The Legacy of Mars

By T. L. Carlyle

On July 20, 2069, the starship Percival Lowell lands on Mars. Jonathan Kraine is an archaeologist on the mission who makes a strange discovery and changes the mission's focus. Odd events force the survey team to return to Earth. What started out as a moment of first contact soon turns into a battle to save the future and destiny of the human rac

• Language: English
• Publisher: Antellus
• Release date: Feb 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087946481

T. L. Carlyle

T. L. Carlyle is an author and illustrator who publishes under the Antellus imprint. She writes science fiction adventure, mystery, and nonfiction books on genre topics, with a view to educate as well as entertain. Her latest books include the series Legends of The Dragon's Blood.

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THE LEGACY OF MARS

Legends of The Dragon’s Blood book 2C

Ebook edition Copyright 2021 by T.L. Carlyle, all rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the author. Requests to make copies of any part of this work should be addressed by electronic mail to: [e-mail]. Any resemblence to any character or person, living or dead, is purely coincidental except with reference to fiction or non-fiction works without libelous intent. This book contains violence and adult situations not intended for readers under the age of 16.

Published by Antellus, Los Angeles, California USA Catalog no. 02C

ISBN 978-1-087946-48-1

Other books in this series by T. L. Carlyle:

The Path of The Red Dragon - Destiny’s Forge - The Queen’s Marksman - The Pirate’s Pledge - The Children of The Night - A Journey Toward The West

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction Prologue

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

Introduction

This book is a work of fiction, and as such it contains elements of the fantastic as well as my theoretical presumptions about the real nature of the surface of Mars and what may lay beneath it. It is not a treatise created to summarize what many people in popular culture see as evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial life on Mars. It is intended to cajole the reader for the fantasy, the mystery and adventure of exploring Mars, even as the facts are presented in their pure form. I have tried to keep them faithful to current knowledge with a slant toward the possibilties as well as the probabilities, holding faith to the open mind of the reader.

Please note that the analog UNASA stands for United Nations Astronautics and Space Agency. In extrapolating the likely fate of the U.S. NASA space program, recent political events make it possible that the U.N. may have to take control of the space exploration protocols in light of possible defunding or curtailment of current projects.

This book is dedicated with love to the many men and women whose tireless effort has kept the exploration of space to the forefront of humanity's progress. May the future hold the bright promise of discovery and the wonders of the universe for many years to come.

-- T. L. Carlyle

PROLOGUE

By the year 2025 A.D. the human race turned its attention to the real work of conquering poverty, homelessness, and ecological disaster as the generation of century 21 reached full maturity. The population now stood at 10½ billion souls. It became more important than ever to begin the serious exploration of space as an adjunct to the colonization of other planets in the solar system. Humanity was standing on the edge of a crisis as the effects of global warming started to disrupt people’s lives, and if the inexorable tide of human population growth was not abated, the race would soon face extinction due to famine and ever more serious natural disasters caused by the shift in weather patterns.

By 2036, the first moon habitat and space port was established. Unmanned launches from there to the inner asteroids became routine. With the economic success of various mining and manufacturing ventures there came a period of true peacetime progress. Industrial development and environmental responsibility progressed to a point where everyone's basic needs were fulfilled, bringing with it a false sense of security.

In 2068 the first centennial of true space travel was celebrated. There followed a new series of unmanned robotic probes to determine if Mars was suitable for human habitation.

Then, in June of 2069, the centennial year of the first manned flight to the moon, the first manned expedition to Mars was finally launched, carrying a team of scientists to the red planet to establish the first remote Earth habitat. What they discovered there changed their lives forever as they soon found that mankind was no longer alone in the universe.

1

Two people sat in chairs on a raised dais, surrounded on all sides by tri-d digicameras, monitors and other equipment operated by robotic control from a pair of technicians in a small room. A backdrop of light grey curtain had been erected behind them, and a logo placed in front of it in dark red letters proclaimed the show’s title, United Earth Today.

The interviewer was slender, pretty, with dark curly hair and green hazel eyes, wearing a navy blue blouse intended to highlight her face for the cameras. Her lower body was clad in black. Her guest was a large man in a dark brown suit which only seemed to emphasize his bulk. He had large soulful brown eyes and tight short curly hair, a large nose and generous lips. His short stubby fingers kept fiddling with his tie, as they sat quietly waiting for the short introductory music to conclude.

