Staying Alive

By Dorothy Piper

The author of this novel is English and, if you aren't English, you might be puzzled by some of the words she uses. If you remember that "nowt" means "nothing" and "owt" means "anything", you'll have no trouble.

Lex Simms seems to be a typical twelve-year-old. He lives near Leeds, in Yorkshire. Actually, he's an alien, like the rest of his family. His Outer Space relatives live in Dao Valley, near the rim of enormous Hellas Basin on Mars. Although they are related, they look nothing like each other. The Martians are descended from ancient reptiles - tiktaaliks - who, with their necks and primitive limbs, formed the link between fish and reptiles long, long ago.

Martians can do things that normal humans can't. For instance, they can change their bodies into any other creature's shape at the drop of a hat. Plus they can fly through Time and Space by detaching their spirits from their bodies. However, the one, critical thing they can't do is to produce the fresh water they need to stay alive.

Preemo, the Martian leader, detached and flew to Earth many times in his long life, eyeing our planet as a good place for his people to live. In 1965, he sent six members of his family here on a mission to breed with humans and produce children who would build spaceships, come to Mars, and terraform a small area of Hellas Basin.

This is where Lex comes in. He and his older cousin, Ryan, learn that they have barely twenty years in which to persuade the right people to start work on Mars. If it takes any longer, there won't be any Martians left to benefit from the terraforming.

Lex's mission is taking shape but then the Gods of the Cosmos play dirty and try to halt his progress. They toss a comet into Space. The icy rock spins at dizzying speed towards Mars and looks like hitting it in 2014. Even if there is no impact, astrophysicists fear that a near miss could draw the Red Planet's atmosphere away, making Mars even more uninhabitable than it is now. The Martians are doomed. How can it be otherwise seeing that, instead of twenty years, Lex has fifteen months at the outside in which to rescue them?

Ah, but the Gods of the Cosmos forgot he is not your average human. Lex risks his life in his attempt to bring his folks to Earth where they can safely stay alive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorothy Piper
• Release date: Apr 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310754203

Dorothy Piper

I've left it a bit late to become a writer but maybe the years I've spent reading will help me to create characters that you'd like to spend time with. I hope you will find them in my "Missions" stories. "The Gift" (which has been revised and updated) is the first in the series and is yours free, just for the asking. "Staying Alive" is the second book, also published here on Smashwords, as is the third book ("Pick Your Planet"). The final book in the series ("One Man's Plans") will - if all goes well - be published in 2017.

Book preview

STAYING ALIVE

The Martian Missions Book II

A light-hearted Middle Grade Novel

by Dorothy Piper

Copyright 2016 Dorothy Piper

Smashwords Edition

***

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CHAPTER ONE

In the wee small hours of a chilly English night, Lex’s book light flickered under his blanket, and then, with a soft pop, it died. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Jason had just jabbed the giant with his javelin and drawn a trickle of ichor, when Chapter 43 disappeared into darkness.

Great, he thought. I finally get a book that’s worth reading, and my light conks out. What’s with this stupid thing?

He pushed book and light onto the carpet. Cold air rushed into his bed and he shivered.

Flipping heck, I’m freezing.

Lex was sleeping in his undies because he couldn’t find his PJs. They were on the floor with the rest of the clothes he’d worn that week.

Mum’ll make me pick them up tomorrow, and take them downstairs so she can do laundry. She’ll go on about how she had to keep her room tidy when she was my age, and she’ll call me slovenly again. Whatever.

He shouldn’t have been reading in bed, especially this late, but he was near the end of The Lost Hero and had to find out what had happened to Percy. Mum and Dad said reading in bed would ruin his eyes, but there was nowhere else he could read in peace. Their birthday present had been another boring book about Mars.

Why Mars? Who the heck’s interested in Mars? Not me!

He pulled the blanket tight around him and went to snuggle down again when he heard voices coming from Granddad’s room, directly below his. First the cranky old man spoke, and Dad answered him. Then a woman joined in. It wasn’t Mum, but Lex knew he’d heard her voice before. She was in mid-remark when another man butted in. He sounded real angry.

What’s going on down there?

