Sol 42
“Hello,” said Cathy Warner, using her look of Serious Concern for the four million viewers on the other side of the camera lens. “Thank you for joining us. Tonight on the Watney and Company Report: an update on what happened at Site Epsilon. What is the current condition of Mark Watney? And why are his alien visitors so interested in a mud volcano?
“My first guest this evening, here to discuss today’s breaking news from the surface of Mars, is Dr. Venkat Kapoor, director of Mars operations for NASA. As ever, Dr. Kapoor, thank you for coming.”
“Always a pleasure, Cathy,” Venkat replied.
“I’m sure our viewers already know about the new line added to Watney’s Morse-code message to NASA,” Cathy said. “’Sol 42 Burns, Healing.’ What does that mean in the context of Mark Watney’s survival on Mars?”
“First,” Venkat said, “I’d like to say that we’re all relieved to know he has survived. Mark Watney is demonstrating exceptional resilience in the face of overwhelming odds, and we regard every day he survives as a victory over a very hostile environment.”
“But the reference to burns,” Cathy said. “Doesn’t that mean he was caught in the apparent volcanic eruption at Site Epsilon two days ago?”
“Allow me to correct you, Cathy,” Venkat said. “We don’t know that it was a volcanic eruption at all. We saw a brief plume of smoke, that’s true, and whatever happened forced Mark and his alien friends to evacuate. But we only saw a little bit of heating on satellite infrared scanners, and spectroscopic analysis of the smoke shows mainly chlorine and oxygen gases. No sulfides, no ash, no methane or carbon monoxide- none of the gases you’d normally expect in a volcanic plume.”
“But there was clearly an eruption of some sort at Site Epsilon,” Cathy pressed.
“We’re still figuring out what happened there,” Venkat pressed. “Mark’s new note gives us one bit of data: whatever it was, it burned him somehow. So heat was involved, possibly an eruption of a kind we don’t know about, possibly a steam eruption, possibly an equipment fire, or possibly some Martian phenomenon we don’t yet understand. There is so much we still don’t know about the planet, after all.”
“Does this injury spell a setback for Watney’s efforts to survive until a resupply mission can arrive?” Cathy asked.
“We’re encouraged by the fact that Mark was able to lay out the new message himself,” Venkat said. “The aliens helped him to gather the rocks, but he was clearly outside doing labor himself. That strongly implies that his injuries are neither life-threatening nor crippling, and that he’ll soon be back at full strength.”
“Speaking of the aliens,” Cathy continued, “we noticed that only two of the aliens appeared in the photos with Watney today. Two of the others were photographed walking to Site Epsilon with a large piece of wreckage, presumably from their ship.”
“Yes, that’s right,” Venkat said. “We know one of the ones who went to Epsilon was the alien we refer to as ‘Tall Boy.’ But we don’t know if the other one was Orange Leader or Orange Random. As you see in today’s photograph, whichever of those two went to Epsilon, the other was with Watney. Based on behavior in the photos, we’re pretty sure the second alien with Watney is White Hen. White Boxy doesn’t seem to have left the Hab today.”
As the interviewer and interviewee spoke, an infographic popped up on the jumbo screen behind them, listing the names of the aliens.
NASA TEMPORARY ALIEN DESIGNATIONS
TALL BOY – white suit, bipedal, casts longer shadow than Watney
ORANGE LEADER – orange suit, always in front when walking long distances
ORANGE RANDOM – no regular behavior pattern
WHITE BOXY – white suit, often standing next to or carrying box of some sort
WHITE HEN – usually stays very close to another, usually White Boxy
“Do you think Boxy suffered the same kind of injuries as Watney?” Cathy asked.
“Not enough data,” Venkat shrugged. “It could have been related, or not. We did happen to get a picture of the aliens carrying Orange Random from the rover into the Hab on Sol 40, so it’s possible it was also carried that way. We didn’t see Mark carried in, but he must have been.”
“There’s been some speculation,” Cathy said, “that the irregular driving of the Rover after the Sol 40 evacuation of Site Epsilon was because an alien was at the controls. Can you say anything to that?”
