Children of Mars

By Paul Day

When their parents go missing on a routine mission, nine children are left to survive on the often dangerous and unforgiving red planet. Nineteen year old Freddie, together with her brother Pierre, must keep the younger ones safe, while they try to solve the mysterious disappearance of the adults. But Mars holds a secret so devastating that it will shake the very foundation of their world and alter forever humanity's view of the universe.

This is a dramatic science fiction adventure aimed at 14 years and older. It follows the development of six central characters, plus three younger ones, as well as endearing robots and other characters that come into the story later on. This is a story centered on a coming of age, where each character must grow to meet each new challenge and survive the hostile environment of the red planet

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Day
• Release date: Nov 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311055040

Paul Day

Paul G Day specializes in books aimed at children and young adults. He has a unique narrative style designed to draw the reader's attention to the images of the setting as well as the predicament of the protagonist. Through human and non human characters, his books tell a very human drama and the complicated emotional journey we all sometimes find ourselves taking as we search for meaning and answers to profound and often confronting questions. Every one of his characters reflect a personality which has its beginning in the heart and mind of the writer himself. Paul's stories are about love, loyalty, family and courage. They represent a coming of age, where the central character must learn and grow in order to survive the complex and sometimes unforgiving world about them. Paul believes in strong young characters who stubbornly and sometimes defiantly challenge the troubles that compound their lives, finding a way, even in the darkest, bleakest moments of their otherwise unremarkable existence, to overcome adversity, thereby ultimately becoming extraordinary.

Book preview

Children of Mars

Paul G Day

Copyright 2014©Paul G Day

Published by Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue

1 Mother of Mars

2 Instinct

3 Olympus Games

4 Proof of Life

5 Ghost Stories

6 Survival

7 Transmission

8 Shaking Ground

9 Sleeping Giant

10 Waking Giant

11 Ring the Bell

12 Electric Dreams

13 Dome of Eden

14 Green Skydancer

15 Box of Secrets

16 Olympus Speaks

17 The Cascades

18 The Broken Mountain

19 Children of Mars

Epilogue

About Paul G Day

Other books by Paul G Day

Connect with Paul G Day

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to all my friends online who helped by giving me feedback and encouragement along the way and to my wife who continually makes it possible for me to fulfill my dreams. Thanks especially to Chris Graham (a.k.a The Story Reading Ape) for beta reading this novel and for his editing help.

Prologue

Unremarkable

The objects appeared as lines on the frame. The Astronomer had to check it a few times to confirm they were real. What at first appeared as something random and unremarkable, had now taken on much more significance with further observations.

Do you know what they are? asked a colleague when the Astronomer showed her the image.

I was hoping you could tell me.

Are you sure they haven’t changed position?

Yes. They are lined up in a perfect row.

A row of what is the question. How far apart are they?

Exactly one million kilometers apart.

What? Do you mean they are one million kilometers apart from each other, exactly?

Exactly.

Incredible. Velocity?

Fifty five thousand meters per second.

Impossible.

Check the figures for yourself. He showed her his calculations.

Trajectory?

You are not going to believe this when I tell you.

Try me.

Mars

Seriously? ETO?

Estimated time of arrival, two years, one day, sixteen hours, thirty two seconds, as of right now.

We are going to have to report this. If your figures are right, then this is what we have all been waiting for.

Agreed.

Also. We should not let Mars know about this, just yet, not till we get the all clear.

Of course.

As the colleague left the room, another image appeared on screen. It was a much sharper image taken from ASMOO (Advanced Science Moon Orbiting Observatory ) in orbit on the dark side of the Moon. The Astronomer leaned in closely and his jaw dropped when he realized what he was looking at. He called his colleague back in. The two of them stood there, unsure if they could believe what they were seeing. Finally, still looking at the screen, the Astronomer spoke.

We need to call NASA.

Chapter 1: MOTHER OF MARS

Jacqui had doubts about leaving the children behind. She had expressed concern to her husband that she didn’t think it was wise. She had protested to the group that at least one of them should stay, but they had assured her that they needed all the adults out in the field this time.

Despite her nagging doubts, she had been outvoted. Before they left, she had given last minute instructions to Freddie and Pierre and made sure they understood their responsibilities, asking them to repeat back to her what she had said, which they had done, rolling their eyes.

Mum, we got this, Freddie said with a calm assurance that made Jacqui feel a little more at ease. We know the drill. We’ve done this before.

They had, it was true. They had been left in charge many times when the adults were out on shorter missions, but nothing like this. So, regardless of how she felt about it, she left them with a last wave outside the air-lock, before entering the MEV.

