Trouble on the Red Planet; Aumrill

It was two days later and about two hundred miles south east of the facility in an archeological encampment in Inca City a man was stirring in his bed. He sat on the edge of his bed rubbing his eyes and he was barely awake. He slowly stood up and walked to an adjoining bathroom. He looked into the mirror and he ran his fingers through his black shoulder length hair. He turned the water on and washed his face. He turned and looked through the door into the bedroom. The electronic calendar on his desk was flashing.

“Oh! Damn! It’s Tuesday,” he said out loud. ‘I’ve got to get ready,’ he thought.

He took his morning shower and packed his bags. He had two pressure suits in his locker; one was for work and the other was for travel. The more rugged one was white and stained red from digging in the Martian soil, the other one was a sleek black. They both had inscribed on their chests the name, Richard Serling. He pulled down the black one and put it on.

His Tesla Ares Alpha-15 was parked just outside the airlock. An electrically powered car designed for travel on Mars. It had raised fenders covering its fifteen inch knobby rubber tires. It was painted orange for visibility it was rectangular curving aero-dynamically from the headlights to the windshield. It had doors on either side that folded upward for easy entry. It was two seated with a shift lever between the seats. He lifted up the driver door and the front panel lit up in a green glow. He looked at his watch. “Hmmm, 8:15,” he said to himself. ’I can still make it for lunch,’ he thought.

He got into the driver’s seat and switched it on. He moved forward into the street. He was moving slowly to get into position on the main road. Roads on Mars were merely grated strips that went on for miles along the surface. He accelerated on the main road and was moving passed buildings on his left. Most of them were storage sheds housing excavation equipment for the archaeological dig. The buildings were equipped with solar panels on their roofs for power. Shortly, he was passed the buildings and he could look over the open fields that had pressure domes which dotted the landscape as far as the horizon. Through their clear plastic shell he could see the shapes of cows and other animals in the nearest domes to the road. He passed a few that housed different types of edible vegetation.

He passed the last ones then accelerated gradually to the maximum speed of one hundred fifty miles per hour. The rocks alongside the road streaked passed. The landscape seemed to flow between him and the hills as he sped ahead over the road that rolled and twisted until it disappeared into the horizon.

The landscape was unchanged for almost an hour then in the distance he could see the outline of a power array. He held a steady one-hundred-fifty miles an hour for the next twenty minutes then gradually slowed to eighty miles an hour as he could see power towers on either side of the road. He could also see crews with heavy equipment, moving material, which he assumed was for the construction of more towers. In the distance ahead he could see the Sun reflecting off the top of the crater dome which seemed to emerge from the ground with the road merging into it like a string from an immense balloon.

He drove forward at a steady eighty miles an hour until he could clearly see the curved structure that skirted the wall of the crater. He slowed down to a steady speed of thirty miles an hour until he could see the facility’s parking garage which protected the vehicles from the scouring effect of sand and wind. He turned into the structure and drove until he found a vehicle he recognized and parked next to it.

He pushed open the door and stood up next to the car. He looked over at a line cars to his right along the inside wall and noticed a set of concrete steps which lead to what appeared to be an airlock. He proceeded to the steps and walked up to the curved door of the airlock. He peered through the glass window into the inner chamber through the window on the other side. He could see a corridor aligned with doors but he saw no one inside.

He pressed the switch for the electronic latch and heard a click and the hiss of escaping oxygen. A beep told him that the inside pressure had equalized with the outside. He pressed the switch again to open the door. With a whine the door moved to the side and he walked in and then he pressed the inside switch and the door whined closed. He turned and pressed the switch on the other side. There was another hiss as the oxygen inside the lock compressed. When the pressure equalized with the corridor beyond there was another beep. He removed his helmet and pressed the inside button. The door opened and he walked down the corridor.

He opened the door to find two young men playing cards. The man nearest to him looked up with a surprise. “Yes? May I help you?” he asked as if not knowing what to expect.

