The Noah Satellite

by Allan E Petersen

  “Are you asking me to come along or ordering me?”

  Although it was an order, and she really needed Pia’s expertize on this mission, Maria understood that if the domination of ‘order’ was used, it would only worsen Pia’s caustic sharp corners. There was a better way to handle this and she knew exactly how to soften those corners.

  “I would like you to come to our Headquarters. Henrik will also be joining the team as a co-pilot.”

  Maria knew that Pia’s silence was not because she was pondering the mission but rather because of the excitement of seeing Henrik again. The question she asked indicated to Maria that she had successfully added a brilliant member to the team. Despite being hooked and reeled in, Pia still tried to sound tentative.

  “What’s going on this time? Have you discovered another alien cave you want me to examine?”

  Although it wasn’t exactly a cave, it was nonetheless a closed environment that demanded her expertize of alien bacteria and toxic air. Knowing that it was an ancient alien satellite, it was Maria’s intention to get into it and hopefully discover more alien technology and with any luck, even alien secrets.

  Last week, when Presha Bhat first called and reported her discovery of the Black Knight, Maria jumped into action. There was a conference call to all her satellite experts around the world discussing the possibility of capturing and bringing the satellite down to a laboratory for inspection. However, and sadly for her, it was unanimously agreed that it would be ill advised. No matter the age, if it was built in orbit, in a gravity free zone, then bringing it down to air pressure might explode it faster than a needle puncturing a balloon. Unfortunately, if she wanted to know what was in it, she would have to go up there and find a way into it.

  Luckily the high resolution pictures Presha Bhat was able to capture of the satellite showed what everybody agreed was a docking port on the top. It was then she contacted Doctor Riccardo Cavetto in Milan, sent him the specifications and ordered the Anunnaki space craft they had once recovered to match and fit that docking port. After a collaboration of other laboratories throughout the world, a Nano-technology was applied and soon a guaranteed safe docking connection was created. Maria now knew that they could dock and with a prayer be able to open the latch. Because the initial contact was only to be an internal exploratory mission, she did not need the large Anunnaki space craft filled with scientists. Her intention was to orbit and enter the satellite with only herself, Santo and Pia. Henrik would remain in the craft as the co-pilot just in case something unforeseen happened.

  When Henrik Anderson, the young hangar manager and flight controller learned that Pia was coming along, he practically begged Maria to be the co-pilot. Generally Maria does not make decisions based on favours, only the best for any mission are chosen. Still, Henrik was very qualified and would make an ideal co-pilot. She also understood that there was a clandestine reason he wanted to come along. A few years ago when Pia first met Henrik, acrimony between them was so thick it could have been a six foot thick brick wall. However, as time passed, Pia melted to Henrik’s innocent and awkward charms. It may have been intended as a secret relationship but to many, it was abundantly clear that both were now infatuated with each other.

  According to her satellite experts, relative to their location in Bulgaria, to intersect with the Black Knight’s orbit they should leave at three in the morning. Because of that, she was able to add more bait to Pia’s enticing hook. She coyly added,

  “Because of the awkward lift-off time, I think it best if I send a D-wing for you right now and you spend the night here.”

  There was no denying Pia’s excitement.

  “I can be ready in a few minutes.”

  When leaving her office, Maria checked her watch and saw that Belle and Robert would be home from the Royal Library soon. Because she and Santo would be going to bed right after dinner, she was anxious to hear how Belle’s day at the Royal Library went.

  Chapter 16

  Belle thought it wasn’t fair that there was a ‘no shoptalk’ rule over the dinner table, yet her mom and dad were allowed to ask her endless boring questions about how school was or in this case, how the Bulgarian history research project went today. To Belle, it was still ‘shop talk’. However, this time it was fair to say that an exciting development had reared its head in an otherwise boring library. That only added to what she thought was unfair. Both children had agreed not to mention the discovery to their parents.

  Despite the excitement, as per vow with Robert, nothing was to be said about the discovery until they had a chance to explore the darkness under the floor. The fear was that they might have discovered a great secret only to be banned from returning with the flashlight. It was for this reason Belle sat at the dinner table yapping on to her parents about what little she had learned of Bulgarian history that day. She took great pleasure in seeing her mom pretend to be interested. However, she also noticed that dad was starting to look suspicious at her over zealousness. As always, dad could read her like a one page book. He probably knew something was going on.

  Being a leader of the House of the Nazarene was a twenty-four hour, seven day a week job. The middle of the night to Maria was unfortunately also the middle of the day in many of the laboratories around the world. It was not unusual for her to be on the computers at four in the morning and later on in the day catching a nap. It was the same for Santo. The task of protecting Nazarene estate borders did not take coffee breaks or adhere to regular sleep hours. It was for this reason, except for the inconvenience, both thought nothing of going to bed early and getting up in the middle of the night for a mission.

