The Andromedan Saga (Among the Stars Book 1)

by C. O. Amal

  “How long did you take your job as an astrophysicist?” Samson asked Jenny.

  “Oh! This my fifth year as an astrophysicist.” Jenny answered blushed. “So how long were you in military?” Jenny asked.

  “It’s my fifth year in military.” Samson said.

  “And were you in any missions like this before?” Jenny asked.

  “No. This is our first mission.” Samson said.

  “But defence minister said you guys are the elite group?” Jenny asked confused.

  “Yes we are. We have training in the field like no other one has. Every time we asked for a mission they said we are for elite operations and our time hasn’t come yet.” Samson said.

  “But now you have a mission.” Jenny said.

  “Yes. And we are happy about it.” Samson said.

  “So how are you going to protect when those hellish dogs return?” Jenny asked playfully.

  “We have the advanced weapons that no one have used before. If those dogs return I will make sure they won’t touch you.” Samson said smiling.

  Samson and Jenny walked together to the cryogenic compartment. Other soldiers looked at them and began to say comments. Samson and Jenny smiled at them.

  “So how did you feel when you found out we aren’t alone and that there are other humans in another planet?” Samson asked Jenny.

  “First it was excitement. The discovery of the century or something like that! Then when I saw what those dogs did to those men it was fear. From what I heard those dogs are trained to hunt humans.” Jenny said.

  “What? Trained to hunt? So there is an involvement of another species?” Samson questioned.

  “That’s what we think. There must be an advanced civilization. And they may be hunting humans.” Jenny said.

  “That means we may also be in danger.” Samson said.

  “May be, may be not, there is only one way to find out. We must reach the Green planet.” Jenny said.

  “What do you think we will find there?” Samson said.

  “It’s a planet that support life. We researchers are looking for a place to experiment. And we got one. There will be thousands or millions of verity of species, which are waiting for us to examine. As an astrophysicist our job is to find out how come that planet came to support life.” Jenny said.

  “So this isn’t after all a rescue mission?” Samson asked.

  “Our first priority is to study the planet. Search and rescue comes later. As soldiers your duty is to protect us from wild life and from those hellish dogs.” Jenny said.

  “What if the people who responsible for the human massacre is colonists? And what if they were the only thing living there by the time we reach there?” Samson asked.

  “We didn’t think of that possibility!” Jenny said.

  “So there are lot of possibilities you haven’t think about?” Samson said.

  “Who do you think us? We are humans too. Not some advanced creatures who doesn’t make mistakes. There will be trials and errors. It is from that we learn.” Jenny said loudly.

  “I meant nothing. No need to be furious. Just asking questions that’s all.” Samson said.

  “I am sorry if I acted rude.” Jenny said.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Samson said.

  Finally they reached the end row of the cryogenic compartment. They slowly began to undress and opened the cryogenic chamber. Samson and Jenny took positions beside each other. They entered their own compartments and rested. The door automatically closed.

  ***

  “Captain, how long will it take to reach near mars?” Thomas asked Captain Steven.

  “It would take about two months at this speed.” Steven said.

  “And how do we know when we reach there?” Thomas asked.

  “Don’t worry about it. The ship is fully automated. The cryogenic compartment will open when the ship detect mars.” Steven said.

  “Ok then see you after two months.” Thomas left captain.

  Captain have a cryogenic chamber in his room. So the first one to wake will be the captain. Captain went to his room. The ship glided through the space at blazing speed.

  Chapter 8

  Near Mars

  The ship reached near mars. Mars can be seen as tiny red sphere through the ship. Captain Steven was the first one to wake. He commandeered the ship and the ship entered to Mars’s orbit. Everyone were awaken at this time. All the passengers watched mars with hungry eyes through the window.

  “People, we are going to sling shot our ship through Mars’s orbit before the wormhole travel so everyone please put on your seat belts and brace yourself.” Steven said through the mic.

  The ship gradually increased its speed. Ship began to orbit mars in high velocity.

  “Ejecting in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 safely ejected from Mars’s orbit” Captain said.

  The ship attained greater momentum and began to glide through the space at blazing speed.

  “Activating electromagnetic ring in 3, 2, 1, 0… safely activated electromagnetic ring.” Steven said.

  At this time a blue light ring appeared in front of the ship. Every one watched the scene with wonder.

  “Opening space tunnel in 4, 3, 2, 1, 0” Captain said.

  The blue light began to circle around the ship and there it is, the wormhole. Dark as night, the wormhole is appeared in front of the ship. The ship entered inside the wormhole and it travelled in blazing speed.

