Here is chapter six of My Fairytale. I’ve gotten good feedback. Let me know what you think of this latest chapter.

6

It didn’t take long before the robots not only had numbers and designations, but they also had names, names associated with the humans they raised and nurtured. Though the supervisors and those who didn’t connect with humans except through work, still had their designations.

          We continued to monitor the comet as it came closer to Aithra. It became apparent that without intervention, the comet would impact the planet in a little over a week. Cragshire Space Center wanted data as fast as we could collect it.

          “Listen up,” said Supervisor Robot, bringing us to attention. “The astronauts who will lift off in five days, start training today. They want every bit of data you can give them, up to the minute. When you take pictures today and collect your data, it will go directly to the Space Center and the astronauts going into space. Collect your equipment and leave immediately for your monitoring points. Oh, and before you go, the astronauts will be at the Planetarium tonight at 8 PM. I plan to be there. I hope to see you there.”

          Excitement buzzed around the room as everyone collected the necessary equipment to monitor the comet.

          “Sounds like everything is on schedule,” said Sean as he grabbed a telescope from the equipment locker.

          “Yes, it does. It sounds so exciting. I wish I was going up there with them.”

          “It would be a unique opportunity for us if we could. It would take a lot of schooling to understand everything associated with space flight.”

          “Our parents did it. I think we could too.”

          “No doubt,” said Walter, as he took a telescope from the locker and headed out the door.

          I took a telescope and followed Sean to his transport. It didn’t take long for me to trust him. We worked well together. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, unlike Walter, whom I would never trust. I could see Anastacia took her own transport. Wise woman.

          Today we went to the opposite side of the caldera. It would give us a different perspective on the comet. We paid attention to the trajectory, took pictures and documented the comet as it traveled closer to Aithra. I could see it moving through space. We had studied it for a week. As it drew closer, we could see the tail, and watch it move. It was like watching a slow-motion movie. Yes, we had movies. Our ancestors brought them with them from Earth along with many other things of interest to humans on a distant planet. I could also see the meteor shower getting closer to Aithra. Soon we would see it too with the naked eye.

          “We will soon see the comet with our eyes,” said Sean.

          “What will happen to Aithra when it gets that close?”

          “Storms like we’ve never seen before. It will affect animal life, oceans will rise, earthquakes. It will feel like the comet is shaking the planet apart.”

          “Scary,” I said.

          “Yes, it is. Which is why the Space Center will try to nudge it with gravity to change its trajectory.”

          “I hope it works.”

          “It should. Well, we’re done for the day. I sent the data to the Space Center. Time to pack it up. What do you say to celebrating a good day?”

          “Are you asking me to go with you to the Planetarium tonight?”

          “Yes.”

          “Yes, absolutely!” I said before he could say more.

          “Great! I’ll pick you up at seven.”

          “I’ll be ready.”

          My mind was suddenly ablaze with what to expect at the Planetarium. Do robots sign autograph books? Granted, they look like real people. Still, I wondered what they would do. Would they give a presentation about how they would nudge the comet away from Aithra? I couldn’t wait to get home and get ready for the most exciting date ever.

          “Are you going?” asked Walter when I put the telescope in the equipment locker.

          “To the Planetarium? Yes. I’ll be there.”

          “So will the rest of us. It should be enlightening,” said Walter, walking away.

          “What did he want?” asked Sean when Walter walked out the door.

          “He wanted to know if I would be at the Planetarium later. He said everyone would be there. I told him I would. He doesn’t know I’m going with you.”

          “He’ll find out. It’s no secret. Nor is the fact that Anastacia asked Supervisor Robot for a new partner.”

          “She deserves better.”

          “You got that right,” said Anastacia behind them as they left.

          “What did he do to you?” I asked.

          “He’s so arrogant and full of himself. It’s like everything and everyone revolves around him.”

          “I wonder who Supervisor Robot will pair him with next.”

          “As long as it’s not me, I don’t care,” said Anastacia.

          “You should care. We all work together,” said Sean.

          “I know you’re right. I’ll just be glad to work with someone else.”

          “You’ll know tomorrow,” said Supervisor Robot behind them.

          “Supervisor Robot, I didn’t see you,” said Sean.

          “No need to worry. I understand the friction going on with Walter and the women I paired him with. It’s not an easy decision, but I think I found a solution to the problem.”

          “Thank you,” said Anastacia.

          “I understand you are going to the Planetarium exhibition tonight. It should be exciting for everyone,” said Supervisor Robot.

          “Yes, we’re looking forward to it,” said Sean.

          “I need to get home and get ready, or I won’t be ready when you pick me up,” I said, heading for my transport.

          “See you soon,” said Sean, heading for his transport.

          A short while later, I walked in the door and hugged Mother who waited for my return.

          “I had the most wonderful day. Sean is picking me up at seven for the event at the Planetarium tonight. We’re going to see the astronauts who will take off in five days and nudge the comet away from Aithra.”

          “I heard about it and wondered if you would go. I would have suggested it if you hadn’t heard. Your Father and I are also going.”

