The Blue People of Cloud Planet Page 4

  ‘That’s the Morse Code for SOS!’

  Now all the astronauts could see the repeating distress pattern and they sank back into their seats utterly stunned.

  Scott then turned to the General more in hope and desperation and as their eyes met the General quietly shook his head and he knew it could not be. Olivia noticed the glance and she realised what Scott must have initially thought of the distress call from space. But now was not the time to dwell on it.

  ‘So fellow astronauts,’ said the General, ‘that SOS message has been repeating every Cloud Planet day for 2 hours during the last 5 years. Also according to our calculations that’s 1 hour either side of the planet’s midday sun - yet another fascinating symmetry.

  We are convinced that this is no fluke or aberration of signals across space because there are too many repeating patterns, so we believe that this is a genuine message from space and we have decided to respond prematurely.’

  ‘And now,’ he continued, ‘the not so good news. We are going to send the first starship to Cloud Planet in one month’s time. This starship, called LifeSeeker-1, has the capability to reach Cloud Planet...... but not to return...... it will be at least five more years before LifeSeeker-2, which is capable of the return journey, leaves to follow the path of LifeSeeker-1..... the risks are high, 20 year cryo–hibernation is an unknown factor although ten has been proved and there is good confidence that extending the timescale will have no adverse effect...........’

  He looked into the eyes of the ten astronauts before him seeing excitement, bewilderment and, in some cases, even fear. Then he said,

  ‘I’m looking for volunteers for a one way ticket to the stars!’

  Chapter 8

  The Commander

  After the silence, the questions flew thick and fast, and the General held up his hand.

  ‘One at a time, one at a time, please, I can’t answer all your concerns,’ he consoled them. ‘but I hear a common question........ ‘why did we build a starship capable of only the outward journey?’...... Well, as I told you earlier the plan was to send two ships in 2155, perhaps up to 1 year apart. The first, LifeSeeker-1, would have a crew of seven, two ROL’s and four emergency shuttles. The nuclear power plant feeding the ion engine would have a capacity to reach the star, Seren, and start initial investigation of Cloud Planet. Then LifeSeeker-1 would remain in permanent orbit and await LifeSeeker-2, a ship twice the size with a crew of 21, eight ROL’s and 28 emergency shuttles. Its power plant would have the capacity for the return journey accommodating all astronauts from both starships if necessary.’

  He paused, ‘But the astounding SOS message has changed all that and we are sending LifeSeeker-1 at least 5 years before LifeSeeker-2 and,’ pausing again, ‘LifeSeeker-2 is only 50 per cent completed as I speak.’

  It was Angus who broke the silence. ‘This is crazy! To send a starship on such a high risk mission with the backup not even built!’

  ‘Not crazy, but yes, very high risk which is why this mission is volunteers only.’

  ‘But General,’ continued Angus, ‘this sounds like a suicide mission. Who would be foolish enough to put themselves forward?’

  He smiled, and reached for the remote, ‘Well, we’ve actually got our first crew member.’

  Part of the night sky behind the General suddenly changed and the head and shoulders of Commander Abraham Joshua Stewart dominated the astronauts’ attention.

  ‘It’s Commander AJ!’ Olivia gasped, ‘Where’s he been for the last 5 years?’

  ‘Commander Stewart was known as AJ to his fellow astronauts and was the first astronaut to go to the moons of Jupiter. He is iconic in the space world as he volunteered to fly to the outer regions of our planetary system under full cryo – hibernation in an ion-driven spacecraft. AJ came back after 5 years in space and was successfully resuscitated with no ill effects and looking remarkably unchanged.

  ‘However, communications with an earlier similar mission were lost after the massive solar flare of 2125. This was piloted by Chuck Parker, Scott’s father.’

  These facts flashed through Scott’s mind and painfully reminded him that it was his Dad that had not returned from space, but he quickly controlled his emotions as AJ started to speak.

  ‘The General has briefed you on Project Omega, and the remarkable message from Cloud Planet and you will soon be asked to volunteer for what must seem to you to be a most risky mission. I have been involved full time in Project Omega for the last 5 years and my main role has been putting LifeSeeker-1 through its paces and, believe me, she is the most stunning starship as some of you, I hope, will see tomorrow. The General has asked me to volunteer as mission commander, which I have, and I have closely watched your training and would be delighted to have any of you join me for this mission. But now I will pass you back to the General.’

  The night sky returned to the dome display.

  The General raised his hand, ‘Fellow astronauts, we have had a long four hour session without a break and I am going to suggest that we reconvene for dinner at 5 p.m. moon time, when I will be happy to answer more questions.

  ‘As I said earlier, I am looking for volunteers to man ROL-1 and ROL-2 on LifeSeeker-1 but I don’t want any decisions from you until tomorrow at 10 a.m. This evening you are all booked into the executive hospitality suites where you will enjoy complete privacy – no bugs I assure you! – to make up your minds. Finally, whatever you decide will not be held against you and you can walk away from this with no effect whatsoever on your career.’

