After new developments in rocket propulsion enable a trip to
Mars to be completed in weeks instead of months,
Vice-PresidentDan Quayle is persuaded to join the crew of the first mission — and becomes its sole survivor.
Paul Di Filippo described it as "wicked satire".[3] The Sun-Sentinel considered it to be "affectionate", noting that although "Sargent gently mocks Quayle's intellectual and spiritual limitations", she also portrays him as having genuine courage;[4] similarly,
Mark Pitcavage considered Quayle "a likeable and earnest dimbulb".[5]Geoffrey Landis, writing in 1993, described it as "amusing (but) outdated".[6]