Cryonic Dreams: When Mars Breaks

Two: The Promise of Mars

(Elysium Gateway Station and Space dock, Low Mars Orbit, year 2169)

After four days and twenty-two hours on board the Galileo we arrived at space dock and transferred by shuttle to the Elysium Gateway station. During our voyage, we had sifted through the information Holi had taken from the archives. The official record appeared to be incomplete, either from being digitally redacted or from intentional tampering, so we learned nothing new we didn’t already know. Maryanne had been known to the Robinson’s as Angela Cartwright but had taken part in the NanTech Expedition, recruited as Stephanie Brewster, a research analyst. The reason behind the aliases remained a mystery. What we did confirm was that NanTechs mission on Mars was officially noted as ‘Viability Testing for the Production of Biomedical Nanites in a Microgravity Environment’, and led by the owner and operator, Mr Christopher Phillips of Phillips Enterprise Holdings Incorporated.

With this knowledge, our destination would be the old NanTech facility and our first priority set. Once on Mars, we would need to procure all the equipment needed to reach the remote facility. According to Ian, hiring transport to the remote location was going to be our biggest headache, so he agreed to make the arrangements.

The facility, officially listed as abandoned, was located at Erebus Montes, some 70 kms from the original main colony and landing site at SX Prime, within the Arcadia Planitia, which had, more recently, also been abandoned due to the threat of unstable soils and rising water levels. The closest sizeable population centre was some 4000km away in Arcadia city, on the shores of Elysium Mons, so this was to be our planetfall.

Maryanne had worked at the NanTech facility for two years and had been one of the few survivors, along with Mr Phillips and several others, of an environmental breach, which had claimed the lives of almost all the expedition’s members. After this tragic event the facility was abandoned for two years while an internal investigation was conducted. Information relating to the outcome of the investigation, had not been accessible by Holi so what exactly had happened was unknown. After completion of the investigation the facility was reopened as a biomedical nanite production facility, remaining in operation for another twenty years.

On our way to meet up with our terrestrial shuttle to take us to the planet’s surface, I stopped at the large viewing platform to take in a view of the Red Planet. It was not as red as it once was. Terra forming project events had thickened and warmed the atmosphere and allowed water to flow, noticeable patches of blues, purples, smaller patches of greens, towards equatorial regions and patches of white from frozen surface water, towards the colder regions.

I stood there, watching the steady stream of shuttles arriving and departing, engaging with the station in a dangerous synchronous union, made possible through the mathematical blending of science and engineering that culminated in the absolute precision necessary for the spatial navigation. Inside the station there was almost a buzz-like level of activity, providing a sense of industriousness and accomplishment amongst its employees and its visitors.

The Elysium spaceport was a large rotating station even bigger than Earth’s Terra Nova Gateway. At my last reading, there were ten such stations around Mars with more to be built. Each station serviced part of the planet, allowing people to rotate through the stations every three months. Despite all planet-side cities being pressurised to 1 atm microgravity health concerns were still very prevalent requiring the rotation of personnel to gravity environments and remaining for a minimum of two weeks, to regain health and fitness lost. Pregnancies were particularly susceptible to these effects hence expecting mothers were required to remain on gravity stations for the full gestation period.

I felt someone walk up close. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Maryanne stop beside me. We both peered at the planet, likely sharing my disbelief at being there, and about to set foot on another world. Her presence, pressing me to utter the words.

“It’s so different to Earth.”

Mars was a uniquely different place and despite much automation by robotics and AI, human oversight and validation was intertwined with every process, to create a human synergy with automated systems, providing the population, who were the end user of all products and services, valuable and necessary work. This in turn gave the settlers a psychological sense of purpose and accomplishment, and as the corporations housed and fed its workforce, they were fiercely loyal, ensuring every success in this rugged frontier.

Maryanne looked at me then back to the planet. “Jaxxon says people here are quite different. Is that true?”

“I believe so. It’s got something to do with the hostility of the landscape, requiring people to rely on each other and work more closely, which in turn has hardened the value of trust among the population. I believe it has been developed into its own unique philosophy called Martianluminism. A frontier philosophy centred on the belief that each person carries an inner light, what people used to call the soul, whose clarity, integrity, and responsibility are essential to the collective survival.”

