Then they each hugged her in turn, each embrace communicating the character of the giver, from Gregory’s bony and formal hug, to Mack’s fatherly bear-hug, and lastly, Daniel’s warm and comforting embrace. Once she had asked them to take her with them, before she had truly come to grips with colony life. She remembered that moment ruefully now as they walked to the garage and suited up. That evening, she had vowed never to embarrass herself again, no matter how difficult parting was.

They clambered into their suits and boarded the rover in silence. Sarah hated this part the most. The actual departure was a mix of wonder and sorrow, but the long, slow minutes between now and then proved simply oppressive. She knew that they would return next month, but when they were leaving, it felt like that day would never come again.

She drove the rover back to the relatively flat area where the spaceship stood. Over the comms, they each wished her goodbye; maybe it was just her, but it sounded like even Gregory’s voice had decreased its acidity a little. As they strode in long loping steps back to the ship, she waited for them to turn around. They each turned and waved one last time. She waved back, her arm feeling lifeless, as if it wasn’t hers and she had no control over it. They climbed the ladder, pulled it up, sealed the ship, and prepared for takeoff. She pushed a button and the rover sent four anchors into the ground. Then she waited.