Mission Rovus

The cramped cockpit hummed with nervous energy as Captain Ananya Petrova and Elena Rodriguez, the pilot, expertly maneuvered their shuttle through the swirling atmosphere of the planet Rovus. Below them, the alien landscape stretched out in a breathtaking tapestry of ochre plains and emerald mountains, shrouded in an eerie mist.

“We’re almost there, team,” Ananya announced, her voice a reassuring counterpoint to the thrumming engines. “Brace for impact!”

Elena gripped the controls tightly, her knuckles turning white. “Ready, Captain,” she replied, her voice filled with a mix of nervousness and excitement.

Kaito Tanaka, the astrophysicist, peered intently at the holographic display before him, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Readings are still unstable. The composition of the atmosphere is unlike anything we’ve encountered before,” he muttered, his fingers flying across the console.

Ben Harris, the geologist, bounced in his seat like an overeager child, his eyes shining with anticipation. “Just think, guys,” he exclaimed, “we could be the first humans to set foot on this planet!”

“We know it’s your first time, Ben!” muttered Kaito. “But contain the excitement, please. This atmosphere… It’s…”

“Is there a problem, Kaito?” asked Ananya, her voice tinged with concern.

“No, not really… It’s just that… Why are the readings unstable? I haven’t seen this before… It’s like… It’s like the sensors can’t make up their mind!”

“Perhaps it’s just a temporary malfunction? What else could it be?” suggested Ananya.

“Are there any unknown gases present?” asked Ben, eagerly.

“It’s possible… We should still be safe though,” replied Kaito, still frowning as he analyzed the data.

Ananya remained quiet, a sense of responsibility weighing on her. She had been confident in the stability of the planet’s atmosphere based on the data they received aboard the spaceship. The commander had specifically requested her team to conduct a reconnaissance mission on the surface. The onboard computers had not detected anything out of the ordinary. So, why were Kaito’s sensors showing instability? Regardless, she decided not to allow anyone to disembark from the shuttle until she was completely certain it was safe.

The shuttle descended rapidly, the view outside becoming clearer with every passing second. There was no sign of vegetation in the twilight, only tall, jagged rocks standing in the distance. Far off, mountains could be seen, but they appeared dull and brown. The sky had a grey hue, with the twinkling of stars adding some dazzle to the otherwise gloomy horizon.

“By the stars…” Ben breathed, his voice filled with awe.

Suddenly, the shuttle lurched violently, and red warning lights flashed across the dashboard.

“Captain!” Elena cried, struggling with the controls. “We’re going to crash! I can’t regain control!”

Ananya reacted instantly, her years of training kicking in. She took over the controls, expertly guiding the shuttle through the turbulent atmosphere. With a deafening roar, they slammed onto the surface of Rovus, kicking up a cloud of dust and debris.

The four astronauts sat in stunned silence for a moment, taking in the aftermath of their rough landing. Then, Ananya broke the silence, a determined glint in her eyes.

“What do the readings say now, Kaito?”

She unstrapped herself and walked over to the panel.

“Well,” Kaito seemed confused, “they are… stable! I mean, now they’re fine. I don’t know what happened during the descent.”

“As I said,” said Ananya, glancing over the display, “it must have been a temporary malfunction.”

“Thankfully!” Kaito sighed, though his frown remained.

“What’s troubling you, Kaito?” inquired Ananya.

“Nothing, really… It’s just that… I’ve never seen anything like this before… Why would the sensors…”

“Is there a possible explanation?” Ananya pressed.

“Um…” Kaito pondered for a moment. “Maybe the system was calibrating as we entered the atmosphere. That could be it.”

Ananya nodded. “Then that must be it. I trust your intuition. Don’t worry about it. We’ve landed safely, haven’t we?”

Then she looked at the screen in front of Kaito again. Everything appeared to be in order.

“It seems like everything is back to normal. Can we proceed with disembarking?”

“Yes, Captain!” nodded Kaito.

