Chariot 3: Conception
Chapter 3 – We have arrived

As Chariot 3 reduced her speed, Cai Yiu Hun serenely informed the group “we have arrived”, while his eyes stared at the immense hole of dark matter that blocked part of the brightness emanated from the astonishing Nova, posing thousands of miles ahead.

“Levels of mass, charge and angular momentum growing exponentially.” Sissy broadcast the preliminary analysis of DA-51`s properties.

“Sissy, full stop has been activated but we are still being pulled in! Readings on the magnetic field please.” Captain Shoffer exclaimed with an obvious concern that seemed to grow in his voice. He knew more than anyone that if the ship did not get far enough from the black hole within the next instant, that was likely to be their end.

“Captain, we are being attracted by the gravitational singularity – Sissy referred to the center of the black hole where the space-time curvature would become infinite – at 50 meters per second. I am already trying to pull us back but there is no response! Requesting permission to turn 180 degrees and initiate the Spatial Distortion, Sir.”

“Granted, Sissy, take us out of here…now!” Chariot 3 attentively observed with curiosity the blue vein pumping next to the right eye of her captain as he spoke.

The ship started to rotate to the starboard side, pointing its front towards the opposite direction. It felt heavy, as if she was underwater and no longer surrounded by the lightness of the space void.

“Chariot 3, what is the estimated time to reach the event horizon?” V-Nus` anxious voice enquired, referring to the point of no return.

“10 seconds.” Sissy`s voice boomed inside their minds.

“Captain we are standing at 90 degrees, I will help her to turn around using the manual controls!”

At that moment V-Nus started focusing his brain power on turning the ship as the term ‘manual’ no longer encompassed the use of hands.

“I am doing the same. Flumen and Cai Yiu, concentrate on placing the weight of your mind on the starboard side.” Shoffer ordered, trying to keep the crew together.

“Sissy, activate full Transparency Mode and give us a clean projection of the space without the ship”. Captain Shoffer continued to give his orders, putting all his confidence on the crew.

Suddenly, the four crewmates felt as if they floated freely in space. They could not see or feel any of the ship`s structure, except by the light sensation of being attached to their seats, thanks to the magnetic link between their uniforms and the their seats.

It all seemed to be working. Their thoughts were synchronized. Their minds became one. Despite the mental exhaustion that started to hit them, the three crewmates were impressed with Shoffer`s effectiveness of obtaining results. Stimulating their concentration by removing the ship of their sight is something that not even V-Nus and his creative mind would have thought.

“Captain, 2 seconds to reach the event horizon. Initiating Spatial Distortion.”

Chariot 3 had activated her most powerful propulsion system, and still, they could hear her metagraphene body being cracked by the magnetic force of attraction.

Sissy started to experience something she could not explain. Something no one would ever understand. Something similar to what she felt the day her name was engraved on her body.

Sissy felt pain.

“Ahhh!” She yelled.

The disc shaped ship slowly gained distance from the black hole at a much slower pace than it was being attracted before. Shoffer could sense the vibration on his bones. The air had thickened with tension and there was nothing else that they could do, but wait and hope for the best.

“Sissy, I want you to stop as soon as we are out of range from the singularity. We still need to collect the data and beam it back to Nibiru…”

Immediately after the Captain`s words Chariot 3 finally stopped and so did the vibration bringing back a false tranquility to the mind of her Captain, despite the unpleasant buzzing sound that still remained in his head.