Janette was determined that her contribution would not just stop at writing code and therefore she turned her attention to one of the mission’s most pressing challenges: creating an atmosphere that people could breathe. Stepping away from her programming station, she pulled up detailed data on the Martian atmosphere and began outlining her plan. With quiet conviction, she explained to Amanda, the team’s chemist, “I am convinced there is a way to fill the empty space. Every design we have encountered is so thoughtfully executed that it seems impossible to overlook a basic need like breathable air. I have reviewed every document and file that September will provide on the Martian atmosphere. I believe the answer is hidden somewhere in our design.”

  Amanda leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she considered the possibilities. “That blasted AI often holds all the answers, but it can be a pain to extract useful ideas from it. I am certain it knows exactly how to solve our problem. I would not be surprised if it lets you waste time sifting through its data,” she remarked with a wry smile.

  After a brief pause to gather her thoughts, Janette continued, “After reviewing our available options, I concluded that the simplest route is to replicate the vacuum pump that we built into module one. This pump is crucial; it currently captures air when we evacuate the atmosphere from module one. Its design could be adapted to help create a safe, breathable environment for the outside tunnel.” Her voice mingled excitement and concern as she laid out the plan in detail.

  Amanda raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “Did September even provide you with detailed plans for this vacuum pump?” she asked, tapping a pen on her notebook.

  Janette nodded slowly. “Surprisingly, the AI furnished us with full specifications, complete printing plans, and even a working three-dimensional model of the pump. The challenge now, however, is that the pump still needs to be printed. Since our printing team and equipment are fully occupied with other critical tasks, this project will unlikely be given top priority without some extra push. Reluctantly, I reached out to Luke for help. I extended an olive branch, you know, even though our relationship has remained rocky ever since those early days on the mission.”

  Amanda’s tone softened as she asked, “Let me guess. How did it go with Luke? He can be pretty prickly when things do not go his way.”

  With a small sigh, Janette confessed, “I presented him with all the facts and explained the benefits of replicating the pump. He listened and then said he had several other tasks on his plate. I am unsure if that is an outright refusal, but it sure felt that way. I am second in command, which should mean that I can confidently direct him to print the vacuum pump. The problem is that Chase never seems to give anyone direct orders. Instead, he always just makes requests. Chase has always not handled these situations by enforcing firm authority, so I find it difficult to assert myself similarly.”

  Janette paused as her mind raced through the possibilities. The prospect of breathing atmosphere on an alien world was no small feat. Though conflicting ideas and personalities tested the team’s relationships, Janette knew that achieving this breakthrough would require them all to work together, even if it meant crossing old lines and mending fragile alliances.

  Amanda’s eyes lit up. “Have you ever thought of asking Kaya for help? There is something about her that makes things happen. I am not quite sure how she does it because she never loses her cool or even raises her voice. You can feel her presence as soon as she enters a room. I only wish I had that kind of influence.”

  Janette hesitated before replying. “Honestly, I never considered asking Kaya. I have to admit, I find her a bit intimidating.”

  With a warm smile, Amanda reassured him, “You really should not worry about that. Kaya has been a tremendous help for me on more than one occasion, and I have never seen her get angry at anyone. Just approach her calmly and respectfully. You have nothing to lose.”

  As Janette outlined her idea to Kaya, she sold the significance of the vacuum pump. This was not merely a mechanical tweak or a repair; it was a linchpin in their quest to create a breathable atmosphere on Mars. The pump, essential for regulating the planet’s tenuous air supply, held the promise of transforming their tunnel outpost into a livable space. Janette’s mind raced with images of what was possible if they created a stable atmosphere in the long tunnel. Despite her inner doubts, she felt a flicker of hope.

  Kaya was happy to help, and her enthusiasm filled the room like a burst of sunlight through a cloudy window. Her bold and unorthodox ideas stood in stark contrast to the careful, methodical approach Janette was accustomed. Standing in the lab among the soft murmur of equipment and the faint scent of recycled air, Kaya said with a confident smile, “I have a idea, trust me for a moment, and I can have our printer produce a working vacuum pump in just a few weeks.” The words hung in the air, charged with possibility even though the proposal bordered on the improbable. Janette remembered the countless times Kaya’s resourcefulness had turned the tides in their favor, and despite her natural caution, she sensed that this might be one of those rare moments where she had to let go of control and trust.

  Yet Kaya’s plan came with an unexpected twist. In her carefully crafted proposal, the key was not only technical prowess but also a personal challenge. She suggested that Janette should spend a couple of weeks lending a hand in the kitchen by washing dishes, an act meant to symbolize commitment and humility. There was one strict condition: she was not allowed to reveal the true reason behind her assistance. If Julie, the kitchen supervisor, pressed for an explanation, Janette was instructed to say, “I had a task that needed to be completed and I could not manage it alone. I realize I often help Chase with coding, but I have neglected helping anyone else. I wish to rebalance that.” The statement was meant to be an honest, if humbling, confession, one that underscored Janette’s own shortcomings and her desperate desire to grow.

