4
Marshall
Will, Roger, Paul, Shinji, and Érico headed down the stairs to the basement of Habitat 2. At the bottom of the stairs, they had to bend over a bit to fit into the low-ceilinged hallway, which stretched half way across the habitat. Roger looked at the space around them, once a big, cavernous, bowl-shaped void. “Wow, you all did a lot of work when I was away.”
“Well, all you’ve been doing for the last six months is exploring,” replied Paul, with a smile. Of course, he and Érico had been away about half that time as well.
“You guys make me jealous,” replied Will. “Men with pregnant wives do not gallivant across Mars.”
“Thanks for the warning,” replied Roger. “Because Ethel’s pregnancy has Madhu thinking about babies.”
“You may be next,” laughed Érico.
“Watch out; you have a wife, too,” said Roger.
“Carmen’s not interested in children; not yet, anyway, and not here.”
“Paul, what progress can you report?” asked Will.
The Canadian was startled. “Well, the divorce has come through, but Monika’s not interested in marriage. We’re planning to head home in two years.”
“What, and leave us?” replied Érico, with a laugh.
“Let’s take a look at this miracle of construction,” replied Paul.
Will nodded. He opened the door on the right that led into a room that represented a quarter of a pie slice. The pie was eight meters across, so the room’s length and width were both up to four meters, where the hallway and spiral staircase didn’t intrude.
“Oh, this isn’t bad at all,” said Roger.
Will pointed to the floor around them. “This first, lower part of the room has a two-meter ceiling, where one can stand comfortably. Most of the rest of the room has a 1.5 meter ceiling; plenty for a bed, chairs, desks, a dresser, etc. The shelf on the edge is 0.8 meters below the ceiling and makes a nice shelf and storage area.”
“And the floor area is about the same as the bedrooms on the main floor,” said Érico.
Will nodded. “Exactly the same; these rooms are 8.5 square meters, which is reasonably comfortable”
“But no windows,” observed Roger.
“Unfortunately not, unlike Habitat 3 and 4. But Columbus 4 is bringing three-dimensional high definition television screens, a meter high and two meters long. You can set the screen to broadcast any one of several dozen scenes, programmed to vary their brightness during the course of the sol, so it partially makes up for the lack of a window.”
Érico reached out and tapped the outer wall. “Metal. At least it’s flame-proof. What’s on the other side of the wall?”
“All the dividers down here are metal, so that they are fire proof,” agreed Will. “The circular outer wall separates an outer crawl-space two meters wide and less than a meter high. It’s got life-support machinery in some places, pipes, and there are a few storage areas.”
“Pretty inaccessible,” added Paul.
“That’s the design. At least we’ve captured about thirty-four square meters of usable space,” noted Érico.
“These rooms wouldn’t be too bad,” agreed Roger. “Especially for new arrivals, who can look forward to graduating to better space later.”
“They’ll make reasonably good offices or labs,” agreed Will. “And we can use them for meeting rooms. Right now we don’t have private meeting space.”
“Is this space enough, or do we need more?” asked Érico. “I can’t remember how many we’ll have when Columbus 3 arrives.”
“Twenty three,” replied Will. “We have space for fifteen right now: three enlarged bedrooms in each habitat and an apartment for one couple on each balcony. Add four basement bedrooms in two habitats and we have the accommodation we need. Four more rooms in the third habitat will be good for offices and work space.”
“Or we can tough it out until Habitat 4 arrives,” added Paul. “Four people can sleep in the shuttles, conestoga, or portahabs, for example. Habitat 4 is the same diameter as the other Habitats, but the balcony and basement levels, rather than tapering from 2.3 meters high to zero, taper from 2.3 meters high to 1 meter high. This makes the entire upper level and the entire lower level usable, so it has 339 square meters of space.”
“It’ll have windows, too!” added Will. “There are a lot of ways we can use its basement area. We could leave it as one big open space for meetings, for example; it could accommodate thirty or forty easily, with the central floor as a theatre-in-the-round, for example.”
