Zero Gravity
By, Deep Bora
Copyright 2010 Deep Bora
Smashwords Edition.
A science fiction ebook
This novella is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, dialogues and plot are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, companies, organizations or events is purely coincidental.
Copyright c 2010 by Deep Bora.
"All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher and the author, except where permitted by law.
Published by Deep Bora at Smashwords
Chapter One.
“I’ve been
space bound for the last twelve years."
“You look
typically like of one of those Inter-stellar investigators."
"Really?"
"Well,
uh. I thought so."
“There’s not much time remaining,
though. I have to make myself scarce and this is the right time.
Could you guide me to the nearest inter planetary hangars? Please."
His voice did not sound imploring to the ardent listener. However, a
slight whiff of imported Jupiter whisky emanated from his coat lapel
and its unusual flavor created wonders upon the latter’s
reflexes.
"You've got a few days before our cities
upon Pluto are carried underground; far under sea level. Those winds!
Even outbound travelers must take care."
The
listener obviously referred to extremely severe gale force winds that
lashed Pluto’s upper crust at a ninety earth-days time interval.
This phenomenon occurred during every alternate earth month,
coinciding with Pluto’s rising second
moon. It remained visible in the
heavenly skies for forty-five earth days.
The tipsy and
ardent listener seemed temporarily unaware that they stood adjacent
to the entrance doors of Pluto city’s inter-planetary
hangars.
December evenings and nights here resembled
Earth's climate by no close match. However, conditioned air fed the
great space
cities of Pluto--
constructed inside a mammoth
semicircular, transparent plastic-glass dome.
Its inter-planetary air conditioning machines were constantly
producing an ' artificial climate.'
Those untamed
winds!
*
The investigator was
present upon Pluto with a purpose.
Inter-planetary star field counter intelligence personnel always remained in total earth-one shape, particularly in physical health matters. He was on the verge of completing a two-month workout in an open-air gym -- located inside Earth-advanced research space laboratory, priority one. This two-month open-air agenda also involved vigorous runs in hills, mountains, and fields-- outside defined gymnasium parameters. The curriculum was inclusive at odd hours during the days and nights too. Such physical activities formed a strict discipline in determining one’s personal physique development.
Inter–planetary regulations inevitably
approved these workouts down to each minute detail.
“It
won’t be possible to determine the weeks or months you’ll be
assigned away from home planet, Earth." The
chief of inter-planetary star fields counter intelligence, commonly
termed as ipsfc Intel by its personnel, remarked
casually. They were sparring through an
invigorating and complex round of close-combat movements.
“Come
back from this onetime star-field assignment and I will teach you
secret lessons on ‘how you can keep your cool at all times’. You
may become mentally calm and alert totally; even while fighting at
close combat range."
The ipsfc Intel chief effectively managed to
avoid shortness of breath. In fact, he spoke casually while blocking
a direct toe hit aimed with deadly accuracy at the chest region above
his heart. He deflected that blow unerringly with a flat and hard
palm drive, avoiding a near fatal hit with utmost ease.
Simultaneously, the chief applied total combined force. He used the
opponent's strength from his leg muscles-- and a slight upward thrust
of his own palm. The now dangerous foot was forcibly allowed to skid
harmlessly upwards over his own head.
He stepped back
immediately.
“This is termed as a deflecting method in
close combat fighting techniques. You can never be defeated in this
game because you’re utilizing an opponent’s strength to your own
advantage. I was supposed to have closed in to counter your moves
effectively!” The chief stated.
"I know.
Nevertheless, you did not, sir. Instead, you countered my forward
applied strength and deflected my toe hit with your hand." It
was an equally poised reply. Earth command had selected the
investigator for several unmentioned reasons favoring this onetime
assignment upon Pluto Space
stations.
"Were you aware that you can also utilize
your opponents' anger one hundred percent effectively, against the
same opponent?"
"Whilst at the same time, you
can remain cool and calm internally? No sir, I did not know."
"I'll
tell you. Sure. I can teach you. Just come back from your
inter-planetary star-field duties as soon as possible. I’ve
personally forwarded your candidature to earth
command favouring this most
recent, top secret inter-planetary project."
A few days later, the inter-planetary star fields counter intelligence chief remarked in his earth-central office. The investigator was specially invited here on an official Earth level-two briefing. Its strategic location existed upon the two hundredth floor inside earth – forward research space lab.
Most authorized people sought access to the
chief’s office via an entry-exit docking area. It was situated on
the two hundred and third floor. On this occasion however, the
investigator traveled uptil the one hundredth and fortieth floor via
a super express zero gravity lift. He then decided on a swift run up
sixty floors using the wide staircase.
"Your direct
flight to Pluto star-fields’ space station is officially arranged
and scheduled for tomorrow. You’ll fly solo and land exactly one
week prior to ‘the moonrise’. Your primary starfield contact is
Pluto city’s hangar astronaut-coordinator. He takes care of all
inter-planetary incoming and outbound space traffic and trusts
nobody. Rather, he trusts only a handful of people!"
“Whom
does he take orders from, sir?"
"From you for now; rather, as soon as your
identity registers across to him."
"That wasn’t what I meant, sir."
"He
obviously accepts orders directly from me, which are immediately
counter checked by Pluto space stations deputy chief, in most cases.
They’ve been advised to check back with me and confirm genuinity."
He referred to Pluto space stations’ deputy chief of inter
planetary star fields’ counter intelligence -- a highly debated
upon and controversial individual. None except the 'upper hierarchy’
in inter-planetary governance were aware about his actual identity.
Other personnel within ipfc Intel had been advised to refrain from
investigating his whereabouts. Some said he could be traced at Earth
Stations. Others however, claimed he operated from Mars! His presence
upon Pluto remained unconfirmed till date.
His counterpart upon earth however, controlled almost all activities related with ipfc Intel upon Mars, Jupiter and Neptune space stations; and the earth stations. Various inter-related outer space and star-fields matters also came under his jurisdiction.
*
Pluto cities wore the usual starry looks--viewed on inter planetary computerized radio-light radar-telescopes-- from the second moon space station. He reviewed the planet for an umpteenth time.
About an hour later, the investigator watched Pluto moon-2 space city bright lights sparkle like distant stars in darkness. His allotted zero gravity inter planetary space ship was making a final, gradual descent from two and a half light years distance. The quick journey traversed Pluto's second moon to Pluto’s surface.
He quickly reverted his gaze from Pluto’s moon, preparing to enter a decompression chamber. This process would enable his physiological adjustment with Pluto cities’ atmosphere.
Earlier, the investigator had cancelled a
primary inter-planetary decision to land upon Pluto space city. He
opted for its second moon instead.
That exercise was aimed at shaking
off probable and unauthorized humans tracing him or his computerized
flight patterns. It happened to be an unlikely and impossible event,
yet he never committed mistakes.
Zero gravity powered
vehicles were active everywhere. He noted vast differences between
earth cities and the space colonies upon Pluto. Even the wide,
spacious gardens appeared fresh and the fragrance of flowers was
sweeter. People appeared healthier and lighter on their feet as they
walked. Evidently, that was a
resultant space
effect precipitated by lesser
gravitational pulls of the planet; as compared with higher
gravitational attraction of earth, upon humans.
The present human race living upon Pluto soils
was the one hundred and twenty fifth descendant generation.
Many
amongst them had never ever felt the need to visit earth. They knew
it was their primary home planet. Their ancestors had walked and
lived upon earth, through countless centuries. However,
for
Pluto citizens, vacations were
absolutely necessary. Certain
inter-planetary legal formalities required that Plutonians
compulsorily spend major portions of their vacations upon Earth.