Autumn on Mars
A science fiction novelette by Matthew Crane.
Coldbrook Administrator’s Office Session Log 27201
Presiding Administrator: 196-a Danielle Andrey
Other Citizens Present: 127-b Jordan Peter Clarke – Seismologist, 130-a Karim Toma – Operations Supervisor.
Begins:
Hey Dan, uh, How’s things?
...
Things are... busy
Sit down. Please.
...
How are you doing?
I’ve been hard at work, very hard at work. Getting things done, all very...
That’s good, And?
Oh... Um? I’ve been keeping myself busy. Filling the time... Spending time with the girls.
That’s what I’ve heard.
...
Yes. Nothing to worry about. Just
...
Some of the techies have been complaining to me about, they say you’ve been bringing Phillipa along with you on some of your survey trips last month?
Philli... Ohhh... Oh, Trip. yep. Look, I’m sorry about this. She just has this... enthusiasm for going on these little “expeditions” out there, she reminds me so much of Her, and...
Look, I’ve filled in all of the forms, risk assessment, that Stuff, but uh, if...
Mr Clarke, your children have somehow carjacked one of our rovers.
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...
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You wouldn’t happen to know how?
Karim!
J, I’m sorry. I was Trying to break things to him slowly.
Sure, whatever.
Karim? Shhh.
J, J? Are you going to be ok?
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Are... They?
At the moment they’re safe. They’re about 20-30 klicks away, but they’re not moving anymore. We know exactly where they are.
...
Good. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew...
That still leaves the question of how a couple of kids managed to steal and drive one of our rovers.
Yes... You Haven’t gone and taught your daughter to drive at any point.
Well...
Of course he did!
Well, if you had, then I would have to get you into a lot of trouble, but You Didn’t?
Oh yes, of course I wouldn’t show her something so...
...
Ir-irresponsible
W-why would I do that, It’s a terrible idea!
Good. Just wanted to make sure, we’re completely clear that there’s no reason for you to have any inquisition about that going on.
Oh... yeah. That’s good of you.
to check.
Good. Good?
...
Good.
...
But you would know how she thinks, right?
How did your daughter get in there? And how did she get it to let her drive it?
That shouldn’t be something that someone could just do?
...
Well actually, It’s easy. She just put it in manual mode. Must have done that.
...
...
You know, manual mode. It’s some switches for emergency using of the thing.
Yeah you just press ‘em on and you don’t need to use the main computer stuff in the thing, and you don’t need to be networked. That’s the main important bit. Really should have been called offline mode, but no. Guess not.
...
You know. It was in the mission training. Start of week 2, session, I wanna say 12, 13? 13.
Oh yes. That sounds familiar, but I will look over it. Just in case. It’s not something that happens a lot, or at all, outside of now.
Yeah, I’m gonna have to look into this too.
It’s actually very easy to do, actually. I could show you where all the switches are, just take me out to...
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Can I talk to them?
We haven’t been able to contact the rover.
Oh, of course yeah. No computer, that’ll be why, wouldn’t it.
whhhhhy did I think that was gonna work
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I suppose... we need to get out there
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Yeah, I should go get them now.
J, You can’t just go driving off!
Well. They’re stopped, they’re probably stuck, they’re probably getting worried by now! I need to get them home and safe and...
I’m sorry, I just can’t let you do that. Look. I’ll have Karim organise someone to go out and...
That’s not my job.
What is your job
Operations Supervisor. It’s pretty obvious that’s not something that I do.
Sure, Fine! I’ll organise it. Just don’t worry, I’ve got this J. I’ll get them back, safe, perfectly sound.
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Thanks Dan.
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Just, please keep me in on this, please.
We will.
Log Ends
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