“Not really,” Venkat said. “We think it possible but unlikely. Until Sol 40 Watney was always the last into the rover and the first out, which is in line with his being the driver every time. We’ve seen the aliens use the air locks themselves, but never the rover until Sol 40. And we have no direct evidence that they drove it then. So we’re betting that, despite whatever injuries he suffered, Watney was driving himself home.”
“So the irregular driving would be caused by his injuries?” Cathy asked. “Or shock from the eruption?”
Venkat shrugged yet again. “We’re only speculating,” he said. “But consider this. In order for Watney to be burned, either his suit had to have malfunctioned in a spectacular way, or something hot must have breached the suit. The suit’s flame-resistant and has a sophisticated temperature regulation system to prevent temperature extremes from affecting the wearer. So if we assume a suit breach, then we also have to assume decompression and lack of oxygen. Yet somehow under those circumstances Watney was able to get to the rover before he lost consciousness and trigger the airlock’s emergency mode. That would have taken almost superhuman effort.
“So, given those circumstances. He’s in the rover, recovering from rapid decompression and recompression. He’s probably had at least a brief period of unconsciousness. And he’s burned somehow. Under the circumstances there’s no surprise that his driving would be a little erratic. It would be more surprising if it wasn’t.”
“Now for the big question,” Cathy warned. “Why are Watney and the aliens so interested in Site Epsilon?”
“Presumably they think it holds something key to their survival,” Venkat said. “One of the alternative theories we’re pursuing is that there’s still some vital piece of salvage from their ship, something that was cast well outside the main debris field, that they think or thought would be useful, and that it blew up in their faces when they found it. But until we get some new information, it’s all speculation for now.”
“One final question,” Cathy said. “Can you give us an update on rescue plans for Mark Watney and the aliens?”
“For the aliens,” Venkat said, smiling a little, “you’ll have to ask their head of Mars operations, whoever and wherever they are. We’re still working on details for an eventual rescue mission, but in the meantime we’re putting together a series of resupply missions. SpaceX has repurposed two of their Red Falcons that were scheduled for Ares IV presupply flights, and we’re hoping those boosters will be ready within about five months. Those, plus the Delta-IX we’re borrowing from Eagle Eye 3, should be enough to send three different probes with a year’s provisions for all six beings on Mars, plus two replacement radio systems for the Hab.”
“Provisions for all six?” Cathy asked.
“Yes,” Venkat said. “We know the aliens have been eating at least some of Watney’s supplies. Based on his first message we’ve worked out that he’s set aside all his vegetarian meals for them, and apparently nothing else. So we’re currently assuming all five of the aliens are vegetarians and can safely eat the plant-protein meals included in the Ares III presupply. Most of what we send will be more of those.”
“With ketchup, I hope?” Cathy asked.
“Definitely plenty of ketchup,” Venkat said. “And hot sauce.”
“Thank you, Dr. Kapoor.”
“My pleasure.”
Cathy turned her attention to the camera. “When we come back, a volcanologist explains the probable origins of the ice volcano we call Site Epsilon, and a biologist offers a new speculation on what might be lurking underneath the alien spacesuits… after this.”
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Was it skipped over or are everyone strangely calm over "holy shit you guys, aliens!!"
8696346 "Holy shit" was a month back, when NASA released photos of the crashed Amicitas.
8696346
Good point. I haven't really thought about it until now, but now that you mention it, I do think it's a little strange there's hasn't been at least a bit more excitement about that.
Though in my opinion, it's not really a major issue. I'm enjoying the story just fine as-is.
8696346
there's only four million viewers so i guess most of the planet doesn't give a shit
8696357 No, the rest of the world is just doing other things than CNN.
8696361
if CCN is the alien update channel you would hope there would be a bit more intrest.
There's pobably some orange dude declaring it fake news anyway.
"also later tonight we cover the story of one fanfiction author claiming the aliens space suit design greatly resembles designs he used in a remarkably similar story, details coming soon."
8696372 Every news outlet has at least some coverage. But CNN had the show that got several appearances in the original book.
