The Martian Journal (2 page)

Log 0006

It is approximately three hours before we leave. Didn't sleep too well last night which isn't like me at all. Once we get out in the new ship and start making some miles to Clarke then I'm sure everything will settle down. I took a stroll to the docking port earlier this morning and had a good look at the new ship from the viewing window. The originally named, Hercules XXI. It looks exactly like the Hercules XIX except it has larger thrusters and from what I can see, it's slightly longer by about twenty meters or so.

I saw Lloyd down there having an argument with one of the docking officials. He wasn't happy that he wasn't allowed on the ship to inspect his living quarters or his on-ship laboratory. The docker just kept telling him it was all security reasons and he had his orders. Lloyd became more frustrated and animated and I felt I had to intervene before he got himself into any trouble. Luckily he stormed off when the docker told him he could file a complaint with his supervisor, who wouldn't be available until tomorrow.

I apologised to the docker for Lloyd's outburst and asked him how the last minute preparations are going. He told me the main cargo for the Clarke was loaded the previous night. Or at least that's what the report log said. It seemed the normal docking staff weren't involved with the loading of the classified cargo but he assures me the relevant checks of food, water, medical supplies and the other essentials were completed the day before. I apologised once again for Lloyd's behaviour before heading back to my quarters.

On route, I ran into Aaron Harris who walked back with me. It was a good opportunity to speak to him and get to know him a bit better. I asked him how he hurt his leg. He told me
he and his brother were sparing together during their kickboxing training last week, and Frank accidentally hit him with a low kick. I jokingly asked if they would keep the kickboxing training on hold while on the ship, not wishing to have fighting siblings cooped up for several months. He laughed and told me that he and Frank get on perfectly now. He also said that Frank had been off the rails for quite many years with the heavy drinking and mixing with the wrong crowd. It’s only been relatively recently that Aaron has been able to get Frank to better himself and follow his example. Aaron seems pretty sure that if he hadn't gotten his brother to study and train then he'd probably be in prison or dead. I was quite shocked to hear that, but Aaron convinced me there's nothing to worry about anymore.

It's nearly time to go.

Log 0007

We’ve finally left Aldrin and are now heading on our seventy-five day journey to the Clarke. I feel it’s going to be a long seventy five days.

When we all boarded, Lloyd nearly knocked us all down, as he raced to his designated quarters. I shouted at him that we were departing immediately and to get to the bridge. He completely ignored what I said and disappeared down the corridor. I haven’t actually heard from him since we've sent off so hopefully he hasn't hurt himself. No doubt he's checking every nook and cranny of the ship to see if it's up to his high standard. Hutchie is currently down in the bowels of the ship, getting himself acquainted with the new ship. Despite the way he gets on with his flamboyant behaviour, he really has his head screwed on when it comes down to his work. Which is good because if things start to break down, it's him who has our lives in his hands.

The Harris brothers are currently in the bridge, monitoring our flight path for the first twenty four hours. After we get our course stabilised then we can all relax a little better. I really should be there to help them but they assure me they both know what they're doing and that I should just relax. It's strange. After what Aaron told me before the launch, I can see a difference between them. Aaron personality wise is the more dominant of the brothers, making the decisions and suggestions, while Frank will agree as if he thought of it as well. They do get on well with each other and I see no trace of sibling rivalry.

Malcolm headed straight to his quarters after we departed from Aldrin and like Lloyd hasn't really come out since. I assume being an elderly man then he must find this quite tiring. I do wonder why he's on this journey. Surely a man of his age should enjoy retirement.

