They landed at the designated site. It was a little rougher than they had anticipated. Dan complained about a sore neck the next day, but at least they weren't smeared across the Martian landscape as some naysayers had predicted.
Rob suggested that Dan exit the ship first. He didn't want to be the one remembered as the first man on Mars. Rob smirked at Dan's excitement, knowing that he was better suited for the life of talk shows and speaking appointments that came with any first time event.
As Dan set foot on the red planet for the first time, he announced, "Hello world!"
Rob smiled. "Not exactly profound. That sounded more like something I'd say."
"We've trained together for so long that you're rubbing off on me."
They proceeded on foot to the base camp. Over thirty vessels loaded with equipment and bots had been sent previously to the landing sites. The base had been assembled remotely and automated equipment had been supplying it with oxygen and power.
Dan was excited and when Dan was excited, he talked. It took twenty minutes to walk to the base and Rob expected to be treated to twenty minutes of Dan's monologue. Rob discreetely turned off his com after seven minutes.
He flipped it on just before they reached the base. It was quiet. After a minute or two Dan spoke up.
"So have you turned back on your com?"
Rob smiled. "You noticed, did you?"
"A few minutes ago."
When Rob and Dan entered the base through the air lock they found it to be comfortable if small. Walking had been pleasant after their two week stay in the ship.
Dan agreed with Rob, that since he had been allowed to be first to step foot on Mars, that Rob could be the first to take a shower on Mars. That meant a lot more to Rob than the talk show circuit, and besides, he might get to do some soap commercials.
It took only a few days to get into the full swing of things. Rob did test cores and Dan analyzing them and they split up repairing the base and various bots that needed fixing.
Time passed. It was a normal day, as normal days go on Mars. Rob was performing test drills -- nothing too exciting.
He felt a rumble and seemed to hear one too. He looked up from the drilling equipment and saw what looked like the stars falling. It was awe inspiring, but a little frightening. He felt the impacts all around him. He didn't move. Why should he? He was just as safe standing still and enjoying the sight as running around in panic.
The display lasted half the day. He held off on drilling, not wanting to jeopardize the equipment drilling in vibrating ground. After the sky stopped falling he continued.
Dan, his teammate, checked in on him.
"Rob? How'd you fair the storm?"
"They missed me."
"Good. The base got hit a few times, but only in areas that we covered with dirt. I haven't detected any leaks or damage."
"Well, I've got to get back to drilling."
"See you at base later. I've ordered out for pizza."
Rob laughed.
Rob was extracting a core sample just then and stuttered.
"Uh, D-d-dan."
"Rob, you okay?" Dan's voice had concern in it.
"I think I found coal."
It was Dan's turn to laugh.
"You made fun of my 'Hello world'? This is great. You discover proof of ancient life on Mars and the best quote you can come up with is, 'Uh, D-d-dan.'"
Rob groaned. He knew he wouldn't out live that one.