The Avalon - Chapter 3 & 4

CHAPTER 3: LABYRINTH

12:46 hours, 490th Mission Day

Mankind colonized Mars and the moon by the end of the 21st century. It was regarded as the pinnacle of human civilization like all the previous milestones before that. The urge to explore and expand is the fundamental purpose of any civilization, one way or another. We are social creatures, always have been, and we depend on culture for survival. And what better culture than space itself? Since Prime year 2075, we have expanded and almost doubled our database of available knowledge about our Universe and its mysteries. Our robots have traveled far beyond the Kuiper Belt objects and into the Oort cloud of icy bodies and probes have crossed our interstellar space and navigating towards Andromeda. Millions of new galaxies have been discovered since then with trillions of planets, some theorized to sustain civilizations. Running theories and analyzing data place us--humans-- as the most sophisticated galactic species alive right now, mainly because of the lack of definite proof of living complex lifeforms beyond Earth Prime and its colonies. One of the five priorities of the Avalon crew is to gather proof of life beneath the icy sub-terrain of Europa.

“Hey, look who Father dragged in! Welcome back to the Lab hotshot,” Tim was wearing his neurolink and examining samples assigned to him by mission control.

“What's up people?” I returned the formalities as I floated in. It was indeed good to be up and functional again. The Lab seems as busy as ever. I knew I had a long day ahead of me.

“For the 1000th time, It’s not your father man, just an A.I.” Lee grunted away without looking up. As usual she was busy with her robotics. The woman had the concentration of a Jedi with a pair of eyes behind her head. “How are you feeling Vik? Commander was asking for you.”

“Much better. Thanks Hana! I didn’t see her today.”

“I guess she went for her bogus break. The woman loves her old-school cooking.”

“Bogus time already?” I looked at Lee for an explanation but all I got was a slight tilt of her head, which I thought was a nod or maybe I dreamt it. “Well, I don’t blame her. The printed carbs taste like rubber.”

“Add some hot sauce, my secret . And you know why I call Chris my father, he helps me get my shit done just like my old man. Heck he even sings for me,” Tim whispered. “I heard that and you are welcome my son,” came the Freeman voice. “Haah!! At Least it has some humor” Lee finally looked up.

“I’ll catch you guys in a bit, lemme go find Angela first. Haven’t spoken to her properly since I woke up.”

“Later” waved Tim. And no reply from Lee. Typical Lee. Give her a space filled with tools and scrap and put some loud music on, she is wired like any teenager playing video game in his den, never to see sunshine ever again. Then again, it’s been over a year since I saw the sun shine. Hana Lee is our onboard robotics expert and technician. She was a child prodigy working on the colony constructions and blueprints at the age of 15 and flew missions as young as 24. There used to be a time when you could only become an astronaut and get picked for training beyond your reproductive age due to the danger of cosmic radiation in space. Today there is no prime age to be in space. A quarter of our population will be space borne by the end of this decade. More and more people are willing to migrate to the colonies in search of better paying jobs. Timothy Miller is the Avalon’s payload specialist and a geophysicist. Apart from applying his brilliant mind to marine geology and calamity science, he loves to theorize stupid fictional scenarios from our daily conversations or map specific charts and graphs of how things disappear aboard the Avalon. He can very well talk you into suicide and you will thank him for it. Throw him into a funeral and soon enough you will get a Hollywood party. Back in the days, NASA used to struggle with Human interactions aboard the space shuttles. After a month or two, people used to avoid facing each other because of the lack of conversations and boredom of seeing the same face day in and day out. I swear I would have gone mad of isolation inside such a chamber. But with Tim, WAF got one thing right, for good or worse, running out on conversations is off the table. How Tim and Lee put up with each other is still a mystery to me.

Two nodes down the Eon Lab is the Galley or the Cygnus module. It’s where we store our food, print it or in rare cases, prepare it. Bogus meals are allowed once a week or once every two weeks depending on our health monitoring. I being the unlucky one right now, having just woken up, my next bogus will be 2 months from now. Floating in micro-gravity is effortless otherwise, but I still feel the weight loss. Avoiding proper dietary schedules could have devastating results in the near future. I feel pity for Chad who is deep in dream right now. When he wakes up, we would already be in the Cis-Juniper space, right outside Jupiter. And his expertise would be needed soon after. Chad, as cocky as he is, comes from a medical profession. The guy knows more about the human anatomy and biotronik enhancements than any on the planet. Hell, he is a living cyborg himself with some mechanized ribs, torso and an arm - replacements for the invaluable parts he lost to a sabotaged army mission. In a weird way, he is more connected to Christopher than any of us. On the bright side, less bone mass to lose to gravity.

