Ad Martem 12 Read online

  GIULIA CARLA BASSANI

  Copyright © 2018 Giulia Carla Bassani

  All rights reserved.

  Giulia Carla Bassani claims the right to be identified as

  author of this work.

  This work is copyrighted, therefore the modification,

  duplication or republication, even partial, are forbidden

  without prior approval of the author.

  Instagram: @Astro_Giulia and @AdMartem12

  Twitter: @Astro_Giulia

  Facebook page: Astro Giulia

  All characters and events in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real, living or dead people is purely

  coincidental.

  Cover picture: © 2018 Eashan Misra

  Instagram: @Mr.Kalopsia

  ISBN: 9781791533977

  This book is also available in e-book format.

  Preface

  Human Mars missions are a favorite theme of science fiction, but one of the most difficult ones. And the more we approach the time in which astronauts will actually set foot on the Red Planet, the more difficult it becomes to describe a fictional mission to Mars.

  The difficulties grow exponentially if the author tries to speak of the mission in a realistic way.

  To describe a realistic mission means to get rid of most of the factors which are at base of an attractive adventure novel: whoever will organize such a difficult, dangerous and costly mission, being immaterial whether the organizer is a space agency, a private organization or a consortium of agencies and industries, will do his best to avoid coups-de-theatre and unpredicted (or unpredictable) events to ensure that astronauts follow the predicted mission planning, without risking their lives, or, at least, reducing such risks to a minimum.

  If we look to the past, the Apollo missions worked in an unbelievable routinely way (except for the Apollo 13 mission, in which the unpredictable stepped in and caused almost a disaster). In a cynical way, we could say that all the Apollo missions would have made for quite boring novels, except for the Apollo 13, which could have been a screenplay written by a master writer: there was the danger, the adventure, some coups-de –theatre and an almost unbelievable happy end. No wonder that it was possible to obtain a blockbuster out of the Apollo 13 mission without the need of introducing significant deviations from the actual story.

  Most of the ingredients which authors introduced to add zest to fictional human Mars missions are quite unlikely and would just be the effect of serious errors (technical, organizational, etc.) made by the designers of the mission.

  Giulia Bassani, on the contrary, succeeds in writing a book which is at the same time realistic and entertaining: adventure and unpredictable events are not linked with some unlikely errors made by mission planners, or even more unlikely things like the discovery of aliens or intelligent bacteria on Mars, but are the logical (and perhaps unavoidable) consequence of a very reasonable decision. After a number of successful human Mars missions – which are not described in the novel since they would be as little exciting as true successful space missions can be – the planners decide to proceed with the next step, a step which is strictly required to pass from exploration to colonization: to give birth to a few children on the Red Planet. In the beginning, this can follow the stated plans, and in spite of radiation and isolation, the three children are healthy and 'normal'. But, exactly because they are 'normal' human beings, they go through the difficulties and conflicts of adolescence. And, as all youth, they become allergic to rules – but a dangerous place like Mars is the worst place to disobey rules.

  From these premises, the plot can develop into an actual page turner and the reader goes through the adventures of these nice and clever young guys to discover, at the end, that the idea of giving birth to Martians was, after all, not so bad.

  Giancarlo Genta

  Politecnico di Torino

  International Academy of Astronautics

  December 2018

  When you are in your mother’s womb, you have no certainties. You don’t know who your parents are, you don’t know where they are, you don’t know how you will be born or where you will live. At first you don’t even know if you are male or female. You know nothing about yourself and the world around you. You are sure of one only thing: when you are born, wherever and whoever you are with, you will call that place home, you will call those people mum and dad. You don’t care where you are, be it a city, an igloo, the jungle, a ship or even another planet.

  For you it will be perfectly normal.

  Author’s note

  The passage of time on Mars will be measured with the Darian calendar (created by aerospace engineer and political scientist Thomas Gangale in 1985).

  This is how it works: a year on Mars lasts 668 sols. Sol is the name of a Martian day and it lasts 24 hours and 39 minutes. There are 24 months composed of 28 sols each (even if every six months one sol is omitted). Each month has 4 weeks composed of 7 sols.

  The days of the week are: sol solis, sol lunae, sol martius, sol mercurii, sol jovis, sol veneris, sol saturni.

  Accordingly, the protagonists of the story will be eight Martian years old, which is equal to about fifteen terrestrial years.

  The Martian months are:

  Sagittarius, Dhanus, Capricornus, Makara, Aquarius, Kumbha, Pisces, Mina, Aries, Mesha, Taurus, Rishabha, Gemini, Mithuna, Cancer, Karka, Leo, Simha, Virgo, Kanya, Libra, Tula, Scorpius, Vrishika.

  Moreover, the people living on Mars are used to say “tosol” instead of “today” and “yestersol” instead of “yesterday”.

  PROLOGUE

  It was 6:00 pm in Florida and the blazing sun was by now descending, hiding behind the colossal building of Kennedy Space Centre. It was May 22nd in 2042 and that day, at NASA, one of the most important decisions was about to be taken, not only for space exploration but also and most importantly for humanity.