“Alright, team,” she said, her voice firm yet calming. “We made it down. Now, let’s get to work.”

Ananya turned to Elena after glancing at the expectant face of Ben, and said, “Elena, you’ll be the first to step out.”

Elena nodded; a mixture of anticipation and nervousness evident on her face.

“Captain, I…” Ben raised his hand.

But Ananya cut him short: “Ben, I understand your excitement, but we need to follow protocol. You’ve never landed on an alien planet before. Let Elena go first. You too will have your chance. Trust me.”

Elena quickly began preparing herself in her spacesuit, carefully checking the equipment and making sure everything was in order. The airlock hissed as it was pressurized, ready to open to the unknown terrain of Rovus.

Meanwhile, Captain Ananya turned to Kaito. “Kaito, had there been anything wrong with the atmosphere, we would know, right? Our instruments would detect any abnormalities?”

“Of course,” Kaito nodded vigorously. “There’s nothing wrong. Our sensors are designed to detect and analyze various atmospheric compositions. We have a mix of nitrogen, oxygen; trace amounts of carbon dioxide, and the works. There’s nothing to worry about. Our spacesuits are designed to handle these environments safely.”

Ananya exhaled a sigh of relief, her trust in Kaito’s expertise reaffirmed.

Elena, while she got suited up, chimed in, “Captain, I’ve been monitoring the shuttle’s systems throughout the descent, and I can confirm that there are no damages or malfunctions. We’re all good here.”

Ananya nodded. “Safety is our top priority.”

Soon Elena was fully suited up and standing near the airlock, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“Elena, remember to stay cautious and alert,” Ananya cautioned. “Take it slow and report back any observations or anomalies immediately.”

Elena nodded, her gloved hands gripping the handrails near the airlock. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart.

★

The airlock doors slid open, revealing the vast expanse of Rovus just beyond. Elena could see the swirling mist and the rugged landscape stretching out before her. She felt a surge of adrenaline as she took her first step onto the unknown terrain, leaving the safety of the shuttle behind.

Standing at the threshold, Elena turned back to the others inside the shuttle. “Wish me luck!” she called out, her voice crackling through the communication system.

“We’re all rooting for you, Elena!” Ben exclaimed. His excitement barely contained.

“Remember, Elena, take it slow and steady,” Ananya reminded her. “We’ll be right here, monitoring your progress.”

As Elena took her first step onto the surface of Rovus, she felt a slight crunch beneath her boots, the sound resonating through her spacesuit. She glanced around, her visor protecting her eyes from the swirling mist that enveloped the landscape and marveled at the alien scenery that lay before her.

“Captain, this place is… astonishing,” Elena transmitted her first words, her voice filled with awe and wonder.

As Elena’s voice crackled through the communication system, Ananya, Ben, and Kaito watched the visual feed from Elena’s POV on the main screen inside the shuttle. They were captivated by the alien scenery she described.

“The ground is rocky and jagged as if emerging from beneath the surface. The ochre-colored plains stretch out into the distance. And those mountains… they rise against the dusky sky, their peaks shrouded in mist…”

She paused for a moment, taking in the barren yet captivating vista. The air felt still, almost heavy as if holding ancient secrets within its grasp.

“I can see traces of dust swirling in the air…” her voice crackled.

Inside the shuttle, the visual malfunctions for a split second, then screen went blank, and the crew inside the shuttle exchanged confused glances.

Then the visual feed reappeared, but it was different. Instead of seeing the vast expanse of Rovus, they were now looking at the interior of the shuttle. The airlock doors were opening.

Ananya’s voice carried a mix of concern and bewilderment. “Why has the visual rewound? This is so unusual. How is it even possible?”

Kaito furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of the unexpected occurrence. “The visual feed is a direct transmission from Elena’s suit camera… It doesn’t make sense.”

Before they could dwell on the anomaly any longer, they heard Elena’s voice again, “Wish me luck!”

The crew exchanged perplexed glances. Something was amiss, and they needed to understand what was happening and ensure Elena’s safety.

