When they were told about the selection, they were ecstatic. They had endured months of trials and training to be selected. This was a dream come true. A team of NASA and international astronauts would carry out scientific research on Mars. That team was them.
Now they gathered around. The commander, the pilot, the engineer, the doctor and the navigator. Only one was missing; the System Operator and Reactor Technician. Together, the team of six would make history.
"Apologies, but the last member of your team in on her way back from Russia. Her plane was delayed due to bad weather. She should be here soon," Vincent Kapoor said. He couldn't wait to see the current team members' reactions when they saw the last person.
"Is she Russian?" Commander Melissa Lewis' voice was sharp and directive. She had the perfect qualities to be a leader.
"No," answered Teddy Sander, "She was teaching a class at the Roscosmos State Corporation. We asked her to give a lecture there in her field of expertise. I'm sure you'll agree with us that she is quite talented at her job."
The Ares III crew looked surprised. It was not often that you heard such praise come from the director of NASA. Stoic and stern, it took a lot to please the man. She must be brilliant, thought Alex Vogel.
Silenced once again returned to the room. Mitch Henderson took this opportunity to scrutinise the crew. They seemed a little anxious, edging to actually meet and bond with each other. From tomorrow onwards, they would be put through rigorous training to prepare for their mission to Mars. By the end of the two-year training, they would know each other better than themselves, and be prepared to risk everything for the success of the mission and the survival of one-another. Yet, right now, they just seemed fidgety and apprehensive. That would quickly pass. They will soon be like a family; we have seen this for all previous Ares missions.
A phone ring grabbed Mitch out of his thoughts, and back to Earth. He pulled out his phone and quickly answered it.
"Hey Mr Henderson, it's Alessia."
"I'm aware. NASA does have caller ID. Where are you?"
"I'm on a cab. Do I have time to stop by my place to take a quick shower? I haven't had one in 30 hours and well…its not great. Not the kind of first impression I want to make." She sounded tired and drained of any energy. Mitch almost felt bad for the girl.
"You don't have time. You can take one at NASA before the meeting, only if you hurry up."
"Sounds good. I'll be there soon."
Mitch hung up the phone and turned to the rest of those in the room.
"She will be here shortly."
True to her words, Alessia White turned up to the meeting not even twenty minutes later. Everyone turned around when the doors opened. Wearing sweatpants, an oversized hoodie and a rugged pair of converse, she seemed not to have a single care in the world. Her hair, wet from a recent shower, was tied up in a messy bun, with a few loose strands framing her face. Dr Beck couldn't help but notice her slightly red, irritated eyes and large purple bags that seemed to be the prominent feature in contrast to her pale skin. Sleep deprivation, he noted. The rest of the Ares III crew was shocked at her youth. She's only a kid. Rick Martinez's thoughts were reflected upon all of the crew's faces.
"My apologies. The flight was delayed by a few hours." Her voice still carried the innocence of her youth.
"It's fine, don't worry about it." Vincent Kapoor cut her apology short. "Alessia meet the rest of the Ares III crew; Commander Melissa Lewis, Rick Martinez, Alex Vogel, Dr Chris Beck and Mark Watney. Crew, meet your last member; Alessia White."
Mark was quite surprised at the strength of her hand when they shook hands. He could tell she was a force to be reckoned with. She must have made many enemies in her career, being so young and yet extremely successful.
"So if you could all take a seat, we'll begin explaining what you will be required to do for the next few years," Teddy Sanders began. "The Ares Missions, as you already know, were introduced to gather information about Mars. The Ares III will be a long-duration mission to examine Martian sediment deposits for evidence of subsurface ice. It will continue NASA's investigation of the biological, atmospheric and geological history of Mars. You will remain on Mars for 31 days to examine sediments, gullies and speudocraters. You will land at the Acidalia Panitia, a site that is thought to have been the result of water erosion. You should be honoured to have been selected; this mission will be the first time a team of researchers will be able to directly examine this particular site. You will be making history."
