Jenny In Space: The Snake Riders of Spacemark Four

Jenny In Space

The Snake Riders of Spacemark Four

Michael Coles

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 Michael Coles

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Table of Contents

Chapter One: The perilous Kuiper belt

Chapter Two: Connection through space

Chapter Three: Spacemark Four

Chapter Four: Unexpected Visitors

Chapter Five: The Chase

Chapter Six: A Village Underground and a Ransom Demand

Chapter Seven: The Prophecy

Chapter Eight: Snake Charming

Chapter Nine: Search and Recovery

Chapter Ten: Rachar Revenge

Chapter Eleven: Homecoming

Chapter Twelve: The Water Seeking Expedition

Chapter Thirteen: One Last Dip

Chapter Fourteen: Triumphant Return

Chapter Fifteen: Training for The Majak

Chapter Sixteen: The Majak Match

Chapter Seventeen: The Old Mystic Breaks Her Silence

Chapter Eighteen: Return to the Surface

Chapter One: The perilous Kuiper belt

My second trip into space, just as Relli predicted. I’m excited and a little nervous, but nothing like the first time we came up, when we moved the comet off course, Jenny Thompson said to her new alien acquaintance, Born. I guess I’m the only thirteen-year-old Earth girl to ever go into space, she realized.

What are you anxious about? This isn’t a dangerous journey, like the first one was, Born said.

Jenny tightened the light blue elastic that held her sun streaked golden hair in a ponytail. I guess I’m just concerned about Relli’s prediction. Her psychic ability is amazing.

Born scowled slightly as he turned his large, hairless head. I wouldn’t have too much faith in forecasts for the future. She got a little lucky with the comet, nothing more.

No, it was way too accurate. I mean, she’s had visions about this stuff for over twenty years. I know she was guided to become our housekeeper for a reason. And the reason was, to steer me in the right direction, Jenny said with conviction.

Born shook his head. Okay, you believe whatever you want. I just think it’s silly to worry about someone’s vague predictions about your future. Especially, if it causes you to be anxious.

Hey, you promised we could do some local sightseeing if we ever got the chance, Jenny reminded.

I said, if we have time, which we don’t. I have to get the water on board the Traveler back to my home planet of Soilanglobe. And, we still have to make a stop at Spacemark Four to trade some water for Zorbite and to get some repairs on the ship. Remember the damage we sustained moving the comet off course?

How could I forget when you keep reminding me of it.

I’ll tell you what. If there are any planets within your solar system that aren’t too far out of our way, we can momentarily detour to take a closer look at them, Born conceded.

A bright white smile lit up Jenny’s tanned face, and she bobbed up and down in enthusiasm. Cool, thanks, Born.

Obos? Are we going to be passing close to any orbiting planets on our way out of this solar system? Born asked the ship’s computer.

Obos, the Traveler’s On Board Operating System, responded immediately. We’ll be within range of Saturn and Pluto as we travel through the densely populated Kuiper belt. Although, I believe Pluto has recently been re-designated as a dwarf planet.

Jenny had been interested in outer space ever since her father first let her look through his powerful telescope at the Lester B. Pearson observatory, where he worked as an astronomer.

Yep, you’re right, it’s been demoted, Jenny confirmed. Wow, I’d love to see Saturn up close, and Pluto, too. Can we, Born?

Yes, but only briefly.

Cool, I can’t wait! Jenny said, as she peered out of the Traveler’s panoramic windows at the endless expanse of stars.

* * *

Mr. Thompson, Relli and Martin gazed upwards into the early morning sky and watched the spaceship speed away. It wasn’t long before it disappeared into the vast blue expanse, which was Earth’s gateway to outer space.

Jenny’s father wiped a tear from his cheek and a thin lock of sandy brown hair from the forehead of his angular face. Well, that’s that, he said.

Relli comforted him with a pat on the back and he forced a tight-lipped smile in response.

If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it, Martin said, still gazing skyward and shaking his shaggy blonde head. And I’m not even sure if I believe it now. I think I’ll wake up, and all this will have been a dream. The only thing is, I could never have imagined anything like this. So it’s got to be real, right? Jenny’s brother asked, looking for reassurance.

Oh, it’s real all right, his father confirmed. Come on, let’s go home, he said with a sigh.