  The prescribed words stung more deeply than Janette cared to admit. It was a mirror held up to her own past, a reminder that aside from assisting Chase with his coding, she had rarely ventured beyond her familiar technical sphere to help her colleagues. Kaya’s plan forced her to confront not only the technical challenge of replicating the vacuum pump but also her personal reluctance to step outside her comfort zone. The thought of washing dishes as a token of goodwill was both absurd and exasperating, but it was also a call for change, a nudge to prove that she could be more than just a driven coder.

  Despite her reservations, Janette could not entirely dismiss Kaya’s proposal. The memory of past missions and the pressure of their overarching goal urged her to take this leap, however unconventional it might be. Could she, by setting aside her pride and embracing pure humility, pave the way for a breakthrough that would redefine their existence on Mars? With a bittersweet resolve, she decided to accept Kaya’s plan. The journey ahead would be as much about personal growth as it was about engineering success. And as Janette prepared to extend her help in the kitchen under the unyielding rule of secrecy, she also prepared herself to confront a side of her dedication that had long been neglected.

  After Janettes first week in the kitchen, Janette and Kaya met in the common area to review the progress. Janette leaned forward and admitted, “I must confess, I never knew just how many dishes Julie washed daily. I never thought through the challenge of feeding twenty people three full meals daily, with extra snacks. Had I known the scope of the task, I would have reconsidered my approach.”

  Kaya laughed with warm enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling. “You will manage just fine. So, how did it go with Julie?”

  Janette took a moment as memories of the past week washed over her. “Julie is always busy in the kitchen. You can tell she takes great pride in her work. The place is filled with the aroma of simmering sauces and fresh ingredients, even though the recycled air carries hints of dishwater. Julie makes sure that not even one scrap of food is wasted. There is always a pot ready to catch every last bit of leftovers. If anyone asks for extra food, she points to that pot as though it were a treasure chest. I was surprised by how many people, especially the men, dropped by the kitchen each day because they always seemed so hungry.”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  She paused and let the soft clatter and murmur of the common room settle around them before continuing, “When I first started working there, I did not hit it off with Julie at all. I kept my focus on washing dishes, a task I knew I could do without complaint. By the third day, my hands became sore and I even chipped a few nails. In the midst of that, I developed a new respect for these everyday tasks. Slowly, Julie began to relax in my presence and started talking. I did not talk much myself as I had no idea what to discuss; I mostly listened and smiled politely.”

  Her tone softened as she added, “I learned that Julie is originally from Florida. She spent many years at NASA as a cook and nutritionist, eventually becoming the head chef. NASA counted on her to create meals that would still taste acceptable even after being frozen for a long time. Julie confided that waking up here feels like a punishment for her. While everyone else seems to come here with a specialized skill, I find she is judged solely for her cooking talents.”

  Kaya shook her head slowly, her expression one of gentle sympathy. “Julie is a kind soul who has never done anything wrong. I can only imagine the weight she carries, feeling as if she were serving a life sentence on this distant planet. I hope that, with time, she can learn to move past that feeling. By the way, did Chase ever make an appearance in the kitchen?”

  Janette nodded, a wry smile playing at her lips. “On the fourth day, Chase stopped by unexpectedly while I was washing dishes. I could tell by the way his eyebrows shot up that he was surprised. I kept quiet and carried on at the sink. Later that evening at dinner, Chase collected the plates and brought them into the kitchen. It was a small change in his routine, but in our small crew, everyone noticed even subtle shifts.”

  Her eyes brightened slightly as she continued, “The very next day, half of the crew began bringing their own used plates down to the kitchen so that I only had to collect the others. Soon enough, I found that I no longer had to gather plates at all. More surprisingly, members of the crew started volunteering to dry the dishes. That little change eased our workload and meant that Julie could focus more on what she loved, cooking great food for us.”

  Kaya smiled broadly and said, “That is wonderful to hear. I am sure this change is a great help to Julie. Keep on at it, Janette, because I believe your hard work will pay off for everyone.” What had begun as a tedious chore had for Janette grown into a symbol of community on this faraway world. The simple act of washing and drying dishes had become a way to connect with the rest of the crew.

  As Kaya left Janette and walked down the corridor, she replayed her conversation with Chase in her mind. Up to that point, their discussions had been respectful and focused on the crew's best interest. Yet yesterday's meeting had taken a different turn, and the tension still lingered in the air like low thunder before a storm.

  Earlier that morning, Chase had summoned Kaya to the printer module through September. The moment she received the request, she sensed what this was about. She had already spoken with Jacky and Pascal about using the inside printers to build a vacuum pump for Janette. In her self appointed role, Kaya had built strong relationships with every crew member, always striving to keep everyone steady and functioning on Mars. It was not just about this one task; it was about ensuring that the crew could endure the harsh reality of their remote outpost.

  Kaya had entered the module, where Chase stood waiting among a small group that included Jacky and Pascal. His expression was guarded, and there was a charged edge to the silence. His first words, spoken sharply, cut through the quiet:

  "Jacky and Pascal told me you want to print a vacuum pump using our inside printers."