Lex felt for the phone under his pillow. It said 02:05.

Flipping heck, if I made a noise this late they’d ground me for a week. Anyway, why are they having a meeting in the middle of the night? What’s so, so mega it can’t wait ’til morning?

He slid out of bed and groped for something to put on. Near the door he found his school hoodie which he pulled over his head before he crept onto the landing. Moonlight stole through the window and made everything look gray and ghostly.

His parents’ door was open, and Lex peeped in.

Dad must have gotten out of bed in a hurry, ‘cos the covers on his side are on Mum’s back.

His mother didn’t stir when another burst of conversation came from Granddad’s room.

Lex pulled her door closed and tiptoed downstairs.

It was cold in the hall. And spooky. No light anywhere. Not even from under Granddad’s door.

That’s weird. Why are they talking in the dark? And just who is in there?

He squeezed the handle and turned it real slow before he opened the door and peeped in.

What he saw made him recoil. He bumped his head on the sharp edge of the door frame and cradled his head to ease the pain. His mouth gaped in horror, and goose bumps sprang along his arms.

I’m dreaming. They can’t be real. NO WAY can they be real.

He’d seen Granddad sitting up in bed and Dad in the chair near the door. They were facing two shapes that looked like reptiles—ghastly, weird things that glowed blue in the dark. He could see right through them as if they were made of jelly. One of them was tall. Seven foot at least. It stood at the end of Granddad’s bed, against the wall. The other one, half its size, perched on the bed as if it were human, its forelegs crossed over its belly.

Lex pulled his hoodie tight under his chin and tried to stop shivering. He wasn’t cold, but he couldn’t stop trembling. He opened the door a little bit more and curiosity swamped him when he heard Granddad ask, "Haven’t you taught Lex owt yet?"

How can I teach him when I can’t do it myself? That was Dad’s voice.

Lex knelt and peeped into the room again. He hoped nobody would spot the door was open, but they shouldn’t see his face this low down.

You’re useless.

Lex hated Granddad when he spoke to Dad like that. In fact, he hated everything about Granddad. What was there to like? The old man was always so nasty, complaining all the time, and making Dad look stupid every chance he got. And he was nowt to look at either. What with that gross scaly skin, and what wasn’t scaly was wrinkled. Lex remembered Mum saying he should see a doctor, and he’d shouted at her, Doctors are for sick people, and I’m not sick.

The creature that had spoken with Aunt Mo’s voice tutted. Then it said, Ryan’s coming along nicely. Granted he’s older than Lex, so he’s had more time, but I’d say he’s pretty near ready. Another year and he’ll be twenty-one, and he’ll have the farm and Robert’s money to add to what he’s already earned with his acting. He must have a hundred thousand pounds in his bank account by now. I just hope I can hang on long enough.

Lex envied his cousin. Rye’s got everything. Well, most everything. Shame his parents died in that accident. But he’s got everything else--pots of money from acting when he was a kid, good looks, a mega car, trendy clothes--you name it, he’s got it. He’s cool, too. He gave me The Lost Hero for my birthday and those mega sneakers. But nobody pushes Mars down his throat like they do mine. It’s not fair.

Have you told him the truth about Robert? Granddad asked.

Er, no, but he doesn’t have to know just yet, does he?

It was the big reptile’s turn to tut. Yes, he does. Ryan should be told the facts as soon as possible, so he knows what to expect. And Lex must develop his special powers...

Lex’s eyes popped and his jaw dropped.

What did he say? Special powers? I’ve got special powers? COOL.

... At the very least he should be helping with the water run. We’re barely existing on what I take back. Besides, you two can’t stay in human shape much longer. Something’s going to give. We need to be ready for when it does.

I’m doing my best, Preemo, Granddad whined, but I’m getting no help from him. He pointed a long fingernail that looked more like a claw at Lex’s father. Blessed if I know where I went wrong. I’m hoping Lex will turn out right. I’m banking on him.

We all are, Preemo replied. Look, John, if you can’t teach Lex to detach, Rox will have to. And while he’s at it, he should tell both boys the truth about Robert.

