Personal Log – Dr Kobayashi
Sol 184 / Year 2040 (Calendar)
Alpha Base, Mars
Time: 23:08 (Hab Time)
"The sky is not empty."
Today was my first real walk on Mars. Yesterday was historic — the first step, the olive branch. But today… today was science.
I spent nearly seven hours outside the Hab with Maria and Dr Baturin. The suits are heavy, the boots unfamiliar, and every move demands intention. But somehow, it all felt natural. Like we were meant to be here — not as conquerors, but as guests.
I deployed our first atmospheric station. A small, boxy instrument no bigger than a school bag. It doesn’t look impressive, but it listens to the air. Wind, pressure, temperature, particles — every breath of this thin world. It began transmitting within 11 seconds. I nearly cheered inside my helmet.
The wind is real. It moves across the land with a kind of sadness — not like Earth, where wind is alive with life and smell. Mars wind is different. Still ancient. But it brushes your suit and makes you feel less alone.
Maria kept checking on me. I think she’s appointed herself my big sister. I don’t mind. Her calm keeps me grounded — no pun intended. Dr Baturin was quiet, focused. I watched him pause and touch a rock like it was sacred. Maybe it is.
At one point, I looked up. The sky was dusted rose. The sun was low, and it cast our shadows long and sharp across the ground. And in that moment, I whispered something into my mic that no one heard:
“Thank you.”
Not to anyone in particular. Maybe to Earth. Maybe to my professors. Maybe to the little girl I used to be, sitting on the roof in Tokyo, watching satellites pass overhead.
I’m not sure I deserve to be here. But I’ll work every sol to prove I belong.
This is our home now. Even the sky says so.
— Kobayashi