"It's time to make the decision," Mindy said from her place standing at the head of the large conference room table. "We've batted this around for over a year now. We have a year left until Ares IV launches. They need to be able to start training. So, are we modifying the Ares IV MDV and MAV for Mark to ride along? This scenario requires the crew to land at Valles Marineris, add fuel from the MAV fuel plant there, and then fly overland to Schiaparelli. The other option is for Mark to stay at the Ares I Hab, communicating with the IV crew. When IV safely returns to Hermes, Taylor will remotely launch and pilot the Ares I MDV remotely to orbit."
"Aren't you missing an option?" Martinez asked.
"Two actually," Mindy replied. "We can fill the Ares I MDV with the fuel from the MAV fuel plant there and fly both MDVs overland. Both the primary and backup pilots on the Ares IV crew could fly one, which would drop the weight on the Ares IV MDV. We could still modify the Ares I MDV to make it lighter as well. The other option is to have Taylor remotely fly the Ares I MDV to Schiaparelli overland. Those however are the highest-risk options. Unless someone has a really convincing argument to share for either of them today, I'm eliminating them both. So, does anyone have anything to say on those options before we move on?"
No one answered. Mindy nodded. "Back to the first two options then."
"What about Mark driving to Schiaparelli in the rovers?" Beth asked. "We know he can do it."
"He might not like that option," Vogel put in.
Mindy shook her head. "We want to minimize any harm to Mark. I'm not completely ruling out that option. We know he'd do it if we told him to, but we don't want him to do permanent damage to his back."
"His back is still bothering him periodically," Beck informed those in the room. "He's been doing the exercises I suggested, including the yoga. Although that does help, as do the baths, he's still dealing with back pain."
"Exactly," Mindy said, "another long overland trip in the rover could be very bad. I'm not completely ruling it out, but it is an absolute last-ditch maneuver. We are sending extra food along, beyond what we usually send as surplus. That will allow the IV crew to extend their mission should it become necessary. Right now, we need to review the status of the modification plans."
Mindy gestured to Elaine Marshall. The Boeing representative nodded and began speaking but did not stand. "We are confident we can modify the IV MDV before it is launched to Hermes. It took some work by our design team but we were able to develop a seating configuration that will hold all seven seats in the round. We also have a short list of modifications that can be made to the MDV upon landing at Valles Marineris to lighten the load as it were. This combined with adding fuel from the fuel plant there will easily allow the crew and Mark to make it to Schiaparelli. We sent the information to our simulation programmers a month ago."
"We've been running the simulations for about three weeks now," Taylor Michaels said. "While I haven't made it on every trip, it is a sim after all. Sometimes all possible situations aren't feasible."
"She has landed every scenario that is landable," Alannah defended her pilot.
"We've also run the sim to launch the Ares I MDV to Hermes remotely," Taylor informed the room. "That's doable as well, especially with more training."
"We've also begun running the sims to take both MDVs to Schiaparelli. That is probably the one I'm least comfortable using right now," Alannah said. "I'm willing to do it, but we need more time in the sim. It's been a while since I've flown a spacecraft. Taylor has been doing most of the prep and while I've done work as her backup pilot, I'd need more time."
"Actually, what would be helpful for the overland flights, no matter if it's one or two," Taylor commented, "would be a more realistic practice. Something like the LLTV was for the Apollo pilots."
Mindy grimaced. "I thought the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle was a death trap. Didn't Neil Armstrong have to eject from it once just before it crashed and burned?"
"Well yeah," Taylor replied, "but all of the Apollo moon commanders used it and insisted it was the best training they could get. Maybe we can come up with something similar."
"I can talk to our design and engineering teams," Elaine said, "but I'm not sure we have enough time to build a machine like that."
"You could use helicopters," Martinez suggested. "That was the other way the Apollo commanders trained for landing on the moon. The bonus is you can practice landing, then taking off, flying the overland trajectory, then landing again."
Taylor thought for a moment and nodded. "That might work. Could we get access to a helicopter?"
"I think we can work that out," Venkat replied. "If we don't currently have one, I'm sure we can work with the military to allow you access to one."
"Then I'd like to do that. I'd need to write the trajectory flight plan and study it, so that gives us some additional time," Taylor replied.
Alannah nodded. "I'd also like to do that in case we go with the two MDV plan."
"What if we can't make it in the MDV?" Jack Harrison asked. The Ares IV geologist had been quiet through every meeting held on the situation until now. I don't want to borrow trouble. I know both of our pilots are going to train as much as they can. I know the simulation supervisors will throw every possible situation they can think of at both Taylor and Alannah, but there's always something that we miss. Mark being on Mars is proof of that. I know we don't want Mark to drive the rovers…"
"But you want to make an argument for that plan," Mindy guessed.
"Not…no… I don't think it should be the primary plan, but I wonder if we should move it up from last."
"If you have a specific suggestion," Mindy said, "I'd like to hear it. I think we all would."