We’ll have to come up with some sort of explanation for Jenny’s absence for a year, and I’ll need both of you to back me up on this. It could be tricky. We certainly don’t want any kind of investigation into her disappearance, Mr. Thompson mentioned.

Let’s just tell everyone the truth. That shouldn’t cause too much controversy, Martin said with a mischievous smirk.

Both Relli and Mr. Thompson laughed at the idea.

Martin walked off ahead, while Mr. Thompson and Relli took a more leisurely pace. The tall grass was bowed over from the extra weight of the glistening dew. Droplets fell on the shoes and pant-legs of the trio as they trampled through it.

Relli looked down. My shoes are getting soaked.

Hmph, Mr. Thompson absently acknowledged.

The wind picked up a bit, so Relli tightened the familiar kerchief, adorned with stars and crescent moons, around her black hair. Her round face was still flushed with emotion, and the sun radiated off her rosy cheeks.

The conversation you had with Jenny before she boarded the Traveler was a little troubling, Mr. Thompson said to Relli.

Relli smiled and looked up at him as they strolled. I thought you said you didn’t want to know what we were talking about? she teased.

Mr. Thompson looked over and down to meet her gaze, and half frowned, half smiled. What I said moments before, has no bearing on what I say moments later…especially, in a situation like this, Roy Thompson defended himself.

You seem to know more about my daughter’s future than I do. Which is no surprise. But could you please enlighten me?

Relli’s smile was replaced with a more solemn look. I do know more than I’ve disclosed to you, or even to Jenny. I didn’t want to concern her. As I said to her, ‘sometimes knowing what’s coming, causes more worry than the events themselves.’ And these events must, and will take place, for the greater good.

For the greater good of who? Mr. Thompson asked.

Relli stopped and turned to look deep into Mr. Thompson’s blue eyes.

Jenny’s future was mapped out for her, long before she was even born. I know it’s a difficult concept to grasp, but she’s been chosen because of her gifts, to champion causes and help many people in the process, Relli explained.

What people? She’s already helped the people of Earth.

Yes, that was her first task, and she performed admirably, as expected. However, she has many more tasks and challenges ahead of her.

A look of concern and worry came across the face of Jenny’s Dad. Many more tasks? How many? Are they dangerous? And how do you know all of this?

As the days progress, I’m being flooded by images and feelings, more than ever before in my life. I’m tied to this in some way that I don’t fully understand yet, but this is a very exciting time of revelation and discovery for both Jenny and I. Relli paused for a moment before she responded further. I won’t lie to you. I respect you too much and feel you deserve the truth. Yes, there are dangers involved in the challenges that lie ahead for Jenny. How many tasks? I can’t say for sure. Definitely more than this one coming, and I feel several beyond that. But please find some comfort in the realization that Jenny was selected for these tasks by forces beyond our comprehension. She’s perfectly suited to handle all of the dangers that will confront her. She was born for this!

Mr. Thompson gave his head a shake. This is all too much for me to absorb and comprehend. You say that Jenny was born for this, and chosen because of her qualities. I know she’s a special kid, but I’m sure every father feels that way about his daughter. She’s just a normal kid!

Yes, outwardly she does appear that way, but her gifts lie on the inside. They’re dormant most of the time. Sure, we get a glimpse of them from time to time, but it takes extraordinary circumstances to bring them to the surface for all to see. And when we do witness them, we’re filled with pride and admiration. Look at the way she handled the crisis of the killer comet coming to destroy all life on her planet, Relli let the thought sink in for a moment.

And this was just her first challenge. As she matures and becomes more confident, she’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

These gifts you keep talking about are just a part of who Jenny is - it’s her personality, Mr. Thompson said.

Exactly! These naturally acquired endowments have been passed on from you - her father - also from her mother, and from her grandparents and great-grandparents. We’re all a product of our heredity and environment. Jenny’s natural gifts are a mixture of all of her ancestors’ admirable qualities, blended and molded together to create a person perfectly suited for the challenges that await her. When I explain it like this, it sounds like I’m describing a super-human being with amazing powers, but then we’re brought back to reality with the comforting knowledge, that it’s just our little Jenny, Relli explained.

