The Martian Journal by Michael Burnside Read Free Book Online Page A

understood and agreed to wait on the bridge with Sarah and I until Hutchie, Lloyd and Aaron returned.
    They came back after what must have been an hour. Aaron had a bandage wrapped around his head but seemed more coherent than earlier. He also seemed quite keen to get back to work as well but I told him nobody was expecting him to. I asked if he could remember what happened to him but he drew a blank. He was sitting at his chair and then the next he knew blood was flowing from his head and everybody was standing around him. Sarah said she and Hutchie arrived after they heard the alarm and found Aaron unconscious.
    Malcolm asked her what our communication capabilities were. Sarah confirmed what we all knew. The comms room is completely destroyed and therefore communications are non existence. Hutchie asked why that was. It took her a few seconds to realise he was joking, and responded with an unimpressed glare.
    Trying to diffuse the tension I asked if the life pod holds a communicator that can be used. Hutchie said that the only thing life pods transmit is a beacon letting off their position. I told him to set it off anyway. It might be reassuring if we knew a rescue ship was following behind us.
    Malcolm asked Sarah if it’s possible that we are near an emergency supply satellite. They are usually stocked with equipment and supplies, and perhaps they have means to communicate with the Aldrin.
    Sarah looked in her file and asked Aaron if he was able to check some co-ordinates for her. After a few moments he was able to tell us that there was indeed a supply satellite. I asked how long it would take us to change course and head for it. He reckoned it would take us no more than two days to reach it.
    I made the order to change course and head for it . At the very least, I want to warn the Aldrin that we’re coming back. And maybe there might be something there we can use to defend ourselves.
    Currently everyone is in their quarters except Aaron and myself who are looking after the bridge. I’ve told them to keep their doors locked and not to wander around the ship alone if they can help it.

Log 0038

09:15 Wednesday 20 January 2178
    I sent Aaron to go back to his quarters and get some sleep. He, as usual, protested that he was fine but I told him I would feel happier if he took a break. He eventually agreed and left. I know I’m breaking my own rule about nobody being alone outside their quarters but really, this gives me the best time to think about things.
    I’ve ran down the list of crew and I’ve no doubt there’s somebody else on board doing this and not one of our own crew.
    Aaron was assaulted. Sarah and Hutchie were both together when they found him. Lloyd was the one who brought the bomb to our attention and I don’t think Malcolm is strong enough to knock out Aaron, even with a bottle.
    The more I think about it, the more I realise that I should have turned straight around as soon as we found out something was wrong. Maybe if I did, then Frank would still be alive.

Log 0039

19:12 Wednesday 20 January 2178
    Malcolm asked Lloyd and myself if we would go down to the cargo bay with him. We left Sarah with Hutchie and Aaron in the bridge and went down to see what he wanted.
    Malcolm told us he felt that perhaps he should be more open with us than he has been. He began to tell Lloyd about the top secret laser project and why he was to be transferred to work on the Clarke. Luckily Lloyd remembered his promise not to say that he already knew so he played along, pretending he was hearing this for the first time.
    Then Malcolm did something entirely unexpected. He walked over to the secret container and placed his eye over the keypad. It bleeped several times and then he entered a six digit number on the pad. He stood back, and after several more bleeps and buzzes, the door automatically opened.
    Malcolm put his hand out to motion to Lloyd and I to look inside. Finally I got to see what was causing us all the grief