Chapter 9
The Plan
Pratik was deeply thinking. He was sure that they were missing something. The machine had a backup, it could receive communication from Sengodan, there was something bothering him. He wanted to think about it. They all descended and grouped under a large rock.
"Ahem…Xezo…. How many hours constitute a day in Sengodan?" asked Pratik still thinking. Xezo answered it was 72. Pratik took out a paper and jotted down something and started calculating. He was muttering to himself, but others were able to catch a few words here and there.
"They say, they came to this place 1 year back according to Sengodan calendar, But it is very clear that they were stuck here for more than 2 years.
Suddenly Pratik looked tensed up.
"Oh Xezo! There had been a mistake calculating your return date! I think you don't have 5 days left. You have only 1 day that too today. If you don't go this night or may be tomorrow night, the portal will be closed for you once and for all."
Xezo froze in his spot. He never thought of that. Of course, he was aware that the time was different on earth, but it never occurred to him to back calculate. He cursed himself for not thinking of that. All other Senlings gathered around Pratik and looked at his math! Yes, indeed he was right. They have only a day left for their return. Andy and Rani also got the point even though they didn't understand the math.
"What could we do? The professor said, it will take atleast 2 days to prepare the fuel!" said Andy in a troubled voice.
They all fell silent.
"Shall we try to communicate our situation to base station?" asked Vika.
Before anyone could answer "NO" shouted Pratik!
"Are you crazy? I have a doubt already ISRO is tracing an ET signal. They have all the facility to do that! Another signal from you! …. That's all it takes…..." he let the sentence unfinished. Others realized he had a valid point.
Pratik was doing thinking. His fingers were moving in the air as if he was weighing the consequences of his planned action. Rani felt very bad for Senlings! Andy was not sure what to think! One side he was happy the Senlings would live here. On the other hand, their deeply worried faces made him feel sorry for them. Not having a home is one thing. But having one but not able to reach was completely different.
The very thought made Andy remember his younger days. When he was in the orphanage many people came to adopt one of the children. All he wanted was to have a home with one of those people. Dressing up nicely behaving properly he waited for his turn. Nobody wanted him. At a point of time, he felt as if he was on sale, and nobody wanted the commodity called Andy. Then he stopped attending those adoption days. His dream changed from a foster home to building his own home with a loving wife in it.
Suddenly he felt a pain in his elbow. Rani was pinching him. "Where were you?" said she. He simply put his hand on her shoulder. Rani understood. She tugged him from the group. They went a few steps away.
"What Rani?"
"Listen! Pratik may be correct! This is very painful to think that our friends cannot reach their home. We must do something and send them tonight. Do you have any idea?" asked Rani.
"What do you think? All these time calculations went above my head Rani! I am not as smart as Pratik! You know that!"
"You are very smart in your way Andy! Please assure me you will come with a plan?" asked Rani. Andy's brain clicked. He rushed towards Pratik.
"Listen Pratik! I got a brain wave. It may be nothing or It may be something!" said Andy excited.
"Please come to the idea! Let me hear it" said Xezo.
Andy explained his idea to the small group.
The professor said it will take 2 days to prepare the combination. What if they get the raw materials instead? Xezo and others could make a combo immediately?
There was a cry of joy from Xezo and others. They hugged Andy and talked excitedly among them. But Pratik put out a hand.
"Do you think Dr. Bitter will give his chemicals just like that?" said Pratik.
"Nothing wrong in trying Pratik! We will talk to him and make him understand the situation!" said Rani with hope.
"But…there is no time! Jodhpur is 5 hrs drive Rani!" said Pratik.
"My god! You have a phone Pratik! Unlike ours it is charged too! Just talk to him!" snapped Rani. Pratik ran towards a secluded place shouting "I will talk to him all right, but don't want to get insulted in front of you!"
They waited patiently for his return. Xezo was pacing the place, others were restless. Vika was twisting Andy's finger. Pratik came running back to them.
"As I expected. The Doctor had ratted us out. Now he says he will bring 2 men along with him from ISRO. He didn't believe in the portal said it was a nonsense. Tomorrow night he will bring the fuel and the scientists." Said Pratik breathing heavily. Andy's heart missed a beat.
"He promised to me Xezo!" was the only words Andy could utter.
Xezo went and sat in a corner of an open house. His eyes were full of tears. "I did not expect! Oh! What do I do?" repeated he. Rani went and sat near him. She placed her hands on his shoulder. It felt like ice.
"I know the situation is very serious. But there is always a solution to every problem. Just we must keep cool! Please keep aside your tension and anxiety. Think for others. If you lose control, what will happen to others Xezo? "said Rani soothingly.
Suddenly Xezo got up.
"You are very wise Rani! Can you think of some solution? We must leave tomorrow night! Otherwise, our life is at stake! Instead of handing over my crew to a bunch of human scientists I will kill myself." He sounded as if he meant it. Rani looked at Andy helplessly.