Granddad sighed. It always falls down to me, doesn’t it? Okay, here’s what I’ll do. He pointed at the reptile sitting on his bed. Maureen, you tell Ryan to come here tomorrow. Early afternoon would be best. And you, he swiveled the same claw back to Dad, keep Lex here. Don’t let him go to the farm with Jodie. I’ll talk to them both after Ryan arrives and explain about Robert. Then on Sunday, I’ll start giving Lex lessons. He’s twelve now. Plenty old enough. What about Melissa? Has she shown any signs of being useful?

Lissa’s only eight and she’s got enough to cope with, what with her junior rheumatoid arthritis. She doesn’t have to know about this yet.

Humphh. You’re a coward, John Simms. Always ducking your responsibilities. Have you even told your wife, yet?

No, not yet. But I will. When the time’s right.

At least we’ve settled something, the big reptile said. I must go back. Is the water ready?

I’ll get it. Lex’s father leaned on the arms of the chair and pushed himself up.

Lex scooted backwards into the hall. He ran up the stairs, but had only gone three steps when Dad came into the hall, so he turned, making it look as if he was coming down instead of going up.

His father peered at him, his hand on the newel post. Lex? What are you doing out of bed?

I-I heard Granddad shouting. Is he all right?

His skin’s playing up again. I’m getting some water to dab him down.

It’s getting worse, isn’t it? Is it catching? Why won’t he go to the doctor’s?

He’s too stubborn. Don’t fret, son, it’s not catching. Make haste now and get back to bed.

Lex watched Dad go into the kitchen and shut the door. He heard water running and leaned over the bannister until Dad went back into Granddad’s room, a big Ziploc bag filled with water in each hand. That’s not for dabbing down, he thought. That’s for the water run. What I’ll be helping with when I’ve got my special powers.

He crossed the landing and reached for his bedroom door, but stopped when he heard a creak, as if someone was turning over in bed. Then he saw that his parents’ door was open again. Just a bit. Not wide open like it had been before he shut it.

Mum must’ve been listening. Hey, does she know what Dad’s doing down there with those grotty things? Does she know what happened to Uncle Robert? Does she know I’ve got special powers? Is that what slovenly means?

He climbed into bed, still wearing his hoodie, and sat up for a long while, hugging his knees, wondering about his special powers.

Perhaps I can make fire like Leo, he thought, and flung his hands towards the ceiling. Immediately he told himself off.

Heck, I could’ve set the house on fire. That’s so not cool. But what if I’m a demigod like Leo? That’d be neat.

He snuggled down and dreamed he was using his special powers to make Zeus open Olympus, without help from anyone, much to the amazement of Jason, Piper and Leo.

***

CHAPTER TWO

Next morning, Mum threatened to withdraw privileges when she saw the state of Lex’s room. She told him to pick up his dirty clothes and once again said he was slovenly.

Does slovenly mean I’m special? Like I can do stuff other people can’t?

His mother stifled a laugh and ducked her chin. Her eyes twinkled.

It means you’re messy. Really messy, she said. And so far as doing what other people can’t, you can certainly turn your room into a tip faster than anyone else this side of Harrogate.

***

Jodie, Lex’s cousin, arrived at midday to take Melissa for her riding lesson. It was going to be held in the indoor arena because snow still lay in parts of the meadow. Jodie was fifteen and pretty, and Lex adored her, but he didn’t exist so far as she was concerned. Now Ryan? That was different. Jodie beamed when she learned that Ryan would be visiting after lunch and might even be there when they came back from the farm.

Her face fell when Melissa hobbled into the room. Oh, is it bad today, luv? she asked. She lifted the hem of the little girl’s winter coat and touched her swollen left knee.

Melissa nodded and blinked away tears.

She can’t wear jodhpurs today, Mum said, or her jeans either.

Jodie looked up. Is there any chance of a cure, Auntie Linda, or will Lissa always have J.R.A.? Will she grow out of it?

Mum stroked Melissa’s hair. Some children do, those that aren’t afflicted too badly. And as for a cure, if Edwin Jones can’t find one for his lad when he’s got all those millions, there’s not much hope for folks like us. You know, I don’t think Lissa should go riding today.