At the director’s cue the woman spoke. Good evening, she said in clear, even tones. "I'm Julia D'Amato. Since the beginning of this century, mankind has struggled to conquer poverty, disease, terrorism and persecution of varying kinds. Now, bowing to the pressure of population growth and the desire to see what's out there in the vast reaches of outer space, a series of Mars probes have been launched to determine if we are ready to colonize our nearest celestial neighbor.

One of the unmanned probes has found something unusual. A single magnetic anomaly at the foot of Olympus Mons, one of the most prominent geologic features on Mars. To solve the mystery, the first manned expedition to Mars, a survey team consisting of specialists in a variety of scientific fields, will land near the anomaly to discover its origin and nature. If it is indeed evidence of intelligent life on Mars as many believe, it will be the most exciting discovery of the century… indeed, the most exciting discovery of the entire history of mankind.

She shifted a little to face another camera. With me now is Doctor Robert J. Clarke, project manager and director of the Mars Exploration Program. Then she turned back to face her guest. Welcome, and thank you for agreeing to appear on our show, Doctor Clarke.

His voice was soft but seemed to boom out from deep inside his chest. Thank you for inviting me, Julia.

She cocked her head at him in a pretty way, but her voice was steady. Tell me, Doctor Clarke, why this expedition was kept a secret until now?

He shifted his large bulk uncomfortably, almost tipping the tiny chair as he did so, and cleared his throat. It was not our intention to keep it a secret, but my colleagues on the project and I agreed that there was no room for speculation or rumor about the nature of the find. Our desire was simply to verify our data before we revealed it to the public at large.

What was the initial data from the probe? Can you tell us something about it?

Only that the size, density, and general configuration of the field at that site warranted further detailed examination, nothing more, he replied carefully.

Did any of the data give any clue about its source?

Uh--we're still analyzing it, so I can't give you any specifics. We are hopeful that the Mars survey team will uncover more evidence so that we can begin to identify its origin and purpose.

Julia tried to draw him out further. I imagine that you all are very excited right now.

Clarke abandoned his morose countenance and smiled. Yes. This discovery represents a milestone in space exploration. It is a great opportunity to learn more about our universe through features of this kind.

She smiled and nodded her encouragement, then asked, Doctor Clarke, there is a rumor currently circulating among many viewers that the anomaly may be evidence of buried ruins or of the remains of a long dead civilization on Mars. Would you care to address this?

I can only call it wishful thinking. I would like to think so, too, but I deal in fact, not fantasy. Until we receive information that would confirm such a belief we are more inclined to accept it as something with a more natural origin, like an unusual geological feature or a deposit of various radioactive ores beneath the surface. There is no way to be certain until we analyze the data.

You mean, there is no possibility that there was life on Mars at any time in the remote past?

The scientist made a small noise in his throat. I believe that previous probes have served only to detect small microbes and other extremely primitive forms of life. I am aware that several fans of UFO phenomena and other pseudoscientists have maintained in their 'studies' that an ancient civilization similar to the legendary lost island of Atlantis may have existed and flourished on Mars in antiquity, but so far there has been no evidence to support their theories.

Julia leaned forward with interest. What about the theory that alien beings may have visited our solar system in the past? Do you have any observations or insights you can give us about that?

As to that, it would be exciting if it had really happened, Clarke allowed, But the probability is that if such an event had occurred, it would have occurred too long ago for its impact to have been felt by early human beings, or interpreted properly by ancient astronomers. Too long ago, in fact, for any data to have been observed or for any records to have been kept by any intelligent being on this planet. The newest discovery of petroglyphs in the caves of Queensland could be construed as symbology relating to aliens having visited Earth, but I am more inclined to believe that it's the overactive imaginations of modern interpreters that are painting visitations into their meaning. The facts will bear out the truth in the end.

The reporter glanced at her director, who made desperate cutting motions against his throat with a hand. Julia had drawn the discussion out too far for time to allow for. Her tone was final but regretful as she said, Thank you for coming and being with us this evening, Doctor Clarke. We hope to have you on our show again soon.

It would be my pleasure, Julia, Clarke replied.

She turned and faced the camera again. Next up: the fifth decade of drought in Africa and what is being done to change mother nature's mind about it.

Julia waited a few beats before moving off the dais, tossed her clip microphone at a stage technician as she passed him and caught up with Clarke, who was already walking down the hall toward the makeup room at a determined pace. She caught sight of his face and saw complete chagrin on it. His shoulders were slightly slumped. His whole attitude was one of complete disappointment.

She said, I'm sorry, Doctor Clarke, but I had to ask those questions in the order they were put to me, her tone unmasking the irritation she shared with him. I had no chance to review them before you arrived.