Ananya quickly took charge, her voice firm and determined. “Elena, can you hear us? What’s going on? We’re experiencing a visual glitch from our end.”

There was no response.

“Please respond!”

There was no response, nothing at all.

“Elena, do you read? Please respond!” Ben said, his voice laced with concern. His excitement had vanished.

“What’s happening out there, Elena?” said Kaito.

However, instead of a reply, the visual feed from Elena’s suit camera continued to play, seemingly unaffected by their attempts to reach her. The image showed Elena stepping onto the surface of Rovus once again, her boots making contact with the dusty ground. The airlock doors closed behind her, sealing her off from the safety of the shuttle.

Ananya’s voice trembled as worry crept into her words. “Elena, this isn’t right. We need to understand what’s happening. Please, respond!”

A moment later, Elena’s voice broke through the tension, echoing with a mix of awe and astonishment. “Captain, this place is… astonishing.”

“What?” Ananya cried out, her voice filled with disbelief. “Are we hearing a previous recording of her?”

Elena’s voice continued to play through the speakers, “The ground is rocky and jagged as if emerging from beneath the surface. The ochre-colored plains stretch out into the distance…”

The crew inside the shuttle grew increasingly frantic, their concern for Elena mounting with each passing second. Ben couldn’t contain his fear any longer and screamed, “Elena! Elena! ELENA!”

Kaito’s voice joined in filled with desperation. “Elena, please respond to us! Where are you?”

Ananya took a deep breath, determined to maintain her composure amidst the chaos. “All right, we need to calm down,” she said, her tone resolute. “We need to get to the bottom of this. It seems the live feed of Elena’s voice and camera have malfunctioned and rewound to a few seconds before… I don’t know if that is even possible… Kaito, can you check the system, please?”

Kaito immediately sprang into action, rushing to the control panel to investigate the anomaly. His fingers flew across the buttons and switches, his eyes scanning the screens for any signs of malfunction or error.

As Kaito delved into the system, Elena’s voice crackled once again through the speakers, her words repeating in an eerie fashion. “I can see traces of dust swirling in the air…”

The crew’s attention snapped back to the main screen as the visual feed glitches once more. The display went blank, leaving them staring at a void of darkness. Then, to their astonishment, the image shifted once again, reverting to the interior of the shuttle. The airlock doors appeared on the screen, opening.

The three of them stood in stunned silence, their minds struggling to process the events unfolding before them.

And then, Elena’s voice broke through the silence, sending shivers down their spines. “Wish me luck!”

Ananya’s voice quivered with a mixture of determination and anxiety. “Guys, this is not the time to panic. We need to focus and think.”

★

Kaito continued to work feverishly at the controls, his eyes darting across the screens. He quickly sifted through the data before him.

“Captain!” he exclaimed, his voice tinged with a mix of urgency and bewilderment.

Ananya turned to him, her gaze locked onto Kaito with rapt attention.

“Kaito? Anything?”

Kaito hesitated for a moment, his mind racing to comprehend the unexpected revelation he had stumbled upon. “The airlock… It’s… its closing,” he stammered, his voice trembling with unease.

Closing? Ananya’s mind whirled with a mix of disbelief and curiosity. “Closing? What do you mean, closing? It was already closed when…”

The screen before them flickered to life once again, revealing Elena stepping onto the surface of Rovus. It was the same scene they had witnessed before—the ochre-colored plains stretching out into the distance.

Elena’s voice echoed through the speakers, her words filled with a sense of wonder as if she was seeing the view for the first time. “Captain, this place is… astonishing.”

Kaito’s voice trembled as he made the connection. “Captain, the doors… They closed… just now!”

Ananya’s eyes widened her mind racing. “Are you saying that the doors are actually closing every time we see that visual?” she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Kaito nodded, his voice filled with certainty. “There’s no mistake, Captain. According to the system, the airlock doors did close moments ago, just as Elena… stepped out.”

Ananya’s thoughts churned. “What about the communication channels? Are we connected to Elena? Can we talk to her?”