“And once we add rugs to the floors, wallpaper, and furniture, these places will be pretty comfortable,” added Shinji.
“There are some interesting new designs for the upper levels of the habitats as well,” exclaimed Paul.
“I gather you’ve added a nursery while we were away,” said Roger.
“Yes, though that isn’t one of the designs on the website!” replied Will. “I’ll have to show you; we added quite a bit. The entire upper terrace is now closed off from the great room by a double wall of plastic sheets, to reduce the sound of the baby crying. We’ve extended the bedroom back to the outer wall to increase storage and extended the living room back as well, to provide play space. We’ve added a third room next to our bedroom for the baby.”
“How did Ethel do it?” asked Roger. “She looks like she’s ready to pop!”
“Well, she was due yestersol,” Will replied. “The upstairs work was done about a month ago, and I did most of it in the mornings when no one was in the habitat. The walls are not hard to put together, actually.”
Will turned and headed out of the room. The others followed. They all paraded up the stairs and headed back through Greenhouse 4 to Habitat 3, where the women were gathered.
“Any news from Columbus 3?” asked Paul.
“They’re doing fine,” replied Will. “Fourteen people in three ITVs is pretty confining, and it’s beginning to wear on them. But they’re now three light minutes away, in terms of the communications round trip, so they’re taking over much of the Prospector and Sunwing work as of this Monsol. That frees up our time to finish construction and other tasks to prepare for their arrival, and gives them something to do. The more interesting news, by the way, is that the plans for a Mars Commission have stalled again. The partners have demanded too much of NASA, so it seems to be backing out.”
“How can they afford to do that, with all the pressure on them over the Swift shuttle?” asked Érico.
“It’s a question of pride,” said Roger. “This has always been primarily an American operation. The Lunar Commission really hasn’t speeded up exploration of the moon.”
“Just made the planning more representative,” replied Érico.
“I wouldn’t call it ‘representative.’ The French have insisted they have to have a representative in everything even though they won’t pay for it, and the Chinese are constantly trying to steal technology.”
“That’s been the problem with the Mars Commission idea,” added Will. “The French have insisted on more than just three berths for the billion they paid to send three French astronauts here; they want title to one of the ITVs. They want another one next cycle, too, and one the third cycle after that. They’d lease the ITVs back to a Mars Commission for $1 and are willing to lease back to NASA if necessary.”
“Sounds like a bargaining position to me,” said Roger. “If they didn’t lease them back to NASA, they’d have no other use for them, so of course they’ll have to lease them to NASA.”
“It’s the sort of thing that would anger NASA, though,” noted Paul.
“I think NASA will agree anyway,” replied Will. “Because it means the French are paying for equipment that NASA can’t pay for.”
“Any progress on the idea of selling Mars rocks?” asked Érico.
Will shook his head. “It’s just two weeks after the President’s inauguration, though. The White House said to me last month that they were taking the idea very seriously. But as you probably know, NASA approved establishment of a web-based system allowing amateurs to propose routes across the Martian terrain. I think within six months we’ll see an improvement in the routes we’re given.”
“Good; it’s needed,” replied Roger.
They all entered Habitat 3. Madhu was holding up a tiny boy’s outfit; the ultrasound had shown that the baby would be a boy. “How’s this?”
“Very good!” exclaimed Carmen.
“Especially considering it’s made from an old towel, with the elastic band from an old pair of underpants,” said Ethel, taking the outfit. She felt the soft cloth. “At least the baby will be warm and comfortable.”
“I’m not sure you’ll need the clothes arriving from Earth,” noted Carmen.
“Not as much as I thought, that’s for sure. The plastic outer garment for the diapers is a design achievement I’m proud of.” Ethel had spent nearly a week figuring out how to combine elastics from old underwear with watertight plastic sheeting to make a diaper holder. They had thirty diapers made from old towels and washcloths. At first, they’d have to be washed almost daily. Everyone had sacrificed something for the baby, even Sebastian and Armando, who had left about half of their clothing on Mars.
