TO THE FARTHEST

MISSION REOPENED

It's been a week after the exam and we all are waiting for our results. It is gonna come soon. Laying in my bed, looking at the light I thought within this one week I could feel my tentacles tickle a lot. Many people were talking about me. Many whom I didn't know that well and many strangers, few who were close to me like Clara, Bea, Dad, etc, and then Main Gust. What was there so much to talk about me anyway? Hmmmmm........ might be just about me my results and posting I guess.

Keeping the thoughts away, I turned to my right side and noticed my family photo, how happy were we none of us could even imagine a day like this without Mom. And then I remembered that there might be my parents' wedding album somewhere even if I have seen it many times in childhood its been long now. I slowly stood up and went to my dad's room. He wasn't there, he was in his little workshop in the basement. He always liked robotics and after marriage, with mom, he thought of leaving all that and helping my mom in her mission like most other couples here do but knowing that his interest was different she told that she could manage things herself and he can continue with his robotics and they set up a small workshop down there in the basement.

I slowly got inside my dad's room and started searching all shelves and cupboards to find the album. Even after searching for 20 minutes, I couldn't find it. Losing hope I just sat down on the floor completely bored. I had nothing to do but for 2 or 3 days more only, once I get into a position I can only get such free time in dreams. Many can't handle pressure there actually. I just turned my head and noticed there was something under the bed. I bend down and saw a big black cuboid box. I pulled it out and opened it.

There was a white uniform in there. It was very old and was a bit dull in color but it was washed, ironed, and folded well. I just unfolded it and saw the name written on the top left side of the uniform, Main Lucy, my mom. Why didn't dad ever tell me about it? I then found a few new uniforms, those were of my size. My mom was a bit shorter compared to me. I guess Dad wanted to gift it to me when I get posted. Keeping those away, I could see a very big old wedding album. I took it out and started going through it. Turning the pages I found my mom's picture looking beautiful than the last time I remember her, she looked too tired then and was always busy and sleepless, still forcing a smile to not make us worry. Then dad's picture, he hadn't changed much but that smile, talkativeness, and activeness were no longer on his face. My uncle often tells me that he was no longer the Frank my mom introduced to my uncle. Turning to the next page I saw my grandparents and relatives. The next page had photos of my parents with uncle, aunt, and their newborn twins, Clara and Jain. Uncle told my dad so many times to marry someone after my mom left as once I grow up and start my own life dad would be left alone. But he never agreed to say my mom always lives in his heart and in her presence there no other female can enter his life. Hmmmmm.......The next photos were of my parents with their very close friends whom they knew from childhood and I knew only a few among them as contact with most others were lost with mom's loss. I was about to turn to the next page when something caught my attention. Among those close friends of my parents I saw a very familiar face, is it him or is it someone who looks like him. Looking closer I was sure it was him, Main Gust. He was a very close friend of theirs. I started to search other pages to find if he was there somewhere else. And the next photo I saw was so surprising, Main Gust and dad were together joking and laughing. For me, it looked like something impossible. If they were this close then why dad get just so annoyed even when someone mentions his name? Why don't people tell me anything? I'm grown enough, already 20 years and by 28 years like all others, I'm gonna move out from here. I'm all confused but I couldn't ask anything to dad as he didn't even like mentioning Main Gust and if I start fighting with dad he won't talk to me and he knew that was the worst punishment I could get as I can't bear not talking to him after a fight and I could never keep quiet much until me keeping quiet was so necessary, in a very serious situation. Then while I was about to keep everything back in the box I noticed my old paper drawing there, a picture of mom, dad, and me along with our pets. We were all given papers and pencils in childhood just so that our hands get used to writing and then we were given INote. I also found an old picture, mom with her pet Lee, dad with his pet Bose and me with Uber, my pet dog. Dad took care of both Lee and Bose when my mom left but they died 8 years back due to something dad never told me.

Oh, it is Uber's last exam today. I didn't know his Roll number so I couldn't go pick him after the exam. He might be here any minute probably. He is never attentive or quiet and me also being like that can't scold him too. Suddenly I heard the doorbell and a wall Robo started to call out 'Someone is waiting for you at the door, open it and let them in.

I don't know why but I suddenly felt like dad might come soon. Keeping everything back carefully and closing dad's bedroom door behind me I ran downstairs. Me getting into dad's room isn't an issue for him but he won't like it if he finds out that I opened cupboards, shelves, and especially that box about which he never even mentioned to me.

When I opened the door immediately something heavy jumped over me making me fall down due to its weight. "Oh, Uber...." I said still on the floor. He started to wag his tail and move around me. "How was your exam??" I asked, pretending that he didn't even hear what I just said he went to the kitchen. It was not like I couldn't understand dog language and not like he didn't get me. He was supposed to reply to me. "Uber... I asked you something. " I said standing in front of him and not letting him enter the kitchen. "Baw, Baw Laisy I'm so hungry. Let me have something and then I need some rest. Today was my last exam and no need to follow my diet plan anymore. Let me enjoy." He said try I to get in. But I stopped him and asked how his exam went, he never did any of his exams well and I was always called by Main dog trainers asking am I training him well as he never did anything properly. Whenever I call him for something he would never come except when it is to go for a walk or play a game. He looked at me and said " baw, baw all went well Laisy. Now can I get something to eat please" he started to make a very sad face and he knew I will surely agree if he does that. " Hmmm... ok you go clean yourself up I'll make something. "

"Baw , baw I like Dad's food where is he ask him to make it." He said going upstairs to search dad. " He is in workshop Uber and please don't go there he said he doesn't want anyone to go down there and he'll come when he is done," I said and Uber came downstairs and went to the washroom. I was getting into the kitchen when I heard my phone beep.

