Red Horizon (The Martian Fanfiction)

Chapter 41

SOL 462

The next day began like all the others. Mark woke early, the quiet hum of the Rover's systems filling the small space as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The cramped quarters had made sleep difficult for both of them, but after a month of this routine, they had adapted as much as they could. Olivia was still asleep beside him, her breathing soft and even, though the ever-present strain of her injury weighed heavily on her body.

Mark quietly went about the morning tasks, checking the oxygen levels, water supply, and all the critical systems they needed to stay alive. It had become second nature to him—wake, check, and drive. Another four hours of driving ahead, another sol spent inching toward Schiaparelli.

As the Rover powered up and rolled forward, Mark glanced over at Olivia. She was stirring now, her eyes blinking open slowly as she shifted in her seat, wincing slightly at the familiar throb in her leg.

"Morning," he said, offering her a tired smile.

Olivia grimaced but nodded. "Morning. How's it looking out there?"

"Same as always. Rocks, dust, more rocks," Mark replied, keeping his tone light. He turned his attention back to the navigation screen, watching the numbers tick down, their destination still so far away it almost felt impossible. Almost.

After a quick breakfast—potatoes, of course—they settled into the usual routine. Four hours of driving, with little conversation beyond the occasional banter to break the monotony. But today, something felt different.

The wind had picked up, a low, constant howl that seemed to grow louder as the hours passed. Mark glanced out the small window, his brow furrowing as he noticed the way the dust was swirling across the horizon in odd patterns. Mars always had its storms, but this felt... off.

Olivia noticed it too. "That wind doesn't sound normal," she muttered, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

Mark grunted in agreement, adjusting the Rover's course slightly as he squinted into the distance. The visibility wasn't great, but it was manageable—for now.

"Could be a storm coming," Mark said after a moment, his voice laced with concern. "But it's hard to tell how big it is or how close."

Olivia's eyes narrowed as she studied the growing swirl of dust outside. "We should stop and check the solar panels' output. If we're already in the edge of a storm, they won't be charging as fast."

Mark nodded, pulling the Rover to a stop. The sudden stillness inside was jarring after hours of motion, and the sound of the wind became even more pronounced in the quiet.

"Stay here. I'll check the panels," Mark said, unstrapping himself from the seat and grabbing his helmet. The cramped space made every movement awkward, but he had become used to it by now.

As Mark stepped out of the Rover, the full force of the Martian wind hit him. The dust swirled around him in thick clouds, making it difficult to see more than a few meters ahead. He bent low, moving quickly to the solar panels they had set up. As he checked the readings, his suspicions were confirmed—the storm was already affecting their power output.

He cursed under his breath, heading back to the Rover as quickly as the swirling dust would allow. Once inside, he removed his helmet, his face tight with concern. "We've got a problem," he said, his voice grim.

Olivia looked up from the navigation screen, her expression already worried. "What is it?"

"The storm's closer than I thought," Mark replied, sitting down heavily in his seat. "It's already cutting our solar panel efficiency by half."