431 YEAS OF DEATH: The origin

by Divya Singh

  Dr. Williamson, I realized was a great orator and motivator himself. Above all he was an utterly positive man. I was glad we have had proficient people on our ship. The seemingly, never ending session of ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ began in the hall. The ship had ceased shaking, indicating that the first wave of Tsunami had gone past us. I looked at Devon, and smiled at him instilling the ‘we can do it’ spirit. He smiled back and clenched my arm tighter. Then I looked at Lois, who was a bit perplexed, it being all new and terrifying for her to cope up with. I bent down on my knees before her and said-

  I said: “Lo! We are going to make it! Don’t worry; I have been through a lot worse than this. We can do anything if we are strong! Didn’t you hear Dr. Williamson? We need not panic. We have everything we need and we will get through it smooth and strong. Don’t be afraid! Life supports only the stronger, so be strong. Right?”

  All that she did was giving me a reluctant but agreeing nod with her eyes welled up. I rose up on my feet and stood. It was actually strange to live an eventful life like this, where you can’t breathe in peace; every moment was adventurous and surprising. You feel like you are running along to cope up with.

  ZA-vi: “Do you need anything madam?”

  I replied: “I have not drunk a drop of water since I got up from the bed. Get me a bottle of fresh water; something certainly to help me. Thanks ZA-vi! What would I do without you?”

  ZA-vi went away, to fetch some water for us, while amidst chaos before us I saw KEAH emerge before me. She was certainly not happy, I knew she feared death and it went pale on her face.

  KEAH: “Miss! So is it time? Do we have only some 30 minutes to our existence? Is it how it ends? I am being honest; I don’t want to die at this young age. I have yet to learn a lot. I am not ready.” She faked a small smile, as usually did; failing to hide the fear she visibly carried on her face.

  I opposed: “KEAH! No! We are not going to get scratched! Ok we might get scratched, but we are not going to die! We will live! Don’t be weak and stand tall on your feet girl! Don’t lose hope; didn’t you hear what doctor said?”

  KEAH took her right hand up and held her forehead with it. ZA-vi had brought water bottle. I took it from him, it felt cold. Devon left my arm and said to KEAH-

  Devon: “Hey there girl! Why don’t you go sit on that seat over there?” He pointed towards a little stool kept in the right corner of the hall. But she was slightly reluctant to go alone, so we all decided to get out of the crowd and comfort ourselves in the corner. I had drank the water bottle half; and handed it over to KEAH-

  I said: “Here! Have this and chill yourself!” Although she took the bottle, but she did not drink from it, rather she rubbed it on her red hot cheeks, heat being radiated from the element of fear she was being haunted with. She sat on the stool traumatized.

  I said: “KEAH! Trust my words on rock; you’re the smartest girl I have ever met. You have brought me back to life. I cannot see a brilliant girl like you lose hope like this! So come on, gut up!”

  She nodded in harmony with me and thanked me. Despondra who was busy talking to Dr. Williamson saw us all consoling KEAH and walked towards us; the expressionless Dr. Allen Parker and his assistant Dr. Amit Jain accompanied her towards us.

  Despondra: “I don’t think that the odds are against us. We will make it. That’s what we were discussing with Dr. Williamson. But Dani! Being dormant and not acting despite the knowledge of what is coming is not a very good idea.” Then she saw KEAH. “Now what is it with her?” She asked with surprise.

  Dr. Parker: “Look I am basically a biologist, but as far as I could understand, Danielle’s opinion is the best. We must live with glory and not show our backs on the battlefield.”

  Dr. Amit who looked confused with what Dr. Parker just said, interrupted-

  Dr. Amit: “I think we should not think all that much. We will sail out of it successfully. I remember having read somewhere that a ship although not as big had survived the Tsunami attacks, without even overturning….”

  He was further interrupted by Taner-

  Taner: “Danielle! That’s it! Thank God I know you better now! You wouldn’t have told me even your name by yourself!” He giggled. Seeing no one not getting along well with him, he said, “If the ship goes down, I will pray to God that he takes me down with the ship but save my plants!”

