Colony One Mars (Colony Mars #1)

by Gerald M. Kilby

down to 17% energy levels and have deactivated all non-essential systems. Solar array unable to recharge batteries due to darkened sky, running at only 7% efficiency. Plutonium power source

out of power in approximately fourteen sols. To add to our woes, a strange malaise has overcome many of us who still survive. A disturbing psychosis now affects one in three. We are prepared as best we can. We all know what is coming. We wait in hope, even though that now seems futile. Send no more.

around inside the Odyssey transit craft en route to Mars, the moment had finally arrived for the six crew of the International Space Agency (ISA) to enter the lander and descend to the planet’s surface. The habitation module was already in situ along with a myriad of equipment and supplies. The mothership would now be parked in orbit where it would wait patiently for their return. Jann strapped herself into the seat, gripped the metal armrests tightly and tried to breathe normally. Ahead of her, at the flight controls, Commander Robert Decker and First Officer Annis Romanov