Read Online Spaceport West by Giles Chanot - Free Book Online
Authors: Giles Chanot
Tags: Fiction & Literature
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looking at them in turn, expectantly.
“So, Filo, what are your duties here? I’m Aster, by the way,” tried Aster.
“Nice to meet you Miss Aster! My primary function is to assist Captain Flinders. When he’s not needing me I help out in the kitchen. If you’re lucky, you might get to experience my coq au vin. ”
“Are you really able to make that? I didn’t think there was any meat.”
“No, ma’am, not real meat. We use a cleverly disguised protein substitute for the chicken.”
“And what about the wine?” ventured Freddie.
“Good point sir, we don’t have any of that either, but it does contain neat alcohol plus powdered red grapes.”
“Sounds delicious,” said Freddie sarcastically.
“That’s kind of you to say sir, if you want I can show you how I make it?” said Filo enthusiastically.
“That’s very kind, maybe another time,” said Freddie.
Aster gave Freddie a cheeky grin and whispered, “You tease!”
“Greetings, new recruits,” came a new, Russian voice.
“Oh, hello, who are you?” asked Aster.
“I am Sergey Loginovsky and I am Russian Cosmonaut,” said Sergey proudly.
“Lovely to meet you Sergey, I’m Aster Madly,” shaking Sergey’s hand warmly. “Are you a permanent resident here at the colony?”
“Yes. And no. I am part of Russian observer mission. I observe, I make notes, I inform on my superiors.”
“I think you mean you inform your superiors?” suggested Freddie.
“I know what I mean,” insisted Sergey, a wild look suddenly in his eyes.
“Well I’m sure we’ll give you plenty to make notes about!” said Tiggy with a friendly smile. “Okay guys, let’s go and finish unpacking and then I will run through the timetable.”
The recruits followed Tiggy back to their living quarters.
“What do you make of it so far?” Aster asked Freddie as they walked.
“It’s okay I suppose. Kinda reminds me of the moon base, and not in a good way.”
“Right, don’t fancy staying in these modules for too long. And the food situation sounds a little dire right now. I’m looking forward to growing our own fresh stuff, a nice bit of fruit and veg.”
“If it does grow. No one has yet demonstrated it’s actually possible to grow anything on Mars,” Freddie replied with a derisive shrug.
“Really?” said Aster with a panicked expression. Freddie just nodded and walked on.
MARS COLONY PHASE ONE
Mars colonists arriving during Phase One will be required to prepare the ground for construction of permanent facilities including the biome where food crops will be grown. Mars has seasons much like Earth, but base camp had been situated within the tropics to allow for continuous, year-round production. Within the first year, it is hoped, the colony will be self-sufficient in terms of crop yield.
Life on Mars presents many practical challenges. For example, whenever a colonist leaves the pressurised living modules, he or she needs to be fully suited up to cope with the solar radiation and very low atmospheric pressure. Upon returning to base, their space suit must be showered down to remove corrosive and abrasive dust particles.
It must be stressed, therefore, that the life of a Mars colonist is not for everyone. A colonist must be brave of heart, serious of intent, fit in mind and body. And above all, able to accept orders from authorities with whom they may violently disagree and who may themselves be suffering from illogical and fatal delusions.
If you feel you are capable of rising to this challenge, you are encouraged to apply to your local recruitment officer, including in your application a recent photograph and a haiku on the subject of Total Submission .
UK Guide to Space, 2025 Edition
Nearly every day a container would arrive which had been accelerated off the Moon by the mass driver, months earlier. It would be captured in Mars orbit by a specially designed heavy lift vehicle which gently delivered it to the planet’s surface.
The
“So, Filo, what are your duties here? I’m Aster, by the way,” tried Aster.
“Nice to meet you Miss Aster! My primary function is to assist Captain Flinders. When he’s not needing me I help out in the kitchen. If you’re lucky, you might get to experience my coq au vin. ”
“Are you really able to make that? I didn’t think there was any meat.”
“No, ma’am, not real meat. We use a cleverly disguised protein substitute for the chicken.”
“And what about the wine?” ventured Freddie.
“Good point sir, we don’t have any of that either, but it does contain neat alcohol plus powdered red grapes.”
“Sounds delicious,” said Freddie sarcastically.
“That’s kind of you to say sir, if you want I can show you how I make it?” said Filo enthusiastically.
“That’s very kind, maybe another time,” said Freddie.
Aster gave Freddie a cheeky grin and whispered, “You tease!”
“Greetings, new recruits,” came a new, Russian voice.
“Oh, hello, who are you?” asked Aster.
“I am Sergey Loginovsky and I am Russian Cosmonaut,” said Sergey proudly.
“Lovely to meet you Sergey, I’m Aster Madly,” shaking Sergey’s hand warmly. “Are you a permanent resident here at the colony?”
“Yes. And no. I am part of Russian observer mission. I observe, I make notes, I inform on my superiors.”
“I think you mean you inform your superiors?” suggested Freddie.
“I know what I mean,” insisted Sergey, a wild look suddenly in his eyes.
“Well I’m sure we’ll give you plenty to make notes about!” said Tiggy with a friendly smile. “Okay guys, let’s go and finish unpacking and then I will run through the timetable.”
The recruits followed Tiggy back to their living quarters.
“What do you make of it so far?” Aster asked Freddie as they walked.
“It’s okay I suppose. Kinda reminds me of the moon base, and not in a good way.”
“Right, don’t fancy staying in these modules for too long. And the food situation sounds a little dire right now. I’m looking forward to growing our own fresh stuff, a nice bit of fruit and veg.”
“If it does grow. No one has yet demonstrated it’s actually possible to grow anything on Mars,” Freddie replied with a derisive shrug.
“Really?” said Aster with a panicked expression. Freddie just nodded and walked on.
MARS COLONY PHASE ONE
Mars colonists arriving during Phase One will be required to prepare the ground for construction of permanent facilities including the biome where food crops will be grown. Mars has seasons much like Earth, but base camp had been situated within the tropics to allow for continuous, year-round production. Within the first year, it is hoped, the colony will be self-sufficient in terms of crop yield.
Life on Mars presents many practical challenges. For example, whenever a colonist leaves the pressurised living modules, he or she needs to be fully suited up to cope with the solar radiation and very low atmospheric pressure. Upon returning to base, their space suit must be showered down to remove corrosive and abrasive dust particles.
It must be stressed, therefore, that the life of a Mars colonist is not for everyone. A colonist must be brave of heart, serious of intent, fit in mind and body. And above all, able to accept orders from authorities with whom they may violently disagree and who may themselves be suffering from illogical and fatal delusions.
If you feel you are capable of rising to this challenge, you are encouraged to apply to your local recruitment officer, including in your application a recent photograph and a haiku on the subject of Total Submission .
UK Guide to Space, 2025 Edition
Nearly every day a container would arrive which had been accelerated off the Moon by the mass driver, months earlier. It would be captured in Mars orbit by a specially designed heavy lift vehicle which gently delivered it to the planet’s surface.
The
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