CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP “message
from mission control, message from mission control”
Mission Control: “Raven Mission, this is Mission Control,
you have 20minutes to begin initial phase of Mars descent. By the time you get
our next transmission, you will be on the other side. Godspeed to you all.”….
Raven Mission: “This
is Raven Mission, landing was textbook, your kit worked flawlessly.”
CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP “message
from mission control, message from mission control”
MC: “Glad to hear
that Commander Williams, how’s the weather look? From here, overhead bird says it’s clear. Video and hyperspectral Feeds looks clear. Make it count.”
RM: “Looks clear, nominal conditions outside, we will be
taking the big step in few minutes. Uploading
diagnostics to you now.”
CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP
MC: “You know, I’ve been looking forward to this day for
years. I remember when I was young; my parents got me a model rocket for
Christmas. I’ve been playing blast off
ever since. My rockethead phase never
ended.” MC said, his voice trailing
off.
RM: “You’re not
getting all nostalgic on us now are you, MC?”
MC: “Sorry. It’s just a big day for us, a triumph for all
humanity. Call me John, by the
way.” His voice now with a noticeable
tremor.
RM: “You’re not
getting nervous for us now are you, John? By the way, you look so pale. Maybe after we're settled in, you can go get some sun on an island somewhere”
CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP “message
from mission control, message from mission control”
“Who designed that alarm?”
Commander Williams thought to herself.
“It can wake the dead.”
MC: “No, No, I know
you all are completely prepared for the mission” he replied evincing a renewed
confidence this time. “We are getting
areolocation data now. Return vehicle Valkyrie is
approximately 100km due northeast from where you are. Well, you will have lots to sightsee until
you get there”
Raven Mission disembarked and mounted the rover which then lurched
in a northeasterly direction.
“I and the crew have been wondering about something. All responses we get back from our families
are vague on what is going on back home.
Is there something wrong?”
Williams pushed send.
Commander Williams looked out at the crimson sight of a rock
outcrop to her right. This really wasn’t
like home. Everything looked stained
with blood. She shuddered.
CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP “message
from mission control, message from mission control”
MC: “Nothing out of the ordinary, they are all doing
well. Maybe they don’t want to add
anymore stress on you.”
RM: Yes, maybe, but ever
since the downlink was damaged 3months ago, we haven’t been able to get much
news.
CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP…
MC: You already know
we had to limit communications to mission-related data to save bandwidth. I’m sorry it has been so hard for you all. I wish I could be there with you. As a kid, all
I could imagine was what it was like to be on another world. A beautiful untouched world. But the young inherit the world, as they say.”
The rover has been driving to Valkyrie for over an hour. She can see it in the distance. Raven Mission dispatched another transmission.
“Ok, John, we are almost to Valkyrie, but it doesn’t look right.
Looks different than what was shown in the training. The thrusters look stowed somewhere. Weird.”
RV: “Mission Control,
is there something you aren’t telling us?
The computer says mass balance of the vehicle is not ballistically
stable”
CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP…
John cleared his throat and said in a raspy whisper “It
isn’t a return vehicle. It’s materials for a greenhouse. Your mission has been
changed. I’m sorry” He paused, “you will never come home.”
Visibly shaken, Commander Williams replied “why didn’t you
tell us?” It was an eternity before the reply came.
CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP… “Would you have gone?” John sent back. “You may be getting the better
deal.” His eyes looked weary. “3years ago, the Sentinel telescope spotted a 10km wide object on course to impact
with Earth. We sent another mission to deflect it but that mission failed.
Your only mission now is to survive”
“When is estimated impact?” Williams was almost in tears.
CHIRP CHIRP CHIRP… “3months ago. A few of us are in bunkers around the world. It is thought we may replant in a few years after the dust has cleared. But that is uncertain. Your families are here. I'm sorry we kept you in the dark, but it was thought best not to distract from the mission."
Williams thought back to Sunday school "Luke 12:24" she transmitted.
MC chirped back "yes, God feeds the ravens, I hope that is true Commander"
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