  The last, definitive meeting was about to begin in the briefing room. NASA’s director, Robert Walmore, was observing attentively all the people taking a place around the table. When everyone had arrived and also the director of the future mission at issue had taken a place in front of him, then he spoke.

  «Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated» he invited, sitting as well.

  Everyone imitated him. Walmore was already over fifty but he wore his age well. His dark grey hair was perfectly still, his green eyes peered carefully at every detail, every person, while his fingers rubbed his chin absently.

  The tension was tangible in the room. Walmore, his deputy Terry Coleman and the associate administrator Claire Dennis, sitting at his side, could perceive how hard the engineers and scientists in front of them had worked on this project and how determined they were to reach the goal.

  «So,» Walmore began intertwining his fingers on the table «We are gathered here today to revise definitely every point of the twelfth mission of the Ad Martem program. Mr Torres, as director of Ad Martem 12, I turn it over to you.»

  «Thank you, Walmore», an impressively slim man spoke up.

  His small, dark eyes blinked behind two thick lenses. He stroked his long grey beard, preparing for a long speech.

  «Before we think about the future, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to turn our thoughts to the past and revisit the history of our project. The missions of the Ad Martem program began in 2034, when we sent to Mars the first 3D printers, the robots and rovers which started to build a permanent space station. Throughout the following years, with missions numbers 2, 3-4 and 5, we dealt with setting communication and surface-monitoring satellites into orbit around the planet. In 2038, with Ad Martem 6, thanks to our alliance with the European, Russian and Chinese space agencies, we made history as the first three astronauts stepped foo
t on the surface of the Red Planet: George Jenner, Oleg Sokov and Cheng Li. Ad Martem 7 and 8 each brought three more astronauts. These nine, of which two Americans, one European, three Russians and three Chinese, gave life to the Martian station of Aresland, composed of the Red Stone, Krasnij Gorod and Hong Se De Du bases, located in Hellas Planitia. With the missions 9 and 10 we’ve sent to Mars supplies for the astronauts and scientific experiments. Now, Ad Martem 12 is scheduled to lift off in 2044, after Ad Martem 11, a set-up mission. In two years, six in total will be the astronauts heading to Mars. The goal of the mission is to give birth to a human being and keep him or her alive on a planet that is different from Earth. Six professional astronauts will take part in the mission, three women and three men who will do their best to complete their task: giving birth to a child and bring him or her up in the best of ways.»

  A moment of silence followed during which Torres observed the effect his words caused on the audience.

  «Now, James, show the project, please» he addressed a young man who had meanwhile linked his laptop to a projector that illuminated a wall, all those present turned to watch.

  «With pleasure, John» James Walker replied, moving next to the projection on the wall.

  The image portrayed the map of one of the most popular space bases of the moment. Two circumferences, one of which was smaller, were linked through a rectangle. Within the bigger circumference there was another, split into four slices, and all around it, alongside the perimeter of the major one, there were several rectangles and squares which followed the curve of the circle and represented more rooms.

  «I take it you’ve already realized that this is the American and European base Red Stone, where three of our astronauts are currently living. Well, I guess we can start from here...» he addressed a laser pointer to the small circle divided in four parts «… These are the four private chambers for every astronaut and, at the moment, only three of them are occupied. With Ad Martem 12, the base will have to be able to welcome two more astronauts, plus a future third, that is the new born. As such, a third geodesic dome will be built during Ad Martem 11…» Walker pressed a button on his laptop and a third circumference appeared in the map, it was linked to the main one through a rectangle and was divided into three parts «… similar in size to the greenhouse…» his laser pointed at the small circle that was already present «... and will provide three more private chambers. The bigger one goes to the child, while the other two will be for the parents. This dome will be entirely dedicated to the child and his or her needs, it’ll contain all the necessary and will have a separate Life Support System.»

  «This situation,» Walker resumed after a brief pause «will be repeated similarly in the Russian base Krasnij Gorod and in the Chinese base Hong Se De Du. This solution was studied with the teams of the national directors present here today, Natalia Romanovna Kurkina for Roscosmos and Kim Yao for CNSA.»

  As he called the first name, a slender woman stood up, her brunette hair was gathered in a tight pony tail, her stony eyes were focused. Soon after an Asiatic man did the same, as serious as the woman next to him.

  «Who accepted to support and collaborate at our project, in order to bring humanity to make a new giant leap.»

  The two bowed their heads respectfully before sitting down again.

  «I’ll now briefly show you the situation in these two bases» Walker announced while pressing some buttons on his laptop.

  The image changed, it now showed two maps at once, very different, but still composed of circles. The Krasnij Gorod was composed of two bases linked to the main, central one, while the Hong Se De Du was a large geodesic dome surrounded by six much smaller circles.

  «These are the Russian and Chinese bases in the current situation. With the update for Ad Martem 12, we’ll add a new dome to both of them, just like we saw for the Red Stone» Walker touched the keyboard once again and two more domes appeared in the maps «Where we’ll set up the private chamber for the child and the parents.»