Yes, just our little Jenny, off to encounter dangerous experiences far beyond our comprehension. I wish she wasn’t the chosen one, as you seem to think she is, Jenny’s dad shook his head in frustration, and resumed the walk home.

How long before she begins her first task?

Very soon. She has an issue that will confront her at her first planetary stop, Spacemark Four.

That’s where Born said they had to stop for repairs on the spaceship, right? Mr. Thompson asked.

Yes.

You mean she’ll have a mission to perform even before they reach Born’s home planet of Soilanglobe?

Yes. One of great significance.

Please, don’t reveal any of the details to me. I don’t want to know, Mr. Thompson requested.

At least for now, right? Relli affectionately kidded.

Roy Thompson warmly returned the smile, closed his eyes momentarily, and gently shook his head, Yes, at least for the moment, he replied with a sigh.

Martin beat them to the house by a few minutes and turned to see where his Dad and Relli were.

Slowpokes, he muttered, before he entered the home.

Relli and Roy Thompson were silent the remainder of the walk home.

* * *

Jenny peered through the panoramic windows of the Traveler.

Wow, what an awesome sight! Jenny exclaimed as they rapidly closed in on Saturn. The rings are so beautiful. Obos, are you going to play tour guide for me?

I can do that if you wish. First, we can view some of Saturn’s moons.

Sounds good. There are over sixty, aren’t there? Jenny asked.

It depends how you designate them. If you count all of the icy material within the rings of Saturn, there are thousands of moons. And then it depends on where you draw the line as far as size, Obos answered.

Hmm, I guess you’re right. All of the stuff trapped in Saturn’s rings, orbits the planet too, so technically, they’re all moons, Jenny realized.

We’re now approaching Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, Obos mentioned.

It has its own atmosphere, doesn’t it, Obos? Jenny asked.

Yes, you are correct. And Titan is actually larger than Mercury and Pluto.

Visibility was momentarily completely obscured as Obos penetrated the thick layer of Titan’s atmosphere.

Whoa, I can’t see a thing now, Jenny commented.

Then suddenly the Traveler burst through, revealing the surface of the massive moon. Obos activated the ship’s powerful external light so that Jenny would be able to see.

Wow! Jenny exclaimed.

The spaceship raced over the frozen landscape.

It looks like the arctic back home, only more rugged looking. This is amazing! Jenny marveled at what no other human being had ever seen.

Obos flew down low and wound the Traveler through wide mountain passes. Jenny felt exhilarated as they rocketed past glistening peaks. A mountain loomed in front of them and Obos ascended rapidly in order to clear its summit. On the far side of the pinnacle, as far as Jenny could see, stretched a wide-open flat expanse.

Wow! What a sudden change. Is that a lake down there? Jenny asked.

Yes, it is. A lake larger than your Lake Superior in Canada.

Man, what a sight. Thanks for letting us come here, Born.

You’re welcome, but we’d better continue on to Saturn. Remember this is supposed to be a quick visit. Born reminded.

Obos took off away from Titan and accelerated towards Saturn.

It’s hard to believe that wasn’t the main planet. But I know Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system and absolutely dwarfs, Titan, Jenny marveled.

Coming towards us are two of Saturn’s smallest satellites; Janus and Epimetheus. Janus is about 178 kilometers in diameter, and Epimetheus, 115 kilometers, Obos said.

Jenny looked out of the window and viewed two irregular shaped pieces of space debris orbiting through space side by side. They appeared to be on a collision course with the Traveler.

They’re so close together - it looks like they’re going to crash into each other, Jenny commented.

This is a lucky coincidence, Obos began. The orbit of these two moons is only 50 kilometers apart, and every 4 years or so, the faster one passes the other. When this occurs they switch places, and the faster one transfers some of its velocity to the other one. We’re very fortunate to be able to view this phenomenon.

Wow, that is so cool! Jenny exclaimed.

The two moons crossed paths so close it looked as if they’d collide. Obos sped towards them and Jenny could see the two small moons rapidly increasing in size as they got closer, until they filled the Traveler’s viewing window. It appeared to Jenny like they were going to crash into them.

Eeeiikes! she shrieked as she covered her eyes, but still peeked through her fingers.

Obos flew right between the pair. The Traveler momentarily dwarfed in size by the two pieces of space rubble.

