Free A Colony on Mars by Cliff Roehr

that he saw walking through the compound. The scientist stopped long enough to read what Tim had handed him then told Tim that, “a machine like that is already en route to Mars and they should have it on the next ship. We have not had one in place sooner because it hasn't been our highest priority. With the addition of all you new guys we know that good top soil proper waste disposal will now be of greater importance. We have tried kil ing the bacteria in human waste on the surface but when we get it back down here in the cavern it is just as useless as all the other Mars soil. Those unfiltered UV rays on the surface kil all bacteria. Including the bacteria that our bodies are composed of.”
    Tim said when they left the supply building that he would like to spend his first night near the public rest rooms because he did not relish using the porta-potty. Carla wanted to be close to the Mess Hall also so they located a spot between two permanent houses then asked the occupants if it would be OK if they camped there that evening. “Sure, If there is anything you need or if I can be of any help just let me know.”
    “I can't get over how friendly and accommodating everyone is here, “
    Carla remarked. “Yeah it's sure a lot different from Earth, it's just like being on another planet, Ha Ha.
    Little did any of the more than three hundred people who had arrived on the Mars Supply Two that day that only fourteen of them would ever return to Earth.
    CHAPTER - The early days
    Carla had to report to the kitchen at 0430 to fix breakfast but Tim had six days off to build his house and get things set up for temporary living. “Only one blanket and we don't know how cold it gets here at night Carla said, I wonder if we are going to get cold.?” “There is a question that I can answer, said Tim and the answer is no. These caverns are maintained at a constant 73 degrees, year round, you wil never be cold and you will never need a coat. Carla took her bag of toiletries and headed for the public rest room. The place was busy but she had little trouble in finding an open shower stall. Surprise it worked just like the showers on the ship. After her shower she found an open wash basin with a large mirror where she finished her toiletries and returned to her camp. She returned about the same time as Tim. They donned their night clothes, inflated their mattress by pulling the well marked tabs and crawled in to bed to spend their first night on Mars. March 28, had been a very busy day, indeed. The lights in the Cavern went out promptly at 2200 everything quieted down and they both fell asleep almost immediately.
    September 29, 2107: Carla's phone rang at 0400, Carla located her phone and fumbled with her watch before she located the button. She notice that the button was back lit and blinking so she pushed it. Hi Carla, this is Hilda, I am just calling the members of my crew that are assigned to prepare breakfast. I didn't know whether you had an alarm clock working yet or not. You need to report to the kitchen in 30, minutes to help prepare breakfast.” “Oh, thanks Hilda, and you were right, I didn't have my alarm clock working yet. I'l see you then.” She then pushed the button that had started blinking again when Hilda hung up. And crawled out of bed. Tim just groaned. After a visit to the public wash room Carla got dressed and went over to the kitchen. Hilda was there there to set her to her tasks. By 0600 people began to pour in and breakfast came off smoothly. This morning the kitchen was serving oatmeal and toast with canned fruit. Tim received a call just as he was finishing his breakfast at 0645, asking him to report to The Company cavern at 0700 or as soon thereafter as he could make it. Carla couldn't help but notice how many people had their ear pieces in and were moving to one kind of music or another. After a while you will even learn how to tell which station they are listening to by just watching them,” one of the