Rega II

I work at the Astronomical Research Centre International (ARCI) as a scientist. 4 Years of hard work, 10 minutes of launch, 2 decades of happiness, 1 day of suspense, 2 weeks of celebration. This was our life. Sometimes, the bad happens; we lose. 2 missions of failure, one after the other. But we ain't stopping. We continued it with Rega II, aiming for Terra-79 – a remote planet of the Taike galaxy and were waiting for success.

12-2-3001, Tuesday

1372 days after the launch of Rega II; 10 days until her landing on Terra-79. Rega still responds to us. In the speed of 140,000km/hr, she takes clear photos of the mesmerizing Nova Taike galaxy. News was the first thing that made me smile today. It was Raghav Srila, our chairman. The media was gazing at him as he answered, "Rega II is our dream work. Our staff under the supervision of Mr. Samaya, worked all-week long. Unlike our recent shuttles, Rega is responding well. So we believe it reaches Terra-79 unharmed. 10 days until the destiny." "As we can see, Mr. Srila has trusts in Rega's safe entry into the Terra-79. Rega II lands on the planet on 22nd of February. Stay tuned for the results."

14-2-3001, Thursday.

There comes the host of my favorite TV show. The gazing idol me, with a morning breakfast in my hand, moved reluctantly to the backdoor after a knock from the postman Hiran. "Hey man. What's the post about?" "I don't know bro. But it's from your Aunt Swann." Aunt Swann hasn't written to me since 3000. This must have been an emergency, for she has written a letter. But no. Well of course it's about the Rega. She wrote me a good fortune letter. The whole big world is wondering about the Rega! I hope this project goes well.

23-2-3001, Saturday

1381 days after the launch of Rega II, 1 day until landing on Terra. I set off for a peaceful morning walk. Watching that fog on the path, birds tweeting, I closed my eyes and inhaled that cool air satisfyingly. It felt like a heaven on Earth. I saw a simple temple with a rock in red and yellow. I went there, lined the vermillion on my forehead, and prayed the God for success.

 24-2-3001, Sunday

1382 days after the launch, 1 hour until Terra. We were online, so was Rega. We were rechecking the landing equipment. "Pulling on the thrusters in 3 hours". "Little nervous?" asked Ms. Anaya, observing the sweat on my forehead. "A lot", I chuckled. I was really so tensed. So I went out of the control room for a moment. I went to the duplicate of Rega II, put my hand on it and felt the speed and saw the Terra.

25-2-3001, Monday

1 minute to enter the atmosphere of Terra. The officers, including me were in our respective positions. I could hear my heart thud. I could feel a sweat droplet falling from my eyebrow. The voice of the countdown was fading. My eyesight was shady. It felt like the time was running slower. But I could feebly see the timer go faster. My breath was turning shaky. I couldn't feel anything. Suddenly, my heart gave its loudest thud yet. I could feel someone's hand taking mine. I could hear feeble shouts. Feeble was becoming clearer. Then a photo was displayed on the screen before us – a photo of the land of a planet.