Mars Encounter: Prequel Stories

  Chapter 10

  22:00 MTC, October 24th 2011

  50km West of Tharsis Montes, Mars

  “We can set down here for the night.” Rachel announced as she started to adjust the controls.

  “Are you sure?” Cot asked, concerned by the announcement. “This area isn’t safe, we are inside the Weona Napl territory we should keep moving.”

  “We’ll be fine.” Rachel exclaimed as she started to land the craft. She flicked the three switches to being down the landing structs, shut off the engines and they slowly descended onto the planet’s surface. “It’ll be good to rest up tonight, big day tomorrow, after all we have a mountain to climb.”

  “I can pilot the skimmer, that was the original plan.” Cot offered. “We should stick to the plan.”

  “We are making good time.” Rachel finished the post flight shut down before turning to smile to Cot. “We will be fine. Don’t forget Cot I’m the officer and I’m in charge.”

  “I understand.” Cot said before leaning in to Rachel, hoping not to be heard by the others. “You should trust my combat experience from both here and Earth, I am telling you we should keep moving.”

  “And I am telling you I am in charge.” Rachel responded. “Settle down everyone.” Rachel announced to the others in the skimmer. “Ration packs in the overhead lockers.”

  “Aye mam.” Cot said under his breath.

  “We’re staying here?” Connor asked. “I didn’t think that was the plan.”

  “We need to be refreshed for tomorrow.” Rachel said.

  “That’s a mistake.” Katlyne sounded concerned. “We should keep moving, staying here could only result in a higher chance of the Weona Napl discovering us.” Katlyne looked at Rachel directly. “This isn’t a good idea.”

  “It will be fine.”