Chapter 4: Research Center
The siren comes to life. An announcement is made regarding an urgent meeting. Everyone concerned is running around with documents in their hands.
An urgent meeting has been arranged upon Dr. Ahuja’s insistence. Everyone is aware that it is regarding some abnormal changes in the space. But no one has a clue about what Dr. Ahuja is going to share with them.
“We are in great danger. The solar system is facing its end.” Dr. Ahuja sighs.
Everyone is shaken. Dr. Ahuja being one of the renowned scientists in the world, always speaks to the point. It is crystal-clear that if he says so then he really means it.
“What do you mean? We were under the impression that we have averted disaster. The red hot comet was safely turned away.” Dr. Johnson, Head of Center, pokes in.
“That’s true but the danger is far from over. Not only is the earth, but the entire solar system in danger.” replies Dr. Ahuja.
He pauses for a while, looks at the amused faces, waiting for his reply, and then with a heavy heart continues “It’s true that we were able to avoid it’s collision with earth, but it followed a path straight towards the Sun. And if this collision takes place, results will be terrible.”
“So, what do you suggest?” asks Dr Johnson
“We hardly have any time left to react.” Dr. Ahuja points to the timer calculation running on giant screen.
“How much time do we have in hand?” asks Dr. Johnson quite stressfully.
“With the speed of its approach, I think the collision is a couple of days away.”
“Hmm…what do others have to say?”
“I’m in constant touch with other research centers. None could detect the changes until now.”
“How could this error happen?” Dr. Johnson fumes.
“I have an explanation for this. You saw those satellite pictures of the comet moving away from the solar system. It was successfully done so, but forces from sun attracted it towards itself. And since it was approaching the sun from the other end, our sensors could not detect it. It was only sometime back that when we traced the route of the comet and got these shocking details.” replies Dr Ahuja
“The news should not be made public. It will create panic among public.” Says Dr Johnson and everyone agrees, “what can be the possible impact of this collision?”
“There are two possibilities. The collision can be either endothermic or exothermic.” He further explains
“If it’s an endothermic reaction, no heat will be evolved, but it can make the entire solar system loose its heat, as it will absorb the available heat from the surrounding. In the latter case, if the reaction is exothermic, there will be immense amount of heat given out. Both the situations are dangerous, as one can freeze us to death and the other can char us to death.”
Dr. Johnson thinks for a while and then gets up and speaks
“Any suggestions?” no one could think of one.
“It’s too late to do anything to stop them from colliding. We can only wait and watch and then try to bring the situation under control.” Dr. Ahuja intervenes.
The entire panel of scientists the world over are watching for every minute detail on their screens. This information was kept a secret, and the people all around the world only knew that the comet could possibly return. However, this secret remained a secret no more and the information reached to one and all!
There was tension everywhere. The Research center was bombarded with queries from the world over.
Addressing to a press conference, Dr. Johnson tries to de-stress the matter by assuring that the things were still under control.
“We assure you that everything will be fine. We have tackled such difficult situations in the past too. There is no reason to panic; the situation is well under control.” However, he knew within that this time the conditions were out of control. Only some miracle could stop this collision.
At home, Divya is watching the news on T.V. She gets Goosebumps.
There are satellite images of the comet advancing towards the Sun that are shown on all channels. All the schools and offices are given half day, because the collision could take place any time now.
Everyone was watching the news for their life could end in just a flash.
And finally the moment arrives! The comet is about to COLLIDE with the Sun!
Everyone was anxiously watching the countdown on T.V
5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 0 BOOM!
There is a massive collision. Divya shuts her eyes tightly with fear. Though no sound is heard, the sky becomes red. Everyone is waiting for their end, holding their breath.
Divya and her mom had taken out all the warm clothes and blankets, in case the reaction caused the temperatures to drop severely. And they even had the air coolers ready to beat the heat if the temperature rose.
Fortunately, nothing of this sort happened. Few hours pass by and everything seems to have come back to normal. Sky is blue again. Everyone gives a sigh of relief, SAVED!
People all around the globe are relieved and celebrating, except for one person, Dr. Ahuja. He has found something which is worse than anything anyone could have ever imagined.
“Divya was right!” He closes his eyes. The Doom is certain.