Why does she for the alien as “she“?
8696361
8696372
I should imagine that CNN is only one of MANY stations covering the events. It would be folly to think "It's on CNN so nobody else is allowed coverage."
I should also imagine that by now they are dumping waste water from talking to Baltimare. I can just imagine NASA's response: "Where the hell is he getting hundreds of gallons of water!?!"
8696372
CNN is not the only news org that is doing these updates, even in the book. Weir used them because they were/are the first company you go to when you think of "24/7 news".
CNN and it viewers are going to love the ponies if they get rescued. Not sure about the changeling. The dragon, probably nkt.
If they drag the ponies comms to the cave and flood the lower section, wouldnt that improve the thermal mass, regulate the supply? Or would the stream condensign on the walls work to seal all the gaps as it froze?
What ever happened to the Ford Exploder or was that another comic artist writer team?
Did I mention the idea I had for chapters presented as news updates? The idea occurred to me but I got distracted by other stuff. Mostly I was thinking of news coverage from the Equestrian side. You would be able to omit spoilers in such a format I think. Or at least limit them.
8696476
I don't know about the public, but if there's ever a video going out, Dragonfly's gonna be the wet dream of every PR guy at NASA. Well, once she actually changes shape... if it's not a constant magic drain. I'm sure she's quite capable of hamming it up and being as adorable/cool looking as necessary.
8696354
Still feels like we missed a scene. honestly.
8696659
To be fair the original work had a similar lack of reaction outside NASA once Mark was confirmed alive, and this story had NASA's reaction already.
8695950
I found a paper that claims ∼60% Ca(ClO4)2 and 40% Mg(ClO4)2 composition of Martian perchlorates (at least in one place). And wiki claims that calcium perchlorate is actually yellow (KClO4 and Mg(ClO4)2 are pure white) as heap should be, although I can't find independent confirmation.
Hmm, most recipes with perchlorates/chlorates/nitrates I heard use potassium salts (this one for example): they don't suck water in like crazy, don't explode if you look at them wrong, cheap and not very toxic.
If I understand correctly, it is so for ammonium perchlorate, but for metal perchlorates all chlorine should cling to metal atoms (and indeed there were no chlorine smell). Although, burning PVC is pretty eager to share it's chlorine (in form of HCl judging from the smell)
Don't worry. I am not upset or anything from the updates given.
Do what you can do and what you need to do.
I cannot pay forever (not a hint just a reminder) but I think can for a good long while. Plus I may be able to throw in a bit more coming up.
It depends on things on my end. I had a surgery, a car accident (totaled but unrelated to the surgery), work myself and some other expenses come up.
Otherwise I would have pledged more. I really enjoy the story. If I can pledge more I probably will. This is coming out of my fun funds so it's comfortable here and I also pledged to the sites patreon too. Luckily I am a simple guy with simple needs.
So in short I am satisfied. Good job dude.
I remember in a previous chapter mentions of a Blue Falcon was made. What's the distinction between that and the Red Falcon?
8696771
Spitfire and Starlight are reversed. I assume the box is the magic battery, and Spitfire follows other around because she's the medic.
8696771
guess boxy and hen reversed. Starlight is carring around the batteries most of the time and is more "independend". Spitfire is mostly around, taking care of the others (mainly making sure Starlight doesn't collaps).
8696572 Probably neither; the water would freeze in the back of the cave and make an even worse heat sink.
8696607 The Ford Exploder met its unlamented end in 2010. The current van was its replacement... 200,000 miles ago. I'm not complaining about the service my Honda has rendered, but it's showing its age in a very... well... look up a certain poem, Google "one hoss shay".
8696706 As Mark Watney says in the book, chemistry is a sloppy... well, chemistry is sloppy. Just use vent hoods for your future perchlorate experiments, and if you get hold of mercury perchlorate or fluorine perchlorate, inform your friends in advance so they can leave the county before you begin playing.
8696761 Thanks! I'll keep plugging on it!
8696771 For purposes of this story, CSP suits are orange, ESA suits are white, and Fireball's suit is reflective gray. Unless I've already said otherwise in text.
