Chapter Eight

Running out of sources

     Uno sent a message to Sir Droid and requested to send the data that was sent from the government. Sir Droid did not respond. He sent a message to Andrew requesting the status of the message regarding their mission.

     Andrew: Just fly the shuttle like you were programmed.

    Uno strictly followed commands sent to them from the government. They were missing details whether to head back or continue on. All he understood was that the funds were cut off. He needed further instructions.

     Uno entered the lab where Rolph was. Gjetta had gone to bed. Rolf looked up from his work.

     “What’s the status report of an inhabitable planet?” Rolph asked.

     “We received an urgent request from the government,” said Uno. “The funds for this mission are being cut.”

     Rolph sighed and removed the vinyl gloves from his hands, “Anything else?”

     “There was more, but the message stopped,” said Uno.

     He sighed with relief, “Good.”

     Uno could not calculate his response, “How is this good?”

     “Could you imagine the panic on the ship if everyone on board heard that funding is being cut?” he asked him.

     “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Uno replied. “I must know what the government is telling us and the one responsible for me is on earth Eli must know. I cannot go further without further instruction from the government.”

     “Many of us died to get where we are located,” said Rolph. “If we head back none of us will be left.”

    “I require the orders from the government, Rolph,” said Uno.

     Rolph looked at the ceiling and shook his head, “The government wants us to find a planet now. The crew wants us to find a planet now. We do not have enough supplies to head back.” Rolph looked down and sighed. “We may as well keep going.”

     Uno could sense that something was going on. It was possible that two humans were on the suicide, murder mission. He could not function from word-of-mouth. He needed to see the message in order to move forward.

    Uno sent a message to Eli: Government funding ceased. Order from government incomplete.

     Eli: Government funding ceased a couple years ago.

     Uno: How come you did not alert me?

     Eli: Because, I was unaware that your ship was not notified.

     Uno: Evidently, we were notified two years later. This was an urgent message from the government, but the end of the message is gone. Ralph and Andrew stated that the government said that we must continue.

     Eli: Uno, do you realize how far you are from Earth? The humans on board will be deceased by the time you arrive. In fact, there may not be new life on earth. The cargo will parish and will not be able to survive here. From now, you must continue to find a planet to live on now.

     Uno looked at Cinco who looked on. He had no choice, but to complete the mission. Eli told him to do so.

     Uno: We will continue.