Every individual was singularly responsible for the day to day, every action taken was a reality check having instant consequences for all. The idea of responsibility, evolved, being codified into every aspect of life, creating a culture with trust and unity at its core. The reality of this uniqueness made the idea of a union between the oligarchs and the agency seem all the more incongruent. Yet I hadn’t felt at ease since I had disembarked, the first thing I had noticed was the number of humanoid bots, many resembling the AASID security bots, appearing just as menacing despite being moulded in white. My stomach turned every time I saw one. I so despised them.

We continued to gaze at the planet for a few minutes until Ian caught up with us.

“Magnificent view, is it not,” Ian said, motioning his head towards the world hanging in the window. “A world of paradoxes. Nothing is as it seems. Is it,” he continued without clarifying his statement, then reminding us that we were still on the clock. “Come on, we’d better hurry, our shuttle will be departing in about 20 minutes, follow me.

No sooner had we started behind Ian that Maryanne put her arm out in front of me.

“Wait where is Jaxxon,” she uttered, concern in her voice. Without even slowing his stride Ian answered.

“Don’t worry, Jaxxon has already gone ahead.” We continue to our departure point and boarded the awaiting shuttle, anxious of our pending departure.

Ian had suggested we land at Arcadia city, not simply because it was the closest major population centre but also to reduce our risk profile. Arcadia was not under the control of Stellar, the SOLaR Systems conglomerate. As AASIDs biggest supporter they would know of our escape. We could only hope that Steven’s communication had worked as intended and they were either not looking for us or looking in the wrong places. My sudden recall left me feeling jittery and apprehensive, forcing me to hold my arms tightly. I was longing for the sensations he had made me feel, and thankful for his help, but angry that he had abandoned me.

From the landing shuttle we hyper-looped directly to the Serenity complex, one of four that made up Arcadia city. Each city on Mars, including its surrounding district, were owned by an organisation or a conglomerate, in which all living and housing requirements were provided for its workers. In our case, as visitors, we were sponsored by the DSP and all costs charged to the Galileo’s manifest.

Our first stop, before leaving the central complex station, was the procurement of new linxes for communications and connections, not just to the city but more importantly to the quad pack, and our Mars rated suits to protect us in the wilds of the Martian environment.

I put on the new linx, and instantly heard the cities voice coming through my tags, confirming connection and synchronisation, simultaneously, my auglenses began to synchronise to the Arcadian augmentation system, becoming emblazoned with a million colours flashing psychedelically in front of my eyes. I was now connected to the city, able to see and hear the cities advisory information, for my location, nearby services, and other signage. Oddly enough, I noted the lack of a living profile here.

“Welcome to Arcadia, Doctor Brown, I am the Arcadia Nuclear, Infrastructure and Transit Assistant, but you can call me Anita. The Galileo manifest lists you as science crew, will you be visiting Arcadia for long.”

“No, we won’t be staying long, but you can direct us to the Ethan Manning district.”

“Certainly Dr Brown. The Ethan Manning district is located in the Serentiy complex, on the Planitia level, level three. The quickest directions will appear in your auglenses momentarily.”

Almost immediately directional arrows and instructions appeared in my vision.

“Thank you, Anita that’s all I need for now.”

From there we split up. Maryanne, Jaxxon and I headed to procure our Mars rated suits while Ian checked us into a hotel for the night, before heading out to arrange our transport for the next day. Knowing the city and its contacts a little better than the rest of us, Ian had agreed the undertaking, agreeing to meet us for drinks after dinner to confirm his arrangements for the next day.

After dinner and a quick freshen up, I made my way down the pathway towards the bar, where we had chosen to meet, to catch up with Maryanne and Jaxxon, the walkways all being very reminiscent of those around my apartment on Earth. The bar stood alone and was lit up with real retro neon signs, no augmentation required, surrounded by trees, a fountain and other water features. It was oval in shape and had two bars: one on each level of the facility. I looked into the building trying to catch a glimpse of them as I neared the facility, spotting them on the first, at the end closest to the dome wall, which I assumed, provided them the best view of the Martian landscape.

I climbed the central ramp-like staircase to the first level and was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance of the place. the surrounding area was decorative and tranquil, its location, able to see clear through to the southern end of the dome structure, and as I suspected looked out on to the Martian landscape.

It was a vista I had always been curious to experience but too busy with real work trying to save lives, to ever seriously contemplate leaving Earth. But walking over towards Maryanne and Jaxxon, I couldn’t help, stop for my eyes to wander over the extraterrestrial landscape to its horizon, my skin pimpling in electric wonderment. The setting sun, as it slowly sank behind the land mass, leaving the growing darkness in its wake was absolutely palpable. The view, my god, so alien and yet so familiar. I was caught in the spell of awe, my eyes fixed, out into the diminishing light, dislodged only by the thousands of lights of industrialisation slowly winking on across the district.

