"This is it," Doctor Raquel MacAllister said, holding up a sealed container, no larger than a salt shaker, filled with a thick, golden liquid. "The Holy Grail of ecology."
"It's not 'the' Holy Grail," her assistant corrected her, "and ecology is a wide interdisciplinary field that includes the biosciences, chemistry, Earth science-"
"The silver bullet against ecological catastrophe! This formula is capable of consuming any and all hazardous substances, rendering them harmless to human life! Killing harmful microbes, breaking down toxins into inert materials, even separating heavy metals from fluids."
"I know," her assistant replied. "I was helping you with it for three months."
Raquel turned her head quick enough to send her red-brown hair into motion and gave her a withering look.
"I wasn't explaining it for you."
"Speaking of explanations, you still haven't explained how it works. Understanding its potential anti-microbal properties is basic enough, but claiming that at the same time it's capable of universal chemical decomposition, filtration, and distillation sounds exaggerated at best."
Raquel turned back to the container, holding it up to the light.
"The actual science behind it is complex..."
Her assistant rolled her eyes.
"...but the easiest explanation is that it's a smart chemical that is activated, reacts, and replicates under a set of very specific, very controlled circumstances. All determined by me, of course."
Raquel walked away, setting it down on another table as she sifted through a hodge-podge of devices.
"...and only known by you, of course."
"Of course."
Raquel picked up a jet injector, slotting the container into the back and giving it a press to ensure it was in securely.
"There was a confidentiality agreement in my contract. Nothing malicious, I assure you. Merely secretive."
"Now that the project is complete, perhaps you can explain what it is you've done. For instance, what are these circumstances of which you speak?"
"Allow me to demonstrate."
With a flourish Raquel raised the injector....