Jack signed softly, seeming to think carefully before he spoke. "I think the overland MDV is risky, I think the overland with two is even more so. We have every reason to believe that both plans will work. We would still have to modify the MAV when we get to Schiaparelli. That's not really an issue as you pointed out we have extra food and can extend the surface time. Launching Mark in the MDV with Taylor piloting remotely from Hermes also seems risky…"
"All of the options carry risk, Jack," Venkat reminded the man with an impatient edge. "What are you suggesting?"
"I think we should consider the two MDV overland trip first, but not fly them at the same time. The bulk of the crew would go on to Schiaparelli. Only once we land safely would Mark and Taylor take off in their MDV. The rovers would still be there to be used in case of emergency. We have enough food in the MDV to feed us for at least two weeks without rationing. Mark has plenty at Valles Marineris. If one of the MDVs doesn't make it for some reason, then we still have options left. If we don't make it to Schiaparelli, Mark and Taylor can drive in the rovers to pick us up, and depending on where we are in relation to the two sites we can either go back to Ares I or on to Ares IV. If we make it, we can be ready to modify one of our rovers to retrieve the other two in case their MDV doesn't make it all the way. Conversely, one of the two pilots could just stay with Mark. That way there is a pilot at each site to make the rendezvous with Hermes."
The room sat silently for several seconds before five people spoke at once.
Mindy jumped to her feet. "Enough!" She said loudly and firmly, feeling proud of herself that she hadn't cowered or yelled. "Ok, so we now have something else to consider, because Jack has a fair point. We're going to adjourn…" She paused, turning a steely gaze to anyone that raised an objection. "We will meet again tomorrow at the same time. Between now and then, I expect everyone to think about, discuss, run simulations, whatever you need to do for each of these scenarios. We really do need to make a decision."
"Shouldn't we get Mark's input?" Jack asked hesitantly. "I know you don't want to add to his stress, but he has a right to have a say."
"I'll handle contacting Mark to get his input," Mindy replied. "Go, no arguments, just go and do what you need to do to come back tomorrow. Bring back all of your arguments with detailed support."
Log Entry Sol 983
This just keeps getting more complicated. How is it possible that there are so many different options for getting all of the Ares IV crew and me back to Hermes? Mindy just emailed me about their meeting today. Apparently, they were going to make the decision without me before as all I had to do was be a passenger, but now they're talking about the possibility of me making the drive. Honestly, I don't want to do it, but I think that's the smartest idea. I'm perfectly willing to stay right here until it's time to launch. I'd hate for someone to be stuck here with me. I know Taylor makes the most sense as she doesn't have as many duties for the surface mission. Still, she's assigned to help the others with their missions and if she's not there to check on the MAV, then Alannah has to do it which takes away from her duties. It would be nice to have someone here. It's not that six others are too many, except they may be. Just one person to get used to being with people again would be good. I'm still worried I talk to myself too much.
I guess I need to let Mindy know what I think. Really the safest overall option with the least risk is for the crew to go straight to Schiaparelli. Then back up to Hermes in their MAV. I can wait here and Taylor can launch me remotely once they're safely back aboard. This overland stuff isn't worth it. The MAV fuel plant is working fine. I can load the MDV tanks, and even lighten the MDV weight-wise to be sure it makes it to orbit. Actually, that might be the best idea. If I remove all the seats but mine from the MDV, that's much less weight and then I can take back some of the many samples I have.
The second option I'd choose again has the Ares IV crew going straight to Schiaparelli and I'd meet them there in the rovers. If their MDV is already modified, we just need to transfer fuel from their MAV. That would mean taking fewer samples and things back, however, so that is a less optimal choice
Better to risk just me than all seven of us. Besides, some of the Ares IV crew have spouses and children just like my crew does. It's really better that if something happened it just be to me. Sorry, Mom and Dad.
"Thank you all for coming back today. I assume you have your arguments prepared," Mindy said. "Before I hear from any of you I want to share Mark's thoughts. After yesterday's session, I emailed him a detailed breakdown of the discussion and the concerns. He clearly gave it some thought as I received a rather long response this morning. Mark, being Mark, included a TLDR at the end. That would be a 'too long didn't read' summary for those who don't remember that particular acronym. Mark votes that the Ares IV crew land at Schiaparelli and carry out their mission as originally planned. He will stay at Vallis Marineris. After IV returns to Hermes, he will board the Ares I MDV and Taylor will launch it remotely from the surface to also rendezvous with Hermes. He will spend time between now and then modifying the MDV to decrease weight which will allow him to bring along several of the samples he's taken. He suggests starting with the easiest items and removing the other five seats."
"He doesn't want us to land there and pick him up?" Alannah asked.
Mindy shook her head. "Mark says it's not worth the risk. He believes, and I agree with his assessment that this is the plan with the lowest overall risk. It also happens to require the least amount of change to the standard plans."
"And it has the benefit of adding practice for Mission Control in handling two sites on Mars simultaneously," Venkat added.
"Also something Mark pointed out. He would have human contact again in real time but in a slower manner. He could spend time each day talking to whoever is assigned to Hab duty. He has admitted to being a bit nervous about actually spending time with people again."
"What are his specific worries?" Beck asked.
"Yes, what should I be looking out for?" Marianne, the Ares IV doctor, wanted to know.