Kaito checked the communication systems, his fingers flying across the controls. “Yes, Captain! We are still connected to Elena. The channels are open.”

Ananya’s frustration grew. “Then why aren’t we able to talk to her? Why isn’t she answering? Elena! Elena! Can you hear me?” she called out, in desperation.

Static hum engulfed the shuttle, broken only by Elena’s voice over the communication system, like clockwork: “The ground is rocky and jagged as if emerging from beneath the surface…”

The crew exchanged worried glances.

Ananya’s voice was firm as she addressed her team. “We can’t give up. We have to find a way to break through. Keep trying to establish contact with Elena. We need to understand what she’s experiencing and find a way to bring her back safely.”

“Time loop!” said Kaito, with awe and concern.

Ananya and Ben exchanged puzzled glances.

“Is that even possible?” Ben asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

Kaito nodded, his gaze fixed on the screens displaying the perplexing events unfolding before them. “You’re seeing it, aren’t you? This recurring sequence, the repetition of Elena’s actions—it’s a time loop. What else can it be?”

Ananya’s brow furrowed as she delved into her thoughts. “A time loop?” she mused aloud. “But… how?”

“I know, Captain,” Kaito’s voice was uncertain. “It seems that Elena has somehow become entangled within this time loop phenomenon.”

Ben interjected a hint of disbelief in his voice. “And the airlock closes each time? That’s beyond strange.”

Kaito nodded solemnly. “There isn’t extensive research on time loops, Ben! It’s the stuff of fairytales, something that exists in the realm of imagination.”

“Yet, here we are, witnessing it firsthand,” said Ananya. Her gaze sharpened as a thought struck her. “If it indeed is a time loop, then maybe… maybe it is contained outside the shuttle?” she suggested, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Kaito’s eyes lit up. “Yes, Captain. It’s possible. The time loop may be like a bubble, trapping anything that enters it. When Elena stepped out of the shuttle, she became ensnared within the loop.”

Ben’s horror grew as he realized the potential danger they faced. “But… but that means we could get caught in it too!”

“I’m guessing it’s some kind of a Temporal Resonance Chamber…” said Kaito, his brows furrowed in concentration.

Ananya held up a hand to quell the rising panic. “Let’s not jump to conclusions just yet,” she said, her voice steady. “For now, our priority is to save Elena. But before that, we need to determine the duration of each cycle. Kaito, can you calculate the time window when Elena’s feed resets?”

Kaito focused his attention back on the control panels, his fingers dancing across the buttons with purpose. The trio watched the visual feed from Elena’s suit, observing her captivated by the dust before her, and remarking, “I can see traces of dust swirling…”

“Any time now,” Ananya muttered, her eyes fixed on the screen. “Kaito, let’s calculate the time interval between each reset. We need to find a pattern, a glimmer of understanding of whatever’s happening.”

Kaito nodded. As Kaito delved into the data, his mind working in overdrive, Ananya and Ben anxiously awaited his findings. Each passing second felt like an eternity.

Finally, when the screen glitches in between Elena’s voice as she admired the view outside once again, Kaito’s voice broke through the silence.

“I’ve got it, Captain! The time interval between each reset is one minute and twenty-three seconds.”

Ananya’s eyes widened her mind racing. “One minute and twenty-three seconds… That’s our window of opportunity,” she said. “We know that the time loop bubble hasn’t penetrated the shuttle, which means we’re safe inside.”

The fate of Elena, their dear crewmate, hung in the balance, and Ananya knew they couldn’t afford to hesitate.

★

“The shuttle is divided into two main sections,” Ananya began, her voice steady. “The outer door, leading to the airlock area, is the only part that may still be affected by the time loop bubble. However, we have no choice but to take that chance if we want to save Elena.”

She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in.

“Our plan hinges on the precise timing of the time loop reset. When the reset occurs, we expect Elena to reappear at the airlock area, just moments away from stepping out into the bubble once again. It is at that very moment that we must act swiftly and pull her back into the safety of the shuttle.

