Chapter 8:
Pratik and Senlings
Professor Puri was a very learned and knowledgeable person. His name was uttered with respect among some of the best minds of the world. But he was not at all popular among others. His students, family, and acquaintances feared more than they loved him Because he never had any true friendship with anyone. Research was the only thing he was interested in. His field of research was biofuels. He was a man of principle, at least that was what he claimed.
He had many students in his long career of 22 years, but none turned back after getting their Ph d. The reason being he was mean and self-centered person. Now Pratik Pareek was one of such research students. He came from a small village near Jaipur. He was a very enthusiastic researcher. But never once Dr Puri appreciated him or gave recognition in any paper he published. Sometimes it was the entire work of Pratik which Dr Puri conveniently overlooked.
Pratik Pareek was sitting in front of his Research supervisor Dr. Naresh Puri. He was a bit nervous. This was not new. The professor made everyone nervous around him. Pratik was very eager to know what the business was.
"Do you believe in Aliens?" suddenly the professor popped the question.
"Er…...Aliens sir? Umm...I always thought there might be a life form other than our galaxy. Why you ask sir?" Asked he politely.
"Don't question me! What you need to know you will know! All right?"
Pratik kept silence. He wanted to hit his supervisor, controlled his hands from doing that with an effort. The professor started telling or rather giving instructions to Pratik.
Pratik had to accompany the person sitting outside. His name was Andy Temple. He has a story which had to be corroborated. He was staying in the abandoned village called Khuldhara. Pratik had to go there and meet some people who claim they were aliens.
Pratik nearly fell down the chair.
"Aliens sir?...you mean I have to meet them?" he asked with full of surprise.
"Can't you hear? I don't want to repeat. I hate rhetorical questions. Now listen." He continued with his instructions.
Pratik had to find out about the truth in their story. If that was true! Then immediately he had to call Professor. He would make the fuel and came to Khuldhara. He also wanted a photo of those aliens. He wanted Pratik to investigate thoroughly. The most important thing was not to be friendly with Andy.
Pratik nodded his head and departed. For some reason his heart was feeling light. He could get away from Dr. Bitter for some time. Also, he might meet aliens if the story was true! How famous he could become? How his thesis would be accepted immediately? Maybe he could restart the relationship with Anu.
"Hey! Any doubts? Why are you standing there?" came the stern voice of Professor. Without saying anything he left the office. Outside Andy was waiting for Pratik. Pratik maintained a distance from him and asked formally "When do we leave?"?
Andy was surprised by his coldness. He was buddy and bro a few minutes back, now being very formal. Andy did not express his thought. "If we catch the bus in half an hour's time, we can be in Khuldhara by evening." Said in a mechanical voice. Pratik put some gadgets and stuff in his backpack was ready to leave. They both silently came out of the house. At the end of the street, Pratik came closer to Andy and patted him on the shoulder. With suspicion Andy looked back.
"I am sorry bro! Instruction from Dr. Bitter! Not to get too friendly with you!" said Pratik.
Andy walked silently. He was hurt. They both grabbed some lunch at a dhaba. The meat was deliciously cooked. Andy really missed meat and eggs. Pratik was very much interested in his life in an abandoned village, wanted to know what they ate? Cooked and many other things. They carefully avoided the topic of aliens. Pratik told him about his life.
"You know Pratik? The life is not as bad as you think. If you have your true love, then you can even live on mars." Said Andy.
Pratik sighed deeply. The afternoon Sun was mercilessly blazing. The bus came along the road. There were a few people in it. They all looked like villagers. The ladies had completely covered their faces and the men had a turban around their head. Everyone carried a basket. Probably they were farmers returning home after selling their produce in Jodhpur. Andy always loved the sight of village people. He sat in the front seat, Pratik followed next. As the bus started running, the hot air made them feel even hotter. Both Andy and Pratik were chatting casually. Pratik told him about his research and his dreams. How Dr. Bitter was making his life hell.
"You know Andy? I have not visited my parents for 6 months. Anu broke up with me 4 months back. The reason was I am not good enough for her. Why I was not good enough? Because Dr. Bitter won't let me. " said Pratik.
"I am sorry Pratik! Once you get your Ph D everything will be all right!" replied Andy.
"You think so too? Hope this journey takes me to the destination lucky. What about you? Do you have any ambition? Dreams?" asked Pratik.
"Yes! I want to build my own house! I want Rani to have the best life. I want to have 4 children. 2 boys and 2 girls." Said Andy. His eyes were dreaming.
"Very good! Simple but nice dream. No doubt it will come true. Where did you meet your girlfriend?"
They both chatted along about their childhood, love life and other things. In between the bus stopped for evening tea. Pratik bought him a chai and a patty. The bus rustled on. By the time they reached the place both were tired and dirty. Silently Pratik walked along with Andy. He was eager and worried. What was awaiting at the end of the journey? Did the professor really believed there might be aliens? Why did he not come down himself? What was his plan?
They reached the entrance of the abandoned village. Rani was waiting for them. The sight of Rani gave strength to Andy. He walked fast and hugged her. Introduced Pratik. Andy knew Xezo and others were nearby watching. But he did not want to spook Pratik. It was better if he could see them. Still 3 days left for full moon. In an hour's time Senlings would become visible. Rani took them to their house and made green tea. Pratik wanted to shower. Andy showed him the well and the bucket.
The moon slowly was rising. Suddenly Pratik saw some things looking like cotton. He swallowed hard.
"Andy…. ahem…are these?"
"Yes! They are Senlings! Don't worry about them. They are harmless." Said Andy.
As usual Vika was standing next to Rani. He introduced Pratik to other senlings. Initially there was a hesitation from both sides. But Rani and Andy made it easier for them. They made both Pratik and Senlings comfortable with each other. He asked so many questions. Xezo answered them all patiently.
