Long Way Back - Orbit the Sun – Part 8

by John Stevenson

  A male voice with an accent was next. “Can Earth help us?”

  “Earth will do all they can to help us when the time is right, but at this moment I can see no way how they can?”

  The questions slowed and ceased leaving the mood gloomy. Mathew looked at the assembled faces, when he saw Jennifer nervously raise her hand. Almost as soon as she had she dropped it down, but Andrew was gazing at her expectantly and as he did many other eyes followed his stare.

  “You have something to add?” he asked; impatient to be finished after all the less than insightful questions.

  “I…” she looked about her everyone was stating at her and not all the eyes were kindly or encouraging. “No… it’s probably not possible?”

  “That’s what we’re here to consider; possibilities?” Mathew called out. “Let us decide if it is or isn’t?”

  “I was just thinking… “

  “Speak louder, I can’t hear you.” Said Andrew sharply.

  “I was wondering why nobody has said anything about the Mars colony?”

  There total silence.

  “I’m sorry; it was a stupid question.”

  The silence continued, but this time people were looking at Andrew questioningly.

  “Colony…” Andrew’s words drifted away. “The colony?” he repeated, his voice suddenly taking on a new vibrancy. He spun to Mathew. “Is that possible?”

  Matt’s mind was already climbing out of gloom. “I don’t know, but …” Now Matt’s voice took on a sharper edge. “Maybe.” An image suddenly came to his mind, pushing away his doubts and suspicions as he remembered seeing the planet at the edge of the screen. “I don’t… I could be in the sector... I don’t know for certain?” He stuttered, “But I think it could be our last chance?”

  Suddenly everyone in the room was looking at Jennifer, but this time they were smiling and clapping and the small group of women she was with had begun to hug and kiss her.

  Andrew had begun talking again when Matt’s eyes met hers, he smiled a proud smile and she smiled back at him.

  “Do you know when the last one was?”

  Andrews question tore him away from her. “The last one?”

  “Supply ship?”

  “Supply… I… “ He couldn’t think of a date. “I can’t remember, but I think it will be on it’s way?”

  Even Andrew was beaming. “Please everybody, please?”

  The noise quitened as attention returned to him. “We mustn’t get too hopeful; we have had our hopes dashed too often to assume too much, but this could be our lucky break. As you may or may not know the colony is supplied at each and every window when Earth and Mars’s orbits allow passage between the two: that’s roughly every two years? Some months after that the situation is reversed and the supply rocket can return to Earth. Before we start planning for Christmas back on Earth?” he joked. “… We need to confirm when the last supply vessel left the planet? In the best circumstance we will arrive at Mars in time, but in the worst this will add another two years to our journey; of course we will spend that time knowing that rescue is only a matter of time. That’s all we can be confident of at this time, but I’m sure that’s enough.”

  Mathew spoke up. “I should add to what the commander has said… by reminding everyone that it won’t be the holiday some paid for, or others expect, the colony’s resources will be stretched, but once back home you will all be able to proudly say you have been to Mars?”

  Peter leaned over to Vincent and whispered. “At least some of us will.”