Spaceport West (6 page)

7. There’s Another Country

Several months later.
The crew awoke one last time to make preparations for landing. By now the disc of Mars was clearly visible through the cockpit window and continued to grow in size noticeably by the hour.

“Ventura, please confirm everyone is ready for re-entry?”

“Affirmative Officer Beauchamp, we are all strapped in and ready for landing.”

“Okay I’m going for descent. Prepare for atmospheric impact in 60 seconds.”

Upon encountering the thin atmosphere of Mars, a teflon-coated heat shield would begin the process of reducing the speed of the
Quirinus.
Anyone not properly strapped in at this point would feel a slight jerk.

“Dayzee, I reckon we’ve just got long enough to finish this game. Your move.”

“I’m trying Zed, it’s a bit of a reach now I’m strapped in…”

Dayzee resorted to grasping the small wooden block between her toes, and tried to remove it very gently. It was never going to work out well.

“Guys, put the Deep Space Jenga away!” yelled Sky, exasperated at the idiocy of his fellow recruits.

Science Officer Tiggy Beauchamp engaged the landing systems at which point the ship’s computer took over. At an altitude of 15km and whilst still travelling at nearly 1km per second, supersonic retro boosters fired and the craft landed gently on one of the landing pads dotted around the Mars Colony base camp.

“Welcome to Mars!” yelled Tiggy.

There were whoops of excitement that she could hear coming from the sleep deck despite having taken her headset off. Tiggy ran down to join the others.

“Right, let’s suit up and then we can finally set foot on this planet. Is that a plan?”

“Yes ma’am!” was the general consensus.

Within minutes, the twelve Martian colonists plus Officer Beauchamp were descending the stairs to the planet’s surface. What greeted them was beyond their wildest imaginings.

The UK’s Mars Colony is situated deep in the
Valles Marineris
, a huge, 7km-deep rift valley running 4,000km along the equator of the Red Planet. The depth of the canyon beneficially gives rise to a slightly increased atmosphere pressure and temperature, and at a width of 200km, the valley floor creates a wide flat plain providing plenty of expansion capability for the embryonic settlement.

When deciding on the location of the base camp, the planning committee of UK Space Command took a number of considerations on board. These included, but were not limited to, the health and safety of colonists, the availability of raw construction materials, tectonic and geological stability, and whether or not the land in question had previously been sold on eBay.

Once construction of Phase One of the colony began, it rapidly became apparent that the planning committee had made a number of serious errors of judgement. However, the exact nature of these errors has now been classified by the Government and therefore need not concern the reader.

UK Guide to Space, 2025 Edition

First to step foot on the surface of Mars was Truth Polanski, either because this was her fate, or because she was the fastest at tying her boot laces, history will decide.

She scanned the horizon, trying to take in the scene before her. The valley floor was reddish brown and barren, scattered with boulders. In the distance, the canyon walls rose sharply and dramatically, clearly visible through the thin air. It was simultaneously awesome, beautiful and very very alien.

“Look!”, she said, and everyone turned to follow her gaze. Truth was staring at the colony habitats, from which were emerging a couple of dozen of their fellow colonists.

🚀

“And this is the mess hall.”

Captain Zac Flinders, Acting Governor of the colony, was showing the new arrivals around.

Captain Flinders was a tall and athletic former Space Corps pilot, now getting on in years but wearing it well. He had the ear of both the Prime Minister and the Minister for Space, which basically meant no one had a clue whether he could be trusted or not.

“As you can see, it’s all pretty basic, but these are just the prefab habitats. We’re soon to make a start on the permanent Phase Two units using indigenous materials, and they will be a lot more comfortable.”

“Captain, have you been able to locate the right sort of materials nearby?” asked Sky.

“Yes we have Mr…”

“Ventura, sir.”

“…Mr Ventura. Fortunately, the site of our base camp was
very
carefully chosen and there should be large seams of basalt nearby. This is the basic building material for all the structures you will see going up over the coming months and years. We can also melt the basalt, extrude it through a nozzle and turn it into
basalt roving
, which is an extremely useful substance a bit like carbon fibre.”

“Is it true that the some of the living quarters are to be underground?” continued Sky.

“Absolutely, most of the facilities will be built partially above ground and partially below. Where we can, we plan to excavate the bedrock to create subterranean caverns with natural radiation protection. Then we will continue the building above ground, with the advantage of natural light, and of course, a view.”

“That’s a relief,” said Dillinger, “I didn’t fancy spending all my time underground!”

