The Martian Lie

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – Space Voyager – Callie

I think I passed out when we launched, which they had mentioned was a likely possibility. I imagined I would be some kind of brave explorer and take in every second of the experience. But, I was wrong. We are rarely how we fancy ourselves to be.

I have been on the ship for two days and two nights. We didn't have any classes scheduled during the first two days, as they were allowing us time to become accustomed to space travel. Despite medication to reduce motion sickness, there is still a somewhat slim, 25 percent to be exact, possibility that you will spend your first 24-48 hours in space feeling nauseous and under the weather. They refrained from scheduling classes for this purpose. Most of my classmates were just fine and spent the time watching the stars from the observation deck and hanging out in the recreation room together, chatting and fantasizing about what Earth is really like.

I spent it in my room. So far, this trip has gone really well for me. Not only did I panic and pass out during the launch, I spent the first two days of it sick. I was obviously born to be a space-voyager, jumping through hyperspace to worlds unknown and conquering them with my marauding space companions. That's sarcasm, clearly. I tend to get a little sarcastic when I haven't been feeling so well.

But, today I feel better. Weak from vomiting, yes, but functional. I managed to climb feebly out of my bunk and the world did not spin. I took my first dry-shower. Although we can create water on the ship with Hydrogen and Oxygen, the machines only have so much capacity and that is used for drinking water and one real shower a week. In the interim time, to clean up, we are to use the dry-shower. I got to stand in the shower, but water did not run. Instead, a dry, gaseous mixture came out of the spigot which has the function of neutralizing bacteria and oil on the skin. Sounds a bit unsanitary, but I have to admit that I felt clean afterwards. Not as clean as a real shower, but that may have been in my head.

I apply a little bit of makeup, put my hair into a ponytail, and make my way to the observation deck for the first time. I'm hopeful the spinning of the stars won't cause another bout of nausea, and am rewarded when it doesn't. It seems I have thrown up everything in my system and have reached the equilibrium required to feel normal in space.

"Hey Callie! Enjoy your first Zyklon-B shower?"

"Oh Father, Simon! That's a horrible joke!" I try to keep the corners of my mouth from giving away my amusement at this off-color joke. I have to admit, it is a little disconcerting to stand in a shower and wait for gas to come out willingly when you have knowledge what was done to humans during the Holocaust. Somehow, Simon is one of those people who can get away with making comments such as this without seeming insulting and insensitive.

"Sorry." He grins sheepishly. Somehow his contrite expression makes the whole joke seem endearing.

"I actually don't feel any less clean than a normal shower, but certainly less refreshed, although that could have to do with all the throwing up I've done in the last two days."

"Gross..." He says.

"You asked." I have to slide down into one of the titanium swivel chairs bolted to the floor of the observation deck. Floor being the operative word - who knows, it could be the ceiling right now. The only thing that makes us feel like we are in any semblance of gravity is the constant rapid spin of the spaceship designed to recreate the feeling of being on a planet. "Where's breakfast? I'm feeling pretty famished."

Simon holds out a foil packet labeled EGGS. "Here you are, there is also BACON, OATMEAL, and FRUIT. Take your pick of our extensive array of breakfast buffet items!" He motions to a basket attached to the table top near the cluster of chairs, all bolted to the floor as well. There are parts of the ship where we can float, but the living quarters and common area have the simulated gravity. Everything is bolted down in case of an emergency when the gravity would disappear and energy would focus on other, more important, processes of running the ship.