Mars Encounter

By J.J. Wright

A sci-fi adventure for readers with a healthy suspicion of authority. Mars Encounter offers the reader an exciting trip into the lives of the first Earth colonists to Mars. Set in modern times it tells of a secretive organisation which not only knows if there is alien life on Mars, but lives amongst them.

Politicians lie, truths are covered up and people die, facts Justin had to live with, he always new he wasn’t like the other kids in Brixton. He wanted out of gangs and was determined to use his brain to do it. Justin had no idea though just how far his brain would take him.

Yelps however always knew where he was heading, straight to a war he didn’t understand, what else was there for a US Marine. But even he was surprised to learn which war he would be destined to fight in.

Mars Encounter tells the story of those who live in the shadows, who protect the lies others are determined find the truth of and the question of in the brotherhood of creation who can be trusted and who is out for themselves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.J. Wright
• Release date: May 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370269556

J.J. Wright

J.J. Wright was born in Leicester Leicestershire in 1982. Although raised in Hampshire he is proud of his Leicester routes and is a lifelong fan of Leicester Tigers rugby union team. He was educated in Farnborough Hampshire before going to university in Lancashire and studying management. Currently living in Oxfordshire. As well as writing his hobbies include motorsport and photography.J.J. has been writing since he was 17 years old and has recently signed with Half a Cup of Coffee, a new publishing community which specialises in helping to develop exciting new writing talent.Occasionally I offer free books for you to enjoy. The best way to encourage me to do this more often is to leave feedback (even if it's negative) and reviews.

Book preview

20:00 EST December 24th 1968

60 Nautical Miles Above the Surface of the Moon

In the bleakness of space a loan space craft is traveling across the lifeless void. This is mankind’s first tentative steps into the vastness of space and beyond their home planet. Inside the thin walled spaceship three men are traveling to the moon, put there by science, engineering and imagination. They are leaving humanity, war, peace, love, laughter, disease and everything else they have ever known behind. They start to travel further away from the Earth and cross from the all-consuming light of the sun to the bleak, cold, emptiness of the dark side of the moon.

We’ll see you on the other side. The radio crackles faintly into life before dying into silence. The craft vanished from view of the Earth, continuing on its journey held in place by maths, science and dreams. With the help of gravity it was travelling further and further away from the Earth. Eventually it would return and complete a full orbit of the moon but that wouldn’t be for 64 minutes. Until then the three men would have nothing to do but to take photographs and scientific readings of the moon, what they were here to do. Ten minutes of the darkness passed by before the radio unexpectedly crackled into life. The voice was not one that any of the three men recognised. The language was one that no human had heard before. The voice spoke.

Nesvoen hipsin tanat. Vimmat Wimov papd Quqamat quttos qisaiposi put deiman.

The three men inside the capsule looked at each other. What was it they had just heard? Was it a joke from one of their fellow astronauts or was it a message from an alien people. The three men argued with each other until they realised there was no way of knowing for sure if it was real or not.

What was that?

It can’t be real, can it?

The radio hissed static, announcing that it was going to speak again. The message repeated itself and kept on doing so. The three astronauts, all military men, looked at each other, each trying to contemplate what the other two was thinking. They had spent months training for this mission and felt that they could know what each other were thinking just by the tone of their voice or the rising of an eyebrow. But this was no simulation, this hadn’t been in any training manual, this was unprecedented. Only one short meeting that all three men had thought was a joke had prepared them for this.

That man who came to see us was telling the truth?

Aliens though, really? It must be a joke

Do we use the code word in the TV broadcast?

It just seems so far-fetched.

The discussion continued in this vain as the fragile spacecraft continued its course through space. All the time the radio received its strange message. The three men argued over what they had heard and what it really meant. They barely realised that they were about to come back into the light of the sun.

Well, will you look at that.

The window was filled with the Earth and it looked both smaller and larger than it did before. No man had ever seen it in this way before and none had heard what they had heard.

Quick take a picture, we are not alone anymore.

Are we agreed, we use the code word in the broadcast?

At some point we will say ‘let there be light’ so those guys know about the signal. Now we just need to figure out a way to work it in somehow.

