Earthbound

In the bustling halls of the Martian Museum of Science, siblings Virgil and Lanya roam among towering exhibits, their eyes wide with wonder at the relic known as the “Ghost”—the first Earth‑origin ship to touch down on the Red Planet. The massive, clunky vessel stands in stark contrast to the sleek atomic crafts that dominate the displays, sparking the younger Lanya’s imagination and the older brother’s engineering pride. Their shared curiosity is tempered by the watchful presence of uniformed attendants, hinting at a society that values both discovery and order.

Back in the family workshop, the pair turn fascination into ambition, sketching blueprints and assembling a modest launch rig amid the rust‑colored dunes. Virgil’s confidence, honed by two years at the Technological Institute, pushes Lanya to confront the daunting realities of turning theory into thrust. As the ship’s frame takes shape, the excitement of a daring venture begins to mingle with the unease of stepping beyond the safety of imagined futures.