6 – The number of people GASEC appointed for mission to Cyphon.
8 – The number of days left, until take-off.
3 – The number of years they would be on Cyphon, if it held life.
4 – The number of people on the team that had children; young and teen.
Jim and Elle were the two lucky mates on the team that had their whole lives ahead of them. No spouse, no children, less responsibilities. There was endlessness available for them; whether you see them as opportunities or lessons. They were ecstatic, charged up, excited to be on this mission. It was a once in a lifetime chance. How could they let it pass?
At fruity ages of 30 and 28, they were all set, packed and ready to go. Having said their temporary goodbyes, they left on a bus to the take-off site. Smiles galore, hearts beating hard. It is going to be a long three years; but what do you know? Maybe we’ll learn something, progress is always good, right?
“I’m super stoked for this one, Ellie. It could be our real breakthrough”, exclaimed Jim.
“Yes, oh my god. I can’t wait to see what’s on Cyphon. We have been looking and looking, and now we are finally going to be there; to see life, possibilities and a new world!”, responded timid Ellie. The firecracker that she is, she has packed t-shirts named after every day of the week, so that they do not lose track of the days. It was after all, a breakthrough.
The bus brakes furiously, to haul 3 more passengers. Robert, Landon and Callie were running to the bus, saying their endless goodbyes to their little ones. Tim and Tina for Robert, the little guns all set to see their daddy discover a new planet. Vincent for Landon; shy, but yet a fonder child than Clara. And finally, little Sofia, hustling behind Callie like the little ball she is! It was a long journey, and goodbyes were essential. So, the driver waited patiently, till they kissed their little ones goodbye, and embraced their S.O.’s for the final time; who knows what awaits?
On they go, to Boulevard Street, to collect the final passenger. Old Man Barney; the head of the troup, a grouchy man, but a marshmallow at heart. Seems almost like the real-life version of Liam Neeson; the cold-hearted killer, warm-hearted father in the blockbuster movie ‘Taken’. As the bus pulled nearer to Boulevard street, you could see him, clad in black, golf cap and sunnies; bright as the day brings him. There was a charming smile on him, as always; ready to steal the day’s thunder, all by himself!
6 hungry souls, ready to take over a planet. They reached the base at GASEC, brimming with excitement and a shred of nervousness for the off-chance; that ‘what if’. They settle into their seats on the space-craft. A gigantic mammoth of metal (light metal, of course), charged up with jet fuel, with supplies to last them a lifetime; and enough camera film to document their life on another planet. Another planet! They couldn’t believe it. Not until they reached, of course.
‘Onward we go!’, shouts Barn, as the flames ignite and they thrust into the air. Manned spacecrafts always lasted longer than an autobot, of course. Their chances were good. Good as they come.
It takes a while to reach out to another planet, so let’s fast-forward a few weeks. It is now a dusty affair. They land into Cyphon, weary, tired, but still souls fresh for a new discovery. What was only observed using satellites, is now a dream come true. A marvel, right in front of their eyes. A feast to devour, over three years. Questions on all their minds – what will we find? Are there people? Can we grow potatoes there? Can we breathe without our globes?
Oh, the infinite possibilities. The countless questions; just like a mother has a baby for the first time. This was their baby. A project they worked on for years; and another bunch of years to get it approved. They were finally here.
A probe! This is the best idea. Landon was the smartest of the bunch. “We need to send a probe. A bot. To see what we’re dealing with”. Did I mention that he was also the most cautious?
Off goes Madeira, the little bot-probe that they brought along. Just like a drone, a probe can be directed using a remote control, and used as a camera through individual controls on it. Off goes Madeira, into the dusty world of Cyphon. To see, to find, to discover, to help and to direct. Mountains of red dust all over, gusts of wind. But not a soul in sight, not a growth in sight. The temperature seemed at a cool 22 degrees celsius.
“I think this is it. It is now or never. Let’s get our suits on, and go!”, cooed Ellie. Cute Ellie. The life of the party for this bunch of old gushers. So, time it is, to put their suits on; suits of bravery, of science and of possibility.
Written By Anisha Masand
Part 2 of the story on 20th Nov ’20.
Week 46, November ’20