Part 1: Learning

Chapter 1

13:30 AFT, January 4th 2002

Market Square, Kabul, Afghanistan, Earth

Breathe. No matter what you do in the next thirty seconds, breathe. Those were the first thoughts that went through Captain Yelps’ mind. His old drill Sargent had taught him the importance of the simple, yet effective mantra and Yelps had always held onto it throughout his short but distinguished career. Breathe. It had gotten him through some tuff situations in training, Somalia and Albania. Through fire fights, bomb scares and even hostage situations. Breathe. Down town Afghanistan was the worst place that Captain Yelps could think of being right now, the hot sun beating down, danger everywhere he looked and what was worse was the danger he couldn’t see. Breathe. The mid-day sun was beating down from the sky. It dried the sandy air Yelps was trying to swallow into his lungs, causing his mouth to dry up. The dazzling light reflected off everything it could, trying to blind him. Breathe. Yelps looked around. Across the street stood three people, at best they were innocent bystanders, caught up in a war that they had no choice but to be a part of. At worse they were part of the Taliban forces and Yelps would have to shoot them. Breathe. He looked up and could see one man on a rooftop holding a Soviet made rifle, probably left over from the 1980’s, full of sand dust and poorly maintained. Across the street was the rest of Yelps’ squad. Breathe. This was not a good situation to be in. Yelps needed his men over with him, he needed them to start searching this house where they believed a young local woman was being held captive. Breathe. Yelps looked over and motioned for his men to come over to him. First was the Lieutenant. New to the unit but a likeable guy. He was a specialist in bomb detection and Yelps would need his highly trained skills to help search the house. The Lieutenant started to run over to join Yelps. Breathe. Bang. Squelch. Thud. Almost in slow motion like in a film. Breathe. Yelps saw the flash of light from the roof top, the Lieutenant had nearly made it, three more steps. Yelps could almost reach out and touch the man who was falling in a street thousands of miles from home. Without thinking Yelps flew forward pushing the Lieutenant to the ground. Despite flying through the air Yelps felt the exact moment the bullet went into his thigh. This one wasn’t fired in slow motion. It had happened suddenly with little subtlety or respect for human flesh. Pain wasn’t the right word to describe the first feeling that registered in Yelps’ brain. It was more like surprise, like his brain couldn’t figure out what was happening. Yelps reached for his side arm having dropped his rifle in the fall. He managed to twist his body around and fire his weapon. He saw the gun man drop from the roof top, falling through the air and landing on the ground with a thud.

Now. Shouted a voice, Yelps wasn’t sure where from, it’s difficult to pick up on details like that as your bleeding onto a sand covered street in a foreign land. Breathe. The next flash of light was all consuming, blinding, cleansing and destructive. The noise was loud. The heat unbearable. Hell was real and it was on a deserted street in Afghanistan. Parts of a nearby wall started falling from the sky. A bomb had been detonated. Breathe. Yelps just managed to open his eyes in time to see his squad coming out from their hiding places. They were firing their guns at the surrounding buildings, hitting the fighters who had been entrenched there, waiting for their victims. Yelps noticed the people huddled against the wall again. They must be civilians, this was their street but now not their natural environment. Breathe. Yelps could always spot a real civilian over someone pretending during a firefight. There was something specific about how a civilian would cower in fear, something that couldn’t be faked. He had to help them, none of this was their fault and he had to protect their lives as much as those of his men. Yelps dragged himself across the street, picking up his previously discarded rifle. Slowly he dragged himself, bleeding, blinded, scared. Breathe. Yelps reached the civilians, up close he noticed one was a woman the other two were children, possibly hers, possibly already orphans. In this place who could tell? Yelps hurled himself up and twisted so that his back was against them.

They’re civilians. He yelled, almost choking as he spoke, the smoke and dust in his lungs not wanting to give up the space in his throat for his words to come out. Yelps was hit again. Breathe. A couple of more shots and then nothing but silence. Yelps fell to the ground. He looked up and could see all the rest of his men standing over him. Yelps knew that the rest of his squad would be safe. They were all highly trained and this was exactly what they had been training for. Each one of them would be able to cope with the situation and would know what to do. It was ok to pass out now, they were safe.

Coming too three days later Yelps looked around the make shift field hospital. Sitting in a chair by his bedside was a young looking Lieutenant. Yelps wondered at first if it was one of the men from his unit, but he didn’t recognise the blurry figure. As Yelps’ eyes started to focus he tried to figure out who this stranger was.

Don’t worry Captain, you are safe. The figure spoke out. My name is Lieutenant Philips and I am going to stick by your side.

All Yelps could manage was a whimper. Breathing tubes were forced down his throat, his eyes wouldn’t open fully and he couldn’t feel his arms. Yelps tried to come to more, he tried to fight against the overwhelming urge to drift off to sleep once again but he couldn’t, he couldn’t focus his mind on anything except for his desire to drift off into the darkness and embrace the comforting clasp of sleep once more. Just before he drifted off to a pain free existence Yelps heard but barely registered one more thing.