“As soon as the reset begins, we must position ourselves strategically near the outer door. We need to be ready to act with lightning speed, reaching out for Elena the moment she materializes. Timing will be crucial, and we cannot afford any mistakes.”

Ben’s face grew tense as he realized the risks involved. “It’s a risky mission, Captain. What if we get caught in the time loop ourselves?”

Ananya nodded. “You’re right, Ben! But we can’t stand by and watch Elena remain trapped in this loop. We have to try and pull her out of it.”

She gestured towards the control panel. “Kaito, I need you to synchronize our actions with the time loop reset. The moment it happens, we activate the emergency opening mechanism of the outer door. We’ll have a brief moment to grab Elena and pull her back inside before the loop restarts.”

Kaito nodded, his expression filled with determination. “Understood, Captain. I’ll ensure our timing is precise.”

Ananya turned to Ben, her voice filled with confidence. “Ben, I want you to know that I have complete faith in your abilities. You are strong, agile, and capable. Yes, it’s true that this is your first mission, and it’s more challenging than anything any astronaut has ever faced before. But I believe in you.”

She paused for a moment, her voice steady and reassuring. “Ben, you’ll be the one to physically reach out and grab Elena. I know that I’m asking a lot of you, and I’m sorry for putting you through this. What we are facing now is unprecedented. However, we need you at this very moment.

“We are a team, and we will support you every step of the way. We will do whatever it takes to ensure Elena’s rescue. Trust in yourself, trust in us, and together, we will overcome this.”

She gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze before stepping back, her eyes filled with unwavering resolve.

“Now, let’s get ready.”

Ben nodded, a mix of determination and gratitude shining in his eyes.

“Captain, I will not fail you, Kaito, or Elena. We will bring her back safely.”

Ananya’s words had bolstered his confidence, reminding him of the strength he possessed within. He was ready to face this daunting mission head-on, knowing that he had the support and trust of his captain and crewmate.

“Kaito,” said Ananya. “I hope you’ve kept a recording of Elena’s visual loop for future reference.”

“Yes, Captain!”

Ananya nodded.

“I’m ready, Captain!” said Ben, all suited up.

Ananya nodded, knowing in her heart that things could go very, very wrong. She knew that at any moment, their carefully planned rescue mission could either succeed or fall into an abyss of uncertainty. Ben could get trapped in the time loop window in an endless cycle of trying to rescue Elena and failing. The time loop could seep into the shuttle, and they could all get trapped forever.

She shook off her thoughts and gave Ben the go-ahead.

As Ben stood suited up and ready near the outer door, Ananya took a moment to explain the plan once again. “Ben, you’re positioned at the outer door that leads to the airlock area. Inside the shuttle, both Kaito and I are safe, as the time loop has not yet seeped into our immediate surroundings. We’re counting on you to bring Elena back safely.”

With a nod, he signaled his readiness to proceed.

Kaito started the countdown, “Thirty seconds… Twenty seconds… Fifteen… Ten… Nine… Eight…”

Ananya bit her lips. She could only hope that nothing should go wrong.

“Three… Two… One… ZERO!”

Ben swiftly turned the mechanism, opening the door to the airlock area with a sharp motion. The inner mechanisms whirred and clicked, responding to his command. The door slid open, revealing the empty airlock area beyond.

Inside the main cabin, the screen crackled with static, a momentary visual disturbance. Then the screen cracked, and the airlock door appeared once again. Both Ananya and Kaito held their breaths.

Ben stared at the empty airlock area for a split second. Suddenly, a visual glitch disrupted the normal flow of reality near the airlock door. It was as if the fabric of space and time itself was folding upon itself, distorting the surroundings for a brief instant. The glitch vanished as quickly as it had emerged, and to Ben’s astonishment, Elena materialized right in front of the airlock door.

“Elena!” Ben’s voice trembled.

“Wish me luck…” Elena began, but her words trailed off as she turned towards the open inner door, where Ben stood fully suited up.