“It’s just so incredible, isn’t it,” I heard Maryanne say. She had caught me in my gaze and broken my spell, pressing me to walk the last few steps to sit down with the pair.

“Our current predicament aside, to think that we are on another planet. It’s just so fantastic. Human achievements have been so amazing. It’s incredible what we have created out here,” Maryanne continued, Jaxxon nodding and smiling.

I nodded in agreement with them, and yet our darkness was never far away.

“It would be far more poignant and meaningful however, if Earth hadn’t chosen to go in the opposite direction.”

It was Maryanne’s turn to nod at my reminder of our reality.

“Yes, from what I have read, our past it seems, was full of more than just discovery but also incredible social and political upheaval. Still, to be at the forefront of this movement must’ve been incredible. I wish I could remember my past life. It must have been a remarkable time.”

I had never cared too much about our dark history. The previous century had been full of despots, tyrants and liars, eager to control the population and destroy it to its own design. Jaxxon, however, did see the spark of genius and the humanity that came from it.

“Are you kidding, it was fantastic,” Jaxxon quickly reaffirmed. “Well, not all of it but the late 2020’s and early 2030’s witnessed the birth of serious space exploration and a booming space industry. The rush to space of thousands of people, which quickly turned into millions, has gone down in history as, The Great Anthropogenic Stella Expansion. What a time to be alive! Admittedly, during the 2040s, the significant numbers of those leaving Earth, were only doing so to escape the rampant automation of almost everything, leaving people completely demoralised and without purpose, not to mention the growing tyranny that was forming.”

Jaxxon managed to remind me that our presence out there was somehow connected to the past and the accumulation of power by some.

“True, Corporations grew quickly within SOL during the first four decades, creating a resource boom everyone wanted and needed, making promises to people of valuable and purposeful work to advance humanity.” I added.

“Exactly, and it proved to be quite the draw card. I mean, who would pass up an opportunity for paid work, with all living costs completely covered.” Jaxxon, ever the optimist, quickly continued. “The entire world rallied quickly and in a brief period of just a few short decades, industry in space went from simple LEO missions to; complex space exploration missions, mining endeavours and even tourism. It must have been a remarkable experience. The rate of growth on both Luna and Mars was astonishing. The establishment of bases and settlements, both on and off-world; large mining consortiums taking advantage of the abundance of minerals that were in short supply on earth; and the foundation of a bustling space industry, made possible by the fabrication of numerous rotating spaceports and stations. Nothing else in our history can compare with it. By the 2070’s we had reached and had commenced the exploration and mining of the outer solar system. My god it must have been fantastic. I get chills just thinking about it.”

At that moment Ian arrived, and he didn’t look happy at all. Perhaps we wouldn’t be leaving in the morning as we had planned.

“So how did it go,” Jaxxon asked, perhaps hoping Ian’s look of disappointment was not connected to the transport.

Ian just shook his head.

“No one in Arcadia is willing to hire a drone to take us to the Erebus Montes region. Apparently, no one will provide insurance for a vehicle going that far and to a region currently succumbing to a new ocean.”

Maryanne instantly looked saddened thinking she may now not find the answers to her past. Jaxxon didn’t look much happier as he had already decided to join us on our journey, perhaps wanting to stay close to Maryanne. But he also knew Ian better than any of us, knowing he wouldn’t leave it at that and would have more to say. “So… Come on Ian, out with it. I know you have an answer for us.”

He smiled and nodded.

“Can’t hide anything from you Jaxxon. Yes your right I do have a solution…”

We all abruptly smiled again.

“…But you may not like it because it does come with some risk. Plus, I will have to come with you to ensure its success.”

We all looked at each other wondering what Ian was talking about. But it wasn’t funny noting our departure from Earth.

“Stop being so mysterious, Ian, you’re making us nervous,” I blurted out.

“Yes, Ian, out with it. What have you arranged,” asked Jaxxon?

Ian nodded and confirmed how the next day was to play out.

“I have arranged two small drones from the droneport to take us to a small science settlement in the Phlegra Ranges, where we will be able to arrange a drone to take us to the Erebus Montes region.”

Jaxxon looked at him through squinted eyes, knowing something that wasn’t being said.

“That sounds reasonable. That will work, won’t it?” I added, trying to force what was not being said.

