The subsequent week was very busy as the team went further in their research activities. This is perhaps expected due to the concepts behind it involving a gradual process of uncovering its secrets and hence, hints into the knowledge and beliefs of the civilization. There was electricity in the lab with tension in everyone's air as the implications of their findings began to be realized.
One day, Clara got to the facility very early, in the morning, looking forward to going through the recent research. When she arrived at the lab, she saw Gabriel typing away on his keyboard the brightness of the light on his screen emanating on his face. He was so immersed in his work that he failed to see her come over.
"Good morning," Clara said softly so as not to disturb him.
Gabriel looked up, smiling. "Hello, Clara, I was contemplating some new data I recently collected. The morphology of these texts looks as though these inscriptions contain not only semantic and syntactic features of the language. "
Clara's curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean?"
Gabriel pointed at the projection on the screen; there were hieroglyphic symbols and charts on it. "These are not mere letters or mere words indeed some of them look like mathematical or astronomical notations that possibly refer to equations or movements of heavenly bodies or celestial events…..This artifact has all the aspects of a document with textual, mathematical, and aesthetic facets.
Clara moved closer towards the monitor and focused her gaze on the screen. 'Amazing', should we be able to decipher this then it will go a long way to telling us how they have constructed their worldview.
Gabriel agreed with wide eyes and a huge grin on his face. "That is exactly how it is. But this also means that we have to come at this from every aspect; the linguistic, the mathematical, the astronomical approaches. This civilization appears to have embraced all these domains in ways that we are yet to fully appreciate. "
Just as they were talking about this, Leo and Ethan joined them, in their hands the outcomes of their work at the computer. Leo started his lips into a smile as he came up and told me the good news. Ash from the artifact contained the presence of a scarce mineral; it is indicative of possible exchange with distant cultures as the mineral is not commonly associated with the area.
Ethan supplements that, 'This mineral has been used in the past for many things, including ceremonial and technological purposes. Perhaps the artifact is two things at once a record and something that also serves another purpose. '
Noticeably, Clara felt a tingle down her spine. The more they dug, the more elaborate and interesting the object turned out to be to both of them. This was evident of the fact that they were but a breath apart from making one of the biggest historical discoveries of the ancient world.
Equipped with their distinct helmets, the team members settled for the day and moved from one task to another with more coordination and professionalism. It was all very professional they were adults after all but there was also this mutual agreement, this determination that something must be done.
The following day in the evening, while they were in the middle of their work, Clara gave them a break and proposed that they go outside and breathe fresh air. The facility's perimeter had a lawn around which they cultivated flowers, trees, and other vegetation which provided a serene atmosphere for the workers from the tireless work they engaged in.
They continued to walk for some time in silence enjoying the fresh and chilly air as well as the sound of the leaves that fall gently to the ground. The prohibitions, restrictions or even pressure manifested themselves in different ways at Clara's working environment, where she experienced confidentiality and shared values with her colleagues at the same time as an unattainable distance from them.
After walking for some time and getting to a small garden-like compound, Ethan was the first to break the silence. 'I've been doing some thinking,' he said slowly, softly. 'For me, this project goes beyond the professional interest it was initially. The artifact, the civilization behind this artifact, I came to know – it kind of got under my skin. '
Leo nodded in agreement. "I have the same opinion. It is not just discovering history, but interacting with those early men in a way. That feeling is amazing".
Gabriel could not say much and he broke the silence. "It concerns not only the knowledge of the past but also the search for one's position in it. The knowledge, the beliefs – they are all there, right, in that skeletons' bones – these ancient civilizations are our people, are ourselves. The more we learn about them, the more we understand about ourselves and about the things we can achieve. "
He holds her hand and she listens and is touched by what they are saying. She had a similar feeling though she had not in her mind put it into words. The project had evolved into a learning process on so many fronts that was as much a test as it was a development for her.
He looked at her then and the intensity made Gabriel frown, as they kept on walking they talked. "You have been unusually quiet Clara, may I know what you think?"
Clara hesitated, then smiled. "It is so wonderful to be here with this team, and actually to be able to contribute to such a large-scale project, it has indeed been fantastic, and I believe all of us, are learning so much, not just about the artifact but also much about ourselves, and each other. "
The others agreed in silence; ways of the world seemed to have silently set in among the group. When they got back to the facility, Clara felt as if they were not just colleagues but friends who had something very important in common and that was passion and the desire to conquer the near impossibility.
That evening when they congregated in the common area of the house people were happier and more jovial. They discussed hobbies and other non-work related topics, discussed their childhood and some jokes. This was the only time I could interact with him emotionally, talk to him a little more informally you might say.
Thus, when the night was far gone and the sky had turned grey, Clara was seated at the side of Gabriel, and a lively discussion had turned into a much more serious one. HC and MM discussed both their dreams, fears as well as the unpredictability of life. It also helped me depict the main characters and their relationships with a sense of memorable and depth: for instance, Clara was amazed with Gabriel's self-reflecting personality and true desire to find the purpose of everything in the world.
"Perhaps we are looking for the unattainable," I countered after a moment, letting my voice join his in the darkness: "Then again, they never said it would be easy." Even so, at least that inoffensive end game detracts from it; and yet perhaps, it is this chronic search for information, for otherwise unfathomable bonding.
This touched a chord in Clara who nodded to what he had said. 'It's like everyone's searching now, trying to find meaning in life and existence and the universe and here we have that project, that artifact we have a piece of that'.
Then Gabriel looking at her fixedly awaited her answer, his eyes questioning. 'And what about you, Clara?' He asked her. 'What are you searching for?'
Clara looked at Wyatt, then pondered over the question for a few seconds. "I believe that I am seeking comprehension, fellowship, this with other people, history, myself I think this project has taught me how tied we all are, in space and time."
Clara thought that smile was the sweetest thing she had ever seen in her life, it was a warm smile from Gabriel. "Yeah, I agree with you kindly honored to be part of this with you and the rest of the team."
As they were together, I felt relaxed yet focused and so was Clara. 'However, the future may turn out she was conscious that at least they were traveling in the right direction professionally and personally. '
And as the lights of the firmament glittered through the thick blackness of the sky of the ancient world, she was feeling the young hope again, as well as curiosity in finding more new things in the ancient world and the feeling of a new friendship coming.