A Planet Left Behind

By RB Parkline

Mars has been a planet people have wondered about for centuries. The question of "is there life on the red planet" has been asked for years. Rovers have been sent to Mars for years as satelites have flown by searching for life that may have existed centeries ago. The Martians never considered if there was life on other worlds. The Martians believed they were the only people who were created by the Lord. Living inside the cave safe from the harsh outside world for centuries after century had made the people comfortable. When a strange machine is found on the surface by an ourside Ranger on Mars it is perplexing to the Martians. How could this strange machine be on the planet? It was not made there. The question poses a problem for the Religous order who have taught the Lord only has created Martians. Anything else is considered herasey. When rumors of other machines found in the past begin to circurlate it poses a problem since the constitution forbids secrets from the population. When a journal from the past is found in a hidden room the contents describe a world where people lived on the surface. A metorite will change their world. This disovery will change Mars and their people as they face the fact there is life on other planets. Should they try and contact them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: RB Parkline
• Release date: Apr 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201271374

RB Parkline

A quite individual. Writing for entertainmet as well as adding some historical facts with an underlying spiritual nature. Stories should touch the lives of individuals as their imagination is activated. 

Book preview

A Planet left Behind

Chapter I

Gafford moved slowly on the loose red soil. The small rover edged up the slight incline of a small hill. The six small wheels spinning occasionally as it lost traction. He had made this same trip countless times. He still felt exhilaration of going to the surface each time he left the safety of the underground. He looked to the horizon seeing no storms. It was a nice day without the constant winds kicking up red dust. He did not have to rely on his instruments. He could look out the large glass window that protected him inside the cab.

He had been an outside Ranger now for many years. The long hours of training, along with his extensive education was worth it to be a Ranger. Learning to handle the equipment, including rovers, excavators, and other machinerie was all part of the training. He also liked the fact he was admired by men and women. Young boys and girls looked up to him and the other Rangers. A young girl, Myria who had light hair, and hazel eyes looked at him with her large eyes with deep admiration. She was pretty and Gafford had been dating her for some time. They had become close.

Gafford was thinking of Myria and her slim body when the land rover topped the hill. He stopped immediately seeing something in the distance he had not seen before. It was a strange piece of machinery. He reached down taking the knob controlling the zoom on his camera. He turned it slowly, seeing the picture come into view. He stared in disbelief seeing the strange machine. It was metallic with a silver color. The wheels moved slowly. It had some kind of extensions with perhaps a camera. He was not sure what he was looking at.

R-5 to base are you seeing what I’m seeing?

Base to R-5 we are, not sure what it is? Can you verify if it is moving?

Affirmative it is moving slowly, heading west.

Suggest you stay where you are. The Commander has been notified. We will advise.

Gafford reached over picking up his helmet. He wanted to get out and approach the strange machine. He was sure it was not from another colony. He wondered to himself if not another colony. Then where was it from? Who could have made such a machine?

After waiting for a few minutes Gafford contacted his base station.

R-5 to base I’m exiting the rover to go for a closer look?

Stand by R-5.

Gafford sat quiet, it was the base commander. He wanted to go and look at the strange machine.

After several minutes he heard R-5 Procede on foot, but do not get too close. We are monitoring the situation.

Gafford placed his helmet on and turned on the video so the control center could see what he was seeing. He opened the door and stepped out of the rover. His suit kept him safe from the harsh environment.

He walked slowly in the soft red dirt which was a fine powder. The rocks were small as he walked over them avoiding the large rocks not wanting to trip. Approaching the machine he stopped when the machine stopped. He watched as an extension moved forward then down toward the soil. The extension picked up soil and deposited it into a drawer. It began to move forward.

Gafford walked closer to the machine and saw as he approached the rear it was a sophisticated piece of machinery. His camera on his helmet began moving slowly over every inch of the machine. He knew the base was controlling his camera. He was not sure what to think. He was in awe of the machine.

Base to R-5, you are to move back from the machine. Continue with observation.  All Rovers return to base.

Gafford walked back quickly. He knew this was big. It was really big. All rovers were being sent back. He felt excited knowing he had found something that was a mystery. He stopped at the rise of the hill watching the strange machine moving slowly.

The door to central command burst open as four Ministers walked in quickly.

Cut the video feed now!

Commander Rafel looked confused as well as irritated. He was in command of the Central Base, not Ministers.

Why, he asked, irritated?

Because you are on a live feed! Minister Dalk screamed.  You will shut down the live feed now Commander Rafel.

Commander Rafel stood up straight I don’t take orders from you Minister. I will decide if the live video needs shut down.

You will shut it down now or I will! The general public does not need to see this happening!

Why not?

Minister Dalk was shocked. Because it will cause a panic! We will have riots, due to fear!

I’ve recalled all rovers. Now you need to leave. I don’t take orders from you Minister.

Minister Dalk with the other Ministers followed Commander Rafel as he walked toward the Premiers office. He did not stop at her secretary's desk, but walked into the room as the secretary was protesting saying There is a meeting going on Commander.

The Premier looked up as did the men and women in the meeting sitting at a large table.

What is the meaning of this commander? Premier Jale asked, surprised.

Commander Rafel did not speak. He picked up the remote control turning on the monitor in her conference room.

The Premier and the others looked with curiosity at the strange sight on the monitor.

This is a live feed from Rover 5. I have no idea what that machine is.

The Premier stood up staring in disbelief at the strange machine. Minister Dalk standing next to her said, raising his voice.

That is a live feed! Everyone with a monitor is seeing this! We need to turn off the live feed immediately!

Why? She asked, looking at the Minister.

Because our people will panic. We don’t know what that is. We need to control the information.

Premier Jale shook her head. No, I have no intention of hiding anything from our people. I don’t understand why you as a Minister, a man of the word would suggest such a thing.

Minister Dalk took a deep breath, I want to protect our people. We will notify all people when we have more information.

Premier Jale looked at the Commander. What is that machine Rafel

I have no idea, it was not there two cycles ago. Rover 5 was there earlier.  I know for a fact it is not anything we have created, or from another colony.  I don’t know Premier.

I demand you shut down the live feed Premier.

Your request is denied. And I will remind you Minister you have no authority here.

The Premier dismissed the meeting and followed the Commander back to his office. Rover 5 was told to return to base. She sat down with scientists who were called into Command Central. The Ministers demanded to be a part of the meeting, but were denied.

Chapter II

The top scientist stared in disbelief at the strange machine on the videotape. The other colonies were called concerning the strange machine. None of them were aware of it. Each of the colonies sent scientists to study the machine. It was decided by all the Governors of the colonies along with the Premier not to approach it until more information could be gained. There was a suggestion of bringing it into the city underground but it was quickly dismissed.

The Elder of Ministers demanded to see the Premier. She stepped into a small office as Elder Pake demanded the video be turned over to him. He also made it clear she was to go on the broadcast and tell the populace it was a machine created by their scientist. She looked