Settlers on Mars
Mars the red planet. A distant planet not so far from Earth was the next great step in mankind’s evolution. As the great Neil Armstrong once said “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. Being the first settlers on mars for a three year course, my life was now a roller coaster ride. I had the fear of the cart derailing at any moment before the end of the track surging within me. How will our first days go? What problems will we face in the months to come? Will these unforeseen roadblocks be an obstacle in our path? But as they say, not all days are rainy days and thus our story begins.
It’s day one here on the dusty cold red planet. After a long and cold three months trip in the sleeping chambers to Mars, we felt relieved to be on solid grounds. The search team is in search for a stable sector for us to occupy and as the leave no stone unturned, we glanced into the horizon and absorbed the strange beauty that lies before us. Walking about the planet, we find that gravity seems to favor us. Giving us a bit of a hassle but also making us feel like super humans in our space suits. We feel strange in this new world, like aliens invading foreign lands. The search team has found a sector, not far from our landing zone and soon we are on the move, moving like the breeze, swift and calmly. Night time approaches and time has seemed to pass us by. The camp site is all set up and securities are on patrol around the parameters. Who knew what dangers lurked within the darkness of the night.
Six months down the road, so far everything seems fine. Our excavating machinery and hydro generators or as we call it here “The Rain Makers” had arrived three months ago. We are now located beneath the surface of the red planet, away from the intensity of the sun. Gravity is still taking some time to get use to but has been a big help in the construction of the new settlements. We are now in the completion of phase two in the underground settlement when suddenly we feel the ground rumbling beneath our feet like an animal stampede. “Cave-in!” echoed all over as we moved with fear, desperate for our lives. After the fumes of red dust had settled and felt that it was safe, we moved in to see what damage had been done. The rain makers were victims in this event. Fear and worry gripped the minds of everyone. Panic grew stronger as more people became aware of what happened. "What are we going to do?" whispers that was heard all over. But just as all hope was lost, a light of hope shimmered through the rubbles. The rain makers were not completely gone. These machines did not give up that easily and neither were we going to. At last it was fixed, running on twenty percent capacity, our water usage were going to be rationed for the next three months as we wait for the new machines to arrive. The day we have all been waiting for. Three months of waiting for the hydro machines has come to an end. As the space shuttle descend from the red murky skies. The men stand in excitement. But as the doors of the space shuttle open, they got more than what they expected. Wives of the many men, sent here to the red planet were now here. Joy, happiness, love and laughter filled the air. It had been nine long months since they had seen their loved ones, but the surprise was not over. Standing at the door way to the shuttle, the lady I had longed to see. We stood speechless and as we gazed into each other’s eyes, the many months spent apart had become just mere hours.
A year has gone by and things have become settled on the red planet we now call home. As foreigners in a new country, we have overcome our fears and obstacles. Just as the words of Neil Armstrong, one giant leap for mankind. We stand to lead the new frontier in mankind’s evolution. Things may not go smoothly in life but with the company of loved ones, nothing is too big. This roller coaster ride was one worth riding.