Journey To Mars: Blood Is Forever

By Tim Conley

In the first book of this four part saga, Jason Martin was infected with a virus and told he could never return to Earth. He has been marooned on Mars for almost 20 years. Now he and his daughter, Catherine, are going to get into the fight to clear Earth of the dreaded presence of Martian vampires that have infected Paris. Their entrance into the war can't be too soon for Earth's population as its back is up against the wall.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tim Conley
• Release date: Jul 10, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452403649

Tim Conley

Hi, my name is Tim Conley. I live in Philadelphia, MS with my beautiful wife, Carmela. My son,James (JD) is in the Air Force and has a son Joshua who is 21/2 with another boy on the way. Carmela's son - Enrik just graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Teaching.I have been writing for over twenty years and have published 67 books so far - two recently with Amazon/Kindle. I'm currently working on a fantasy anthology of 28 books called The Rhumgold Sagas.I have always been interested in publishing via eBook format but just haven't found the venue until now. I'm really looking forward to participating in the eBook experience. There are 22 e-books available now and 16 more that are being prepared for release in 2020. Read, explore and enjoy!

Book preview

Chapter 1

20 Years On – the Aftermath

A cold breeze blew through the catacombs and lightly moved the hair on the back of Jason Martin’s neck. He shivered in spite of the warm suit he was wearing. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the temperature of this place,’ he said to no one in particular.

He looked up from where he had parked himself hours earlier and closed the book he had been trying to get into all morning. It was no use.

Something had broken his ability to concentrate so the one escape he ever allowed himself wasn’t going to work. He tried to follow the dust motes as they swirled through the wan sunlight coming in through the window set in the catacomb wall high above him. Everything was suddenly so alien to him.

His heart almost burst with a yearning for anything that wasn’t colored a rusty, reddish brown. Molly had always had a flourishing flower garden surrounding the walk up to their door on Earth. And Michelle had tried her best to cultivate the same motif in their living quarters. But all that was gone now.

Jason tried to pull his concentration back to the book on his lap but knew how useless it was going to be. He missed both of them. Molly had been lost to him for over twenty years now.

He hadn’t had word about her in six years; since General O’Keefe had died. There was another friend he was missing. The General had tried his best to keep Jason informed about life on Earth. He had also been responsible for all the amenities that the colony enjoyed. Jason hefted the book and checked the name running down the spine.

Spawning Black Holes by Michael Martin. He read the title and author aloud again. As if by doing so he could make a connection with the author that he had never been able to make in real life.

O’Keefe had mentioned that Mike had written the book as his dissertation at Harvard. Jason smiled. His kid. His kid had written a treatise on how black holes could possibly have inverted to produce the universe they were presently living in.

The Hubble Telescope had detected a massive black hole around which it appeared the rest of the known universe rotated. Mike had done a superb job in analyzing the computer data that went into his simulations.

Jason felt a stab go through his heart again as he realized he would never be able to tell his son how proud he was of him. He placed the book back in his lap and thought of the other woman he had lost.

Michelle had asked no questions when he suggested they hijack the Pegasus. She had supported him when he turned back and picked up Bartam and his crew from the Moon.

She had mourned with him over the loss of his wife and family. She didn’t have any family to return to Earth for, but he knew she had pined for the things they had lost when they set their sights on Mars. She had been consigned to live his life, with him, and had never seen the green hills of Rhode Island again.

Jason felt the tears rolling down his cheeks again. He had just returned from a scouting trip when he got the word that she hadn’t returned from hers. Several days of trying to reach her on the radios produced nothing but frustration.

She had gone deep into one of the canyons leading into Olympus Mons. Those canyons had always presented dicey problems for any kind of communications. His mental link had broken off with her after about two days into the canyon. He had felt it fade the further she got into it and had awakened during the third night knowing she was beyond any help he could bring to her quickly.

She should have had no trouble. They had surveyed that area a couple years earlier and had found nothing. At least nothing like the southern hemisphere catacombs where he was presently sitting.

A couple days passed while they waited for her to return. Then one morning Buzz came running in, white as a sheet. He grabbed Jason’s arm to keep him from going outside but had finally let him pass.