He grunted, acknowledging her position, but said nothing and kept walking.

Julia doggedly kept pace. Believe me, she insisted, I know how you feel. I have been in this business for almost ten years, and in all that time I've had to do a lot of things to get what the producers view as the correct response from our guests. Some of the questions I have asked were a lot worse than these. I did tone the discussion down a little to help keep things real, but my viewers are a little over eager when it comes to fantasy scenarios. I am not.

Her words brought him up short of the door and he turned to her. I'm glad you were willing to share that with me, Clarke said. But that doesn't change the fact that the public wants to see space monsters or mystic symbols instead of honest science. His demeanor softened a little. Believe me, I used to be one of them.

What changed your mind?

Real science, the universe itself, which is the true cosmic mystery. If only the man on the street could understand what real magic there is in mathematics, the mystic wonder of celestial mechanics, the order in chaos that....well, I'm going off again. My students and colleagues at the university are aware of my feelings on the subject and they like to tease me about it. But I am deeply committed to this project and I do not like to see it belittled in order to sell a few more cereal boxes.

Julia started to laugh, then grew serious again when she saw him bristle. Don't worry, Doctor. Your secret's safe with me. You see, I have a degree in science myself, but I took a job in broadcasting to pay some of the bigger bills and I've been stuck here ever since. Every once in a while I beg my producer to give me an assignment I could sink my teeth into but he keeps putting me off.

Clarke's smile assured her. Perhaps because you're a lucrative asset he can't let go of?

Julia could not be certain but it sounded like flattery. Well, the ratings would never be as high as they are without me, she replied with a cocky smile. But, please keep me informed about the Mars launch and the results. I am interested, even if it'll be yesterday's news tomorrow. It's not just my curiosity as a reporter, but as a scientist as well. Then she glanced at her watch. Oops, I gotta go do the next segment. Good luck. And she was running back to the studio without saying goodbye.

2

Mars. Small, cold, foreboding, so close to Earth physically yet so far away in terms of the history of Man. So called for the Roman god of war, it was neither warlike nor touched by the ambitions and weapons of gods or men. Yet Mars alone seemed the most hospitable of neighboring planets, despite a thin atmosphere of carbon dioxide, a procession of seasons barely able to support the most primitive and hardy specimens of organic life, and a day that languished in a perpetual cycle of pink and violet skies, red dust storms, and bone snapping cold.

Once it was very like Earth billions of years ago, when the first microbial life forms first emerged from the primordial ooze and began to inhabit the oceans in their myriad variety. Mars had oceans, too, but something happened. The orbital declination of Mars had been shifted by some cosmic event, perhaps the impact of a meteoroid or a blast of solar wind, which thinned out its moist friendly blanket of atmosphere and left it a cold, arid and seemingly lifeless landscape.

For billions of years it remained that way, untouched and untouchable by Man, glowing redly in the night sky, until one Martian spring day in July of 2069 when the Earth starship Percival Lowell pierced the thin envelope of its atmosphere and perched its angular hawk-like body on the rim of a crater in the shadow of Olympus Mons.

Dust and smoke filled the pink sky with a dark haze thrown up by control and attitude thrusters as they formed a small crater beneath the ship. The cloud drifted aimlessly in the thin air before settling down, covering the craft in a thin layer of microfine ferric oxide and sand as the ship’s engines powered down.

Inside the cramped interior, fourteen cryosleep tubes sat silently until one of them activated automatically. The tube lit up inside and displayed the sleeping body of a dark skinned woman with dreadlocks, clad in a tight-fitting silver unitard. The compressor started elevating the temperature inside the tube until her eyelids fluttered open and she took her first deep breath in months. She emerged as the panel opened up, stretched slightly and nearly toppled as her limbs faltered. She grabbed a handhold bar to right herself again, then looked around as she began activating the exterior controls to bring the other tubes alive.

When the tubes finished thawing out the other astronauts, the lids broke open and exposed them to the interior atmosphere of the ship. Each of them were careful as they emerged from the tubes one by one and began stretching out to limber up.

Among them was a slightly built scientist named Jonathan Kraine. Then, the copilot and navigator, Samantha Bundy. Then, Dr. Chandra Singh the exobiologist, and engineer Col. Jake Everly, along with several others. They stood rubbing their necks and stretching, nodding to earch other, while the mission specialist and flight commander, Coretta Smythe, smiled her approval.

