The Blue People of Cloud Planet

by Brian Wolfenden

  It was difficult to digest all these statistics because the astronauts were transfixed by the light shafts that emanated from within the collar. As they shot outwards in the direction of Seren, they seemed to merge into one shaft of light. However, as the eye moved towards the demarcation of day and night, so the light shafts stopped and the cloud collar became darker.

  ‘Is there a land mass beneath those clouds?’ this from Steve.

  ‘Yes, and it is approximately 2000 kilometres wide but we need to get nearer before I can penetrate that thick cloud with our instruments for a detailed topography. I can only analyse the day / night delineation as our instruments are interfered with by the light shafts.’

  ‘And the signal? Is that still flashing? Alison asked.

  ‘Yes, but you won’t be able to see it until we are much closer and I will be able to analyse all the shafts of light in more detail – there are thousands of them. For information, our estimated time of arrival at high orbit above Cloud Planet is 10 days.’

  ‘I can’t wait,’ cried an excited Olivia, ‘can’t we go faster?’

  But AJ just smiled; he was well aware of Olivia’s impatience. ‘We’ve taken over 20 years to get this far – a few more days seems nothing and we’ve got work to do.’

  ‘There is a lot of retraining planned for our astronauts during the coming days. They take the two ROL’s into space to practice manoeuvres and re-docking with LifeSeeker-1 – after all none of them has flown for over 20 years. Finally, all the astronauts practise using the emergency shuttles.’

  Every day Cloud Planet grew in their visual field of view and with 2 days to go to orbit, the astronauts were in the command dome and Zec-C was giving a more detailed analysis of the planet.

  ‘The atmosphere is a very healthy 30 per cent oxygen with nitrogen being the volume gas and small levels of carbon dioxide. The ice caps at the poles are approximately 1000 kilometres in diameter and are surprisingly symmetrical. The oceans are massive and extremely deep at over 200 kilometres for most of their area. The seas have high salt levels and are cold, cycling from minus 1-2 Celsius from night to day. The cloud collar is 30 degrees at the top but falls in temperature quickly. I estimate nearer 5 degrees during the day dropping to near zero at night. I predict that it is continuously raining during the day and pouring down at night with high winds.

  Below the clouds is a 2000 kilometre continuous land mass which encircles the planet and is equally distributed either side of the equator.’

  As Zec-C continued, the facts were illustrated in the dome with computer simulated drawings and diagrams and now the topography of the land mass appeared.

  ‘There is a 1000 kilometre wide central plain, mainly clay based, around the equator and about 22 kilometres above sea level. This is flanked on both sides by mountain ranges rising up to 20 kilometres above sea level and punctuated by valleys with large water flows running to the seas – these are irregular in shape and can be assumed as ‘rivers’ – there are many hundreds of them on both sides of the central plain.’

  The computer graphics continued to paint the picture of a very uniform planet with its narrow equatorial land mass directly pointed at its star at all times.

  ‘Initial data shows that the mountains and valleys are completely covered in organic vegetation but I will detail this when we get nearer.’

  Zec-C paused, ‘and now the symmetry gets intriguing.’

  And parallel lines appeared across the plain and perpendicular to the equator.

  ‘These lines represent water and each runs the full width of the plain – 1,000 kilometres in a dead straight line. Each water course is 50 kilometres apart and there are exactly one thousand straddling the equator – I can only presume they have not been produced by natural forces and that they are ‘canals’!’

  The mimic display then drew two thicker lines around the equator.

  ‘These equatorial lines are wider watercourses and like the others they are perfectly straight and are 25,000 kilometres long – the equatorial circumference of Cloud Planet!’

  There was a buzz of excitement among the astronauts but the best was yet to come.

  ‘The shafts of light appear to originate from points directly along each lateral canal and are 50 kilometres apart. There are 20 along each canal symmetrically distributed about the equator making a total of 20,000 emanating from the planet and just under half are illuminated at any one time.’

  Spellbound, the astronauts peered intensely at the display and the shafts of light which appeared to rotate like the spokes of a wheel.

  ‘These shafts of light are ‘switching’ on and off in rows every 1.2 minutes as the planet rotates on its axis. Finally those near the equator are more intense than their peripheral neighbours and there are regularly spaced very intense light shafts distributed around the equator itself.’

  The astronauts continued to be amazed at the complex symmetry unfolding – surely this was the work of an intelligent life form – but guessing was all they could do at this point.

  ‘The light shaft which has been flashing SOS for 25 years is situated on the equator and is of medium intensity.’

  On the mimic display, one of the light shafts now started flashing in the now familiar – dot dot dot – dash dash dash – dot dot dot - signal that had brought them ‘rushing’ to investigate.

  ‘And now,’ continued Zec-C, ‘look at the real planet at optimum magnification!’

