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Mark sighed, re-reading the same paragraph for the 3rd time. Sue him, it was hard to focus with the upcoming launch.
He knew he needed to be trying his hardest to memorize all the information, but he was excited.
The stress was a lot, even he had to admit. Granted, he was much younger than his counterparts, but he tried to ignore this fact.
NASA had asked him to not mention his age, to keep the media off their backs, but also to prevent his team from worrying unnecessarily. Dr. Beck likely knew his age, but never mentioned it.
Mark had a slightly unusual pathway to his astronaut career. He had skipped almost all of elementary school, graduating Highschool at the age of 14.
In college, he double majored in botany and mechanical engineering. For the last two years, he’s been working towards his doctorate, as well as writing papers for the university.
He may have been incredibly smart, but he was still a kid, and stress like this took a toll on him.
In the present, he ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm his ever-present nerves
He felt a hand squeeze his shoulder, and looked up to see Martinez smiling down at him.
“The team’s playing cards over in the break room, wanna join us? You look like you could use a break” the older man laughed.
Mark chuckled, but followed his crewmate. A distraction is just what he needed.
———
“Hah! Full house! I win!”
Vogel dropped his cards face-down on the table triumphantly.
“Not so fast” Lewis grinned maliciously, showing her cards.
“A royal flush?” Vogel exclaimed exasperated. No one had yet beaten Lewis at cards
Beck laughed. “Damn commander, you really kick our asses at poker”
Mark chuckled at that, setting his assorted jumble of cards onto the table.
“Wanna play again?” Johanssen asked from beside Martinez. Everyone groaned and Lewis sniggered.
“On one condition!” Mark interjected. The crew turned towards him quizzically.
“We play the game I brought instead!”
Once everyone agreed, he whipped out Uno: no mercy
Groans of annoyance filled the air, but soon they were all engrossed in a heated uno game.
So engrossed, in fact, that they hardly noticed when Henderson walked in.
The man stood to the side, taking in the scene before him.
Watney had his head buried in his hands, as Beck and Martinez had a heated debate over the usage of +4 cards, and Johanssen accused Vogel of targeting her with skips.
Although the chaos was entertaining, he had a job to do.
“Watney”
Mark’s head perked up, and he straightened noticeably in his chair.
“Sir” he nodded.
“I had a quick question for you, if you’re not too terribly busy.”
Mark smiled slightly, glancing back at the bedlam behind him. “Of course sir, what can I do for ya?”
Mitch sighed. “We noticed you didn’t record any videos or messages for the worst-case-scenario package.” He paused, noting how the blond’s face fell.
“Was there an issue with the upload?”
“No sir, no issues with the upload. I, uh, didn’t plan to make a video to be honest.” Mark laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Really? Not one for your parents? Do you not have a significant other to write to?” Mitch pressed.
Mark stared. “Uh, no sir. I, er, don’t really talk to my parents all that much anymore. We’re not really close.” He kept his eyes glued to the floor, shame causing heat to creep up his face.
Henderson paused. The whole crew had gone completely silent, the shenanigans dying down, watching Mark with sympathy in their eyes.
“Ah. I see.”
Mitch awkwardly nodded, before excusing himself. The crew shared a look, before resuming their conversations.
While they didn’t show it on their faces, that was the moment the crew decided that they would be Mark’s family. He would always have a home with them, even after the mission.
Or, that was the plan.
Until they left him behind.
Mars had claimed his life, like a sacrifice. It took Watney so the others could escape.
And as their eyes filled with tears, Mars becoming a tiny little speck behind them, they would never forget his sacrifice. They would mourn him, like the family they were.
Because that day. Sol 6. They didn’t just loose a crew mate. They lost a brother. A family member.
And they would always remember.