Smythe moved into the flight compartment and activated other controls which made the starship better able to support the lives of the astronauts. Then she looked out onto the bleak landscape of Mars through the single forward window and said, Hey, guys, I think you should see this.

There was no one there to greet the twelve astronauts who crowded around the main viewport in Lowell's cramped command cockpit. The image of the semicircular plain stretched out before them spoke mutely of a land colder and more dangerous than the icy glaciers of Antarctica. No marching band, no reception committee, not even an incurious stare from a herd animal munching lichens. Lowell was cast adrift on a sea of barren rock far from home.

Coretta’s tightly braided dread-locks quivered as she stared at the desert surface already shadowed by the silent giant volcano. The bright colorful splash of brilliant stars at the horizon did nothing to change her opinion. Brrrrrr.... she declared while shivering, her brown face looking pained. It all looks so lonely, so cold.

Col. Jake Everly was an older, big boned man with steel blue eyes and a shock of wavy white hair, and he moved toward her side with an expression of curiosity. Everly had a friendly, easy going manner and a jaunty sense of humor that served to weld the team together, masking a no nonsense clarity of thought and discipline born of years of hard military training in the U.S. Marine Corps. He shifted forward and put a comforting hand on her shoulder as he surveyed the surrounding surface. Yeah, but I could get used to this. Give me a rod 'n reel, and a good little boat...

Cory glanced up at him. If the sand sharks don't get you first. She shrugged off his hand and turned away to shut down some of the least critical systems to conserve energy.

Jonathan Kraine took her place and leaned in close to the window. As they passed each other, she reached back and grabbed a handful of male backside. He yelped and looked back at her with a frown. Hey! Warn me before you do that next time, Smythe!

His voice was smooth and mature, tinged with the inflections of English mixed with the brogue of Breton. As a Canadian he had a face that could be mistaken for either Irish or French on any given day, and it seemed to defy age, making him look younger than his 32 years despite the slight growth of beard darkening his cheeks.

She winked at him, a sly white grin decorating her brown face. And where would be the fun in that? Then she moved off toward the back of the compartment to talk with another astronaut.

Bloody space jock, Jonathan muttered, only half seriously, and turned to his older companion. She's picked me to be her target, Jake. I know it. She's been trying to get into my pants since the mission began.

Jake waved it off with a chuckle. She likes you, Kraine. Don't take it so personally. She's done it to me, too.

Jon glanced back and saw her appraising him with a friendly smile. Thanks for warning me in advance, he said. Then he turned his attention to the viewport and stared for a few silent seconds. It's beautiful. Welcome to the new world.

Beautiful, and dangerous. One slip and you're history, the older man replied.

Jon turned his head and spotted the short and slight middle aged man with dark olive skin and bright brown eyes standing nearby, waiting patiently for his turn to look. What do you think, Doctor Singh? he asked.

He shifted so the Indian could have room and waited for some affirmation of his own assessment. Chandra Singh cocked his head and considered. I would agree with Colonel Everly. Beautiful and dangerous as the cobra, yes, slippery and quick as the mongoose. But I would not trade this moment for any of the last nine billion years.

Jake and Jonathan exchanged patient looks. They were hard pressed to understand the timelessness of Vedic philosophy but were tolerant of Singh's flowery and somewhat eccentric remarks. His reputation as a thorough scientist and the accuracy of his observations and perceptions confirmed his absolute right to be on the survey team. In fact, Kraine respected and admired the man as a role model and mentor.

Behind them, the other woman on the team climbed out of her tube and paused to stretch before joining them. She was thin, fine boned, and of about average height and weight, with dark shoulder length hair, expressive light brown eyes which were almost golden, and a small mouth that sported a kissable pout. While she was the youngest member of the team she already had thousands of flight hours and three previous space flights tucked under her belt.

Jon found her very pretty and personable to the point of distraction, but had no time to develop more than a passing acquaintance with her prior to liftoff, since most of the flight had been spent in preparation, training and planning. Twice he had caught sight of her stealing a long look at him from the other side of the roughly circular common room but he was rarely left alone with her long enough to strike up a conversation of a more personal nature. Now she was looking at him again, and her glance appeared shy but friendly. He smiled back to encourage her.

Two other scientists on the team, a medical specialist named Brian French, and Charlotte Garson the psychologist, joined together in watching the others from a discreet distance. Jon had met them sometime before the launch but they stayed cocooned in their work cubicles for most of the training, never seeming to come out except during meals and rest periods, and seldom participating in the informal sessions since the bulk of their work was of a more specialized and confidential nature.

