<>||CHAPTER 1||<>
She is coming.
Are you sure?
Captain, I control this spacecraft. Who would know better than me?
Where is she now?
She is in the corridor. She will get here in 3 minutes 24 seconds 35 microseconds...
TOA please, I am not a machine ok! My brain can't function such tiny measures that well. Just tell me when she is about to open the shuttle. Damn! I'll die out of anticipation!
Captain, I'll count that too in nano, pico...
TOA I said enough!
You are not a machine but I am! I am programmed this way! You can't blame me! I am programmed to count from the highest level to the lowest one including huge to tiny numbers.
Ok ok got it TOA. Just inform me in those nano, pico and whatever.
Oh! There is 2 seconds 24 microseconds 34 nanoseconds 45 picoseconds for her to enter!
Just as TOA spoke up, Arjun heard the sound of the shuttle opening. Arjun turned around to greet a smiling Radhika
Ra: Captain.
Ar: Radhika.
They stared at each other and then suddenly TOA spoke up again
It's been 5 minutes 15 seconds 26 microseconds 32 nanoseconds 43 picoseconds since you two have been playing the 'stare game'.
Radhika looked away in embarrassment while her cheeks became red because of her heavy blush. Arjun felt like breaking TOA into pieces. Why always interrupting? Arjun tried to make Radhika comfortable as he gave a small laugh
Ar: Machines you know! It's just umm...well, forget it. Anything you wanted to discuss Radhika?
Ra: Captain, I was just doing the the last minute checking.
Ar: And?
Ra: We are ready Captain. I was just thinking that you take a round trip and confirm the final settings.
Ar: That's pretty well Radhika. Let's go.
They walked through the corridor towards the end of it and reached another shuttle which led to the centre of Omnion. As Radhika led the path, they resumed their conversation. The strong and compact metallic walls reflecting light and echoing their voices as they wandered through the round shaped platform
Ra: I have checked the machineries and fuel. Our two fuel tanks are full and we have an extra one that will carry some more gallons in case of emergency. Omnion's system is checked and she is completely fine and stable.
Ar: What about armory? I mean you know in case of...
Ra: That part is also taken care of Captain. We have EU-mod missiles and it is the most powerful in it's class. And it is the latest model.
Ar: That is good and umm...the risks and safety...
Ra: Captain, I know you are worried. But have faith. Omnion is the most advanced spacecraft and it is designed to face any odds of the space. We have calculated risks.
Ar: And that is the least we have to take for a mission.
Ra: Yes.
Ar: Thank you Radhika. Well done indeed. Your dedication and sincerity surprises me sometimes. The way you handle Omnion is just amazing. It shows how much you care for her.
Ra: We all care for her Captain. After all Omnion is our home.
Ar: That she surely is. That is an undeniable truth. Well, I guess it's time for a meeting before we start our journey. Please join the meeting in ten minutes. I'll see you then.
Ra: Sure Captain.
They again were lost in each others eyes smiling ever so lovingly. Without breaking the gaze Radhika nodded and started for the main system chamber. Arjun kept on staring until she vanished in the corridor
TOA: Captain, may I ask you something?
Ar: My goodness! Our super intelligent super computer is asking for permission! TOA, were you even programmed with manners?
TOA: In some parts, you are right Captain. I have been programmed to ask permissions, to thank, to...
Ar: Ok ok TOA, got it. I don't want to know the list of manners you know. What do you want to ask?
TOA: Why don't you tell her?
Ar: Tell her what?
TOA: That you like her.
Ar: Well, I don't only like her TOA. I love her.
TOA: Then why don't you tell her?
Ar: It's not that easy TOA the way you think it is. You won't understand so just let it be.
TOA: What's hard in telling mere words?
Ar: You won't understand TOA.
TOA: Why?
Ar: Because you are a machine. You don't have emotions. It's nothing for you to say anything. But sometimes it is very difficult for us to utter mere words. It's because we are driven by emotions and you are not.
TOA: I have been programmed with...
Ar: They are not emotions TOA. Emotions are something that cannot be programmed. Emotions are the gift of nature that is given by God. It is something that humans can never create; something that is beyond our power. Well, now please TOA it's time for the meeting. Make
an announcement of the conference.
TOA: Affirmative Captain.
Ar: Good.
Arjun folded his hands standing straight at the edge of the huge round floating conference table. Everyone became silent by his very known gesture as it was a signal that he was going to start talking.
Ar: Please be seated. As it is known to everyone that we are fully prepared for our new mission, so it's time to start our journey for the new dimension. Does anyone have anything to say regarding the mission?
Arjun paused for a while as his gaze travelled around the table
Ar: Well, I assume not.
Alpha-Prime: And so now our Captain is going to start his frequent orders.
Dr. Suresh laughed out and then stopped abruptly getting the strong glare from Dr. Zaslavski. Arjun suppressed his laugh and not breaking the serious expression on his face, spoke up
Ar: Alpha, discuss with Dr. Zaslavski about the situations that may occur cause we'll need your help mostly in inspection. Dr. Zaslavski, please prepare and check the arrangements for the experiments sir. Dr. Chakrabarty, as Dr. Zaslavski will be busy handling the arrangements and instructing Alpha; you are ordered to do the preliminary experiments so Dr. Zaslavski can later continue the major ones. Miss Mishra, as the final checking is done, prepare your team for the functioning of the machineries. And Miss Gordon, you are ordered to take care of the minor factors which Miss Mishra won't get time to check.
Arjun took in a long breath as he finished. He again took glance of his major crew members
Ar: So, the primary meeting ends here. We'll have another conference as soon as we reach Genevon; to discuss further plans. Till then, good luck and all the best with your jobs.
Everyone got up in a swift move and prepared to leave for their destination
Ar: Hey, wait a minute. Where are you going?
Everyone looked at Arjun confused and all at once muttered "Captain?"
Ar: Meeting is over. That means for now I am not the bossy Captain anymore, just Arjun. And I guess we forgot a very important thing...
Arjun chuckled as everyone frowned
Ar: TOA...
TOA: Yes Captain!
Ar: Please proceed.
TOA: Sure!
The wall on one side partially slided upwards with a click revealing a small chamber. A tray came out
with a champagne and a set of flute glasses. Arjun took the bottle and filling glasses for everyone, requested them to join. When all raised their respective glasses, Arjun gave a bright smile
Ar: A toast, to our future success of mission Genevon. Cheers!
All shouted in amusement "Cheers!"
All that was heard afterwards was their happy laugh and the sweet sound of glass's slight contact. They cherished the moment of their celebration not knowing that they were celebrating the beginning of a
soon to be disaster.
~Quote of the day~
" Emotions are the gift of nature that is given by God. It is something that humans can never create; something that is beyond our power." - Arjun Mehra (Captain of Omnion)
TBC>>>
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