...Please read the first of the series: Unforgettable, before continuing.
Author: Richard W Carpenter
Title: "Unforgettable II"
Prolog
For centuries, man has dreamed of space flight and the need to colonize other planets, ensuring growth and a successful population. The driving force behind our relentless pursuit of innovation and change. This dream, once confined to the realms of science fiction writers, is now becoming a tangible reality in our time.
Preview
As we approached the living area, Jeff ran out to meet us, seeing our search light from a distance! He wasn't wearing the proper uniform, and he also found those floating objects very curious. So, he took off without a lighting device into the dark and without a proper uniform. I shouted,
"Jeff! Jeff! Come back!"
In the cold climate of Mars, Help needed to come soon...very soon!
Of course, he wouldn't have heard me if I were standing next to him. I asked Pat to stay inside the tube as I ran after Jeff with a bright lamp and a cold weather suit, to give this senile engineer!
As I ran through the night, I was temporarily blinded by a streak of bright light and the loud sound of static. As my sight returned, I began to recognize the landscape and came upon a horrible sight...
***
Chapter One
Home Away from Home
The morning sun separated night from day as it rose over Killeen, Texas. Granite Hills cast a long shadow over the fields of oats and hay. Rusty the rooster woke all the creatures on the farm with a crow that woke Pat first. Then, stretching and yawning, I reached for her side and held a handful of pillow. She was already standing and gave me a sweet wake up,
"Good morning, sunshine, come on, time to get up and feed the animals!", in a tone that hinted, she was wide awake,"
Getting to my feet seemed difficult. We skipped the honeymoon and went straight to the farm. She continued,
"Ok, now that I have your full...attention, we need to be thinking of other things like, the horses are hungry, can you hear them?"
It felt like she was channeling Dr. Dolittle, or I married Mother Teresa!
Several horses neighed out in the barn. I climbed out of bed, staggered into the kitchen and reached for the coffeepot.
***
I'm not surprised at her morning disposition. She had the same qualities as Mom. They were both so close! I learned from letters home that she was there for mom while I was away. Pat didn't wait and marched out to the wheelbarrow, parked in the barn, and loaded it with horse feed, as she was ready to start the day. I wandered outside with my cup as the dog began to bark frantically. I looked around, then saw that it was barking at the passenger plane flying overhead. I looked up, too, but I was not concerned about the plane.
Pat came out of the barn,
"What now?"
"Just wondering how they're doing up there!"
Without even glancing, she pointed at the location in the sky, opposite the direction that I was looking. Pat remarked,
"Well, depending on the time of day." I was curious,
"Hun, how... how can you be so sure?"
"When you graduated from UT and went into the space program, the people at NASA told Mom about you traveling to Mars. I wanted to see you again and did some research on Mars."
***
That morning, as we ate breakfast, I couldn't finish. I stared out the window at the location Pat had shown. She asked,
"Are you still concerned about your friends? You didn't sleep well last night. Hun, I want to go with you and have our children on Mars!"
I was confused, "Wait, Hun, do you know what you're saying? Even if you passed the training, a child has never been born in space. No one knows what would happen. The child may never be able to visit the Earth because it won't develop the necessary bone structure. She was determined, if anything,
"Yes, I understand, but my mom was telling me that we should stay together long before you came home. I've been thinking that someone must do it. I would like to be that pioneer!"
My decision was clear. I should keep my friends, career and make a family on Mars or live with my wife and raise a family on Earth.
I need to think and escape from reality for a time. The best place was back in the barn with Trigger's offspring, Trixie. The aroma of hay and oats filled the air inside the barn.
***
I talked to Trixie, letting her know that I was coming up behind her,
"Hello, Trixie...easy girl...!"
Trixie was the offspring of Trigger, Dad's horse. Trixie was a beautiful 2-year-old-filly, with no markings and a white mane, just like her dad. She softly nickered as I walked closer. Trixie was a bit spirited, and as I walked her out of the barn to the field, I had to keep a tight rein on her. A mature horse has a trotting speed that is a slow canter. But a younger, more spirited horse has a gate that is fast. I was a bit older, so I took my time and walked her around the farm.
