Chapter 11:
At the Khudhara village Rani and others were waiting for Andy to return with the fuels. They knew it was not going to help if they panicked but could not help it. Rani asked them to sleep for at least an hour or two. But that was impossible for them. Their whole life was hanging on a thin thread. Rani wanted to distract them. She started asking about their planet and the journey. They were very eager to talk about it.
The planet Sengodan is the most beautiful planet in the Alpha Centaury galaxy. It was populated by Uyirgal. They called themselves not Senlings but Uyirgal. There was not much differentiation between male and female. No caste or races. But economical barrier was there. Those who were educated got good jobs homes. But the Uyirgal doing menial jobs had a tough time to cope up. The government called Maiya Arasu was trying best to make all Uyirgal literate. But young Uyirgal were taking everything lightly and did not bother about education. They wanted to have a good time and only good time. No responsibilities. (At this point Xezo looked at Vika) The Maiya Arasu was also very worried by the alarming way building material decreased. They had found a way of making artificial buildings but that was not successful.
Rani wanted to know what their source of water was. She knew they drew water from the cloud. But how they managed that? Did they fly and suck water? Xezo laughed lightly at this suggestion. No! No! They could not fly, not on their own. They use flights for that. But water was absorbed by their body from cloud. Clouds were not this high in Sengodan. They managed here with the well. They touched the water and it got absorbed into their cells. Rani was fascinated by this. They went on to describe about their language, their culture, and many things.
Now the time was 10:30. Rani was anxious. Any minute now Andy and Pratik might come. Let them be prepared. Rani told that to Xezo. He was eagerly started giving instruction to his crew. Vika was to clean the machine. At this Vika cursed Xezo. Others were to collect earth rocks and soils. Using the back up they could warm up the machine. But not immediately. Only half an hour before takeoff. Their belongings not much to be loaded. The instructions were carried out. Even after that no sign of Andy and Pratik. Now Rani started worrying. Something terrible might have happened to them. It was also possible the professor had shot them. How were they going to know? Rani had a phone, but it was dead long back. The Senlings could not wait for long. Xezo expressed his concern.
"I don't know Xezo! I am worried too! Some bad feeling, I am getting." Said Rani. She was fighting back her tears.
Xezo was very much concerned. He felt because his people Rani and Andy were in trouble. If something had happened to Andy, he would not forgive himself. He called for a meeting without Rani. Rani was pacing up and down the passage near the entrance. The others were gathered near the machine. Their faces were grim. Xezo spoke to them.
"Dear friends! I was hoping we would one day return to Sengodan. But now I see that is almost impossible. It was my fault the flying machine crash landed. Because of me you are stuck in the planet earth. The time for the portal to close on them is fast approaching. The professor Andy trusted proved to be a traitor. Now it was time for us to decide our fate. Are we prepared to be handed over to Earth scientists? Or are we going for the only other option that is death. I am not going to force anyone my decision. I just want all of you to keep in mind that even if Andy returns unharmed, both Rani and he were not going to live in this place for ever. They must move to the city. I will wait till this midnight. If we are not on the flying machine, I am going for self-sacrifice. But this is my decision. I want all of you to decide and be prepared to face the consequences of your decision whatever it may be. I am very sorry for putting you through this. I apologize. But my apology is not going to help you get back to our planet. But still, I seek your pardon." Said Xezo very grimly.
Others kept quiet for a long time. They thought Xezo was not the only one to blame. They were also equally responsible. It was a mistake from everyone. They shared this opinion with Xezo. He felt happy but that was not comforting. Vika was the first to speak.
"I am willing to follow your decision of self-sacrifice chief! No regret. It is always better to go with dignity."
They all felt pity for young Vika. He had just begun his life. Too young to die in this way. Xezo put a hand on his shoulder and hugged him. There were tears in everyone's eyes. All of them decided to end their life after midnight. They planned how that to be done. It was not easy for them. Surprisingly Vika was stable. Xezo and others suggested many methods from self-immolation to drowning in water. Vika argued them out of that. The earth fire will not burn them. Water is nothing but a combination of hydrogen and oxygen. Their system would take hydrogen from water, and they would live on. That was true. They all sat down thinking. Vika said we are dying for our dignity; our deaths should also be dignified. They all felt the same.
Vika said after a bit of hesitation. He had found a plant which was poisonous to their system. If they eat the plant their death would be immediate and painless. It was like cyanide to the earthlings. Xezo was impressed by the knowledge. He appreciated Vika for this and asked what plant was that? Vika showed them a plant in the desert which looked like an ivy but without leaves. They call this desert beans, but this contains more of hydrogen peroxide. Their lungs could not handle this huge form of hydrogen, the brain will send signal to heart and other vital parts to stop working. This was the best way to go with dignity. They all agreed to this. Vika and one more scientist gathered the necessary amount of that beans for all of them. They kept it in a pile near the machine. Xezo instructed them not to talk about their decision to friend Rani. If they did, she might stop them from doing so. It was in their best interest, but she would not understand their position.
Everyone was feeling down. They all wanted to get back to their planet. They thought of their cozy homes and the family in it. When they started this journey, they had dreamed of becoming famous, doing good for their planet. But it had ended up like this. Xezo felt even more depressed because of Vika. What was he thinking taking a young boy as an intern on such a dangerous journey? He looked at Vika. He was not smiling but not smirking also. He looked brave and determined. Maybe Xezo, thought Maybe he had misjudged the younger generation! They were fun loving all right and showed responsibility and courage when needed. If only he could tell this piece of wisdom to the Maiya Arasu. How that would help for the planet Sengodan. If only mighty God Mihir did some miracle. They all walked towards the entrance where Rani was still pacing the ground.