The heads of Michelle and three of her crew were stuck on poles outside their quarters. Sometime during the night the feral Martians had snuck in and placed them in plain sight. Jason still could close his eyes and see the anguish present on Michelle’s face during the moment of her death.

Her loss had been a real shock to the small community. That had been over five Earth years earlier. That terrible feeling of loss was still present with him. Also present was the five long years of extermination that followed the war declaration. That’s what the heads had produced. War, in all its horror.

Pockets of Martians had survived the holocaust of the explosion and fallout that had destroyed the upper crust of Martian society. Jason and Buzz had systematically located and exterminated. He lowered his head into his hands and mourned his loss and what he had become. And cursed.

Cursed the day he had ever stepped upon the red sand of Mars. Cursed the day that Martian rogues had subjugated his crew. Cursed the day he had become so like them that he couldn’t return to Earth without infecting billions of people with the virus he had picked up.

And he cursed the day he had allowed Angat of Denebia to talk him into doing her dirty work. He should never have taken up the sword against the people of Mars.

But there was never any prospect for peace. The Martian mentality was so alien to that from Earth. No quarter was sought and none was ever given.

Extreme prejudice was the only way of life within Martian society. Early on in Martian culture the Circles of Encroachment had come into being to keep males separated. Every room within the catacombs had them prominently displayed upon the floors.

Only three sets were ever found in any room; indicating that no more than three males could be present at any meeting. Jason thought it strange that Martian society had flourished at all with all the checks and balances they seemed to have had.

Although the wild tribes didn’t seem to have the same need for separation that their civilized brothers had exhibited. Jason looked again at the faded murals decorating the catacomb walls and knew Martian society had always been very structured.

The breeze kicked up once more as someone released the hermetic seal on the installation and entered from the outside. Jason looked up and saw Amanda as she stood within the anteroom waiting for the ultraviolet rays installed into the entrance walls to do their work of cleansing her body suit.

She seemed to be fidgety today. More than otherwise, in fact. Jason watched her closely as she headed first for the canteen and then brought two steaming cups of what passed for java for them.

It was a local plant that Amanda and Michelle had cultivated and spliced into plants grown from green beans exported early on from Earth. The slopes of the water caverns yielded an amazing, potent crop. They had to be sure to cut the measure or the caffeine jolt was sure to keep them awake for hours.

Jason only imbibed when he knew he wasn’t going to have to suit up and go outside. Otherwise his kidneys would work overtime on him. He accepted the cup she offered and she quietly sat down across from him. He gave her time to get her thoughts together.

Jason, I found something that I think can at least suppress the virus. She looked up from her mug and hope was brimming in her eyes. He somehow hated to ask the question she knew was coming.

Suppress it or kill it completely? he asked.

Well, I think with additional research I can bring it under control. She winced as she saw his reaction. "Jason, I know now where to recombine the DNA strands. I took enough samples from that last batch of bodies you guys brought in.

Using the combo of radiation and chemo I think we can safely eradicate or at least limit it. We might even be able to one day return to Earth." Her voice trailed off as she took a tentative sip from her mug. It still was too hot.

Jason shook his head sadly and looked closely at Amanda’s face. The long years away from Earth gravity had done nothing but enhance her beauty. He had always been taken with that but today he saw a longing part of her he hadn’t seen before. What is wrong, Amanda?

She looked directly at him. I want to go home. I want to see my people again before I die. Is that so terrible?

No, that is not a terrible thought. He agreed with her. I would also like to see my people. He held up the book he had been reading and she smiled sadly.

He continued, I haven’t seen Michael since he was three, he leaned forward, "but I will not put him or anyone else we contact in danger until you are sure we have a cure.

She nodded. If I can demonstrate it for you, will you at least try to make the trip, or allow one of us to make it?

Jason realized she wasn’t going to be dissuaded easily. If you can demonstrate a cure that will pass the standards set on Moon Base Alpha. Remember that O’Keefe was very specific about us meeting their restrictions. He hesitated for a moment and looked more closely into her eyes.

There’s something else, isn’t there?