“Ben? What are you…” Elena’s voice wavered with confusion, the question left hanging in the air.

But before she could finish her sentence, Ben swiftly launched a fastening grip from his suit’s utility belt, its metallic claws extending with lightning speed. With precise aim and agility, he secured the grip on Elena’s suit, ensuring a firm hold.

Ananya’s voice pierced through the urgency, commanding action. “Ben, hold on tight! Don’t let her go! Kaito, shut the airlock!”

Kaito wasted no time and initiated the command with practiced efficiency. Thankfully, the new command from inside the shuttle reached the outer airlock door unscathed. The airlock itself was momentarily caught in a visual glitch as if reality was rearranging its very fabric. In an instant, the door flickered between open and shut, caught in a transient state, until, with a reassuring sound, it closed in real-time.

Ben, driven by instinct, didn’t wait for the airlock door to fully shut. He pulled Elena like a ragdoll, propelling her inside the shuttle and away from the airlock door’s reach. Ignoring her confusion and questions, he put as much distance as possible between them and the potentially perilous outside.

Inside, Ananya heaved a deep sigh of relief. So did Kaito.

“Elena!” Ben’s grip on her suit released slightly as he removed his helmet. “We made it. We managed to bring you back…”

Elena was both confused and frustrated. “Ben, what’s happening?”

★

For Elena, every time the time loop reset, her memory of the events within the loop’s grasp was erased. Each time, she found herself on the verge of stepping onto the surface of Rovus, only to be thrown back into the loop’s clutches without retaining any recollection of what transpired. It took a patient explanation from her crewmates, along with the playback of the time loop’s visual feed recorded from her own helmet, to convince her of the harrowing truth.

“What was it about a Temporal Resonance Chamber, Kaito?” asked Ananya.

“Well… It’s just a theory,” Kaito began, pausing to gather his thoughts. “You know what a Faraday Cage is, right?”

“Of course,” Ananya nodded. “A structure made of conductive materials that blocks electromagnetic fields.”

“Exactly,” Kaito continued. “Now, think about using the concept of a Faraday Cage to build a Temporal Resonance Chamber. Instead of just blocking electromagnetic fields, this chamber is designed to resonate with specific frequencies of the space-time fabric. By doing this, it can create localized distortions in time, such as slowing it down, speeding it up, or even creating loops. Essentially, it’s a way to interact with time in ways we usually can’t.”

Seeing Ben’s puzzled expression, Kaito added, “Imagine time as a flowing river. Normally, we just drift along with the current. A Temporal Resonance Chamber is like a device that can create whirlpools or eddies in that river. It can make time move faster or slower in a specific area, or even make you loop back to a point you’ve already passed. It’s like having the ability to control the flow of time around you.”

“So, you’re saying someone or something created a resonance chamber on the surface of this planet?” Ananya asked thoughtfully.

“It’s possible. But we didn’t detect any forms of life on this planet. Maybe they have rendered themselves undetectable, or they are forms of life we are unaware of. Perhaps they aren’t carbon-based life forms at all. Who knows?”

“And why would they build such a chamber on the surface of their planet?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, Captain. But there is another possibility.”

“Go on…”

“Maybe this planet is a testing ground for some unknown technology, a communication device, or even a power source of unimaginable scale. The beings that built this resonance chamber might be controlling it remotely, like an experiment. We could have stumbled upon their cosmic test tube.”

“Or,” Ananya added, her voice low, “it could be something we haven’t even considered yet.”

“The encouraging aspect is that we haven’t experienced any effects from the chamber inside the shuttle thus far. It’s possible the resonance is weak, or perhaps the technology is still in its developmental stages. However, the exact nature and purpose of this chamber is unknown.”

With the reality of their predicament sinking in, Elena’s determination surged. “Alright, so now we need to escape this planet,” she declared, eager to take action.

“Unfortunately, it won’t be so easy,” declared Kaito solemnly.

Ben and Elena exchanged puzzled glances.