  Inside the space tunnel was numerous light sources. The entire tunnel seemed to be filled with tiny stars. After an hour of journey through the space tunnel they reached the end of the tunnel. The ship ejected out of the tunnel with enormous velocity. Captain struggled to steady the ship. In front of the ship was utter blackness and tiny stars can be seen in the distant space. The ship passed a cluster of stars on the way.

  “We are directly at the center of the Andromeda galaxy.” Steven said.

  “Josh, decrease the speed by 20 percent.” Captain said to the pilot on the right side of the ship.

  “Decreasing speed by 20 percent in 3, 2, 1, 0 speed decreased.” Josh said.

  Thomas came inside the control room and stood beside captain.

  “What is our exact location?” Thomas asked the captain.

  “We are near Rodent system. About 100 light years away from Green planet.” Captain said.

  “So do we have to sleep again?” Thomas asked.

  “Yes, that’s exactly the point. You must be starving now, right?” Captain said.

  “You read my mind.” Thomas said.

  Captain took the mic in his hand and said “People you must be starving now after the two months journey. Go to level four for food and drink and after that gather at level two. I have very important matter to discuss.

  ***

  Jenny and Samson walked side by side to level four.

  “So how was the sleep?” Samson broke the silence.

  “It was fine. No dreams. No nightmares. I have rested too much I think.” Jenny said.

  “I get it.” Samson said. “Did you watch the scenery after we got out of the wormhole, the cluster of stars we have passed?”

  “Yes I did saw it. It was mind blowing.” Jenny said.

  They finally reached level four. They took the plate from the far corner and stood in line.

  “I can’t wait to taste food.” Samson said to Jenny.

  “Me too. I am starving.” Jenny said.

  They finally got some nutritious food and orange juice. They eat together.

  “This is delicious. This must be the most delicious thing I have eaten in my entire life.” Jenny said.

  “Your right. This indeed is delicious.” Samson said.

  Jenny smiled at his comment.

  ***

  Doctor Graham paced towards Thomas who was eating food near one of the windows.

  “It’s a spectacular scenery from here.” Graham said while walking toward Thomas.

  “Yes, indeed it is spectacular.”
Thomas said.

  “Do you realize that we are the first to arrive at Andromeda galaxy from Earth? No other research teams have wandered too much away from our solar system.” Graham said.

  Thomas smiled at his comment.

  “I hate to ask you this. But do you have anything to smoke? I am feeling cold.” Thomas asked.

  “I am sorry I don’t smoke.” Graham said.

  “Oh! Don’t worry about it. I was just asking to someone I know.” Thomas said.

  Once everyone have eaten, one by one they start to move toward level two. At the time everyone reached level two, captain was already there doing something on his tablet computer.

  “Thank you for coming on such a short notice.” Captain said. “You may be wondering how close we are from planet Green and when we will reach there. I called this meeting to discuss such things with you.” Captain took deep breath. “We are about hundred light years away from the Green planet. We have travelled about two point five million light years to reach here in this Andromeda galaxy from Earth. We will reach our destination in about eight months’ time.”

  “Do we have to sleep again?” Samson asked the captain.

  “Yes. And since you all are refreshed please return to the cryogenic compartment and rest. The ship will wake us when we reach the Green planet. I have already set course for Green planet.” Captain said.

  People then began to thin out. Everyone were leaving the level two to the cryogenic compartment on level five.

  Chapter 9

  Near HB-49, AKA Green planet

  Captain woke and walked to the bathroom in his room for a shower. After the shower he wore new set of cloths. Above it he wore his jacket which is embroidered with stars indicating his position as captain. Steven walked to the control room. Both the pilots were already there. The ship is halted about 40,000 miles away from the Green planet. The planet can be seen as a Green sphere through ship’s front window.

  “The ship have entered the Rodent system two months ago.” Josh said to captain.

  “Ship’s log also indicate that it detected four other planet similar to the HB-49.” The other pilot said.

  “So how many planets are there in this system.” Captain asked.

  “Including our Green planet, this Rodent system have six planets all orbiting around a star similar to our solar system. This is a smaller system.” Josh said.

  The Green planet AKA HB-49 have two moons. One is yellow in colour other one is blue.

  “Ship’s planetary detection system indicate that the Green planet is similar to our earth. And in fact it can be seen as green coloured planet only from large distances.” Josh said.

  “Are there any artificial satellites orbiting this planet?” Captain asked.

  “We have detected none of that.” The other pilot said.

