Red Horizon (The Martian Fanfiction)

Chapter 55

The descent to Earth had been surreal for Olivia. Even through the pressurized cabin of the returning spacecraft, she could feel the shift in gravity, the slight but distinct pull that reminded her that they were no longer in the weightless expanse of space. They were home. Her heart thudded with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation as the ship touched down with a gentle shudder.

It had been months since she had last set foot on Earth. She had gained some weight during the journey back, thanks to Beck's meticulous care and the food they'd managed to ration, but her body still felt frail. Her legs trembled as she prepared to disembark, but not just from the physical toll. The thought of stepping off that ship, back into a world that had been watching her and Mark's struggle for survival, was overwhelming.

She hadn't expected the size of the crowd waiting for them.

As the hatch opened, a rush of cool air hit her, and the noise of the outside world flooded in. Voices—so many voices—cheers, shouts, and the clicking of cameras. Paparazzi had gathered, their lenses trained on the ship as though it were the stage of a grand production. Olivia's heart raced, and her breath quickened, the sheer volume of it all a stark contrast to the silence of space.

Beck, ever the protector, was at her side immediately. His hand hovered near her arm, a steady presence, offering support without smothering her independence. Vogel was on her other side, his quiet, stoic demeanor providing another layer of reassurance as they prepared to step into the spotlight.

"Take it slow," Beck murmured, his voice low but firm, a grounding presence in the chaos. "One step at a time."

Olivia nodded, her body still recovering from the months of malnutrition and the brutal conditions of Mars. Her leg, braced and stabilized for the flight, still ached, but she pushed through the pain, knowing that in just a short time, she would finally be on the path to real recovery.

Between Beck and Vogel, she made her way down the ramp, each step a deliberate effort. The ground felt strange beneath her feet, the pull of gravity heavier than she remembered. The noise was deafening, the crowd a blur of faces and flashes as the team that had worked tirelessly to bring them home stood in the foreground, waiting for her and Mark.

Vincent was there, his face a mixture of relief and pride as he clapped with the others. Teddy Sanders stood beside him, nodding in approval, his usual stoic demeanor softened by the gravity of the moment. Mitch Henderson was easy to spot, his eyes searching for both Olivia and Mark, the man who had led the fight to bring them home. Mindy Park, the first to notice that Mark was alive, had tears in her eyes as she watched them descend, and Rich Purnell stood near Bruce Ng from JPL, both men looking awed and slightly out of place in the frenzy of the press.

As Olivia's foot touched the tarmac, her knees buckled slightly, the exhaustion of the moment catching up with her. Beck was immediately at her side, his hand steadying her, while Vogel gave her an encouraging nod.

"You're doing great," Beck whispered, his voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd.

Olivia forced a small smile, her mind already racing ahead to what came next. She had been briefed—the moment she and Mark were off the ship, they were to be taken straight to the hospital. The media circus would have to wait. There was no time for interviews, no time for explanations. Her leg needed immediate attention, and reconstructive surgery was already waiting for her.

Ahead of them, Olivia saw the ambulance parked near the edge of the runway, its doors open and waiting. The sight of it brought a mix of relief and dread. This was her next battle—the surgery, the recovery. But at least this time, she wasn't alone.

Mark had stepped off the ship just before her and was already talking quietly with Mitch, the two of them exchanging brief words as Mitch clasped Mark's shoulder, his relief palpable. Mark caught Olivia's eye and smiled, the kind of smile that told her everything would be okay, even though they both knew how much was still ahead of them.