I received a mail from Main Gust's office, from assistant Main Kate mentioning that I'm supposed to be there in Main Gust's office by 8 am the next morning. I was wondering, the results are not yet here and why am I being called to his office. Dad won't be so pleasant to know this. Is he gonna take me on his team?

I soon heard my phone ring, it was Bea. "Laisy I have been called to Main Gust's office tomorrow at 7:30 am. I wonder why? We don't even know our results. I'm being just so nervous. I didn't even tell my parents. I received mail just now and immediately called you." she said in a low voice. " Bea, even I'm called to his office. Let's see what happens. I really don't know how to tell dad he might make this a very big issue and I really don't want that. Let's see for what were we called first." I said and cut the call.

Why did he want my bestie and me there that so early in the morning? Doesn't look like anything good.

I reached Main Gust's office early in the morning by 7:50 am. After waiting for another 5 minutes I saw Bea coming out of the Main Gust's meeting room. She looked happy but not so good. She smiled when she noticed me, she came close and said " Hey Laisy, I got my post." I looked into her eyes for a few seconds before saying something. "Why aren't you happy? What is your post?" I asked her she lowered her voice and said "I'm the new junior assistant main. The post you wanted." I was shocked for a second but was happy for her later. It is great she could manage a great post like that. She deserved it. "Be happy dude you deserve it. I might get something else. Why worry about me? It's great you are starting from the position from which my mom and many other great women had. She was about to tell me something else when Ashley, senior assistant main asked Bea to go along with her for something important and then Ashley turned to me and said "Laisy you can get in. Main is waiting for you."

I got into the Mains' meeting room, it was a very huge room painted white with big bright white lights and had a long white curved table with white luxury chairs facing a huge screen. He usually used to be sitting in his chair the main huge chair but he was standing when I entered. I greeted him and he asked me to sit down. "So Laisy......how was your exam? Did try well huh? Your results will be out in 30 minutes from now. You are really great just like your mom." I was anyway so happy to hear that. He continued "You even look exactly like your mom but she was a bit shorter I think ya?" without even waiting for me to say anything he said in a low voice "I was actually waiting for this........ you know it was a dream of all. Probably the greatest achievement we could get." I noticed a smile appear on his face. "Sir I think I didn't get what you actually wa......." cutting me off he said. "Laisy I'm very impressed with your performance. So of course I really want you in my team for a very interesting project, The Earth."

I knew this was coming with my 6th sense which works only a minute before and I couldn't do anything for sure. I was shocked for a second. Guessing what my next reaction probably be, he came closer to me and said "I have no enmity with you and I really don't want to take anything away from you but I believe only you are capable enough to manage this. I want you to join as junior Captain of the project. As you know junior Captain leads the whole project and does the most research for it. I know you will do anything to complete this project, you are the only one who fits perfectly for the post Laisy and this post is never given to a beginner you know that. If you are chosen for that high post, then it's cause we believe you can manage the stress and do it."

"Main, many in my family has sacrificed a lot, even their lives for this project. I can't leave my dad at any cost. I can't see him again in that bad situation. I don't know why you don't like him, my dad can never hurt anyone and I'm sure he wouldn't have done anything bad to you." I said to him. It was very clear from what I said that I'm not interested in this post and I'm sure he was surprised that I literally said a big NO to him which no one actually does. He lowered his head and turned away "Laisy see on this...... this is not my own decision dear. All Mains together decided. And when all suggest the same person I can't do anything. A...... and I don't ....... it's not like I wanna hurt your dad. Frank was my good friend and why would I do anything. See I know there has been a lot of misunderstandings and Frank is not ready to even listen to what I have to say. How do I prove to all? How do I get back a wonderful friend? Even at the last moment, I said Lucy, your mom that she needn't necessarily do this. She was my Main then and I told her it is fine I can do but she.....you know she won't let others take any risk. "

I couldn't believe our Main who orders everyone around is saying all these things to me. He turned and faced me again and said "Laisy your mother was a great person and I also think you can do this project better than anyone. Let me tell you....., the spaceship, technologies, and methods used back then were not so great and could have had an issue anytime. Whatever happened I'm sure she landed on Earth, only then did the connections go off. So this project in one way can help us know what happened to her and what if she still is living there or something. I have a bit of hope and you can sure do this and find out everything that happened back there."

"You could have tried something soon then why were you this late?" I was curious to know more. "I was trying but then I was forced by our government and other officials here to close the project permanently and sure I did try to convince them but failed to. So from senior assistant Main, I took your mom's post, the Main. Now due to something government wanted all the closed projects are told to be reopened, so we had to". I didn't know what to say, What if my mom was really there and what if I can find her?

Main sat down, switching the big screen, choosing the picture of Earth, he said "Laisy this is the only chance, choose wisely. If you agree, this is the right time we can easily make a high-quality robot, land easily on earth this time. It was Earth's blanket, ozone which always stopped us. Now Earth's ozone's got a hole which makes our passing through easy. Before it gets closed again we need to start our work."

My mind was completely blank then, I didn't know what to say. Suddenly Ashley knocked and entered the room with a paper in her hand which I will have to sign if I'm ready. Main just gave me a pen and placed the paper on the table. Then it all just happened. I was sure not in my senses when I signed the paper. Then mails were sent to all that I am in charge of the project. I came back to my senses only when I got a tickling on my tentacles. It was dad 'Laisy , what have you done?'