Extraterrestrial Refugees
Chapter Eighteen

The atmospheric bubble was no longer a place for refuge or escape for Vance. It had become so popular—so beloved—that it was overcrowded, all day and all night. There was hardly space to move around. Not that he had much time for leisure these days anyways with his new responsibilities as captain. It had been weeks since Captain Juno and her crew departed for Earth. They hadn’t been heard from since. Vance doubted they even succeeded at reaching Earth. If they had, surely they would have sent help by now.

Vance looked through the transparent wall of the bubble, exceedingly pleased to see that the experimental crops they had planted were thriving. A team of horticulturists were actively adding to them and replaceing innovative ways to irrigate, fertilize and pollinate every day. With any luck, the passengers of the Resilience would soon be enjoying a variety of crops grown on Mars. Several scientists were eagerly awaiting to run tests to replace out if the crops were any less nutritional.

Finally, Vance heard the humming of the pod’s engine. Ned and Hoover, along with a few other volunteers, had returned from their excursion to collect more ice from the ice caps. Construction had begun to construct a second atmospheric bubble. The mechanics had determined the only way they could repair the fraying main power supply line of the Resilience would be to shut down the ship entirely. All the passengers would need a safe place to wait while the repairs were made.

Vance approached the pod. He smiled at his friends as they left the pod, wearing their space suits. “Successful trip?” Vance asked.

“Oh, yeah. We’ve got loads,” Hoover replied, with a grin.

“Great, let’s get it unloaded,” Vance said. Hoover rolled his eyes sarcastically.

“You’re getting way too good at this captaining thing—look at you just giving orders all the time,” he said with a chuckle. He gave Vance a hearty pat on the shoulder.

Ned walked up to Vance. “I know I ask every time we come back from an excursion, but… Any sign of Juno?”

Vance sadly shook his head.

“Bummer. I still haven’t given up hope yet though,” Ned said.

“I have.”

Ned stopped in his tracks and raised an eyebrow at Vance. “What? You have?”

Vance lowered his voice. “I don’t think they made it.”

Ned folded his arms and bobbed his head. “Okay. So, it’s time for us to go?”

“Not quite. I can’t leave these people hanging high and dry. I mean, what if something happens to us?”

“Right.”

“We need to train more people on how to operate the pods. We need to make enough bubbles for all the passengers to fit into. We need them to support life in case the ship fails entirely.” Vance let out a long sigh. “We’ve got a lot of work to do before we can go.”

Ned looked him intently in the eyes. “I know how difficult all of this must be for you. I know how eager you are to get down to your fiancée. It’s an admirable and selfless thing you’re doing for this people.”

The corner of Vance’s mouth went up slightly. “Thanks, Ned. That’s a nice thing to say.”

“It’s the truth. You’re a good man.” Ned walked away to help unload the ice blocks from the pod. Vance made a mental list of the tasks he needed to complete. That list and a four-day journey to Earth were the only things standing between him and Gemma.