First Words

First Words

The silence of space was the only thing anyone could hear as they approached Mars. The gentle hum of their craft was blocked out by their awe. Each crew member looked at the red planet below. No one had ever been this close before. It was like a beautiful jewel against the velvet veil of space. Details like craters and mountains could easily be seen. A dust storm swirled on the surface beneath. It posed no danger to them; they were landing in a different area. The first manned mission to Mars. Just as humanity once yearned to explore the seas, their eyes had now turned to the heavens. As a popular television show once said, this was indeed the final frontier. This crew was only dipping their toes in the water. Just as their forebears had taken small yet giant leaps into space, so was this crew. Their steps were a tad longer, and their leaps a tad larger but still this was only the beginning of humanity's future among the stars.
"What do you reckon you'll say? asked one of the crew.
"That's a secret, Sam, replied a woman.
"C'mon, Barbara, urged Sam. "You can tell us, we won't tell anyone.
"It's a secret, repeated Barbara.
Sam and the other two crew, a man named John and a woman named Anne, groaned. They all busied themselves preparing the final entry sequence and tending to their craft's numerous demands. A cavalcade of technical jargon was sent back to the International Space Agency and spoken amongst the crew. Every word they spoke, though incomprehensible to the layman, was crucial to make their landing just right. Sam, at the controls of their craft, flicked a few switches and did a few calculations. As he did so he spoke to Barbara.
"C'mon, tell us, said Sam. "I mean, you've got a hard act to follow after Neil's 'one small step' spiel. How are you going to top that?
"You'll see, said Barbara.
"Is it going to be some cheesy world peace thing? asked Anne. "Perhaps you could get on the surface and say, 'Oh my God, what's that, it's coming right for me, gahhhhhh!' and then cut your radio.
"I'm not going to do that, said Barbara.
"She hasn't got the balls, jokingly said John.
"And who's going to be the first person on an alien planet? teased Barbara.
"Yeah, yeah, said John. "You were just lucky is all.
"Maybe they thought I was the best candidate to be first on Mars, said Barbara.
"You were chosen by drawing straws, replied Anne.
"I don't care, said Barbara. "Everyone back home in Auckland will be cheering me on and they all know I get to be first 'cause I deserve it more than you guys.
The rest of the crew saw she had her tongue firmly in her cheek and carried on with their work.

It was not long before the craft was making its final descent towards the red planet. Unlike the explorers who traveled to the moon, every one of the crew could set foot on Mars. The craft was especially designed so that there was no need for a command module to orbit. This was going to be a long haul stay, not just a day trip, so there was equipment enough to stay for a few months. Part of this equipment was a device used to collect gas from Mars' atmosphere to refuel their craft for when they launch in a few months. This mission had been planned for many years, decades in fact, and nothing had been left to chance. The craft gently touched down, blowing up dust around it. It was another few hours before the crew had suited up fully. Being on the surface of an alien world yet having to wait a few hours was the most heavenly pain. Outside they could see an alien landscape stretching far into the distance but for hours all they could do was look at it.

Finally, after so long, Barbara swung the door open. Fully dressed in her space suit she began her climb down the ladder. Each rung brought her closer to being the first human on this desolate planet. It was not that long ago that the first aircraft made its brief flight, and now here was humanity about to step on to another planet. It was all so surreal to Barbara as she took another step down the ladder. Her name would forever be engraved in history once she made the next step. She hesitated a moment, taking in the moment. After a few eternal seconds, she stepped on to the surface. Barbara took a few deep breaths, preparing to utter the words that would be heard all around Earth and that would be embedded in the minds of a generation.
"Let's hope we don't screw this planet up too, said Barbara.