  “We will proceed to approach the Green planet when all our passengers are ready.” Captain said.

  Both pilots nodded. Captain walked out of the control room toward level four. At the time he reached there everyone was already there eating and drinking. Captain joined them. Captain sit beside Thomas.

  “So captain, are we there yet? It seems that the ship have stopped.” Thomas asked.

  “We are forty thousand miles away from our destination.” Steven answered. “We have halted the ship to make sure there is no artificial defence mechanism for that planet. We also need to make sure everyone in this ship is well fed and ready to take on their jobs.”

  “Well, it looks like everybody is ready.” Thomas said while swallowing his food.

  “We haven’t detected any artificial satellites yet. So we will continue our journey toward the Green planet soon.” Captain said.

  After finished eating captain washed away the remnants of the food from his face. He then walked toward the mic in the room. He took the mic and attracted everyone’s attention.

  “People, I am happy to announce that we are forty thousand miles away from our destination and in few hours we will reach there.” You can see the Green planet as a green sphere through your window from here.” Captain said.

  Everyone all at once went near the window to see what captain had said. They saw the Green sphere floating in the everlasting darkness. The host star can also be seen.

  “Soldiers, I want you to prepare yourself, be armed and ready for anything unexpected.” Captain Steven said.

  Soldiers at once shifted their gaze to captain from the window.

  “Be aware that Sergeant Samson will be the one who will be leading you.” Steven said to soldiers. “Researches must always stick together with the soldiers. We can’t afford to take any chances.” Captain finished.

  Sergeant Samson came forward and took the place of captain. He accepted the mic from captain’s hand.

  “All soldiers must divide in to five groups each containing ten members. Military vehicles are inside the ship’s hangar. Ten soldiers are for five researchers. The number may vary depending on the number of passengers. Finally everyone must stick together. Researchers never ever are allowed to leave the protection of the soldiers. Is that understood?” Samson said.

  All at once said “Yes!”

  Captain returned to the control room. Pilots were waiting for captain’s orders.

  “Josh, start the engines.” Steven said.

  “Engines will start in 3, 2, 1, 0… engines have started.” Josh said.

  “Accelerate toward the Green planet.” Captain said.

  Josh type in the commands and the ship start to accelerate toward the Green planet. Ships control panel lit up and it showed the ship’s current course. Green planet is displayed in the center of the screen. The Green planet is not Green after all. It is similar to earth. Green planet’s size appeared to increase relative to the ships movement.

  “Release research pods to both of the moons.” Captain said.

  “Releasing research pods in 3, 2, 1, 0 research pods released.” Josh said.

  Research pods are automated machines which detect presence of life and analyse it. They are also capable of analysing soil. They contain tiny robots inside them too, which are released to the surface of a planet to analyse the surface thoroughly. Josh commandeered the pods to respective moons. One of the pod is also released to planet Green. Three pods cut though the space with blazing speed.

  “Pods are on the surface.” Josh said.

  The pods began to search the planet’s surface. Captain and two pilots and Thomas, who came to the control room after pods were released, watched the pod movement with patient eyes.

  “Pod one and two detected no life forms.” Josh announced.

  “What about pod 3?” Steven asked.

  “It seems that pod 3 detected some kind of life form!” Josh said with excitement.

  Thomas watched the whole commotion patiently and with wonder. Pod 3 was landed on planet Green. Josh typed in the command and then suddenly location of three pods came up in the control panel.

  “Switch on the video mode.” Captain said.

  Josh masterly typed in the commands in his computer. Quickly pod 3 began to show live images. The place where pod 3 has landed is filled with houses. And in front of the pod was a monkey-human hybrid. The green light on the pods sensor began to beep indicating the presence of life form.

  Chapter 10

  Planet Green’s Orbit, 2075 A.D.

  “Deploy Nano robots from pod three.” Captain said.

  “One, two, Nano robots released.” Josh said. “Analysis begin in three, two, one, zero, analysis started.”

  The Nano robots entered to the human-ape’s body and began to analyse the first life form encountered on the Green planet.

  “DNA sample obtained and analysed. It indicate that, that creature belongs to the family of monkeys.” Josh said smiling.

  “We also are part of the primates group.” Captain said.

  Doctor graham came to the control room. He watched the creature with wonder.

  “We may need to get clos
er to analyse it completely.” Graham said.

  “We will get closer doctor, but first we need to make sure our safety. Based on Thomas said there are other species out there in this planet who are trained to hunt humans. So safety comes first.” Captain said seriously.