Cat led missing Xanthe Terra survey crew to safety
Survey crew meet searchers at empty tractor
SHALBATANA VALLIS, July 18 - The call came just a second before headlights illuminated the dark tunnel about a kilometer underground here.
“Survey crew 315-03. Survey crew 315-03. Over,” the voice drawled over the radio.
“Eustace, is that you?” Search crew Chief Julius Fix replied.
“Ya’ll came to get us,” famed Mars explorer Chief Eustace Saint-Lazare replied.
“We always do. We always do,” Fix said as six silhouetted surfsuit-clad figures stepped into view. Survey Mars and Orson Welles searchers pumped their gloved and suited arms into the air in greeting for their comrades.
A moment later, the lights receded as the unknown vehicle pulled away.
Six weeks after Saint-Lazare’s six-person crew entered the massive cavern complex in the Shalbatana Vallis north of Orson Welles crater and 2,800 km from the City, they re-established contact in the most dramatic fashion.
The team simply walked up to their heavily damaged survey tractor that lay partially buried in rubble some 30m below the cavern above.
The tractor fell in a collapse of the floor of the tunnel about 4km from the cavern entrance and nearly 1 km below the surface that came as a marsquake shook the complex June 35, or 15 sols after the survey crew entered.
Wearing a surfsuit, Saint-Lazare held a small air-tight carrier bag in one hand as he approached what he later explained was his second set of rescuers with his crew members around him.
“How’d you get here?” Fix asked.
Saint-Lazare pointed up to the open cavern above where a make-shift crane was preparing to winch down the search rover that the four-person Survey Mars rescue team had brought. “Let’s get inside for a bit.”
A first for the explorers
The crews were hoisted up on a platform and crowded into the largest of the three Welles tractors that had come to aid in the search, where they could push their helmets back and talk.
“We noticed that someone had come and cleared some of the rubble around your tractor and wondered who that was,” Fix said.
“We weren’t expecting to find anybody here, but we were very happy the local Martians came by,” said Saint-Lazare, who has led exploration teams in the Tharsis, Corprates and Margaritifer Sinus quadrangles.
“It’s a first for me on Mars,” the explorer said. “My crews are used to exploring the unknown, being the first to put our footprints on the ground, but others got here first—and stayed. We dropped in on them.”
Even if it had still been capable of moving on its own, the tractor had dropped in to a bit of a dead end as none of the existing tunnels lead much further, Saint-Lazare said.
“I’m not sure how our friends came in, but it wasn’t the way we did, and they made it clear there wasn’t a way for our tractor to get out, except for being hauled up,” he said.
Saint-Lazare sketched out the crew’s experience. “It’s a maze, as you know. We were planning to set the second relay beacon, but then the whole complex shook and the floor disappeared. And we fell, though it still feels slow to me even all these annos since I left Earth.”
The crew was unharmed but found that their external comms had been knocked out by the fall and the pounding by rocks that fell on top of their tractor.
“We were all okay, if a bit surprised, but it was clear, we weren’t going back the way we came,” Saint-Lazare said.
The crew managed to open a hatch to exit the tractor and move around the cavern, setting out in three-person relays to keep in contact with each other.
Meteor streaks
Saint-Lazare paused for a moment and, seeing some movement in his carrier bag, Welles search team leader - and one of his former explorer crew members - Perpetua Heathering asked, “What’s in the carrier bag?”
“Meteor. They said I could keep her for good luck,” Saint-Lazare said and returned to his story. “It was my turn to go out on relay. We heard something, like air rushing out of a ballon. That’s when I saw the cat.”
He pointed to the carrier bag, “Meteor, because she’s so fast. We saw her ducking into a crack in the wall just big enough to allow us entry and followed. It was big enough for us to get inside. When we did, we realized that the cavern was heavily leaking air. “
His team radioed back to their companions and while they waited, used one of the pop-up shelters to seal the crack. Soon after that, four people showed up on an open rover, their helmets off.
“They let us come in off the porch and into the parlor, so to speak, but that’s as far as we got,” Saint-Lazare said. “They weren’t keen on us seeing too much of their habitation. You don’t set up housekeeping a half mile underground if you want company.”
Dust cover?
Asked why Survey Mars was unaware of the underground settlement given the constant monitoring of the surface by the Mars Carousel, Saint-Lazare said his hosts would not directly answer that question.
“They weren’t saying exactly, you understand, but we reckon it was about the time that Welles was just getting started right before that big dust storm what went on for months, in 96,” Saint-Lazare said. “That would hide them and obscure their tracks, but maybe we just weren’t looking in the right place. They didn’t come in the way we did.”
Fix suggested the teams could inquire around Welles to see if anyone knew.
“You could ask,” Heathering said, “But you know how we are up in Welles. We like to keep our own business to ourselves. It’s why we’re so far from the City.”
Saint-Lazare said it wasn’t clear how big the habitation was, but judging by what they were fed, it was clear they had established gardens and aquaculture at the very least.
