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
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
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