There was silence in there for some time. Andy's heart felt as if it might explode any minute. He had grown attached to those Senlings and desperately wanted them to go home. They were harmless, he never wanted them to exhibit as if they were some amusing things. Rani was also thinking in the same lines. She got an idea but, how far Andy and others would approve of that? No time to think of vanity and self-esteem. She called Andy. Pratik also joined them. Both looked at Rani with hope.
"Ahem…. Andy…. I have a way…but…..." As Xezo heard these word he came running t her.
"Tell me quickly Rani! What ever it takes I am prepared to try that. Only I could fly tomorrow night."
"Ahem…. Like…. The professor may not give the fuel if we ask…but…."
Andy hugged her tightly.
"You are evil! But I love that...," said Andy.
"Hey love birds! We have situation remember?" said Pratik in a sarcastic way.
There was a discussion after that. Initially Xezo was against stealing the fuel from the professor. But he saw they have no other choice. Pratik was enthusiastic about the issue. He wanted to start immediately and come back before dawn. But without a proper plan Rani was not going to let them. All of them sat in a circle. Andy saw to it Vika sat next to him and Pratik. Vika cursed him under the breath. An irritated Xezo scolded Vika for not taking things seriously.
"Do you know where the professor stores the chemicals?" asked Rani.
"Of course, Rani! At the rear end of the lab, he has a storeroom. All chemicals are stored there including Nitrogen." said Pratik.
They came to know that the professor always kept the room under lock and the key was hanging in the wall of the lab. Without professor noticing it was impossible to take the key. This was a setback, but Andy was not going to give up.
"Does the doctor leave his lab at all?"
Pratik thought for a while. He said he would leave only to meet very important persons who he invited to his house. All brains pooled together they hatched a plan. Pratik would call the professor and say, there were some people from NASA who had recognized an alien signal. They would like to discuss with him. The professor had a great regard for NASA and could not resist this opportunity. When he goes to see them, Andy was to lock up the front door of his house. Then they would bring the barrels of Nitrogen and Sulphur di oxide. If the professor didn't buy the NASA thing, then the plan was to force him into his house and lock from outside. Before doing they had to ensure that Dr. Bitter did not have a phone on him. Rani was not ok with this. She said they might face a police case if they did that. Xezo also agreed. He said because of him his friends should not get into trouble. There was again a brain storming. SO many ideas and solutions were offered. But nothing was good enough. Finally, Andy announced importantly there was no meaning in wasting time. They had a plan he would see to it that it succeeded. Maybe they can explain to the professor later. But now time was of the most important thing. They had to rush before the hours of tomorrow night.
With so much hesitation and objection Xezo and his team agreed to this. Rani was very anxious about the safety of Andy and Pratik too! She asked whether the professor had a pistol? To her dismay the answer came affirmative. She had a bad feeling all about this. Something was bothering her. What if Andy did not return at all? What would happen to her life? Her eyes were filled up as she thought of the dream house and the family, they were going to have in that. But some other thought struck her. The Senling? What would happen to them? They would be stuck here forever. Xezo might be having a family, might be a loving wife waiting for his return anxiously. Vika was very young. He was yet to find the love of his life! The other Senlings were also to be pitied. Suddenly she got courage and hope.
Yes! This was a very serious situation. But they were here to help her friends. If they succeed everything would be fine. But if they fail, they might have trustworthy friend for the rest of her life. Any way it was worth a try. Andy and Pratik were to return to Jodhpur the next morning at the creek of dawn. They should drive as fast as they could. The plans had to be executed with in an hour and they had to drive back to Khuldhara before Sunset with fuel and all. If they were able to do this, there would be ample time for Xezo and team to prepare the fuel. No one was able to sleep that night. Everyone was having their own thoughts. Andy was checking the clock every minute. Vika was lying next to him. He seemed to be anxious too! But he hid it well. Xezo and others were discussing something pointlessly. The discussion made them close to each other and gave comfort.
At last, it was 3 'o clock in the morning. They were not allowed to hit the highways before that due to Pandemic restrictions. Andy and Pratik got ready silently. Pratik was not at all interested in any sort of conversation. His face was grim. Andy was anxious and worried. They both set off for the nearby village. They had hired a wagon for 3 days in case. The wagon was readily standing at the far entrance of the abandoned village. Since there was no Sunlight the Senlings were still visible. They were all holding a twig that was what it looked like, but they were purple in color. It was customary for the Senlings. They said the twigs were to bring good luck to the traveler and it was their custom to hold it before travel. Andy and Pratik accepted the twigs and assured they will bring it back and give it to them when they start towards Sengodan. Those words were of great comfort to all of them. Vika hugged Andy. Rani was cheerful but it was evident she was hiding her real feelings. She kissed Andy and said come with good news.
And the very long and anxious waiting started for Senlings and Rani.