I asked Microsoft Copilot to make the short story baced on the following scenario;
Rocky insists on traveling with Ryland to the Solar System → they detect Mars → Rocky becomes fascinated → they land → Mark Watney is there.
This is really interesting so I am going to share.
“Red Dust Without Red” — A Short Story
The Eridian‑modified Hail Mary drifted into the Solar System, and Rocky pressed both hands against the metal wall near the viewport — not to look, but to listen.
He emitted a soft chord.
The returning echoes told him everything.
“Grace,” Rocky clicked, “small planet ahead. Thin air. Dust everywhere. Rocky want to explore.”
Ryland smiled. “That’s Mars. Humans call it the Red Planet.”
Rocky paused. “Red… human concept. Rocky no understand. But Rocky want to map planet.”
Ryland laughed. “Yeah. I figured.”
And they descended.
Landing on Mars
The ship touched down with a low vibration that rippled through Rocky’s carapace.
He clicked rapidly, building a 3D map of the terrain.
“Ground hard. Dust fine. Air very thin. Temperature low. Rocky like new place.”
Ryland stepped out beside him. “Stay close. Mars isn’t friendly to either of us.”
Before Rocky could answer, a distant voice echoed across the plain.
“HEY! Who just landed on my planet?”
Ryland froze. “Oh no. No way.”
A human figure approached, boots crunching loudly in the dust.
Mark Watney.
The First Encounter
Mark stopped dead when Rocky stepped forward, clicking politely.
“…Okay,” Mark said slowly, “either I’m hallucinating, or that is the most polite alien in the universe.”
Rocky straightened. “Hello Mark. Rocky friend. Grace friend.”
Mark blinked. “It talks. It talks. And it’s friendly. I’m… okay, I’m processing.”
Ryland stepped between them. “Mark, this is Rocky. Rocky, this is Mark Watney. He grows potatoes.”
Rocky tilted his head. “Potato man.”
Mark groaned. “Oh great. That’s my brand now.”
Rocky Discovers the Potato Farm
Mark led them to his greenhouse. Rocky paused at the entrance, emitting a long, complex chord.
“Smell strong. Soil wet. Life present. But… method strange.”
Mark threw his hands up. “Why does everyone say that?”
Ryland grinned. “Because it is strange, Mark.”
Rocky tapped the greenhouse wall, listening to the vibrations.
“Structure weak. Temperature unstable. Water cycle inefficient. Rocky improve.”
Mark stared. “You’re telling me an alien is about to upgrade my farm?”
Ryland patted his shoulder. “Trust him.”
The Upgrade
Within hours, Rocky had:
- Reinforced the greenhouse with xenonite
- Tuned the light spectrum (based on heat signatures, not color)
- Balanced the soil chemistry
- Improved water recycling
- Stabilized the temperature
Mark watched, stunned.
“My potatoes are going to become superheroes.”
Ryland nodded. “Honestly? Probably.”
Rocky clicked proudly. “Mark good farmer. But strange farmer.”
Mark sighed. “I’ll take it.”
A New Signal
As the three stood outside the upgraded greenhouse, Ryland’s wrist console beeped.
A signal.
From Earth.
Ryland’s breath caught. “They found us.”
Mark looked at him. “You ready?”
Rocky placed a hand on Ryland’s shoulder, sensing his elevated heartbeat.
“Grace not alone. Rocky here.”
Ryland swallowed. “Yeah. I know.”
The three of them—
a human teacher,
a Martian castaway,
and an engineer who navigates the universe by sound—
stood together on the dusty plain, waiting for the first message from Earth.
And for the first time in history,
Mars became the meeting point of three civilizations.
Actually, it's very hard to generate the header image. They don't look like Ryan nor Matt either. I guess it's because of Portrait Rights or something?
Anyway, I love this illustration
The Martian × Rocky pic.twitter.com/AB27ZmcC3Q
— メイドキメラ🍣 (@kimeido) 2026年4月6日
Unfortunatelly Project Hail Mary shows will be end on April 23 in Japan. Very limited fan goods.
I wish I were in the United States.
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