Project Hail Mary

by Andy Weir

“Incorrect. Attempt number three: What’s your name?” I pull the IV out of my arm. “Bite me.”

I fear we are being wayyyy too chill about this situation

“I penetrated the outer cell membrane with a nanosyringe.” “You poked it with a stick?” “No!” I said. “Well. Yes. But it was a scientific poke with a very scientific stick.”

One of the Astrophage on-screen darted slightly to the left. It was pretty common. Once in a while, for no real reason, they’d just wiggle.

I want one as a pet

I don’t have time for this. I have an alien thingy to catch.

“You’ve been a bad alien cylinder,” I say to it. “You need a time-out.”

This man has gone insane

Human beings have a remarkable ability to accept the abnormal and make it normal.

Millions of little Astrophages pushing on back of ship make it go, yes?”

I would lay down my life for Dmitri

It’s about a half-inch high and finely detailed. It looks like a doll. But it has an oversized head and really thick arms and legs— “Oh!” It’s me. It’s a teeny, tiny Russian Orlan-MKS2 EVA suit. That’s all they’ve seen of me so far.

That's so cute :(

“♫♫♩,” Rocky explains.

PLEASE IM OBSESSED WITH HIM

Okay, I hope he understands I’ll be back in two hours. I turn to leave but immediately hear tap-tap-tap. “Whaaat?” I say. “♪♪♫♪,” he says, pointing to the clock.

Don't leave him :(

He points to the “λ” symbol still in my hand and then to me. Then back to the “λ” and back to me. He’s almost frantic about it. “Oh, sorry,” I say. I hold the digit up properly and say, “Three.” He does jazz hands. I throw some jazz hands back.

I would sacrifice Ryland for Rocky in a heartbeat

“I not know. Everyone get sick. Then everyone die.” His voice quavers. “I not sick. I not know why.”

Rocky :(