          “It should be a lot of fun!” I exclaimed, almost dancing around the room in my excitement.

          “I have your supper ready, unless you’re going to eat there.”

          “No, I’m not eating there that I’m aware of. Thank you. I’ll be right down. I want to get ready first.”

          I rushed up to my room and looked through my closet for something that said space flight about it. I found the silver shimmery tunic and pants set in the back of the closet. Perfect.

          Sean arrived right at seven to pick me up. My parents left right after us as we made our way to the Planetarium. I saw the sky lit up with search lights proclaiming the event when we approached the Planetarium.

          “My parents will also meet us here,” said Sean as we walked inside.

          Inside a buzz of conversation met my ears as my eyes took in the crowd ablaze in colorful attire. A large posterboard depicting the seven astronauts showed the entrance to the auditorium where they would greet everyone and answer questions about the upcoming flight to nudge the comet off its current trajectory.

          I looked around to see many familiar faces, including Patrick.

          “Hey, I want you to meet a friend from church,” I said making my way to him with Sean by my side.

          Patrick’s face lit up when he saw me. “I thought you would be here. Isn’t this great?”

          “Yes, it is. The biggest event of the year,” I said. “Patrick, this is my work partner, Sean, Patrick. Patrick, Sean.”

          “It’s good to meet you. So, what field do you work in?” asked Sean.

          “I’m a botanist. I work at the Botanical Gardens.”

          “I’ve been there. Beautiful.”

          “Yes, it is. I took Valerie there on Sunday after church. She got into an incident with a person she worked with.”

          “Walter,” I supplied.

          “At church?” asked Sean, amazed.

          “Yes. He wanted to see what I did on Sunday.” I noticed him as he walked through the doors of the Planetarium. “Speaking of him, he just arrived.”

          “I heard it was a group of astronomers who found the comet on the collision course to Aithra. Was that you?” asked Patrick, taking my attention away from Walter.

          “Yes, it was,” said Sean.

          “Our parents should be here soon and then we can make our way into the auditorium. Would you like to sit with us or are you with someone?” asked Sean.

          “Thank you. I’d like to. I’m alone.”

          “I see my parents,” I said as my parents came through the door.

          “I see mine also. Let’s go in,” said Sean, as we wended our way through the crowd.

          “I hope we can find a good seat.”

          “There isn’t a bad seat in the auditorium,” said Sean as we entered the auditorium.

          Most of the people were still in the lobby as we made our way to the midway point of the auditorium. Our parents soon joined us.

          “Valerie, I want to introduce you to my parents, Connor Hutchinson and Erin O’Byrne.”

          “It’s a pleasure to meet you. My parents are Nicolaos Andreadakis and Susanna Langdon, and this is Patrick,” I said introducing him too.

          Everyone acknowledged each other as more people entered the auditorium. Soon the astronauts would enter the auditorium and sit at the table on the stage. Each place had a microphone in front of their seat.

          My excitement grew with each passing moment as I took everything in. I saw the other members of our team enter and find seats. I noticed Walter came alone without his parents. I felt uncomfortable when he sat directly behind me.

          I watched as the lights in the auditorium lowered and the lights on the stage lit up as the astronauts entered and took their places at the table on the stage. Two of the astronauts were women. I smiled to find them included in the mission.

          “Welcome to the Planetarium and our event to meet the astronauts and hear them tell you what their goal is to bring safety to Aithra in the face of the oncoming comet. I will turn the floor over to Chief Engineer Robot.”

          “Thank you, Engineer Robot,” said Chief Engineer Robot. “Welcome to the Cragshire Space Planetarium. Tonight, we will endeavor to show you how we will nudge the comet we named, Firestorm, away from Aithra. You might already have noticed changes in the climate. The ocean has already risen ten feet since yesterday. Temperatures will also climb. We expect a shaking up as quakes will rock our world as Firestorm gets nearer. We have seven mission specialists who will work together to bring stability back to our lives as they nudge the comet away from Aithra. With that, I will start by introducing you to Mission Specialist 1068. He is one of the oldest robot astronauts and will lead the mission.”

          “Thank you, Chief Engineer Robot,” said Mission Specialist 1068. I was among the first robots, First Robot built over four hundred years ago. When we saw the first comet in our existence, we realized the need for a Space Agency and specialized robots to train in the event of a space catastrophe. Until now, we lived peacefully with the universe. However, Firestorm is bringing the universe to our doorstep. My fellow astronauts will lift off in five days to give Firestorm a nudge. Mission Specialist 5891 will tell you how we will nudge the comet. 5891?”

          “Thank you, Mission Specialist 1068,” said female astronaut 5891. “Time is of the essence since a team of astronomers found the comet heading our way only two weeks ago. We have several options at our disposal. The most effective method would allow us to fly alongside the comet and use its gravitational force to nudge it away from Aithra. This method is called a gravity tractor. That will be my job. If that doesn’t work, another option is kinetic impactor. Here to tell you about that method is Mission Specialist 1079.”