Like Jonathan the other five technicians had remained in cryosleep throughout the trip. Now they all eagerly traded off viewing the Martian surface with a childlike exuberance and eagerness to explore it.

Dr. French approached Samantha first and placed a small palm unit against her neck. I want to get everyone's vital signs now before we do anything else, he said, his voice and tone cool and detached.

It broke the mystical bubble of enchantment that had formed around everyone else. Samantha's pout deepened into a definite frown, and she brushed his hand away. Can't you do that later? she said, an edge coloring her voice, and she moved quickly away from him as if she'd seen a spider sit down beside her.

French watched her go with a dismayed expression. He glanced to Smythe, who said, Doctor, I'm sure we're all aware of your concern but your timing is lousy. Get your readings later when we've had a chance to get out and learn more about where we are.

French started to reply but caught a warning look from Garson. Then he moved away casually, saying, I think I can catch up with my work once everyone has gotten over the excitement. I'll get better readings anyway.

Good, she replied, with a glance at Samantha, who watched him with nervous tension. In fact she looked strangely frightened. She had never acted that way before during mission prep.

Jon noticed this, saw his opportunity and moved to join Sam. Are you all right? he asked with a friendly tone.

Samantha looked up at him, almost startled, then relaxed. Oh, she laughed. I just hate being examined and probed and... just the whole medical experience. After months of prep and training you'd think I would be used to it by now, but I'm just not wired that way.

I'm not sure what you mean, Jon said.

She leaned toward him and spoke in a conspiratorial tone. Well, haven't you noticed the way he and Garson keep watching everyone? We're all like lab rats to them.

What makes you think that? Did you have a bad time in prep?

Samantha shook her head. No, but sometimes I get these... I don't know how to describe it. Creeps. But only about those two.

Oh, Jon said. Like the hair standing up on your neck?

Exactly. I just don't trust them, she replied quietly.

Jon stared at her, puzzling. Try not to let the creeps get to you, and if you need someone to talk to, I'm available.

The plot's smile was like a light bulb flashing on and off. Thanks, I'll remember that, she said, then moved back to her station to check the flight systems.

3

Sometime later the outer hatch of the Lowell opened, and three of the astronauts emerged in heavier suits, bearing large duffel packs strapped to their backs. Jonathan was the first, elected via a Jack of Spades drawn from Jake's dogeared deck of playing cards, and he leapt eagerly from the extension ladder twenty feet from the planet's surface. He floated down rather than fell, landing with a slight bounce. His heavy boots created a dust cloud that floated around his legs and clung to them. He spoke into his transmitter. Watch that first step. The dirt is so loose around here it might clog your systems.

"Copy that," Smythe’s filtered voice said into his ear.

Jake Everly was next, choosing to jump a more modest ten feet closer to the bottom. He whooped into his transmitter as his boots touched ground. That was so much fun, I think I'll do it again! He turned and beckoned to Smythe, who was perched in the open hatch. Come on down!

Cory tossed her pack down to him, then executed an awkward swan dive from the hatch as gracefully as her environment suit would allow. She tucked under and managed a single somersault before landing solidly. She was grinning as she bent to brush off some of the fine dust coating her legs. They should host the Olympics here! she declared.

Jake winked at her. Yes, and then we'd be competing for six points instead of ten.

Cory jabbed a gloved hand into his arm. With the thick insulation and padding shielding him from the bitter cold, Jake would never have noticed it, but he obliged her with an Ouch!

Jonathan smiled at their silliness and began unpacking the first of the duffels. Where shall we plant the flag, I wonder? he asked, as he pulled the furl from its nylon casing.

Cory paused long enough from trading mock punches with Jake to consider this. After scanning the desolation around them, she pointed to a jagged outcrop of rock jutting at a steep angle from the floor at the center of the crater. How 'bout over there? It looks a little like Vasquez Rocks.

Jake saw it and nodded his agreement. As good a place as any.

Jon looked to where she pointed. The formation looked strange sitting out there in the middle of flat, almost smooth surface, but he allowed that the crater should look young compared to the rest of the plain. All right. As soon as we get the gear unpacked and the rover built, we'll go over there, he said. Then he noticed the two senior astronauts still tussling like children and added, we could go very much sooner if you two would quit clowning around.

Cory and Jake stood down, and Jake saluted the younger man's gravitas. Yes, sir.

Then a fourth voice sounded from the top of the ladder. Hey, down there! Can you give me a hand with this?

