The Girl in the Gym

Blessed with a girl

1988, At the space station

A loud beeping disturbed the usual tranquillity of the space station one night. It was early January, and they were not expecting a report until the end of the month. Thinking that it was an emergency, the entire crew rushed to the control and switched on the screen and console.

Hemnath's face appeared on it, it appeared to be dark on earth. "What happened? This is an unscheduled call," the captain stated.

"I understand, I wouldn't have called unless it was important."

"Ok. Proceed," the former commanded.

"I have been married for almost five years now, but there has been no child. Can you get us some medicine or technology to help my wife conceive?"

"That is indeed serious. You are the only surviving line from the direct descendants. We cannot afford to let it go out."

The captain and his men conferred for a minute and turned back to the screen.

"We will arrange a portal for you in an hour. Bring some DNA from your wife. Hair, blood, anything will do. The medicine will take up to three days to synthesise, you can go back to earth after that."

"Thank you, sir," Hemnath nodded and disappeared. The screen went blank.

The captain turned to others and started issuing orders.

"Prepare the lab, charge the equipment and gather all the supplies. We will open a portal in the cave near his dwelling."

They all rushed to do his bidding, while one remained at the controls in order to open the portal when Hemnath sent them the signal.

"Captain, I suggest we fabricate a storm to disguise the sound of the transport," said the deputy.

"I agree, go ahead and do it as soon as he enters the cave."

When Hemnath appeared in the teleportation chamber, he was wide-eyed and full of wonder. It was the first time he had been given access to the space station, otherwise, he generally worked from the hidden room of their house.

"This is incredible!" he breathed, walking over to the controls and peering at them.

One of them ushered him to the medical bay, where they ran tests on him for a full day. The next day, they began the process of synthesising the compound that would help Chitra and Hemnath have a child. In the meantime, the captain requested a private meeting with Hemnath in this office.

"You asked for me, sir?"

"Yes, please come in. Since you are here, I was thinking we could discuss our next course of action regarding earth."

The captain went on to say that the time was ripe for Zerowians to take on earth and that they had been asked to prepare a readiness report with the first phase beginning in five years.

"We have been observing the earth very carefully, as you know. The year before last we noticed depletion in the Ozone layer, which was detected by earth's scientists only last year. If things continue like this, we will not have a viable planet to take over," he said.

"Yes sir, it is the best course of action. The world is headed toward strife and war. It might destroy itself if we don't intervene."

"Good, we will begin work at our end, and you be ready for an increased workload. You will have enough time to educate your child in our ways by then. She will be the face of our people on earth."

At the captain's statement, Hemnath wondered if they would indeed, be blessed with a girl. It would be wondrous news for all, but he decided not to say anything prematurely.

On the third day, the medicine was given to him in a vial. "You both need to take one sip each," said the medical officer.

Hemnath nodded once and saluted before entering the teleportation chamber. With a press of a button, he had vanished.

Exactly nine months later, Hemnath gave them the news of the birth of his daughter. Their plan would soon be set in motion.