“Listen, all of you,” Caleb sighed and closed the case. “This is something to be taken very seriously, but if you won't adhere, I'll be forced to do something ugly. Surely you wouldn't want your families and relatives to become my lab rats”
Dr. Glassman threw Caleb a judgemental stare, “You're going too far Caleb,”
Caleb ignored him, his gaze, fixed on the five teenagers. “Choose wisely,” said Caleb, “Would you rather save the world or watch your friends and families turn into my test subjects? The ball is in your court.”
There was no response, just hateful glares, and gritting teeth.
Caleb clicked his tongue and gave the case to one of the scientists. He plastered a small smile on his face and said “It is well. I'll take your silence as choosing option one”. He slammed his hands together, “Great choice!. Astronautics class starts now.”
The five of them were forced to take briefing on everything they needed to know about Aurora and the world outside Earth's atmosphere. In all those days, they were quarantined, learning in secret. Mark never got to see Leira once, and vice versa.
On the eighth day, they took off from the Arc Haven heading to ASA headquarters. Caleb, Dr. Glassman, and the other scientists who were mixed used masks to shield their mouths and nose from inhaling the infected air.
They reached the ASA headquarters and took an elevator down to the underground section where the hangar was situated. Clothed in sleek navy blue spacesuits adorned with the ASA logo, Mark, Chloe, Leah, Liam, and Helen stood before the Aurora ship, Muthur.
They watched in awe, their faces bathed in astonishment. The hangar walls were lined with silver panels accompanied by glowing blue lights. Muthur itself was an engineering wonder, with a glimmering hull, and angular, wing-like protrusions.
Caleb saw their stunned looks, and a proud smile appeared on his face. “Beautiful, isn't it?” He asked and moved closer to Muthur. He caressed the hull — in a disturbing way— and said, “This baby I like to call Muthur.” he smiled.
Mark looked at Caleb, unlike the rest, his eyes didn't carry the same amount of excitement. He asked, “I haven't seen my mom since; can't I at least see her before we go?” He asked
“Yeah! Me too” said Helen. The two, Helen and Mark were the only ones having a parent with them. Leah and Liam's parents were lost in space, and Chloe's father had died three years ago from being mixed.
Caleb forced a smile and pinched Mark's cheek. “Aren't you a mommy's boy?” Mark pushed his hand away, his eyes cold as ice. “Can I see her or not?”
Caleb turned around “No can do, son of Owen Rykard. Do you think your mother will sit quietly and watch you leave her like her husband did?” Caleb asked.
Mark clenched his fist. “I'm going to come back for her.” He knew Leira had suffered so much loneliness already, but he needed to do this, both for hers and the world's safety.
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As the five of them prepared to enter Muthur, Caleb made sure to recall some important wordings. “Remember, you don't have to touch or do anything, this spaceship has been programmed specifically for reaching the tenth planet.” He sighed, “It should've been used to recover your parents, but the UA virus disaster ruined everything.”
Caleb paused and then continued, “Muthur has been intelligently programmed to navigate the way all by itself, so you don't need to do anything. Weaponry and nutritional supplements are in different labeled vaults. Everything else you'll need, that is essential, is inside. Muthur can take care of every other thing ship-wise. Your mission is to infiltrate the planet, find its weakness, and prepare it for humans”
“How exactly are we supposed to do this?” Liam asked, “You want us to take down an entire planet?” It didn't make much sense to him. “How are you even sure our weapons will work on them”
Caleb's lips curled into a confident smirk “Let's be real here. We humans have been around for decades, we have only been able to evolve with time. The tenth planet appeared ten years ago, I doubt they've even made a stable society, more or less advanced technology. As for the weapons, what we have in store is capable of harming any organisms, and if Muthur’s sensors pick anything that stands as a threat, it activates defense. All you five have to do is act smart”
In an assertive stance, one hand on his hip, Mark asked “What measures are you taking so we don't end up like our parents? If we lose connection then-”
“You won't” Caleb cut in. “In all, Muthur has everything under control, but just in case of necessity, if you need to contact us here, use the RF”
Helen tilted her head “RF?”
“Yes, radio frequency communication. With that, you can reach out to us here.” Caleb clicked his tongue, “That should be all, now, get in.”
As they moved, Helen recalled and quickly asked “Wait, Mr Hemsworth, who's in charge of the mission?”
After a quick contemplation, he pointed at her “You, daughter of Hart, you're in charge”
Helen was shocked. Although she planned to ask for the role, she didn't expect it'd be given to her. She assumed it'd either be Liam or Chloe who were mature. “Me?” Helen asked, just to make sure.
Caleb nodded “Yes. Make sure this mission is a success”
Muthur's airlock slid open with a gentle hiss. Helen led the way, stepping into the cramped cylindrical chamber. The airlock’s inner door closed behind them, and the pressure equalized with a soft whoosh.
As if acknowledging their entrance, Muthur's sensors beamed, revealing the high-tech-like interior. Soft, blue-white lighting illuminated the curved corridors, lined with holographic displays and data terminals. The air around them was crisp, recycled, and faintly scented with ozone.
The five of them stared in awe.
“Welcome! Astronaut heroes” a gentle melodic voice spoke through the comms system. “Please, take a moment to acclimate your environment. Lift-off will commence shortly. In the meantime, feel free to explore and get settled. You can call me Muthur”
After a short while of gawking around, Helen said to the four, “Okay, that's enough, sit down, everyone.” Helen settled first into the central command chair.
Chloe and Mark took the first two, and Liam and Leah took the last two.
“Everyone settled?” Muthur asked,
Helen responded “Yes, Muthur,”
Her melodic voice resonating throughout the space, Muthur announced, “Well, in that case, preparing for liftoff. Gravity anchors releasing….now. Fusion drive online. Thrusters firing, 10%, 20%, 30%... T-minus 5 minutes”
Muthur's engine roared to life, vibrating the hull. Muthur's advanced gravity manipulation technology disengaged, allowing it to rise smoothly from the hangar floor.
Caleb Hemsworth and the rest below moved back, watching Muthur rise slowly into the air. He could faintly hear Muthur's countdown for takeoff. He lifted his hand in the air, saying excitedly “Take off the roof!”
The metallic ceiling above the hanger slowly opened up. Muthur lifted off the launchpad, piercing the atmosphere with a trail of fiery plasma. As the G-force pressed the five into their seats, the curve of the Earth's horizon fell away, replaced by the inky blackness of space.