  Kaya met his gaze steadily. Her voice remained calm and clear as she replied, "That is correct. Janette has completed thorough research and developed a plan that can create a breathable atmosphere in the tunnel outside the train. Our top risk is asphyxiation, and addressing that is urgent. I have already coordinated with Jacky and Pascal to shift our focus to the vacuum pump project."

  The air in the room grew thick with tension. Chase's eyes narrowed, and his tone grew cold. "I explained why we must replicate the printers quickly, and you agreed at that point. Now it seems you are changing your mind. Are you suggesting that my plan is flawed?"

  Kaya's expression did not waver. She drew a slow breath as she chose her words deliberately. "I have not changed my mind lightly, Chase. The original plan was to work on racking using the outside printers. With the new data we have on our atmospheric conditions, it is clear that we must accelerate the production of a vacuum pump. Waiting any longer could set us back by many months. I acted not to challenge you personally, but to protect our crew."

  Chase's face reddened, his anger simmering. "So you believe your solution is more important than the course we have already set? Who gave you the right to alter the plan on your own?" As he said this, he stared at her in a way that no one could hold. He would remember her eyes, but she would feel forced to look away.

  Kaya stared back, and then she seemed to notice what he was doing. She blinked and looked to the side. She said, “Are you doing your eye trick, Commander Chase? Are you trying to intimidate me?” Kaya turned back to look at him and with that annoyingly calm face, blazing eyes and a deflated tone said, “When you remember my eyes, remember these are eyes of someone who is truly disappointed in you. I would not have thought you would go so low as to try and intimidate me.”

  Chase snapped his head back; Kaya’s comments stung, mainly because that’s precisely what he was trying to do. Chase said, “So are you the commander now? Do I take orders from you?” Chase regretted it the moment he said it; it sounded so childish. He had just admitted he wasn’t in control of this situation and had lashed out. Even worse, at that moment, he wasn’t sure whether he was the commander or Kaya was. She would do a good job; she wasn’t as smart as he, but she was clever, and she would use his intelligence.

  Kaya’s face stayed calm, but her eyes gave away anger at his comment. She stayed quiet for a moment and then said, “If you need to ask if I’m the commander, then you already know the answer. Don’t worry, Chase, I have the same goal as you, to keep the crew alive.” Standing her ground, Kaya maintained her soft, even tone. "I do not claim to override you merely for power, Chase. I am taking action based on the facts. Janette's research confirms that using the inside printers to build the vacuum pump will bring us a working atmosphere in the least amount of time, your delay will cost several months. My role here is to ensure that our most critical risks are addressed first. We both share the same goal: keeping our crew alive."

  For a moment, silence pressed in on them. Chase's eyes flickered with a mix of rage and uncertainty. Then, in a low voice, he shot back, "I do not like our plans being changed without my consent. It feels like you are taking command."

  Kaya allowed herself a slight, measured smile that held no trace of anger. "If you believe that the responsibility lies solely on your shoulders, then you should support Jacky and Pascal when they work on the vacuum pump parts. Until the pump is complete, the inside printers will only produce the necessary components to secure a breathable atmosphere. Our priorities must reflect the imminent danger, not long-term aspirations. I am not trying to take command; I am simply ensuring our survival."

  Chase stared at her for a long, tense moment, his eyes searching hers for any sign of doubt. When he finally spoke again, his tone was quieter but still edged with frustration. "I still think the printer replication plan has merit. You seem so certain now, though. I wish you would show a little trust in my judgment as well."

  Kaya's eyes remained steady and calm. "Trust is not a matter of choosing sides, Chase. It is about using every piece of information to make the best decision for everyone on board. I will continue to work with Jacky, Pascal, and Janette to fulfill the vacuum pump objective because I believe it is our best chance at a livable atmosphere. I hope that, in time, you can see that this is not about challenging your leadership but about taking decisive action for the crew's benefit."

  The tension in the room intensified as the charged silence stretched between them. Jacky cleared his throat, breaking the silence and adding in a soothing tone, "We have reviewed the plans thoroughly, Commander Chase. We believe the vacuum pump parts can be printed in no more than two weeks, or even faster if you lend a hand." The gentle reminder caused Chase to clench his jaw and, after a final scowl, he stormed out of the module.

  Left behind, Kaya exhaled slowly, maintaining her calm composure even as the sparks of conflict still danced in her eyes. She knew that leadership meant sometimes standing firm in the face of opposition while never losing one's cool. Turning to Jacky and Pascal, she offered a quiet nod of gratitude. "Thank you both for your support. Chase is a good commander, and he will come to see this is the best path forward. Let us keep this between us for now. I have no wish to usurp his role but to align our actions with our highest priority, keeping our crew safe."

  As Jacky and Pascal offered their silent assurances, Kaya felt a resolve settle over her. The confrontation had been difficult, and the tension sharp, but her clear-headed determination to do what was right for the crew remained unshaken. Chase, as brilliant as he was, wouldn’t always make the right call, and he needed a counterbalance. She had learned this the hard way and would continue to bring that balance.