Quazum

QUAZMOPOLIS 40

The scientists were uncomfortably strapped into the fold out beds. Their battery powered exploration suits were tightly wrapped around their bodies, and the explorers were wearing helmets and boots. Microphones, speakers and picture screens were all resting about two feet above their face.

Pilot Jenkins examined the meters and gauges in the cockpit before speaking into a small wireless microphone floating by the window. “Don’t let the little tremor bother you. It’s a standard part of every solar jet flight as we move through different levels of the atmosphere.” Just as Jenkins finished, the solar jet engines started to shake.

Scientists immediately began adjusting their individual video touch screens to see information about the mission, along with overhead shots of the Pacific Ocean taken from the wings of the solar jet. Computers containing personal pictures of family and friends of each explorer on the mission uploaded from the SEA website, and began flashing on the three-dimensional screens.

Pilot Jenkins continued from the cockpit, “This solar jet will be travelling at record speeds. It took Pilot Gordon nearly a week to get to the same solar system, that will be taking us less than a day. Amazing.”

As the jet speeds increased, Jenkins continued, “Since my buddy Gordon tripped and got killed, I’ve just wanted to check out this Quazmopolis atmosphere. It’s one of the few oxygen and nitrogen based bodies of land in space, with survivable temperatures. This is truly a one of a kind exploration.” Pilot Jenkins turned his attention back to the solar jet controls and turned off the microphone.

Lacy looked around thinking about her situation, then reached up and began opening files on the computer screen. After touching a small icon of her face, only two poor-quality pictures of her Dad in the old swampland from Louisiana popped up, with a short description, “Lacy grew up in Louisiana, and father, Gabriel Meaux, lives in Back-Bayou.” A graphic page then covered the screen, “There is no further information on the family of Lacy Meaux”.

After a cynical nod, Lacy began touching icons and pictures of Ben’s family. Multiple files containing photos and video began to download with in-depth coverage of his large family. Video going back to Ben’s great grandparents, aunts and uncles rolled on various parts of the screen, then shots of Ben’s mother and father -- from their childhood to dating.

With each touch, video continued rolling in boxes around the screen showing Ben as a little boy performing music, playing sports, to multiple graduation ceremonies. Ben and his siblings moved around in the fancy city before attending the big schools around California.

As more videos and photos popped up showing long lists of Ben’s cousins, friends, and their deep involvement in SEA exploration, a new video finally popped up showing her and Ben working on previous Quazmopolis mission and beginning to date. Photos and video showed them taking classes together, celebrating, and going on various space missions together. Lacy finally turned off the video, closed her eyes and laid back.

* * *

The scientists were strapped into their masterfully laid out individual beds. Their battery powered exploration suits were tightly wrapped around their body, and helmets and boots were strapped in place. Microphones, speakers and the large thin picture screens showed a variety of shots of the unique solar system of Quazmopolis.

Pilot Jenkins examined meters and gauges around the cockpit wall, then began speaking into the microphone. “Don’t let the little tremors bother you. It’s a standard part of every Solar Jet flight. The atmosphere on Quazmopolis is thicker than earth so it will get a bit bumpy as we begin to lower.”

Scientists adjusted individual video touch screens to see close-ups of the pilot and overhead shots taken from wings of the jet.

Jenkins continued, “We’ll be seeing the most unique unexplored land. It’s the moon of a very unique solar system. There may be no life now, but that’s about to change.” Jenkins paused, then continued sarcastically, “We are like God, on a mission to create life... With a few sharp thorny cactus plants. Truly exciting!”

Jet speeds decreased as the Solar Jet entered the Kepler solar system. “Previous missions have run into so many problems when just getting close to this moon. I’ve never been on one of those missions, but based on satellite photos and video, we are in for a treat.”

Pilot Jenkins went back to concentrating on the jet controls and turned off his microphone again. Scientists each laid quietly watching the screen.

* * *

Ben was sitting alone in the busy Master SEA Headquarters, crowded with engineers and scientists. The big screen monitors around the room showed shots from all angles of the Solar Jet along with video from satellites around the Quazmopolis moon.

“Lacy, I miss you already.” Ben typed the message into a small box on his computer when no one was looking. The master computer suddenly burst out in his voice, “Lacy, I miss you already.”

Everyone spun around to see Ben trying to turn down volume and delete his message. “Ben’s already starting to lose it! Can’t do without his girlfriend for just six hours,” yelled out a variety of scientists after they heard the message.