  He made everyone laugh this time. KEAH looked up at Taner and finally smiled at the boy’s lively spirits.

  Suddenly the brief laughter we had broke with the voice of The Navigator-

  The Navigator: “We have calculated the time of the impact. We have precisely 11 minutes and 13 seconds, as I speak. So people on the ship calm down and do not panic.”

  He stopped and the monotonous voice of the automated announcer began-

  The announcer: “11 minutes for Tsunami to hit us.”

  Hearing this all the people in the navigation hall started panicking. They seemed restless and scared for life as the time came nearer second by second. As the announcing voice started the countdown, some of the women and girls began shrieking out of fear. It was getting unbearable to hear and see panic everywhere. I decided to go up to the front and speak. I pounced forward and grabbed the mike from The Navigator-

  I addressed: “Everybody! Simmer down! Keep your calm! The Doctors and physicists and all the intelligent people on the ship believe that we will survive this onslaught. The ship is capable and sophisticated enough to go through this….”

  Somebody, I couldn’t get who shouted-

  “But we are gonna die!”

  I turned towards his voice and put my point more aggressively-

  I screamed: “If you think you will die, you probably will and nobody can save you. But if you trust in our resources and able brains on the ship and the wonderful ship engineering and most importantly yourself, then you won’t die. If you trust me, although you might not have seen me before, but if you do believe me, I have seen the ship up close Believe it or not, this is not how we die! We have survived 180 years, and we are not gonna die like this today! Now, keep calm and find your best survival strategy, while let others do their best to save you from the mouth of death.” I silenced them all and now the announcer’s voice could be hear clear.

  I climbed down the small podium; Devon had reached there by then and said-

  Devon: “That was impressive Dani! I think you will make a great leader.”

  The announcer: “9 minutes to the collision.”

  The Navigator: “We have taken out all the life boats on the decks and fastened them for use in case of emergency.” He announced.

  Dr. Williamson who was sitting before the screen and studying the data carefully; said to me-

  Dr Williamson: “You have a great spirit Danielle! Exceptionally vigorous survival instincts!” He resumed his much important work. All the navigator staff was now busy in accumulating as much important data they were getting and some of them summarizing and calculating the predictions.

  The announcer: “5 minutes to collision.”

  I asked The Navigator about where everybody else of the ship was. We certainly were not so less as to be just 50 in numbers.

  The Navigator told me: Everybody here has some or the other work; they are all online on the Ship Network and get the real time data ASAP. They know all that is happening in our chambers. They know the safety procedures too. Don’t worry they are all safe!” I nodded in yes.

  The duo of Dr. Von and Shelly were seen approaching me-

  VON: “Hi madam! So is that it? We are getting hit by majestic Tsunamis. But like you said; we will make it!” Von sounded positive.

  SHELLY: “Look! We have had our differences, but I have a special affinity towards you who is one of our most challenging cases, through which we gained our professional excellence. I will always be grateful that you have believed in us with your life. I will always be thankful that you happened to us!” Von nodded. Like it or not, emotions soar up at such times of
difficulty.

  I said: “No Doctor Shelly I am grateful that I was made by your able hands! I owe my this life to the contributions which you two made in bringing me back to life.”

  It was not exactly in words, but it was in conduct; a goodbye for all the intents and purposes. Devon pulled my left wrist and pulled me away from everybody else.

  The announcer: “3 minutes to collision.”

  Devon: “Dani! My dear angel! I know we are not going to sink, just as you said. But if we do…..Oh damn! I am bad at saying goodbyes! But you know this is it. I could not be the one I wanted to, towards you, but there was too less time. If this is all this life had to give, just so little you know, it was worth it!” His eyes gleamed and I knew my this little boy was going to get emotional. Those blue sapphire eyes were breaking my heart. I slapped his cheek.

  I said: “You silly!” But I was breaking from inside out. I knew we could drown and I have committed too many mistakes and stabbed so many hearts that I could not be absolved of guilt, because I have not done anything good enough to blot my sins out.

