3

 

BSES Headquarters 0745 Local, 2/11/2008

 

A squat, middle-aged woman with dyed auburn hair was chosen first.

“Nina Smith, BBC World.  General, why is it that you have chosen to have all of these people know each other, especially with mixed genders?  Couldn’t this cause trouble?”  She sat down.

General Milsch looked as though he had guessed what the question would have been before it had been asked.  “Well, that is a good question, if not the most obvious one to ask.  As Air Chief Marshall Milton has said, this acts as a social lubricant.  To have these people know each other causes less problems due to communication, and also they can anticipate others actions and responses.  These people know what things annoy each other and so can avoid stressful situations.  This should explain the uses of the so-called “friendly” group.  As for the mixed gender issue, we are forbidding pregnancy, so we have already started the whole group, both male and female, on a contraceptive pill.  We understand that things can get “lonely”,”  he says with a smile, “and so we have not set rules about “hanky-panky”!  Next”

“Bill Jones, CNN.  General, what measures have you taken for emergencies?”

“This is a very important issue, as you are probably aware.  The first problem is with the launch.  Each colonist is in an emergency ejection seat at launch.  Hopefully, if there are any problems, the crew will be shot into space and can later be retrieved.  Secondly, if anything goes wrong in the flight out, there are two options.  Live with the problem and land at the colony.  The second is to turn around mid-flight and return.  The first is a more feasible choice.  After that, there is little that can be done if anything goes wrong.  They will have to wait for a rescue flight while staying on the planet or in a safe orbit of Mars.

            Other than that, there is only the cosmic radiation storms.  This radiation is very dangerous, and could easily kill or cause cancerous tumours.  The storms can be detected by the craft’s sensors fifteen minutes before they reach the craft.  The colonists have to take refuge in “radiation cells”.  These are booths with sufficient radiation insulation to withstand the storms.  These storms can sometimes last up to about two weeks, so there are emergency previsions and medical supplies inside.  Next…”

            “Daniel Stevenson, The Herald.  How long is this crew going to be staying on the planet?  And are there any other missions going to arrive while they are still there?”

            “Well, Mr Stevenson, this crew shall be on the planet for a period of one year, if all goes well.  We are scheduling a relief flight to arrive on the planet a month before the crew leave so as to become accustomed to the colony.  May I remind you that we will be giving another press conference in one week to disclose a more detailed plan of the mission.  So from now on, could you please keep the questions to be regarding the crew.  Next….  Yes you….”

 

 

 

BSES Headquarters 1130 Local, 2/11/2008

 

 

            As the last of the camera flashes faded away, the colonists stood and moved out a side door, lead by General Milsch.  When they reached the conference room, the General turned and said quite casually “Time to catch up!  See you all in thirty minutes.”  He then walked out of the room to join Air Chief Marshall Milton.  The conference room erupted into laughter and exited chattering.  The loudest was Vicky’s shrill exited “I can’t believe this!  I thought I’d be on this flight with a bunch of strangers!”

            Corporal Seller was discussing her present life with Flight Sergeant Lillian Gabra Fam, while Anthony and Irina giggled as they discussed how much fun it was going to be.  Flight Lieutenant Victoria Watson spoke in an animated discussion with Warrant Officer Paul Robinson while Flight Sergeant Lillian Gabra Fam came over looking relieved.

            “I was so happy to see you guys….  I thought that I was going to be doing this with complete strangers and that I would have nothing to do with them and it would be really difficult and the whole experience would be so depressing that it wouldn’t be worth it.”  Lillian stopped to take a breath of air. 

            “OK Lillian!  Calm down!”  and Paul laughed.  “Its going to be fun.”

            Ryan and Ross walked over to Paul, Vicky and Lillian.  Straight away Vicky jumped over and hugged the two Australians excitedly.  Smiles all around as one of the happiest people in the world had not changed at all.

            “I can’t wait till we get there!  This is such a special thing to share with your friends!  We are going to remembered for ever!”  Paul said, with the obvious glint in his eye of someone who is going to do something in his life that will make a difference.

            “Calm down, Paul.  We aren’t there yet… But I do agree, we are doing something great!”  Ross said.  That was it.  It had started.