Alessia began to feel her eyes get heavier and heavier. It's wasn't that the director of NASA was particularly boring; she was so sleep deprived she couldn't not focus on anything. Using all of her willpower to not fall in a long-awaited slumber, she forced herself to attempt to pay attention to what he was saying. Minutes later though, she found herself unable to make out what the Director of NASA was saying. Syllables jumbled together and sounded like mush to her ears. Chris Beck smiled as he saw her head bob up and down in drowsiness and glanced at Watney who quickly nudged her awake. Her cheeks darkened in embarrassment. Alessia quickly looked around hoping that no one had caught her lapses into Morpheus' arms.
"Why don't we take a quick coffee break. I could use some." Nothing passed invisible to the eagle eyes of Mitch Henderson.
Watney watched attentively as Alessia punched a few numbers in the vending machine and grabbed a can of RedBull. She then proceeded to empty it in a cup of steaming coffee and smile in contentment as she sipped her over-caffeinated drink. Dr Beck is going to have a heart attack if he sees that, he thought. A little energy seemed to return to her.
Alessia reached into her pocket before taking out her phone. She typed a few numbers and brought it to her ear.
"Hey are you still in D.C? …Awesome…Is there any chance that you could pick me up? I haven't slept in over a day, and I'm functioning purely on caffeine…Yeah yeah I know, skip the lecture and cut me some slack please…I should be done in like an hour or so…Thanks so much Nick."
Shutting her phone off, she entered back into the room.
"The Mission officially begins tomorrow," continued Vincent, "Your training will consist of both physical training, as well as the more skills and academic side of the mission. Each day will begin with three hours of strength and endurance. You need to be physically fit and your bodies need to be able to endure the changes in gravity and the lengthy stay out of the Earth's atmospheric pressure. You will be taught how the Hermes functions, the inside-outs of every piece of equipment and survival training. Part of your training will include ten days in isolation and a psychological evaluation, three days of confinement in the Mars Ascent Vehicle and two weeks of survival in the Nevada desert." He chose to ignore the groans and protests that came out from the crew.
"Your training will be hard, there's no doubt about it," finished Mitch, "but as a team, you should overcome it easily. You have been chosen for endurance, determination and skills, not to mention your fields of expertise. You should note that you are encouraged to take part of outside training activities together. The more you bond and get to know one-another, the easier your mission will be, on a psychological level that is."
"Do you have any questions?" inquired Vincent.
"So two years of training and then bye-bye Earth?" recapitulated Mark.
"That's exact."
"What kind of scientific research are we taking about?"
"Commander Lewis is a geologist and Watney is a botanist. Combined with the expertise of other crew members, you should be able to gather sound information about life on Mars and in Space."
"Wait, who is an expert in what?" interrupted Mark.
"Vogel has a chemistry background as well as astrophysics, and White also has knowledge in nuclear astrophysics."
"If that's all, I suggest you all go home and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow begins your training."
Alessia grabbed her suitcases which she had left outside of the conference room. Dragging the heavy object behind her, she walked out of the NASA headquarters and waited for her ride home. Beside her stood the rest of the crew. Do I make conversation or do we kind of just wait awkwardly? She was sparred from such dilemma when a car pulled up.
"Get in loser, we're going shopping!" The driver was a young man in his early twenties.
"The fact that you can quote that movie off by heart sincerely concerns me," she retorted.
"Blame Hannah, she had a phase. It was bad," replied the passenger. He jumped out. The resemblance between the driver and him was striking. Walking towards Alessia, he stopped and gave her a bone-crushing hug. "How was Russia?"
"Hello to you too Nick. It was freezing. It's a miracle I survived."
"'Less, don't you think that's a little over dramatic," he said whilst grabbing. "Christ, what is in your suitcase? Did you need that many clothes?"
"Most of it is book and research actually."
"You're such a nerd."
She turned and waved a good-bye to the rest of the crew, "Have a nice evening guys."
She took the opportunity to jump in the passenger seat whilst Nick put her suitcase in the book of the car.
"Bitch," he called out good-naturedly
"Jerk," she replied with a laugh.
She was oblivious to the side glances that the other crew members exchanged.