Pratik started with their appearance, their food intake, the way they reproduce, (at this Vika was very enthusiastic to answer), their educational system, soil everything. He noted down everything Xezo and others were saying. It took more than 3 hours for Pratik to finish the questions.
"Mr. Xezo! Let me read the observations. If you find any violation, please correct me!" said Pratik. Everyone nodded. Pratik started reading.
"The planet Sengodan in the galaxy Alpha Centaury is mostly like our planet earth. The occupants of the planet are called Senlings. They have a different pathology resembling plants in many aspects. They can prepare their own food out of soil and air. The breath in Nitrogen and breath out Oxygen. The plants in their plants do the same but in the reverse order. The fruits and vegetable from the plants are taken when they plan a huge dinner for any celebration. The entire Planet Sengodan speaks only one language called Amuthini! The Senlings are very advanced. They have understood the working of the brain and can control it with Gamma rays. Without speaking, they can understand each other telepathically. They can make us people understand their language Amuthini just by activating our neurons with the gamma rays. They exactly know which neuron to be activated and how much of Gamma rays is needed. They made me understand their language in the same way. They procreate in the same manner as we humans do. Their houses are made of a material they call Chengal. It is available to them from the volcano. As the resources are decreasing in an alarming way, they are trying to produce Chengal with the help of chemicals. Almost they have succeeded. They came to earth in search of other building material and wanted to know more about our planet. Their vehicles run in the fuel a combination of Sulphur di oxide and Nitrogen, a 3:1 combination works for them. They have schools and universities like ours, but they teach much more advanced science. Their Sun is called Mihir, moon Nila. In Sengodan one day consists of 12 hours of 60 minutes, the time taken for Sengodan to revolve around its own axis. This implies Earth time is double the time of Sengodan. The Senlings are harmless and have no intentions of taking over our earth!
The Senlings clapped as the report ended.
"Thank you, Friend Pratik! You have made an excellent report. Hope professor Dr. Puri is also a trustable person. Are you sending him the report?" asked Xezo.
"Of course, I will! But before that I would like to see your vehicle. What type of mechanical parts you use? And much more!" said Pratik.
There was a bit of hesitation from Senlings! But if they wanted the fuel, they had to show him their machine. The small group went deep inside the abandoned village. There was a big open space near the end of the village. From there the desert started. There was nothing else to be seen. Not even a single plant or a house. It was totally barren. May be that was the reason the senlings landed there. They might need a large takeoff and landing space thought Pratik.
In the middle stood a pentagon shaped machine with square legs. The legs were of 3 Feet high. There were five legs and the machine rested on them. No opening or door could be seen. Andy and Rani wondered how they would get inside the flying machine. As if answering that question, Xezo approached one of the legs which was in the extreme left of the machine. He pushed one panel and there was a switch. He pressed that, as if by magic, an opening appeared in the leg. There was a flight of stairs inside. Silently they climbed. In the middle there was a column connecting all the five legs. In that column in red painting something was written. As Xezo touched their head they were able to read it. It said Enney means fuel in their language. Pratik looked at Xezo, he nodded. There was a slight dent on one of the connecting columns. Probably the fuel must have leaked from the crack. There was something sticking at the crack. Pratik took it on one finger and smelled it. It strongly smelled of Sulphur.
The group now started ascending the stairs. They came into the cabin of the flying machine. It was more like a van. The pilot seat was made of some transparent red crystal. The other seats were looking grand with blue crystal. The dials were studded with small multicolored stones. Pratik had a feeling that they might be precious stones.
"This is our building material Andy! "Said Xezo showing one of the shining rocks. It looked like a corrosion free metal unknown to earth. They were purple in color looked very strong and lovely. Some of the rocks had a lining of dark blue. Some had multicolored spots. Pratik had a feeling the rock was made of a metal unknown to humans. That may be priceless. Lucky Dr. Bitter! He thought to himself. Andy was the first to see the time dial on the flying machine. It showed 1120 Maasi 25. He pointed the clock to Pratik and Rani. They could not understand that either.
"Oh! 1120 indicated the year and Maasi is the month. 25 is the date. We landed here exactly 4 years back on a full moon day." Said Xezo. As they were watching something on the board went cling and letters appeared on one of the blank dials. It said, "you have only 5 days left to return. Otherwise, the portal will be closed."
Xezo and others let out a cry of terror.
"Mighty God Mihir! We must rush! Once the opening portal is closed, we are stuck here forever. I want to go back and be with my family. "cried one of the Senlings. Pratik silently measured the fuel capacity and started getting down. Others followed him in silence. The Senlings were disturbed. Even Vika did not open his mouth. Once they reached the ground, Andy asked.
"OK! Xezo! What is a portal? Why would it close?"
Xezo looked at others and started speaking "Ahem…. we are in a grim situation Friend Andy! In our planet we are very cautious people. We give utmost importance to our safety. We are always afraid of other aliens attacking us. Whenever we go on search of earth or other planets, we have a time limit. We must cross Agathiya belt to come to the earth. Our government had made a portal there for us to exit and enter. If we don't reach the Agathiya belt within 4 years, the portal closes automatically. Then we may not return. Now we had a reminder from our government about the time limit." Said Xezo in a serious tone.
Andy and Rani felt sorry for them. He hugged Xezo.
"We have 5 days left Xezo! Your fuel will be ready by that time!"
Pratik looked at him.
"Not so simple Andy! Their time and our time are different. Our day consist of 24 hours. But theirs is 12, So practically they have 2 and a half days left." And turned toward Xezo.
"Without fuel how this communication is possible?"
"Oh! That's easy, the communication system has a backup power. That too will die after the time limit!" said Xezo.
Pratik was thinking deeply.