And then there's Sarah. She’s
pencilled in a meeting later on for any questions or points that need to be addressed. It’s probably a bit late for objections now that we’ve set off, but we never did get a chance at the other meeting on Aldrin. I do have a few questions, such as why we have a government official with us, and why we have such a skeleton crew. It does worry me somewhat that including myself, there’s only four real crew members. Considering none of us has traveled this far out in the system before it does appear slightly risky. Although I have seen the crew report files and fortunately they’ve picked guys who seem to be cross-trained. I’m impressed by Aaron, who has accumulated quite a few skills and could probably get a post anywhere on a ship. Frank seems fully trained up on communication although Sarah has told me she will be handling all the comms for the journey there and back. Also hard to believe Hutchie has foundation medic training. No doubt Lloyd will have a set of useful skills, if he ever shows his face.

Log 0008

Well, we just had our meeting. Sarah sat at the top end of the table, acting if she was the captain. The Harris brothers, Hutchie and Malcolm sat round the table, hardly paying much attention to her as she simply repeated what was said on the Aldrin. Lloyd strangely didn’t sit at the table but over at the window, looking out. I don’t know if he listened to what Sarah was saying but he looked slightly agitated. I figure his obsessive compulsive behaviour hasn’t coped too well with the crew. I imagine Malcolm would be the closest to a confidante he would have. Hutchie probably would be his worst nightmare.

She concluded her speech, stood back with her arms folded and asked if there was anything anyone wanted to ask. Her look and
demeanour gave the impression that she really didn’t want any questions asked but I think that may have encouraged Hutchie.

He put up his hand, and with a cheeky smile on his face, asked what was in the huge container down in the cargo bay. Sarah looked at him in absolute shock, and I noticed Lloyd was no longer staring out the window but at her. She blurted that it was classified government equipment and it was nothing that concerned him. I thought Hutchie would have left it at that but he put his hand up again and asked Sarah if she had any plans for tonight. The brothers burst out laughing and even Malcolm couldn’t resist a chuckle. I must admit, I had to turn my head to avoid a smirk on my face being seen.

I’m sure she would have torn him to pieces if Lloyd hadn’t stepped up to the table and asked angrily, ‘are we in danger?’

The room fell silent and Lloyd repeated his question. Sarah looked dumbfounded and it was Malcolm who turned to Lloyd and asked him what he meant. Lloyd asked about the Earthbinders and if they were interested in what we are carrying to Clarke. It was obvious then that something had spooked Lloyd but refused to really expand
on what. Sarah told us that everything was under high security and double checked before we left. Lloyd left without saying a word, leaving us all looking at each bewildered.

I asked if there had been any reports of anymore bombs or attacks on Earth since the one in Florida. Sarah told me that she hadn't heard of anything yet but if there was any kind of threat she would be informed right away. She packed up her files and walked away. As she passed, she whispered to me to keep an eye on Lloyd.

I'll have to get to speak to him at some point without the others around. I know he was annoyed at not getting to check the ship before we left, but something else has gotten to him.

Log 0009

Something has definitely gotten to Lloyd. I don't know what, but I think he's going to tell me. He came to my quarters about an hour ago. He seemed slightly less agitated than at the meeting but he was far from relaxed. I invited him in and asked if he wanted one of the beers I had brought up from supplies. He declined and asked me what I knew about the Clarke and the cargo. I told him I knew as much as he did, in fact, probably less. He then asked if I knew much about the Earthbinders and the People of Earth and if they could ever attack outside Earth. I said I didn't think so and told him that the People of Earth weren't the real problem as they were the non violent, respectable version of the Earthbinders. Lloyd told me he wasn't so sure. He heard of people belonging to both groups. Usually when the Earthbinders get old and disillusioned with violent ways, they settle for the People of Earth, while some of the younger members of the People of Earth get fed up with their party’s compromises and politics and opt for a darker path.

I wanted to know what exactly was bothering Lloyd but there was a knock at my door. It was Sarah. Lloyd excused himself immediately and said he would speak later. Sarah just wanted to know if there was anything that should be brought to her attention. I told her if there was anything she needed to know then I'll let her know right away. Not satisfied with my answer, she asked what Lloyd was talking to me about. I let her know in perhaps not quite a friendly manner that if she hadn't stuck her nose in, he might have told me. I think she took the hint, and bid me a good night in a sharp tone.