Ben looked embarrassed and immediately went back to his job documenting the individual readings.

Dr. Palmer looked annoyed, then walked over to the embarrassed Ben. “The Solar Jet will not be receiving personal messages until it sets down on Quazmopolis. Please refrain from using master computers to send your private messages.”

“Yes sir. Not a problem. I was just checking the connection of the insular circuit.”

“What’s the current temperature on Quazmopolis?”

Ben quickly opened individual pages and read out, “One hundred and thirty-one right now. Temperatures reached hundred and fifty-one today, and had a low last night of minus eighteen.”

Dr. Palmer carefully leaned over to see details on the monitor while reading from the chart of data, “And the atmosphere?”

“Seventy-nine percent nitrogen and slightly less than twenty percent oxygen. Nearly the same as earth,” answered Ben as he quickly typed and touched data from his computer screen.

“Maintain constant readings and report any variations. The Arid Cacti has been tested to survive variation in Fahrenheit temperature of nearly one hundred seventy-five degrees.”

“Yes sir,” answered Ben. “I’ll document all temperature variations on land, water and air.”

Dr. Palmer looked suspicious before finally walking over to other engineers where he began asking questions. Ben continued opening more files while looking at video from inside the cabin showing Lacy lying down.

* * *

As the solar jet continued slowly lowering, Pilot Jenkins turned his microphone back on. “Looks like steam coming off parts of the colorful rock-hard stone. I’m getting a reading of temperatures now close to one fifteen. The orange sky is clear, and it looks like little to no chance of clouds, for at least the next week.”

Jenkins then opened an animated weather graphic map showing temperature highs and lows for each day. “Where I come from, no chance of rain is good news. But for a mission like this, I guess you could take that as bad.”

Lacy smiled and began typing in a message to Ben on her personal computer. “I miss you already, Ben. What are you doing?” Lacy waited nervously, but got no response. She then continued typing, “Are you taking measurements of Quazmopolis? Do you see anything unusual we can expect?”

Again, no response. Lacy finally touched her personal computer screen and whispered quietly, “We’re slowly going down. Quazmopolis temps expected in mid-one thirties. I feel really hot already! Wish you were here!”

Juji waited for a response from the computer before Jenkins came back over the speaker, “I’m turning up the air condition a little now to keep us in the eighties. This will use extra amounts of energy from our solar powered wings, but also keep things cool in the cockpit. And that’s important.”

The solar jet continued lowering into the atmosphere at a slow rate, and Jenkins continued making announcements. “You can close your monitor screens and tighten your belts. The gravitational pull will be much stronger than we’re used to so we’ll be lowering at this slow pace. As you know, this gravity will make you all feel heavier. It’ll be like you’ve been consuming five thousand calories a day for about ten years. I think that’s about right.”

Lacy and other explorers finally closed their video screens and adjusted their belts as Jenkins continued, “Full mask and bodysuit will allow for cool air temperatures in the mid-eighties. Remember to keep the mask, helmet and body suit fully sealed at all times. Suits will maintain cool temperatures for the body. When temperatures go below one hundred, you may open the masks. But helmets are required to protect the head in this strong gravity.”

As the solar jet continued lowering towards the rough colored stone surface, scientists on board braced themselves. Lacy reached down to grip handles next to her bed.

Pilot Jenkins continued, “When we come to a full landing, the first job will be getting up solar panels within twenty feet of the Solar Jet. Panels will be adjusted and angled to receive full power automatically for the nearly ten-hour daytime sun. And those solar reactions will build up energy to keep the jet fully air-conditioned and heated -- day and night. And we’ll also be building enough power for the trip home.”

Animation then began playing on Lacy’s screen showing the setup of solar panels and charging of batteries. Lacy finally cleared the screen and began pushing buttons to check personal messages. Again, she was disappointed to see no response from Ben. She then began entering another message, “I love you, Ben. And I want to marry you right when I get back!”

After anxiously waiting again for a response, Lacy turned off her phone and laid deep in thought.

The solar jet continued slowly working its way down, and the metal legs began spreading out around the solar jet for a level setting. The crew looked around both nervous and excited.

Pilot Jenkins began making new announcements, “Okay. The Solar Jet has officially landed. Please remain in your locked private zone while landing gear is spread out on the hot granite surface. When the belt sign is turned off, you may unlock belts. You are to then head to the Vestibule area and begin preparing for the first trip onto the surface. Have your bodysuits, shoes and headgear properly sealed and ready. When everyone is secured, Vestibule doors of the jet will be sealed, and outer doors will open to this one-of-a-kind moon, Quazmopolis.”

