Two weeks had passed since Ares got trapped.
Every day, Devil Worms would crawl out from underground and circle around the Ares. They used their sickle-like mandibles to touch the spacecraft a few times before they disappeared back into the desert.
Although the mandibles could not break the titanium hull of Ares, the psychological pressure on the astronauts was enormous. Especially whenever they recalled the bloody scene when their teammate, who trained with them, was devoured alive, and the fact that only a spacesuit remained…
This desperate atmosphere permeated in the 30 square meters space.
Five days ago, the communication module was damaged. Ares had completely lost contact with the satellite. It was like a traveler who lost their way in the desert. The traveler could only blankly stare into the endless desert and countdown the passing days.
Fortunately, their supplies were sufficient to maintain for one year. The issue was, if they could not deploy the solar panels as soon as possible, they would soon face an electricity shortage.
This was a serious problem.
Without electricity, it meant no water or oxygen.
Every day, the astronauts were drunk and treated the next day as doomsday.
“How is the negotiation between the headquarters and Celestial Trade?”
“I don’t know… but no one has shown up, I’m afraid there is still no agreement.”
“Damnit, have we been abandoned?”
“God bless, Amen…”
Bris sat in the corner of the cockpit and listened to the desperate voices of his teammates, he licked the corner of his mouth and stuffed the whiskey bottle into his mouth.
Helpless.
Probably the only word that could describe his mood.
If it were one week ago, he still had hope that Celestial Trade would send people to rescue them from hell. But now that a week had passed by, they did not even see the slightest sign of rescue.
He was about to give up on this unrealistic idea.
The drunken Jewish astronaut sat down beside him, burped, and muttered something hard to distinguish.
“How much electricity do we have?”
“Probably enough to last till next Wednesday.”
“Hell…” The man cursed and shook his head. “Do you know what I am thinking about right now?”
“What are you thinking?” Bris snorted.
“I’m thinking,” The man burped, put up a finger and said in his drunken tone, “If we die of suffocation, would it be considered suicide or homicide?”
“… Is there a difference?”
“In my belief, if you suicide, you can’t go to heaven.” The Jewish man looked to Bris, revealed a bitter grin and raised his glass. “My dear captain, I only want to ask you for one thing. Put some extra sleeping pills in the dinner tonight…”
“Then I would have fulfilled your wish but I would go to hell with such sins on my hands?” Bris pressed his hands on the floor and stood up. While he was wobblingly, he said, “Don’t even think about it…”
“What are you going to do?”
“Deploy the solar panels.”
“You are crazy,” the Jewish man grinned. “Those things are outside.”
“I’m serious.”
In the astonished and blank looks of his teammates, Bris tossed the bottle into the trashcan, raised his groggy head, and headed to the stairs.
He could not wait any longer.
If death was evitable, he would rather die with dignity.
Although the bloody scene made him tremble whenever he thought about it, he was relieved when he realized that death was only a moment of pain.
“Don’t be like this, you’re seeking your own death!”
The man sitting in the corner of the wall reached out and grabbed Bris’ arm.
Bris jerked away and entered the password on the door without saying a word, and then he stepped into the buffer cabin.
Outside, the sandstorm began to pick up.
He was not sure whether the sandstorm would reduce the Devil Worms’ perception but now was the perfect time.
As long as he doesn’t get blown away…
After Bris checked the airtightness of the spacesuit, he put his hand on the suitcase-sized toolbox.
The buffer compartment opened, and yellow sand gusted. Bris took a deep breath and was about to jump into the desert where death might be buried, when he suddenly saw a black outline in the dim horizon.
He was stunned.
He took a few hard wipes of his helmet.
This time, it was clearer.
His pupils gradually enlarged and magnified the hint of hope that lit up.
“…God.”
It’s reinforcement!
Reinforcement from Celestial Trade!
He almost gave up!
At the same time, astronauts in Ares also found out about what was happening one kilometer away.
“What’s that?”
“It’s Celestial Trade’s fleet!”
“It’s our rescue! Hahahaha! They must have come to save us! We don’t have to die now!”
The cheers erupted in Ares.