8696812 At the request of two different ex-service readers, Blue Falcon was edited to Red Falcon.
8696642 If and when her shapechanging abilities are revealed, the scientific curiosity will take a distinct second place to DHS paranoia.
8696771
That sounds mostly correct, although I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "unofficial," seeing as how Cherry is mission commander.
8696812 It's been a while since I got out, but if I'm remembering correctly Blue Falcon is the terminology used for someone that fired upon and possibly killed a friendly. 'Blue on Blue' is radio messaging for friendly fire. That'd be why someone would ask the author to change that designation.
I love you man. The chapters are short and sometimes all we get is some filler. But the fact that I can log in every day and see a chapter up to quickly read through and enjoy is wonderful. Thanks for that.
I find myself really wanting to see Mark send NASA a group photo of himself and his "guests," before he has given any description of the aliens. Of course they would have to reestablish radio communication first. Also would be cool to see the Amicitas crew's reaction to the names NASA gave them.
8696955
I think white boxy is Starlight as she's always carrying the mana battery (the box). White hen is Spitfire as she's the unofficial doctor of the group and stays near Starlight all the time to keep her from burning herself out.
8696642
She'll rapidly hit Eggplant proportions.
Love this story, and I look forward to more!
I can only imagine how many news hours have been filled with almost baseless speculation on the aliens. Who knows? A few guesses might actually approach reality.
8695597
Oh, I didn't know that. Thanks.
My point still stands though.
I’m not saying it was aliens making mars volcanically active...but the aliens are making mars volcanically active.
8697510
The fact that they can apparently tell there's at least two species represented probably set off the speculation like crazy.
I assume it's probably also occurred to NASA that the aliens might call for rescue, so I bet there's a lot of telescopes re-tasked for looking for alien spacecraft.
8696812
For my two bits changing blue falcon to red falcon makes sense from a military service point of view.
It's common slang/code for Buddy F#@ker or that guy who screws you over. So for any agency that has military members (ex or active) to use it would be... Weird. Or at least a non PC nickname.
At least that's the usage we have in the Navy.
But will he attempt to go after the old rover to get their broadcasting equipment?
When the humans find out that these aliens are actually behind them tech wise, they will be shocked.
8702833
I don't think above/behind scale can be applied here. In some areas humans are ahead, but there are others they never even considered because of their lack of backgorund magic field.
8704622
To a degree their tech can be adapted to this universe. You'll get something like silurian ark ship from Dr.Who - bristling with life that feeds the system.
Space fartsplosion.
Interested in? Tsk. Get your facts right; they made it themselves!
I know a dragon who's going to be really happy with that
"Blue Falcon"...the first thing that came to mind was a silly old superhero by that name. he had a sidekick called dynomutt, aka "dog wonder" a klutzy robot or cyborg dog. when (not if) dog wonder screwed up, Blue Falcon would call him "Dog Blunder".
Damn fine chapter
To have the outside view after knowing what happend. Brilliant
I'm trying to work out which Equestrian would be most offended by their NASA designation
10602296 Spitfire, by a mile. And she'd take it out on Starlight: "Well, if SOME ponies didn't insist on knocking themselves on their flank every five bucking minutes, I wouldn't HAVE to..."
10602381 I agree!
Though I'm also snickering at the thought of Starlight being haunted by body image issues for the rest of her life because an entire planet called her boxy. Several years later a dressmaker asked her to describe her body shape and she could only shudder.
This will be cleared up once Watney calls home. Wonder when his mission reports get uncensored released?
8918538
Tonight on CNN: The history of the-
-on Mars.
TYMBAL: Alright, who's the joker with a death wish? Our Queen will NOT be happy if that is our first broadcast of our Changeling News Network... even if the humans did approve of theirs...
I wish we had more space tech at out disposal to use. How are we to meet alien life if we don't reach out and build a base so we can offer a coffee if someone comes for a friendly visit?
11340236
Space farts are like German humor, no laughing matter...
Actually i think the humor in my storys isn't to bad