by Kumar L
Book 3
Earth to Centauri
Black Hole:
Oblivion
One Ship. One Crew. No Escape.
Kumar L
Earth to Centauri: Black Hole Oblivion
Copyright © 2019 Kumar L.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
All characters and events in this book are fictional. Any resemblance of characters to persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
This edition first published in 2019
ISBN (Paperback) 978-9353822408
Edited by Vrinda Baliga ([email protected])
Printed and distributed by Red Knight Books for and on behalf of Kumar L.
Books in the Earth to Centauri series
Book 1 – The First Journey
Book 2 – Alien Hunt
Book 3 – Black Hole: Oblivion
Book 4 – Civil War (to be released)
Short stories collections:
‘8 Down’ from Saharanpur—A collection of stories to touch your heart
Deceptions of tomorrow—Electrifying tales of science fiction
Non-fiction:
One Step at a Time: Your Self-publishing Master Plan
About The Author
Whether you want to discuss faster-than-light travel, time travel, black holes or just the latest mobile phone, Kumar is your person.
He is a tech enthusiast and social media newbie. He enjoys travelling and is fluent in several languages. A mechanical engineer who loves pulling apart gadgets and exploring their innards, he writes science fiction stories and tries to bring future technology alive in his books.
The First Journey is the first book of the Earth to Centauri series. It is easy to read and understand and is suitable for all age groups. The First Journey, and Alien Hunt, the second book in the series, are both based on themes of adventure, thrill and drama, with a positive outlook at what the future may hold for humanity. Black Hole: Oblivion is the third book in the series with the latest adventure of Captain Anara and her crew.
He has also written a collection of short science fiction stories – Deceptions of Tomorrow – Robots, Black Holes & Time Travel.
You can reach him on:
Twitter @Captain_Anara
Instagram @KumarLAuthor
www.facebook.com/kumarlauthor
Visit his website www.kumarlauthor.com to get interesting news in the domain of science and technology, to avail special offers, and to stay updated on latest releases.
The Story So Far…
In the year 2117, Antariksh became the first spacecraft from Earth to reach the planet HuZryss four light-years away, in the Alpha Centauri Tri-Star system. Its captain, Anara, discovers two worlds—HuZryss and KifrWyss. HuZryss is a desolate planet, except for one settlement of ‘new humans’. These ‘humans’ were born from the embryos carried aboard the Voyager probe, and raised by the reptilian civilisation of the planet KifrWyss.
Anara finds an enemy in the TrueKif, led by the enigmatic ‘Chairman’, who want to keep the KifrWyss reptilian bloodline pure. She and her team are held hostage on HuZryss, but they turn the tables on the Chairman with the help of nuclear weapons and a new ally, RyHiza, who is the leader of the ruling ‘Discat’ on planet KifrWyss. Anara and her crew return to Earth with three ‘new humans’—Joe, Lucy, and her unborn child—who seek their help.
The Chairman hatches a plan to avenge his humiliation and dispatches two mercenaries to Earth with a deadly device, powerful enough to wipe out the megacity of Mumbai. Captain Anara, her crew and the NIA foil this plan, but they pay a hefty price; Anara loses her security officer and friend, Major Rawat. The main perpetrator of the foiled attack, Jim (a ‘new human’), escapes, leaving his daughter behind.
There is, however, further peril in store for Earth—Jim explodes the device in space and the resultant explosion creates a black hole whose close proximity threatens the entire Solar System.
By the time people on Earth even become aware of this new menace, it may already be too late for humanity…
Author’s Note:
The pronoun ‘it’ has been used in this book for the reptilian people from KifrWyss, rather than ‘he’ or ‘she’, since they do not have gender differentiation.
Contents
About The Author
The Story So Far…
Prologue
1 The Estrangement
2 Compromises
3 Operation Trikon
4 Reluctant Allies
5 The Second Ship
6 Intricacies
7 An Enemy Unseen
8 Event Horizon
9 Battle Against Gravity
10 Theories And Speculations
11 Darkness Falls
12 The Last Hour
13 A New Hope
14 Through The Looking Glass
15 The Singularity
16 The Universe
17 Affliction
18 Zero Space
19 No Way Out
20 Antimatter
21 A Long Shot
22 The Flow
23 One-Way Trip
24 Yin And Yang
25 Oblivion
26 Into The Quantum Foam
27 The Reversion
28 Reawakening
29 The Causal Loop
30 The Final Choice
31 Fight Or Flight
Epilogue
Glossary
Prologue
"Forty-four people are confirmed dead in the attack on the Indian Naval Hospital Ship, INHS Asvini, late last night.
Another seventy-six were injured, twelve of them critically. The police have stated that the incident has been contained and the attackers have been neutralised. The identity of the attackers and their motives have not been divulged though initial reports suggest that two, possibly three, individuals were involved. Swift action by the NIA and the Anti-Terrorist Squad helped prevent further casualties. We are waiting for further details and will keep you posted as the story develops.”
