CHAPTER 8

Bartholomew stared at the large screen showing the rocket standing on the pad. Nearly two years had passed since they’d launched the habitat to Mars. He turned to his mission administrator, Bruce. “I never thought I’d see this day. You’ve done a complete recheck on the habitat and the return vessel?”

Bruce handed him his comp pad. “Everything is ahead of target. The unit has converted more than enough of Mars’ atmosphere to fill the air tanks to capacity, and the water tanks are already three-quarters full. The hydrogen fuel for the return mission is just over fifty percent and once the water reservoir is full, a greater percentage of the air can be dedicated toward fuel. None of the equipment is showing any signs of breakdown. I’m thinking we will have capped off all tanks before a decision is required to land on the planet. I still wish we had waited until the return rocket was in place on Mars. If we abort before landing, it’s a long time getting back home. I’m not sure the crew’s bodies can survive the trip without organ failure.”

“This isn’t a joyride. They all know the risks associated with this flight. I doubt a single one of them would opt out, even if your numbers weren’t up to snuff.”

“If my numbers weren’t, as you say, up to snuff, I’d abort right now.”

“That wouldn’t be your decision, just a recommendation. You know how the president wants to see this mission through.”

Bruce shook his head. “Thank god it doesn’t have to come to that. I’d never forgive myself if we sent these people to their deaths.”

“You and me both.” Activity on the screen brought Bartholomew’s attention back to it. “Look, the astronauts are boarding. There’s no turning back now.”

***

Brooke walked with Jesse, Mark, and Brian, holding her helmet under her arm. She felt so nervous that, with every step, she imagined tripping and falling, injuring herself and having to stay home. Even the brave words from Robert, returned from the moon, gave her little comfort.

The technician accompanying her stepped into the elevator as well. “Everything’s going smoothly, Lieutenant Jones. You must be excited. I mean…Mars, this is the ultimate trip!”

She laughed. “Are you kidding? This is nerve wracking as hell. If I hadn’t already gone, I’d piss myself right now.”

He smiled and pressed the button to start the lift. “You’ll have plenty of time to get rid of those jitters on the way. It’s a long trip.”

From the open car, she watched as the supporting structure beams were passed, and through them, the shell of the Ares rocket. In reverse order, the letters passed for both NASA and the USA and as she reached the actual capsule, EROS I was blazoned across the hull. “What better name than the first son of Ares. He was, after all, besides his recognition as the god of love and beauty, known as the firstborn light coming into being and ordering all things in the cosmos. And it’s into the cosmos we go.”

As the technician helped her into the capsule, he appeared sullen. She paused. “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing, Lieutenant. I apologize. I was merely dwelling on my own knowledge of Greek mythology. I could not but help but think of you, being the only woman onboard, in place of Psyche, the daughter of Eros. Hers was not a happy tale, filled with many hardships.”

She smiled and tapped a gloved hand to the man’s face. “Don’t worry. I, too, know the tale. In the end, she was happy. What more trial could I face than the one I am about to take? In the end, I, too, will be satisfied, no matter what.”

His face brightened. “Then, fair Psyche, may the gods be with you.”

She settled into the seat and waited as the technician installed the harness around her. When he was finished, she blew him a kiss. “About to be launched toward Mars, I am already blessed with good fortune. Tyche, the daughter of Zeus, as mistress of fortune must be favoring me.”

He lowered the helmet over her head and made sure the seal was tight then exited the capsule. Beside her, Jesse was settling into his own chair. “All set, Brooke? This is going to be one hell of a ride.”

Mark sat behind Jesse. “Yeah, as long as we can avoid the Mars Curse and aren’t consumed by the Great Galactic Ghoul!”

She gave Jesse the thumbs up then listened to the pre-launch chatter from Ground Control. It won’t be long now.

***

Aki watched the cafeteria television. Over two years since he had been loaned by NASA, he felt a small pang of disappointment. History in the making; he should have been there.

His team supervisor, Dietmar, sat down next to him. “How long until the launch?”

“Seventeen minutes.”

“Ah, the Americans. They always have to be first at everything. First on the moon, and now, first on Mars. They are never willing to share the glory. I understand they turned down a sizable contribution from the European Space Agency rather than accept one astronaut not born in the United States.”

Aki fought an urge to chastise the man. Doesn’t he realize I am American? Perhaps due to my Japanese descent, the guy has forgotten. “I heard the Russians wanted to go as well. No space race this time. Going to Mars is just too damned expensive.”

“Ach! For what? Another box full of rocks? There’s nothing there worth going for. It’s a big waste of money to benefit American propaganda.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Those methane plumes indicate something’s alive there. Who knows what kind of microbiological life exists? Bringing some back, we might find some amazing cures. You have to figure anything able to survive there has be made of pretty hardy stuff, what with no shielding from the sun’s radiation and all.”

Dietmar nodded a few times. “Yes, I suppose. It’s possible.” He turned to face Aki. “In the meantime, I understand you have some questions about our decision to give up on dark energy.”

Aki grabbed his comp pad and brought up his report. “I’ve been working on my own theory on the Standard Model and why we have been unable to create the stuff. I think dark energy is made up strictly of Higgs bosons. I think, after the Big Bang, all the Higgs particles merged to create the first black holes in the universe. My theory would explain how the different galaxies gained formation and provide a basis for the creation of super massive black holes at their cores.”

He handed the pad over to Dietmar, who browsed through it for a few moments. “Forward this to me, Aki. I’m going to need some time to review it. Is it complete?”

“No. Right now it’s a work in progress. It’s going to take some time for me to sort out the entire math—months, maybe.”

Dietmar smiled and offered the tablet back. “Well, when you do, then I’ll listen. For now, we’ll keep on the path we’re on. Work on it. Prove you’re right. You know how scientists are. They won’t believe a thing you say without quantitative statistical verification.”

“Okay, I’ll send you what I’ve got for now.” Aki took the pad and forwarded his computations to Dietmar’s account. When he looked up, the countdown had reached one minute. “Sixty seconds. Let’s hope there’s no problem. I’m nervous just sitting here.”

Dietmar chuckled. The two of them listened to the announcer count down. Ten, nine, eight, seven. Starter ignition. Fuel ignition. Four, three, two, one. Booster ignition and liftoff of the Ares rocket carrying the Eros 1 spaceship and four astronauts on their way to Mars!

It heartened him when, throughout the room, a small cheer went up. Aki smiled and felt a certain sense of satisfaction. He was still proud to be an American.