Plutonium

Not to be confused with the radioactive element of the same name, Plutonium is a drug that originates on the planetdwarf planet Pluto. Discovered by the Cornell expedition (1990-6), it appears to be a bi-product of fossilised plant matter, dating back to billions of years ago when Pluto still possessed internal heat to support such life. In addition to carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, it contains minute quantities of several elements not yet found on the periodic table. Although it was discovered in a crystalloid state, it turned into a fine white powder upon exposure to the air of the Cornell’s ship. It is readily soluble in water, forming a permanent colloid, without the least sign of deposit, no matter how long it remains in suspension.

Plutonium has a brief effect, lasting only about a half an hour of experienced time from the perspective of those not taking it. For those in the drug’s grip, time is not so simple, as they are able to see visions of themselves as a continuous process of movement for several hours into the past – and the future. Further research will be needed to determine how exactly the drug creates these effects, and what the implications are for both temporal physics and human free will.

Related Drugs: Akpaloli, Clithni, Mnophka and Selenine.

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Origin: The Plutonian Drug by Clark Ashton Smith.