  «And all of this will be ready within 2044?» Coleman asked.

  «Not all of this, but the external and internal structures of the domes will. As from then, the astronauts on the planet will take care of furnishing, shall we say, fix all the necessary and activate the Life Support Systems. The children’s birth is expected to take place in 2045 and everything will be perfectly ready.»

  «But now let’s talk about when those children will grow up» Walmore finally spoke up, after being silent until that moment «They need an education, they’ll be curious and ask question. What will they be taught?»

  «They’ll be brought up speaking the native language of the base where they’re born, but they’ll learn the other two as well» Amanda Lynch began, she was a spaceflight psychologist, her fierce red hair contrasted against her pale skin. Her voice was smooth and unwavering.

  «At age five they’ll learn to read and write, at six they’ll begin to study mathematics. At eight they’ll start on a study path of science and geography, in detail of Mars and generally of Earth.»

  «Of course, doctor Lynch» Walmore interrupted her «But my concern is: what will they be taught about Earth, about human beings and our history?»

  The woman took a deep breath before answering.

  «For what concerns our history, they’ll be given a general education, they’ll study our origins and the origin of the Universe most of all. The rest of their studies will be focused on Mars.»

  Walmore leaned forward from his chair while his eyes peered into those of the woman.

  «You are telling me that those kids will barely know what Earth is? They’ll know nothing of the humans who live here, of the terrestrial lifestyle and cultures?» he emphasized his last word.

  «That’s not what I mean. I’m saying that it’s not fundamental for them to know it as, despite life on Mars will be obviously different from that on Earth, they’ll learn all the necessary by simply staying with other human beings. They’ll be aware that there are other people on Earth, that’s it.»

  «That’s it?» he repeated before moving his eyes away and sighing. «Doctor Lynch, I’ve told you many times already. Those kids have the right to know who they are!»

  «The time will come for them to know everything.»

  «That is, when?»

  «When their body will be completely developed and therefore they’ll be able to face a long-duration space trip with less probabilities to suffer serious damages.»

  Walmore didn’t reply, he continued to observe the woman, thoughtfully.

  «They will be very intelligent and skilled kids, Walmore» doctor Lynch resumed with persuasive manners «They will be the first human beings ever to be born on a planet that’s different from ours. They will know they’re born on Mars and Mars will be their home and their natural normality and the astronauts living in the bases with them will be their family. And until they are mature enough, we can’t overturn their existence by telling them that actually the real cradle of the entire humanity is another planet and that they were supposed to be born there, together with all the other human beings. They will be just kids, first of all, before being experiments…»

  The room fell into silence as those last words lingered in the air above the table. Walmore kept looking at the psychologist, who was determined enough to hold his gaze. He broke the silence with caution.

  «And when they’ll be twenty years old, instead, and it will be the moment for them to know, don’t you think it would be equally upsetting to learn the truth?»

  The hint of a smile curved the corner of her mouth, but she returned serious right away.

  «They’ll see astronauts come and go and between the bases and Earth there’s a constant communication. It’s very possible that after all those years they will have figured it out by themselves. Let everything be natural, nothing must be forced. Besides, this probable necessity to know and curiosity toward our origins and the past will be eventually lost generation after generation and everythi
ng will become more natural and normal.»

  Silence returned, Walmore was thoughtful. Everyone observed him expectantly.

  «Fine» he then said «The meeting’s concluded, you can leave the room.»

  His words were followed by a scraping of chairs and bags as everyone stood up to gather their things and leave. Walmore stood up as well to shake hands before they exited silently. When the last person had left the room, he closed the door and approached a window to look outside. Terry Coleman and Claire Dennis remained. The sun was by now set and the sky, adorned with soft rosy clouds, was spectacular. Walmore perceived the steps of young Dennis, his associate administrator, as she approached him.

  «I hate that woman» he claimed keeping his gaze on the sunset.

  He heard an amused chuckle coming from Coleman who stood by the door.

  «Listen, Robert» Claire Dennis began and Walmore listened «You might also hate Amanda Lynch but she’s right and you know it. It’s clear that sooner or later they’ll understand, but it’s important that everything happens quietly and naturally and not rushed.»

  Walmore sighed and decided to change topic.

  «Tomorrow I’m going to meet the directors of ESA, Roscosmos and CNSA to take the final decision.»

  «What’s your decision?» Coleman asked.

  Robert Walmore turned, finally, and looked at the woman and at the man in the eyes.

  «Our engineers have convinced me. I don’t like Amanda Lynch, But I trust Claire. Hereby...

  I approve Ad Martem 12.»

  ONE

  ~ 15 Virgo 239 ~

  Finally Jordan Miles felt really useful.

  No more bad-smelling feed, feathers flying all around and organic waste to be cleaned. No more of that junk, no. For a long, very long time (or at least, he hoped so), he wasn’t going to see the henhouse and those messy hens anymore. Finally he felt free! Turned eight years and fourteen months old, event that he had been waiting for a very long time, he was assigned a new role: learning to drive rovers, taking care of them and checking their functioning, which had to be perfect.