Chapter Sixteen - Missing In Action

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GOD Of A Man

Eternity Versus Eternity

“While money teaches its’ value, love makes one realize it.”

Chapter Sixteen: Missing in Action

Dated: 20^th December, 2459

There would perhaps be no relationship as mutually exclusive as the one shared by money and love. Two of the most powerful influences a person can ever experience in life, both so dominantly assertive, the one under control may dare die but go against their will. Not surprising, the two never co-exist other than when it is about love for money. Much has been written and sung about a heart wronged by one and vandalized by the other, with true love triumphing greed, and greed getting the better of lust. Too little however, has been said about the inaptness of an injudicious mind and an untamed heart. These two are perhaps the only things common between greed and lust. An injudicious mind fails in apprehending a slide in morality, while an untamed heart runs amok after whatever it feels appropriate. The only thing that’s needed though, to reign in the chaos is, discipline.

But discipline itself is a non-inherent trait in any organism, and it is the environment, including the forbearers, that inculcates it in a soul born free. Whenever a person ditches love for money, it is love which makes that person realize what they have sacrificed, by amplifying the pangs of loneliness when money is aplenty but happiness is amiss. And when love is given precedence over money, the latter is vicious in imparting lessons, as it deserts the deserter when their need is dire and even love is not enough to help survive the cruel realities. Money teaches its’ value.

But there is one big difference between love and money; love, if true, never deserts, but only leaves a place empty for the loser to realize their failings. The only thing important is the time one takes to realize, for love may not desert, but it fades in colour. New Saisho is rich with professionals who love their duty more than the ones who love them. But love is never contradictory! It is all in the way one visualizes the relationship between various loves. Love for duty, for it safeguards the interests of those one loves, enhances both.

Rear Admiral had barely handed back the reins of NSS Full Bloom to Captain Bradley Connors, when a dark opening started to appear towards the stern end of the ship. There had been a fatal delay in the relay of information regarding co-ordinates to be avoided.

“What the hell is that,” Rear Admiral Guruban Ahluwalia exclaimed as Captain Bradley turned around to have a look. Nature however is ruthless!

As the hole started to enlarge and suck the mighty sea warrior in, giving a hard jerk to everyone, the emergency sirens went off. Without wasting a millisecond on the next thought to come in his mind, Rear Admiral Ahluwalia told Captain Connors, “Get your men back on the chopper and get off the ship immediately.”

“I am sorry sir,” Captain Bradley humbly replied, “But this is my ship, and I request you to leave this ship immediately, along with all the men you can.”

“This is an order soldier,” Rear Admiral roared back.

“I am sorry sir,” Captain Bradley Connors was however adamant, “I have an order in my hand which makes me the Captain of this ship. And as Captain of this ship, I request you to leave it immediately.”

“I am your senior Captain! Have you forgotten your manners?” Rear Admiral shot back again.

“Sir, rules are rules! You have to leave now,” Captain Connors was adamant.

“Very well then, here’s your next order,” Rear Admiral immediately pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and quickly fumbled on it, “This order cancels all previous orders and relieves Captain Connors of his duties aboard NSS Full Bloom permanently, and he is ordered to leave immediately.” He signed and dated the order and handed it to the Captain, ordering him, “You are ordered to leave immediately.”

“I refuse to accept this order,” Captain Connors was however insistent.

“Men, take him away,” Rear Admiral Guruban ordered the men standing behind Captain Bradley Connors, who sensed the gravity of the situation. They immediately grabbed Captain Connors and dragged him into one of the two choppers, just as the big universal hole had almost engulfed half of the ship.

“You too doctor,” Rear Admiral motioned to Doctor Xavier, who reluctantly followed, not sure what to say.

“Just tell my wife when you meet her, that I always loved her, and only her,” Rear Admiral Guruban Ahluwalia shouted at his men leaving in the chopper, “And tell my son, he makes me proud all the time.”

The two choppers lifted off the ship just in time as a giant hole engulfed the entire ship. Rear Admiral Guruban Ahluwalia however stood firm on the front deck, giving a final salute as NSS Full Bloom was sucked in completely. There were men trying to jump off the ship as it was getting sucked into the hole that had faint stars shining in its’ background, but the force of the opening sucked them all in, along with their ship and surrounding water. Strangely though, neither the men getting sucked in, nor the water, were destroyed by a pressure-less environment. It all appeared to be intact on the other side. The hole closed!