You’ve been selected for a very special assignment.

Chapter 2

07:00 GMT, March 2nd 2017

Brixton Child Care Home, Brixton, London, UK, Earth

Justin awoke to the sound of his alarm. The high pitch electronic beeping screeched at him constantly, rudely demanding his attention. Justin eventually summoned the strength and fight to reach over and hit the off button. He knew that he now had fifteen minutes to get up, and head into the shower before anybody else in the home arose. As much as Justin hated getting up he loved this time of day. This was the only time of day when he had the whole place to himself. None of the other kids would be up yet, neither would the social workers who lived in the home. This was his time and he was going to enjoy a shower with hot water before anyone else could get up. He very quietly stepped out of the bed and tried to make it to the bathroom without making a sound. He knew that one false step and he would cause a sound to wake up everyone else in the house. He loved them all in their own way but this was supposed to be his time. Many of the kids saw him as a big brother, especially the new arrival, Carl. It was fun to be the oldest one in the house, the one they all looked up to but it also carried with it a lot of responsibility and right now, in this moment that was something Justin was looking to escape from. Justin made it to the shower and breathed a sigh of relieve as he locked the door. It didn’t matter now how much noise he made, no-one would be able to get to the hot water before him. As Justin stepped into the shower he felt the first burst of freezing cold water, ideal for waking you up however not so relaxing. This unwanted cold water gradually and teasingly gave way to the warm and comforting hot liquid which he really wanted. Justin soaped himself, being careful to mind the scares on his right arm and torso. He knew not to spend too long in the shower, with nine other kids and three social workers living in the home there were plenty of other people who would be wanting to use it after him. But at the same time Justin knew to savour this instant, this was the time when it was only him, no exams, no expectations, no gangs and no other worries. This was the only time of the day when he would get to be himself and no one was around to witness it.

After dressing Justin went downstairs to get his breakfast. Susan was already in the kitchen and was getting the morning things ready. Justin liked Susan. He was never too sure why anyone would want to spend their lives looking after the children that no-one else wanted but with Susan it sort of fit, it made sense. He understood why this nice, friendly woman enjoyed looking after all of them. She would constantly fuss and worry about every single child in her care, even keeping in contact with most of them after they left the care system. One of the reasons Justin liked her was because everyone else liked her too, not that that was her main motivator, which just made you like her more. Susan was so appreciated by the kids that had gone through the home that she was God-Mother to many of the children that her kids had gone on to have. There had always been a sort of special bond between Justin and Susan. Unspoken, neither one wanting to draw attention to it in case the magic would be broken but they just seemed to get each other. Justin had put it down to the fact that he had been there the longest. In fact Justin had been there longer than most people. Nearly all of the other kids were under the age of eight. Very few stayed in the home past that point. Either they would go back to their family or off to be adopted or even to foster parents. But Justin never seemed to have that lucky break. Sure there had been foster parents and others but he always appeared to end up back in the home. Very few people were willing to take Justin on after they had heard about the life his mother had lived before she died, leaving Justin with no-one to look after him but the system. People always assumed that he would turn out the same as his mother but Justin was determined that this would not be the case. He would make something of his life, he would go to University, get out of the system and most of all be someone to be proud of, someone that Susan would be proud of. But right now Justin sat at the kitchen table and poured himself some cereal.

You all set for today? Susan asked as she buttered toast before adding it to the large stockpile she had already accumulated.

I guess. Justin replied, dreading the exam which he knew he would be taking later.

Which one is it this time?

Advanced Maths. A-Level. Justin said with a light sense of dread in his voice. He knew he would do well, he always did well, but he hated exams all the same.

Well I won’t wish you good luck, you won’t need it. Susan never wished any of the kids good luck on exams, she was convinced it would jinks them. But as she looked across at Justin she felt she had to say something. You’ll do great.

Yeah, I guess. Justin looked down at his cereal which was growing ever more soggy by the milk. He forced himself to take a bite. I’m not that hungry. Justin got up and took his bowl to the sink before washing up. He walked out of the kitchen and headed for the door.

Hey Justin. Susan called out. Is everything ok? It’s not like you to be mopey.

I’m fine, I guess.

Well I’m here if you want to talk. Susan’s voice betrayed the concern that she was trying so desperately to hide.

I know. Justin said. He couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eye, she might see the truth of what was bothering him today. I’m going to the library after College so I’ll be late back.

Justin picked up his college bag and headed for the front door. Usually he didn’t feel like this but today he did, today he felt resentful that he was an orphan, resentful that he couldn’t get out of the system and resentful towards the mother he had never known.