“I caught a glimpse of greenery and it struck me that they have spent some time gardening, so they have water and power, which they would have had to bring in along with their environmental and farming supplies and gear,” Saint-Lazare said.
“We had cat fish, so they have ponds. And they’ve been farming for at least 3 annos, ‘cause they make the best damn coffee, good and strong but no bitterness,” he opened up the carrier case and the ginger cat meowed at him. ”Now I like a bit of bite in coffee, but this is so smooth. Gave me a half kilo bag, with the cat.”
City votes to go ahead with new habtube section
Project to start as soon as printers warm up
URBS VALLIS, July 16 - The City Council voted 5-2 Thursday to extend the Tithonium Chasma Habitational Tube by a fourth 1.6 km section that would provide enough space for an additional 16,000 people to live and work in the enclosed open-air space.
The section will include about 6,000 new habitations, depending on the ultimate configuration as well as enough garden, farm and aquaculture space to support the new residents.
“We will ensure at every step that the City remains self-sufficient in all its needs for all its residents,” Council President Claude Paddingbury said at a lively meeting for the council.
While the third section of the habtube is not yet fully occupied, Paddingbury said it was crucial for the city to build well ahead of expected demand given local population growth and immigration.
The existing three sections of the habtube currently house 43,000 residents, but can hold up to 48,000. Most of the vacant areas are in the third section, which is still being completed.
The third section will be completed before the next supply train arrives in November, bringing just under 2,500 immigrants, nearly all contract workers from Earth, L5 or Luna, Paddingbury said.
“We’ll still have plenty of room,” Councillor Karina Hermetta added. “The official count is 43,000 for the habtube, but we’re actually somewhat under that as not everyone listed as resident actually is anymore.”
Paddingbury quickly redirected, saying, “We’ll leave that discussion for a future date. The issue tonight is why it’s imperative that we move ahead with the fourth section."
Resident Dexter Korczak, who recently moved into the second section after 2 annos in the contract worker dormitories, known as the cubbies, later asked Hermetta just how many vacancies existed, but she declined to answer.
“Some people who are in their third contract year are still in the cubbies and they’d dearly love to move into a habtube apartment, seeing as there are vacancies,” Korczak said.
Paddingbury replied that the new section would help to alleviate such concerns, but that the topic would be dealt with at a later date. “To a large extent, that’s in the hands of the Labor Commission.”
Councillor Luca Matteo suggested that in addition to the residential habitations, the City consider building temporary housing for visitors who only planned to stay between the arrival of a supply train from Earth and the subsequent departure from Mars, roughly 440 sols after arrival.
City residents include non-contractors filling specific roles, who have either paid their own way or been sponsored by an institution or government body and may not wish to become permanent residents, Matteo said.
“Not everyone who comes to Mars wants to stay. For contractors, that decision is usually final, but that’s not true for everyone,” Matteo said, who also suggested the City consider building hotel space for more transient visitors.
“I don’t think we should be building hotels for tourists,’ said Councillor Tiberia Hernandez, who has suggested the City focus on expanding the WestHill section on the slope adjacent to the habtube. “We want people who can make a valuable and permanent contribution to Mars.”
Matteo argued that transient facilities could prove lucrative for the city and Mars DevCo.
“DevCo can build a hotel if they want,’ Hernandez said. ”They can sponsor package tours of the Carousel and the chasmata if they like. We are under no obligation to support them in any way, shape or form.”
Paddingbury gaveled the discussion to a close, asking, “Should we build the fourth section? It’s a step on the way to covering a whole section of the chasma. Let the council vote.”
The council voted to approve the expansion with Councillors Hernandez and Marcus Wu opposing.
City Engineer Shigeru Kashira said construction could begin almost immediately as much of the preparation had already been completed with the construction of Section 3.
“We’ve got the ground mostly ready to go, with a bit of excavation and fill left. We’ve got plenty of printer stock and can start as soon as the printers warm up,” Kashira said.
Caraval thrusters still balking
Mission control sets alternate course for braking
ARES PORT, July 17 - Mission Control is plotting an alternate course for the fast packet Caraval to slow it down enough to bring it into Mars orbit as the ship struggles with engine troubles about two weeks ahead of a scheduled deceleration burn.
The proposed trajectory adjustments should bring the Caraval, which is carrying five crew and 12 passengers, into a wider, more eccentric orbit around Mars, but will depend on using stabilizer engines instead of the thrusters, Mission Control Cmdr. Ceres Piazzi said Friday.
“We’ve run through a lot of scenarios with Capt. (Peregrinus) Aeolus and we have back up plans if necessary, Piazzi said, but declined to provide more precise details on the extent of the engine troubles the ship is experiencing.
In addition to the passengers, the fusion-powered craft is carrying high value cargo including nano- and quantum processors from Earth orbital factories. Mission Control did not provide the names of the passengers, but such flights generally carry people in mission-critical positions.
