Mars a new Adventure: Part one Mars, #1

By Melody Martin

There is a massive asteroid that is headed for Earth. Plans are made for this coming catastrophe. Young Sara Martin is the main character and is graduating from College. She is picked to be one of the students to be involved in this new endeavor to save humanity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melody Martin
• Release date: Sep 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215920831

Melody Martin

I spent 3 years in the Navy. Today I spend My time writing or Painting. I am a very Independent woman Living in Kansas. This is just another stop in my journey through life. I was born in New York in 1941. So, I was alive when they bombed Pearl Harb I grew up on a small farm In Ulster County. The war years were tough but I never went hungry

Book preview

Mars, A New Adventure

Chapter One, My Beginnings

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I was born in Union Township Arkansas. We lived out in the wooded area off Duck Pond Lane.  My two older brothers killed in wars, one in Operation New Dawn in Iraq and the other one in Afghanistan, Enduring Freedom. Both were Marines. I was born several years after John went off to Afghanistan. Billy Bob left before John.  Union Township is a virtual Island. One road in one road out, if you make a wrong turn you will end up either at a dead end or at the water’s edge. In the summer, cars stream in out. There is access to Norfolk Lake.

My mom was broken-hearted at the loss of Billy Bob. At least that is what my dad told me. When I was born, she named me Faith Ann Charity Norris. When I started school, everyone laughed because I had four names. Mom was 42 when she had me. Most considered it a small miracle. Things were moving fast scientifically. We were sending rovers to Mars to explore it. I thought that it would be exciting to go there.

When I was in high school, I took all the available science. I looked online at the achievements of NASA. I inquired as to what education I needed to become an astronaut. What college to go to is important? All my hard work won me a full scholarship to Purdue.

I was studying in my dorm when another coed came running in. Turn on the radio you are not going to believe this. I switched on the radio on the news.  The newswoman is saying; this asteroid is about the size of the state of Arkansas. After tracking, it for three months astrologists believe it will pass Jupiter in 14 years. They estimate it the asteroid be caught by Jupiter’s gravity and then slung towards the Earth. Three of the four models say it will strike the Earth by the year 2057.

Then they bring on the proverbial expert. He goes on about what it will mean if the asteroid does hit the Earth. It is about 10 times larger than the one that caused the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. To further give, you an example of how big this is the Moon is as big as one fourth the size of Texas. Therefore, if it does strike the Earth it will be an extinction event.

Faith switches the radio off. Charlene asks her; you are the Scientologist. What do you make of all that? I think we have 15 years to figure out a way to deflect this monster. I also believe that if I do not get back to my studies, I will fail the test tomorrow. Seriously, when I have time I will be happy to enlighten you. Many ways they think they can deflect it. Thanks, Faith, I would like that.

Chapter Two

Rumors and Misinformation

After the story that was on the radio, all went quiet. Charlene even called the station and they denied having that story on the news. She is troubled by this. Faith tries to calm her down. Remember, many scientists have been working on a plan for such an event. Well, Faith, I have done the math, even though the moon is in freefall it does not weigh anything. If it placed on the Earth, it would weigh 73.5 million metric tons. This means the asteroid would have an unmeasurable force if it hits Earth. Like most asteroids it is traveling at 17,000 miles an hour, it would turn the Earth into dust.

You mathematicians, you are working on assumed numbers.  Even if it were half that size, it would be an extinction event. Charlene, I am not putting math down. What I am saying is there are two ways to look at this, one mathematically, the other scientifically. Both will eventually play a large part in that event if it were ever to come to fruition. You can bet some of the greatest minds in the world will be working on this.

Thanks, Faith, I feel a lot better now. Therefore, I will be torn into molecules instead of atoms. Anyway, we have fifteen years to do something and try to figure out an answer. No matter if this is just a rumor or not, they will need us both figuring out an answer.

Chapter Three

Graduation is Near

In only a month both Faith and Charlene will graduate from college with their master’s degree. As usual, there are many job offers, some online and some at the tables set up along the long hallway. Between studying and taking finals, both of them have only passing moments to grab information and stopping to talk to the venders. One man stands out from all the rest. It does not appear he has a table. He is going in and out of the offices and administration buildings many times.