Everyone remained motionless before the seat belts suddenly began to detach. With no hesitation, scientists struggled to get up and move around in the heavy gravitational force. Wearing full exploration suits, helmets were sealed and bags were carried as each scientist made their way to the enclosed Vestibule area.

“You got your tephra gauge?” Chris asked Lacy as she walked up carrying no bags.

Lacy looked surprised before answering, “You think I should bring that now?”

“I knew it,” replied Chris. “You’ve had one thing on your mind since we left. Get the tephra gauge while you still have a chance.”

“Yeah right!” Lacy struggled to get back into the main jet to begin going through piles of tools.

Pilot Jenkins finally walked back overseeing the group of scientists, when he noticed Lacy outside the crew. “What is this? You don’t have set-up tools ready to go?”

Lacy continued sealing the bag before replying politely, “I got it, sir. I’m all prepared.”

Jenkins then checked his clock counting down and yelled, “All scientists in the Vestibule. I’m closing the seal!”

Solar Jet doors closed and sealed while digital temperature gauges on the wall showed a rising temperature in the Vestibule. It was past mid-day, and the constant temperature was dropping from one hundred thirty-four degrees.

The exploring scientists waited nervously and looked at each other before the vestibule doors began opening. The exploring crew then struggled to make their way out of the ship to begin pulling out boxes and unwrapping solar panels. As the gear unfolded and was laid out, scientists began stretching cables and adjusting angles of the solar panels. Computers were programmed to maintain the strongest power from the sun.

Pilot Jenkins waved at the crew of scientists from the window before giving a ‘thumbs up. “That is fine,” said Jenkins through the outside speakers. “The jet is now fully powered. You can begin your tests ‘round the Quazmopolis surface, and I’ll be laying out in the air-conditioned jet if you need anything.”

Jenkins then laughed and reached into the tiny compartment to pull out his bottle.

Scientists walked slowly dealing with the added weight as they began testing the variable colored sharp rock using chemistry kits, a tephra gauge, and many paper-thin computers.

Chris was beginning to remove tools and test tubes from his tool kit when he noticed Lacy hypnotized by the view. “Well, are you ready to start testing?”

“I think so,” replied Lacy with a hesitance. “This colored rock and the unique color sky is just incredible. It’s beautiful...”

Scientists began by laying out dirt pulled from insulated bags, and soil was spread out carefully. The small Arid Cactus plants were taken out and laid out in small containers. Water from fresh bottles and chemicals were poured over the plants, and temperature gauges were placed in soil showing numbers reaching one hundred and twenty degrees.

Other scientists were measuring and taking samples of the beautiful rock in the sharp mounds and surrounding the solar jet. As scientists chipped away at the various colored rock, samples were placed them into individual airtight containers. Computers scanned and measured size, weight and the consistency of chemicals in each of the rocks.

Lacy pretended to be helping before taking out her box of instruments and curiously making her way across the sharp mounds of rock. Each step was taken cautiously considering the added weight on the sharp rock surface.

* * * 

Ben was tapping his fingers on the desk while sitting behind a flashing computer screen in the SEA Headquarters overlooking the constant video being shot from satellites and helmets of individual scientists. Monitors around the big wall showed many cameras and angles of individual scientists, the solar jet, and satellites.

“Message Blocked” continued popping up on Ben’s individual small computer screen, and he was annoyed.

When Dr. Palmer noticed Ben reading from his personal computer, he walked over again. “Have scientists discovered anything on their first day? Perhaps a new combination of elements in the rock.”

“No,” replied Ben. “So far everything looks the same on the Quazmopolis moon as it did in previous missions and from video shot by satellite... So far, but you never know.”

“What’s the temperature now?” asked Palmer.

“Currently, scientists on the rock surface are now facing a temperature of one seventeen, and that temperatures are rapidly going down.”

Dr. Palmer studied the gauges around Ben’s computer screen before commenting, “Get explorers back to the ship when temps drop below fifty.”

“I think in a couple of hours, temps will go below freezing. I’ll let you know.”

“And follow all explorers. If you see any unexplained motion on any camera, follow it closely. Zoom in and record in high definition,” said Dr. Palmer before walking to another scientist.

“Unexplained motion? Sure.” Ben then mumbled, “If a boulder starts rolling around from the breeze, I’ll get it.”

