“Where’s the film crew?” I asked.
“They’re coming, slowly,” he said. “I couldn’t wait around for those bozos to get moving. Did you guys encounter any more pods on your way here?”
“Umm, yeah, we did,” Jane said giggling, brushing the dirt off her ass once again.
“We found the pigs,” Spencer said. “No idea how we’re going to get them where we need them. We may just have to set up the sanctuary for them by their pod.”
“We’ll figure it out and make it work somehow,” Idris said. “Anyway, let’s get these supplies out. The other teams will be showing up shortly.”
SPENCER, SMITH, AND Idris all had to work together to open the very large hatch door to the supply craft. The massive eight-foot round door screeched as it opened wide to show its contents. The dark abyss beyond the door loomed as I peered inside trying to catch a peek. Idris reached into one of his pockets and brought out his battery-powered flashlight.
Inside the large supply hull, everything was strapped down and covered by the uniform white tarps. We were unable to tell what anything was. The only distinguishable difference was the teams’ labels slapped onto the side of each item. It seemed these supplies were for the architectural team, or the bulk of it, at least.
“I assume we should probably let each team take out what they need, when they need it,” Idris said. “We don’t know what’s in here, and we don’t know how the weather will turn out there.”
“Yeah, everything should be safe in here,” Spencer said, knocking on one of the tarps.
We began to walk out of the supply hull when we noticed the next team walking in. Tiny specks in a faraway field, we were unsure of who it was. Once they came closer, it was clear the camera crew had caught up with Idris.
Idris went out to greet them, shaking hands and apologizing for running off, or so we assumed. Immediately, they were ready to unpack and unload their supplies from the supply hull. With quick precision, they knew exactly where to find their film equipment amongst the plain white tarps. Before we knew what was happening, the cameras started rolling.
“Just act natural,” one of the camera men said. I wasn’t exactly sure how to act natural with a camera watching my every move. It felt like they were waiting for me to trip or say something ridiculous.
“Well, the other teams should be—”
“Actually, Idris, can you repeat that and start over? I would like to get a shot of you saying that while looking out at the field. You know, waiting. Build the suspense,” the camera man said.
“Oh, um... Okay. Yeah,” he said as he moved further out into the field. “Now?” Idris asked.
“Yeah, go whenever you’re ready. We’ll be editing later anyway,” he said.
Idris went through the same words he had just said once again. “The other teams should be arriving any moment now,” he said as he gazed out over the field in an exaggerated motion. The whole thing felt fake and forced.
“Oh! Will they, Idris?” Spencer mocked.
Idris turned to face him with a disdainful look on his face. He was clearly not amused.
Eventually, the other teams started trickling in from the pods, and the film crew caught the whole thing. They requested excitement, even if sometimes coerced, and hugs that would have never happened. The project quickly went to shit.
Chapter Nine
Communications were set up quickly between Circadia and Earth. Using softphones, the tech team was able to bounce off of Earth’s surrounding satellites and create a connection. To make things simple, we used the laptop to dial out and a headset to speak into. There was a ten-second lag in the communications, as we were a bit further out than the International Space Station, but it was still effective.
Calls to home were requested almost immediately. We went alphabetically, by team, to speak with our families. Since I was on the agricultural team, and my name was Aella, I was first. I knew there were a lot of people waiting behind me that had wives and children, so I hurried.
“Mom?”
The ten second lag seemed like a million years.
“Aella! I didn’t realize you would be able to call so soon!”
“Yeah, me either, Mom. Look I don’t have long so I have to keep it short. Circadia is beautiful and I am doing well. We landed with no problem and I will keep you updated. I love you.” The words came out strung together without pause, so that she would get the entire message at once.
Ten second wait.
“I love you, too,” she said.
“Bye, Mom.”
“Bye, Aella.”
I clicked the button on the softphone to end the call, and handed the device over to Garrett. Garrett quickly dialed a phone number from a piece of paper he pulled from his pocket, and spoke in a hurried and hushed tone. I walked away and went to talk with Jane and Smith, who were standing in line.
“I wonder who Garrett’s talking to,” I said.
“Who knows? Surely no one loves him at home,” Jane said.
Smith joined in on the laughing, “Guy’s an asshole.”
“I don’t think he’s as bad as we all think he is. I think he just has a problem talking to people,” I justified.
“Someone get a little too close in the simulator?” Smith asked.
“No.” I felt my eye twitch a bit. “I just think there's more to him, that’s all.”
Jane laughed off the conversation and sauntered away from us, away from the line. Her blonde hair bounced in the breeze as she walked, and Smith watched her intently until she was out of sight.
“Isn’t she worried about missing her turn to call home?” I asked Smith.
“I don’t know for sure, but I kind of get the