  The mimic display disappeared and nearly the whole dome filled with a view of Cloud Planet – it was breath taking. They could see details in the ice caps, seas of blues disappearing under the white cloud collar. They watched these mesmerising shafts of golden light streaking out into space and the whole planet seemed to jerk around as one row of lights extinguished and another illuminated at the extremes of the planet day.

  And there, in the very centre, one shaft of light pulsed –

  dot dot dot – dash dash dash – dot dot dot

  dot dot dot – dash dash dash – dot dot dot

  dot dot dot – dash dash dash – dot dot dot

  ‘This is the most unbelievable sight I have ever seen!’ cried Scott, ‘What on ‘Earth’ is happening below those clouds? What is causing those circular shafts of light? What or who is generating the message?’

  Surprisingly Zec-C answered,

  ‘I cannot answer your direct questions but can only deduce from measurements and facts; but here is an interesting observation. If I, a mere computer, were responsible for this signal then it would start and finish precisely, to 2 decimal points of a second, at the same time each day. Also each repeat would be to the same accuracy. Therefore I deduce that this signal which varies its start, finish and repeat times is not generated by a precision source. However, it does operate for approximately 2 hours every day either side of noon at this same position on the planet.’

  ‘I recall from my studies that Morse code operators were recognisable by their style of tapping the message,’ advised Olivia, ‘ I believe it was called ‘their signature’ – are we seeing a signature here? – is this distress call being sent by a life form!’

  The astronauts could only look at one another in astonishment – what would they find on Cloud Planet?

  Chapter 17

  High Orbit and First Landing

  ‘21 years after leaving Mars base, LifeSeeker-1 moved into orbit 1,000 kilometres above Cloud Planet. The orbit was carefully chosen to keep the starship well outside the radiating shafts of light and to keep the day side of the planet in view at all times. Now it is possible to see the detail of the planet with the naked eye.’

  As the crew stared at this beautiful planet, they were interrupted by the voice of AJ.

  ‘Fellow astronauts, Zec C has analysed various approaches to landing on the planet surface and there are three possibilities. Firstly, there is a vertical descent from high altitude directly at the diagonal intersection of four outer light shafts – the less intense ones. The probability for su
ccess is calculated at 65-70 per cent. Secondly, a lateral insertion into the cloud collar from a point out to sea and 3 kilometres altitude. Then follow the large estuary and enter the light shafts between two outermost ones to the same diagonal intersection – and of course then descending. The probability for success is 80-85 per cent.’

  For each descent a mimic display showed the plan – it looked easy enough on the screen.

  ‘The third scenario is a night landing on the dark side of the planet for which there is insufficient data to calculate a success probability. We know that this is a wild and turbulent atmosphere through which to descend.’

  ‘It looks like the lateral insertion then?’ said Scott and there was general agreement among the astronauts.

  ‘Yes,’ agreed AJ, ‘so we all confirm the second, lateral option.’

  ‘And now we come to our first strategic decision which is a secret vote, majority carries. As you know you have a decision palm reader under your console with accept and reject buttons. The motion is to decide which team carries out the first landings on this planet as only one ROL will be deployed at any one time. For Olivia and Scott in ROL-1 press ‘one’ and for Alison and Steve in ROL-2 press ‘two’.’

  Then, at AJ’s command, hands went below the console and both teams looked anxiously at the dome screen. It showed four to three in favour of ROL-1. Olivia and Scott would be the first to attempt a landing on Cloud Planet.

  Alison and Steve looked away in disappointment but were the first to offer congratulations and good luck to their fellow astronauts.

  ‘How far does the cloud collar overlap the sea?’ AJ questioned.

  ‘Between half a kilometre and 1 kilometre depending on whether its day or night,’ Zec-C replied, ‘and the height also varies from 40 - 50 kilometres for the same reason. Also there is a dark fringe at the edge of the sea which seems to be present most of the way around the land mass on both seaboards but I cannot identify the nature or extent of this.’

  ‘Anything else about this planet that’s unusual?’ Alison asked.

  ‘The icecaps,’ Zec-C continued, ‘are surprisingly thin at the very centre but I will need a pass directly overhead to analyse this anomaly in more detail.’

  ‘But that defies logic.’ Steve blurted, ‘How can that happen?’

  ‘Maybe there are thermal vents under the icecaps, that’s not unusual – it happens on Earth,’ suggested Olivia.

  ‘Could be, but we’ll have to wait for the next pass for confirmation,’ AJ concluded.

  Scott then enquired, ‘Zec-C, what further analysis have you made of these circular light shafts?’

  ‘Well, you will be surprised to learn that they are not circles of light,’ Zec-C paused, ‘but all the shafts exit the clouds as perfect octagons.’

  ‘Octagons! How intriguing! This planet gets more and more curious.’ exclaimed Olivia, ‘What more can you tell us about the vegetation?’

  ‘Analysis indicates extensive forests but we will get more information when the lander travels up the valley.’