***
Then I went up to Granite Hills, out of curiosity.
The grass and brush on the way up Granite Hills seemed tall and overgrown, but Trixie found the trail and handled it like her dad. After Trixie meandered the path and found her way to the top, I noticed the old shade tree. I had spent many hours under it and had fallen. It was providing food for a sapling that was replacing it.
***
I climbed down Granite Hills and made sure that Trixie made plenty of noise with her huffs, to scare away any snakes. I didn't want to break the other. While Trixie and I headed for home, I couldn't resist the temptation to trot a little faster although it's been a while since I have been on a horse.
***
We went by the old racetrack, built for Trigger. I was in that mood, when you want to prove to yourself that you're still young and capable of doing stupid things. I lightly tapped the stirrups into her side!
"...Whoops...",
It was a good thing that I was holding on to the horn of the saddle. Trixie changed into a full gallop. Feeling the wind rush through my hair and hearing the pounding thunder of her hooves, I felt like a young cowboy again. As I held on for dear life with both hands and hoped no one saw. I recalled the accident that I had on Trigger as a kid and didn't want to feel like a young cowboy anymore! It was refreshing, but playtime was over.
***
My heart was still pounding and so many pictures rushed through my head as I walked Trixie back home. The thought of leaving the place I lived half my life and starting a new family and colony, was a sobering one. Every corner of the farm brought back cherished memories. The cross in the field over Trigger's grave, the porch swing where Mom and I read the mornings mail, the field I first learned to race, Trigger, Granite Hills, and the antique billiards table that Pat and I spent hours learning to play... Small things! Things that were about to change forever...
***
Trixie and I walked toward the watering trough and one of the ranch hands took her.
Pat came to me waiting for my decision,
"Well, what do you think we should do...?"
After a long hug, I looked at the sky, whispering,
"Lord, be with me now!"
I wiped my brow and held the person who meant everything to me and drew in a long breath,
"We will need to talk to NASA, to see if it will be a good idea that could be used in the program. As far as I'm concerned, start packing!"
Pat started jumping with excitement, hugging Trixie. She grabbed me, sweat, horsehair, and all, and held me closer. I wondered how long that feeling will last.
***
The next day, I called NASA to deliver the announcement of the newest member of the team and our willingness to create a family on Mars. Of course, they wanted Pat to complete training and mentioned the routine warnings of birth in outer space. They agreed and thought it was a good idea that they were planning all along. We collected our things and took only what was needed as we climbed into the taxi. I made the driver stop by the local graveyard and thought to leave dad his old hat but changed my mind. I thought about bringing it up with me. It was one of the last connections I had with him. Pat kneeled beside me as I spoke to Mom and Dad. She and I bonded even closer, and I felt like I needed to make the longest video that my phone will allow?
***
Chapter Two
Heading Back Home
Pat snoozed on the way down, but woke as we pulled into the center, staring at the signs and the space capsules on display along the way. As we entered, I took her down to the training facility, with the large pool and the underwater mockup of the ISS. We wouldn't be living or working in the atmosphere of space, so it wasn't a place where we would be expected to train. Pat suited up before I could say anything. The robots and assistants helped her to feel the simulation of a weightless space. We spent a few hours there, and I guided her toward the Multi-axis trainer.
***
The one we all had to master. We both underwent rigorous training together. I made sure to push Pat to her limit and tested her on the machines. We had trained and over-trained, hopefully as much as we needed. I just sat around and watched her meet the challenges with her eyes closed! I was so thankful that she had shown resilience and dedication to the mission. After being examined by the Docs and passing all the important tests, the next and last thing we needed to do was to get measured for our spacesuits. I managed to convince the flight engineers that I could carry my old cowboy hat into space. It was my lucky charm. They allowed the extra weight, if I kept it in a plastic bag until we landed.
***
We climbed into the roofless Motorhome, carrying us to the pad. We entered the shuttle with the doctors, who made sure we were strapped and plugged into the Shuttle before sealing us in. I reached over to Pat before the count and grabbed her hand. She was trembling and a few shades of white and had her fingers crossed. I wanted to hold her and comfort her, but we were already strapped in. It was something she had to overcome on her own.