As I was about to enter the galley, my neurolink warned me of an imminent threat. And this threat took the shape of a space-puck. Normally things just float around here but the puck had its own mini-propulsion jets. The game was on and the commander was leading 46 to 28.

“What!! You guys are already down 4 sets and how come I never got to know?”

“Hey Vik, come join u-”

Thud! “Oou. . that hurt!” I forgot about the returning puck and it bounced off my head.

“Oh you poor thing, did it hurt?” Angela didn’t wait for a reply. “I am sorry. Guess I don’t know my own strength!”

“Yeah, yeah. Showoff,” Lucian looked puffy faced with defeat written all over it and now staring at the space board in disbelief.

“‘I’m okay but aren’t the games reserved for the evening? Not fair!”

“Well, yes, but I couldn’t let go of a sexist challenge thrown my way you know. The honor of Elysia was at stake!” Angela gave a satisfyingly taunting look towards Lucian. Fair enough, if there is one predictable thing about Commander Angela Neumann Elysian, it would be her undying love for her Colony. She is one of the first generation sapiens born in the lunar colony sector of Elysia, and hence the name.  

“Fair enough, but you are playing me later. Let’s see how you fair against a 5 time Space Hockey champion.”

“Ooou was that another challenge? Bet ready to get your ass kicked Mr. Verma. Speaking of getting ass kicked, I need you to collaborate with Lucy here for another EVA. Chris is getting the scheduling ready and equipment checked as we speak,”

“Again? Didn’t we get the thermal shielding fixed when we left Mars?” I was reluctant to do an EVA again, probably too soon after my interdream. But I am the most qualified person to do one after Lucian.

“It’s the Centrifuge struct,” said Angela, “It’s been giving us problems in the Skylon Lab module for the last 4 weeks. Gravity fluctuations.”

“Yeah, first we thought they were anomalies from cosmic radiations, but then it started affecting the experiments,” said Lucian still fixated on the Space board. “Even the exposed lab was no exception. It’s been tampering with the Vacuum Prints.”

“I see. What’s the approximate time frame?”

“Scheduling and plans will be complete by tomorrow at 13:00 Hrs”, Angela explained while putting the pucks away and folding the table, “You have the freedom to schedule your work time, incorporating 2 hour simulation sessions daily for the next 3 weeks, starting Mission day 492, and program your bot according to your needs. Chris will schedule and sync your work slot with Hana’s by mission day 510. Final simulations and score monitoring will take place from mission day 525 through 540. Chris, what is the projected time frame of the next scheduled EVA?”

“4 hours and 39 minutes approximately under efficiency rate of 65% - set from the monitoring of the last EVA on mission day 346.” Christopher promptly replied.

“Change the efficiency index to 55% for preliminary simulations.” Angela said after looking at how I was clutching the high rails for additional support.

“Efficiency index changed to 55%, new projected time frame of EVA- 5 hours and 40 minutes approx.” said the A.I.

“I am fine, I can handle myself.”

“We'll see. Simulations, tomorrow. And I expect you both in there by evening.”

“Yes Ma’am” I responded before I watched her float away into the Instrument Bay.

“She appears quite bossy today, no?” Lucian remarked while trying to grab a printed sandwich.

“How come you lost all 4 rounds to her?” I was curious.

“Shut up! I am not talking” Lucian floated away as soon as possible.

CHAPTER 4: E.V.A

13:30 Hrs, Mission Day: 541

It was finally the day of the EVA. I spent the last 4 weeks sweating inside the simulator trying hard to prove to Angela that I can do it. Chris controls the conditions inside the simulator to perfectly represent the outer space environment. The first 2 weeks, I did my practice at night, usually that’s when I retain my full productivity. Chris had scheduled specifically my part in the process and I could practice on my own. Angela never stopped to push me to do better, when it comes to getting work done, she can be an efficient task-master and a resourceful motivator. No wonder she is one of the youngest mission commander we’ve ever had. Also an excellent judge of character and strength. The first week my efficiency index was as low as 38%, lower than what she estimated. I would get lecture sessions every morning. But I improved gradually to 59% by the end of week 3.  