  LifeSeeker-1 was positioned 500 kilometres above the point where the lander would enter the cloud. This was the nearest the huge starship could come to the planet to optimise deployment of the lander and maintain communications.

  ROL-1 was now stationed 1 kilometre from the cloud collar and 3 kilometres above sea level. The ocean was surprisingly calm and there appeared to be no significant tidal movement. After all, there were no moons associated with this unexpectedly symmetrical planet.

  Olivia and Scott were gazing through the dome. The white mass of cloud towered above the lander, dwarfing it. From this position they could not see the light shafts which they knew started about 500 kilometres directly in front of them.

  ‘Confirm decision to enter cloud collar.’

  This was Zec-1 issuing instructions, and two hands in the lander and five in LifeSeeker-1 moved forward to ratify the decision.

  ROL-1 entered the cloud collar directly above a large estuary, estimated at 1 kilometre across, but the two astronauts could not see this as rain and cloud had reduced visibility to 150 metres at best. The mimic display on the dome showed their position and the increasingly sloping land to either side. After about 200 kilometres the estuary had narrowed considerably and the mountains towered above them on both sides.

  ‘Both sides are thickly carpeted with forests of huge trees,’

  Zec-1 informed them as they watched the dome display.

  ‘My initial estimates are that many of them are up to 300 metres high and between 3 and 4 metres diameter. We are now half way to our destination and 2 kilometres above the river below. My analysis of the river water shows that it is exceptionally pure but with high chlorine levels. Air and river temperatures are 5 degrees.’

  Travelling at 500 kilometres per hour, ROL 1 soon approached the edge of the plain where speed was reduced to 100 kilometres per hour. The lander was now 1 kilometre above the river and dead ahead of them the mist and rain seemed lighter and their horizon took on a strange light.

  ‘Passing midway between first two light shafts,’ Zec-1 continued, ‘significant interference on certain instruments already being felt – applying low level force shield - contact with LifeSeeker 1 now lost.’

  ‘We’re on our own,’ Scott said to Olivia, ‘look at this unusual light and it’s still raining out there.’

  ‘Reducing lander forward speed to zero and adjusting for hover conditions over diagonal intersection. We are now approximately 35 kilometres from each light source with interference increasing. Confirm command to descend to 500 metres.’ Zec-1 requested.

  Both astronauts confirmed the decision in the usual way.

  ‘Approaching 500 metres, interference increasing rapidly, probability of successful landing now 60-65 per cent – warning!’ Zec-1 urged, ‘Applying more force field.’

  Olivia and Scott knew they were approaching a critical position in the descent. If probability remained above 60 per cent, they could make the decision to continue the descent but it was now touch and go. Below 60 and Zec-1 would take control and abort descent. The astronauts looked at one another and Scott nodded.

  ‘Descend to 400 metres.’ Scott instructed. But before this altitude could be achieved Zec-1’s voice boomed in the command dome.

  ‘Emergency! Emergency! Probability less than 60 per cent and falling! Abort descent! Abort descent!’

  And with that the lander turned its nose upwards at 45 degrees and the four thrusters underneath surged to full power. The huge g-force pushed them back into their seats and the skin on their faces was drawn back tightly into a severe grimace which matched the mood and disappointment of the two astronauts.

  LifeSeeker-1 regained communications with ROL-1 just after it passed the line of the outer light shafts and there was immediate consternation as Zec-C immediately signalled the emergency withdrawal from the cloud. As they stared out of the dome, ROL-1 shot out of the cloud.

  They were all seated in the command dome of LifeSeeker-1 analysing the failed landing attempt when Scott asked Zec-C.

  ‘How far apart would those light shafts have to be for a successful landing?’

  ‘According to my estimates and based on the lander’s information at 400 metres, we would need to be a minimum of 50 kilometres from the light shafts and there is nowhere on that plain where they are more than 35 kilometres apart.’

  ‘And what more did we learn as we travelled up that valley?’ queried Olivia.

  ‘The forests are dominated by one species of giant tree. Most are in excess of 100 metres high with girths varying from 3-5 metres. Huge fleshy leaves are clustered at the canopy and the trunks are perpendicular and remarkably straight sided. Further, there is evidence of large clay structures every 50 kilometres along one side of the river bank but the landers instruments were affected by the light shafts so I cannot be more precise.’

  ‘The same distance apart as the light shafts,’ continued Olivia, ‘even more unusual symm
etry.’

  ‘Thank you Zec-C,’ AJ said, ‘I think we now need a plan for a night landing for ROL-1.’

  ‘Wait a minute!’ interrupted Steve, ‘Why is it assumed that Olivia and Scott go again? They’ve had their go, so now it’s ours.’

  Alison nodded in agreement and Olivia’s face darkened and she shot her a black look.

  ‘It wasn’t our fault that we couldn’t land and we were voted first to go down onto the planet,’ Olivia replied sharply.

  Scott held up his hand in mediation, ‘Zec-C, please repeat the exact words of the motion.’