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I can’t complain about the view. I can see the flag from my window. (I replanted it into the ground. It had fallen over when the first crew blasted off for the return to Earth.) There are more footprints now, and I’ve added some tire marks. But otherwise the place hasn’t changed much.

No, the view is still great. But the place is just too damn quiet.

Budgets were tight, so they didn’t create a whole colony, but they wanted a permanent presence. I got the call for the first shift. I was scheduled for another three months, which would have made it a whole year by the end. I’ve got experiments to do, but I started skipping them. Houston fretted but who’s gonna control me? Sometimes I just need a change of pace.

I think most of the experiments are bullshit anyway. It’s just busy work to keep me from going crazy. But it doesn’t work. After awhile the experiments themselves were driving me crazy. So, I stopped.

Instead, I go for a daily drive. I go further than Houston wants. But I load up the truck with supplies and head for the horizon. It’s a pressurized cabin so I can take off my suit. I have ample air and food, and the truck itself is powered by solar so I can really take off.

I’m tired of Eleven, so I thought I’d check out some of the other landing sites. I’m heading to Sixteen which is the nearest at about 380 kilometers. Plus there’s the altitude thing. Good thing the truck is a good climber.

Oh, man. It’s Houston hailing me again. What is it now?

Cliff, it’s Houston. How are you today? Feeling better?

I’m okay. How is it in Houston? A lot of people around. Lots of restaurants, too, I bet. Room to run, see trees and grass. Not like here.

That’s true, Cliff, but we’re getting you home soon. But you’ve got to stop driving around and return to the Base.

I’ll get back in a few weeks. I just want to take the Sixteen rover out for a spin. I bet I can beat the speed record!

That’s great Cliff, but we need you to get back right away. We’re starting the next shift early and getting you home sooner. Next week actually. But you need to get back to Tranquility and stay there.

No can do, Houston. I’m pretty far from Base now and it would be stupid to turn back before getting to Sixteen. Will proceed to my next site and return to Base in two weeks.

That ended the communication. That was four months ago and I haven’t heard from them since. Got the rover up to 27 mph! Exciting!

Food and air are getting a bit low, though. I’m hoping a supply ship comes soon. I’ve also started doing the experiments again. Maybe they’ll notice.