“No,” Captain Connors yelled as he watched the scene haplessly. He looked at the piece of paper with the final order from Rear Admiral Guruban Ahluwalia scribbled on it. It was a picture. He turned it around to have a look. It was a picture from the Rear Admiral’s only son’s passing out ceremony. A proud young Lieutenant at that time, Aman was flanked by a proud father on one side, his mother on the other. Captain Connors looked at Aman’s picture that appeared to glare at him out of the paper.

An idea is generally conceived with a hypothetical analysis of its success. Precautions are mostly left to be considered after the final call has been made for its’ execution. Experience however teaches an enterprising mind otherwise. Success depends upon the successful execution of the idea, which itself is determined by the perfectness of the method employed. Precautions have to be an integral component of the idea, should it be expected to succeed.

Captain Aman Ahluwalia, braving the stinging pain from the wound in his chest, was himself monitoring his ship’s advance as it approached “The Open House”.

“What’s the distance from the Open House,” Aman asked Lieutenant Schneider.

“Five nautical miles sir,” Schneider replied.

“Alpha one to alpha three, do you copy,” Aman asked Lieutenant James Michigan who was to spearhead an underwater search for a submerged nuclear submarine in a submersible craft.

“Yes sir,” Lieutenant Michigan replied.

“Once again Lieutenant, your mission is to locate a sunk nuclear submarine, belonging to one of the former nuclear powered states,” Aman reviewed the objectives of his mission, “Gain access to the vessel and locate nuclear arsenal storage, locate the control room and retrieve computer hardware for research purposes, locate fission chamber and estimate its’ size to make an assessment whether it will be retrievable.”

“Yes sir, all clear,” Lieutenant James replied.

“Remember Lieutenant, if anything goes wrong with the warhead, we will not be able to provide you back up,” Aman reminded him the cold reality.

“Sir, it would be an honor if my life is of any use to New Saisho,” James replied with pride.

“Best of luck Lieutenant, your team is clear to depart,” Aman replied.

The aura of uniform, the sense of duty, the willingness to sacrifice, everything was slowly and slowly sinking deep down into Anne’s heart, as she witnessed the action from the vantage point in the control room.

The significance of an action however, varies according to the observer. For those in the thick of things, an action is significant in relation to execution. For those observing the action from a distance, the action is important as to its’ consequences.

“Sir,” a soldier barged into Admiral Mir Abdullah’s office, panting for breath, “We’ve lost the ship.”

“Calm down soldier,” Admiral Abdullah quipped as the soldier tried to get himself together and salute his senior, “Catch your breath first and then explain what happened.”

The soldier took a few quick breaths before replying, still panting, “Sir, there was a delay in contacting NSS Full Bloom, and they happened to be at one of co-ordinates to be avoided. Now it’s gone!”

“What,” Admiral jumped out of his seat, “We’ve lost Full Bloom!” It was as if he didn’t want to believe the fact. “Captain Bradley Connors, one of our finest,” Admiral rued, “We lost one of our best men, how?”

“Sir, Captain Bradley Connors is safe,” the soldier replied, “He was discharged off his duties aboard NSS Full Bloom by Rear Admiral Ahluwalia at the last moment.”

There was a pin drop silence in the Admiral’s office. “You mean Rear Admiral,” Admiral gulped down a big lump as reality sunk in. The Admiral sunk back into his chair as the soldier held his head down in respect of the saddening situation. “How am I supposed to break this to his wife,” Admiral was at loss, “He was supposed to retire in a few weeks time.”

Loss is a very relative calculation. Every loss can be a gain in another perspective. Loss means not being able to achieve a certain goal, but the valuable lessons that are learnt while the efforts were being put in serve as a new learning, and enrich experience. Every loss prepares for a greater victory. What is needed is a willing and open mind.

“Everybody is really sad here today,” Doctor Xavier was chatting with Doctor Suzanne, as they had returned to the Egyptian shores, “Bradley is devastated and is still cursing himself for not having perished instead of his senior.”

“I can imagine,” Suzanne replied, “I never thought he would be such an emotional person.”

After a brief pause Doctor Xavier asked, “When did you leave Kuwait? And how is the research on the sample going? Did you perform any tests on it?”

“We just left in the morning,” Doctor Suzanne replied, “But there is something weird about the sample that I want to share with you.”

“Why, what happened,” Xavier asked Suzanne.

