Chapter 3: Lieutenant Aurora Peters, Ph.D. Aurora’s hands trembled slightly as she gripped the data tablet, her eyes scanning the readouts again. The terraforming canisters were stable. Their pressure, temperature, and containment integrity were all in the green. Yet, she couldn’t shake the tight coil of anxiety winding in her chest. She stood in the middle of the cargo bay, surrounded by rows of sealed cylinders glowing faintly beneath the harsh overhead lights. Each one contained experimental microbial agents designed to condition Mars’ soil for human agriculture. If these worked as intended, they’d be a cornerstone for humanity’s first permanent colony on the red planet. If they didn’t… Aurora’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing through the bay. She turned to see Adrienne approaching, her presence commanding even in the utilitarian jumpsuit they all wore. “Lieutenant,” Adrienne said, her tone clipped but not unkind. “How’s our cargo looking?” “S...