***
The engineers in the control room rattled off the list of routine checks that must be confirmed and function correctly before launch. With the final and most important message terminating the list?
"Artemis, all systems are go. You are clear for launch."
"Control, we read you."
Concentrating on what was important, I took my hand back! We were about to discover a new world not as simply astronauts, but as pioneers, building a new home and growing our family. I had been to Mars before, but now I was travelling with my wife. A new concept. I stared at the gauges on the panel in front of me and did deep breathing exercises. Pat was outstanding in navigation. She was made pilot/ flight pastor and would take us down to the surface of Mars. I was made Commander/ flight doctor and whatever needed doing. We had gotten used to the muted sounds of the pumps on the launch pad and had almost forgotten where we were until...
"Shuttle, we are at T-30 seconds and counting."
"Copy that, Control."
"Shuttle, we have ignition in 10-9-....",
It was our last chance to consider other thoughts other than the displays at our station.
"...4- Ignition- 3-engine start-2-1 lift off, at 3:10 AM Central Time, as the shuttle returns to Mars."
My heart pounded so much louder and became more obvious as we plowed through the atmosphere. It still felt like I was doing this for the first time although I didn't want Control to know,
"Lift off confirmed, Control. We are headed for Mars. Over."
I exhaled and took the time to whisper a small prayer, while I kept my eyes glued on the gauges and my head buried in my seat.
"Please, God let me make Pat happy as we become a family and help us with our children on Mars! I won't ask for anything else. Amen.
"Shuttle. We are at T-plus 5 minutes, preparing for separation. Over."
According to my instruments, the separation was in progress, as the constant push from the rockets that kept me buried in my seat had temporarily stopped. Like we ran out of gas and were coasting to the side of the road. There! I felt thrust. That reassuring surge that means success,
"Control, confirm separation successful. Over"
As the last stage completed, we experienced weightlessness. Pat had unstrapped herself and was floating inside. She was beside herself with emotion, but I thought it would be a good idea if she postponed her inter-vehicular activity and suggested that she return. Unfortunately, she accidentally hit a switch on her way back.
"Shuttle, seeing a brief OMS burn, can you confirm? Over."
Pat was the pilot, and we were experiencing a slow rotation,
"It looks like you are up. Pilot, I hope you remember your training!"
After Pat strapped back in and grabbed the stick like in the simulator,
"Control, accidental OMS burn confirmed, initiating OMS burn to correct trajectory in 3-2-1 Mark? OMS burn successful, Trajectory checks complete, our path is true. Over."
"Copy that, Shuttle, looking good. Remember pilot: foresight, you have two lives in your hands. Over."
"Control, Copy that, Over."
"Shuttle, we are at T-plus 20 minutes and counting. Prepare for orbit insertion burn. Over"
The orbit insertion burn was the sequence of events that caused the shuttle to enter Earth orbit.
"Control, orbit insertion burns in 3-2-1-Mark, Orbit insertion burn is confirmed. Shuttle is in Earth orbit. Over."
"Shuttle, copy that, prepare for sleep break from 400 hours to 1000 hours. Over."
I closed my eyes and exhaled a breath of relaxation and thought of how far I'd come, from that little cowboy dreaming of flight, to where I am now and what needs to be done next.
***
The NASA sleeping pills were doing their job. ---I could see a new high-rise building standing in the center of our new colony with space docks on its top.
***
"Shuttle, the time is now 20:00 hours. Sleep break terminated. Over."
As I navigated through the blur of half-consciousness, I reached Pat's seat to give her a reassuring shake.
"Shuttle, prepare for de-orbit burn. Over."
We wanted to change our heading and leave Earth orbit. Control needed us to increase velocity, at a predetermined time, increasing the centripetal forces that pulled us away from Earth's gravity, placing us in a trajectory towards Mars.
"Control, preparing for de-orbit burn, in 3-2-1-Mark! De-orbit burn successful, Shuttle is on course for Mars. Over."
"Shuttle, that's wonderful. Over."
***
...After a few weeks of travel, we were so close to Mars, I could smell it. I was coming from Earth and bringing the best part with me.
