Acme Time Travel Incorporated - Volume 2

In space, on route to SEG002

“So, we could be on SEG002 in a few days?” Ginny said.

“At maximum thrust, that is true,” Ship replied.

“I wonder ...,” said Ginny.

“I thought we were planning to journey there with the motors down to minimum thrust,” Gabriel said. “I thought we were going to use the journey to burn up some of the one-hundred and sixty-three years we need to lose.”

“I know that’s what we talked about,” Ginny said.

“Because ... if we take a slow journey to SEG002, then we don’t have to hide the ship or anything,” Gabriel said. “And we will have used up half of the time we need to lose ...”

“If you make the journey there last eighty years, you would just need to get in the CrYO-PODS, sleep for eighty years, then ...,” said Ship.

“I know that,” Ginny said curtly.

Gabriel looked over at Ginny.

“You’re not sure about this CrYO-POD thing, are you?” Gabriel said.

“The idea frightens me a bit ... that’s all.”

“The eighty-year trip will seem just like a good night’s sleep,” Gabriel said, quoting from a section of ACME INC’s tourist material.

Gabriel could see Ginny trying to smile, but he could feel her tension.

“Do we each have our own sleep-pod then?” Ginny queried.

“Yes, that’s correct Ginny,” Vicky said.

“Why is that?” said Ginny.

“There are two main reasons,” Vicky explained. “Firstly, each sleep-pod can be controlled to manage the body status of its single inhabitant. With two people in a sleep-pod, if there was a problem with either of the inhabitants, it would be very difficult to take preventative measures. The second factor arises, to some extent, from the point just made. If two people are in the same sleep-pod, and if one of the occupants ... er ...”

“You’re saying if one of the people dies during the journey, then the live person would effectively be locked in with a corpse for the duration. That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it?” Ginny said.

“They are the main considerations,” confirmed Vicky, sounding somewhat uncomfortable.

“And how many instances are there of people ... getting ill ...?” said Gabriel.

“Not getting ill,” interjected Ginny. “How many people have died in a sleep-pod.”

“None, Ginny,” said Vicky. “There have been none. No-one has died in a sleep-pod.”

Gabriel looked at Ginny encouragingly.

“But that is the reason why CrYO-GEN advises only one person per sleep-pod,” Vicky said.

“Vicky?” Ginny said.

“Yes, Ginny.”

“If we are in separate sleep-pods, and if Gabriel ... if he dies during the duration ... could you do me a favour?”

“Anything, Ginny,” Vicky said.

“Could you just turn me off somehow. I wouldn’t want to wake up and find out that ...”

“I understand that, Ginny. Yes, I could do that.”

Gabriel took hold of Ginny’s hand.

“And Vicky,” said Gabriel. “Could you please do the same for me if ...”

“I understand, Gabriel,” said Vicky.

“So ... shall we get into the pods?” Gabriel said to Ginny.

She looked at Gabriel, then put her arms round him and gave him a big hug. He hugged her back, with all his strength.

They stepped into their individual pods.

“Are you both ready?” asked Vicky.

Gabriel and Ginny both nodded.

. . . . . . . .

A panel on each pod showed the vital life signs of each occupant. Vicky would be able to monitor each pod’s condition from within Gabriel’s own pod. She was designed to be able to withstand the forces exerted during the sleep-pod’s processing. She remarked to herself, since no-one else was there to listen to her -“If anything does happen to either of you, then I will carry out your wishes to terminate the other. Can I say that it has been a very great pleasure to accompany you, and I wish you both good tidings. Good night and sleep tight.”

The ACME INC starship ploughed on, making its slow progress to SEG002. Its systems were fully functioning. There were no issues of any concern to its ship-board computer system. It had been given the timeframe of 80 years to reach SEG002. Gabriel and Ginny could then explore the planet for a while. After all, they would then have another 83 years to use up, prior to returning to the Earth.

The cold non-atmosphere of space surrounded the starship. Its huge motors rumbled on comfortably. They were designed for fast journeys. They could get you to far-flung places very quickly. They weren’t designed for these very long, very slow journeys, but for that same reason they were being put under no great systemic stresses. The great motors would just soak up the distance, and the days and the years would pass.