“I’m looking for Donna Silver,” Richard said. “She’s expecting me this morning but she didn’t tell me where meet her.”

The man pointed to a door on his right. “She’s in her quarters, just take that door and go through the corridor to door on the other end.”

“Thank you,” Richard said as he proceeded to the door. The corridor was about thirty-five yards in length. He made his way to the door and started to knock but decided against it. He tried the handle and it was unlocked so he opened it and stuck his head in to look around. Donna was not in sight so he proceeded through the door. He saw a vacant hook inside a niche. He took off his pressure suit and hung it on the hook then he clipped his helmet to the front. He heard someone stirring in another room and turned quickly toward the sound.

“I don’t know what you . . .” Donna stopped in the doorway and stood motionless. “Richard!” she shrieked. Before she had a chance to do anything he went over to her and he wrapped his arms around her waist then lifted her and carried her to her bed then he set her on the edge and kissed her lips. She kissed him back tugging at his shoulder she grasped his shirt and pulled it to the side then pulled it over his head. She broke the kiss and gazed at his muscular form. He pulled at the bottom of her shirt and pulled it over her head then he looked at the perfectly shaped mounds pushing up through the top of her black bra and then paused for a moment. He then took the left strap of her bra in his fingers and then let it drop on her shoulder. She kissed him again pulling him back. And he moved his hand to the middle of her shoulder blades and unhooked the bra in the back. The black cloth dropped between their heavily breathing bodies. She dropped her right arm and let it drop to the floor. He then gazed mesmerized over the dark brown areola that covered much of the area at the end of the mounds. He caressed an erect nipple on the left side with the thumb of his left hand and his other fingers massaged the breast. She moaned quietly as he moved his mouth onto the nipple and lashed it with his tongue. He rubbed her shoulder and pushed her long dark brown hair to her back. He backed off slightly and touched her shoulders then he slowly moved his hands to her waist. He knelt to kiss her navel and smelled her skin. He unbuttoned her slacks and pulled them down around her curved buttocks. It was then he smelled the sweet aroma. She lifted her butt and he pulled them off from around her ankles. He pushed his face into her thighs and lashed the area with his tongue. She breathed heavily and her aroma filled his entire being. Her back was arched slightly as she clutched to the edge of the bed with her feet firmly planted on the floor. He stepped back slightly and she watched his pants and underwear fall to the floor exposing his erection. She grasped it with her right hand then bent down slightly and took the head into her mouth. He backed off slightly crouched a little then inserted it into her and he started to move his hips slowly while she echoed his movement with hers. He then grasped the cheeks of her buttocks and lifted her further into the bed and placed her head on a large pillow. He then drove into her, madly. There was a slapping of belly against belly until she gasped in a complete orgasm. He then exploded into her and continued to pump into her until he collapsed and fell to her side rolling onto his back panting.

Still trying to regain her breath she said, “God! I missed you. It feels like an eternity since we were together.” Turning to him she placed her hand on his cheek and brushed his hair back. “Sometimes I wonder why we don’t just stop what we’re doing and go to that place Oregon you’ve told me about.”

“Because,” he paused for a moment then went on, “you know that isn’t us,” he answered. “We both have a calling and that is what keeps us in separate places. I miss you too and that’s what I think makes me work so hard.”

“But it seems so endless and it’s like I chasing after something that keeps slipping away,” she said in almost desperation.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” he said in disbelief. “The accomplishments you’ve made here are enormous. I pick up the reports all the time and they rave about what you’ve done since you’ve been here.”

“Yes, but we’re always running into problems and now this feels like it could be a dead end because we have been at a standstill for over two weeks.”

“So, you’ve hit a snag. It’s just a temporary setback. Trust me these things have a way of coming through. Besides as soon as they get those towers up you guys are going to be so busy making it work you won’t have time to think about it.”

She sat up quickly. “That reminds me I’d better go check their progress.” She started to get up, and he touched her shoulder.

