Commander's Report

February 20, 2008

Randall Shelaga



Day 3 of Boot Camp started quite normally, but that would quickly
change.

The crew discussed the days plans over a hearty breakfast of Granola
and Blueberries slightly reconstituted by our Field Engineering Systems
(FES) Engineer Aravind Seeni (Callsign "Googly"). Being your typical
FES he endeavoured to conserve water at all expenses.

The crew quickly dispersed and set about their daily tasks, Station
maintenance for the Engineering crew and EVA preparations for the
Scientists. Soon enough the EVA crew consisting of Guy de Carufel
(Callsign "Kim"), Heather Allaway (Callsign "Biobabe") and Cassie
Marion (Callsign "Fam") were on their way, a good start to the day.

Things were happening here on analogue Mars, training was progressing
the science program was starting, engineering and maintenance tasks
were being checked off and morale was high.

When the morning EVA returned things were suspicious...it appears that
somehow Kim had tumbled down a 1 metre embankment. Was it an accident?
Was he pushed? Who did it? Were there witnesses? This needed to be
investigated. All parties involved were called into my office to
explain the circumstances. It appears that "Biobabe" turned around to
find "Kim" at the bottom of the embankment on his backpack like a
turtle, but unhurt. But what happened, behind him, looking down were
Private Ham and "Fam". The pool of suspects was getting smaller, but
which one? Private Ham, the veteran of numerous MDRS rotations with a
distinguished record of service on numerous crews or the Executive
Officer from Newfoundland? Ham has been acting suspiciously lately,
but is that space senility, his normal cantankerous manner or has he
watched "The Shining" once too often? "Fam" meanwhile is hard to read,
could she have done it? The question is "Ham" or "Fam"?

Tonight, unknown to the crew a surprise search of the staterooms is
being conducted for evidence in this matter. A summary investigation
will be carried out and the truth revealed. Tomorrow we will know!

The afternoon EVA went without incident, with the Scientists gaining
familiarity with their environment and starting their science
programs.

Meanwhile, the Engineers dutifully continued to maintain the Station
cycling power in our conservation mode and effecting repairs to a leaky
Potable Water Tank Ball Valve.

We have sufficient food and water to complete the rotation, and our
current diesel fuel shortage will be resolved tomorrow.

Weather permitting, tomorrow we plan two EVAs to continue our work on
GPS Precision and Biological Viability. Hopefully, there will be no
surprises!

Tonight there is a chill in the air, as we look out the portholes and
see heavy clouds familiar to many of our crew at this time of year. We
are quite disappointed, as this thick cloud cover has prevented us from
watching the Lunar eclipse this evening...oh well. Hopefully, it will
not snow and we can continue with our scheduled EVAs.

After Supper, we will be briefed by Guy ("Kim") about the research he
is planning related to GPS Precision and hopefully, finally get to
start watching "Firefly".

Until tomorrow!

Ut Mars per erudio!