“You wouldn’t believe what I am going to tell you,” Suzanne heightened Xavier’s curiosity, “I tried to make a temporary mount of the sample’s tissue in water, and guess what happened?”

“What,” Xavier got excited.

“As I put the slide under the microscope and observed, the cells making up the organism first dissolved in water, and then the water evaporated,” Doctor Suzanne replied.

“That is strange,” Xavier too was perplexed, “Did you try something else with the sample?”

“Yes,” Suzanne replied, “Then I tried to stain the sample instead, using alcohol to dehydrate it, but the sample dissolved in alcohol as well.”

“That is so freaking intriguing,” Xavier quipped.

“Wait, that is not all,” Suzanne continued, “I then tried to put a sizeable piece of the sample in a stain, and guess what happened.”

“Don’t tell me it dissolved in the stain too,” Xavier exclaimed.

“It did,” Suzanne answered, “And evaporated, again!”

“No way,” Xavier was curious and excited to the heights by now, “What is this thing?”

“I don’t know, even I am as surprised,” Suzanne replied, “I have sent a bit of the sample for elemental and chemical examinations to both National Institute for Criminology and Forensic Science, and also to the National Chemical and Physical Examiner. Now let us see what they find out.”

“That is so very intriguing,” Xavier exclaimed, “Not to mention scary! I think the world is going to end!”

“Don’t say that, you are freaking me out,” Suzanne replied, “By the way, how is Bradley’s hand?”

Xavier heaved a deep sigh and replied, “His hand has started to heal, but there is a strange greenish tinge to it.”

Suzanne thought for a moment and then said, “I think we should ask him to come to the New Saisho hospital for a better checkup.”

“I think so too, especially after all that you mentioned about the sample today,” Xavier replied. “He was asking about you by the way,” Xavier added as a smile grew on Suzanne’s face, while Xavier’s had a strange sadness.

*************

Dear friends,

There may be no chapter from next week as something important has come up. For those of you who are familiar with my active involvement on political front, and follow my tweets on https://www.twitter.com/PeaceLoveAdvice will be aware of the fact that I have been fighting a petty issue with "Holdfast Bay Council" in the Magistrates Court Adelaide. A judgement is due for the same on November 9, 2012. Since ASAP (Always Shine Australia Party) has an item on agenda which deals with law reforms, making sure ordinary people's voice does not get lost, and justice prevails no matter what, as ASAP President, if the need be, I will be making some points in the court that might be held in contempt. Hence, I might have to court arrest, in which case I will be actively and solely involved in political matters from thereon. In such a scenario this will be the last chapter of this novel until such time when I have time to finish it.

Sincerely,

Fatal Urge Carefree Kiss "Amanpreet Singh Rai"



Chapter Fifteen - Blindside

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GOD Of A Man

Eternity Versus Eternity

“The price of ego is love, and the price of love is sacrifice.”

Chapter Fifteen: Blindside

Dated: 19^th - 20^th December, 2459

Loneliness is sought as well as dreaded. The loneliness needed for a visit to one’s own heart is sought, while the loneliness that emanates out of an empty heart is dreaded. But a heart is not always empty because it has lost all its’ love and faith, or because it is now occupied by an intense hatred. Sometimes the love in a heart can get severely constricted by a hard shell made up of a person’s ego. Too long and the love is smothered by the shell, leaving the heart empty. Ego does not ask for a price, it takes it! And by the time the individual realizes what has been given up, it is always too late.

But then, in all honest opinion, even love is not too different from ego, for love itself has never been an easy take. A queer habit of love is; it always fructifies in the most hopeless of situations. Perhaps the rebellious underlining of a relationship increases its’ romance and appeal to the heart so much, it throws away caution, logic and practicalities to wind. It is but imperative that at some stage the individual is forced into a spot where he has to choose either between love, or what stands to be lost in lieu. Love itself comes at a cost of a sacrifice. However the sacrifice for love only leaves an empty space in life, the heart still remains full of love, even for what has been sacrificed. And memories never leave one lonely!

But what happens when a person is lonely not because of ego, complete loss of love, or overpowering hatred? What if someone never found love before? Loneliness is sneaky and creeps up at the most uncomfortable and unconventional of places. It invariably creates a situation for the heart, and even the best are not spared. New Saisho’s best just might find themselves cornered in the least comfortable of situations.

