Sol 60, Pt. I
This is not Mark’s funeral, Darcy reminded herself as she stood next to Caroline at Arlington National Cemetery.
It wasn’t Mark’s funeral. But it felt like it. Except that this one was even worse than the ceremony at the cathedral. Here she could feel the eyes of the world on her, on the military men stood in a line, on Mark’s empty coffin.
There had already been a few drones flying in the sky as they waited for the ceremony to begin. Darcy could hear the hum of the one chopper that was authorised to be above the ceremony - Steve and Tony had vetoed more access than that, and Darcy was just as glad, what with the impressive guest list and all.
All of the Avengers were there. Except Thor. And Barnes, who was doing his usual mixture of avoiding too much human contact and making sure the world didn’t explode while the Avengers were away. T’Challa was in the crowd, Jane and Erik too, Director Coulson and Agent Hill, Clint’s family.
This is simultaneously the most dangerous and potentially vulnerable spot on Earth right now, Darcy thought, shifting her balance from one foot to the other. The heels she was wearing weren’t exactly grass-appropriate. I still can’t believe Pepper managed to get here. She snuck a glance at Pepper, looking grim and clutching Tony’s hand in hers. I know she said she’d be here, but she’s a CEO - of SI - we would all have understood if she couldn’t make it.
But she’s here.
They’re all here.
Some small part of Darcy was coming to understand that, although all of the Avengers did mourn Mark’s death, in the intellectual way most of the rest of the world did - as an astronaut, someone who sacrificed himself for his planet, for science - the biggest reason they were all here, the reason security had been such a nightmare, was her.
They were here because of Darcy. Because Mark was Darcy’s fiancé. And that was both touching and terrifying, and Darcy was doing her level best not to think about it.
But the President was wrapping up his speech. Darcy tried her best to pay attention to the speech she’d now heard twice and read at least ten times.
“And as much as we will truly miss Mark Watney, and honour his sacrifice, we should also remember that, thanks to Commander Melissa Lewis, we have five other astronauts on their way home.” Darcy nodded. “Commander Lewis’ actions, both her initiative in getting her people to the MAV and her ultimately unsuccessful attempt to rescue Mark Watney are a shining example of the bravery that humanity is capable of. She does a credit to her family, to the US Navy, and to her planet. She, Mark Watney, and the rest of the crew of Ares III are true heroes, and all we as civilians can do is try and repay their sacrifices as best as we can.”
The President looked off to his right. “And now, I believe the Administrator of NASA, Mr. Teddy Sanders, is going to say a few words. Thank you for your time.”
“So, how do you feel about coming out?” Tony asked, pulling back from the hug.
“Trust you to come up with that opener,” Darcy said, giving him her best smile for the day. Not that the smile was wonderful - she’d reverted back to the first few days after Mark had died, only able to half-smile, and only at the greatest provocation.
“Ignore him,” Pepper said, giving Darcy a peck on the cheek.
“I usually do,” Darcy replied. “Thank you for coming.”
“As if we’d miss it,” Pepper waved it off. Then she smiled. “But really - how are you doing? Have the reporters cornered you yet?”
“I’ve got an interview booked with Colbert next week,” Darcy said. “That’s all the press I’m going to do.” She made a face. “The one ‘Watney’s fiancée’ exclusive. At least I know how this all works. I pity the poor woman who gets bombarded with all of this unawares.”
It had been a calculated decision, when to release the news that she was Mark’s fiancée. Annie and Darcy had discussed several options, then decided on leaking the news just before the funeral. With all the scrutiny on the memorial anyway, the added news was just a drop in the bucket, not the headline it would be on any other day.
And Darcy had been contacted by every major news body within 24 hours of the news being leaked, then contacted Stephen Colbert’s people and arranged her one and only long form interview on the subject. And if any reporter in the Avengers’ news corral asked? Well, she could just kick them out. She had a feeling at least Steve would be sitting in on any of her press conferences for the next week or two, until the buzz completely died down.
“If you need anything - warm bodies, extra security or encryption, let me know,” Pepper said. “I mean it.” Darcy must have made a face. “Really. Anything SI or Tony can do is at your disposal.”
“What? I am?” Tony grinned. “I didn’t know you were into that sort of thing, Pep’.”
Darcy giggled, just once.
“There you go, Shortstack.” Tony slung an arm around her shoulders. “Now, let’s go and rescue Rogers. I bet he’s surrounded by his usual horde of admirers.”
Venkat Kapoor pulled at his tie. He’d just arrived in Houston from Arlington, and instead of heading home and drowning himself in bourbon, he had come to JSC. Not that he didn’t have a bottle of the stuff here. Hell, it was practically a job requirement as soon as you became Director. With great power came great reasons to drink.
But not yet. The tie loosened, he undid his first button and sat at his chair, staring unseeing at his computer monitor.
Sometimes he wondered what all this was for.
Why even bother going to Mars? It’s not like it can support life, not without major work on our part. Besides, if Darcy’s right about Thor, if we wait for him to get back, we could have FTL travel without killing our own men to do it.
Assuming Thor comes back.
Although being reliant on Asgard for our scientific advancement isn’t the best idea. Just in case Odin gets pissy with us. Again.
“Dr. Kapoor? Director?” Mindy Park was half leaning through his open door. From the look on her face, it wasn’t the first time she’d said his name.
“Yes, Ms. Park?” Venkat straightened, sitting upright in his chair, making an effort to look like he was capable and in charge.
Although if there ever was a time for looking less than composed, tonight would be the time, he thought morbidly.
“I was looking at the satellite images of the Ares III landing site,” Mindy said, coming in, clutching her tablet to her chest as if it might keep her from floating away. “The request came across my desk this morning.” Venk nodded. He’d had to fight Sanders for the request - what with NASA’s information being public domain, Sanders hadn’t wanted pictures of Watney’s body lying on Martian soil, had worried that it would sour the public’s appetite for further space travel. “And I found something weird.”
“Define weird.” Venkat’s mental hackles rose, just slightly, through his fatigue.
Mindy lurched forward, turning on the tablet and pointing.
“See that? That’s the Hab.” Venk nodded. He’d seen more pictures of Habs from space than he cared to count. “The rovers aren’t where they’re supposed to be.” She drew two circles onto the image. “This is where Lewis said they were when they left Mars.” The circles were just empty arcs of sand, ones the Rovers had clearly escaped.
“The storm could have moved them,” Venk argued. This just wasn’t… possible. It was wishful thinking. Had to be wishful thinking. He could feel his pulse beginning to race, but he forced it to calm, to think things through clearly, logically.
“Not likely,” Mindy said. “But possible. But that’s not the only thing.” She pointed at the solar panels, the black standing out starkly against the red Martian soil. “Notice anything strange about those panels, sir?”
Venkat peered closer. “I’m not seeing…” he began.
“What happens when a storm crosses solar panels on Mars?” Mindy asked.
“Sand covers -” Venkat stopped abruptly. “Oh shit.”
“Exactly.”
“Are you sure?” Venkat asked. “Do you have more data? When’s the next satellite pass over the site?”
“A few hours,” Mindy said. “I’ll look over the backlog of data if you want me to, but I think this is pretty clear.”
“Mark Watney’s alive.”