I'll have to speak to Lloyd soon.

Log 0010

I decided not to pursue Lloyd but rather let him come to me with what’s bothering him. He hasn’t left the ship’s onboard laboratory all day, not even to join us in the dinning area.

I spoke to Hutchie down in the cargo deck and asked him if he knew what had gotten into Lloyd. He hadn’t a clue but he did show me the container that he asked Sarah about at the meeting. It was placed right at the back of the cargo hold, almost hidden behind all the regular supply containers. It was a characterless metal box, about fifteen feet square. I asked Hutchie if he had any idea what could be inside. He told me he couldn’t even open the box as there was a panel at the back with a keypad that required both a retina scan and pass code. Whatever it was, it was not your usual crate with food and clothing supplies. Hutchie pointed out that the container was also bolted to the floor. Whatever's in it, it's important to someone.

Sarah also spoke to me later on when I was checking a few readings on the bridge. She apologised for last night but insisted that she was concerned for the welfare of everyone of the ship. I was tempted to ask if she was more concerned about the cargo but thought best not to antagonise the situation. She then asked about Lloyd. I just told her to leave it with me and he'll tell me in his own time. I then asked her if she knew what's the story with the container, which caused her to roll her eyes and sigh in frustration. Sarah admitted that the actual contents of the container were never divulged to her but she knows it’s a vital piece of equipment that's being assembled on Clarke. I came close to telling her I could have worked that out myself but I bit my tongue and left it at that. It's only a few days into the journey and already tensions between us are not good.

It occurred to me that since Lloyd is being transferred to work on the Clarke station, then maybe he knows what we're carrying. I'll have to get him to open up.

Log 0011

I couldn't sleep so I headed to the recreational room and sat down with a beer. At first, I didn't notice Malcolm was already sitting there and I jumped when he said hello. He laughed and asked if I minded him sitting with me. I told him I would be glad of the company and I asked if he wanted me to get him a beer. He laughed again and said he was fine. He put on some music. Beethoven, I think it was. Karen would know. She's always trying to get me into that stuff to relax.

Malcolm had heard earlier from Sarah that three men had been arrested back on Earth for the bomb attack in Florida. Seems they had a huge campaign of attacks planned for several other launch sites as well. We talked again at length about the terrorists attacks and Malcolm told me his brother and his sister-in-law were both killed in the Florida bomb of ‘55. He himself had very nearly been killed on several occasions but fortunately was still alive to tell the tale. He holds no ill will against the People of Earth and feels perhaps they are too easily confused with the Earthbinders, which he says unless they give up the violence, will never get anywhere.

Despite what has happened, there’s no trace of bitterness or anger with him. Maybe that kind of peace comes with age. I finished my drink and thanked Malcolm for the company.

Log 0012

I met Lloyd in the canteen when picking up some breakfast. He was drinking his coffee, starring blindly out the window. He seemed less agitated but rather more tired than anything else. I commented to him that he must have been busy as nobody had seen him yesterday. He told me he had been busy with something very important and if I could call round to the lab later on. I asked him if there was anything I need to be worried about and Lloyd just said he’ll explain at the lab. He finished his coffee and before he left, he told me not to say anything to anyone.

Hutchie came through the door just as Lloyd was leaving. He opened the cupboard and began lifting out several bread rolls. I asked if he was planning to eat that all himself, but he assured me some of it was for the Harris brothers who were waiting for him in the recreational room. I asked him how he was getting on with the new ship. He seemed impressed with it and didn’t expect to have any issues with it. He told me he’d been on some freighters where he’d have to spend nearly twenty hours a day down below, just to make sure the power supply didn’t cut out.

I have to agree with Hutchie. They certainly provided us with a first class ship. At least breaking down in the middle of space isn’t something we need to be worried about. I’m going to the lab now.