With pain writ large on his face, lines of sweat dripping along his cheeks, Captain Aman Ahluwalia concentrated hard at water as the day took its’ final plunge. Unknown to him, Anne was waiting as hard for him to finish his job, right by the edge of the deck at the bow end.

“Alpha one to alpha two,” Lieutenant Schneider called his Captain.

“Alpha two receiving,” Aman replied.

“Sir, we are at least 30 nautical miles clear of the ‘Shooting Darts’ zone now,” Schneider replied.

“Alpha two to all units,” Aman issued next set of directions, “Prepare to reboard The Mighty.”

The fishing net was rolled back and one by one all the boats docked with ‘The Mighty’, where they were lifted aboard. Captain Ahluwalia’s boat was the last. As the Captain laboured his way up the rope ladder and finally climbed over the edge, he almost tumbled over due to weakness. Anne quickly stepped forward and cushioned Aman’s falling frame on her shoulder. Her arm around his waist, she assisted Aman regain his balance on his feet.

“Thank you Miss De Villiers,” Aman replied as he remembered her face from her frequent appearances on television, “I am surprised you made this trip.”

“Let me assure you Captain, you and your team are invaluable assets for New Saisho,” Anne replied as Aman tried to stand firm on his feet. But it was too tough after all the day on his knees in a small boat. He almost tumbled again, but this time Anne grabbed him firmly with her one hand behind his waist, and the other grabbing his arm closest to her and lifting it around and behind her neck. “Let me help you Captain,” Anne exclaimed, “Unless taking help from a woman hurts your man ego or soldier’s pride.” Aman was left speechless as Anne led him, almost hugging him to her bosom.

Pride at best can only last a life time, memories stay forever. Those who couldn’t be questioned by their counterparts are judged by those who follow. Actions are scrutinized in time and judgements are delivered by future. Both tyrants and heroes are remembered equally, but it is the latter that are revered. Future’s verdict may or may not be important for the present, but what worth is pride that knows it is going to be dismantled when it would be least defendable? Is it really pride or is it mere stubbornness to reject the truth? What differentiates a hero from a tyrant is how they answer to themselves.

“All right boys, what’s the update,” Captain Bradley Connors asked his men at the airport site.

“Sir, the landing strip has been cleared of sand and debris,” Private Simmons replied on the wireless, “There were a few patches along the runway that needed repair. The job will be finished in another half an hour.”

“Good work boys,” Bradley lauded his men, “But it is way past noon and really burning. You could have left it for tomorrow.”

“Sir, you’ve never taught us to leave work unfinished,” Simmons replied, “We couldn’t have disappointed you.”

“You sure didn’t soldier,” Bradley nodded, “Keep up the good work. We will join you in ten minutes.” He then turned towards Doctor Xavier and asked him, “I am sorry doctor this trip did not yield anything for your research.”

“That’s alright Captain,” Xavier replied, “How is your hand doing though?”

Bradley looked at his hand, untied the bandage and showed it to Xavier.

Doctor Xavier examined it and replied a bit pensively, “I can see it is healing, but it does have a strange greenish tinge to it. Perhaps we should get it examined at New Saisho facility.”

“I don’t know when that would be possible Doctor for we are not supposed to dock there in another three months,” Bradley replied, “But don’t you think it is doing just fine?”

“It appears to be so,” Doctor Xavier reluctantly agreed, “But I would still suggest you give us a visit at the Hospital as soon as it is practicable.”

Bradley stared at his hand for a brief moment, and then asked, “How is Doctor Suzanne? Is she finished with her sample collection?”

“She should be done with it today,” Xavier replied, “I will talk to her in the evening. Why do you ask?”

“Nothing,” Bradley shook his head, “I was just curious.”

Xavier looked at Bradley’s face as Bradley turned his eyes away. Xavier’s gaze however wandered somewhere far away, his face became a bit sad.

The ability to foresee is an inherent quality in every human. However how developed it is varies from individual to individual. Commonsense is the superpower to foresee future. Sometimes a strange feeling warns one about an impending danger; the feeling called sixth sense. Sixth sense is nothing but a message from the subconscious mind, which has already analysed the future course of events using the commonsense. Now it is giving a warning signal to alert the individual, to either take necessary precautions, or prepare for loss management.

“How are the predictions going,” Doctor Yardley asked Jhiang and Nagarjuna, both busy with mapping the time table of expected chain of events.

“Sir, the system is really running slow as a lot of events are happening at the same time,” Jhiang replied, “Luckily for us most of them are happening in outer atmosphere or surrounding space.”

