Morgan Arrival, Part 2

A Knowing Mars story, by tycho garen
on 6th August 2008. (commentary)

This is second part of the “Morgan Arrival” Story from the Knowing Mars project. Read Part 1. My original header for this section was Morgan Residence, Mars Colony 2542. Which, though descriptive, isn’t particularly unique or distinctive, so instead we have “Morgan Arrival.” This is the final five part sequence of Chapter 1. Enjoy.

“We have mixed up priorities,” Kalian said, after the busied silence had lingered a touch too long.

“What, instead of sleeping after a long trip, or something? You could, I’m just a bit too antsy still.”

“I suppose. But I figure we’ve been cooped up for so long that it’s good to be able to get something done. Finally.” Taban puzzled for a moment over a connector, before remembering its purpose and continuing with the task at hand.

“No, I feel the same way too. Clearly. But I sometimes wonder how much of the things I take for granted as ‘normal’ is completely alien to everyone else,” Kalian said.

Out of curiosity Kalian idly dragged a finger across the desk top, and removed very slight red film from the surface of the desk. Kalian made a face and began to wipe the dust off, which was largely futile, because the entire world was coated in the stuff. The colony kept it out, mostly, but the quarters were particularly bad.

“Well, that’s why we’re here isn’t it? Do you have the data pendant?” Taban changed the subject: there would be plenty of time to document their move to Mars, from beginning to end, but he wanted to get the systems set up before calling it a night.

“Of course.” Kalian stood and pulled on the leather strap around her neck that the pendant hung from.

“Good.” Taban stretched, stifling a yawn unsuccessfully. Kalian saw Taban’s matching pendant. Each pendant held a distinct half of an encryption key, that they would need to initialize the system, once all the custom gear was hooked up.

“We’re almost ready to fire it up,” Taban said when he regained composure.

“You know, it’ll still be here in the morning, and,” Kalian said, after yawning, again. “And maybe sleep wouldn’t be such a bad ting.”

“We should get a message on its way to Matthew, first. We promised.”

“Can’t we just do that on the open? You know ‘we’re here, setting up, no travel incidents, nothing suspicious,’ and be done with it.” Kalian yawned again.

“Is it worth it? Busby has had months of our silence to figure out that we’d left Earth, and Mars isn’t that big.” Taban would have offered to finish up alone, but they both had to activate the encryption system together, or else it wouldn’t work.

“I hate it when you’re right.”

“Besides, we’re almost done.”

“Right. Ready?”

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  1. [...] third part of the “Morgan Arrival” Story from the Knowing Mars project. Read Part 1 and Part 2. My original header for this section was Morgan Residence, Mars Colony 2542. Which, though [...]

    Pingback by Critical Futures: a next wave science fiction review — 7 August 2008 @ 8:26 pm

  2. [...] fourth part of the “Morgan Arrival” Story from the Knowing Mars project. Read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. My original header for this section was Morgan Residence, Mars Colony 2542. Which, [...]

    Pingback by Critical Futures: a next wave science fiction review — 9 August 2008 @ 5:58 pm

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