The Lion of Mars: Chapters 1–6

DATE: 3.5.2091
FROM: CDR Dexter
TO: US Terrestrial Command
MESSAGE: Situation Report

The surface digi-cam at the northwest quadrant of the settlement has been destroyed. The pole supporting it was knocked over as well. It is my conclusion that this was done deliberately by a hostile actor.

The rooms were round, almost bubble-like, for improved structural integrity.

Apparently, on Earth, people lived in boxy structures with hard corners.

Even the plant that decorated the room was made from algae paper, although it was getting old and the leaves had become brittle and started to crumble.

I left the living quarters behind and followed the corridor that led to the work areas.

I passed the exercise room, Sai’s workshop, the sick bay, various workrooms, the generator room, and, my favorite, the algae farm.

There was a wide window with a sweeping view of the dusty red Martian landscape.

The low-hanging sun was a small dot against a pink sky with wispy blue clouds.

A glowing round object hurtled across the sky, a white-hot tail of light streaking behind it.

A plume of red dust was rising, as if it had been kicked up by whatever had crashed into it.

He and I had always been fascinated by aliens and monsters. We had watched every digi- reel in our collection that featured them.

“What’s the ruckus?” he hollered as the room fell silent.

Sai claimed that the cook was the most important person on a mission. Good food made for good morale.

I put a bun and a handful of freeze-dried plantains on my plate.

Recently, Sai had begun taking on an apprentice. He taught them about running the settlement.

Phinneus made shampoo from algae. It smelled nice, but it gave your hair a bit of a green tinge.

We walked back to the main area, past the hydroponic setup where Phinneus raised lettuces and herbs.

“Tell me,” he asked with a probing look. “How are you feeling after this morning’s excitement? That must have been quite a shock.”

“Just because everyone says something doesn’t mean it’s true,” he told me somberly.

Back on Earth, Sai had been in charge of logistics for McMurdo Station, in Antarctica. He knew the importance of every piece of material in our settlement.

Some of the lessons were digi-slate learning—mathematics and programming and writing—and some were practical. Meems taught us about medicine and first aid. Phinneus instructed us in botany. Darby taught us how to unclog a toilet (he said it was the most important life skill anyone could have).

Mementos from Earth were scattered around her room. A feather from a real bird. Something called a pine cone, which she said came from a tree.

I shook my head, my stomach churning. “No way. We’ll get in so much trouble.”

I stared at the landscape. I never got tired of looking at it. There were gently sloping sand dunes and deep canyons. Mountains, craters, and towering hills with jagged outcrops.

“What time is it?” I asked groggily.

Only Vera could think of something devious like that.

How long could we last with that small backpack of provisions—a few energy bars and pouches of water?

Flossy burst into peals of laughter.

“We wouldn’t be stuck here if it wasn’t for you!” Trey groused.