To: M. WATNEY
From: M. PARK
I see you have connections. I arrived to work today and found a landing pass on my desk. Those are not easy to come by. So I will see you there...
I feel like I need to disclose things to you. I don't know how much you or the crew has been made aware of. I just don't want you to be blindsided you get back, because I am sure there will be endless meetings to go over and over what happened. Just for the record, this is all completely off the record.
When you "died" there was a very nice funeral. Of course public confidence in NASA as a whole declined. Dead astronauts not good for morale as you can imagine. The future ARES missions were in question. I'm sure you deducted all of that. But Kapoor wanted more. He wanted satillite images of the ARES III site, for dual purposes. Supplies remaining at the site, if intact could be used for future missions. But visual confirmation of your death would also lend to faster production of a death certificate (declaring you dead in absence), giving final closure you your parents and paying them out your life insurance. You know fucking insurance companies wouldn't want to pay without a body.
Saunders originally vetoed the idea, but was purseded by the idea of increased public sympathy and support.
So Kapoor called me for the images, and I put 2+2 together and realized the fuck up.
So yea, I started stalking you from that point. Sounds creepy when I type that. I worked the same hours as you, so my schedule was majorly fucked. I started to drink coffee to compensate, and now I am addict. Where was coffee all of my life?
Getting back on track. You know about the failed supply mission, and the next planned supply mission.
But in came Rich Purnell and his brilliant mind. If you haven't been in contact with him yet, do. He is really one of the top people you should be thanking. Awesome astrophysicist that created the whole slingshot-the-earth-with-HERMES- go-back-for-Mark idea.
What you might not know is Saunders outright veto'd the idea, while Henderson and Venkat (and hell, most of NASA) supported it.
Someone sent the now famous "Purnell Manuver" to the HERMES crew, and they ultimately were the ones to decide to use it. Now there are rumors all around here as to who did it, but no one is coping to it. Saunders is pissed, but trying to act like that was the plan all along. Fucker. Henderson walks around with a permanent smirk on his face, so my money is on him (there is a betting pool going if you want to get in on it).
So, now you know how it went down. Hope I didn't ruin your day. I could send more pics to help?
To: M. PARK
From: M. WATNEY
Most of that is news to me. The crew committed mutany to save me? Sounds like something they would do. I'm thankful they did though. Not looking forward to the interrigations when I get back. The questions have already started via email. NASA has my logs now, I've explained the events at least 10 times now. They are going to give me PTSD just from being asked about it over and over.
I'm putting Purnell on my people to thank list. It is getting to be pretty long.
More pics will always make my day, but can you do me one better and video chat? I can submit the request to communications and they will contact you to schedule a time. That is if you are willing. How many times can I use the stuck on Mars card?
To: M. WATNEY
From: M. PARK
Submit the request and I'll wait for scheduling. How long does approval usually take?
Your mom called me today. I am not entirely sure how she got my cell phone number. But she had plenty of interesting stories about you, so I didn't mind. I can't believe you set your tricycle on fire trying to make it go faster. You were a strange kid weren't you? I can see why your mom only had one lol.
I need an update on how you are doing. I still get to worry even if you aren't my officially my problem. Don't make me email Dr. Beck.
Pic attached until we "live" chat. Funny story, my mom gave me a budouir shot certficate for my last birthday. So I guess we can play a game of "whose mom is wierder" when you get back.
To: M. PARK
From: M. WATNEY
Dr. Beck says I am fine considering what I have been through. Really. He also said to tell you to stop sending me pics as I am taking longer than the alotted shower time. Don't worry, I didn't show them to anyone. If he had seen them he would understand my predicament. Just putting this out there, feel free to send me all the pics you want.
NASA has me emailing a psycologist as well. I told her about how amazing you are. She told me I should probably not rush anything, considering the trauma I have been through.
I told her to fuck off.
I got the video chat confirmation. Looking forward to actually talking to you.