Back in the days, Astronauts used to conduct EVA’s or spacewalks as they used to call it quite frequently, especially to maintain the ISS, the aluminum tin from the 20th century that I mentioned earlier.. It was much riskier considering the Jurassic suits they used to wear in space and their limited movements. It used to take them 4 long hours to just wear the clunky suit and then go over all the safety checks manually. This included a hundred and fifty page long check list of micro adjustments and their functioning. If that was not enough, they had even more clunkier tools to operate outside the station and to work with. Like it or not, it was one of the most uncomfortable thing you would ever put on. Comparatively, today’s suits are more like bio-costumes merged with smart sensors and robotics and always connected to the mainframe and Christopher. They are light and the least clunky body-hugging jumpsuits. Bio-suit manufacturing is it’s own enterprise with private entities and fashion mega brands competing for total monogamy over its manufacture. But one thing that remains unchanged is that EVA’s are always done in pairs of two. The most tiresome part of doing an EVA is not the task itself but the fact that you need to coordinate your efficiency and movements with another. Being from totally different backgrounds and having had varied experiences, it remains significantly difficult to achieve. But as the final line of safety, if one experiences a technical difficulty or suit malfunction, the other astronaut is always there and readily available to help. Today, EVA’s are robonaut assisted and you control your bot via the neurolink. They do 70% of the heavy lifting and humans are there to micromanage, control and help, if needed.

Talking of coordination, I have been doing synchronizing runs with Lucian for the past 3 weeks. We both got our bot customized and designed by Hana. She does a good job at customizing scraps. The last EVA bot was a wreck after 8 long hours of Radiation exposure. Even though the Avalon’s shields reflect almost 95% of the rays, 5% is enough to do considerable damage over the run.

“You ready boys?” Angela asked as soon as she entered the Airlock equipment chamber. Me and Lucian were already suited up before hand. I like being in Bio suits inside the station. It's much more comfortable and soothing inside. The exo-suits are kept ready 24/7, up and running in case of any severe emergency. Nano-tech grew by the end of the 21st century to become the miracle it is today. All monitoring systems of the age-old technology could be incorporated within a square inch of the suits with regulated air and pressure and temperature maintained and monitored by Chris all the time. But still, nothing is invincible. Humans make mistake and so does their tech.

“Yes, almost. Chris is running the checklist now” Lucian responded. He already had his helmet on and was syncing his neurolink to his bot.

“Almost done commander.” I need to neuroconnect with my bot and Chris has to run the checklist and make sure everything is perfect.

“Hana, are the bot-codes verified?”

“Yes ma’am, up and running. Triple checking the codes right now.

“Tim, I need you at the inside monitors and hands on the robotic station. If Lucian needs help, you can operate the Arm within the limits of the external shields. Get Christopher to verify and maintain the altitudes and coordinates if needed.”

“Aye aye captain. Heading to the Eon Lab right now.” came Tim’s response on the neuro comms.

“Commander, we are approaching the asteroid reservoirs. It’s now or never.” Hana said watching the overhead mission monitors. Indeed she was right, we were less than hours away from the first impact zone of the asteroid fields. You see, back in the days passing through the asteroid belt was a piece of cake. Coming in contact or bumping into one was an insignificant probability of one in a millionth. Space was huge and Yes, they are very densely populated by the standards of space, but that still meant you’ll have half kilometer-sized rocks flying hundreds of thousands of kilometers apart. But today, well thanks to the extensive mining of the Asteroids for resources, there is debris floating in the belt which is totally unpredictable. Doing an EVA inside the reservoir is as good as suicide. I told you, Exo-suits have their limit. They could ward off cosmic radiations but protection against celestial debris? Not a chance.

“All right crew, final checks in one hour and counting. Let’s do this” One could tell when Angela is stressed out. Her crew is her responsibility at the end of the day and any mission is only as successful as their commander to some extent.