Ben then looked around and began typing another personal message into his portable phone. Again, “Blocked Message” popped up. After looking around, Ben turned off the phone, slid it back into his pocket and went back to documenting information.

Scientists remained close to the jet before a new satellite video popped up showing Lacy and Chris standing close. Ben immediately zoomed in to see the close up shot and examined facial expressions. Using high definition cameras, Ben saw smiles and laughs, then tried unsuccessfully to read lips.

* * *

Chris was laughing as Lacy was typing on her personal computer. “Are you still sending messages? Have you even heard anything from Ben?”

“What? It’s just documentation.”

Chris got closer to Lacy, looked over her shoulder and opened his mask. “You’re just writing personal emails when you’re on one of the biggest missions in world history.”

 “We’re both just working... He’s documenting all the video and element calculations, and I’m examining never before seen elements.”

Chris then moved his head closer to Lacy’s ear and whispered, “I think they’re just blocking all personal messages this first day. You can have a long conversation with him later. Maybe you can even seal up in your chamber for a little phone sex...”

Chris laughed, and Lacy pushed him away also laughing. “I’ll talk to Ben later.”

* * *

Ben stared at the video screen of Chris and Lacy in the close up shot. The two were laughing and touching each other, and Ben gritted his teeth while continually monitoring them from different angles.

When Dr. Palmer noticed Ben’s monitor shots, he walked up to Ben again. “What is this? Get shots of all scientists who are exploring. I don’t want to see close up shots of your favorite scientist. This is not a game.”

“Sorry sir.” Ben immediately zoomed out to shots of the group and continued documenting findings and measuring elements.

* * *

Lacy looked around and finally began walking away from the group of scientists. In spite of the added weight, she climbed up big sharp rocks and headed towards a nearby hill.

“Hey! Where are you going?” shouted Chris when he looked up.

Lacy looked around the beautiful colored rock before answering, “I just need to explore the Quazmopolis surface before I can continue doing simple tests.”

“Don’t get lost,” replied Chris as he turned and walked back towards other scientists chipping at the rock and filling small bags.

Lacy nearly tripped on the sharp stone and tried to watch her step as she made her way towards the center of the mound. She pushed buttons on her helmet and talked into a microphone. “What we see here on Quazmopolis is a very unique surface of unidentified stone. Colors vary, and slick jagged edges could be very dangerous to the step... especially with the added weight.”

As the sun began to set, temperatures were dropping below one hundred. Lacy spun around surprised. “Oh! It looked like motion on a rock formation near red and green rock. Possibly wind blowing caused a dust cloud. Must get in closer to examine.”

As Lacy moved across the line of boulder rocks, she continued shooting video from all angles but saw nothing unusual. “No sign of movement around the green-colored boulder, and the sylvan monitor is showing no signs of possible aerial winds.”

The smaller rock formations showed larger and heavier boulders, but as Lacy walked up to examine, still no movement. “Motion witnessed cannot be verified.”

Lacy pointed her camera at all angles and zoomed in to tighter shots. She examined shapes and sizes of all surrounding rock. “I don’t believe any animal or living organism could survive with the heat coming from this hard rock surface. Rock formation has no absorption, and water evaporation is immediate due to heat. No possible drinking water has been detected on Quazmopolis surface.”

The examination continued, and Lacy shined her light between cracks along the heavy rock surface before stopping again.

“Oh!” Lacy jumped back again when she saw another unexplained motion next to a nearby boulder. She immediately pressed the button on her helmet to begin documentation. “Okay. I saw something again. It wasn’t a dust compound or simple movement of air. It was something moving in the opposite direction of the wind, and it quickly disappeared.”

Curiously, Lacy then walked over and tried to reach into the c***k between the heavy boulders but detected no further motion. She finally reached up to adjust video recording on her helmet.

“I truly believe I saw a motion. It was slight and may have been between small cracks in the rock surface. Closer examination has revealed no visible insect or life formation.”

Lacy leaned forward to aim the camera between the large rocks but again saw nothing further. She then carefully continued stepping between the sharp boulders and when she glanced down at the tephra gauge near the bed of rocks, she saw slight temperature moderation and stepped back.

“I was not able to record, but I believe motion could possibly have been caused by some form of life,” mumbled Lacy into the microphone. She continued nervously examining the area and shooting video, but saw nothing. She picked up tiny grains of sand with tweezers and placed them into small containers.