“The President is really concerned about our people out there, some of them brilliant soldiers, and some brilliant young scientists,” Doctor Yardley replied, “We need to get this information organized as soon as we can. But we also need to keep our work on the main project moving. So you continue with the work you were doing, and I will sit down with Nagarjuna on this one.”

“Yes sir,” Jhiang replied as he made way for his senior to join Reddy on the current job, while he himself returned to his work on the supercomputer based model.

A misconception about work is; it is possible to disconnect from it during personal time. The fact however is; once a man starts working, work itself becomes a part of his personal life. Not only does it provide for one’s finances, it also defines one’s personal circle and relationships. Friends are not just the people one grew up with, or people who live in one’s neighbourhood, but friends are even those who work with someone. Any person, who has shared a part of their life with someone, becomes embedded in the memories from that part. Those who went to school with one are friends from school, those who grew up with one are friends from neighbourhood, and those who work with one are friends from work. One may move on with one’s life, but friends from school, neighbourhood, childhood, or youth, they remain one’s friends for life. Similarly, one may switch careers and jobs, but friends from previous jobs will always remain friends from previous jobs. One can choose one’s work, one can even choose one’s friends at work, but one cannot choose to leave one’s friends with work.

The cool breeze flew across the vast stretches of waters as the evening matured into a beautiful starlit night. It was as if the breeze was a playful child spinning around in gay abandon with no one to pull its’ ears for being naughty. The shenanigans of the lights on board NSS ‘The Mighty’, playfully and sublime, seemed to reciprocate the feelings. The night was silent, the ship peaceful, on its’ final stretch to the ‘The Open House’.

“Can I come in?” a soft sweet voice asked Aman just as he had grabbed his phone to make a call to the love of his life, Jenny.

“Miss De Villiers, please come in,” Aman replied as he tried to get up and greet her.

“Please don’t get out of your bed,” Anne however insisted, “There’s no need to be formal with me.”

“I am sorry Miss De Villiers, you had to travel all the way from New Saisho because of me,” Aman exclaimed.

“Oh, that’s all right,” Anne quipped tapping his hand softly, “Beside I consider myself to be responsible for what happened.”

“Please don’t blame yourself Miss De Villiers,” Aman replied, “I lost my concentration.”

“You could call me Anne Captain,” Anne quipped.

“I’ll try, but only if you call me Aman,” Aman answered.

“Done,” Anne exclaimed thrusting her hand for a hand shake. The two smiled and shook their hands.

“I see you were about to call someone,” Anne asked.

“Oh yeah, I was about to ring my fiancée, Jenny,” Aman said, “She’s been really worried.”

“Oh,” Anne exclaimed, a bit of disappointment in her voice, “I remember her ringing me before I flew out, and asking if she could come along. Unfortunately I had to refuse.”

“She called you! Stupid girl,” Aman exclaimed a bit embarrassed, “I am so sorry Miss De Villiers.”

“Again Miss De Villiers,” Anne interrupted and Aman repented, and they both laughed. But just then the phone in Aman’s hand rang.

“Hello,” Aman answered, and as soon as he recognized the voice at the other end, exclaimed, “I was about to call you Jenny.”

“How are you,” Jenny broke down as soon as she heard his voice, “Are you alright? No, you were not going to call me, you’ve forgotten me.” And then suddenly her voice changed and she asked, “Why are you calling me Jenny? Is there someone else around?”

“Oh yes Jenny,” Aman replied, “Miss De Villiers was just telling me how you had called her earlier.”

“She’s there with you,” Jenny’s voice became serious, “What is she doing there? Is she in your room?”

“Oh no, I am all right Jenny,” Aman tried to answer her without inadvertently offending Miss De Villiers in any way, while Anne tried to pretend to be not interested in the conversation by looking away.

“Answer my question first,” Jenny’s voice became businesslike, “What is she doing with you?”

“Oh I am alright dear,” Aman replied again.

“That is not the question I asked,” Jenny roared, “Ask her to leave your room right now!”

“Yes dear, she has been making sure I get all the help that I need,” Aman was still trying to be diplomatic about the uncomfortable situation.

“So that’s the situation now,” Jenny quipped in a mean tone, “Call me with my pet name and tell me you love me.”

“Oh dear, don’t worry about me,” Aman replied again.

“You are going to die,” Jenny however meant business, “Either kick the bitch out or I am cutting the line, and forget it if you think I’ll answer your call then.”