“In related news, the Commissioner of Police for Mumbai has stated that the complete loss of ComNet communications yesterday was a strategic decision by the NIA to locate and destroy the alleged terror cell involved in the incident at the INHS Asvini. The Opposition has demanded a detailed inquiry into the incident, with special focus on the method employed which, according to them, ‘violated the fundamental right to privacy of citizens’. They have also demanded an enquiry into the unconfirmed reports that the terrorists at the hospital were, in fact, aliens and that the whole incident is tied to the return of our spaceship Antariksh from Alpha Centauri. The Prime Minister is slated to address the nation in a short while from now. Stay tuned for this and other developing stories.”
Superintendent Abhiram waved his hand to mute the news being relayed on every TelNet station and media channel. The ComNet was still down, though the system provider had promised to get it up and running by the end of the day and people were being provided with alternate communication patches. With the news muted, the sudden silence weighed heavy in the recovery room broken only by the soft beeps from the medical instruments.
He looked at the prone figure of Tejaswini Kaur, his boss and the Director General of the National Investigation Agency. Being shot trying to prevent an alien from annihilating the city of Mumbai; that was a first for anyone in the NIA. It had been a close call, but the doctors had managed to pull her throu
gh. Her injuries were no longer a threat, but she would need time to recover. He stared at the figures on the viewscreen and settled down again, resuming his vigil. He did not know what the future held for him or Tej, but he would come clean about the incident in Mumbai, the ‘alien hunt’ and the Prana Protocol if the investigators reached out to him.
His only consolation; they had made Earth safe. For now.
◆◆◆
The tear in spacetime caused by the explosion of the TrueKif ship was hungry. It devoured all matter and energy within its reach and grew larger, forming a more substantial event horizon, the boundary from within which nothing could escape its hunger, not even light.
Its mere presence created a change in gravity. Like golf balls inexorably rolling down a dip in the golf course towards the hole at its bottom, all objects in its vicinity were drawn towards it. Very soon the black hole had a life of its own, feeding and growing. And yet it was invisible to everyone, just a deeper black against the emptiness of space. In the darkness, it waited, just beyond the solar system, insatiably hungry, waiting for its next victim.
1
The Estrangement
"The alien ship has escaped, sir. It accelerated to the speed of light before we could intercept it. Our sources inform us that the child and Captain Anara were left behind. They’ve been transported back to the hospital. We have managed to determine that there were two mercenaries. One was Jim, one of the new humans. It appears he was in collusion with the Chairman for the sake of his lovechild with Lucy. The second was a reptilian, Jur, likely one of the TrueKif terrorists who held Anara on HuZryss.”
Jim was always the wildcard in the scheme. He and his partner had stayed hidden in the megacity, even managing to reach the hospital where Lucy and her child were kept, killing innocent people in the process. And after all this, Jim had managed to escape. 5 gritted his teeth. “What about the device?” Whatever else had transpired in the previous days, it was only the device that mattered. The device that, had things gone as planned, should have been in 5’s possession by now.
“As far as we can determine, it was on the ship. It looks like Jim has taken it with him.”
“We need that device, Henri. That was the agreement with the Chairman. We stay out of the way when they attack Mumbai and, if they fail, we keep the device. And now? Now, we have nothing. How did this happen?”
“We had no information of their plans, sir. There was just not enough time to get retrieval teams in place. I’m sorry Mr President, but I’m afraid the Chairman has double-crossed you.”
“Double-cross? After a quarter century of contact?” 5 thought over the possibility, then shrugged. “We may never know for sure. What’s important right now is that we get the device.” He turned his sharp gaze on Henri. “I want that device, come what may. It will create a new future for our country. What are our options? Is the ship ready?”
“The prototype is ready, but we have never flown it beyond the solar system. The design has not been tested for longer journeys. We will be risking the ship and the crew.”
“I’m sure our teams would want to be heroes. If the Indians can do it, so can we. No more tests. No more waiting. Get the team out now. Find and capture the TrueKif ship and bring it back to me!”
◆◆◆
The holographic images of eight individuals filled the room, arranged in a circle, so each could observe, hear and talk to the others. These were the ‘8’, successors to the Security Council, representing the most powerful nations on Earth in the twenty-second century.
“We were fortunate the aliens were captured before any further damage could be done,” said 2, the Prime Minister of India, as he briefed the 8 about the failed attack on Mumbai. He was deep underground, in a secure communications room, dedicated exclusively to secure communications between the top leaders of the 8. The figures in front of him were detailed and realistic to the point that it was sometimes hard to remember that, in reality, each sat alone in a room identical to this one in some other corner of the planet.
“How many casualties?” asked 1, sipping from a coffee cup emblazoned with his coat of arms—an eagle.
“Forty-four dead, including one alien, and Major Rawat,” replied the PM. “Jim, one of the new humans raised on the planet HuZryss, managed to escape. You will recall him from Captain Anara’s reports from her mission. The second alien was a KifrWyss. A reptilian. Rawat killed him in hand-to-hand combat.”
