They all nodded. “It’s a little confusing,” Daniel said.
“Too bad, because it’s about to get more confusing. Meanwhile, we will be on board the new shuttle, the one with the solar battery, and travel to the Earth’s orbit. We will find the Second Page, and then we will be stuck, won’t we? The batteries will almost get fully discharged when we reach there.”
They all nodded again.
James continued, “There, in the Earth’s orbit, we will open another wormhole just outside our shuttle. Let’s call it the second wormhole. This wormhole will connect with the first wormhole near the Sun.
“The first wormhole will have absorbed a large amount of solar energy by that time. When connected with the second wormhole, the solar energy and heat will transmit to the second wormhole. The solar panels of the shuttle will absorb this solar energy and will recharge the solar batteries. Bingo! Our spaceship will get charged, and then we will be able to return from the Earth’s orbit.”
There was silence as everyone processed this plan.
Daniel and Archer were not able to decide what was brilliant – the plan or James. They stared at James in awe.
James shrugged. “How’s that?”
Before his friends could congratulate James on his plan, a messenger burst in through the door.
The messenger looked frenzied. “The Brentinute gates! An attack is happening!”
The Scavenger’s chariot rolled to a stop just inside the Brentinute. Hundreds of enemy warriors on hounds were about to break into the Brentinute. The guards began to shoot arrows on the enemy.
The Scavenger gestured to the guards to apprehend the unconscious Cayden and got down from the chariot.
The guards managed to close the gates, but several hounds entered the Brentinute.
The Scavenger drew his Lightning Sword and leapt into battle. He plunged the swords into the hounds, turning them into dust. But the enemy was just too many in numbers.
Then, suddenly, the tide turned. Bolts of fire engulfed the hounds. Jets of water struck the warriors. Roots emerged from the ground and tangled everyone.
The children had arrived. They seemed to cherish this opportunity of being able to use their Elemental Powers fully.
The battle was over in a few minutes. The injured were rushed to the medical facility. The enemy warriors and hounds were apprehended. A team of interrogators was deputed to interrogate Cayden.
In Staler’s office, the Scavenger shared his experience. James also briefed the Scavenger about his plan to get the Second Page.
“James, you were right,” the Scavenger said. “Cayden’s the traitor. There is no such thing as Osay’s secret weapon. It was a plot to get me injured and captured by Osay.”
James shook his head. “Cayden’s arrival seemed too convenient.”
“Good that you noticed,” the Scavenger said. “I could have been badly hurt and captured. It was a trap.”
James nodded. “I think we can now safely assume that Osay knows that we are back in the Dark World. Cayden must have been feeding him information.”
There was silence, then Archer asked Staler, “How long do you think it will be for space shuttles to be constructed?”
Staler thought about it. “If the scientists and the Greenies work with minimal breaks, then a week.”
“Just a week?”
“Oh, yes. The Greenies are superb. And our scientists are the best.”
The week passed quickly and uneventfully. James spent most of his time working with the scientists while the others spent most of their time getting bored.
Cayden was interrogated but despite the best of efforts, he didn’t reveal anything.
The enemy warriors couldn’t give any useful information except that their only task was to capture the Scavenger come what may.
In about a week’s time, the Greenies and the scientists completed the maintenance of the existing spaceship. They also created a stunning technological marvel – a solar-powered shuttle. Because only four persons could be accommodated in it, it was decided that the Scavenger, along with the children, would go into the Earth’s orbit while Pyros would stay back.
The scientists and the Greenies were satisfied as they had met the crucial deadlines. The Scavenger and Staler congratulated the team and reasserted that with right intentions and attitude, seemingly impossible tasks are possible to achieve.
A night before their departure, they revisited the finer details of the plan. The existing spaceship would be fired a few hours before their shuttle moved to the Earth’s orbit. The scientists briefed the children and the Scavenger about operating the shuttle and handling of the spacesuits.
After discussions, everyone departed to their rooms to take rest.
The children’s excitement knew no bounds.
After all, an opportunity to go to space doesn’t come twice.
10
The Scavenger, Staler and the children stood at the launching pad in the middle of a vast waterbody. Flor and Skazen were beside them. Scientists were milling around, doing a final check of the shuttle. The shuttle reflected sunlight off its solar panels.
The spaceship waited on an island five miles away on another launching pad, ready for launch. Everyone watched it through binoculars as the scientists started the countdown of its launch from the control centre.
“This is it,” James said, rubbing his hands.
Everyone took deep breaths; hands quivered; sweat pooled; nervousness reigned.
Then it happened.
With a magnificent burst of smoke and fire, the spaceship rose off the ground. Within moments, it was a speck in the sky. Then it disappeared altogether, on its trip to the Sun.
An hour later...
The scientists were full of joy. The Control Centre erupted in celebrations.
“We have lost all connections to the spaceship,” Gronene informed the Scavenger. “Meaning, it has burst apart in the Sun’s heat, and the wormhole will now be suspended in space.”
Two hours later, the shuttle to the Earth’s orbit was ready. James had bitten through all his nails, and Daniel and Archer were taking deep breaths. The Scavenger was as composed as ever. He had suffered through far too many things to let a trip to space scare him.
“Let’s just get over this,” Daniel said anxiously.
“It will be over