Although it felt odd cheering for their competitor, they regained their hope of life. Who bothered debating this point in the heat of the moment?
The outer door of the buffer compartment closed and the inner door opened.
Everyone dragged their drunken bodies and hurriedly put on their spacesuit.
Outside Ares.
A missile fired into the desert.
The scorching fireball exploded five kilometers underground and filled all the holes and tunnels. At least five Devil Worms inside were completely engulfed by the flame while the rest fled away from the heat source.
The burn of the missile suppressed the Devil Worms and using this moment, two armored vehicles rushed to Ares’ cabin and extracted the seven astronauts one by one. Then before the Devil Worms underground realized what had happened, they quickly withdrew from this area.
Bris was still stunned inside the armored vehicle.
Everything that happened ten minutes ago felt like a dream.
This was considered difficult?
Although he should show joy at this moment because he was saved, he could not.
He felt cheated.
It felt like the pain and suffering they had to endure this week was all fake…
However, he could not complain.
Celestial Trade saved them, and his savior was sitting right in front of him.
The reality felt surreal!
…
On the journey back, Bris did not communicate with the Celestial Marines sitting across from him. First, he lacked the energy to, and second, the other party obviously did not intend to small chat with him.
When the armored vehicles were approaching the colony, Bris used the sight glass on the side of the vehicle to look at the behemoth.
The cuboid fortress looked like one foot of God stepping into the sands of Mars. Ares felt minuscule, like an ant, in front of it. It was not even comparable to the colony’s brine desalination pump…
In shock, Bris also showed a hint of bitterness.
Perhaps from the beginning, landing on Mars was the wrong choice.
Even in 50 years, it would be difficult for NASA to catch up and close the gap with Celestial Trade. The difference in funding of the two sides was immeasurable, and the current technological gap was even more insurmountable.
And Celestial Trade managed to achieve profitability with its space technology, and has built a bridgehead on Mars of this size…
Perhaps they are human’s hopes?
Bris shook his head and drove the idea he shouldn’t have out of his head. He then followed the Marines into the hall.
A man stood in front of them.
Judging from the powerful temperament, he should be the leader here.
Looking at these battered UA citizens, Hong Zewei’s mouth moved slightly and he said.
“Who is your captain?”
“It’s me.” Bris stood up and hesitated for a moment, then sincerely thanked him, “Thank you for helping.”
“You are welcome,” Hong Zewei said without much emotion. “Celestial Trade is a responsible enterprise and shoulders the future of mankind. Even if it is in humanitarian consideration, we will not leave you there. I hope you don’t complain that we came too late, after all, we needed to develop a combat plan and to analyze the depth of Devil Worms…”
Bris was confused, but he still nodded.
After the man that appeared to be the governor of the colony spoke, Bris hesitated for a moment and asked him what he was most concerned about.
“When can we return to Earth?”
“It may not be until next year’s regular flight to Mars commences. We cannot specifically start the engines of TS Expedition just for you,” Hong Zewei shrugged. “But you don’t have to worry, we have plenty of food and fresh water here, and some things you can relax with. I’ll get people to arrange rooms for you and register ID cards. Except for the fact that you have no authority to update Twitter, and no work, you are the same as everyone else in the colony.”
Bris nodded. “Thank you…”
He was very satisfied with being alive.
As for staying here for a year, it may not be a bad thing.
“You’re welcome,” Hong Zewei said softly. “That’s all. I suggest you take a shower first and change into some clean clothes… and then take some hangover pills. If there is still some time left, you can take a nap. But remember in three hours, there will be dinner and an interview.”
“Interview?” Bris asked.
“Yes.” Hong Zewei shrugged. “We must let the outside world know that you have been rescued, and we didn’t accidentally kill another man. Also, you must want to let your family know about your current state. I hope that you can cooperate.”
Bris nodded and didn’t think much of it.
Regardless of whether the other party’s salvation is sincere or not, they ultimately saved them from the hands of the reaper.
Even just for retribution, he would fully cooperate with their interviews.
Just that Bris didn’t imagine that the gratitude and tears he showed in the interview would become a political chip in the hands of a candidate.
And this chip would become the last gram to tip the balance in the primaries…