“Oh I understand dear, but you need to understand too, it’s my job,” Aman haplessly answered, but his reply was cut short by an engaged tone. “Hello, hello, hello,” Aman tried in vain. He tried to ring Jenny back, but Jenny if anything, meant each and every word she had just said.

“What happened,” Anne asked.

“Nothing,” Aman replied, “The connection broke.”

“Oh,” Anne replied.

After a few moments of an uncomfortable silence Aman asked Anne, “Tell me something about yourself Anne. Have any boyfriend, or partner?”

“Well,” Anne replied after a brief pause, “I am completely a single girl.”

“I don’t believe it,” Aman replied, “How can a gorgeous girl like you still be a single?”

“As it happened,” Anne replied after a brief contemplative pause, “I was one of the biggest nerds in my class, which sort of kept me under the boys’ radar all through my school. By the time I got to college, my Uncle had already become the President and none of the boys around me had the guts to approach me. Once I finished my college and university, and since I started my career, my position has come up between me and many a heart. Men seem to get completely overawed by my rank and education, they themselves lose their confidence to approach me, and I don’t like men who don’t have an attitude or confidence. Honestly, I never actually found a man who was my match before.”

“You said before,” Aman replied, “Does that mean you’ve found someone now?”

Anne was caught by the question, and mumbled a reply on the lines of, “I don’t know! I am not sure!”

Certainty is a highly volatile commodity. It hold true only as long as the conditions remain favourable and conducive. It doesn’t take much for things to swing around and start a wild ride. Certainty is the first casualty.

“Good Morning Mr President,” Admiral Mir Abdullah greeted the first citizen as soon as he entered his office.

“Admiral Mir, I just got an email from National Space Research institute today morning,” the President didn’t waste time in formalities, “Here’s a map of the next series of events that will happen globally. Please make sure none of our men or vessels are in the areas marked by red circles. The expected times for all the changes have been marked in blue.”

“Thank you Mr President,” Admiral Mir replied, “My men will relay all the information and co-ordinates to our vessels right away.” He then took President’s leave.

Probability has a nasty habit of catching up at the wrong time, but surprise is not an excuse good enough for justifying lethargy. One needs to be on guard all the time, but more so when one has reason to believe that probability is looking for them intentionally.

As dawn was breaking in the Arabian Sea, two helicopters were making their way towards NSS ‘Full Bloom’ from the Egyptian mainland. Rear Admiral Guruban Ahluwalia, dressed in his ceremonial attire, was awaiting his wards to return from their Egyptian odyssey. As the two choppers landed on the front deck, Captain Bradley Connors stepped out and marched straight towards his senior, and gave him a salute, “Sir, mission accomplished! The airstrip is ready for landing, and the oil rig is safe and sound.”

“Good work Captain,” Rear Admiral Ahluwalia replied before motioning his orderly to bring forward a piece of paper in a ceremonial tray, “And here are the orders reinstating you as the Captain of NSS ‘Full Bloom’ with full powers and immediate effect.”

“Thank you Sir,” Captain Bradley saluted him as Rear Admiral handed him the copy of orders.

Captain Bradley Connors had barely accepted the orders from the Rear Admiral’s hands when the Rear Admiral caught sight of a strange event unfolding at the stern end.

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Chapter Fourteen - Hold on for me

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GOD Of A Man

Eternity Versus Eternity

“Faith is important till one finds the truth.”

Chapter Fourteen: Hold on for me

Dated: 19^th December 2459

Faith has a significant role to play in the evolution of myth into science, and a herd into society. Faith on one hand has to unite distinct classes on some common grounds, and on the other, it has to provide a hope to everyone pitching in with their efforts, as the society develops over the time. Ego however is the contradictory force which balances out the work of faith. Ego is not only a precipitator of differences, thus inducing divide, it also challenges the impression cast upon a suspecting mind by an unquestionable genius. While faith is egalitarian, ego is selfish.

Every progress sprouts out of a seed sowed in the soil of faith. Faith makes people believe in future, have hope, and be motivated to seek answers to questions raised by their present. Faith lasts as long as the truth is not revealed. Once the truth is revealed, the faith is either replaced by a fact, or enlightenment. Yes, enlightenment is not the same as knowing the facts. Knowing the facts is about getting the answers you desired for your questions. Enlightenment meanwhile is the understanding, what you always believed in was indeed never true. Truth can be both the emancipation of faith, as well as its’ watershed moment. Progress however is independent of the fate of faith, for irrespective of what transpires of faith, progress will still be achieved.

