Dr. Aryan Verma leaned back in his chair, gazing at the holo-screen in his lunar home. Reports of space highway conditions flashed across the display, painting a grim picture of deteriorating infrastructure, floating debris, and frequent accidents. The aftershocks of the recent political tensions between Earth and the Moon had trickled down to daily life, making space travel an unpredictable and hazardous ordeal.
Meera entered the room, carrying a cup of steaming lunar chai. “Another accident on the space highway?”
Aryan sighed. “Yes, and this one’s serious. A cargo transporter collided with an old, abandoned satellite near the Earth-Moon corridor. Three people injured, and the whole route is blocked. It’s getting worse every day.”
Avni and Ansh, overhearing the conversation, joined in. “Papa, why don’t they just clean up the space highways? It’s not like they don’t have technology for it,” Avni questioned.
“They do, beta,” Aryan explained, “but politics and bureaucracy slow everything down. Earth is supposed to fund most of the cleanup, but after the recent tensions, they’ve reduced their contributions. The Moon’s government is struggling to maintain basic trade routes, let alone clear decades-old debris.”
Ansh frowned. “So it’s like potholes on Earth’s roads, but in space?”
Aryan chuckled. “Exactly! But here, a single piece of debris can cause catastrophic damage. Imagine if one of those high-speed meteoroids smashes into a passenger shuttle—it’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
Meera shook her head. “It wasn’t like this when we first arrived. I remember smooth rides, well-maintained travel routes, and no constant fear of collisions. Now, every journey feels like an obstacle course.”
“You’re right,” Aryan said, leaning forward. “The problem is the exponential increase in space travel. More people, more vehicles, and no proper management. Jupiter’s trade ships, Martian mining convoys, Mercury’s research missions—it’s all too much for the system to handle.”
As Aryan observed the chaotic remnants of forgotten space routes on the holographic screen, a deep realization surfaced within him, carrying the weight of a truth he had long known but rarely pondered deeply. Aryan remembered his Dada Guru’s words echoing like a cosmic whisper, “Outer routes can be blocked or destroyed, but the inner path to realization remains untouched—it is not built, it is inherent. Always open, always accessible. Ignore it, and one remains lost despite all travels.” As he gazed at the infinite expanse of the cosmos, he felt the truth of those words seep into his being. Space highways crumbled, civilizations rose and fell, yet the journey within remained untouched, eternal. In that moment, he understood—no matter how far one ventured into the galaxies, the only voyage that truly mattered was the one that led inward, beyond time, beyond space, into the unchanging self. But the reality of the moment pulled him back—no matter how eternal the inner journey, the struggles of outer existence demanded attention. The failing highways, the stranded cattle, the suffocating travelers—all were reminders that survival in space was a delicate balance between science and fate.”
Just then, Aryan’s communicator buzzed. It was his colleague from the veterinary department, Dr. Nair. “Aryan, I need your help urgently! A bio-transport module carrying rare lunar cattle got stuck in a debris storm. One of the animals is injured, and the whole shipment is stranded on the route to Lunar Base 7. If we don’t get them out soon, their oxygen supply will run out.”
Although one spoon of solidified nano oxygen could last for weeks or even months for a single body as it was a marvel of science. Yet, demand for it was also very high. However, the nano oxygen supplement was not a complete alternative to oxygenated domes. It supported sustenance but not growth, so it was mainly used in emergencies and outdoor activities. Cattle stranded on deteriorating space highways suffered the most, as their oxygen reserves dwindled quickly, leaving their caretakers scrambling for emergency supplies.
Aryan sprang into action. “I’ll be there, Nair! Send me the coordinates.”
Meera put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Be careful. With all this debris and unstable roads, even your rover ride could be risky.”
Aryan nodded. “I’ll take the reinforced pod. It has an advanced shield. Ansh, Avni, track my route from here. If anything goes wrong, inform the Lunar Transport Authority.”
The journey was treacherous. Aryan’s pod trembled as he navigated through bumpy, poorly maintained space corridors. The gravitational distortions from nearby celestial bodies added to the challenge, making it feel like driving through an invisible storm. His screen flashed warning signs—floating metallic fragments from an old space battle, chunks of rock from mining blasts, and even an abandoned satellite tumbling dangerously close.
“No wonder accidents are frequent,” Aryan muttered. “This is a ticking time bomb.”
After a tense ride, he finally reached the stranded module. The cattle inside were restless, their bio-suits covered in micro-punctures from debris impacts. One of them, a rare genetically modified breed, was bleeding. Aryan wasted no time, applying a specialized space-grade healing gel to stop the bleeding while helping the transport crew restart their engines.
“You’re a lifesaver, Aryan!” Nair exclaimed as the module powered up again.
“Just doing my job,” Aryan replied, still scanning the route ahead. “But we need a long-term solution. If this keeps up, not just animals, but people will start losing their lives in these unpredictable conditions.”
Back home, Avni and Ansh eagerly awaited his return. The moment Aryan walked in, Ansh blurted out, “Papa, there was a holo-news update! Some scientists are proposing an AI-controlled cleanup crew for space highways. They say smart drones could clear debris and even fix broken routes.”
Aryan smiled. “That’s a brilliant idea. But let’s see how long it takes for governments to agree. Meanwhile, we need to adapt and survive.”
Meera handed him another cup of chai. “And maybe write to the Lunar Council? After all, people listen to veterinarians more than politicians these days.”
They all laughed, but deep inside, Aryan knew that space travel was at a critical turning point. Either they found a way to restore order, or the space highways would become impassable, turning the dream of interplanetary travel into a nightmare. The battle wasn’t just against debris; it was against time, bureaucracy, and the unpredictable chaos of the universe.
Demystifying Kundalini 