“Relax,” he said, quickly, “they’re working like a pack of mad dogs. I think you put the fear of ’God’ into them. They’ll have those towers up in no time,” he assured her.

“You think so?”

“I know so. It’s not like I haven’t seen those things go up before. Ah?” he changed the subject. Do you think you can arrange temporary quarters for the next three days?”

“Not on your life, 15-A is taken. You’ll have to stay here, I’m afraid, but only if you can put up with me that is.”

“But, Donna, if you keep that up you’ll convince me that you’re in love with me.”

She shoved his shoulder. “I do love you, you idiot.” She put her head on his chest. “I wish you could stay longer.” He put hand on her shoulder and caressed it.

“Yes, and it’s good to be here,” he told her. “I left without breakfast. Do you think we can go for lunch?”

“You poor dear, let’s take a shower and head over to the dining hall.”

Donna and Richard had finished lunch in about forty-five minutes and were lounging in the dining area when, Donna, noticed, Tracy, (the cook) peering through the kitchen doors.

“Oh, Tracy,” Donna called, motioning her presence, “come here I want you to meet someone.” Tracy disappeared for a moment then re-emerged presently. “Tracy, I’d like for you to meet the infamous, Richard Serling. Richard will be visiting the facility for a couple of days.

Richard stood up with a half smile and out reached his hand to shake Tracy’s. “How do you do?” he said graciously. Then turned to Donna and reminded her, “I’ll be leaving Thursday morning. I have unfinished work waiting for me back in Inca City. Donna’s smile faded momentarily. “Please sit with us for a minute,” she offered Tracy.

Tracy sat down and looked over to Richard. “Well, it’s really a pleasure to meet you Richard. I’ve heard a lot of fantastic things about you.”

“All exaggerations I assure you Tracy,” he told her, “I’m just your average archeologist in the business of digging up bones.”

“Oh, how modest, just the archeologist that dug up the first human skeleton found on Mars.”

“I can’t take the credit for that discovery,” he admitted, “that honor goes to Tom Adams; he’s the one who actually discovered it.”

“Oh, but weren’t you with him when he discovered it?”

“Oh, yes, and it was a very exciting moment. It had pretty much changed our entire outlook on Mars. It’s too bad that Tom didn’t live to see what came of the discovery . . .”

Donna cleared her throat. “Before we get too deep into that,” she interrupted, I was hoping that you could give Richard a tour of our agricultural department,” she requested.

“Sure, I’d be happy to do that. The girls should be finishing up in the kitchen. So, come along with me, Richard,” she said. She got up and turned toward the kitchen. Richard got up and started to follow her.

He turned to Donna who was headed in the opposite direction. “Aren’t you coming with us?” he asked suspiciously.

“Oh, Richard, don’t be a pest,” she said in a slightly annoyed tone. “I need to check on the workers and file some reports. I’ll catch up with you guys as soon as I’m done. This shouldn’t take too long.” She proceeded through the door.

“Busy girl,” Tracy remarked. “Now come along with me and I’ll show you the garden.” Richard followed her through the double kitchen doors. On the opposing wall of the kitchen there was an aluminum door that he assumed led to the refrigeration chamber? Tracy held the door for Richard then closed it behind them. Inside was every vegetable known to Richard in electronically operated cages that covered the back wall and part of the ceiling. The other walls shelved for other perishable needs for the kitchen. On the far left hand wall near the corner was another heavy aluminum door. While Richard looked around curiously Tracy proceeded to the back door then she turned and said,” we’ll just go through here to get to the garden.” Then Richard hurried along. The other side was hanging sides of beef and other farm animal carcasses in the largest walk-in freezer he’d ever seen. Due to the cold they both moved more hurried to the door on the opposite end of the freezer.

Finally on the other side it was a bit warmer and had the welcomed scent of greenery in the air. This was a much larger chamber than all the rest. It was like an indoor field with stalks of corn and other rows of growing vegetables going back into the distance with walk paths between the rows.

