14. Red Coal
| In all industrialized nations, but especially in UR, steam power was the first motor towards mechanization and the progresses of the era. With no surprise Red Coal was accepted as the miracle solution to all energy needs wherever regular coal wasn't powerful enough to make the machines run. This brick red material doesn't only have the aspect of coal : recent discoveries at the Research sub-ministry certify its organic origin, as regular coal. But whereas regular coal can be found in the grounds of many of our regions, Red Coal is only found in deserts. However, 5 years ago, the Coordination sub-ministry and the Government argued about the rate of distribution of Red Coal. Evidences of Red Coal's rarity has forced the Coordination to stop it's plans of totally replacing regular coal by Red Coal. Now days Red Coal cannot be obtained by the Ministries except as a enriching compound of regular coal to a maximum of 5%. The Government allows Red Coal to be used in higher percentages for study (Research), or in major industrial projects which goals are getting more Red Coal. In dead a few years ago, Red Coal's meteoritic origin was discovered ( this was confirmed by space exploration). The several stories high microscopes, at the Napolia Research Office, showed the presence, in Red Coal, of microfossils unknown on Earth. Although the redundant structure of these fossil xenobacterial colonies inside Red Coal (which seems to be their chemical energy reserve) prevented the Research sub-ministry to have to ask a stop of global burning of their research material (in the name of fossil study). I'd like to remind you, for your own safety, that contact with Red Coal (over 5% purity) is very dangerous ; the methanol content of the material, as absinth, can cause mental illnesses (with quicker effectiveness), that will help you obtain a one way trip to high security asylum. |