          “Thank you, Mission Specialist 5891,” said a male astronaut. “Kinetic impact sounds like what it is, impacting the comet with another object. In this case, we would aim a missile at the comet to try to change its trajectory. It would take several missiles to change the trajectory. We will have ten missiles onboard the spacecraft. Mission Specialist 7851 will explain what laser ablation does and how effective that method is to change Firestorm’s trajectory if that doesn’t work. 7851?”

          “Thank you, Mission Specialist 1079,” said female astronaut 7851. “Laser ablation focuses lasers on the comet and blasting the surface of the comet with the intention of changing its direction. We can also use the ship’s mirrors to focus them between the sun and the comet, also making a laser impact on the comet to change its trajectory. Two other methods also work, but one of those methods we don’t have time for, the Ion beam shepherd. Mission Specialist 4861 will tell you about that one and the one method we will use if all else fails. 4861?”

          “Thank you, Mission Specialist, 7851. The ion beam shepherd uses the spacecraft’s thrusters to push the comet into another trajectory. Unfortunately, we don’t have time to use that method as it takes months to implement that method. The method of no return as we like to call it, would be a nuclear blast. It would in effect not only change the trajectory of the comet, but it would destroy the spacecraft and us with it.”

          “Yes!” I heard Walter, hiss behind me. “Blow up them ______________”

          I tried not to hear his profanity. However, I wasn’t the only one to hear what he said as many other people around him inhaled sharply at what he said.

          “Sir, I am going to have to ask you to leave,” said an attendant, pointing a flashlight at him.

          I wanted to turn and watch him leave but kept my face forward. I could imagine his reaction from being tossed out of the Planetarium. It would be interesting to see what Supervisor Robot did the next day.

          After a few more explanations about what the astronauts planned, they opened the floor for questions. With each question, the astronauts in charge of the various methods, explained the operation further. Their hope was not to use the nuclear blast method. I hoped it wouldn’t come to that either.

          When the lights came up, I stood, ready to leave. “I found it interesting on how they plan to change its trajectory.”

          “So, did I. It makes me wonder if we will be in the field tomorrow or whether Supervisor Robot will discuss what we learned here tonight,” said Sean.

          “Both,” said Supervisor Robot, who seemed to appear ahead of them as they walked out of the auditorium.

          “I look forward to it,” I said.

          “We will see you at home,” said Mother.

          “I won’t be long.”

          “It was fascinating, son,” said Sean’s father.

          “Yes, it was. Maybe we can talk more about it when I get home after taking Valerie home,” Sean said to his father.

          “I would like that,” said his father.

          “It was fascinating,” said Patrick. “And you were the group who found the comet. I can’t imagine what that was like when you saw it.”

          “It was phenomenal,” I said. “Mother said she saw it when it came through the solar system last over a hundred years ago.”

          “Exciting,” said Patrick.

          “Yes, I’m certain it was. I’m glad we get to see it now.”

          “I agree with you. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

          “Mother also said there is another comet that only comes through the solar system every 50,000 years.”

          “It would be great to see that one too,” said Patrick.

          “Yes, it would be wonderful.”

          “It was great seeing you and spending time with you tonight. I will see you in church on Sunday. It was good to see you,” said Patrick to Sean.

          “It was good meeting you,” said Sean.

          “Good to see you too,” I said, watching him leave.

          “We’ll see you at home,” said my parents as I followed the crowd out the doors.

          “Yes, I should be home soon.” When we were in Sean’s transport, I asked, “You talk with your father too about your work?”

          “Yes, every night. He has always shown an interest in what I do. Now, more than ever with the approaching comet.”

          “Mine always joins me outside when I look up at the night sky. It’s a special time of night for both of us.”

          “I would imagine it would be. What do you think Supervisor Robot will do to Walter?”

          “I don’t know. I hope whatever it is, he learns his lesson and starts treating people and robots with respect.”

          “I agree with you. Well, here we are. I will see you tomorrow.”

          “Thank you. Yes, tomorrow,” I said leaving the transport and heading into the house.

          My parents were already home and had a dessert waiting for me.

          “We thought you would like a dessert before going to bed,” said Mother.

          I looked at the creamy chocolatey goodness she prepared for me. Chocolate had always been my favorite, no matter what it was. This time, she made a small cake for me. “Thank you. It looks delicious. I’m going to take it outside and see if I can see the comet without a telescope.”

          “We’ll join you,” said Father.

          Together, we went outside and looked at the night sky. High up, barely noticeable, I could see the long tail of the comet. It wouldn’t be long now before it would be completely visible. I pointed it out to my parents who stared at it, no doubt imprinting it on their memory banks.

          Along with the comet, the meteor shower came into view. Now, that would make a wonderful view as I lay in bed later.

          I smiled at what they meant to me. Robot parents. Special in every way. I don’t know what I would be like without their guidance and love.

          After a few moments of star gazing, I turned and headed into the house and up to my room. I looked at the plant Patrick gave me, gave it more water, and went to bed. It had been a long, good day.