“So Captain, how has everyone adjusted to the slightly longer days here?” asked Aster.

“Good question Madly. The Martian day is, as you are no doubt aware, 40 minutes longer than an Earth day. Doesn’t sound much, but it all adds up.”

“Sounds ideal, extra time in bed!” blurted Dillinger, without really thinking.

Captain Flinders shot Dillinger an angry look, but then remembered himself and softened, which took all of his mental energies. He wasn’t used to insolent civvies. Mustn’t scare them off, he reminded himself.

“Like I was saying, it doesn’t sound like it should cause a problem, but in reality you end up suffering from perpetual
desynchronosis
. Your body and mind are ready to wake up earlier and earlier each day. It’s quite an issue actually.”

“What’s desynchronosis?” Sky whispered to Aster.

Just then an android trundled up jerkily. He put his mouth near Sky’s ear and whispered “Jet lag!” and then straightened up.

“Hi everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the Mars Colony base camp?” continued the android.

“Er, yeah thanks,” muttered a few people awkwardly.

“Sorry to disturb you Captain, we’ve just received a communication from UK Space Command. I thought you might like to view it.”

“Thank you Filo. Excuse me folks.”

The new colonists where left standing around with the android, who was looking at them in turn, expectantly.

“So, Filo, what are your duties here? I’m Aster, by the way,” tried Aster.

“Nice to meet you Miss Aster! My primary function is to assist Captain Flinders. When he’s not needing me I help out in the kitchen. If you’re lucky, you might get to experience my
coq au vin.
”

“Are you really able to make that? I didn’t think there was any meat.”

“No, ma’am, not real meat. We use a cleverly disguised protein substitute for the chicken.”

“And what about the wine?” ventured Freddie.

“Good point sir, we don’t have any of that either, but it does contain neat alcohol plus powdered red grapes.”

“Sounds delicious,” said Freddie sarcastically.

“That’s kind of you to say sir, if you want I can show you how I make it?” said Filo enthusiastically.

“That’s very kind, maybe another time,” said Freddie.

Aster gave Freddie a cheeky grin and whispered, “You tease!”

“Greetings, new recruits,” came a new, Russian voice.

“Oh, hello, who are you?” asked Aster.

“I am Sergey Loginovsky and I am Russian Cosmonaut,” said Sergey proudly.

“Lovely to meet you Sergey, I’m Aster Madly,” shaking Sergey’s hand warmly. “Are you a permanent resident here at the colony?”

“Yes. And no. I am part of Russian observer mission. I observe, I make notes, I inform on my superiors.”

“I think you mean you
inform
your superiors?” suggested Freddie.

“I know what I mean,” insisted Sergey, a wild look suddenly in his eyes.

“Well I’m sure we’ll give you plenty to make notes about!” said Tiggy with a friendly smile. “Okay guys, let’s go and finish unpacking and then I will run through the timetable.”

The recruits followed Tiggy back to their living quarters.

“What do you make of it so far?” Aster asked Freddie as they walked.

“It’s okay I suppose. Kinda reminds me of the moon base, and not in a good way.”

“Right, don’t fancy staying in these modules for too long. And the food situation sounds a little dire right now. I’m looking forward to growing our own fresh stuff, a nice bit of fruit and veg.”

“If it does grow. No one has yet demonstrated it’s actually possible to grow anything on Mars,” Freddie replied with a derisive shrug.

“Really?” said Aster with a panicked expression. Freddie just nodded and walked on.

Mars colonists arriving during Phase One will be required to prepare the ground for construction of permanent facilities including the biome where food crops will be grown. Mars has seasons much like Earth, but base camp had been situated within the tropics to allow for continuous, year-round production. Within the first year, it is hoped, the colony will be self-sufficient in terms of crop yield.

Life on Mars presents many practical challenges. For example, whenever a colonist leaves the pressurised living modules, he or she needs to be fully suited up to cope with the solar radiation and very low atmospheric pressure. Upon returning to base, their space suit must be showered down to remove corrosive and abrasive dust particles.

It must be stressed, therefore, that the life of a Mars colonist is not for everyone. A colonist must be brave of heart, serious of intent, fit in mind and body. And above all, able to accept orders from authorities with whom they may violently disagree and who may themselves be suffering from illogical and fatal delusions.

If you feel you are capable of rising to this challenge, you are encouraged to apply to your local recruitment officer, including in your application a recent photograph and a haiku on the subject of
Total Submission
.