“Think of an air bubble in a bottle of water,” Kaito explained, utilizing a stylus to sketch a quick diagram on the screen. “If the bubble comes out of the water, it bursts. In our case, we are trapped inside this bubble, which is the shuttle, while the bottle represents the time loop. As long as we remain within the confines of the shuttle, we are shielded from the time loop’s effects…”

“But the moment we step outside or attempt to take off, we expose ourselves to its influence,” Ananya said, with a frown.

Ananya turned to Kaito, her voice tinged with urgency. “Kaito, how long would it take for us to escape the atmosphere of Rovus?”

Kaito quickly assessed the data displayed on the panel before responding. “It would take approximately two hours for us to achieve escape velocity and leave Rovus behind.”

“And there’s no way for us to determine the extent of this time loop,” Ananya added, her words filled with anxiety. “We could potentially be released from it while in our rocket. Or we could be forever trapped within it.”

“We could already be trapped in it at this very moment, Ananya,” Kaito said gravely.

The other three members of the team looked at him with confusion etched on their faces.

“We could be stuck in a never-ending loop right now, without even realizing it!” Kaito declared again. “Remember, Elena had no recollection of being trapped until we pulled her out…”

A hush fell over them as they all processed the possibility.

“Perhaps we have already relieved this moment a thousand times without even realizing it,” Ben gasped, his eyes wide with realization.

“Well then,” Ananya beamed, quite unexpectedly, “Team, hold on ! We blast off, pronto.”

Confused blinks met her bright smile. “But…without knowing if it’s safe?” Kaito sputtered, worrying etching lines on his face. “What if we’re stuck in this loop, the shuttle just resetting us back in before we break free?”

Ananya’s smile didn’t falter. “No way to tell, is there?” she chuckled. “Fire off a message to the ship – immediate launch, explanations on board. Tell them one thing: Rovus is off-limits.”

Kaito obeyed, and a swift reply crackled back: “Proceed as planned. Expect debriefing upon arrival.”

“Perfect!” Ananya declared. “Now, we launch, and maybe we ditch this nightmare for good. Maybe we pick up our lives where they left off. But even if not, let me tell you, this team, facing eternity or escape… it’s been an honour, each and every one of you.”

Silence settled after her words. It was the silence of realization, of accepting the unknowable.

Minutes later, Kaito’s fingers danced across the shuttle’s control panel, a final symphony of commands before their leap of faith. The engines whined, a metallic chorus rising to a fever pitch, vibrating through the cramped cockpit. Outside, the alien sky bled from bruised purple to fiery orange – a bittersweet beauty that mirrored their gamble.

Elena, tears in her eyes, scanned the instrument cluster, her brow furrowed in concentration. “Fuel checks green,” she murmured, her voice strained but steady.

“Atmospheric resistance within tolerance.”

Ben, the youngest, remained glued to the viewport. “Think it’ll hold, Captain?” his voice barely a whisper against the engine’s din.

Ananya, her eyes like steel despite the tremor in her heart, met his gaze. “We only have one way to find out, kiddo.” Her hand rested on the launch lever, a steely caress before the plunge.

“Three… Two… One…”

The shuttle shuddered, the roar crescendoing to a deafening howl. Ben’s fingers tightened on the lever, sweat slicking his palms. Through the viewport, Rovus blurred, its alien landscape dissolving into a kaleidoscope of greens and browns.

“ZERO!”

The lever slammed forward, and the shuttle lurched skyward, G-forces pinning them to their seats. And then silence descended.

And in that shared silence, amidst the million glittering stars, four souls clung to the fragile hope that their leap of faith hadn’t been in vain. The vastness of space now stretched before them as an open canvas, painted with the possibilities of whatever future awaited them, in or outside the time loop. They had embraced the unknown, together, and that, somehow, was enough.

Tags: English Section, Sayan Das, কল্পবিজ্ঞান, নবম বর্ষ প্রথম সংখ্যা, পূজাবার্ষিকী