The Transcendent — Susan Hart

The year is 2047 and humanity's greatest endeavor is finally being realized - the establishment of the first permanent settlement on Mars. At the vanguard of this historic mission is a tight-knit group of five friends who have journeyed together from their carefree high school days, through the grueling years of college and astronaut training. Three brilliant women - Jessica, Samantha, and Emily - and two stalwart men - Michael and Ryan - are bonded by an unbreakable trust and a shared dream of walking on the red planet.Tragedy strikes before their spacecraft even leaves Earth's orbit when Ryan, the most mechanically gifted of the crew, perishes in a horrific accident during final preparations. The group was already staying in the quarantine building, mandatory for thirty days before a flight.As the news of Ryan's accident reverberated through the small, sterile rooms of the quarantine building, the remaining four friends gathered in silence, enveloped by a heavy haze of grief and shock. Emily clutched a crumpled tissue in her trembling hands, her eyes red and puffy from tears she had shed in solitude.Michael, usually the rock of the group with his unwavering optimism, sat with his head bowed low, lost in memories of their shared adventures and late-night talks. Samantha, always the pragmatic one, tried to maintain a sense of composure as she held Jessica's hand tightly for support.