Dead on Mars

Chapter 84 - Sol Hundred and Two, New for Three Years, Old for Three Years, Patch It and It Lasts Another Three Years
In Kunlun Station, Tomcat and Mai Dong were moving the tomato seeds.

“We need a germinating bed. The seeds need to have moisture maintained during the germination stage. Moist cotton or cloth would do… Tang Yue, you’re back?” Mai Dong said when she saw Tang Yue enter. “You are done moving the solar panels? How’s the weather at Kunlun Station today?”

“The solar panels are in place. Clear skies.” Tang Yue took off the Radiant Armor’s life support system and threw it to the side to have it recharged. “There’s one benefit to this godforsaken land. There’s no need to worry about it raining when drying salted vegetables. If I were from Planet Dried Radish, I’d definitely love Mars.”

Tomcat found a metallic tray and placed the ten tomato seeds in it. Then, it tore open some medical cotton and soaked it in water.

Tang Yue crawled out of the bulky Radiant Armor and found a spot where the girl couldn’t see him. He took off his clothes, draped on an insulation blanket, and once again turned into a caveman on Mars.

Tomcat carefully wrapped the moist cotton around the tomato seeds before placing them in the metal tray.

“Remember to maintain the temperature at 25°C before they sprout. Low temperatures aren’t conducive to their germination,” Mai Dong reminded. “Seeds which have undergone vernalization only need about three to five days to protrude. Once that happens, you can transplant the sprouts into soil.

“What do you mean protrude?”

“That’s when the sprouts appear. You will see the plantule,” Mai Dong explained.

Tomcat nodded before placing the wrapped seeds on the rack. Kunlun Station’s room temperature was at 25°C. This temperature was very conducive for the growth of tomatoes. Tomcat rubbed its paws in glee for it could soon see adorable new life appear.

Mai Dong let out a long sigh. The initial work for the planting of tomatoes was finally over. The subsequent work was for Tomcat and Tang Yue to continue acquiring water and fertilizer, while they awaited the seeds to germinate.

“By the way, Tomcat. I’ve just remembered something.” Tang Yue hung the Radiant Armor on the wall. “When I was inspecting outside Kunlun Station, I discovered a hairline crack… It’s about this long, and is on the left wall of the airlock.”

Tang Yue gestured with his hands. It was a length of about 30 centimeters.

“The paint peeled off again? When did you discover it?” Tomcat turned its head over.

“Yesterday afternoon.”

“Hairline crack?” Mai Dong was a little worried. “Will there be any problems?”

“Don’t worry. It happens often. It’s no big deal.” Tang Yue shook his head. “The paint on the hull had a hairline crack. There’s no problem with the main structure. Kunlun Station is an old building after all. It’s normal to have some of its paint peel off.”

Kunlun Station was indeed a research station that had some years to it. It had been on Mars for about ten years. Like the United Space Station, it was a product of the early Mars landing missions. Every subsequent Mars landing mission would have the astronauts carry out a series of maintenance tasks on Kunlun Station, changing its equipment, doing upgrading works, or mending. The hull of the Kunlun Station was painted with a layer of white polyester which was used to protect the internal structure. The layer would constantly be damaged, so it needed periodic maintenance.

“How much more paint do we have left?” Tomcat asked.

“None.” Tang Yue threw up his hands.

“There’s still tape, right? Use tape to mend it.” Tomcat sighed. “New for three years, old for three years, patch it and it lasts another three years.”

“There’s not much tape left… There’s only a few rolls. Damn it, were those people eating tape or what? Or was Old Zheng using the tape to play some bondage game?”

“Who could he play with?” Tomcat asked.

“Old Wang,” Tang Yue answered.

“Oh…” Tomcat imagined the scene. “Using tape to bind Old Wang’s strong-looking muscles. What an amazing scene.”

Tang Yue got out the tape from the cabinet, looked up, and saw the girl on the screen appearing down. He smiled. “Mai Dong, you don’t have to worry about Kunlun Station. This crappy building is very solid. It has a long lifespan. It can last longer than Tomcat, so it won’t break down before we die.”