  Devon: “Can I breach the proximity standards for one last time?” I nodded and he embraced me from my back facing him, wrapping his big strong arms around my shoulders. I saw Despondra making her way towards me hastily as the time was fleeting.

  The announcer: “2 minutes to collision!”

  Despondra: “Dani! I hope we are not enemies anymore now? I wanted to be sorry once again for having offended you.”

  I said: “Its fine doctor. No! You are my friend Pondra! There is no room for bitterness at all.” She sealed it with smile and I replied back.

  KEAH got up from the seat and approached me, she held my hand and so did Lois. I consoled both the terrified little girls with gestures.

  The announcer: “1 Minute to collision. Impact imminent, 60, 59, 58, 57……”

  The Navigator: “Hold onto something! Anything you find! Brace up!”

  I hope everybody found something to hold onto.

  The announcer: “31, 29, 28, 27, 26….”

  We looked at each other, all of us, KEAH and Despondra rushed away to find something to cling onto. While Devon and Lois held the door whose handles I had held.

  The announcer: “Impact imminent! 13, 12, 11, 10…”

  The Navigator: “Stand strong!!!”

  The announcer: “3, 2, 1 GO! Turning the ship engines off.”

  A strong bang came from our left side, and the ship overturned towards its right; there was a collective cry all over in the floor. Now all of us were hanging from whatever we held onto. I hung onto the handle of the door which got opened owing to the collision. It jerked me down; I couldn’t remain hung with both the hands, as my left hand flew down from the grip. Now I was hanging from an opened-out door which was swinging. I saw towards the right side wall of the chamber, which had now become our new floor, because of our overturned ship which stood on its right side now.

  I saw many persons falling towards the right side wall. Some of them knocked against tables, machines and walls, while one of them was Dr. Amit Jain. I was so sorry for him for he seemed like he got hurt real bad.

  ZA-vi who now stood just below me on the left face of a table, extended his hands towards me to help me climb down. My right hand was about to lose it grip so it was better that I climbed down with the help of ZA-vi. I did as I thought and in two seconds I was down on the table standing with ZA-vi.

  The Navigator: “Another wave of Tsunami is on its way. I am sorry, but it is not over yet.” The ship turned back on its hull, which fell with a thud on the water, we were afloat again. All fell on the original floor once again.

  The announcer: “3 minutes to collision. Switching engines on.”

  There was cry all over the place, some were hurt others terrified. Devon crawled towards me.

  Devon: “You okay? I got scratched just a little.”

  I cried: “Oh my goodness, your right toe is bleeding!”

  He said: “Ah yes, it is just a small cut. A machine from inside the room fell and smashed against my foot. It was heavy!”

  I suggested: “we must do something about your wound.”

  He replied: “But there is no time; it is not enough for nursing a wound, rather we must prepare ourselves for another impact.”

  The announcer: “1 Minute to collision.”

  The Navigator: “This time we will try to navigate with engines on, we will take the impact on Stern. This may minimize the impact on the ship, taking the blow laterally. The first impact did not damage the ship, except some bruise on the outer Port of the ship. I hope nobody is seriously hurt other than Dr. Amit Jain. We have secured him with us. Be careful with the next wave. We have received reports that this one is going to be higher than 30 meters when it hits us.”

  The announcer: “30 seconds, 28, 27, 26……”

  The Navigator: “try to hold something steady, not moving or could be opened with the shudder. We have many machines in the hall. Please adjust yourself quickly!”

  The announcer: “…….7, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Impact imminent!”

  A smashing collision skid the ship towards the right and turned it on its axis by a small angle, resulting it facing towards the direction. I saw everybody fall on the ground with a loud bang.

  The Navigator: “To the Starboard!” He must have shouted to all the men engaged in navigation sitting before the screens. Soon in seconds’ time the ship turned to the right, but we were still amidst the Tsunami waves. Something again hit the ship from the left side.