It was her turn to hesitate. She didn’t know how he was going to take the news. Yes, there is something else. I just learned that Marsella has made it to Earth.

Jason was shocked. That was a name he hadn’t heard, nor thought about in years. They had thought she was destroyed when Moon Base X had been destroyed in a nuclear explosion.

Bartam had been intent on making a statement to the world about his intentions. That Marsella had survived was no less than a miracle. That she had made her way to Earth wasn’t. He knew how methodical she could be.

How did she do it? he gasped as the slug of caffeine hit his system.

She managed to stow away as a crew member on board one of the water shuttles and secreted herself into the water chamber to escape detection. I heard it over the broadcast about an hour ago. They already have a world-wide search for her, but she had so much of a head start that she’s been able to cover her tracks.

So that’s why you are antsy to try your techniques? he surmised and she nodded.

Jason, someone has to stop her. She is carrying the real deal and you know it. Not only can she infect millions, but she won’t stop at anything less than total murder and mayhem. Her blood in the hands of the right people will be deadly.

I know, Jason murmured softly.

Then I have your permission to try?

Yes. He glanced at her once more. You have my permission. Who do you have in mind?

August has already volunteered.

And Buzz is going to allow that?

He doesn’t know yet. She held up her hand to stop his next question. He’s my son, too. He is going to talk with his father this evening about it.

And the other?

I was thinking about Catherine.

Absolutely not! Jason was shocked that she would even have considered his juvenile and renegade daughter for any mission so crucial. Are you out of you fucking mind?

No. She is an adult now by our standards. And she wants to go to Earth with August. You know how tight they are. Jason, she is going to find a way to do it no matter what you think. She has too much of Michelle in her.

Yeah, all the bad parts of Michelle. She is undisciplined and hasn’t learned a fraction of the things she would have to know to fit into Earth society. She can’t go and that’s final.

Amanda stood and placed her now empty mug on the low table between them. Is that your final word on this?

I’m afraid it’s going to have to be.

Amanda turned away and headed for their living quarters. Jason could tell by the stiffness of her back that there would be no smooth sailing for a while, but he couldn’t for the life of him see why she had chosen Catherine.

She wasn’t even a good candidate yet for missions outside the habitat. What made them think she could take responsibility for herself on another planet? Jason sadly shook his head and knew he wouldn’t be returning to his book anytime soon.

* * * * *

Chapter 2

Running for Danger

Catherine looked down at her scuffed shoes and sighed, My life sucks! burst out of her lips followed by a couple expletives that her father obviously hadn’t taught her. Not that her father had ever really taught her anything. Not directly anyway.

It was almost as if he had more time for everyone else; none for her was ever left over. The day was gone, she was in bed and he didn’t even know when she turned the lights out. Almost eighteen years of neglect came out with her frustration as she looked back down the escarpment and yelled at Angela to keep up.

The younger girl scowled and stopped to catch her breath. In front of them the landscape dropped off sharply into the Marianna’s Trench; so named because of its depth and hugeness reminded the cartographers of its namesake back on Earth.

She wondered if water had truly ever filled it. That would make a watershed and a half, she stated lamely as she joined Catherine on the lookout.

Do you really believe that water could have covered everything in front of us? she asked the older girl.

Catherine adjusted her field glasses and stated harshly, You better get your head back into the game, girlie. We ain’t got no time for sightseeing and letting our minds wander.

Angela felt the hair rise on the back of her neck. She hated it when Catherine tried to act like her father. You ain’t got no call for pulling rank on me, you know that?

Catherine held her palm up to Angela and indicated she should talk to the hand. Her glasses were beginning to resolve features only dimly seen by naked eye from their egress into the valley floor far below. You better start taking notes if you want to get down there and back before nightfall. We have about two hours of hiking ahead of us to get to the ruins.

And tell me again why we are going down to them, the other teenager stated.

Let me worry about that, will you? Catherine remarked abruptly as she headed off down the worn path leading down to her goal. She looked back at her friend from over her shoulder and almost screamed, Get you ass in gear and come on!

Angela hesitated and mumbled under her breath as she descended the path.