Sources who have been in radio contact with the Caraval have said the ship is experiencing a system-wide issue, either digital or mechanical. Aeolus is recognized as an accomplished flight commander, and engineer, who has piloted several lunar shuttle and research voyages.
The captain of the explorer scout Boudicca, Attracta O’Ceileachair, has radioed that her ship is diverting from Mars toward the Caraval, but has not provided an update.
Caraval's designation was corrected to 'fast packet' from 'supply ship’ in the July 12 issue.
Contract Choas - Overtime
URBS VALLIS, June 17 - The Noctis rambler who was rescued unconscious on the border of the Labyrinth near Ares Port last month has had an extra annos added to his contract for leaving his City post without authorization.
The City Labor Council found that construction specialist Sylvano Antipodea had nearly two annos left on his construction specialist contract and added an extra annos to his contract term as penalty. They did not address Noctis claims that he had stolen four surfsuits.
The one-annos extension would bring Antipodea’s remaining term to nearly 3 annos. The council noted that Antipodea had declined to provide any additional information about the incident nor where he had been living and working since leaving his post.
City officials have demanded that Noctis investigate the incident, while Noctis officials have asked for the city to return the surfsuit he was wearing. Both sides declined to comment.
The council said, however, that it is taking steps to address an increase in contract violations by workers who simply stop showing up.
- Mirihi Merced
Calendar
What's in a name? City revisits change
The City Council is slated to revisit the proposal to change the city’s name to Tithonia or Tithonia City or Tithonium at its meeting Thursday July 23. That proposal drew a standing-room only crowed at the Council meeting June 49.
Ius mulls Agora expansion
The Ius Council will discuss expanding the Geryon Agora at its council meeting Wednesday July 22. The expansion of the market space will come as part of the larger project to nearly double habitational space on Geryon Montes.
Noctis opens Grange Hall
Noctis will hold the official grand opening of its Grange Hall Saturday July 25, but with events from Friday evening’s dance through the Sunday afternoon flea market where residents can trade gear, clothing and fresh grown food stuffs.
Books our parents brought from home
The Tithonia Museum is hosting an exhibition of some of the many hundreds of paper books that immigrants to Mars brought on their 500 million km journey to their new home. Owners are on hand to tell the stories of their books. Through end-July. East Terrace 12
Color riot
The Tithonia Gardens is opening its display of summer flowers from black-eyed susans to daisies, cosmos and zinnias. You might catch a few early hosta flowers too. Through July. Habtube 2, Terrace 4 Through July. Habtube 2, Terrace 4
"Contact" They’ve been waiting for us beyond the Belts. SciFi threedee. Aliens! Stage 3. Hab 1. Terrace 8 July 22-28, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00
Classical Strings Catch the soothing sounds of a string quartet at the Geryon Agora. 1600 Saturday July 25
City Social. Mix and mingle with new arrivals and old hands. Hab 2. Terrace 4, by Tithonia Gardens. Every Friday 17:00
- Merry Grace, lifestyle correspondent
The Chaos Courier helps you over the rough spots.
Classified Ads
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BORING HEADS Diamond durable. Get the job done. CANDOR 286 49762
SURFSUIT Refurbishing. Fabric and boot repair, seal replacement, visor refurbishing, comms upgrades. COPRATES 297 14210
DRILL SLEDS Custom built and standard. Expand your space. COPRATES 295 43298
WALL GARDENS. Custom seeded and sized. Illuminate, water, grow, eat. IUS 278 14275
FUSION PLASMA SPECIALIST Compact designs. Ex-contract only. CANDOR 286 25120
MACHINIST. Ex-contract only. CANDOR 286 18030
AG ENGINEERS Hydroponics, aeroponics. Ex-contract only. IUS 278-71892
DRILLING specialists, supervisors and crew. Ex-contract only MELAS 285 13941
TUTORS. All subjects for all ages, part-time. Must travel. NOCTIS 260 10610
APPRENTICES Recycling systems. 8 annos (14 years) and up. IUS 278 98559
APPRENTICES Aquaculture. 8 annos and up. COPRATES 295 59953
APPRENTICES Metal smithing 8 annos and up. CANDOR 286 82744
APPRENTICES Fabrics production, design. 8 annos and up. URBS 269 98523
APPRENTICES Interior design, fabrication, 8 annos and up IUS 278 42239
ACOUSTIC MUSICIANS. Guitar, mandolin, bass for new group URBS 269 30944
BALLROOM DANCING Let's Rumba! URBS 269 49144
MARTIAL ARTS. Conditioning and confidence. Weighted and natural. GERYON 278 71435
YOGA. Get the kinks out. IUS 278 43256
SPACE CAMP. Get ready for orbital work. All ages. ARES PORT 268 00910
The header photo is the iconic mosaic of the Valles Marineris hemisphere of Mars from 2,500 km above the surface taken by the Viking Orbiter. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)
The Candor Chaos Courier, Candor Chaos, Valles Marineris, Mars
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Photomosaic: Viking Orbiter: NASA/JPL-Caltech