“Yes, there is a good chance that it will work,” Ian continued. “Unfortunately, there is no guarantee. You see the ‘small science settlement’ likely means it’s a front for a smuggling operation…”

Jaxxon immediately erupted, now realising what had not been said, hearing Ian’s solution.

“We can’t do that. It’s too risky,” Jaxxon exclaimed loudly, Maryanne quickly looking around to see if anyone had taken an interest in our conversation. Luckily, they hadn’t, having chosen to ignore Jaxxon’s excitement.

Ian hesitated for a moment, before continuing.

“I understand your reluctance but it’s our only option. I have had some experience with these people and can provide the financing, so I will be coming with you, as far as the station.”

We looked at each somewhat confused by our sudden predicament, Ian quickly deciding for us.

“Look, I know this is less than ideal and if there was any other way…,” Ian rested on his utterance, perhaps thinking through what he had asked of us, but ultimately shook his head conceding to the reality. “There is only one question you have left to ask… How badly do you want to learn what happened to Maryanne at Erebus Montes?”

With the Galileo in space dock for the next week, Ian was free to assist us get ourselves to the Phlegra station but first had to respond to engineering questions raised by the captain, so it was agreed that Jaxxon and Maryanne, with our few supplies, would take the first drone, and Ian and I would follow in the second. After farewelling the pair, I returned to my room to collect the bio-aid kit and quad packs, wearing one and hanging the other over my shoulder. I stopped to look out the window pondering my new reality. My presence here felt alien and for a moment I became home sick, missing the relative stability of Epsilon, unexpectedly thinking of Steven, wondering whether he was ok, recalling the sensation of his kiss. My body began to warm all over, before the nightmare of our departure abruptly invaded my vision, seeing him lying in some ditch, dead at the hands of AASID.

I began to shake, pondering our close calls, all the vile in my life exploding to the surface, my shaking more violent, my thoughts darkening, sweat instantly forming. I was millions of kilometres from that life, yet I could still not escape it. I raced to the bathroom, dropping the bag from over my shoulder, and washed the past from my face, trying to bring myself back from the horror and the hate, returning myself to a proper presence of mind.

At that moment I heard the room door open. I was about to step out to confront whoever it was but then I heard a male voice. Who the hell?

I stopped, not daring to make a noise, then quietly moved behind the bathroom door, pushing it too before they could see the bathroom.

“There’s no one here,” said a male voice. “It’s empty like the other two. The boss is going to be pissed. Check the bathroom.”

My heart jumped causing me to hold my breath for a second, almost causing me to groan. Had I groaned and given myself away. My body vibrated with adrenalin as I then heard one of the men handling a weapon, loading and cocking it.

“What are you doing,” the first male voice said.

“Just making sure I’m ready for them,” answered a second man.

I heard one of the men nearing the bathroom. I braced every muscle, preparing to defend myself but hoped it wouldn’t be needed. I hadn’t trained in a very long time.

“The boss said low key, he only wants us to find out what they are doing here, so you won’t need that,” retorted the first man.

Who were these men and what did they want? Were they somehow connected to AASID or had the mantle for our demise been handed to whoever was in charge out here?

“Looks like we’ve been given some bad intel,” a third man added just outside the bathroom. The door, a little ajar, shuddered as he grabbed the handle.

I felt the thumping in my chest, my heart pumping hard, every muscle tensing with anxiety, pressing me to close my eyes in defence.

“Hang on, I have an incoming comms…,” the first man mumbled.

I opened my eyes again, hearing the comms signal. The man just outside the bathroom stopping his advance, the door slowing its opening swing.

“…They’ve been spotted,” I heard the first man confirm.

The second man, eager to know, jumped in.

“So where are they?”

The man ont the phone shrieked back at the second.

“Shh! Wait!”

I heard the footsteps move away from me, back towards the main door.

“Change of plans, we have to follow them and stop them first chance we get. Come on let’s go. There on level three, nearing the drone port.”

They scurried from the room, causing me to jump nervously when the door loudly snapped shut behind them. The wave of relief was instant, dropping like a ten-tonne weight. I took in a deep breath and raised my hands to wipe the sweat from my forehead that had started to form.

I moved from the bathroom and plonked myself on the bed trying to regain my composure. I raised my hand and lowered my face into them, feeling the desperation. The question of whether we would be left alone out here had apparently been answered and it didn’t bode well for any of us.

