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containers were essential to the early colonists, bringing fresh supplies that they were unable to provide for themselves as yet. The expense was huge, and there was economic and political pressure to reduce the frequency of the shipments.
    Hence the urgency to complete the biome construction project.
    Sian, Aster, Sky and Detroit donned space suits and were preparing to put in a hard day’s work at the building site.
    “Sky, are you guys ready? I’m about to open the airlock.”
    “Roger that Sian, we’re good - all green lights here.”
    Sian opened the airlock and the team ventured outside. They collected a utility buggy and drove round to the materials bay.
    “Okay, we need to load up with a dozen acrylic panels - Detroit, are you good to operate the lifting jig?” asked Sian.
    “No problem, I’m on it.” Detroit lumbered over to the control panel and starting positioning the jig to collect the first panel. Aster had been tasked with filming the proceedings for the Mars Colony One show. Sky stood around awkwardly.
    “So Sian, I hear you and Freddie are getting a bit chummy.”
    “Who told you that Detroit?”
    “Oh, no-one. Just rumours doing the rounds.”
    “Well that’s a load of nonsense. He’s a nice guy, and everything, just not really my type.”
    “Beggars can’t be choosers Sian, there’s a limited number of men on this planet you know.”
    “Watch what you’re doing Detroit, remember that panel weighs 250 kilos! Sky can you guide it onto the back of the utility?”
    “It has a mass of 250 kilos, it doesn’t weigh that here. He has a point though, you need to face the realities of our situation,” chipped in Sky.
    “What is it with you guys? We’ve been here, what, a week, and all you can talk about is who is going to pair off with whom?”
    Aster lowered her camera. “Sian, can we be bothered to film this moronic conversation?”
    “Oh, don’t worry, we can use the visuals and edit out the asinine speech.”
    “Good point,” said Aster, raising the camera again.
    “But in answer to your question boys,” continued Sian, “remember, there’ll soon be a new ship arriving every month, with twelve fresh new recruits, once we get the crops growing nicely.”
    “ If we get them growing…” interjected Sky.
    “… at which point, I won’t have to put up with you anymore if I don’t want to.”
    “Don’t say that Sian!” said Sky, feigning offence, “I thought you liked us.”
    Sian was keen to move the conversation on. “Come on, we’ve got another eleven of these to shift.”
    An hour later, they were ready to move out to the biome site.
    “Hank, do you read me?”
    “Loud and clear Ms Pevensey,” came the voice in Sian’s helmet.
    “We’re proceeding to the biome site with the acrylic. Can you meet us there?”
    “Absolutely, ma’am, I’m on my way.”
    The biome was being constructed about 2km away from base camp, positioned to receive as much sunlight as possible. The thick perspex-like acrylic panels were designed to allow through the maximum amount of useful solar energy, whilst filtering out hard radiation. You know, the sort that kills all life in minutes.
    Ten minutes later, the team rendezvoused with Hank at the construction site. Hank was not wearing a space suit or helmet, which didn’t bother him in the slightest.
    “Hey there Hank. How do you like it out here?” asked Sky.
    “Great thank you sir! It’s nice to be able to stretch my legs.”
    “Do you have to go through the whole showering rigmarole when you get back to base?”
    “Most definitely sir. I collect Martian dust the same as anyone else. I am of course fully sealed against anything this environment can throw at me. I like the showers though, I find them invigorating!”
    “Lucky you,” Detroit added, jealously.
    “Okay, Hank, you climb up that scaffold and we’ll lift the first panel to you, alright?” instructed Sian.
    “I’m on it!” Hank responded cheerfully, and with