Richard looked up at the high clear plastic ceiling that allowed real Sunlight to enter the chamber. Tracy turned to him and said, “This is where we grow our food. Now if you’ll notice they’re all in separate metal growing boxes with two to three feet in depth of topsoil, all depending upon the type of vegetable being grown.

“They’re all doing remarkably well,” Richard observed at the health of the plants.

“The lacks of insects, rodents, and birds, and other hungry wild animals these plants thrive magnificently,” she told him. She motioned for a worker who had an electronic clipboard and said, “Doug could you come over here for just a minute?”

“Yes, Tracy what can I do for you?’

She turned to Richard. “Now, Richard Serling will you meet Douglas Casperson?” The two men shook hands. “Call me Doug,” he said to Richard. Richard nodded and said, “Doug and you may call me Richard,” he responded. “Okay, I need to get back to the kitchen,” Tracy said, “could you show Richard around and tell him what you do?” Doug nodded. “Sure.”

Tracy went back to the kitchen and the two men continued on with the tour. “Well, Richard my job is pretty boring but it’s necessary.” He showed Richard the digital screens on posts next to the plant boxes. “These numbers tell me how much moisture is in the soil I write them into the clip board and the data is fed into the agriculture computer. Now, if you’ll notice the copper lines that align the boxes, they regulate the water that is fed into the soil. Fortunately there is plenty of water on Mars in frozen underground streams and ice caverns below the surface. Now, let me show you the fun part of my job.”

Richard followed him through the paths between the rows of vegetation and finally came to a sturdy but ordinary door. They went into a similar chamber but this had ordinary grass growing on a makeshift ground. “This is our pasture chamber,” Doug said as he led Richard to a reservoir of water where a cow was drinking. They could see different types of animals including chickens throughout the chamber. “I’ve always been fascinated by the care of animals here on Mars to supply the colonies with meat but I’ve never understood how it’s possible to transport these animals from Earth through space it’s a mystery to me.”

“Well, Richard, that is one of the most interesting part of all this. The Shackelton was to first ship to transport animals from Earth to Mars.”

“Hey, hold it!” Richard exclaimed. “I worked on the Shackelton for a number of years and I never saw any animals whatsoever.”

“But, you handled cargo that you did not know what the boxes and crates contained.”

“Of course with the tonnage of cargo per trip it would’ve made it impossible to inventory all the boxes for their contents. We just made sure each shipment went to the correct departments.”

“And, Richard, much of those shipments was of frozen livestock embryos.”

“Oh, really, hmmm, and just how did you get these frozen embryos to grow into cows and the other animals that we see here?” Richard scratched his head.

“Well, once they were delivered to the agricultural departments in each colony they were carefully thawed and placed in specialized incubators. In latter times we don’t need incubators, now we implant the embryos into adult cows.”

“That is interesting,” Richard scratched his chin. “And, what about the chickens you couldn’t very well freeze the eggs?”

“Well, eggs are even easier. Fertilized chicken eggs kept at just the right temperature can be held indefinitely in suspended development.”

“Oh, yeah,” said Richard, in amazement. “And how long is it that these eggs are kept in ’suspended development?”

“Well, Richard that is held in theory but it is speculated that as long as the conditions are met, this process could maintain the eggs for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years.”

“You’re not telling me that you believe all that garble?” Richard said in disbelief.

About that time a cluster of chickens flooded in and clucked and pecked at their feet. The two men roared with laughter.

“You did ask didn’t you, Richard?”

The tour ended and Doug went back to work. Richard met Donna in the corridor outside her office. “Now that was interesting but what was the disappearing act all about?” Richard asked.

“I’m just disappointed. I thought we were going to spend some time together.”

“We never talked about how long I was going to stay. You just seemed like you wanted me to come and I did when I could. Now, in about three weeks I can come and stay longer.”

She wrapped her arms around him and said, “Richard I didn’t want you here, I needed you here. I just feel empty without you.”

