List: Alone on Mars | Curated by Martin French

Oct 25, 2023
11 stories
Alone on MarsA short series of connected stories about a woman left behind by choice on Mars
Part 11
Martin French
in
Everything Shortform
Once gravity goes, life on a freighter is tedious.She didn’t recollect having time. Since coming back to Earth, she was constantly avoiding the public gaze. Her previous journey to Mars had…
Oct 24, 2023
Oct 24, 2023
Part 10
Martin French
in
Everything Shortform
The low thrum of the engines was ticklish in the meanwhile silence.Her fame could probably have secured her a faster, easier trip for free, but it would be bundled with journalists. Besides, she didn’t do…
Sep 5, 2023
2
Sep 5, 2023
2
Part 9
Martin French
in
Everything Shortform
At the time it was a very private decision.For her, the choice was a simple one. She felt that she would be happier back on Mars than on Earth. She was worn down by Earth gravity…
Apr 6, 2022
1
Apr 6, 2022
1
Part 8
Martin French
in
Everything Shortform
She’d asked to return without fanfare.The returning queen of Mars. Those stories felt hollow now, empty, someone else’s. It was as though in relating the stories she lost them…
Mar 15, 2022
1
Mar 15, 2022
1
Part 7
Martin French
in
Everything Shortform
Fraternité was bigger now.The mornings were tough. Sleeping in drowsy low g environments never went well for her: starting the day with two hours of gravity…
Mar 2, 2022
2
Mar 2, 2022
2
Part 1 of Alone on Mars
Martin French
in
Martin’s Sci-Fi Storage Unit
There is heaviness every time a rocket takes off.She strode out to watch. She’d said her farewells, but felt she needed to see them off. She didn’t blame any of them but still regretted…
Dec 23, 2021
3
Dec 23, 2021
3
Part 2 of Alone on Mars
Martin French
in
Everything Shortform
They left 47 days before.After tending the plants in the greenhouse, she took a long walk around the compound. An opportunity to explore her thoughts. She…
Jan 6, 2022
3
Jan 6, 2022
3
Part 3 of Alone on Mars
Martin French
in
Everything Shortform
The mirror was practically red now.She felt like she had no time now. When it first started happening, she fashioned some filters from old clothes, then current clothes, but…
Jan 18, 2022
4
Jan 18, 2022
4
Part 4 of Alone on Mars
Martin French
in
Everything Shortform
They were sworn to secrecy until the rescue was approved.Demands came for details, pictures, interviews. Everyone wanted to join the narrative. Billionaires appeared daily to fund this research…
Jan 26, 2022
10
Jan 26, 2022
10
Part 5 of Alone on Mars
Martin French
in
Everything Shortform
Five hours until the lander arrives.It was well over a year from getting the good news, but time had flown by. Interviews helped, supportive messages too. Her attitude to the…
Feb 2, 2022
6
Feb 2, 2022
6
Part 6
Martin French
in
Everything Shortform
The journey back was tedious.She was enjoying talking to people in real time. Communications with Earth were daily easier as the response lag tailed off. The media…
Feb 19, 2022
8
Feb 19, 2022
8