Chapter 3

08:30 GMT, March 2nd 2017

Brixton High Street, Brixton, London, UK, Earth

Justin plugged his earphones into his phone and selected some music. He always had his head phones on when he walked to the 6th Form College but he didn’t always have music playing. Sometimes it was just a good way of keeping the rest of the world out, of trying to block out everyone who wanted to intrude into his own space and his own life. Privacy, that was what mattered to Justin. He walked up the pavement heading towards the high street. Three other kids stepped out in front of him. One was Jimbo, a kid that Justin had been at school with.

What you doing? Jimbo asked. Justin took the headphones out of his ears and started to answer.

Just going to college Jimbo.

What you want to be doing that for?

Better life.

Better life? Tish, I am the better life. Look at me man I’ve got everything and one day I’ll be king of this manner.

Why do you think I want to get a better life and get away from here?

Jimbo looked cross, he looked serious. He knew that this was an insult and he didn’t like it. Justin had taken a calculated risk in saying that but he knew it was a risk he had to take. Jimbo’s face suddenly changed to a broad big smile.

See this is why I love this guy. Jimbo put his arm around Justin who flinched at the unwanted and uninvited contact. When you going to come and work for me bro?

Work for you? But I thought you worked for Big L.

I don’t work for no-one, me and Big L are more like partners.

I’m going to be late for college. Justin slipped away from Jimbo’s grasp. He knew he would regret it if he turned Jimbo down flatly but he also knew that Jimbo was offering him a life he didn’t want.

Well just think about it yeah. Jimbo called out to Justin as he walked away. What you looking at? He added before hitting one of the other guys who had been standing with him.

Justin carried on walking away. As he looked around the high street he knew he had to get away from this life, as far away as he possibly could. Sure the odds were stacked against him, growing up in Brixton, living in a children’s home, not knowing who his mother was apart from the fact that she was a junky, but he had one thing going for him. Justin was smart, really smart. He had scored higher GCSE’s than anyone else who had ever gone to his school and he was looking to be the best at the Sixth Form College too. It wasn’t arrogance, it wasn’t even ambition. School work came easier to him than it did to most of his class mates, especially maths. To everyone else real life was a distraction to their school work. To Justin school work was how he distracted himself from real life.

Justin went into class nervous about the exam he would be facing later that day. He found it difficult to concentrate on what he was being told. He knew he should try hard but he couldn’t help the nervous, excited and horrified feelings he was having.

Sitting in the exam hall Justin was terrified. The exam would begin in a minute and he would be faced with having to answer the questions as quickly as he could whilst still being correct. Suddenly it was time to turn over the paper and get started. The first few questions were a breeze and Justin soon settled down to the rhythm of the exam. The nervousness drifted away as Justin quickly went through the questions. This was what he was good at, he could manage this exam and get top marks like he always did. Justin’s confidence was high and he knew he could handle this. Then came question 13. It was like some hieroglyphs found in darkest Egypt or something. Justin hardly knew what the symbols meant let alone how to do the sum. He just stared at the question for over ten minutes before deciding to move on and come back to it. He tried to find his natural rhythm again but couldn’t. Justin finished the exam with 45 minutes spare. He hadn’t answered question 13 though, that was the stuff that nightmares were made of. Justin decided he might as well have another look at it. He stared at the thing intensely for nearly three quarters of an hour. Suddenly he had a thought on how to answer it, a way of working it out and he set to on the problem.

Once out of the exam Justin looked around the others. He couldn’t believe that no-one else was talking about that question. Had he missed something, was it in fact so easy to everyone else that they hadn’t even given it a second thought. This made Justin even more panicked. After the exam Justin went to the library. He searched through every maths text book he could find and he couldn’t find any reference to question 13, nothing about its symbols or the strange way the question was made up. Had he imagined it, had his exhausted mind come up with a question so complex that it was unsolvable. Was the whole of question 13 in fact a trick played on him by his mind in an attempt to confuse him. Justin hunted through books, every maths book, every physics book anything he thought would have the question in. He wasn’t successful. Justin knew the library, he knew it well. Most nights after college he would head down to the library and read every book he could find. He had learnt about history, geology, physics and maths. In truth he had found his first love in that library, Mathematics. This is where he really learnt. He would come down at least three nights a week and read. At first it was just a way of hiding, from the loneliness of the children’s home, from the horrors of the street gangs and most of all just from life. He had been truly happy in that library. Yet right now it was of no comfort to him, he couldn’t find the answer he so desperately craved. The library would be closing soon and Justin would leave the library empty handed without the answers he was searching for, for the first time.

Justin walked out of the library and down