Oh, but I want to. Dinkie won’t get his treats if I don’t. I can sit on his back and walk round the arena. You’ll help me up, won’t you, Jodie?

’Course I will, luv.

Melissa put her arms around her cousin’s neck, while Jodie wrapped hers around the little girl. She stood up – wobbling as she did so – hefted Lissa into a more comfortable position, and carried her to a car which was parked by the gate. After Jodie strapped the girl into the back seat, she turned to Mum and Dad who had followed her out.

I’ll look after her, she said. And don’t you let Ryan go home before I get back.

We’ll keep him here, Mum promised, with a smile.

Dad walked round to the driver’s side. Thanks for taking our Lissa, Jim. She looks forward to this every week.

The man behind the wheel grinned. No problem, John. Got to take Jodie any road.

***

An hour later, Ryan drove his gleaming Bentley Continental Convertible onto the Simms’s driveway. He pretended to run over Lex who hopped about in front of him. He swung open his door and asked, Wanna drive?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Ryan ushered the boy into the driver’s seat.

Dad came out of the house and saw Lex crouched over the wheel, bobbing from side to side, weaving around imaginary corners. You’re crazy, he told Ryan, and laughed.

He can’t hurt it, and it gives him a bit of fun.

Ryan tugged the curls behind his ear and frowned. What’s up? he asked. What’s so important your dad has to see me? He’s not about to croak, is he? Sheez, he’s only sixty, if that.

Dad shook his head. Nay. He’s got a bee in his bonnet. Taken it upon himself to tell you summat your Aunt Mo should’ve told you years ago.

Oh? Sounds bad. Is it?

Umm. Tell Lex to come out of there. Dad wants to see the pair of you together.

***

Granddad sat in his chair, a blanket draped over his knees. A breeze came through the slightly-open window and ruffled the curtains. He held his face towards it as if relishing its chill.

Ah, there you are, he said, when Ryan and Lex came in. He pushed the blanket away, and by waving a hand, invited the youths to sit on his bed, opposite the chair. All his nails looked like claws and fresh scales glistened on the backs of his hands. He scratched his neck where a patch had broken out there, too.

Hey, your skin’s as bad as Aunt Mo’s, Ryan said to Granddad. Uncle Dave’s going bonkers, in case it’s infectious.

He’s got nowt ter worry about, Granddad growled. He’ll not catch this. Now, pay attention. I’ll make it quick. But he didn’t. He hummed and hawed, said Look, this is what happened two or three times, and then lapsed into silence.

Dad said it were about Uncle Robert, Lex prompted.

Oh, yes, um, Robert. Well, this might upset ye, young Ryan, but there’s summat ye should know about yer dad’s death.

Ryan tugged at his curls. They fizzed out of his head like froth from a shaken can of orange soda. No-one had hair like Ryan’s. He often said he hated it, but it had been thanks to his hair that he’d won so many film parts when he was little. He let his hand drop.

What about it? I thought the Coroner said it was the only case of simultaneous combustion he’d ever come across. And it had to be that because it couldn’t have been anything else, not with all his clothes being there.

Granddad pulled the blanket up to his waist and plucked at the pattern. Aye, that were the official verdict. But about a month after the accident, a farmer came across a dead creature which looked a bit like an alligator, ‘cept for its fan-shaped tail. Nowt had rotted. Skin, scales, eyes, teeth, claws. All still there. The farmer had never seen owt like it. He took it to a vet who didn’t know what it were either. He preserved it and put it in a glass tank. He’s prob’ly still got it.

What are you getting at? Ryan said, coldly. What’s this got to do with my dad?

It were yer dad.

Ryan stood stunned for a moment, before he hurled himself at the old man. He would have hit him if Lex hadn’t grabbed his jacket and pulled him back.

If this is a joke, it isn’t funny.

I didn’t say it were, Granddad said. But ye had ter know, lad. Lex, too, ‘cause that’s what’ll happen when I die. And yer Aunt Maureen. We’ll revert to what we really are.

And what are you? Really?

Martians.