But what happens when one attains enlightenment? Do they lose their will to fight for a better future? Do they lose their hope? Once truth is not a mystery, one is not perturbed by the future, for it is not unpredictable anymore. If anything, the knowledge of the future might actually motivate the person to try and change it, for future might not be a rosy picture indeed otherwise. New Saisho is on the verge of enlightenment of its’ own, at test will be its’ will and intent to survive.

“Wow,” Anne exclaimed as she enjoyed the wide view out of a jet plane’s canopy.

“You enjoying the flight girl,” Captain Davis asked Anne.

“This is breathtaking, the view,” Anne said, “The sky looks so beautiful, the clouds amazing. The constricted view from the miniature passenger aircrafts' windows compares nothing to this.”

“Wait till I show you the world upside down,” Chris exclaimed, “Buckle up girl. You’re going to remember this ride for the rest of your life.”

“No, no, no,” Anne exclaimed desperately as Chris twisted the jet upside down. Anne shrieked herself hoarse as if she was on a roller coaster.

“Enjoying it,” Chris quipped.

“Don’t do that again or I’ll throw up all over you,” Anne replied. Chris laughed it off.

“I’ll show you something,” Chris exclaimed as he put his hand in his front pocket.

“No please, don’t perform any more stunts,” Anne pleaded desperately from behind.

“Here, see this picture,” Chris said as he handed her a picture, “She’s my wife, and isn’t she beautiful?”

Anne looked at the picture adoringly and complemented, “She is indeed! And this must be your daughter in the picture with you two!”

“She’s our little angel,” the proud father replied, “Almost five now, but talks like she’s our mother; wants to be a pilot like her father!”

“You have such a lovely little family,” Anne was touched by the warmth emanating from an image.

“It’s my whole world,” Chris exclaimed, “Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my job. But at the end of the day, these are the people I am going back to.”

Anne had already been carried far away by some thoughts. After a brief silence Chris asked her, “What about you? Have you got a partner or a boyfriend?”

Life is not merely a collection of either accomplishments or memories alone. How lonely must a man be whose accomplishments do not attach memories of shared joy, and how worthless his life be if his memories have nothing to feel proud of!

“I assure you Miss Jenny, Captain Ahluwalia is doing well,” Lieutenant Schneider was answering another call from a desperate Jenny, who wanted to know if the love of her life was alright.

“Can I talk to him,” Jenny asked from the other end.

“I unfortunately cannot pass on your call to him at the moment,” Schneider had no choice but to refuse her request of having an audience with her heart, “It is his own explicit orders!”

“How come you always refuse me but let every other damn chic in the world talk to him?” Jenny was in deep anguish.

“I am sorry once again Miss Jenny, but I cannot help you on this one. The call from the Secretary to the President Miss Anne De Villiers was an official communication and couldn’t have been refused,” Schneider tried to explain their position.

Jenny broke down and said, “Just tell him to call me once, as soon as he is available. Tell him I’ll be waiting!”

Love and peace are like estranged neighbours; living in the same street, yet cannot stand each other’s presence for much of the time. While both connect two or more people together, yet they exist in seemingly anti-parallel dimensions. Peace exists even when there may be no love between the two warring sides, and love gives neither of the two halves in a relationship any peace.

“Watch your step boys, the wall’s rough with protruding rocks, the walkway is narrow, uneven and slightly tilted towards the steep fall on the other side,” Bradley advised Doctor Xavier and his man, the two people following him step by step, as they made their way across the remnants of the small network of underground passages at the site.

“What could have possibly happened at the other site, and how do we know the same thing won’t happen here,” Doctor Xavier asked.

“My job is not to find reasons Doctor,” Bradley replied, “I am the solution.”

“And my job is to do both,” Doctor Xavier quipped, but before he could complete his sentence, he lost his footing on a tricky piece of rock sticking out of the uneven floor, and his hand lost the grip of the wall. A panic stricken Doctor Xavier shrieked as he struggled to regain balance. He would have tumbled down the steep fall had Captain Bradley not swiftly turned around and grabbed his arm at the right moment.

“Careful Doctor or you’ll get buried in an open grave,” Bradley exclaimed.