18:30 hours

It's been almost 4 hours now, me and Lucian being outside the Avalon. Christopher had slowed down the main propulsion engines to reduce the drag and to give us some extra stability. Lucian was working on the north circum-tower of the centrifuge and I was stationed on the east. We figured out it was gaining cosmic particle drag over time as the shields of the Avalon had been fluctuating over time to the end, resulting in exposure of the centrifuge while it rotates. Drag results in unpredictability of force created, resulting in the fluctuations in gravity we were experiencing.

“Damn, my bot will soon be out of juice,” came Lucian’s voice over the comms.

“What about your backup power?”

“I don’t know, my power appears to have drained somehow.” came the reply.

“Chris, what’s going on?” demanded Angela.

“It appears the cosmic fluctuations are constantly draining Mr. Lucian’s power supply. At this rate, he has only sufficient power left for 38 minutes and counting.” Chris clarified.

“What? How did this happen?” I could tell Angela was concerned.

“Do you want me to cover you buddy?” My bot still had enough to go over an hour and we are almost done.

“No Vik, if you get here the fluctuations will drain your power too. And moreover, the stupid bot just slows me down sometimes.”

“Lucian, you have 40 more minutes of work to be done in order. Let Vikram help you.” sounded the commander.

“I am fine Angela, let Vik return and rest, he needs it. I will be done in 30, promise.”

“You know I cannot do that Lucy, EVA requires two people, mandatory at all times.”

“And I am not leaving you behind buddy.” I whispered.

“I appreciate it pal, but there is nothing you could do. You need your bot more than me and I need you at your current post right now.”

He is right, I had my hands tied at the East corner. It is a two man job and I am not qualified to work without the bot assistance for this mission.

“I could help you recharge its batteries while you work Lucian, it has ceramic radiation absorbers installed in as a backup.” came Hana’s voice.

“Alright, I am listening. How?”

“I can guide you through it over the link but you need to take it outside the Ship’s active external shields for it to work.”

“Commander?” Lucian waited for approval.

“It is too risky Hana, there will be significant chances of direct exposure.”

“It’s seems the only way, look at his power reading! They are decreasing even more rapidly as we speak.”

True enough, the north side of the centrifuge showed tremendous gravity and radiation fluctuations which the system never could have predicted.

“All right Lucian, Are you sure of this?”

“I can do it. Permission to unbuckle the safety harness and switch on navigation jets Commander?”

“Alright Lucian, go ahead.”

I saw Lucian unbuckle himself from the harness that secured him in place tightly to the Avalon’s external centrifuge struct and proceed to the edge of ship’s external shielding force, invisible to the human eye. Beyond that is unpredictable space, dangerous and restricted as per mission commandments.

Hana guided Lucian to take out the ceramic power supply rechargeable unit from the bot and carry it to the edge, while the bot held the welded struct firmly secured. Lucian pushed the unit outside the shielding and waited while it charged. Even though the unit was pulled out, it could still power the bot wirelessly if switched on.

“I think it's fully charged Hana.” came Lucian’s stress free tone after a few minutes. I was almost ready to wrap up by then.

“Good going buddy, few minutes more”.

“Looks good Lucian, system shows full charge and ready to go.”

“Alright dear bot, here comes more power for you. Bon Appetite.”

“Lucian WAIT!!!! there could be -”

Before Hana could complete her sentence, Lucian reconnected the power to the bot wirelessly. Sparks came flying from the bot due to a massive power surge and the bot went offline. The struct came undone and swung to the left, breaking off from the welded point.

“VIKRAM LOOK OUT!!!!” I heard Angela scream.

Before I could turn around, I felt a massive object crashing into me from behind and the next moment I found myself thrown outside the Avalon’s external shielding. I couldn’t make sense of anything, I was spiraling out of control. My exo-suit depressurized. It wasn’t made for usage beyond the shielding. Depressurizing doesn’t kill you as long as you have your oxygen supply. I could feel my saliva and eye fluids dry and evaporate. Vacuum does that. My head felt light. Voices muted while my head kept spinning. I felt a surge of heat on my back but my body shivered.

“Vikram come in . . VIKRAM!!!” A scream I couldn’t make sense of. It was dying off as moments passed, until I could hear nothing.

I was far outside in the dead of space. I could see the Avalon drift away from me and its main propulsion shut off. My eyes were dry like the desert. I couldn’t open them anymore.

I was lost. All alone again.