"Shuttle, prepare for planetary insertion maneuvers. Over."
Pat was in the driver's seat,
"Control, preparing for planetary insertion maneuver, in - 3-2-1, Mark! ...Planetary insertion complete, shuttle is in orbit around Mars. Over."
"Copy that, Shuttle, The Shuttle is in Martian orbit! Over."
"Shuttle prepare for descent. Over"
"Control, we are preparing for descent. Over"
I wasn't looking forward to descending with an untrained pilot. The winds didn't make it easier as the shuttle swerved wildly through the Martian Fog-like atmosphere! I wasn't looking or thinking of helping. Pat closed her eyes and figured it out.
"Control, Approaching Mars and landing sight. Over."
Before I knew it, I felt the thud of solid ground. Even though we were miles from home, it felt good to be on solid ground again!
***
Chapter Three
We're on our own, Campers!
We turned everything off and shut down the capsule. It looked like Pat wanted to rest a little. I wanted to give her a congratulatory hug, but in these outfits, I felt more like SpongeBob. Congrats would have to wait. I took the searchlight and as much of the gear as I could carry. Those mysterious floating objects were still here, and more obvious!
It was still night as we approached the initial landing site with the searchlights. We passed the stack of supplies and the old tube. I steered Pat away from the area where I almost slid into.
Jeff spotted our light and was coming down the path to greet us. Strangely, he wasn't wearing the normal spacesuit. Before he could explain, the group of UFOs were over my head and behind my shoulders. The UFOs turned and headed in another direction as he ran off to investigate! I screamed out loud,
"Jeff...! Jeff...!"
***
In these suits, he wouldn't have heard me if I were standing next to him. He hadn't inserted the radio yet. Without a radio, it is easy to get lost. In the cold climate of Mars, help needed to come soon...very soon! I learned later that he was wearing his latest iteration of a Martian uniform, that would protect the wearer and create a personal environment! Jeff was so proud of the results that he wanted to show everyone. In his creativity, he hadn't completed constructing his iteration where installing a radio would have been nice.
A bright streak of intense daylight temporarily blinded me. I heard an audible sound of crackling static in my headset and felt a vibration. Though, any chance of following Jeff needed to wait until I could see again. I had been temporarily blinded, so I stopped in my tracks.
***
After a few seconds, my eyes had re-adjusted, and I noticed a bright strip of reflective material, coming into view and saw it was already too late. Jeff was lying face down in the dust. I dropped to my knees, wondering how this could have happened. Even though we all were aware of the risk we took as astronauts. I couldn't understand how this could happen to such an important person. A micro-meteor hit Jeff as he searched through the night. Ironically, the thing that the uniform was designed to protect the wearer from, caused the accident. The meteor was drawn towards the boosted magnetism that Jeff, being an experienced engineer, assumed would repel anything. As Louis came out to help, she became emotionally broken. We cried together, only there's a limit to how much crying you can do in these suits. Terresa and Irina agreed and ushered us back inside the tube.
***
While I was on Earth, Jeff had created an airlock for us around the table. This gave us a chance to get out of suits and breath. I was the first to disrobe, so to speak. I quickly realized that with our collective b.o. that staying in our suits might not have been a bad idea. The girls put there suits back on. We sat around the table and Louis continued,
"He wanted to create a newer environmental suit, for everyone! He wanted to change things so that we could all enjoy some type of normality. He thought it would be a good idea to name the colony, Haven Colony. She cried harder,
"He was moving supplies from the first landing site and was constructing a small church for me."
She paused for a few seconds, silently praying.
I learned later from Irina, who was working with Jeff, that he was also working on construction devices that could be stacked like translucent bricks used as windows. They would be filled with a saltwater solution that would filter infrared during Solar Max.
The bots were instrumental in preparing Jeff's body for his burial ceremony. The reason for his demise left little to display, and the bots were directed to dress his remains in a blanket that made him look more like a Mummy. Louis suggested that we use a photo with his remains.
***
We held a burial ceremony in front of Mars and the UFOs.
