Astronaut Cavewomen of Mars
That's the title of my original story that I began writing during the MiniWriMo in Nov '15.
I did a first pass of light editing/revising. These ones are still part of my "trying to figure out what I'm wanting to do & tell" stage. To me the exposition feels a little clunky, but I kind of like how I mostly don't explain the terminology that I'm using. Anyway, if anyone has thoughts on this (good or bad) I'd love to hear it!
The overhead lights blinked a few times and then the screen at the head of the cabin came to life. Pilot Artemesia appeared, the cockpit behind her.
“We're on final approach, please check your safety harnesses and prepare for Mars Entry.” She paused and glanced down at something on her right. The image shifted to a view of Mars from the front of the ship. “Welcome to Mars.”
Bethany Tyche checked her restraints, and took a deep breath. Finally she was here. The culmination of ten years of training and hard work. But she was here. Her life was finally about to begin.
Three hours later Tyche and the rest of her Pride began exiting the lander. There were 30 Kits total, the largest single Pride to arrive on Aresia since Adaptation had started 50 TYears ago. Expanding population into an environment so challenging to standard human life was something that needed care and patience.
Pilot Artemesia stood in front of the gathered kits and waited until they attended her. “We first gens take pride in the challenges facing us as. Remember that while it may be difficult, it is worth it. Your passion, strength and talents will transform our branch of humanity.”
Pilot stepped back and gestured toward the great doors at the far side of the hangar. Standing on the mica strewn path was First Mother Candice a warm smile on her face.
Tyche felt light headed with excitement but grabbed her bags firmly and strode forward.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Botanist Hypatia Delenn revved the engine on her transpo. She was running a little late this evening, having gotten side-tracked on the far side of Olympus by some interesting soil readings. Tonight would be First Night for the latest Pride and Hypatia always enjoyed watching the new girls settle in for their first meal.
But the soil sample had been quite exciting. Strong evidence of long decayed plant matter only a few meters down. That boded well for her farming projects now and future projects. Alighting from her vehicle, she grabbed the sample cases and bounded toward the entry hatch. She’d have just enough time to grab a sonic scrub and change clothes before dinner began.
Hopefully, Lyta would be able to look over the samples tomorrow and confirm Hypatia’s preliminary results.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ursula Tjark flipped the switch on her ATV, illuminating the interior of the lava tube. Preliminary soundings were promising, but to be cleared for occupancy required a close structural check in person. This tube would likely take her several days to go over, which was perfect. Each week brought new Prides to the surface and frankly Ursula was getting a little overwhelmed. She had adapted to the isolation she supposed, and if she wanted her space she was going to need to find many more stable lava tubes.
There were crews, of course, hollowing out caves with large diggers, but that took time. Lava tubes, existing cave systems, those were better options. And more interesting as well, Ursula felt. She loved seeing the history of the planet in the rocks where they once flowed like water. Seeing the stria and the variations in color and texture was one of her favorite parts about her job.
Starting the ATV moving forward, Ursula proceeded into the tube. The slope was very gentle, another good sign. Several lava tubes found in the past week had had quick drop offs, making them entirely unsuitable for living quarters, but this one would do nicely. It wasn’t until she was nearly 900 meters in that the floor began to angle down aggressively.
Driving back up to the flattest point before the drop off, Ursula parked the ATV and set up camp for the night.
Posted from DreamWidth.
comments there.
You can comment there with OpenID or a DWth account.
I did a first pass of light editing/revising. These ones are still part of my "trying to figure out what I'm wanting to do & tell" stage. To me the exposition feels a little clunky, but I kind of like how I mostly don't explain the terminology that I'm using. Anyway, if anyone has thoughts on this (good or bad) I'd love to hear it!
The overhead lights blinked a few times and then the screen at the head of the cabin came to life. Pilot Artemesia appeared, the cockpit behind her.
“We're on final approach, please check your safety harnesses and prepare for Mars Entry.” She paused and glanced down at something on her right. The image shifted to a view of Mars from the front of the ship. “Welcome to Mars.”
Bethany Tyche checked her restraints, and took a deep breath. Finally she was here. The culmination of ten years of training and hard work. But she was here. Her life was finally about to begin.
Three hours later Tyche and the rest of her Pride began exiting the lander. There were 30 Kits total, the largest single Pride to arrive on Aresia since Adaptation had started 50 TYears ago. Expanding population into an environment so challenging to standard human life was something that needed care and patience.
Pilot Artemesia stood in front of the gathered kits and waited until they attended her. “We first gens take pride in the challenges facing us as. Remember that while it may be difficult, it is worth it. Your passion, strength and talents will transform our branch of humanity.”
Pilot stepped back and gestured toward the great doors at the far side of the hangar. Standing on the mica strewn path was First Mother Candice a warm smile on her face.
Tyche felt light headed with excitement but grabbed her bags firmly and strode forward.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Botanist Hypatia Delenn revved the engine on her transpo. She was running a little late this evening, having gotten side-tracked on the far side of Olympus by some interesting soil readings. Tonight would be First Night for the latest Pride and Hypatia always enjoyed watching the new girls settle in for their first meal.
But the soil sample had been quite exciting. Strong evidence of long decayed plant matter only a few meters down. That boded well for her farming projects now and future projects. Alighting from her vehicle, she grabbed the sample cases and bounded toward the entry hatch. She’d have just enough time to grab a sonic scrub and change clothes before dinner began.
Hopefully, Lyta would be able to look over the samples tomorrow and confirm Hypatia’s preliminary results.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ursula Tjark flipped the switch on her ATV, illuminating the interior of the lava tube. Preliminary soundings were promising, but to be cleared for occupancy required a close structural check in person. This tube would likely take her several days to go over, which was perfect. Each week brought new Prides to the surface and frankly Ursula was getting a little overwhelmed. She had adapted to the isolation she supposed, and if she wanted her space she was going to need to find many more stable lava tubes.
There were crews, of course, hollowing out caves with large diggers, but that took time. Lava tubes, existing cave systems, those were better options. And more interesting as well, Ursula felt. She loved seeing the history of the planet in the rocks where they once flowed like water. Seeing the stria and the variations in color and texture was one of her favorite parts about her job.
Starting the ATV moving forward, Ursula proceeded into the tube. The slope was very gentle, another good sign. Several lava tubes found in the past week had had quick drop offs, making them entirely unsuitable for living quarters, but this one would do nicely. It wasn’t until she was nearly 900 meters in that the floor began to angle down aggressively.
Driving back up to the flattest point before the drop off, Ursula parked the ATV and set up camp for the night.
Posted from DreamWidth.
comments there.
You can comment there with OpenID or a DWth account.