Lost in Space. Joaquim Augusto Ferreira Barbosa de Melo
that must be placed on your arms as instructed ».
Outside of the plane and without being noticed on board, automats initiated the movement of containers that were positioned in front of the airplane doors. Shortly thereafter these opened up to pass the cargo, and then closed. Almost simultaneously the flight attendant’s communication portables received a message with instructions for the distribution and assembly of the apparatus in the containers. The equipment should be mounted on the wrists of all passengers and crew. The flight attendant Anabela addressed the Commander and questioned him about the situation.
- What do we do?
The Commander did not respond to the flight attendant, instead he noted with perplexity that the video system was working, but instead of transmitting images of the spaces where the cameras were positioned, it passed a video with instructions for usage of an equipment. After paying some attention, he realized that the device in question was related to the subject brought by the flight attendant. He was filled with patience and agreed to do what seemed to be proposed by someone - see the video that was in front of him. At first, with little attention, but at some point, he changed his attitude. The video was well done and out of curiosity began to look at the subject with interest.
In his mind began to circulate questions, one after another: «who are these guys who build such perfect things? »; « what is this civilization that is approaching us? »; «where do they come from and what do they want from us? » and so many others. The Commander who could not find answers to any of his questions was engrossed in his thoughts, so he had not noticed at the urging with which the flight attendant Anabela asked him:
-Commander, please, give-me some attention! What do we do with the devices?
-Distribute them by the people who want to put them on! – He replied without any conviction keeping his eyes on the video, that was now taking his full attention.
On the other side of the cockpit, in the passenger area, the monitors installed also played the video. The flight attendants first read the instructions and then started the first applications on themselves. After some time and without any adverse effects felt, they made themselves available among passengers who did not show reservations, to assist with the placement of the equipment. The four kids who, at an early stage, stood by their relatives’ side looking at the monitors vaguely and aloof, at some point began to get intrigued by the images. Soon after, already impatient, they fled their seats, despite the protest from their parents who wanted them to stay in their places. Mário and Nuno were the first to meet, and shortly after Iris and finally Cristina joined them. Curious about the images they saw reproduced on the monitors, they searched the flight attendants for information about what they had seen. The opportunity soon appeared for the four of them.
-What are you doing here? – Said Florbela with a blink of an eye.
-We want to put the devices on too! – Said Mário, representing the group.
-First you have to get authorization from your parents.
Nuno, accustomed to that phrase, whispered into Mário’s ear something that the others did not understand. Then he ran towards the seat where is parents were.
-Mom, I have to go to the bathroom.
-Then go!
-Yes, but the flight attendant said that to go with me, she needs your permission. You don’t have to go there, just make an affirmative gesture for her to see.
As Nuno stood up from the bench, his mother noticed the flight attendant who, at a certain distance, looked insistently in her direction, so she gave her an affirmative signal. Nuno then ran to meet both the stewardess and his friends. When he arrived, he took the opportunity to tell the stewardess that his mother had given permission and that this could be confirmed by his colleague. Soon afterwards Nuno already displayed the desired apparatus seeking to make friends envious. Mário, displeased with the situation, also went to claim the necessary authorization from his mother, alleging that his friend Nuno already owned a device. After some initial reservations, Mário’s mother authorized it. Cristina and Iris, following the example of their friend, also complained to their parents that, seeing no alternative, accepted the situation as a fait accompli. So, in a short time, they were run through the corridors displaying on their wrists the new motives of interest, as if it were toys. The four kids set an example for a good part of the passengers, thus making life easier for the flight attendants. Over time, throughout the plane, an increasing number of people were adhering to the application of the devices and through them began to have access to their features, most of them not knowing very well what they were for.
On the top floor and after the meeting with the Commander the situation among the members of the Government became increasingly difficult to manage. Without fully awareness of what was really happening, they began to look at the monitors with the distance of those who do not believe in anything they see. For them the messages that were appearing to the monitors had different interpretations. To some, those messages were nothing more than the amusement manoeuvres of the kidnappers to divert attention from what was truly happening. To others, all that was too confusing, so they didn’t pay any attention to it. Others still began to admit that the plane had simply been hijacked and it should be somewhere at some airport. The engines had long been stopped, and this was clear proof of that conclusion. As for the location, the disagreement was even greater. While some leaned towards the Middle East, others claimed it to be a country in North Africa with connections to «Al-Qaeda». Others, however, insisted on the likelihood that it could also be a Latin America country. For everyone, it was an unacceptable kidnapping of a civilian plane and for political reasons. The security guards accompanying the government team had already been instructed to be prepared, as at any moment they might have to go into action to protect lives. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, however, argued with his peers and Secretaries of State that, for him, the Commander of the plane was not at all oblivious to the situation. In defence of his thesis he drew attention to the vague tone with which he had addressed the issue, although he admitted that he could also be under threat from the kidnappers. As far as the Minister of Finance was concerned, the situation was much more complex than the other peers admitted, because as time passed and the non-sighting of any terrorist nearby, led to think that behind all that would be much more than what was admitted. The communiqués and particularly the apparatus, to which the messages insistently referred, with its mandatory application, made it possible to admit another interpretation of the facts. For the Minister of Finance, the images collected from outside indicated that this was a very strange place, advertised as the « Beta 2 Station ». For him, although he did not know all the places on planet Earth, of one thing he was absolutely certain: « I had never seen anything like it! The buildings, in addition to presenting bizarre shapes, also show great construction technicality, so something doesn’t add up! » For the Minister of Finance, it was important to speak to the Commander once again. In this sense he asked one of his advisors to find a flight attendant and request the presence of the Commander. When a few minutes later the flight attendant Florbela arrived, the events brought even more surprises.
- Minister, what can I be of service?
-We have an urgent need to talk to the Commander as soon as possible.
-I don’t know if it’s going to be possible anytime soon. The Commander is locked in the cockpit and I have no way of talking to him!
-Is the situation that bad?
-More than you can imagine, Minister!
-Can you be more precise?
-We are receiving messages that anyone who hasn’t put the device on his arm is putting his life at risk. You can confirm this information on any of the chairs’ monitors.
-Don’t you think it’s another diversion?!
-Very sincerely, I don’t think so! In my humble opinion the matter is to be taken seriously.
-Why do you say that?!
-You see, Minister, those automatons are proof of that. I am very travelled and honestly, I have never seen anything like this! We are probably on a different planet from ours!
-Hollywood