His casket lay in the center, in front of the pulpit. Pastor Louis continued with the ceremony,
"Dear friends, we gather here today to honor the life and memory of Jeffrey Arnold Potts. Let us take a moment of silence to reflect on his life and the impact he had on those around him."
"...Let us now hear from the people who knew Jeffrey best."
I needed to speak first,
"I am reminded of the many moments we shared. He was the reason I joined the space program. When we were in class, he wouldn't let anyone in class slide, because they didn't know the answers. As a member of the Artemis Team, he knew the things we needed and died bringing them to us...He was not only a brilliant instructor but also a dear friend. His contributions were immeasurable. His legacy will live on in this community. He was a kind soul, who touched the lives of so many."
"I remember?",
Louis was interrupted as small cracks formed on the wall behind her and continued to the floor under Jeff's casket. She spoke louder, believing that her finishing was more important
they were just cracks,
"... rest in peace, JJJ..."
The vibrations increased in intensity, causing Jeff's photo to fall to the floor. Louis frantically stepped down from her podium and grabbed Jeff's photo before the crack in the floor enlarged, swallowing his casket completely. This church wasn't designed for quakes. The windows emptied their water as the walls collapsed. Steam escaped from the cracks in the floor.
***
Chapter 4
Another Day in Paradise
Pat and I stumbled outside to the road covered in dust and mud. I was expecting Louis and the girls to follow. When they didn't, we rushed back and found Louis half buried in bricks where Jeff's casket had once been. Clinging to the only parts of Jeffreys's burial that she could save his photograph. Staring and silently crying as she hugged it. Teressa and Irina had received most of the severe injuries. I wore my nails down, digging them out.
As we pulled Louis out onto the street. She recuperated quickly as she realized that her services were needed. She was covered in abrasions and minor cuts but soldiered through.
The bricks had been designed for everything except the threat of quakes. Teressa and Irina were badly injured from the falling bricks and needed to be carried from the church.
***
We ran back to the tube and dated control on our issues.
"Control, how do you read? Over"
"Reading you, Haven Colony. Over."
"Control, we just experienced a strong quake. We've lost Jeffrey Potts, our engineer from a meteor strike. With severe injuries to our computer specialist, and our pilot because of seismic activity, we are currently relocating can you help?"
"Haven Colony, sorry for your loss. We can certainly help with your next location. Supplies may take a little longer. Programming sensor pak with proper coordinates, over."
"Thank you Control. Over"
I thought it was a good time to reconsider our mission. We held a meeting to talk about what was important. It turned into more of a pity party until Pat spoke up. She seemed more decisive about what needed to be done,
"Look people, quakes, damage and loss of the ones we love, happen all the time. We need to stand up and carry on."
Apparently, Pat was more energetic because she hadn't been given the chance to do anything yet. Louis was determined because she had so much more to do. It was too late for travel, so the girls prepared our present tube for sleep. At least it was still livable for one night. However, without Jeff's snoring, it would be harder to find sleep. This time we didn't need a curtain because we were family.
***
The next morning, we waited for the sun to rise, giving us better light. We loaded two mules. One mule was for supplies and the other for medical transport, for Louis. She wasn't injured badly but still felt sick and we needed to move. I realized that we could return later and pick up the rest of the supplies.
The aftershocks returned, so we sat and waited. I felt the loss of our teammates and didn't want to lose anyone else.
We drove our bots by the shuttle and remembered that I had convinced NASA to let me take dad's old cowboy hat from Earth. I retrieved it and put it on top of my helmet. With my suit, I must have looked silly. Like a Texas Frosty the Snowman, but it did shade me.
Louis was carried in Pat's bot and I carried the supplies in mine. When the sensor pak that I was keeping in a convenient pocket beeped, we knew we were traveling in the correct direction. The rough terrain tested the limits of our mules, as we pressed on, driven by the hope of reaching safer ground. Jeff built the bots with spares which came in handy because it was necessary to change. The sky had a pinkish glow as the sun began to set, and our shadows were getting longer.
***
We had little choice but to dig in for the night. We used a large thermal umbrella and blankets, and snuggled close together to keep warm. It was getting more challenging doing my job as an astronaut and pretending not to care that Pat and I were newlyweds, not to mention that I was breaking my Highschool goal of sleeping with two women. Somehow that felt empty now. I started taking two sleeping pills.