UK Guide to Space, 2025 Edition

Nearly every day a container would arrive which had been accelerated off the Moon by the mass driver, months earlier. It would be captured in Mars orbit by a specially designed heavy lift vehicle which gently delivered it to the planet’s surface.

The containers were essential to the early colonists, bringing fresh supplies that they were unable to provide for themselves as yet. The expense was huge, and there was economic and political pressure to reduce the frequency of the shipments.

Hence the urgency to complete the biome construction project.

Sian, Aster, Sky and Detroit donned space suits and were preparing to put in a hard day’s work at the building site.

“Sky, are you guys ready? I’m about to open the airlock.”

“Roger that Sian, we’re good - all green lights here.”

Sian opened the airlock and the team ventured outside. They collected a utility buggy and drove round to the materials bay.

“Okay, we need to load up with a dozen acrylic panels - Detroit, are you good to operate the lifting jig?” asked Sian.

“No problem, I’m on it.” Detroit lumbered over to the control panel and starting positioning the jig to collect the first panel. Aster had been tasked with filming the proceedings for the
Mars Colony One
show. Sky stood around awkwardly.

“So Sian, I hear you and Freddie are getting a bit chummy.”

“Who told you that Detroit?”

“Oh, no-one. Just rumours doing the rounds.”

“Well that’s a load of nonsense. He’s a nice guy, and everything, just not really my type.”

“Beggars can’t be choosers Sian, there’s a limited number of men on this planet you know.”

“Watch what you’re doing Detroit, remember that panel weighs 250 kilos! Sky can you guide it onto the back of the utility?”

“It has a
mass
of 250 kilos, it doesn’t weigh that here. He has a point though, you need to face the realities of our situation,” chipped in Sky.

“What is it with you guys? We’ve been here, what, a week, and all you can talk about is who is going to pair off with whom?”

Aster lowered her camera. “Sian, can we be bothered to film this moronic conversation?”

“Oh, don’t worry, we can use the visuals and edit out the asinine speech.”

“Good point,” said Aster, raising the camera again.

“But in answer to your question boys,” continued Sian, “remember, there’ll soon be a new ship arriving every month, with twelve fresh new recruits, once we get the crops growing nicely.”

“
If
we get them growing…” interjected Sky.

“… at which point, I won’t have to put up with you anymore if I don’t want to.”

“Don’t say that Sian!” said Sky, feigning offence, “I thought you liked us.”

Sian was keen to move the conversation on. “Come on, we’ve got another eleven of these to shift.”

An hour later, they were ready to move out to the biome site.

“Hank, do you read me?”

“Loud and clear Ms Pevensey,” came the voice in Sian’s helmet.

“We’re proceeding to the biome site with the acrylic. Can you meet us there?”

“Absolutely, ma’am, I’m on my way.”

The biome was being constructed about 2km away from base camp, positioned to receive as much sunlight as possible. The thick perspex-like acrylic panels were designed to allow through the maximum amount of useful solar energy, whilst filtering out hard radiation. You know, the sort that kills all life in minutes.

Ten minutes later, the team rendezvoused with Hank at the construction site. Hank was not wearing a space suit or helmet, which didn’t bother him in the slightest.

“Hey there Hank. How do you like it out here?” asked Sky.

“Great thank you sir! It’s nice to be able to stretch my legs.”

“Do you have to go through the whole showering rigmarole when you get back to base?”

“Most definitely sir. I collect Martian dust the same as anyone else. I am of course fully sealed against anything this environment can throw at me. I like the showers though, I find them invigorating!”

“Lucky you,” Detroit added, jealously.

“Okay, Hank, you climb up that scaffold and we’ll lift the first panel to you, alright?” instructed Sian.

“I’m on it!” Hank responded cheerfully, and with superhuman speed began shinning up the scaffolding that surrounded the aluminium skeleton of the biome.

“Wow, look at him go!” shouted Aster gleefully.

“Yeah, handy little fella isn’t he?”

“You know, I think he likes the freedom of the colony. Back on Earth he would be just another menial android - here, well he’s our equal really.”

“You’re not getting soppy about the droids, are you Aster?” teased Sky.

As Aster watched Hank cheerfully going about his duties with precision and speed, she observed that actually, yes, her attitude to his kind
was
changing. Back home it was tempting to see them as a slightly infantile nuisance, but that simply wasn’t appropriate here. For one thing, the human colonists depended on the androids to make the base operate safely. And their can-do attitude was a breath of fresh air compared to the could-do-if-I-could-be-bothered-but-first-I-need-to-make-an-acerbic-comment attitude of most of Aster’s male colleagues.