  Two-thirty that morning, two surprisingly alert people walked through the night toward the D-wing hangar. Up ahead, seeing light beaming through the hangar windows, Maria commented,

  “Well it looks like Henrik is up and ready to go.”

  Santo asked,

  “Are you surprised?”

  “Perhaps, just a little bit. I was worried that the so-called secret love affair between him and Pia might have gotten in the way. She didn’t report to the living quarters I assigned to her upon arriving.”

  Memories of inappropriate youthful liaisons with Maria caused Santo to smile.

  When opening the door and stepping into the hangar, they saw Pia standing across the floor beside the Anunnaki space craft. This was the first time Santo had seen her since the cave incident three years ago and so was prompted to whisper,

  “She hasn’t grown an inch and still looks sixteen.”

  Maria whispered back,

  “Shush. It’s a sensitive issue with her.”

  When face to face with her, Santo offered a casual handshake and greeting. Maria on the other hand was more personal and hugs were exchanged. Looking around the hangar and not seeing Henrik, Santo was prompted to ask,

  “What have you done with Henrik?”

  It was an innocent question but because she had done a lot to Henrik with the short time they had together, she quickly blushed and turned aside.

  Henrik quickly saved the day when appearing around a corner and approaching in an electric cart. Draped across the back were four space suits. As he came to a grinding halt in front of them he explained,

  “They just arrived from our Tokyo laboratory.”

  Twinkling eyes between him and Pia was palpable. To escape the awkwardness in front of her boss, she quickly offered to help load the suits into the space craft. Santo took the pre-trip clipboard and started checking things off.

  The Anunnaki craft was bigger than their conventional Great Gray D-wings. Even the larger D-wing, Waldorf’s personal craft was not capable of holding four passengers, the space suits, air tanks and Pia’s gear. Plus, Maria was hoping there might be something in the Black Knight she could bring back down to her laboratory. Though it was a different shape and from a different alien species, thanks to the genius of the brilliant but cantankerous Doctor Marls at their Swiss laboratory, everything now operated
along the same principle as their D-wings.

  Maria broke the awkwardness exhibited between Pia and Henrik by asking him,

  “Has everything checked out?”

  With the last suit safely stowed, Henrik jumped to the floor and replied,

  “Yes Professor. With a link to our headquarter computers it will be an easy mission.”

  When hearing ‘easy mission’, Santo furtively groaned. He hated easy missions. Somehow they always grew into the biggest problems.

  A few minutes before launch, Maria sat in the pilot seat while Pia and Henrik were quick to sit next to each other in the webbing seats attached to the haul. When Santo entered, he tapped Henrik on the shoulder and gave him the bad news.

  “Nice try cowboy. You are the co-pilot for this mission. Get up front and sit next to Maria.”

  As he reluctantly got up and shuffled over to Maria, disappointment reigned supreme. Sitting next to Pia, Santo smiled and asked,

  “So, how’s it going?”

  A false smile glared back at him.

  Skilled hands on the controls gently lifted the craft from the floor and slowly maneuvered it out of the hangar. At exactly three AM, she activated the take-off program. If anybody was watching, it shot straight up so fast that it seemed to disappear in the wink of an eye. Gravity shielding on the hull prevented internal deadly G-forces.

  Chapter 17

  Only a few minutes after lift-off, while zipping through the lower stratosphere, a voice came through the communication computer. It was Presha Bhat in India.

  “Good morning Professor. I am tracking you now. According to our data, you should be entering the thermosphere in a few minutes. I will now interphase with your onboard computers, take over your navigation systems and guide you into a polar orbit.”

  When Maria heard, “interphase complete”, all she had to do was sit back and enjoy the view of an endless universe through the cockpit window.

  A few minutes later they were above the dangerous Van Allen radiation belt and in orbit position to intersect the Black Knight. Because this was the highest any of them had ever been from the safety of the planet, everybody had crowded up front to look at the wonders of the universe. Each had personal thoughts about what they were looking at. Pia was surprised that even though the expanse was chocked full of stars, it was still a black empty view.

  A few minutes later, Presha Bhat was heard again,

  “My tracking program indicates that the target should be coming up within minutes.”

  Santo looked in that direction but against a dark universe it was impossible to identify one black speck. Presha said,

  “I only control your navigation computers. If the sensors on the Black Knight locate your position, like before it will simply change orbit and disappear again. To remain hidden from its sensors it is imperative that you initiate stealth mod and activate your radar avoidance program right now.”

  Maria’s quick fingers immediately activated those programs.

  Presha was heard to say,

  “It should be coming into view now. I am now speeding you up to match its orbit height and speed. This will put you above and slightly behind it. Please confirm visual.”

  Santo pointed into the voids and said,

  “Visual confirmed.”

  Maria reported,

  “Speed matched. We are now coasting above and along with it.”

  Presha said,

  “Please confirm that you have not been detected.”

