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Authors: Brian Wolfenden
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rehearsed sequence she removed hers one by one, waiting as each astronaut uncoupled the identically coloured line in turn.
Now the astronauts were no longer ‘tied’ to their units – all they had to do was get up and walk!
Zec-C encouraged them to move their body weight forward and to push with their arms on the sides of the units. After many failed attempts they finally struggled onto wobbly legs and held on to steady themselves. In front of them was a horizontal maglev escalator and they took their first shaky steps towards it for 20 years. Then, clutching the support rail with their left hand and carrying their ‘entrails’ in the other, Zec-C told them to hold tight.
Seven ghost-like figures clad head to toe in gossamer thin white breathable tunics were transported slowly out of the cryo-room, through the airlock and into the preparation room. Here they would remain for a further two days to complete their recuperation, taking in sustenance and sleeping on a normal bed.
Six days after awakening from cryo, Martha was satisfied with the health and fitness of the astronauts. Zec-C had also monitored their physical wellbeing and had set them all mental tests during their recuperation. Now they came to a most crucial stage in their rehabilitation. At a nod from Martha, AJ led them to the airlock. In turn they all pressed their left hands to a panel near the airlock door and waited anxiously. Each watched the red light, nervously, and then with relief as it turned green.
‘Confirm all astronauts ready to return to duty!’
They smiled at one another with joy and high-fived and slapped backs as the airlock hissed open.
‘My astronauts know in the back of their minds that only those ‘deemed sound in body and mind by Zec-C’ will be allowed back into the starship after the rigours of cryo-hibernation.’
Chapter 15
Message from Mars
‘During the starship’s half-light speed journey, the dome is maintained in full red emergency mode and remains so during controlled deceleration by Zec-C. The nuclear power source is shut down and tiny amounts of reverse thrust are applied over a 3 month period to reduce the speed of LifeSeeker-1 to its new velocity of 150,000 kilometres per hour – a mere sloth when compared to its 20 year journey at 150,000 kilometres per second!’
The astronauts sat in their command seats in front of the blackened dome. Their excitement could not be contained as they continued to stare at one another in amazement.
‘We haven’t aged a bit, I can’t believe it!’ Olivia said, ‘Martha, if you could bottle this as an anti-ageing treatment it would be worth billions!’
‘Trouble is it cost trillions to produce!’ Martha replied with a grin.
‘Attention astronauts! I have three things to show you.’
A large section of the black dome coloured in front of the expectant crew and the shape of the fully completed LifeSeeker-2 dominated their view.
‘Five years ago, I received confirmation that LifeSeeker-2 had departed on its journey to Seren.’
The astronauts cheered and clapped at this news.
‘And I can confirm that all 21 astronauts are safely in cryo–hibernation and travelling at half the speed of light.’
Their eyes moved to a smaller screen and the General’s face appeared.
‘If Zec-C is showing you this, then I thank God that you have arrived at your star and safely emerged from cryo–hibernation. It will be another 15 years before I know this, provided I live that long! You are nearly there and Zec-C has shown you LifeSeeker-2 which is on its way to join you.
‘Now you are on your own and you can hardly ring mission control for help or advice! Who knows what you will find at Cloud Planet. You will, undoubtedly, have to take some key decisions; some may be difficult, unpleasant or even frightening. I agreed with Commander AJ before you left that
Now the astronauts were no longer ‘tied’ to their units – all they had to do was get up and walk!
Zec-C encouraged them to move their body weight forward and to push with their arms on the sides of the units. After many failed attempts they finally struggled onto wobbly legs and held on to steady themselves. In front of them was a horizontal maglev escalator and they took their first shaky steps towards it for 20 years. Then, clutching the support rail with their left hand and carrying their ‘entrails’ in the other, Zec-C told them to hold tight.
Seven ghost-like figures clad head to toe in gossamer thin white breathable tunics were transported slowly out of the cryo-room, through the airlock and into the preparation room. Here they would remain for a further two days to complete their recuperation, taking in sustenance and sleeping on a normal bed.
Six days after awakening from cryo, Martha was satisfied with the health and fitness of the astronauts. Zec-C had also monitored their physical wellbeing and had set them all mental tests during their recuperation. Now they came to a most crucial stage in their rehabilitation. At a nod from Martha, AJ led them to the airlock. In turn they all pressed their left hands to a panel near the airlock door and waited anxiously. Each watched the red light, nervously, and then with relief as it turned green.
‘Confirm all astronauts ready to return to duty!’
They smiled at one another with joy and high-fived and slapped backs as the airlock hissed open.
‘My astronauts know in the back of their minds that only those ‘deemed sound in body and mind by Zec-C’ will be allowed back into the starship after the rigours of cryo-hibernation.’
Chapter 15
Message from Mars
‘During the starship’s half-light speed journey, the dome is maintained in full red emergency mode and remains so during controlled deceleration by Zec-C. The nuclear power source is shut down and tiny amounts of reverse thrust are applied over a 3 month period to reduce the speed of LifeSeeker-1 to its new velocity of 150,000 kilometres per hour – a mere sloth when compared to its 20 year journey at 150,000 kilometres per second!’
The astronauts sat in their command seats in front of the blackened dome. Their excitement could not be contained as they continued to stare at one another in amazement.
‘We haven’t aged a bit, I can’t believe it!’ Olivia said, ‘Martha, if you could bottle this as an anti-ageing treatment it would be worth billions!’
‘Trouble is it cost trillions to produce!’ Martha replied with a grin.
‘Attention astronauts! I have three things to show you.’
A large section of the black dome coloured in front of the expectant crew and the shape of the fully completed LifeSeeker-2 dominated their view.
‘Five years ago, I received confirmation that LifeSeeker-2 had departed on its journey to Seren.’
The astronauts cheered and clapped at this news.
‘And I can confirm that all 21 astronauts are safely in cryo–hibernation and travelling at half the speed of light.’
Their eyes moved to a smaller screen and the General’s face appeared.
‘If Zec-C is showing you this, then I thank God that you have arrived at your star and safely emerged from cryo–hibernation. It will be another 15 years before I know this, provided I live that long! You are nearly there and Zec-C has shown you LifeSeeker-2 which is on its way to join you.
‘Now you are on your own and you can hardly ring mission control for help or advice! Who knows what you will find at Cloud Planet. You will, undoubtedly, have to take some key decisions; some may be difficult, unpleasant or even frightening. I agreed with Commander AJ before you left that
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