[2hrs into the space journey, *Earth time]
Space has often been described as captivating. I won't deny its allure. In its vast, chilling expanse lies a strange beauty. The stars and galaxies we observe are light years away, which means the light they emit took millions of years to reach us. Essentially, we are gazing into the past.
The enigmatic nature of space can be overwhelming, but it's vital not to become so enamored with the cosmos that we overlook Earth's splendor. Regardless of the distances we traverse, Earth remains our home, our point of origin, and the place of fresh starts.
Amidst the journey, a palpable tension enveloped the crew, given the tumultuous events on Earth. I thought it apt to foster camaraderie, allowing us to discover commonalities and build team spirit. TEAM 21B consisted of 4 members handling mars mineral research, 2 medical professionals, and 2 IT specialists.
Mark: "The launch is always the toughest part. After that, it's smooth sailing. Just float, soak in the sights, and hope your stomach holds."
Chile: "I'm glad you kept your lunch down, otherwise we'd be navigating through a zero-gravity mess of your making."
Hosni: "That would've been... gross."
Me: "Since we've finished our tasks and have a bit of downtime, why not use this chance to get to know each other better? Chile, why not kick things off by sharing a bit about yourself?"
Chile(doctor): "Well, I hail from California, USA. Since childhood, I aspired to be a doctor, which led me to medical school. After obtaining my master's degree, I worked in a local hospital for a year. But while medicine was my profession, space was my passion. My dad would often take me to remote spots at night, and we'd gaze at the stars together. We'd marvel at the vast universe, dreaming of experiencing its wonders firsthand. He always yearned to journey through space, but cancer took him before he could. I'd like to think he's out there now, perhaps even reborn as one of those very stars we admired together.. Fortuitously, Forzillus offered me the chance to merge my medical background with my love for space. And now, here I am with all of you."
Mark(doctor): "I'm truly sorry to hear about your dad, Chile. He surely has a special place among the stars now... As for me, my story is pretty straightforward, nothing out of the ordinary. I grew up in Sydney, Australia, pursued medical science much like Chile. But, to be honest, I never had a burning passion or a clear direction. Becoming a doctor wasn't a dream for me, nor was space exploration. Coming from a humble background, my primary motivation has always been financial stability."
Nathan: "Sounds a bit materialistic for someone your age, doesn't it?"
Mark: "Who're you calling aged? I'd still outrun you by a mile any day."
Nathan(IT): "*chuckles, Sure, sure. As for me, I'm Nathan. I grew up an orphan, so I don't have what you'd call a traditional family. My dearest family consists of Chile, my heart's love, and the kind caregiver from the orphanage. Born and raised in LA, I dreamt big but lacked the support system. That taught me early on to rely on myself. I juggled work and studies, managing to earn enough to get into college post-high school. I worked part-time at an electronics store, picking up skills in electronics and hardware. Eventually, I secured a scholarship and joined a renowned college. Post-graduation, I went straight to Forzillus. As Mark put it, money does have its allure, and for someone in my shoes, it was paramount."
Hosni: "You're Chile's partner, right? How'd you two meet?"
Nathan: "Ah, a memorable day at Forzillus. She was a vision in her favorite attire: a deep blue skirt paired with a maroon shirt, her raven-black hair flowing freely, and those charming eyes peeking from behind her glasses. That moment, I knew she had to be mine."
Hosni(geologist): "That's both touching and motivating, Nathan. As for me, I'm Hosni from Egypt. My father was an archaeologist, which ignited my own fascination with minerals and geological wonders. It led me to pursue a career as a geologist, and eventually, I joined Forzillus."
Anya(IT): "Namaste all, I'm Anya from Mumbai, India. I graduated from one of India's top engineering institutions. After obtaining my degree in software engineering, I worked with a firm for four years. Then, I joined Forzillus – because really, who wouldn't want the chance to venture into space?"
Fellipe & Minho(Engineer & Geologist): "Bonjour! I'm Parmejan La Quasont Fellipe, but you can simply call me Fellipe. Hailing from Marseille, France, I specialized in metal and metallurgical engineering like Jake. I initially worked for AirBrake Corp, but after Forzillus acquired it, I transitioned here.
Beside me is my sister, Minho. She's a geologist. While she's been blessed with striking beauty, she unfortunately doesn't have the gift of voice. Though she can't speak, I can assure you, her enthusiasm for this mission is unmatched."
Listening to everyone's tales, I realized there's so much hope and aspiration within this group. While many are driven by passion, others, understandably, are motivated by financial prospects. And I can't judge – after all, monetary incentives were a significant reason I joined Forzillus too.
Anya: Well..Jake? Tell us about yourself.
Me: "Hello, I'm Jake Winters... And, well, I wouldn't exactly say I'm from Earth."
Nathan chuckled, "What, are you claiming to be an alien now?"
Me: "Not exactly an alien, but... My mother was a space cadet. I was born on a moon base and later brought to our quaint home in Scotland. As a kid, I'd often join my father in his garage. Surrounded by materials of varying properties — some light, others heavy, some durable, some fragile — my curiosity was ignited. That's when I realized my calling. After obtaining my engineering degree, I served in the defense forces, researching tactical metals for military use. Following an early retirement due to personal circumstances, I found my way to Forzillus, eager to explore new elements on Mars."
Fellipe remarked, "Seems like we have quite a bit in common, doesn't it?"
Lost in our camaraderie and stories, time seemed to fly by. Before we realized it, our destination was in sight. Peering out the window, the vast red planet loomed closer, breathtaking from this vantage point, though merely a barren desert when viewed from its surface.
In just a short while, we began our descent towards our designated landing site: the Marquis Mars Recon & Data Transmission (MMRDT) Phobos Centre. Our agenda was to await further instructions there. But one thing was clear— the day ahead promised to be demanding.