It was Samantha. She poked her helmeted head out first, then withdrew it quickly. After another long moment of hesitation, she slowly emerged toting another pack, helped out by another suited figure; probably Singh by the short stature. Her climb was slow and laborious, and she appeared to cling tightly to the ladder as if she was part of it as she descended slowly and carefully toward the ground.

Cory looked up and said softly, Uh-oh. She beckoned to Samantha and said, It's okay, Bundy. Take it slow and easy. And remember to take slow even breaths. She threw a puzzled look at Jake, who shrugged back. This was so unlike Sam. She usually led the way on other missions.

The suited figure paused, looked down, then swiveled in place and curled her gloves more tightly around the railing as she gave out with a short gasp for breath. I'm sorry, I know it sounds ridiculous. I'm a pilot but I'm deathly afraid of heights. Ironic, isn't it?

Darlin', just remember that we've been falling for about forty million miles, Jake reminded her, his voice gentle. This is just a baby step compared to that. Just think of it that way and you'll handle it. He shoved Jon toward the bottom of the ladder, startling him. If you fall now, there'll be somebody down here to catch you. Just don't look down. Take your time, and focus on the ladder in front of you.

Jon caught sight of Jake winking at him through his helmet visor, and grew certain that he was trying to play matchmaker. He hadn't been aware that anyone was watching him and Samantha that closely. He made a mental note to corner the older man at the first opportunity and tell him to mind his own business.

The pack came first about halfway down. Jake caught it easily and set it down next to the others. Samantha climbed the rest of the way rung by rung, then relinquished her hold and tumbled awkwardly into Jon's arms. Despite the heavy bulk of her environment suit she was light as a feather. She clung briefly to him, their face plates touching as her pained expression slowly gave way to that shy uncertain smile. Thanks, she said uncertainly. I think I'll be okay now.

Jon deposited her feet first on the ground, suddenly unable to find the courage to say anything clever to charm her, the presence of an audience complicating matters. His voice almost cracked as he said,  you're welcome.

Her smile went out as she moved away to unpack the duffel.

Singh and the other members of the team followed at a more stately pace until eleven of the twelve astronauts had disembarked. The twelfth remained behind to stay with the ship and monitor things from there. He had drawn a 3 of Diamonds, and expressed his regret at being one of the unlucky only with a sheepish grin of acceptance.

By the time the sun, which was no bigger than a bright star, moved down toward the southwestern horizon, the survey team had built a base camp made of prefabricated quonset huts set up and linked together with connecting shielded tunnels. Then, a small cluster of automatic sensors and monitoring equipment were set up and running. Other equipment soon followed for running experiments and tests, part of the mission’s focus.

Soon after that, the astronauts assembled a large rover about the same size and general configuration of a troop carrier from parts designed to lock together from chassis to roof. With power cells of compressed dilithium, a powerful electric overdrive and six trackless wheels, each supported by independent suspension, it was designed to move over almost any obstacle like a spider.

After loading some of the gear into the rover, the five lead team members set out for the rock, leaving the others behind to finish setting up their equipment and begin their work.

The rock outcrop was a lot farther away and a lot bigger and higher than it had appeared to be, a mirage provided by the thin atmosphere. There were  too many vertical inclines for the vehicle to negotiate well so they left it parked at the bottom and began their climb toward the summit on foot.

The rock appeared hard and weathered, showing that water had also shaped its profile like the base of the Sphynx in Egypt. Jon wondered about its position out in the middle like this. Usually craters were more like bowls with flat surfaces or small depressions, but this formation seemed to be the result of upthrust from beneath the surface. He decided to ask Jake about this as soon as he had the chance. He knew just enough about geology to carry on a rational conversation or make a field comparison, but did not know how to recognize or identify the details of such features.

Once the team reached the top pinnacle, the explorers were rewarded with a bird's eye view of the roughly circular plain below and the rocky rim of the crater beyond, a panorama of utter emptiness. From there they had a view of the encampment crowding the edge of the crater and the Lowell parked nearby.

As the sun began to dip behind it, Olympus Mons cast a dark violet shadow across the reddish sand, bathing the crater in near darkness. The sky deepened to dark purple and the largest stars were already shining, heralds to the coming night. Despite the band of red dust obscuring them, the stars pierced the night and turned it into a dim day, allowing for enough light to see the desert stretching out to the horizon.

Phobos, and its smaller brother Deimos, streaked by overhead as the stars resolved into the full majesty of the Milky Way. Oh, how beautiful, Samantha said. "It’s more beautiful than I’ve