It was still early and the sun was throwing pink light against the peak of Olympus Mons. Behind it, stars still shone bright, but a pinkish red glow was already beginning to overpower their light. The ancient mountain looked so close, but it was in fact a half day’s drive to the base at the foot of the monolith. Olympus Mons itself rose above everything like a massive cone, slumped as it were as if a giant had plonked a huge conical sand castle on the red sea of Martian sand and then sat on it, squashing it so that it looked slightly less impressive than its size suggested. It filled so much of the sky that late in the day, in its shadow it seemed as if it were still dark, making the thin orange/pink glow of sunrise look like a ribbon of vibrant, iridescent light by comparison.

They had come here unscheduled. Something had shown up on a small MEV’s scans and further readings suggested it warranted investigating. Then they had all seen the live feed from the cams at the old base. The base at the foot of Olympus Mons had been abandoned two years before, the colonies spreading out to three new bases, but it had been left powered and still functional, to be used in an emergency, should it be required.

But what they saw on the recordings defied logic or explanation. A bright blue light, with a glowing trail of white smoke had come out of nowhere and disappeared behind the mountain on the Eastern side, opposite from the base.

As they entered a valley near Olympus, the sun disappeared and they were once more in darkness. In the distance the lights of base camp looked unremarkable, like someone had left house lights on in a distant farm. When they finally arrived at the base and left the vehicle, there was nothing unusual about the structures they had abandoned years before.

Their commander, Paul led them to the main hatch and punched in the code at the door and waited. A green light indicated they could enter. Nine adults, four couples, two were from the original fleet and the rest came not long after. Only Anton was without a partner. They had been on Mars for almost two decades and they had a formidable collective knowledge and experience. In those early times, they had been sent to pave the way for further migrants as the colonies expanded and the infrastructure was built. The other two colonies were similar in size. Altogether, there were fifty seven individuals, most of them from Earth, with only the younger children true-born Martians.

Jacqui removed her helmet when the light inside the chamber came on and flashed green. But her husband had already removed his. He took a long breath, inhaling with his eyes closed. Jacqui watched him intently. Paul held his breath longer than necessary, teasing Jacqui with one eye open. When he opened the other eye and let out an unnecessarily long breath, Jacqui could feel her heart beating faster.

See, it’s fine, he said at last. Jacqui shook her head and grimaced.

Was that really necessary?

She knew it was ok, of course, but something, a distant doubt, an instinct, hung like a dark cloud over the horizon in the furthest part of her mind. She could not explain it, but it was there, as sure as they were on Mars it was there.

They followed Paul in through the second hatch and into the larger supply room. There they removed their suits and hung them in the cylindrical glass cabinets and sealed them shut. There was a sucking sound as the air filtration system kicked in. A monitor showed that there were no contaminants and it was now safe to venture into the larger superstructure.

They made their way through a long corridor and into the control room, not wasting any time bringing up the displays and checking the data. The control room was exactly as it had been left, with only the slightest coating of pale red dust covering the benches, keyboards and monitors. Jacqui grabbed a cloth and started wiping all the monitors and keyboards. Paul shot her a look as if to say can’t it wait? She ignored him and kept wiping.

Marcy had left the room to check cold storage and had already returned with refreshments. Her partner, Clay was the data expert and he and Paul were hunched over in front of the main view screen, examining footage.

What is it? Jacqui asked, observing the blue light streaking across the screen.

I don’t know, said Clay, still tapping away on the keyboard. He flicked through other camera footage with different views of the object until he found one which had a better picture.

Can you enhance that? said Paul.

I think so, answered Clay confidently.

Rewind…stop. What is that? Paul said and the two of them stared wide eyed at the object.

By now all eight of them were gathered in front of the viewer. There was a moment of stunned silence as they scanned the screen, looking for some clue that might explain what they were seeing. Then there was a heated discussion as to the nature of the object and the possible explanations.

Can you slow that down? asked Paul, but Clay was already on it.

What is that?

It’s Cylindrical, observed Clay.

From Earth? asked Jacqui.

It has no re-entry shield, noted Clay.

A satellite, perhaps? asked Paul.

Too long, Wes interjected.

What’s with that blue trail?

Clay shrugged. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Well whatever it is, we’re going to have to stay overnight and try to make sense of it all, said Paul after a moment of thought. The others nodded their consent and then looked at Jacqui. Paul was their commander, but she was second in charge, being the only qualified Doctor.

She wanted to say no. In fact, she would have phrased it Absolutely not! But she decided it was pointless. Paul outranked her and the others had determined looks on their faces. How could she disagree? They would have listened, of course. They would have taken on her opinion. But in the end, Paul would still have decided and she knew what he would say. So she just rolled her eyes and nodded. But I’m going to have to call the children and let them know.

Of course, said Paul.