Ryan stared. Then he shouted at Granddad, "You’re a nasty, despicable, vicious old man. Well, you might be an alien monster. I can believe that. But not my dad. And if you ever say owt like that about him again I’ll, I’ll...."

He rushed out of the room and slammed the door.

I were afraid he’d take it like that.

I-it’s awful hard to believe, Granddad. You can’t blame him. No-one wants to believe their dad’s a monster.

Robert weren’t a monster. Just diff’rent. You might not like your family, but there’s nowt ye can do ‘bout it. Once ye’re in one, ye’re in it fer life. What about ye? Do ye believe me?

Um, er, yes. I think I do.

Granddad played with the blanket and glanced at Lex every so often as if weighing him up.

Ye realise, he said, after more minutes, that if I’m Martian, so is yer dad, and so are ye. Not a full-blooded one, I grant yer, but an alien all the same.

Great. I’m not a demigod. Just half-human. And I’ll end up looking like him. Gross.

Granddad seemed to read his thoughts. Ye won’t never look like me. Ye’re too human. An’ Ryan’s more so. He’ll never be able to do what ye can do. Do yer really believe me?

Lex nodded. As if I can say no now, he thought.

Good. Tomorrow I’ll start yer lessons. Leave me alone now. I’m tired. ‘Tis time fer my nap.

When Lex came out of the room he expected his parents to ask what Granddad had said, but their attention was on Jodie and Lissa who’d come back from their riding lesson.

Jodie pouted. You said you’d keep him here, Auntie Linda.

Sorry, luv. He were real upset and ran out. Didn’t say owt to either of us.

Lex didn’t want to talk to anyone, either. He escaped to his now neat and tidy room and squatted in front of his bookshelf.

I s’pose I ought to start reading them, seeing I’m a Martian. I should know summat about my planet, but I don’t want to go and live there, and I might have to if they make me be an astronaut. Now, building a rocket’s different. I wouldn’t mind doing that.

***

CHAPTER THREE

That night, Lex couldn’t sleep. He was too excited. At one o’clock, he gave up trying. He tiptoed downstairs and tapped on Granddad’s door, before he opened it and peeped inside. A blast of cold air hit him which made his teeth chatter. He hugged his clean PJs tight and crept in.

The small reading lamp on the nightstand revealed an empty bed, its covers pushed aside. Granddad leaned out of the open window, breathing in the cold air. His clawed hands gripped the windowsill, and even from the doorway, Lex could see he had long, sharp toenails.

Granddad turned away from the window. Come in, lad. Couldn’t ye sleep, either?

No. I’ve got loads of questions. I can’t wait ‘til morning.

Understandable. What d’ye want ter know? Fire away.

Friday night I saw, I saw...

Ah, ye were eavesdropping. Ye saw Preemo, right?

I don’t know its name but I saw a creature that looked a bit like an alligator, ‘cept it stood up on its tail. And I could see right through it. And there was a smaller one who sounded like Aunt Mo. They glowed in the dark. It was weird, real weird.

Preemo and yer Aunt Maureen left their bodies behind when they came ter see me. ‘Tis called detaching. ‘Tis summat I’m going ter teach yer.

Oh. Who’s Preemo?

An old Martian, hundreds of years old. He lives near Hellas Basin with some others, all a lot younger than him. Heck, they’re younger than me. They’re all that’s left of us and they won’t stay alive much longer unless their living conditions get better.

Huh. What does he expect us to do about it?

Granddad went back to his chair and nursed his knees. His fingernails caught in his nightshirt.

"Might as well tell yer now, lad. Our folks are dying because there’s no fresh water in our valley. We can’t do owt ‘bout it. We don’ have the know-how, but humans do, and they could. Preemo’s been ter Earth loads of times and he told us ‘bout the things humans have sent into Space. Some landed on Mars and we’ve seen them, so we know he’s not making it up. About fifty years ago, he sent half a dozen of us ter Earth ter mate with humans and have children who would build spaceships and fly them ter Mars. Then they’d see ‘bout changing our climate. Making it rain. It weren’t that far-fetched. Men were planning to go ter the Moon round about then, so why not Mars?