Uncovering her eyes, Jenny ran to the back of the space ship and watched the two moons retreating into the vastness of space.

Obos, that was a dirty trick…but I loved it, Jenny scolded.

She looked over at Born with a stimulated expression of delight on her face. Born, however, was unfazed by the event. He shook his head lazily, and said, Can we please get on with this.

Obos continued their journey towards Saturn.

The rings are disappearing, Jenny commented.

Yes, we’re now traveling through the rings. They’re sparsely populated with pieces of icy debris, Obos explained.

He demonstrated by slowing down and viewing various fragments. Some of them were very small, others as big as small cars and a few about a kilometer across.

Saturn’s rings are similar in nature to the Kuiper belt at the edge of your solar system; only on a much smaller scale. We’ll have to travel through the Kuiper belt in order to exit the solar system, but it’s more hazardous compared to this belt of debris. The debris in the Kuiper belt is much more dense and the pieces are much larger. Pluto is actually part of that belt, and there are a few pieces similar in size to Pluto, Obos explained, as he accelerated through the rings.

If the Kuiper belt is that risky, why don’t we just go around it?

Going through the comet belt saves a lot of time, Obos answered. And we’re more than capable of making it across without incident. A Soilan vessel has never had a mishap within the Kuiper belt.

That’s reassuring.

We don’t even seem to be avoiding these chunks of ice, Jenny observed.

Most of these pieces are so small, we don’t need to evade them, Obos said, as they flew across the first ring and simply ploughed through the pieces of ice, utilizing the ship’s force-field wedge. Now to Saturn itself, a huge gas giant.

Finally, Born muttered to himself.

The traveler disappeared into the planet’s thick gas cloud layer.

There’s not much to see in here, Obos said. The gas is too dense. The winds on the planet, average 1,800 kilometers per hour.

The planet seems much more beautiful from a distance, Jenny said.

Good, so we’re done here then, Born blurted out.

Yeah, I guess so. On to Pluto and the Kuiper belt, Obos, Jenny said.

Obos sped away from Saturn and on to the outermost reaches of the solar system.

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After trekking through space for a few hours, Obos calmly mentioned, I’m sensing a problem with the main thrusters, Born. There may be a power source malfunction in section G, close to where we sustained damage to the hull of the ship when the comet exploded in front of us.

Born was jolted out of his relaxed position. That’s not very good news, especially at this point of our trip. Aren’t we nearing the Kuiper belt?

Yes, we’ve passed the orbit of Neptune and are approaching the outer edges of the comet belt, Obos explained. Of course, we’ll need full power to be able to maneuver through this complicated region.

Only a few moments passed before Obos calmly announced, We’ve just lost all power to the particle accelerator compressors due to a Zorbite power malfunction. All nuclear reaction has been interrupted in the star-fire engines. We do still have power to the secondary thrusters though.

Jenny sat upright in her chair. She’d been dozing lazily. Her half closed, heavy eyelids, were now wide open.

Fire the reverse thrusters so we don’t drift into the Kuiper belt! Born shouted.

It’s too late to stop our momentum, and we’ll need the speed we have to be able to navigate through the dense debris field, Obos explained.

Can we make it through? asked a panicky Born.

I can’t say for sure. There are too many unknown variables. What I can say, though, is that we’re going to drift into a very populated region of the Kuiper belt and Pluto will be the largest mass we’ll have to avoid. I advise you to get to the site of the malfunction right away and try to correct the problem, Obos counseled.

Born took off like a shot, wound his way down a staircase and through narrow corridors towards the possible origin of the problem.

Jenny got up from her chair and walked closer to the front viewing window. In the distance she could make out objects of various sizes.

What are all of those things, Obos? she asked.

They’re all frozen chunks of matter, very much like the comet we encountered closer to Earth, but some of these are massive in comparison. If you look out of the side window, you can just make out Pluto.

Jenny looked out the window, and sure enough, an object bigger than the rest could be seen looming in the distance.

It looks so far away, won’t we be through before it reaches us? Jenny asked.

We’re going to have to weave our way through this ice field, so the back and forth path we’ll have to take will lengthen the time required to pass. And, we’re losing speed by the moment. There may be collisions. I suggest you sit down and strap yourself in, Jenny. This may get bumpy, Obos warned.

