The Accidental Breakthrough
Space Alchemy
The mission was routine, or so it seemed, for the crew aboard the research vessel Hermes. Tasked with studying the effects of microgravity on various biological processes, the team of scientists and astronauts worked diligently in Earth’s orbit. Among them was Dr. Emilia Santos, a biochemist with a penchant for traditional healing methods.
Dr. Santos had brought with her a small vial of Iron Palm liniment, a concoction used by martial artists back on Earth to heal and strengthen their hands after intense training. The liniment was a complex blend of herbs such as comfrey, Dit Da Jow, and arnica, steeped in alcohol for months to extract their healing essences.
While treating a minor strain she had suffered during a routine equipment check, Dr. Santos left the liniment to steep in an alcove of the lab. Forgotten amidst the flurry of scientific activity, the vial remained undisturbed in the weightless environment for weeks.
When Dr. Santos finally retrieved the liniment, she noticed the liquid’s color had deepened to a rich, amber hue, and its aroma was more potent than she remembered. Applying it to her wrist, the relief was nearly instantaneous, far surpassing the remedy’s performance on Earth. Curious, she shared her findings with the crew, and soon, the liniment became the unofficial pain reliever of the…
