Chapter Text
Sen. Mitnik (D-CO): Please describe what you remember of the events of Sol 6, starting when all of you working outside were recalled to the habitat.
Mr. Watney: Well, we all went inside and looked at the readings on the storm heading for us. It was a lot stronger than the earlier forecasts had predicted. Commander Lewis called the abort, and everyone started--
Mitnik: You challenged that decision, is that correct?
Watney: What? No, I did not challenge that decision. I wasn’t happy about it, but none of us were. We’d spent years prepping for Mars, and months getting there. Having to abort after only six days was, well, like I said, none of us were happy about it.
Rep. Rocha (R-NC): You did suggest that the crew could wait out the storm.
Watney: Yes, but she called the abort.
Mitnik: And you’re saying you didn’t challenge that decision?
Watney: No I did not. See, Lewis is - was -the Mission Commander. That means she’s the one who made the big decisions. And I don’t care what Martinez claims; I did not whine about it. He wasn’t even there, anyway. I may have griped a little, but I did not whine.
Mitnik: I see.
Watney: Shall I go on? Thank you. So Lewis called abort, and everyone started getting ready to go. Martinez was already at the MAV, which he had been inspecting, and he began the flight prep. I was still suited up from earlier except for my helmet, so I helped out Johanssen and Beck.
Mitnik: Why those two in particular?
Watney: Everyone else had been outside and were still at least partially suited up. Beck and Johanssen had been inside the whole time, so they had to start from scratch. Putting on the whole thing takes some work, so helping the two of them would get us out faster. So that’s what I did. And that’s all I’ve got.
Mitnik: Mr. Watney?
Watney: Yes?
Mitnik: Were you planning to continue?
Watney: I didn’t realize you wanted me to go on. If I'm going to narrate the entire time I was there, we may be here a while.
Mitnik: Please continue.
Watney: Right. So when I woke up--
Mitnik: Mr. Watney!
Watney: Yes, Senator?
Mitnik: What do you think you are doing?
Watney: I’m answering the question.
Mitnik: Please do not skip events, Mr. Watney. The committee is trying to get a clear understanding of the events of that day. What happened after you assisted your crewmates in donning their EVA suits?
Watney: IEVA
Mitnik: Excuse me?
Watney: They were putting on IEVA suits, not EVA suits.
Mitnik: Fine. You helped them put on their IEVA suits. What happened immediately after that?
Watney: I woke up.
Mitnik: Mr. Watney, may I remind you that you are speaking to a congressional committee?
Watney: Senator Mitnik, may I remind you that you specifically asked me to describe what I remember of the events? A very short time after the crew was suited up I was perforated, partially depressurized, tossed like a rag doll, and knocked unconscious. What I remember is handing Johanssen her helmet, and then waking up, face-down in the sand, with my gut on fire and the oxygen warning screaming at me.
Mitnik: Are you’re saying you don’t remember anything between getting ready to abandon the hab and waking up after the rest of the crew had left?
Watney: I’m not only saying it, I’ve already said it twice. Would you like me to write out a timeline to clarify any point that is unclear?
Mitnik: Thank you, Mr. Watney, that may be helpful. Please turn it in before you leave today. If my colleges have no other questions for right now? No? Thank you, Mr. Watney, that will be all for the moment. Who is our next witness?