Part 3: The Crucible, pages 94 - 158. Summary

The opening of Part 3 describes the creation of many parts of Mars over billions of years, explaining the water that lies underground in great aquifers.

In Part 3, Nadezhda Cherneshevsky, or Nadia, a member of the Russian team, lands with the others, delighted to finally be on Mars. She and the others begin to work, rounding up the equipment unmanned ships have been dropping on the planet for years. For several days, the workers strive to begin establishing their community, and Nadia quickly becomes well known as a problem solver. She finds herself helping everyone solve their issues, and speaks often with Arkady on Phobos. On the other hand, she also is subjected to nearly constant chattering of Maya about her own troubled love life. Soon, Nadia and her crew have the first chamber for living...