  He moved to his coat and pulled out a wad of envelopes. ‘Each of you has proved themselves exceptionally in the last three months and you are all promoted to Senior Rank Astronaut, effective today. You are the elite of our profession.’

  He handed out the envelopes amongst murmurs of thanks, surprise and appreciation and continued.

  ‘However, you must make your choice as a team – I cannot accept one person from one pair and one from another and you must both freely volunteer in each of your groups. Tomorrow, I will be back in this conference room from 10.00-10.15 a.m. lunar time and whichever teams walk through that door will be considered for the mission. Any final questions?’

  ‘What if no one turns up?’ queried Angus.

  ‘I hope that will not be the case, but if so we will wait for LifeSeeker-2 and then proceed with the mission.’

  ‘And if more than two teams volunteer?’ this from Scott.

  ‘Then I will have a difficult decision to make. See you all at five.’

  The General gathered his jacket and left the room.

  Chapter 9

  Decision Time

  During dinner they discussed Project Omega at length but Scott could hardly keep his eyes off Olivia’s stunning dress. Made of creamy satin with a plunging back, it moulded itself to her perfect figure.

  After coffee, the General excused himself and reminded everyone of tomorrow’s deadline. The teams started to disperse and Olivia picked up a nearly full bottle of red wine from the table along with their glasses.

  ‘We’ve got a decision to make,’ Olivia whispered to Scott, ‘let’s make it in my room.’

  Scott did not need any persuasion.

  Later they luxuriated in the large bath facing each other with legs entwined and completely at ease. Olivia noticed a sad look on Scott’s face.

  ‘You thought it might have been your Dad when you heard that distress call, didn’t you?’ Olivia said softly.

  ‘For a moment yes, but the General shook his head when our eyes met and I knew it wasn’t. And how could he have been 10 light years away?’

  He paused and looked into Olivia’s eyes, ‘I was six when, with my Grandfather, I watched Dad take off for the stars. At least that’s where Gramps said he was going and that he would be back for my 12th birthday. But all contact was lost 5 years later after that huge solar flare in 2125 and that was 25 years ago.’

  She was touched by the sorrow in his voice. She sat forwar
d, soapy water draining from her shoulders and breasts, and cupped Scott’s face. ‘Never give up hope,’ she said and kissed him tenderly.

  Scott regained control and looked at Olivia. ‘That was more than a bad dream in Borneo, wasn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, it was my recurring nightmare,’ Olivia paused and then continued. ‘I’ve never told anyone but when I was six, that’s funny I was six too, I was on holiday with my parents in Italy. We were having a picnic and I wandered away towards the edge of the forest where there were huge rock formations. A dark hole in the rock caught my eye and, being the adventurer, I entered the cave entrance. Even though it grew dark quickly I wandered on and turned left and then right.’ Olivia shuddered and now Scott gently held her shoulders as she continued. ‘And then it was black, I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face and then, ......then, I tried to retrace my steps and banged my face against the wet, foul-smelling cave wall – and I screamed and shouted until eventually my parents found me – a quivering, lump of jelly!’

  ‘I only found this out recently. I have all Olivia’s records - academic, medical, psychiatric. I find it difficult to believe that this inner fear did not reveal itself at the many demanding interviews during her training programme. It is another factor demonstrating her strength and resolve to become an astronaut.’

  ‘So a fear of black holes – how ironic is that for an astronaut!’ Olivia continued, ‘You’re hardly going to want to go to the stars with me.’

  ‘I’d go to the end of the universe with you, Olivia,’ Scott said tenderly and in that moment they knew they had made their decision.

  At precisely 10 a.m. lunar time, the conference door hissed open and Olivia and Scott entered. The General smiled. He would have bet a fortune that these two would be the first to volunteer. Five minutes later Alison and Steve entered but the door did not open again by 10.15.

  However, the General was delighted with his two teams.

  Chapter 10

  LifeSeeker-1

  Both ROL’s had lifted off around midday lunar time and Zec-1 had set a course for the far side of the Moon which was always hidden from Earth.

  ‘Emergency! Emer.’

  Zec-1’s instruction was cut short and Olivia and Scott were startled as Commander AJ’s face appeared on the dome in front of the command seats of ROL-1.

  ‘Zec-1 doesn’t know we exist,’ AJ continued, ‘but he does now as I’ve downloaded LifeSeeker-1 into his memory. With a bit of luck Zec-1 will now see us as friend and not foe!’

  ‘Because of the high security attributed to the project and LifeSeeker-1, I must keep secrets even from my own family. Now Zec-1 and Zec-2 are privy to Project Omega and the two starships.’

  ‘But Zec-1 couldn’t pick you up before,’ Scott replied, ‘you must have a pretty good screen around you.’

  ‘Yes, we’re only just over your horizon – you would have bumped into us before you saw us!’ AJ said with a smile, ‘and now Alison and Steve in ROL-2 are on-line.’

