It took Raghuram, Chanchal and Tara hours to detect and dismantle the death traps and barriers setup to deter people from getting to the box at the heart of the sanctum sanctorum.
How Borer 248's scanners had missed the traps was beyond them. It was, as if some unexplainable phenomenon had interfered with its capacity to examine the inner structures of the building. The traps added further credence to the theory that humans were involved in the structure's design.
Once they had recovered from the shock, the mining team trio fended off attempts by Captain Mohini to withdraw the team. Like true professionals, they stood by their expertise and provided assurances to their leader.
"We can do this. Trust us," Raghuram responded, when asked about the probability of completing the mission without risking lives.
After half an hour of debate, they had their permission.
The laser cutters and drills attached to their suits came in handy, as the room turned into the playground of sounds - metal on metal; metal on rock. Sharp projectiles were extracted, triggering mechanisms were taken apart, holes and hidden compartments were sealed. In a matter of hours, what was once a death trap was transformed into the safest place on the planet.
Occasionally, a thin layer of ground fog with a blueish hue appeared on the planet's surface. An atmospheric phenomenon unique to the place. Presently, the fog drifted in through the entrance carved out of the mountain and into the temple, snaking around the feet of its occupants.
Chanchal who had just finished sealing the last hole in the ground, pointed to the fog and said, "Just when I thought this place couldn't get any creepier."
"Agreed," Raghuram responded. Then he spoke into his helmet mic to relay a message to the INSO Dwaraka, which was in orbit around the planet. "Captain, we have completed our half of the task, awaiting the Science officer's arrival for the extraction process."
"Wonder what's in that chest box?" Tara said as they watch Ruchi walk down the ramp of the dropship and enter the temple complex. She walked towards them carrying what looked like flattened sheets of steel with suitcase handles. Tara recognised them as radiation and bio-hazard proof transformer boxes.
"I have a bad feeling about this. I don't think any good will come out of opening that box," Chanchal said.
"Pretty sure Dr Ruchi here with all her highfalutin degrees will keep us safe. So don't you worry sister!" Tara said with a wink.
Chanchal rolled her eyes.
"I know we have had some time to stop freaking out about the fact that we are standing in front of what looks like a man made structure, millions of miles away from home. But what the holy fuck! We are going down in history girl! What a discovery!" Tara said.
"A discovery that tried to kill us. You have forgotten that I had to drag your ass out of there, before it turned you into chicken tikka pieces on a skewer," Chanchal said.
"I can't contain my excitement. I mean, look at that ornate chest. God, I think the pee bag in my suit is at capacity."
"You are crazy, woman."
"This is some Indiana Jones type shit y'all" Tara said.
"What is Indian Jones?"
"Indiana Jones. It is an old world movie about an adventurer who raids tombs and temples. And he dodges traps to get to the treasure, just like we did today, with your help of course." Raghuram offers.
"I like that you are amusing yourself with tales from the old world while we are about to make a colossal mistake here," Chanchal said.
"What do you mean?" Tara asked.
YOU ARE READING
Meru
Horror(Complete) Indian mythology inspired horror story set in space featuring a toxic love triangle. INSO Dwaraka, the Indian National Space Organisation's most advanced mining spaceship has had its share of tragedies, but when they retrieve a mysterious...
