Dead on Mars

Chapter 156 - Sol Two Hundred and Eighty, A Human with No Origins and Place to Return To
Tomcat turned around to continue directing the work that needed to be done. A prediction with an area exceeding 28 million square kilometers was meaningless.

Tang Yue stared at the map on the screen.

Over the past couple of days, Tang Yue’s heart was hanging in midair. The Sword of Damocles, in the form of Comet Tomcat-Tang-Mai I, was hanging over his head, making him feel like a convict awaiting judgment. The court could absolve him or pass the death sentence, leaving him uneasy.

Now, the judgment was passed.

However, it involved throwing a die. He would be spared if it was even, and death if odd.

On the Martian map, the Isidis Planitia was a tiny plain with a radius of 700 kilometers and was close to the equator. The Martian northern and southern hemispheres were very different. The northern hemisphere was mostly covered with smooth, low-lying plains, while the southern hemisphere was pockmarked with all kinds of highlands and covered with countless craters. As for the Isidis Planitia, it was a plain in the northern hemisphere that protruded out towards the south.

West of the Isidis Planitia was the famous Syrtis Major Planum. It appeared pink in terms of elevation because this elevation was over a thousand meters. But in fact, this was actually a huge, dark region on an actual map. The color it presented was because of the exposed basalt.

West of Syrtis Major Planum was Terra Sabaea. This was one of the largest highlands on the Martian surface. Its east-west distance spanned 4,700 kilometers and it was covered with meteorite craters.

Heading further west from Terra Sabaea was the equally wide Arabia Terra.

Based on the predictions of the Kunlun Station’s computer, the impact of Comet Tomcat-Tang-Mai I could be there… It was a massive ellipse with a semimajor axis exceeding 3,000 kilometers. It spanned the entire Terra Sabaea, westwards towards the Arabia Terra, and eastwards towards the Isidis Planitia.

“Life to the left, death to the right.”

Tang Yue pressed his palms together.

“God of Fate, you mustn’t screw up! You must throw a six for me!”

“Has the impact spot of the comet been predicted?” Mai Dong’s voice sounded.

“It has been predicted, but the computer gave a huge prediction area of 28 million square kilometers.” Tomcat shrugged. “It’s meaningless.”

“28 million square kilometers.”

“Yes. It’s bigger than the combined area of Russia and China.” Tomcat continued pacing around in the Hab. “That comet can slam into any spot in that area.”

“Mr. Cat, what if… I mean what if…” Mai Dong hesitated for a few seconds. “What if Kunlun Station is destroyed by the comet?”

Tomcat was taken aback.

“The decision lies in your hands, Miss Mai Dong. Now, we are the only three left in this world. No one can force you to do anything. I respect and will abide by any decision made by you and Tang Yue. If the comet really strikes us, you will not survive, even if you come down.

“You can abandon the landing plan. I will forever provide you a Plan B to choose from.”

“Plan B?” Mai Dong asked. “What other choices are there?”

“Leave the orbit of Mars,” Tomcat said. “Orion II still has enough propellant to send you away from near-orbit, and enter the orbit of the Sun, allowing you to leave this fatal comet.”

“Mr. Cat, you want me to flee alone?”

“It’s not considered fleeing.” Tomcat enunciated each word with a deadpan expression. “Faced with an unavoidable disaster, I have an obligation and responsibility to ensure your survival within my means. Miss Mai Dong, you also have an obligation and responsibility to ensure your survival.”

“I object to it.”

Mai Dong didn’t dare imagine how lonely and despairing her life would be if she abandoned Tang Yue and Tomcat on Mars as she ventured into the Universe forever.

Compared to such a dark and lonely life, death seemed more acceptable.

“I will not abandon you to flee alone. I’m not leaving. Mr. Cat, it’s just us dying together. I’m not afraid of dying.”

“I know you aren’t, Miss Mai Dong.” Tomcat laughed. “In such a perilous situation, living is something that requires courage.”

Mai Dong silently floated in the windowless service module. The cabin walls were covered with soft white inner lining. She had dimmed the lights significantly as she held a book titled “Mars United Space Station System Maintenance Manual.” This was one of the few physical books in the space station.