Well, like I said, six of us came here. I don’t know what happened ter Max, Rex and Jax who brought us. They didn’t stay with the nice humans who looked after us, Tom and Sheila. We three found mates, soon as we were old enough. Then yer dad were born but straight off I knew he weren’t right. Too dim an’ scared ter try owt. ‘Twere obvious he’d never build a rocket, so I mated him with a smart female and they had ye. Ye’re going ter be a nastronaut. Ye’ll need all them books we bought ye. Ryan were born a while afore ye. He’s too sensitive ter be a scientist so his dad and mum started him off acting.

Why acting?

Ter earn money. He’s a good actor and he landed loads of parts when he were little. He were quite famous when Gux, er, I mean Robert, an’ Doll died. After the accident, Maureen took him in. Dave an’ her never had kids ‘cause she were too scared ter try.

Okay, but why does Rye have to earn money?

Ter buy what yer need for yer spaceship, of course. I hear ye can’t get owt for nowt here on Earth these days. Ix – I mean Mo – said Ryan were worth a hundred thousand pounds, with more to come next year. That’s a lot of money. And he’s only twenty so he’ll be able to earn---

Lex interrupted the old man. But it’s not enough, Granddad. Nowhere near. Rockets cost millions, billions. And astronauts don’t build spaceships. Engineers and scientists do. I don’t mind being an engineer but I do so NOT want to be an astronaut.

Really? Really? Granddad slumped in his chair and closed his eyes. All these years wasted? Oh, what’s the use?

Flipping heck, Granddad, I’d help if I could. You know I would. But you’re asking too much. Loads too much.

The curtains danced and lifted, and a cloud floated into the room. It coalesced into the big reptile’s shape.

No, he’s not, Preemo said. You don’t have to fly spaceships if you don’t want to, but you do have to know how to build them. You must persuade humans to come to Mars and terraform it. That’s your mission. Ryan has to get you the money to do that. We’ll teach you anything else you need to know.

I’ve done as much as I can, Granddad said, wearily, shaking his head, but I don’t think I can teach him how ter detach now. ‘Tis been too long since I last did it.

You’ve done well. Preemo patted Granddad’s shoulder. I can teach Lex, so don’t worry. He gestured with his snout at the open window. Now, how about a night on the town before I take you to a place where you can stay until you can come back to us?

Granddad shot up in his chair and his eyes shone. Really? Ye really mean it? Then the sparkle left his eyes and his shoulders drooped. Nah. Yer having me on, ain’t yer?

Preemo bared his teeth in what could have been a grin, but it made him look more like a shark ready for supper.

Go ahead.

Lex watched, mesmerized, as his granddad’s face changed and became like an alligator’s. Then his arms shrank until they were lost in his nightshirt, and a tail with a fan on its end appeared where his feet had been. He balanced on it, and his nightshirt slid to the floor. His arms weren’t the only things that shrank. His whole body did. Even when erect, standing on his hind legs, supported by his tail, he didn’t reach Lex’s chin. His puny forelegs flapped excitedly against his bronze, scaly belly. He dropped onto all fours and headed for the wall under the window where he stood upright again and tried to climb the curtain. His claws caught in the fabric, and he dangled like a kitten.

Give us a hand, he called.

Preemo doubled up with laughter so Lex went to the window and hoisted Granddad onto the sill. With a wiggle of his fan, the happy Martian leapt into the darkness.

Lex leaned out and saw him scurry across the patchy snow towards the privet hedge. He turned to Preemo. What am I supposed to do now?

Go to bed. Next weekend I’ll teach you to detach and project images, but until then, don’t say anything to anybody.

O-o-o-kay.

Lex went to close the window but Preemo stopped him.

Leave everything just as it is, he said. Now, go to bed and I’ll see you next Saturday.

With his heart thumping and feeling like a criminal, Lex stole back to his room.

***

Pandemonium erupted in the morning when Mum went to take Granddad his early-morning cup of tea and couldn’t find him. Dad called in the police. They scoured the streets and asked people in a five-mile radius if they’d seen anything of a naked old man who might be suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Lex kept out of the way and pretended to