Doctor Xavier paled out of fear as he first looked at Bradley, then at the steep fall, and then at Bradley’s face again. In the dim light of his head lamp, Doctor Xavier stared deep into Bradley’s eyes for the first time, which made Bradley uncomfortable as he quickly turned his face away. However Xavier was stupefied for a moment, his gaze fixated at something he couldn’t see, his jaw left hanging.

“Lets’ move doctor,” the soldier behind him tapped his shoulder, and they continued their walk.

The damning thing about fear is its’ ability to stun the intelligence, even if momentarily. What makes fear so potent is its’ linkage to something a subject is attached to. Fear attacks what selfishness holds dear. And the reason fear is so effective is, before a person can analyse and react, the first thing that occupies their mind is the future; how their loss will affect them, how will they survive, and is there a replacement handy. The question as to how best to avoid the feared fate is always an afterthought, hence the delay.

“Mr President, the telescopic instruments for the satellite are now ready,” Doctor Stephen Sebastian was updating the president about his team’s efforts, “We can launch it in two weeks time, and in another couple, all the data Doctor Yardley’s team needs will be available.”

“That is encouraging Doctor Sebastian, but what is the progress with our new space craft,” the President asked, “How much is the passenger carrying capacity, and how many like it can be readied? We need something which flies faster than anything ever made.”

“Sir, both the liquid stage and solid stage propellant based technologies have their limitations. But once we get some high grade Uranium and technology to keep it stable in storage, we can really think of introducing our nuclear fuelled technology into the crafts,” Doctor Sebastian replied.

“Doctor, we don’t have much time,” President explained to him, “We need a craft that can carry as many people as it can, at unimaginable speeds, and which is sustainable over extended periods of time in space. And we need the craft ready as soon as we can. Our survival might ultimately rest on it.”

“Sir, all those requirements will put a sever constraint on the craft’s carrying capacity,” Doctor Sebastian tried to explain, “We will need a lot of technology onboard, which includes not only water and oxygen reclamation technologies, food storage and living area, but also, fuel storage, and quite possibly uranium enrichment and refining facilities, that is in case we will be depending upon leeching Uranium from other planets and heavenly bodies over the course of the travel. And if all this has to be achieved maintaining high speed travel abilities, it restricts the size of the craft even further.”

“Give me a head count doctor,” the President inquired.

“I am afraid, twenty five at the best,” Doctor Sebastian replied.

Doctor’s reply shocked the President who murmured, “That is nothing!”

“I know Mr President,” the Doctor continued, “There are only two options; either we take many onboard and sacrifice the speed requirements, which will be a suicide, or we can take a few onboard, give ourselves an edge in speed, but there is still no guarantee.”

“What do you mean Doctor,” the President asked.

“Smaller size will give us a chance to develop a much faster craft, and depending upon the available time, we might just make more than a couple of crafts, but even then,” the doctor continued, “With all the improvements we might be able to affect in our technology, we still won’t be able to survive more than six to nine months in space unless we find an alternate home, plus food source.”

There was silence at the other end.

A solution is not defined to be so by the content matter it presents, but rather by the purpose it serves, for the content matter might itself raise a new question. At best a revelation of facts, relevant or otherwise, only represents new learning. What matters is how that new learning is put to use, both as a culmination point for a previous thirst, as well as a trigger for a new quest.

As Captain Aman Ahluwalia commandeered his men, knelt next to the edge of his motor boat, holding on to its’ side with one hand, and clasping his chest with the other, the noise of the Hummingbird landing on his battleship was the least pleasing of sounds for him.

“Alpha two to alpha one, tell the pilot to cut out the engine noise,” Aman asked his men in the control room onboard NSS ‘The Mighty’.

As two of his men helped the plane to be secured to the front deck, Lieutenant Schneider stepped forward to greet the lovely lassie Anne De Villiers as she disembarked, “Welcome to NSS ‘The Mighty’ Miss De Villiers. Hope you had a nice flight!”

“Thank you Lieutenant Schneider,” Anne remarked as she strained her eyes to read the rank and name of the officer on his lapel label, “I’ve brought the anti-dote needed for your Captain. I see you’ve continued on your journey even when he’s indisposed. I am impressed. How is your Captain though?”

“Thanks for your generous appreciation Miss De Villiers, but we are proceeding very much under the direct command of the Captain himself,” Schneider graciously replied as he took a few steps towards the edge of the deck and pointed towards his Captain.

Anne was left agape as she stepped towards the edge and had the first glimpse of the warrior on a mission.

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