History: "Echoes in the Void"

 

Echoes in the Void

Deep in space, the Nefertiti spacecraft was carrying two astronauts: Rudolf, a long-standing and prestigious commander, and Debra, a courageous and intrepid lieutenant. Their destination was the remote base on Proxima Centauri B. The mission, ambitious and full of dreams of discovery, represented a unique opportunity to inscribe their names in the history of stellar exploration.

That night, as the ship sailed through the void in eerie silence, fate proved unforgiving. An invisible, undetectable micrometeorite struck the ship with brutal force. Alarms went off, and emergency lights flashed on the control panel.

—"Critical alert: impact detected. Oxygen system is 80% compromised," the onboard computer announced in its monotonous, relentless voice.

Debra, her face tense, turned to Rudolf. Her eyes reflected the flickering light from the screens.

—"Did you hear that? The oxygen is compromised! What do we do? What's the procedure?"— he asked with a perceptible tremor in his voice.

Rudolf clenched his fists and, without taking his eyes off the panel, replied:

—"There is no protocol for this. It has never happened before in the fleet... But the computer is right, we are in grave danger."

He addressed the machine in a firm voice:

—"Nefertiti, generate an emergency report. I want a full system assessment."

—"I recommend activating the hibernation protocol to conserve vital oxygen," the computer responded with mechanical impassivity.

Silence filled the cabin as the two astronauts took in the gravity of the situation. The proposed solution was as absurd as it was desperate: hibernate one of them without any certainty that he would wake up.

—"Hibernate one of us?" Debra repeated in disbelief . "Is that really our only option?"

Rudolf was silent for a moment, watching the data flashing on the screen.

—"It seems so, Debra. According to calculations, it's the only way to preserve the remaining oxygen... even if it means risking everything. Hibernating one would guarantee enough oxygen for the other to reach the base."

He paused and then turned to the computer:

—"Nefertiti, confirm: hibernation procedure activated."-

—"Warning: high risk of not waking up."-

The air became heavy. They knew they were on the edge of an abyss with no return. Uncertainty mixed with fear of failure. An impossible decision hung over them.

As tensions mounted, the two teammates heatedly discussed their options. Rudolf, consumed by overwhelming fear, revealed a hidden side of his personality: an obsession with not failing.

—"I can't allow this mission to fail! If I make a mistake, my career will be ruined forever," he exclaimed in a strained voice.

Debra looked at him firmly and replied:

—"Rudolf, we must find a solution that will allow us both to survive. We cannot give up without a fight."

The computer intervened:

—"Attention: hibernation procedure activated. It is the only viable option to preserve oxygen. The risk of not waking up exceeds 75%."-

—"That's unacceptable!" Rudolf roared, slamming the console . "We can't take that risk."

Debra, more focused, looked for an alternative:

—"Nefertiti, is there an alternative protocol or adjustment to oxygen consumption that would allow us both to survive?"

The computer processed the request and responded:

—"There are no alternative protocols. Hibernation is the only viable option."-

The machine's words echoed through the cabin. Rudolf, overwhelmed by the fear of failure, refused to accept it.

—"But, Rudolf," Debra said urgently . "If we don't act now, neither of us will survive."

The atmosphere was filled with nervousness and doubt. The only safe option, albeit one full of uncertainty, was to hibernate one of them with no guarantee of awakening. Rudolf felt his anxiety reaching a breaking point. His career, his prestige, his entire life hung in the balance.

—"Commander, every second counts. We have to decide now or we won't survive," Debra insisted.

—"Warning: Critical oxygen level," the computer said. "Hibernation procedure recommended."

Something in Rudolf snapped. The fear of making a mistake, of seeing his career cut short, took over. His eyes shone with a mixture of determination and panic.

—"I'm sorry, Debra. We can't look for any more solutions."

Before she could react, Rudolf activated the emergency sedative dispenser. Debra tried to resist, but the effect was immediate.

—"Rudolf, no! What are you doing?"— Was the last thing he managed to say before losing consciousness.

—"Nefertiti, proceed with the hibernation protocol for Debra's module," Rudolf ordered in a firm voice.

—"Confirmed. Hibernation procedure activated for Debra. High risk of not waking up."

Debra was taken into the hibernation chamber, leaving Rudolf alone in the command room, convinced that he had made the best decision. Now he could pilot the ship to the base and ensure the survival of at least one of them.

But a few minutes later, the computer spoke again, and its words froze him:

—"Attention, Commander: Oxygen level has dropped to 20%. Projection indicates that oxygen is insufficient to complete the journey with one awake crew member."

Rudolf felt his blood run cold.

—"What does that mean, Nefertiti? I need enough oxygen to get to the base!"

—"Critical error detected. Oxygen loss has not stopped. Survival of non-hibernating individual is compromised. Failure imminent."

The betrayal he thought would give him an advantage became his doom. Isolated in the cockpit, he watched as his own ambition led him straight to death.

Shortly after, Nefertiti arrived at the base. Debra was rescued and woke up in the clinic.

—"Debra, do you remember what happened?" Dr. Selden asked.

—"It was all so fast... Rudolf... he sacrificed himself for me, right?"

The doctor sighed.

—"Not exactly. According to the records, he acted out of panic, not heroism."

Later, before the council of astronauts, Debra defended the memory of her commander.

—"I'm sure Rudolf knew I was going to die. He saved me."

"Our reports indicate otherwise," Captain Derbez said softly . "There was no premeditation in his action. Rudolf acted out of fear."

Debra felt a hollow in her chest. Was Rudolf a hero or simply a man defeated by his own despair? She would never know the answer. She only knew that the commander she admired had died in the darkness of space, perhaps a victim of his own human frailty.

END