“By the way, I’ll have the quilt I’m working on finished tomorrow,” said Monika. “I’ve just got to complete two squares.”
“Thank you. The baby may be born, by then.”
“Do you feel that close?” asked Shinji, startled.
Ethel nodded. “Yes, I think he’s ready.”
There was a silence in the room as everyone considered her statement. Ethel put the new outfit on the cradle; Paul had managed to make one out of plastic sheets and beams, some of which proved carvable almost like wood.
“I do have an announcement to make,” exclaimed Will. “You may recall that I had stood to make an announcement when Roger had distracted all of us by asked about Habitat 2’s basement. But before we leave the Great Room for the evening, there is something brief for us to discuss.”
“What is it?” asked Roger, who disliked suspense.
“I just mentioned a little known fact to the guys while we walked back here: the French government has bargained to purchase the Amazonis, one of the ITVs flying here on Columbus 3. They are paying $1 billion to fly three astronauts here and want more for the money than just berths. NASA agreed to sell it to them as part of the price of the mission if they would lease it back to NASA for $1. They agreed to that, too. But the French have made one request: that as soon as the Amazonis arrives here and is emptied of cargo and passengers, it is sent back to Earth. It would be put back on the free-return trajectory that would have returned it to Earth automatically in November 2026.”
“Why are they doing that?” asked Roger.
“Both Columbus 1 and Columbus 2 needed one less ITV flying back to Earth as flew to Mars in the first place. If the Amazonis flies back to Earth it can be readied to return here in 2027, instead of coming back in 2029. But its return is conditioned on three things: first, Columbus 3 won’t need it; second, there will be a Lifter with fuel from Phobos or Deimos to send it back to Earth; and third, that we can refuel the ion engine with about half a tonne of liquid argon. With its full solar panels making 25 kilowatts of power and plenty of fuel for the ion engine, the return orbit can be reoriented and the Amazonis can return to Earth two or three months earlier—fifteen or sixteen months instead of eighteen—thus ensuring plenty of time for refurbishment before the next flight.”
“That’s greedy of them, in a way,” said Roger. “Because it hinges on us.”
Will nodded. “We don’t have to make a decision until mid May, but you need to start thinking about it. Of the fourteen on Columbus 3, five have pledged to stay, though we can’t be sure they will for another year. We have an ITV here already that could be sent back to Earth if necessary; NASA says the four ITVs, accompanied by two shuttles, could hold all twenty-four human beings on Mars. So we still have the capacity for a complete evacuation if necessary. Admittedly, with a baby that can’t fly for at least several years, that capacity is theoretical only! If about seven of the nine of us stay for Columbus 4, and five of the Columbus 3 crew stay as well, the twelve returning could squeeze into two ITVs plus two shuttles.”
Madhu looked at Roger. “I think we’re staying until Columbus 4.”
Roger was startled by his wife’s announcement.
“I’ll probably go back to Earth; but then, I said that this time,” exclaimed Shinji.
“I’d hate to break up the fun!” exclaimed Érico. “The nine of us have had a blast together for the last six months; it’s really been great. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a close, warm, and friendly working relationship with a team of people. But that said, I can’t predict how Carmen and I will feel in a year.”
Carmen nodded at her husband’s remark. “Well put. Right now, I’d like to stay. But who knows how I’ll feel after the other fourteen arrive. The social dynamic here could change completely.”
“I’d like to stay; where else can I study Martian life so closely?” replied Monika. “And Martian life tells us about the origin of life on Earth. But I can’t speak for Paul.”
“I’m not even sure Paul can speak for Paul,” added Paul. “I really don’t know what I’ll do.”
Will nodded. “Okay; thanks, everyone, for your frank comments. I have every intention of building a warm social environment among the twenty-four of us, but the extent of my success cannot be predicted in the future. I think we can learn from some of our past mistakes, at least, and make sure everyone feels valued and welcomed. I’ll let Mission Control know that we aren’t sure about the number of us staying, though the fuel should be available and we already have the argon in storage.”
