The Scapegoat: a Capricorn Adventure

Space Part 4

Image by NASA on UNSPLASH

"We begin our approach to the sun flyby soon," Peyton said to Ariana that afternoon as they prepared for their bunk-time. 

Day and night were indistinguishable in space, so the crew marked their shift out in hours, according to ship perceived time.

Ariana grunted. She didn't sound keen.

"I know you are worried about the flyby," Peyton persisted.

"Yes," Ariana admitted. "I can't take too many pills."

Being pregnant, the Biologist was taking the minimum of the nutritional supplement designed to protect her body from the sun's deadly radiation.

"Perhaps you should wear a protective suit for the next few days," Peyton suggested.

"Day and night?" Ariana queried.

"All the time," Peyton was firm. 

"That sounds uncomfortable."

"It would give you and the baby that extra protection."

Ariana pulled her enviro-suit off the hanger and climbed into its bulk. It would be uncomfortable to sleep in, but like Peyton said, could offer the protection the foetus needed.

"Thanks," she said.

A few hours later, during the time period the crew identified as 'morning', the engineers turned up the generator that created the cruiser's own magnetic field. This would hopefully protect the occupants from the sun's deadly radiation. 

An announcement ran through the ship's address system. "Strips on."

They might still incur up to eight times a medical x-ray's worth per day, so they had all been issued with indicators. 

"It had better stay blank," Peyton grumbled.

If the indicator strip changed colour noticeably, they would be in serious trouble. Useful to be warned, but a little late to do anything about it. 

"Dish in position," the Captain called.

"Check!" the responsible offered returned.

The reflective dish at the front of the ship was now angled towards the sun, as if they could dazzle the star with its own rays.

"Windows shuttered."

"Check!"

The flyby of the sun would be spectacularly bright. Although the crew and passengers were curious, it was judged best to shutter the windows for over seventy two hours.  The ship's camera would capture the necessary images for navigation and documentation in order to save their eyeballs.

"Ready everyone?"

Even through the shuttered windows, the observers thought they could see a pulsating yellow glow. The cooling system struggled to maintain a liveable temperature, and the shields battled against the sun's radiation, even at this distance.

In their room, Peyton noticed Ariana fiddling with the fastenings of her enviro-suit in frustration. However, the expectant mother did not dare to remove the protection. 

"Are you okay?"

"Not really -- but I have to bear it."

The hydro-biologist's duties included helping operate the recycling units, a task made onerous by her nausea and persistent morning sickness. Peyton offered to help whenever she could be spared from the bridge. 

Finally the ship gained a 'safe' distance from the sun. 

"You can open the shutters again."

The Captain gave the go-ahead for the windows to be unveiled and the magnetic generators slowed. The magno-generators would run on low for some time yet, protecting against the ever present radiation out in space. 

"That was a remarkable experience - but not one I'm keen to have too often,"  Ariana observed. "Thanks for helping me."

"You are welcome."

Peyton headed thankfully for the space showers.