Jacqui brought up the com screen and was relieved to see the smiling face of Shelly on the monitor. Is Pierre or Freddie there?

Yes Doctor, she answered.

Even though she was a mother and a member of the colony all the children, except her own, called her Doctor. She had told them many times to call her Jacqui or Mrs Santerre, but because she had looked after them, treated them in the ward, since they were very little, they could not quite get it into their heads that she was first and foremost, part of the family.

Can you get them for me?

Shelly left the screen and after a moment the confident Pierre appeared on screen.

Is everything ok? he said, managing a slight smile. She knew he expected bad news. He always did. He was a worrier like his mother.

Everything’s fine. Don’t worry so much. She answered as warmly as she could. I just need to tell you we’re going to be here for a while, that’s all.

Overnight?

Yes.

Well, see you tomorrow then?

Suddenly the face of Freddie appeared. She waved and smiled. Hi Mum.

Hi…how are the little ones?

All good. Sam lost a tooth and Jodi accidentally broke Dodo, upsetting Sam even more. He spent the morning in the dome with Deni and had to be coaxed back out with food. He’s alright now though and Bobby was able to fix Dodo’s broken leg. Apart from that it’s all good, she said, sounding more and more like an adult.

Jacqui couldn’t help but smile. She felt more at ease having spoken to the children. Before she turned off the monitor, a little hand came up into view. It was holding a bloodied tooth. Then a small face appeared with a gaping smile.

I didn’t even cry, said Sam. Jacqui saw Pierre roll his eyes at the small lie. Freddie giggled behind her hand.

Having been put at ease by the confident way her two children were handling things, Jacqui returned to the control room where her good mood was suddenly changed when she was met with a worried look from Clay.

What’s up?

Paul hasn’t told you yet?

No, I only just got off coms.

The little dark cloud again appeared on the horizon. She tried to ignore it, but it persisted. It grew notably darker and larger when Paul began explaining as she re-entered the control room.

Jacqui, something’s happened.

What? What’s wrong? she said, as all her fears and concerns came flooding back. The cloud had become a thunderstorm. Paul was an even-tempered man, not quick to judge and even slower to stress. But there was something in the way he said it that made Jacqui feel very unnerved.

He took her over to the main viewer again, where the others were already gathered. Clay brought up an image of the Colony 2. It was still quite dark there as they were much further West. There were no lights on, which was not a good sign. Clay switched to night vision which revealed smoke rising from one of the large domes. There was no movement outside, no humans, not even droids. Clay moved the live camera feed remotely and zoomed in on the dome. There was a gaping hole in the side where the smoke billowed from.

Jacqui tried hard to be logical and process the information in a way that didn’t make it seem as horrific as it looked. In her mind, however, several scenarios were forming, each of them much worse than the first. The thick dark smoke emanating from the dome was matched only by the dark, swirling mass of a storm creeping from the back of her brain to the frontal lobe. As a child she had been terrified of storms. Whenever the lightning flashed outside her bedroom window on her parent’s property back on Earth, it had cast a shadow from the huge oak tree, its branches like tendrils, or the arms of a giant beast. The thunderous roar that followed was like the unearthly growl a fuming monster. She would hide under the sheets, her little heart racing, and she would do the only thing she could, sing. But even her voice was not enough to drown out the horrible sound of an angry storm.

Did you try coms? she said, pushing the image to the back of her mind.

Yes. Nothing, said

Reviews for Children of Mars

[mypennameonly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I won a e-book copy of this book through a giveaway link on the “Chris the Reading Ape Blog” and the following is my honest opinion for the book.Being a child of the 1950’s I have to wonder whether some of the television programs I watched as a child played any role in the author’s writing this book. Such as at the end of this story, in the epilogue, where Mars being transformed right in front of someone’s eyes to a lush earth-like planet reminded me of the “Space Seed” episode of “Star Trek” starring Ricardo Montalban. And of premise of having an entire family including their children on the planet reminds me of “Lost in Space” as the Robinson family travelled through the solar system.In this book the author succeeds in placing us alongside those there as they face their new challenges each day. The sights and emotions are there, especially when it came to the children banding together not only to search for their parents who went missing while on a routine research expedition, but to survive on their own. An exciting portion in reading this book came when it is discovered Mars had at one time been inhabited by a race of blue beings still living comfortable beneath the surface of the Red Planet. A major player in the storyline is not an individual, but Mount Olympus, the large volcano everyone had been researching, especially when it came time for it to explode. When I look at how Dennis Day has skillfully pulled together all of the elements of his book; I’m happy to give it 5 STARSRobin Leigh Morgan is the author of a MG/YA Paranormal Romance novel entitled “I Kissed a Ghost” as well as the author of “Micro Fiction – An Anthology.”