“A very brave man, Rawat.” The President was genuinely proud of the Indian team, which had prevented a tragedy in Mumbai. “I’m sure you will honour the dead. Nevertheless, Jim escaped. And he still has the explosive device with him. We do not know how dangerous it is. The threat is still not over. We are sworn to protect Earth. We must do something.”
“I agree. Antariksh is being readied for its next mission.” There was a change in the PM’s usually poised demeanour. “I will make them pay for every single life they have taken.” His tone was controlled, but his expression betrayed him.
1 looked at him in alarm. “I hope you are not planning anything rash. Look where the TrueKif’s desire for revenge has brought them. We cannot become like them. We must show restraint.”
The PM’s anger finally burst through his controlled veneer. “No more restraint. No more talking. I have the means, and I will make them pay!”
“You are part of the 8, Mr PM. We will not allow you to destroy the peace we have worked so hard to bring to this planet. We are warning you.”
The PM squared his shoulders. “Then it is time for us to part ways.”
“You will break up the 8? For the sake of forty lives?” 1 was shocked. This had never happened before.
“It is not just about forty lives. We humans have become so accustomed to peace that we have forgotten how to wage war. The TrueKifs attacked my country! Sheer luck prevented a much larger catastrophe. I have the right to respond in kind and I will. They must now face my retribution. They started it, and now I will finish it. With or without your help. That’s my promise!” The PM reached forward to terminate the transmission. “This meeting is over.”
◆◆◆
The Tri-colour fluttered lightly in the morning breeze, giving a glimpse of the wooden casket it was draped over. The dull finish of the wood belied the honour being bestowed by a grateful nation on the hero inside.
He died a hero, just the way he wanted to. It's a pity the world will never know about his sacrifice.
Anara stood in respectful silence in the cobblestoned yard of the crematorium, the morning drizzle doing little to calm the thoughts churning within her mind. Her crew had prevented a catastrophe, but their role in the entire episode of hunting the aliens would forever remain classified. A leak would result in a mob baying for the blood of an alien race, and a devastating interstellar war.
How much of this tragedy is my fault? I was overconfident to think I could take on the aliens. I am the captain of a spaceship, not a policewoman. If only I had been more restrained against Tej, Rawat might have been alive today. Yes, he died a hero, but was his death necessary? Did saving Lucy and her innocent baby justify my efforts? How was I to know Jim, of all people, would become the Chairman’s tool and attack Earth? A lot of things did not make sense.
The remaining senior staff of Antariksh stood by Anara’s side, their heads bowed in mourning. There were no words left to speak.
The Pandit chanted mantras for the peace of the departed soul. The body may be destroyed, but the soul lives on, he intoned.
Anara hoped the words of the prayers were true. She wished Rawat, who had thirsted for revenge ever since the episode on the planet HuZryss, had also found peace. It was less than a day since he had died fighting the TrueKif mercenary and she already missed his strength. There had been no time to say goodbye. Events had unfolded far too quickly. It wasn’t until much later that Ryan had told her the complete story of Rawat’s last stand.
Foolish but immensely brave.
As the
body entered the incinerator, they stood in silence, in honour of the fallen hero. The time for explanations and anger would come later.
◆◆◆
It was afternoon by the time Anara and Ryan managed to reach the Prime Minister’s Office. The wood-panelled office was immaculately clean. It was empty except for the PM himself, seated behind his desk.
The Prime Minister rose as they entered his office. He walked around his desk and took Anara’s hands in his own.
“I am sorry for your loss, Captain,” he stated simply. “Major Rawat was a courageous man, and he died in the line of duty, protecting those he cared for.”
Anara nodded, acknowledging the truth in words, yet finding no solace in them. She fought back her anger and tears, thankful that the PM had turned to shake Ryan’s hand. He motioned them into comfortable chairs and settled himself behind the desk.
“But what's done is done. We must look toward the future now. The enemy has breached Earth and our country. You may have prevented them from carrying out a cowardly attack this time, but at a terrible cost. We cannot forgive them for the lives they have taken and the families they have destroyed.”
Anara glanced up at the PM. Something had changed in him. She had been too wrapped up in her grief to have noticed at first, but now the change in his tone was unmistakable, and she suddenly found herself tensing in anticipation of what would come next.
“As of today, we are no longer part of the 8,” the PM continued. “I have withdrawn India from the group. This is now our fight. Ours alone. We are now at war with the TrueKif terrorists and by extension perhaps with the KifrWyss world itself!”
Anara stared at him, shaken by the vehemence contained within his words. Was this the same person who had been advocating peace for so long?
“Too many times in the past have we given in to our fears and allowed our country to be complacent, only to be betrayed every single time. But never again! The TrueKif want a war, well they've got one now. Do they want death? Then they will die. We will take this battle to their planet now!” He stood up, almost shaking with anger, all pretence of control evaporating from his body.
