’s atmosphere carried a wisp of water vapor. Surya’s team trekked to that frozen zone with their seed drones. Martians long dreamed of snow, storm clouds, spring rains, and autumn deluges. Living dry had left them parched for their home world. When they returned to their hab, they celebrated well into the night.

 

Earth Video Log 2469, December 15, 2134

Surya! I have been given time to reach out to you before I return to hiding. My people tell me that a climate scientist on Mars has developed a cloud-seeding formula. I cannot help but think that scientist is you. Helping you at MIT was one thing, but this is outright theft, brother dear. When the clouds converge and plunge the planet into darkness, then they will come after you with pitchforks and lawyers. Save yourself. Save the planet! I have figured out a plan to inhibit the processes and sent it to you electronically. They’re already trying it on the dense cloud mass arriving here in a week. We’ve already lost many pilots. I pray that you have not destroyed Mars.

 

Surya and his Martian team received no further relays from Earth. Rumor had it that Earth was battling an invasive cloud formation that threatened to darken the entire planet. Interplanetary travel had been halted while Martians continued to look up to their barren sky in fear.

 

“Relax! The science is sound and is not related to the catastrophe on Earth. Those responsible have already been apprehended. They will all look to us now for safety. We must prepare,” he informed the colony.

 

In the distance, thunder rolled. Surya beamed.