-------------------------------
It was another twenty-four hours before Ethel began to feel labor contractions. About 9 p.m. the next evening they began; she made herself comfortable in bed and soon Shinji and Madhu arrived to assist with the delivery, with Will alternately helping and reporting the progress to the others. It was a long and hard labor; almost twenty-four hours later, Marshall Stephen Elliott was born, healthy and loud.
It wasn’t until the next morning that Ethel felt ready to appear in public. After breakfast she and Will brought Marshall downstairs to the Great Room of Habitat 1 so that everyone could see him. The baby made the round from person to person and was kissed and cuddled by everyone.
“Why Marshall Stephen?” asked Roger, as he carefully passed the boy to Carmen.
“Marshall is my father’s father’s name, and I’ve always wanted to keep it in the family,” replied Will. “Besides, it sounds like, and comes from the same root as, ‘Mars.’ So it seems appropriate. Stephen was Ethel’s father’s father’s name.”
“He’s pretty big!” said Madhu, taking him from Carmen.
“Three thousand, one hundred two grams,” replied Ethel. “That’s six pounds, fourteen ounces. Normal.”
“Oh, I want one, Roge,” Madhu said, cuddling the baby. Will smiled; Érico looked a bit alarmed; Paul was amused.
“He’s very healthy,” added Shinji. “We did a quick MRI early this morning, and he seems to be just fine. The low gravity, so far, shows no sign of impairing his development.”
“The proportions, then, really are alright?” asked Ethel.
Shinji nodded patiently; he had already answered the question. “Yes, babies tend to have large heads and small legs, for example.”
“We had better release a picture of him soon, to dispel all the terrestrial rumors of an alien baby,” exclaimed Monika.
“I doubt they’ll stop the rumors, though,” added Paul, taking Marshall from Madhu. He smiled. “What a fine, handsome boy.”
“He has a sweet face,” agreed Ethel. “My nose, Will’s eyes.”
“We need to plan a proper celebration,” said Madhu. “Do you think you’ll feel well enough for a big dinner on Sunsol?”
“I think so,” replied Ethel. “I need to sleep, mostly.”
“If it’s alright with all of you, I’d like to host the dinner myself,” said Will. “And I’d like to add a few prayers for the baby.”
There was a moment of silence as everyone looked around. Religion was largely a private thing at the Outpost. Then the others nodded, one by one. “No problem,” said Roger, the conservative Protestant.
“Sure,” added Érico, the atheist.
“When do you want us to start helping with child care?” asked Madhu. “I promised Ethel I’d take Marshall two mornings a week. I suspect I can do food preparation while I watch him.”
“I’ll take him one afternoon a week, when I’m here,” added Monika.
“And I said a morning a week,” added Paul.
“And I promised an afternoon,” said Carmen. “And I’ve coerced Érico into taking him a morning a week.”
“I can take a morning or afternoon as well,” exclaimed Roger.
“And I want to volunteer, too; and not just because everyone else has,” said Shinji. “I’m just not sure I’d be very good with a baby.”
“Neither will I,” said Érico. “But I guess I’ll learn.”
“That’s four sols,” said Ethel. “I want to enjoy some maternity leave!”
“It lets you stretch it out a bit,” replied Will. “There are some chores you’re really good at around here. But not everyone will be here all the time, anyway.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Will turned to the others. “I really appreciate your willingness to help take care of Marshall. It’s another example of how close we’ve managed to become, in spite of our differences. It’s really touching.” There was a tear in one of his eyes.
“There’s nothing like a child to bring people together,” said Madhu. “In my opinion, this will be a much healthier place with him here.”
“As long as he stays healthy,” said Ethel.
“Don’t worry; he’s fine,” replied Shinji. “And Columbus 3 is bringing vaccines, toys, and all sorts of things he needs.”
“I agree with you, Madhu,” said Will. “Henceforth, Aurorae has become a settlement; it’s not just an outpost any more.”