***
The next morning, the roosters weren't crowing, but the sun was rising. We were fresher and well-slept. We had our liquid protein and coffee bags and finished our morning routine.
"Control...come in..."
"Haven Colony, we read you...Our scientists have observed changes in the solar storms, on the sun's surface, possibly signaling the beginning of Solar Maximum, they said you have 48 hours before you should be concerned, Haven Colony, and supplies and replacements, incoming, over."
"Copy that Control, we have 48 hours, supplies and replacements, on the way, over."
We were motivated. So, Pat and I traded our slow and restful transport for the faster bipedal way of moving. We grabbed as much of the supplies and finished walking through a gorge. It allowed us to walk in a somewhat cooler environment. I placed the sensor pak in a convenient pocket.
***
The sun was straight up, and we found it difficult to avoid its heat. The girls started squealing,
"What's happening----?"
I could tell by their panic that NASA had made a slight mistake as far as when to be concerned. The cowboy hat that was shading me was now smoking and the odor of hot leather and plastic was not being filtered fast enough by my suit. I was sure that it was happening to theirs, too. The odor was making it difficult to breathe. I ran back and pulled several blankets for us, from the supplies. Louis was about to reach for her little bible to give us the last rights when we noticed a convenient tunnel tube at the end of this gorge. We made it inside, enjoying its effects as a hideaway, from the solar max. It was obvious that we had arrived at our new location. Louis and Pat went to the airlock around the dinner table. I wondered why I didn't hear the arrival alarm from the sensor pak. I groped for the sensor. Noticing the stifled sound of the alarm notifying us as I retrieved it from my convenient pocket.
***
We all moved toward the airlock to remove our helmets. I noticed some skin damage on Pat. The injuries were so slight that I kissed her arm to make it better. Not that I could make it better, I just wanted to hold my wife and I wasn't concerned about the B.O. It had been weeks since I could see her smile, without looking through our helmets or smell her skin...I quickly thought of something to distract me from this state of mind and regain any professional bearing. ...A new message on the portable radio brought me back.
"Good evening, Sir, Colonel Biggs, reporting as ordered and ready for your orders, Sir."
I was amazed that others had made their way so quickly,
"How did you make it here so fast and how did you know that we were here?"
"Sir, we were sent to this location. Your sensor alerted us to your arrival, Sir."
"Mr, Biggs, I'm going to need an update on what has been done and what you have planned and stop calling me sir! ...Jason will do."
"Yes Sir, I mean...yes...Jason. I have five trained men under me. They are experienced with space construction and several construction bots. As dome construction will require working during the day and at extreme heights. The hospital had already been built, in your absence, with several supporting buildings, Jason."
"Mr Briggs, What is your local call sign?"
"Mars Control, Jason."
I was impressed that we had a local station, "It is now officially changed to Jeffrey's Haven Colony, Mr Biggs."
I placed the radio on the floor and relaxed back against the wall until... Louis begged us,
"We didn't have the time to officially bury Jeff so we should have a memorial for him."
She was sitting, leaning over and puked all over the table between labored breaths as she spoke. I had to put my helmet back on. That dirty sock smell was better than this. I left the lock and swung my light towards the back. The girls followed after cleaning up the mess. Louis informed us, "It's...ok... It's morning sickness...", I did a double-take and froze thinking of immaculate conception. Louis leaned on Pat more than normal as they cast their light in my direction.
***
I pretended to be more concerned about Jeff's Memorial.
"Hm, I wonder what it looks like in the back?"
I looked down at this dark, forbidding cave of a lava tube and heard a drip falling into a puddle. Before I could finish my last thought Louis continued,
"...It was before...before you two returned from Earth and it must have been the coldest night. Teressa and Irina were already sharing sleeping bags...it wasn't just a logical choice...He was so very cold.
"We were all relaxed and inside away from the cold." I had to say,
"So you took one for the team??"
"I'm going to have Jeffrey's child",
Then she burst into tears,
"I wish I had the chance to do it again."
