TEHRAN – A newly-published Persian science fiction story portrays microorganisms named Eatheaters invading the Earth in 2323 in the wake of human’s disregard of the environment.

The Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults – Kanoon is the publisher of the novel “Escape from the Zero Year” by Hossein Qorbanzadeh, the acclaimed writer of “Water and Chain”. 

It is the first installment of the science fiction trilogy “Eartheaters”, which is for young adults aged 15 and above.

In a press release published by Kanoon on Tuesday, Qorbanzadeh described the world in 2323 as fast-changing.

“Some of the changes are general and some are really dangerous; undoubtedly, there would be significant developments in knowledge and technology; a character in ‘Escape from the Zero Year’ says, ‘Nothing is unclear up there, space is our backyard.’ Therefore, it is likely that space has been conquered by humans and nothing remains unknown for mankind in space,” he said.

Would the Earth tolerate humans’ deep contempt and the licentious changes? Would mankind find a viable alternative to the Earth?

“Escape from the Zero Year” answers, “No”. In the novel, the Earth has not endured well beyond man’s insults and has been demolished; shocking atomic wars, man’s nonchalance and abuse of the environment have ruined a great deal of water and as a result, forests have been destroyed and oxygen-depleted.

Mankind is still in existence, but neither trees nor other plants grow. People use air tanks to live and it seems that there is no problem and, as usual, they are satisfied. However, microorganisms, which were benign, have now become so powerful and malevolent that humans are no longer able to cope with them.

This book also introduces a microorganism, namely “Eartheaters”, which will appear in the next two parts of the trilogy.

“The Eartheaters, which are vulnerable to water and oxygen now intend to capture the Earth; they are such powerful microorganisms that people must return to their humane beliefs to fight against the microbes,” Qorbanzadeh said.

“In this novel, there is no war; people are tired of and have an aversion to wars, which have threatened their existence. They have lost everything but retain a belief in peaceful coexistence. Weapons of mass destruction now are kept in arsenals. However, catastrophic mistakes cost them dearly, rendering nature no longer able to help people,” he added.

“Aiqar Awakening” and “Mystery of the Hatch” are other parts of the trilogy. Qorbanzadeh holds literary courses at the Kanoon branch in the northwestern Iranian city of Ardebil.

Photo: Front cover of the science fiction novel “Escape from the Zero Year”.

MMS/YAW