He hugged her back and said, “Now, you sound like me when you told me that you were running off to take on this job.”

“I know Richard but I was just unsure of my feelings until I was away from you.”

“I understand Donna and I promise you that in about three weeks I’ll come back and we will spend time together. Now let’s enjoy what time we have.”

“Okay, do you want to see what’s cooking downstairs?”

“Do you mean in the Biocontainment Field? I thought you’d never ask.”

The two made their way to the area after donning their thermal suits. They were at the bottom of the step when Richard remarked: “Holy shit! Is that the famous ice dome I keep hearing about? It must be huge.”

“It has a radius of more than eight miles. Quite an iceberg, isn’t it? I’m surprised you didn’t know that.”

“Eight miles? It looks like it’s at least that far away. Now that’s some chunk of ice,” he remarked further.

“It’s about fifteen miles away and it is immense. Its actual size is immeasurable because it was once fed by an underground river that was either opened up by a volcanic eruption or a meteoric impact. We don’t know how far underground it extends. It could be as far as forty miles below the surfaced. Theories have it that the river still flows somewhere below the surface.”

“Is there any way that we can get a closer look at it? I’d love to study it close at hand.”

Donna looked around to spot several golf cart sized vehicles parked in a designated area. “There are a few carts still available so let’s take one.” They climbed into the open air vehicle and Donna turned the electrical switch. There was a zigzag trail that sloped downward to the ice dome. Donna pulled the drive lever and the cart jerked forward. Along the trail they could see heating units that were already installed and they dotted the upper surface level of the slope. Further down they saw workers installing additional heating element to the existing units. The closer they became to the ice dome the more sandy the soil became. “You’ll notice that after we reached a certain elevation that there are no more heating units.”

“Yes, I noticed. Why is that?

“That is because when the ice begins to melt it will reach a level that will cause a hazard to the units. There is going to be a lake that will be forty feet deep in spots.”

Richard began to feel the immenseness of the project. The land surface around the lake would have to be an eight to twelve mile ring around the central lake. “So where we are now . . .” he began.

“. . . will be about twelve feet under water . . .” Donna finished for him.

They came to a halt around a hundred yards or so from the ice dome. They got out of the cart and Richard stood in awe of the sight. He looked up and noticed there was an ice ceiling overhead. The dome was more of a mushroom shape. There was also different sized ice balls on the ground from basketball sized to golf ball and smaller. Richard tried to lift one of the larger sized balls and he immediately dropped it. “They are quite heavy,” Donna assured him. “It wouldn’t be advisable to get any closer. The ice droppings get thicker the closer you get to the wall.” Richard also looked from side to side looking for an end and then realized there was no end, and then he looked back up the slope and tried to count the work stations dotted throughout the area and gave up.

“I didn’t realize the enormity of this project. It’s no wonder you get frustrated.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Donna told him. “You don’t know how lonely I feel even with all the workers.”

Richard took her shoulders in his hands and looked through her face plate into her eyes. “I think I have a pretty good idea,” he said softly. “I miss you too, but we both have our jobs to do. What you are doing here is vital to the future occupation of Mars. What I do merely tends to satisfy idle scientific curiosity. What you are doing is securing a way to the future.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Oh, Richard, I really hoped you were staying longer.”

“But, Donna, this is hardly an archeological project and I wouldn’t have much to do but squeeze your butt from time to time.”

“That’s not a bad idea. You could quit your job and you could be my love slave.” She chuckled.

He laughed.

“Would you care for a drive around the lake?”

“I’d love it.”

She back tracked to a higher elevation and then began to skirt the enormous ice dome. As they drove the winding path Richard noticed that there were work stations in all areas around the ice dome with workers working feverishly to accomplish their tasks. She spiraled up the slope to make the drive longer. I seemed like a few hours later when Donna made left turn into the upward slope where Richard noticed the tracks they made earlier on their way down. Donna parked the cart where they had found it and they proceeded back up the steps.