Pat gave me a glance that looked like your mom gave you. When you had company and talked too much. And she wanted you should shut up. She hugged Louis, and they both cried.
I kept thinking, Jeffrey, you dog, you? I shook my head in disbelief,
***
We continued searching as the tube widened and glowed. The ceiling looked like it was covered by glowing bugs that lit a pool of water as it flowed from the walls. Almost like a travel commercial.
"...Wish you were here!"
The girls' light found mine, and words did not come freely. We had difficulty believing what we were seeing. I mentioned,
"All this time we thought that life on Mars didn't exist." Pat said,
"It's like a garden...It's beautiful here... We have everything we will need, light, water...Perfect for his memorial site."
"... It did look beautiful, but I really should take some readings and make a video recording for NASA." ***
Chapter 5
Rest in Peace Again
Louis would begin the ceremony and place the photograph of Jeffrey on a convenient ledge inside our Garden. As the survivors of the Artemis Mission, we all stood with deepest respect. I held Jeff's photo and wondered how we could continue.
Lois wanted to say a few words before the dedication was complete,
"Today, we gather here to honor the memory of Jeffrey Potts. He wasn't just an astronaut, but a discoverer, creator, and, most importantly, family.
Louis made a small prayer for Jeff.
"May the universe grant us strength as we remember Jeffrey Potts. May his courage inspire us, his discoveries enlighten us, and his memories comfort us.
In his memory, we pledge to reach further, explore bravely, and love deeply. Amen."
I had this closeness to everyone, holding them close, not wanting to let go, wanting our family to continue. We got back inside the lock in time to hear the radio,
***
"Come in, Jeffrery's Haven Colony, do you read? Over"
"Read you, Control. Over"
"Jeffrey's Haven, our research engineers are telling us that it's safe to move during the night without risk of radiation poisoning, also we just learned from the Japanese Counselor that they have a base on Mars, so those UFOs just might be JFOs (Japanese Flying Objects), and Russia is sending up theirs,"
"Copy that Control, we are in night mode and have Japanese and Russian company. BTW, we discovered a source of water in a lava tube and a small pool with something like insects nesting on the ceiling of the tube, they emit a glow. I'm sending a video. Out."
"Jeffery's Haven, you've found life? Copy that. Over."
***
The heat of the day seemed to extend longer as we walked outside the tube after sundown. With the thinner atmosphere, the stars appeared sooner and sharper. Seeing shooting stars brought back painful memories. Our memories were interrupted by the whirring and banging of the construction bots as Mr. Biggs programed directions to the already working bots. As they hung from beams far above my head, in order to build the dome. Before we realized it, an automated spacecraft was dropping new supplies that were replenished regularly. There's just something to say about private enterprise versus government-funded enterprise. But I'm sure Elons said it already.
After a few weeks, I noticed that a lot of new buildings had been erected. Jeffery's Haven was barely recognizable from when it all started. We all became adjusted to doing everything at night and sleeping during the day. With the new lights and buildings going up Jeffrey's Haven was starting to resemble a much larger colony.
***
Chapter 6
Surprise...Surprise...
As we all were headed back, we were visited by the local UFOs. Even though NASA had alerted me earlier, that they were Japanese, I became somewhat nervous, as they descended and came closer. They moved into a circle above my head, and I picked up radio chatter that sounded like Asian voices, as they lowered shoulder-high,
"Konnichiwa"
Then I heard a more recognizable voice as their translator kicked in.
"Hello, we are from the Japanese colony Utopia. We want to ask you about this planet. How you come here? How do you live here? Do you need help? Are you satisfied with the Martian environment? We look forward to your answers", as they waited for an answer.
Sounds like they are peaceful enough drone scouts.
Before we could answer the drones from Utopia, we all felt a huge vibration that felt like a large truck on Earth. Then as it became obvious the Japanese drones immediately elevated. They re-configured themselves in a semi-circle overhead. The vehicle moved closer with supporting troops on the side, carrying what I thought were weapons causing the girls to panic and they gathered behind me!
"Ahem!", I wanted to speak.