  Again Maria reported,

  “No signs of navigational jet burns or spreading of solar panels.”

  Presha had the last word.

  “Good. You have not been detected. The rest of the approach and docking will be by your eyes and computer only. From this point on we will only be on standby.”

  Though Maria already knew the dimensions of the Black Knight, now looking down at it she was astounded at its size. They were a pea sized speck sneaking up on something as long as a football field. Being black, it practically melted into the distant voids. If the solar panels had extended, she understood how ancient people might have invented stories of a black bird spreading its wings and flying away. Nervous hands touched the onboard controls and lacking just a little confidence, Maria said,

  “Okay, let’s do this thing.”

  Maria activated a probing laser scan of the docking port and it proved Presha’s hi-definition pictures were accurate. Docking would be possible. Because their docking port was on top of the Anunnaki craft and the entry pot to the Black Knight was also on top, Maria was forced to perform a tricky and delicate maneuver flipping their craft upside down in order to connect. Because of the onboard gravity in their craft they were not affected by the flip. To them, it looked as if the Black Knight had maneuvered under their craft. Guided by a thin laser beam, a large docking tube extended from their craft and gently bumped onto the satellite. Thanks to the ever argumentative Dr. Marls, a Nano-technology formed a tight air seal around the satellite port. When the computer indicated the proper and safe connection, Maria activated the ‘hold secure’ program and they were safely connected and held tight.

  Because there was no airlock on their craft, they had to wait for breathable air to flow into the connecting tube before Santo could open a latch giving access to it. Since it was only a few feet long, it didn’t take long for Pia to approve the air quality in it. It was now time for Santo to do his bit. After a verbal warning, Maria slowly turned off the onboard gravity system. Now with everybody floating, Santo drifted into the tube toward the docking port. As arranged, he took pictures of it that were instantly transmitted to Doctor Marls in the Swiss laboratory. His caustic voice filled the ship.

  “It is as I had previously stated, it would be a simple mechanical latch. The security of the satellite is in its ability to hide. Simply use the wrench I designed and get on with it.”

  He then added what Maria always hated to hear.

  “Don’t call me back, I’m a busy man.”

  Before opening the Black Knight’s port, they knew whatever atmosphere was in there would rush into their ship and so it was time to don their protective space suits. They were not typical of the bulky types used when conventional astronauts spacewalked but rather simply a shell looking more like a protective suit worn in the decontamination of dangerous chemicals, glass helmets included. Recognizing that it was of alien construction and unopened in probably thousands of years, the precaution was prudent. When all were properly sealed into their suits, Santo give the thumbs up. He then floated into the connection tube and activated the mechanism that Switzerland had designed. With a hiss and a slight mechanical sound, the latch pulled into the ship to expose an entry portal.

  It was now time for Pia to do her job. With instruments in hand she measured and analyzed the quality of the atmosphere escaping from the satellite into their ship. She announced a surprising result.

  “That’s odd. There was no atmosphere of any sort in there, more like a vacuum. I only detected traces of some noble gases like argon and neon. It was our oxygen that sucked into the satellite.”

  She then turned to her computer and programmed for their tanks to mix and discharge 80 percent nitrogen and 20 percent oxygen into both ships. When it was neutralized, she reported.

  “That should do it. However I want our suits to stay on until I get in there and test for harmful microorganisms.”

  Maria added a stipulation.

  “Okay, but I want your helmet camera turned on at all times.”

  When Pia’s feet disappeared into the umbilical tube the rest of the crew turned to the control panel and the screen. Because the screen was still black, Santo said,

  “Pia, turn your camera on.”

  Pia returned,

  “It is on. Everything is dark in here.”

  No sooner had she said it when a dim glow illuminated the screen. Pia came back with,

  “It’s getting brighter. I must have triggered a motion sensor or something
. Plus, I am walking. There must be a centralized gravity system in here as well.”

  Not surprised, Maria instructed,

  “Scan from side to side. I want a preliminary observation.”

  While sweeping a search light attached to her helmet from side to side, it was clear that Pia was only in a narrow access chamber. There was nothing to see except what looked like constricting metallic walls. After a few more feet she stood at the entrance of a large room. It was big enough for her to be impressed and utter aloud,

  “Holy crap this thing is huge.”

  On the monitor all three saw a massive area filled with row after row of what appeared to be thousands of filing cabinets stretching from ceiling to floor. Although Santo was also overwhelmed by the volume, he uttered aloud a disappointment.

  “I guess it was too much expecting to see aliens walking around and saying hello.”

  As Pia took a few hesitant steps into the chamber, Maria stopped her with a command,

  “No Pia, that’s far enough. Do your bacteria and alien contagions from there.”

  From an instrument in her hand, in the blink of an eye a series of lasers strobes touched all that could be seen. Henrik voiced a profound observation.

  “I’ll bet Pia is the first living organism, alien or human to be there in a thousand years.”