If Tomorrow Never Comes

07

INT. ROVER - NIGHT

Mark sat at the keypad and took a moment to compose his words. He began to type.

Vincent said, "The crops are dead..."

INT. NASA - CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT

Vincent, Teddy, Annie, Esme and a team of others studied the analysis reports.

Vincent continued. "Complete loss of pressure boiled off most of the water. Any bacteria that survived, died in the sub-zero temperatures when exposed to Mars' atmosphere."

"How long does he have?" Annie asked.

"He can still eat the potatoes he has, he just can't grow any more. We estimate they'll give him about 200 sols."

"And rations get him to what? Sol 409?" Teddy questioned and Vincent nodded. "So with potatoes he can stretch to 609."

"By Sol 868 they'll be long dead," Annie said, glancing at Esme sympathetically.

"We're gonna have to launch as soon as
possible. Which changes our travel time."

"We're working on it," Mitch replied. "Prelim estimates call for a four-hundred fourteen day trip."

Teddy did some mental math. "It's Sol 135 now. We need thirteen days to mount the boosters and perform inspections. Which gives Bruce and his team... Forty-seven days to make this probe."

"How long does it normally take?" Annie wondered.

"Six months," Vincent answered. "Minimum."

"I'm gonna let you call Bruce and give him the news."

INT. JPL BULLPEN - NIGHT

Bruce and his team sat around a speakerphone. They'd just hung up with Vincent. Everyone looked suitably shellshocked.

"Okay," Bruce said before pausing. "Okay."

Everyone was at a loss for words.

Bruce continued after a moment. "I'm, uh... I'm gonna need a change of clothes. We're all gonna need a change of clothes."

EXT. HERMES - SPACE

The Hermes continued on its course back to Earth.

Sol 136

"Mark..." Martinez began.

INT. HERMES REC ROOM - SPACE

Martinez typed at his terminal as he said, "Apparently, NASA's letting us talk to you now, and I drew the short straw. Sorry we left you behind on Mars, but we don't like you."

INT. ROVER - NIGHT

Mark read his email.

Martinez voiced, "Also, it's a lot roomier on the Hermes without you. We have to take turns doing your tasks, but it's only botany. How's Mars?"

Mark typed his response as he said, "Dear Martinez, Mars is fine. I accidentally blew up the Hab, but unfortunately all of Commander Lewis' disco music still survived."

INT. HERMES REC ROOM - SPACE

Martinez read Mark's response.

"How's the Hermes?" Martinez asked. "Cramped and claustrophobic? Every day I go outside and look at the vast horizons just because I can. Tell the others I said hello."

Martinez typed. "Will do."

EXT. HAB - DAY

Mark cleared the detritus from inside the Hab. He stared at the hole in the airlock.