Get it together. Michelle, Maryanne and Jaxxon need you. Then I recalled my departure from Earth and something Steven had said. I reached into the pocket of the bio-aid kit, to where I had transferred it, and pulled out the card he had given me. I looked at the number on it wondering whether to connect but realised doing so may put a stop to our search for answers. This was something Maryanne needed to do. How could I take that away from her. Perhaps this was still salvageable. Deciding against it, I dropped the card on the end of the bed and forced myself on to my feet. I couldn’t waste any more time, I had to warn them.

I raced out the hotel, grabbing the nearest taxi drone and headed for level three, tapping my linx as I yanked the door closed.

“Anita, connect call to Ms Maryanne Kendricks and Mr Jaxxon Robinson.”

“Connecting… Standby… Connecting… Connecting…

Come on, come on, pick up, god damn it. Where are they? They couldn’t have left the complex already.

“I’m sorry Dr Brown but their linx connects are not reachable,” Anita finally replied.

I was at the drone port within three minutes, quickly running through to the vehicle hardstands, just in time to see three men jumping into a drone, with a fourth man pointing out towards the large vehicle airlock. I was just able to make out Maryanne and Jaxxon inside their drone in the airlock waiting for their clearance, before the doors opened and they taxied out and immediately lifted off. The men in the drone taxiing after them.

My anxiousness abruptly shot up, not knowing what to do next. These men were now out to stop us. I was in over my head and needed help. I had to connect with Ian.

Ian was shocked to hear the account of my experience.

“What can we do? Shall we call the police?

Ian’s pause felt long, perhaps pensive, pondering our next course of action.

“Despite my attempt to reduce our risk, this is the connection that we feared, the connection to AASID on Earth, Michelle. And, it appears they are still set on stopping Maryanne. This is very troublesome news, very troublesome indeed…”

He continued his pause, trying to resolve for our next move but hearing his comment out loud did nothing but make my skin crawl.

“…To answer your question about the police, no. On Mars, the police rarely concern themselves with remote stations. So they won’t be of any use to us. Their jurisdiction is predominantly limited to the larger population centres… I think it best for us to handle this ourselves. We continue as planned and hope that we can catch up with them. There should be local security staff at the station that we can talk to. They may help us given there need to keep things low key. I’m on my way and be with you in about 10 minutes. In the meantime, try not to worry, everything is going to be fine.”

By the time Ian arrived, I had worked myself up again, worried sick for Maryanne and Jaxxon. He had just exited the office confirming our drone and I followed him out to the vehicle. He tossed the equipment he had arranged onto the rear seats, occupying the front right seat, while I dropped my two bags on to the front passenger side floor and slid into the seat, as the canopy and doors locked behind us

The lights on the dashboard flashed, the AI’s voice reminding us to fasten our harnesses prior to departure. The rush of recycled air filled the cabin. The AI began to monologue the airspace requirements and waiting times, before we proceeded through the vehicle airlock and out onto the pad. Another few seconds later, the heads up on the console confirmed the airspace ‘clear’ for departure, audibly confirmed by the vehicle’s digital driver. The drone lifted quickly into the air, gaining altitude rapidly.

It wasn’t too long before we could see vast distances in every direction.

“Can we make the drone go any faster?”

Ian shook his head to the contrary.

“No, they are set on automatic. A safety requirement so that people and drones don’t go missing.”

I ruminated for a moment on our past drone experience, looking at the quadpack at my feet, needing to get to Maryanne and Jaxxon fast.

“The other day Jaxxon used Holi to take control of our drone,” I asked Ian, lifting the quad pack from between my feet? “Can we do the same here and perhaps make some ground. I’ve become quite fond of Maryanne and Jaxxon, and I would hate for anything to happen to them.”

Ian smiled, reaching across to take the pack from me.

“Excellent thinking, Michelle. I’d forgotten you brought the quadpack along.”

Ian quickly powered up the drive and connected Holi to the console.

“Hello, Dr Brown, Dr Spears. How can I assist,” she replied, springing with elation.

I felt my shoulders fall a little hearing Holi respond. Her voice a cleansing reassurance, Dr Spears instantly instructing her.

“Holi, run cloaking algorithm and maximise our speed and efficiency to get us to Phlegra Science station.”

“Connecting to drone MGPS…, synchronising…, locating Phlegra Science station… calculating… Destination and speed set, Dr Spears.”

Hearing Holi locate and set our destination made it all the more real, causing me to shudder, clutching my arms in response. All I could do was wonder whether we would get to Maryanne and Jaxxon in time and how this would turn out for all of us.