But someone inside the vehicle spoke first,
"I am Russian Commander, Nickolai Ivanov! I am taking possession of this land by the power of the Russian CCC!"
I wasn't sure if the troops were carrying weapons or just extra gear. The Russians excelled at many things having to do with space flight. Now they have found a way to make a rover look menacing.
"Nick? You don't mind if I call you Nick ...do you?"
He was still inside his vehicle which made it difficult to get a read on him,
"Nick, I don't know if you noticed it yet, but we're not on Earth. Russia is a few miles away.
Louis mentioned,
"He probably doesn't understand anything I'm saying. Pat said,
"I'll bet he can!"
I thought I would appeal to his sense of taste,
"Why don't you come in for a good drink of Wodka? We have a tavern that has just been built. I tested to see what his next move would be and walked casually toward the vehicle and was careful to keep my hands in view. I was concerned for no reason, as soon as I walked forward toward the vehicle the group of Japanese Drones followed. Curious, more than aggressive. They moved into a semi-circle configuration just above my shoulders.
My drone posse probably concerned the Russian Commander as he stopped any conversation. He wasted little time as he retraced his tracks and returned with his troops back into the night. It was then that I realized the true value of drones. Maybe they would be a more acceptable replacement for armed guards.
***
After a week or two the Russian soldiers, including the Commander, were starving because they had not been supplied, well enough by their supporting country. They walked up to the New Tavern which we had just built. It's amazing how easy it is to make peaceful decisions when you're hungry. NASA and SpaceX were making regular supply drops, so we were able to stock the finest liquors, a good supply of Vodka. Also, we built an International Restaurant and supplied it with the finest. It had an airlock for enjoying the taste and aroma and made it more attractive place to go for the Russians and the Japanese.
***
On the way home, I passed our new hospital, Louis and Pat were their first patients in the maternity ward. I walked by just as they were coming out of the clinic. The doctor escorted her to the door with Pat and remarked,
"Nothing serious, Louis is two months along, but otherwise fine."
Louis was showing a little bump and rubbed her abdomen about the location where life would bloom.
"Pat, are you feeling any better? Can I do anything for you?",
They shooed me away. So, I went back to the Tavern.
Nick' and his men visited, for a nightcap. He sat first while his men remained standing.
Ivan was a burly man with a thick beard and a medal-studded uniform. He slapped me on the back and ordered in a loud voice.
"Two glasses of Wodka Pozhaluysta, (vodka please), to friendsheep and cooperation!
We should leave long with, much respect, No?"
He looked at me with a smile and waited for me to repeat the toast in Russian. My Russian was as good as his English. As soon as I drank the vodka...and paused, to get my voice back, I attempted to speak,
"Za nashu druzhbu i sotrudnichestvo! Da budem my vsegda nakhodit' obshchiy yazyk i vzaimnoye uvazheniye!"
...I read the writing on the back of the vodka bottle and could have been giving Nick' the manufacturer's address, but he smiled and didn't respond, aggressively anyway! His men finally sat down at their tables and waited their turn.
Several days later we were alerted to a surprise Ranking official from the Russian CCC. He was the first one in the line of soldiers, as they entered the restaurant. He shouted orders to Nick and his men to rearrange the tables to fit his taste, I guess.
Nick made sure to give me a wink, that asked me to play along, and I allowed him to act, as if he were the head waiter! After that scene, I never had any trouble with Nick and his men. I left as the Russian official had finished speaking to him. It was brought up, later, with his broken English, that he worked in the restaurant industry back home, and it didn't take long for Nick to become the head waiter at the Tavern.
We named the tavern "Sakhalin Tavern" (a small island between Russia and Japan). I made sure to give Nick the thumbs-up sign, as I was behind the official's back and leaving. I made sure to tell Nick earlier,
"You and your men can come to the restaurant or Tavern... whenever you want to do if you leave your weapons at the border!"
I told the Japanese drones the same thing. I mentioned that we have Sake (sak a) Night, which should cause some buzz in the Japanese colony!
***
It was almost sun up which meant we should be inside. I looked up at the partially built structure that would cover our colony. The bots were working with a light that seemed to make the partially built dome glow in Martian dusk.
***Not finished***
