The glue patch on the dehydrator blade failed after three days. Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen in the electrolyzer, then recombining those in a fuel cell, made fairly pure water. So, whenever power generation from fuel cells emptied a barrel of methanol and water, it was quadruple-rinsed and refilled with drinking water made from their hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell.
Before long, they had a water stockpile in case brine pumping stalled. It would soon be adequate for the entire season, even if a pump failed. If new dehydrator blades arrived with the season-three crew additions, they could relax and use their accumulated water. Meanwhile, fish and plants were growing - six crops, calculated to provide complete nutrition: carrots, flax, potatoes, quinoa, soybeans, and spinach. Six weeks after the dehydrator failed, another unmanned supply rocket landed. They left it standing a few hundred meters from the Candle, removed its cargo, and set the Sabatier machinery to work filling it with rocket fuel to make a spare Candle for future seasons. The tilapia, now each weighing an ounce or two, had been transferred to larger tanks. All six crops were doing well. They celebrated by harvesting spinach and supplementing a pellet meal with seasoned steamed greens.
Two weeks later, the cast had settled into a routine of tending fish and crops, managing power requirements, and making more methanol to keep the fuel cells topped up. It had been three months since the season-two cast arrived, and almost two months since the gypsum dehydrator broke. Despite concerns about their water supply, life seemed tolerable - even normal. It was pleasant to work in the converted rocket fuselage where fish swam and crops grew. The heated tanks added toasty humidity that was absent in the areas where they slept. Looking at flourishing greenery and hearing the steady sound of bubbling water was soothing. Now the carrots and soybeans were ready to eat. A month later, they could add flax, potatoes, and quinoa to their dining mix.
This is to inform you that the board has carefully analyzed market conditions and costs for the show and has chosen to suspend production of a third season of Red Planet Challenge. Per our contract agreement, you are now immediately vested in all equity shares you were scheduled to earn up to the end of season two. Furthermore, salary payments to you will continue up until that time, regardless of when you actually return to Earth.
Our staff are committed to working with you to produce enough scenes to fill the airtime schedule for the remainder of the second season. We are pleased to offer a bonus of $15,000 to each cast member, payable upon completion of filming and the achievement of all challenges for Season Two.
I realize this is quite sudden, and I regret that, due to distances involved, it was
impractical to inform you of this decision in person. Congratulations on your
progress so far, and best wishes for the remainder of the season. Please accept
our thanks and our hopes for a safe return to Earth.
Yours sincerely,
Albert Reinhart, Executive Producer, Red Planet Productions
Bob said, “Oh, swell!”
Siggy uttered something more spirited.
This news hit Bill like an arrow to the chest. “No! They can’t. And just when things were going so smoothly. What did we do wrong?”
Siggy sputtered, “Jackasses! Son of a bitch! I don’t believe this.”
The crew met for supper and to discuss what this meant for their future. Bill took a few of the larger tilapia and prepared boiled chunks of fish. He added those to a vegetable stir-fry of carrots, soybeans, and spinach, seasoned with ginger and garlic salt brought from Earth. Despite the joy his concoction created, spirits were at a low point. Siggy asked Staci, “Did you see this coming? Did you know?”
She shook her head. “No. I had no clue. Not surprising - that I didn’t know, I mean. I’m not that exalted. But yes, the move surprised me.”
Kira asked, “Why do you suppose they did it?”
Staci twirled her hand to indicate the entire encampment. “I’m guessing all this must be costing a lot more than expected.” She thought a moment and added, “Or they got whatever they wanted out of the production, and once it met their expectation, there was no motivation to continue. Who knows, really?”
“Well, somebody does.”
Antwon said, “I suppose there’s no way to appeal.”Staci scoffed. “No, I’m sure they reasoned it out. It’s a business decision. I don’t think you can make them see another side to it, at least not one they care about.”
Bill said, “Well, that sucks! We can only make the best of it, I suppose. I sure hate to walk away, though.”
Siggy said, “Me too, pal.”
Bob added, “No doubt about it. Caring can be dangerous.”
Bill slapped the table with his hand. “Damn right! I take my creatures seriously. I suppose that’s why I chose biology. Well, I knew the job was dangerous when I took it. Tell you what, in my mind, the only ethical thing to do is eat as much of what we’ve produced as possible before we light the Candle. I can’t stomach leaving living things here to die when we walk away. That would tear me up.”
Siggy replied, “Amen to that. If you make anything to eat as tasty as this, we’ll have a bit of heaven right here before we go back to Earth.”