One Way To Mars :Complete by Gary Weston

Author:Gary Weston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gary Weston
Published: 2015-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 36

'Monkley. Monkley. Come on, pal.'

'Is this where he always sleeps?'

'Pretty much. Now and again he'll bunk in with me. He's still like a child in many ways. I'll get into bed, expecting him to go into the trees for the night, and he'll jump on the bed, and ask me for a story.'

'Story,' said Ronda.

'Another one who likes stories,' said Rearden. 'Professor Cartwright considered it a way of interacting with GenMops and improving their communication skills.'

“Monkley just likes the sound of his own name. It isn't a story if it isn't all about him. Monkley. Get down here.'

There was a rustling in the tree tops. With a thump, Monkely landed next to them. He was carrying a banana and an apple, both of which he offered to Ronda.

'Oooooheeeha,' said Ronda. 'Banana.'

She took the gift and Monkley clapped his hands and did an impressive double back flip.

'I suggested he didn't rush things and wooed her.'

'Wooooo,' said Monkley.

'What work does he do? I saw him on the recording doing the pollination. Anything else?'

'He helps with the chores; does most of the laundry. He's crap at making beds though, so I still do that. The next phase will be the more technical work with plant maintenance. Although the Base is very automated, GenMoPs will have to understand at least some of what is going on if they are ever going to be in control of Bases like this.'

'Does he operate any of the communication equipment, like the radio?'

'Actually, he taught himself how to turn that on and tune it in. I was struggling, but he cracked it. The actual transmissions still come down to me, though.'

'I think that would be a good place to start. If there was a problem with the plant he couldn't handle, he would have to communicate that to Earth.'

Foreman had often thought about that, but it was a big ask. 'We can try, but I'm not sure how successful we will be. The next best time for communicating with Earth should be in about three hours time, if I'm correct.'

'Okay. We'll see how it goes then. I'd like to see these two in a play situation.'

'Play,' said Monkley.

Foreman said, 'Listen, Monkley. We'll have a game of catch.'

Monkely ran off and returned with a baseball glove and a ball. Without being told, he put the glove on and smacked his hand into it. In a clearing by the side of the main reservoir, Monkely found his favourite catching place. Foreman threw the ball and Monkely caught it. He did that a few times, and then offered the ball to Ronda. Ronda threw it, but too high, and even the athletic Monkley had no chance of catching it. Foreman retrieved the ball and demonstrated again for Ronda. Ronda's next throw was perfect.

Gradually, Rearden and Foreman stepped back, letting the GenMoPs play. They were close to the grave that Foreman had created.

'Don't worry. There are no actual bodies there. It was just my way of honouring their memory.'

'Your friends who died when you landed.

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