"He's done some reading from the digital texts Chris took along on III and Madelin's, the Ares I flight surgeon, that he found at their Hab. His biggest concern, that he's shared with me and I'll be honest I think there could be more issues he's not telling any of us," Mindy said. "Anyway, his biggest concern is that he'll randomly talk to himself. The other possibility is that he won't answer questions aloud because he's so used to thinking to himself or writing out his answers."
"He has been alone for a long time, longer than anyone else on record," Marianne noted.
"He hasn't been totally alone though," Chris pointed out. "For the majority of the time he's been on Mars, we've had contact with him. Now, that contact isn't the same as if it were person-to-person, face-to-face. However, it is better than complete isolation. He faced that twice and seems to have weathered it surprisingly well."
"As far as we can tell," Irene Shields commented. "He may be suffering in ways we don't understand."
"Don't turn him into a case study, Doc," Rick protested.
"Martinez," Beck said gently, "he is. That's the simple answer. Mark is a case study."
"And he's well aware of that fact," Mindy said. "He's also accepted it, for the most part. He knows he's going to have to have physicals done for years to come, possibly for the rest of his life, as well as talking to Dr. Shields and the rest of the psych department for just as long."
"I bet he hates that," Rick commented.
Mindy shrugged. "I get the sense that while he's not thrilled he also understands it's for the benefit of science, NASA, and future astronauts."
"Good," Beck said, "as long as he keeps thinking of it that way he'll cooperate."
"All this to say, Mark is aware of the risks of all of the choices and has made his suggestion, correct?" Venkat asked.
"Yes," Mindy replied simply.
"And you agree with him, don't you? I can see it," Alannah observed.
"I do think it is the option with the least risk," Mindy acknowledged. "That doesn't mean, however, that I think it's automatically the best option. I want to hear what you all have to say about the other options. Let's start with the Ares IV crew picking up Mark and flying overland to Schiaparelli."
"As I said yesterday," the Boeing representative began, "we can make the modifications to the MDV to fit seven people. We also have step-by-step instructions worked out to modify the MAV to fit all seven astronauts."
"Elaine has shared the instructions with my crew so that we can begin practicing with the MAV mockup," Alannah said nodding to the Boeing rep. "We are confident in this plan."
"Any other comments?" Mindy asked and waited. "So then, while we had eliminated the two overland MDV trip due to the risk, Jack made a good point about it yesterday. It would give us a backup of the rovers in case something happens. Did anyone else want to say anything about that option?"
The astronauts and other NASA personnel looked around at one another, but no one spoke.
"Well then," Mindy said, "my recommendation is to go with the lowest-risk option. Mark will stay at Valles Marineris, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Taylor and Alannah, you both need to practice remotely piloting the MDV from the surface to Hermes. Elaine please get with your MDV team and send us a weight modification plan as soon as possible so that Mark can start on the process."
"What do you mean by unforeseen circumstances?" Rick wanted to know.
"They're unforeseen," Beth said, shaking her head. "Do you really think she has a list?"
"Actually," Mindy chuckled, "we do have a short list based on issues he's already faced."
"Like the Hab decompression and the sandstorm?" Beck suggested.
"Exactly. Depending on the time between the situation happening and the arrival of the Ares IV crew, Mark may need to live in the Ares I MDV or drive to Schiaparelli and meet the IV crew there, in which case we still need modification plans for the IV MAV. We want to be prepared for any possible situation," Mindy advised.
"Then may I make a suggestion?" Melissa Lewis asked.
"Certainly," Mindy answered.
"We already have a list, let's add to it. Anything anyone can think of, no matter how unlikely or ridiculous it may seem. Let's start by asking the simulation team if there are situations they've never run because even they think they're too outlandish. Ask all the astronauts and their families," Melissa suggested.
"Find the most negative, 'glass is half empty and has a leak' person you know and ask them," Beth suggested. "I knew a girl in college that nothing was ever right for, she saw the negative in absolutely everything. Every time there was a delay for any reason for anything she came up with a dozen different horrible scenarios for why."
"Exactly," Mindy stated. "It may sound crazy but we want crazy. We thought we had every possibility. We were wrong. Now, we need to try even harder. We'll meet again in a week and compile a list. If you have kids, ask them. Kids have imaginations many of us have lost even in jobs where imagination is still required. So, I'll see you next week."
Log entry Sol 984
For once NASA listened to me. They're going with my plan to stay here, though they are making contingency plans. Good idea. Mindy also asked me to come up with a list of anything I can think of that might go wrong. That should be fun, thinking of all the ways I might risk death more than I do just living day-to-day on a deserted planet in a Hab that is years past its expiration date. I'm not starting on that today. Tomorrow is soon enough since Mindy said they don't need the list for a week. I am going to go inspect some canvas though. Thinking about what could go wrong is already making me a bit anxious.
A/N I didn't plan on posting today but I reached my NaNo goal. I started this story for NaNo 2021 now I can finally say it is done. Of course, when I say it's done I mean the story has been completely written. However, it needs some heavy editing as I dictated most of it to my phone as I drove to and from work the past few days. Still, I can tell you there are 57 chapters in total. Thank you all for reading and reviewing.