Later they were back in the lounge for dinner. After their meal work foreman had approached the table to give Donna their daily reports. Wanjiku was the last of the department heads to give Donna the report.

“You will find, Donna, that we’ve installed thirty heating units with the type three heating elements along the western slope.”

“Well, Jiku That will put us way ahead of the project. How did you accomplish it?”

“That Robert Wilson fellow is determined in a way that inspires our other workers. He’s really committed to completing the project.” Changing the subject and turning to Richard. “You must be the famous Richard Serling,” she said with a smile.

“The one and the same,” Richard admitted.

“So, you’re the twinkle in Donna’s eye?” she chuckled.

“Jiku!” Donna exclaimed then let out a stifled laugh. “You’re going to get me into trouble.”

“No more trouble than the human race is already in.” They all shared a laugh. “Pleased to meet you Mr. Serling I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.”

“And likewise,” Richard returned the compliment.

Donna and Richard were still seated after the last person left the lounge. Donna was going over the reports making sure they were in the proper order on her wireless computer pad.

They made their way to Donna’s quarters and Donna announced. “I’m taking a shower and you can wait for me out here.”

Richard nodded his head and sat down on the bed. As soon as Donna closed the door Richard laid back on the bed. He closed his eyes while the ambient noises around the room seeded to envelope him. He felt as though he was being swept away to another time and space. The air around him was dark but there were figures moving around him that were familiar, somehow. Richard struggled to determine who the figures were. He moved forward and he saw two men in pressure suits. They were arguing about a half- buried skeleton at their feet. The two men started fighting and Richard reached out in an attempt to avert the obvious but it was like grasping into thin air. The two battling figures were like ghosts. Richard’s hands passed through them. Richard then stood motionless until one of the figures fell to the ground. The other figure removed the helpless man’s oxygen hose then removed his helmet. Richard stood frozen and powerless to aid the man gasping for air and his eyes bulging out (from the low air pressure). The air went dark again with the figure still gasping. When the air went light again the murderous figure was standing over a sitting figure working a computer terminal. The standing figure had a knife in which he used to cut the seated figure’s air hose. Richard rushed at the figure with the knife but the figure faded before him. Richard began to panic still grasping for the empty air. He started to feel choked. “Ah, gat,” he muttered but no other sounds would come from his mouth. He heard his name being called in a familiar voice. “Richard,” it said softly and then again, “Richard,” more forcibly. He felt his body being shook by invisible hands, and again he heard, “Richard!”

Donna was kneeling over him in bed with her hands grabbing his shoulders. He breathed heavily “Richard,” she said, “you sounded like you were choking.” He breathing slowed to normal and he caressed her arms to let her know he was all right.

“It was just a nightmare,” he said, “I was back in Cydonia.”

“Just relax,” she said, “and I’ll get you some water.”

He sat up in bed while she got up and touched a rectangular hole in the wall. A small cup dropped with a plop and filled with water. She handed it to him and said, “I was in the shower no more than twenty minutes. When I came back you were gasping.”’

“I haven’t had a nightmare about that in a while.”

“What do you suppose could’ve triggered it?

“I don’t know. Worry? Stress or maybe it’s this new environment?”

“That could be it,” she said. “Why don’t you take a shower and come back to bed and I’ll rub your shoulders.”

He squeezed her left shoulder and said. “Don’t go anywhere I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be right here.”

The next morning came and they both woke up refreshed. Donna went about her daily routine. Richard accompanied her out to the fields where the new towers were being erected. There were a number of them more than the day before.

Satisfied that the work was progressing as planned Donna brought Richard back you her quarters for some mutual personal attention. This went on until the next morning, when Richard packed his bag and put on his pressure suit. Donna looked at him teary eyed. You’re really going, aren’t you?” He kissed her. “I’ll be back,” he promised. She followed him out to the carport. He kissed her one last time in the airlock. The door closed between them and she watched as he put on his helmet. The outside door closed and she watched him get into his car and continued watching until the car disappeared through the exit door.