  ‘We need to be precise with our computer identity,’ AJ explained, ‘so ROL-1 is Zec-1, ROL-2 is Zec-2 and LifeSeeker-1 is Zec-C for Control. I’m putting up some images of LifeSeeker-1 on your domes so you will have a better picture of us before you make visual contact.’

  A large section of the dome then showed several line drawings of the starship.

  ‘LifeSeeker-1 is 150m long and 80m diameter at the ion drive. The command, accommodation and all utilities are contained within a 30m diameter by 80m long tubular front section. It was a huge undertaking to build a starship in space and I managed the whole process through inventory, materials procurement, sub-assembly, transport logistics, final build and test.’

  The astronauts in the two landers looked through the clear dome to the horizon and sat back in awe as the huge starship started to appear with its vast arrays of solar cells glistening in the low sunlight. The ion drive dominated the skyline and the huge fins seemed to curve perfectly into the relatively small forward body of the ship.

  Olivia and Scott were transfixed by the sight. They watched in silence as the twin lander bay doors on top of the ship started to open.

  ‘Each door is 10m wide by 30m long and positioned either side of the vertical fin. Between the doors and the ion drive are four emergency escape rockets. At the front is a 30m diameter command centre made from the same cyano-acrylic building blocks used at Moon Base, the lander command domes and the astronaut’s helmets.’

  ‘ROL-1 is seeking permission to dock with LifeSeeker-1.’

  ‘ROL-1 confirm identity,’ Zec-C commanded.

  As previously, Olivia and Scott put their palms down on the control panel. Now it was LifeSeeker-1 that checked the identity of the astronauts and gave permission to start the docking procedure to bay door 1. LifeSeeker-1 was in geostationary orbit behind the moon but even so it was travelling at over 1,500 kilometres per hour so ROL-1 had to slowly catch up with the starship and then begin the intricate procedure of exactly matching speeds whilst positioning itself 100 metres directly above the door.

  As the lander started descending it was dwarfed by the huge starship below. The astronauts looked back and forth excitedly from the starship to the mimic displays in the dome. They were now just below the outer rim of the ion engine and descending between the two graceful fins. Then the bay door appeared level with their right side. Meanwhile, Zec-1 and Zec-C constantly confirmed speeds and height and alignment until the caterpillar treads on the lander touched down on the bay floor and the locking ovals mated and sealed. The huge door now closed and sealed but there was no necessity to pressurise the lander compartment as the astronauts could deplane using the through airlock command seat system as they had done on the roof of Moon Base. As they stepped out of the lander’s seats and took their first weightless steps on the starship, Commander AJ greeted them and led them into a four seat maglev buggy.

  ‘Weightlessness might be fun but getting around this starship is by taxi only.’ AJ instructed and when they were seated and ‘belted up’ he touched the screen for dome and the buggy silently moved forward to LifeSeeker-1’s command centre.

  The bulkhead door hissed open and the buggy containing AJ, Olivia and Scott stopped and the two astronauts stared out into the dome.

  Nothing, absolutely nothing could prepare them for the spectacular vista and they gasped as they slowly moved forward from the rear of the 30 metre diameter hemisphere. On either side were wide walkways with banks of controls and instruments and lights of varying colours blinking status of unseen charges. Ahead and seemingly suspended in space, the maglev docked with a slightly downward inclined cantilevered walkway which connected to the wide arc of the seven seat control panel. The two astronauts carefully moved to seats labelled with their names, connected their lap belts and stared out through the huge dome. The view was magnificent.

  Meanwhile Commander AJ had picked up Alison and Steve, who, equally stunned, moved to their positions while AJ took his place in the centre. The arc of the command seats curved outwards and forwards towards the clear dome giving everyone a panoramic view of the outside world.

  ‘Astronauts!’ AJ commanded, ‘Confirm decision to fly to Mars Base.’

  The four astronauts and AJ put their left hands onto the control panel and Zec-C confirmed their identity.

  ‘Setting course for Mars Base.’

  Almost imperceptibly the Moon’s horizon dropped away and LifeSeeker-1 started her relatively low speed journey to Mars. This would only take an incredibly short 14 days.

  Chapter 11

  Mars Base

  ‘Mars Base is Project Omega. It was designed along similar lines to Moon Base and it has five large modules in total – two for fabrication and sub – assembly, one each for utilities and accommodation and a special module. I had co-ordinated a constant stream of shuttles between Earth, Moon and Mars for the last 20 years. Then I took completed sub – units into Mars orbit to assemble and complete LifeSeeker-1. Now I am continuing the task for
the half completed LifeSeeker-2.

  ‘But there is one very unique module on Mars Base and our four astronauts are about to learn a surprising secret.’

  ‘I’d like you to meet Dr Astronaut Martha Baker,’ said AJ introducing the four astronauts by name, ‘Martha runs the cryo – hibernation unit here at Mars Base and she is going to show you around.’

  Martha was in her late 30s with a small neat figure and smooth dark skin encompassing large eyes. She looked very striking in the white hygiene clothing which they had all changed into before entering the air lock.