The Science Fiction World of Xueba

In the next few days, the Ares Project Command began to continuously obtain information from Pang Xuelin and Watney about their presence on Mars.

For example, the status of the habitat cabin and the rover, the operation of key equipment such as oxygenation machines, water circulation systems, solar battery systems, and nickel-metal hydride battery energy storage systems, the storage of various materials such as water, food, and medical supplies, and the potatoes in the planting cabin. Growth conditions, how to finely manage crops, etc.

If it is not technically not allowed, they would like to monitor all the data in the habitat in real time.

A team of experts was even set up on the earth to make various suggestions for the two people's life on Mars.

JPL: Watney, the expert team believes that you can properly increase the carbon dioxide content inside the planting chamber, which is conducive to the accumulation of organic matter in potatoes.

JPL: Pang, we need to establish a backup communication system in case we lose contact again if there is a problem with the Mars Pathfinder landing module. The expert group's suggestion is that Morse code can be used as a backup solution. Even if all electronic equipment cannot be used, you and Watney can also use rocks on Mars to place Morse code patterns, and we can receive them through satellite photos. The message you want to convey. You already know it? Well, then let Watney learn, you are in charge of guiding him!

JPL: Pang, Watney, I have good news for you. We have completed the transformation of the Ares 4 MDV (Mars Landing Vehicle). After it lands on the Arsidalia Plain, it will throw away the heat shield and all life supply devices. Ares 4 The mission team will take you on a short flight through the Martian atmosphere to the Schiaparelli crater.

JPL: Pang, there is another piece of good news. Our supply spacecraft will be launched during the Homan transfer window next year. It will take about nine months to reach Mars. The estimated arrival time is the 856th Martian day. The supplies contain a lot of food. , a spare oxygenator, a water circulation device and a communication system are enough for you to support until the arrival of the Ares 4 mission team.

...

In the United States, on the boulevard of the California Institute of Technology, Venkate and Tian Mu are walking and chatting.

Venkat said: "The most difficult time is finally over, and then we can prepare the rescue plan step by step."

Tian Mu nodded and said seriously: "Karp, I think it's time for us to consider telling the crew of the Hermes that Pang Xuelin and Mark Watney are still alive."

Venkate said: "You are right, it is time to tell the crew of the Hermes the truth. During this period of time, in order to keep confidential, we have conducted a one-way review of all communications with the Hermes!"

Tian Mu laughed and said, "Okay, tomorrow the Ares Project Headquarters will hold a joint meeting. Let's jointly propose it at the meeting!"

...

"Watney, Pang, please call back!"

"Watney, Pom, can you hear me?"

"Watney, Pom..."

In the wind and sand all over the sky, Colonel Lewis staggered to find the figures of Pang Xuelin and Mark Watney.

"Baker, did you see which direction Pang and Watney disappeared in just now?"

"Commander, all I see is that the satellite dish hit Watney, then Watney crashed into Pom behind him, and the two disappeared, along with the signal from their spacesuit life support !"

"Shit! Now everyone listens, Sergey, you and Friedrich immediately enter the MAV cockpit and get ready for launch, Haruko Kitagawa, you and Gross move closer to Baker. Then everyone line up and go to MAV."

"Understood, Commander!"

"Doctor Baker, how long can Pom and Watney survive on Mars under decompression?"

"Not more than a minute!"

Baker's voice trembled a little: "Colonel Lewis,

What are you going to do? "

"We can't give up on Pang and Watney, I'll go find them again. Gross, is it possible for the rover's infrared cameras to find Pang and Watney in the storm?"

"Commander, it's unlikely. Infrared cameras can't penetrate this level of dust storm."

Lewis said again: "Friedrich, how is the sandstorm now?"

"Colonel Lewis, the sustained wind has reached 100kph, and the maximum wind has reached 125kph. If the wind exceeds 150kph, the MAV is in danger of toppling over!"

"Lieutenant Colonel Friedrich, give me five minutes. If I haven't returned to the MAV after five minutes, you can directly start the launch procedure! Sergey will take over the command from me at that time, do you understand?"

"Colonel Lewis, you are the commander, you can't take such a risk!"

"I can't give up my team members easily, well, don't even talk about it, it's settled like this!"

...

Lewis staggered forward, and suddenly she felt something tripped under her foot.

She lowered her head, and saw a figure in a space suit fell down in the sand. The space helmet was blown away by the sandstorm, leaving only a cold body.

Lewis quickly turned the other person over. Under the low pressure and cold environment of Mars, the face of the deceased became swollen due to the low pressure, and the skin turned blue-black from freezing. He could barely identify the deceased as Pang Xuelin from the color of his hair.

"Pang...Pang..."

Lewis' tone became choked up.

At this moment, Pang Xuelin opened his eyes suddenly, revealing a pair of pupilless whites, staring at Lewis firmly.

"ah……"

Colonel Lewis was so frightened that he woke up from the nightmare.

"Lewis, have another nightmare! Come, have a glass of milk!"

In the gravity cabin, Haruko Kitagawa handed Lewis a cup of freshly heated milk.

Lewis hugged the milk and sat on the head of the bed in silence.

Haruko Kitagawa said: "Lewis, you are dreaming again... dreaming of Pang and Watney? Don't think too much about it. At that time, none of us could do anything about it. It was all of us' decision to give up on them!"

Lewis sighed, and said sadly: "I know, but I was the one who finally gave the order to evacuate!"

Haruko Kitagawa's eyes dimmed, and she said, "Lewis, we all understand how you feel, but I think Pang and Watney are in the sky, and they don't want to see you like this either!"

At this moment, the voice of Gross, the interim communications officer of the Hermes, came from the headset: "Guys, Dr. Venkat Karp just sent us an audio message in Houston, asking all of us to listen! "

"Play it!"

Colonel Lewis took a sip of milk and said lightly.

Soon, Venkat's voice sounded in the cabin.

"Lewis, Sergey, Gross, Kitagawa, Friedrich, Baker, I know this news is going to be weird, but I think you have a right to know. Let me just say it, Pang and Watney, They're still alive!"

Gross, who was listening to the message with the earphones on the post of communications officer, opened his mouth, but when the earphones fell from his hand, he was in a daze.

In the gym, Sergei Pantelev, who was sweating profusely on the treadmill, staggered and fell off the treadmill.

In the cab, Friedrich sat blankly, looking at the stars outside the porthole, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Medical officer Baker, who was lying on the bed watching a movie in his room, snapped down the tablet and cursed, "Shit!"

Haruko Kitagawa stared blankly at Colonel Lewis. As soon as she said Lewis, Colonel Lewis pushed her away and staggered out of the gravity cabin.

"She needs to be alone to calm down!"

Sergei Pantelev came out of the gym and said to Haruko Kitagawa.

Haruko Kitagawa said: "Sergey, things...how did things become like this? We did a stupid thing!"

Sergey laughed and said, "Beichuan, this should be good news. It's better than both Pang and Watney are dead!"

Haruko Beichuan said: "But now there are only the two of them on Mars, so it may be very difficult to survive!"

Sergey patted Haruko Kitagawa on the shoulder and said: "Since Venkate informed us of this news, it means that Pang and Watney's lives are not in danger for the time being, and the Ares Project Command will definitely find a way to rescue them. What we need to do next is to cooperate with the headquarters' actions!"

"Then Colonel Lewis..."

"Don't worry, Beichuan, I have partnered with Lewis for more than ten years, I know her, she is stronger than you imagine!"