My Little Pony: My Little Pony The Martian

"Mindy, are you free now?"

Mindy Parker, who was sitting in front of her satellite control station and staring at the monitor, raised her head and saw the Martian meteorologist Randall Carter leaning against the cubicle wall next to her. "Maybe," she responded, "What's wrong?"

"Um, let me ask first, what are you busy with recently?"

Mindy clicked on the dozens of satellite images of the upper reaches of Maworth Valley that were stacked on the screen in front of her. "Sirius 8 is about to enter a very difficult terrain in Maworth Valley," she answered. "I have been preparing detailed information for Johnson recently so that she can guide Watney through it smoothly. Of course, the actual situation they encounter on the ground may be completely different, but I hope it can be a little help. "

"Have you been monitoring the dust storm recently?" Randall changed the topic.

"Not much," Mindy replied, "I've programmed the satellites to take detailed images of Sirius 8 during the first lap or so of their orbit. All the photos will be automatically forwarded to you. I've been studying Watt recently. I'm so busy planning my route that I don't have time to pay attention to the weather." She didn't need to think too hard to guess the content of the next discussion, "The situation has worsened again, hasn't it?"

"Yes and no." Randall explained, "The dust storm has actually not moved recently - the center of the storm is completely stationary. But it has recently begun to expand. It is not as developed as the global dust storms that occur from time to time on Mars. So fast, but under normal circumstances, the Martian dust storm should either remain basically unchanged in size, or escalate into a global meteorological event in just a few days. But the size of this dust storm has been stable for several weeks. So what could be the reason for its sudden growth now?"

Mindy stared at her screen full of satellite images, "What else could it be besides Mark Watney and ponies being unwelcome in this universe and being specifically targeted by Mars?"

"This is not very funny." Randall was not interested in such remarks. "I have had a few colleagues talk like this recently. I will go to Dr. Kapol to report to him soon. This kind of thing The argument must never be put on the table.”

"I didn't mean to joke." She looked at the photos again, "Then are we going to let them return to the residential area?"

"I don't have the right to decide."

"What's your suggestion?"

"As far as the current situation is concerned, if Dr. Kapol asks, my answer will still be implemented according to the original plan," Randall replied. "The distance between the rover and the residential area has been increased. In case the dust storm really It may not be possible to return in time after the outbreak. And turning back at this point means that both Hermes and other rescue missions we can launch for three years will be in vain. So far, the conditions on the edge of the dust storm have not endangered survival. We can direct them along the edge. But honestly," he sighed, "it would be nice if we could get them to turn due south now."

"It can't be done," Mindy replied bluntly. "They're barely able to climb out of Maworth right now—maybe. But the surface west of Truvallot Crater is riddled with holes and holes. The small river valley - definitely full of hidden dangers. They can only turn south after traveling to the east side of Troislot, where the terrain is gentler. The dust storm will affect it within four days. Them?"

"Not yet," Randall replied, "but with the current rate of expansion, it won't be long before they come into range. We need them to turn south immediately if it is safe to do so."

"Okay," Mindy sighed, "as soon as I'm done with this, I'm going to find a route south from Truvallot."