Jenny did as she was told. She could feel her heart thumping in her chest as the first wave of frozen space rubble approached.

Obos took evasive action in order to avoid collisions with the larger chunks of ice-covered debris.

Jenny cringed in her seat as huge pieces narrowly missed them. Some of the pieces were so big, they completely filled up her viewing window, and took minutes to drift by.

Pluto is getting bigger! Jenny pointed out.

Yes, we need full power or it’s going to crush us, Obos stated in its usual composed voice.

Come on, Born, Jenny muttered.

Down in section G, Born worked feverishly to repair the damaged circuitry. He’d quickly found the source of the problem, but he required time to be able to repair it.

How does it look up there, Obos?

Jenny could hear Born’s voice come over the intercom system.

Not good, Obos responded. We’ll experience a few collisions that I just won’t be able to avoid. We will survive them, but Pluto is quickly bearing down on us, and without full power to the star fire engines, I’m afraid we’ll perish in a collision with the dwarf planet.

Okay, I found the problem and I’m repairing it, but I don’t know if I can finish in time. How much time do we have?

Approximately 22 minutes, the computer answered.

Come on, Born, you can do it! Jenny yelled, as she watched Pluto close in on them.

I’m trying, I’m trying! Born shouted back.

I wanted to see Pluto up close, but not this close! Jenny said.

Obos avoided a large piece of icy material, when another smaller chunk, slammed into the Traveler’s force field. The ship was jolted and Jenny rocked violently in her chair.

The force field will absorb some of the energy of the collisions and the internal stabilizers will also take some of the impact shock, Obos explained.

Shards of ice exploded outward from the force of the collision.

Born was buffeted about in his small working area.

Obos, I can’t work if you keep hitting things! he yelled.

I’m sorry, but the crashes are unavoidable.

Jenny had her eyes glued to the window. Pluto had completely engulfed the view and there were many smaller pieces in front of it as well.

Come on, Born, Jenny nervously urged.

There, I think I’ve got it! Born yelled.

Obos immediately activated the nuclear particle accelerator compressors and pumped hydrogen into the star-fire engines. Yes, we have power, but the engines need to heat up before they will be effective. I don’t know if we’ll make it.

Start them now! Born ordered.

That would be inadvisable. We’d lose precious heat prematurely. We must be patient in order to have any chance to escape, Obos advised.

Be patient? Are you crazy? Born said, as he rushed back to the control center.

He burst in, and stopped in his tracks at the sight.

Oh, my, goodness. This is it, he said, preparing for their fate.

No, we still have time. I know it looks very close, but we still have a few minutes before impact, Obos said.

Obos, start the engines! Born again ordered.

Obos would soon have to obey the direct command, even though it knew the disastrous consequences.

Jenny recognized the dilemma and spoke up. Born, you know that Obos knows best. Please trust his judgment. We’ll get out of this if you do, otherwise we’ll be crushed. You must allow him to do what’s best.

Born didn’t say a word after that.

Every second seemed like an eternity, as Obos dodged smaller pieces of icy material, and waited for the energy to build in the main engines. Jenny could see details on the surface of the frozen planet. It was covered with impact craters from collisions with smaller objects. Jenny couldn’t help but think that they’d be the next crater on the planet’s surface. Pluto was upon them, and impact was imminent.

O-bo-s, Jenny mumbled, as she tensed up in her seat, and anticipated the massive collision.

Just then, Obos released the pent-up energy in the eight star-fire engines. A burst of intense tachyon-heat was released, and the Traveler surged forward. The ship sped to a pace almost equal to that of Pluto, but it was still closing in on them. Obos continued to avoid smaller pieces of debris as it angled their path away from Pluto’s course. Obos’ strategy had been correct. The heat continued to build in the engines, and the Traveler’s velocity increased. Soon they were out-distancing the planet.

Jenny could see Pluto decreasing in size as they sped away from it, and breathed a sigh of relief. Whew, that was a close one.

Yes, we should be safe now. Even if the engine power is interrupted again, we’ll have enough momentum to clear the Kuiper belt, Obos informed.

Jenny slumped in her chair, exhausted by the terror of the episode.

Born folded like a rag doll in his chair. Good job, Obos,