  All of a sudden the Bow of the ship began turning down with a thunder. The ship now stood at an inclination of 30 degrees with the sea surface.

  The Navigator: “Sadly our move has turned out to being a suicidal attempt. We pushed the ship with too much power to the Starboard, so we are losing the balance of our otherwise afloat hull. We have lost the main engine. It is sad but it will not take long before we have our backup engines zooming. Please hold onto something. The roof of the ship is being shut because we might be going underwater for some time now.”

  The announcer: “Starting the backup engine. Covering the deck with waterproof roof. Commencing Submarine transformation.” We heard noises in steps, it looked like the ship was being covered by the roof.

  It went darker and darker as we saw the bow facing the dark ocean now. We were losing daylight on our glasses. The more and more sadistic face of the ocean was revealed as the bow started dipping in the ocean. There was panic and cry everywhere.

  The announcer: “Descent! Descent! Descent!”

  The bow was dumped deeper in the water and the ship almost stood with the stern up in the air. All of a sudden with a loud rumble, the ship started falling straight and steep down. We had enough time to find something strong to hold onto. I had held a machine in the front part of the Navigator’s room, which had hard and strong handles. I figured it out that it was not a big deal, because this machine was turned off. I almost climbed over it now as we were descending at a steep level making almost 90 degrees with the surface of the water.

  The announcer: “Descent! Descent! Descent! 10.9 kilometers to the sea bed.”

  I was horrified to know the depth of the ocean here! I needed answers-

  I cried: “What! Why the hell is it 10.9 kilometers deep?”

  The Navigator announced: “We had been sailing over the Mariana Trench. Now we are headed straight into the mouth of the Challenger Deep, the deepest point in the Trench and the Earth which is more than 11 kilometers deep from sea level. But I am not concerned about drowning in the Hadal Zone; rather I am concerned about the pressure. I am calculating if our ship can actually bear the pressure of water on the ship if we went straight into it. The pressure at the bed of the ocean will be about 1100 times more than pressure at the sea level. Our ship has not been designed to face it. So I do not want to let our ship fall so deep as to burst out due to the outer pressure of 11 kilometer high column of sea water.”

 
The announcer: “Descent! Descent! Descent! 9 kilometers from the sea bed.”

  I was shocked out and shouted: “We are falling too quickly…!”

  The Navigator: “I am trying to get our engines restarted. Start Astern Propulsion!”

  The announcer: “Commencing Astern Propulsion. 7.2 kilometers from the sea bed.”

  The Navigator too seemed to be panicked and horrified now. The situation was seemingly out of his control. The people at the navigation were falling off and trembling with fear. I heard Devon fall down too! He called out for my name and almost hit The Navigator himself, who caught him midway. I gasped as my heart pounded against my chest. But Devon seemed to be in extreme pain. He fell down below the glass screens holding his left hand with his right palm, he turned over and over again, I understood that he must have broken his arm. But it was not much of my concern now, because if something wasn’t done soon we all were going to die soon.

  The announcer: “4.5 kilometers from the seabed.”

  I was now shocked to see the sight before me, which glowed in the dark abyssal murky water now. The Lava rivers were flowing from the mouth of the Challenger Deep. The hot Golden lava mixing in the water gave a touch of ambiguity to the water. There were bubbles, and hot streams of water warmed up by the oozing lava were rising up imparting it a look of enormous Vortex, created by the mixing of lava in the sea water; the hot seawater rising and the colder water rushing to fill up the displacement of water. The bubbles were aerating the ocean water, leaving no chance of escape. The scene before me was inexplicably devastating! It was a glimpse of the hell itself and we were unstoppably going to drown in the burning hell. My eyes now were blind by looking into bright lava rivers. My heart was disintegrating and my breathing was labored. So there was no use looking at the Hell before me. I looked at Devon, whose eyes were closed in pain, then KEAH, Lois, Despondra and everybody else but all were looking only at the lava rivers before them, as they slipped into the mouth of Death itself. Only ZA-vi looked back at me. But he was devoid of emotions. Good for him!