Bright and Dangerous Objects by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Epub3
Publisher: Tin House Books

Fabienne tells us that there is a lot to do before we are ready to colonise Mars. We need to send out a rover to prepare the outpost, and communication satellites to enable contact with Earth. We’ll need living units, as well as support units containing air, water, and food. Fabienne’s voice is calm and reassuring, and several people nod as she speaks. My guess is that they’re nodding less out of comprehension than relief. Relief that someone has thought this thing through.

Reaching the end of the timeline, Fabienne points at the final date. “This is the big one,” she says. “In 2030, Mars will be inhabited.”

Several people fidget, me included.

“As you probably know, the planets need to be properly aligned, so there is only one launch window to Mars every twenty-six months. That’s when Mars is at its closest point to Earth, known as the perigee.” A PowerPoint slide pops up with the word PERIGEE in capital letters. It’s quickly replaced by a picture of a spacecraft that looks a bit like a giant battery pack. “This,” says Fabienne, pointing at the slide, “is how you’ll be getting there.”

She pauses. “That’s right—I said ‘you.’ Because it could be you, or you, or you.” She points at specific people in the audience, and I’m annoyed that on the third “you” she points at the girl in the tinfoil hat next to me.

Fabienne raises a finger to her lips, hushing the whispering in the room. “Now listen,” she says. “You’re probably wondering what kind of candidates we’re looking for. Well, if you’re serious about taking part in this mission, you’ll need to be . . .” An acrostic appears behind her:

Mars-obsessed Ambitious R esilient

Trusting/trustworthy

Inquisitive

Adaptable

Nice

Sense of humour

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