Sci-Fi Story Series Part 7 : Adventures of Sifar - Failure

Mahasangh Headquarters

After hours of anticipation, the communication lines are up but due to astronomical distance between earth and Sifar, increasing with each passing moment, the signals are not instantaneous like other man-made satellites orbiting earth. Even light takes 1.3 seconds from moon and 8.3 minutes from sun to reach earth.

Kuber now seeing his screen in disbelief. He got the news of solar flare and specifically ordered the headquarter to either hold the ground or let Hind make his own decision. Kuber was quite sure that Hind will either abort the mission or hold the ground. But what he is seeing now is incomprehensible. For some reason, Sifar is moving to new path altogether, which was never tried on simulations by Hive Mind or even discussed.

"What is he doing?", thought Kuber. “This is not going according to plan. Maya won't be pleased.".

Just as he thought, Kuber's communicator ring.

"Speak of the devil." murmured Kuber

"Congratulations Kuber. You are now one step closer to meet your family.” The voice said. "What do you say, should I arrange a call with them? You deserve it."

Millions of emotions run through Kuber's vein. The mention of his family made him blank. Whether to tell Maya or not. Should he first talk to his family and then tell Maya? At least there will be some happiness in his miserable life. He hasn’t talked to them in months. But, fear creeps in his mind. His family is still captive, even though he is losing hope day by day. The voice of Maya brought him out of trance.

"Are you hiding something?" Maya asked with suspiciously.

"I think we have a situation here." said Kuber mustering all his emotional strength.

"Then deal with it." said Maya sharply.

"I am afraid things are not in my hand now." Kuber said rebelliously.

"Then whose hand, are they now?" Maya asked with her tone rising.

God knows. Kuber thought and briefed Maya about their current position.

"This is not possible. Listen Kuber, you know the stakes here. I can't take no for an answer. Think about your family."

"Don't bring my family into this, you already knew the odds and the risks in this project." said Kuber in desperation.

"Oh, don’t try to act smart. It is you who is at risk. What will happen if the truth of our business relations made public? I am sure you don't want that. So, work on this fiasco and report me." Maya voice now at threatening tone. The line went silent.

-----

Sifar's Deck

Everything is going according to plan, as of now. The ship is gaining speed with each passing second. The gravity assist is saving power cells as well as it might give them enough time to bypass solar flare. The gravitational force is giving crew hard time, if not for their suits and chairs, the blood would have not reached their brain and they would have passed out by now. The suit maintained their blood pressure and keep the circulation going, but experiencing Gs is altogether a different thing. It’s like on a rollercoaster ride only ten times more intense.

"Give me the report." Hind shouted.

"We will reach to an optimum speed in 42 seconds." Jai said.

"Our structural integrity is holding good." Smith reported.

"Ship vitals are stable. We will be crossing path with solar flare in about couple of minutes." Nia announced.

"Let me know if any parameter is off the mark." ordered Hind.

Hind felt these 42 seconds are longest 42 seconds of his life. The ship is vibrating to dangerous level, threatening to disintegrate. The Gs are taking toll on him and team. The danger of passing through solar flare can damage the ship or kill them altogether.

"Ship, at optimum speed.” Jai said.

"We are going to hit solar flare in a minute." Nia shouted.

"Smith, I want you to activate our force field. " Said Hind

"But sir, this would be risky at this speed. The force field generator may fail." Smith warned.

"Do it now or, there won’t be anyone to complete the mission. This is an order." Hind ordered.

"Ok sir." said smith and started giving instructions on control panel.

No matter what Smith tried the force field generator was not generating any shield. Unbeknownst to Smith, Kuber's activated code detected the path deviation and started taking corrective measures. Starting force field generator may damage ship structural integrity or consume too much of power cells.

"What are you doing Smith? Shield the ship now!" said Hind with anxiousness.

"The generator is offline sir, I am afraid we won’t be able to start it in time." said Smith dejectedly.

"I won’t let this end, this way." said Hind.

"30 seconds remaining." said Nia.

Hind thinking with fast pace. There must be something, we can use. He knows this ship inside out. He has Sifar's blueprint etched in his mind. Suddenly, he got the idea.

"Jai, at what vectors, we are going to hit by solar flare?" said Hind in a hurry.

"At 23,52,10 with theta 60 degree" Jai calculated in fraction of a second.

"Alright, rotate ship without compromising the directional velocity and at an angle of 60 degree. Now!" Hind now on the edge.

Sifar is made for multiple lift offs and landings in dense atmospheric conditions and sustain cosmic radiations. The hull is strongest with thermal, radiation insulation below the mid-section.

Thrusters, working full time to maintain and keep the Sifar at angles, so that there will be minimal cross section with solar flare, with physical shield taking the maximum impact. This may not be enough but they have to try.

"Shut down all the ship’s power supply, otherwise circuits will be fried by electromagnetic pulses." Smith shouted.

"Impact in 5 seconds." Nia voice barely audible.

"Brace yourself." Shouted Hind

It felt worse than mega earthquake. Every joint of Sifar jolted. Vibrations made crew disoriented. Sifar now travelling through flare reminded how helpless humans are to natural forces despite of their claim as one of God's greatest creation.

To Be Continued…