Charlene stops by Faith’s room as usual with rumors. One of the girls in my class told me a man approached her and asked many questions. I asked her what questions but she said she could not answer that. Something like it is all hush-hush. She said she turned him down because he asked if there were any boyfriend in her life. She said she is getting married after graduation. After that, he was no longer interested. 

Charlene, that is quite odd. Maybe he is seeking a wife, she laughs. Faith, the classes, and the studying I have been doing chase most men away. All they want to do is party or get laid. Well, Charlene same way it is for me too. I do not have time for men. Faith some of the guys have asked me if we are lezzies.  I just laugh it off, I like you a lot but not in that way. Charlene, I like you too, I am also straight as an arrow.

Several days later, the man that was scooting from office to office approaches Faith. He asks, do you have fifteen minutes to talk to me. She says sure but I am not looking for a husband. He laughs nor am I looking for a wife.  Faith says; I am glad we got that out of the way. Well, Faith, I have seen your grades, your test scores. I also peeked at your personal information, although the rumor mill has you and Charlene lovers. Your files do not reflect that. Sir, Charlene and I are just good friends. We have shared adjacent rooms for nearly four years now.

Anyway, I do have questions for you. Number one is are you involved with anyone. I do not have time for that. Good number two do you mind being away from home, or parents for extended periods. Sir, my parents are gone. Five years ago, they found them in their car in the lake.  The back end was damaged but they never found anyone who may have pushed them into the water.

I am so sorry, and you can stop calling me sir. My name is Jacob. Last question, do you have trouble keeping secrets. Well, I kept my affair with Charlene a secret for years. Then she laughs. No actually, I do know how to keep my mouth shut. Well Faith Ann Charity, I am glad you have a sense of humor too. You may need it if we put you on. Jacob, put me on where? Sorry, that too is a secret as well as this interview. Do not tell anything about what we have discussed.

That evening Charlene comes to Faith’s room. I got a visit by that man that is roaming around. Well, Faith, so did I but I cannot talk about it. She says that is funny, neither can I. He did say I could tell you this; of all the interviews he has done, you are the only one who made him laugh. That funny story about you and I being lovers, no, he did not believe it for a second.  

Chapter Four

Graduation

Just days before graduation, Jacob stopped by to talk to Faith. I would like you to have all your things packed and ready. After graduation, there will be a bus outside. You will be interviewed a second time. Should you like the offers at that time you sign a contract. After you commit to the job, everything will be explained.

The day finally arrives the final scores are not posted yet. Charlene and Faith agree they did well. Honors are announced at graduation. The day comes; everyone is dressed in their robes and has the mortarboard hats on. There is a lot of ponce and circumstances at this time. When their name is called, they go to the stage and get their certificates. It runs in alphabetical order except for the honors being first. The Dean of men gives a speech and then calls the honor students. Twelve of the men have honors from Magna cum laude to cum laude. They march one by one over the stage. Then the Dean of women comes to the podium. She gives her speech then pulls out the scroll and unwinds it. She calls Faith Norris Magna cum laude. She stands and starts to the stage. The Dean then calls Charlene Books, Summa cum laude. Charlene stands and follows Faith to the stage. There are ten female honor students in all. Once all the honors are through the rest of the students march the stage to receive their degree.

After the event is over Faith and Charlene go to their dorms and start packing everything up. Charlene walks into Faith’s room. Are you all done? I will be in just a short while. Why do you ask?  I just wanted to talk for a minute. Sure, all I need to do is pack up my laptop. Well, I know we are getting on a bus tomorrow. I want to know, what will I tell my parents? I want to give them the good news about my honors. I just do not know what to tell them about tomorrow.

Faith sits beside her longtime friend. She can tell she is upset and hugs her. One of the girls walks by and giggles. I guess it is true. Faith goes to the hallway. Cynthia, please come in here. She turns around and goes to Faith's room. Please sit by us. Cynthia sits on the edge of the bed beside them. Charlene, tell her about your problem. She looks at Cynthia; tomorrow we are both getting on a bus bound for who knows where.  Charlene, what then is the problem? What do I tell my parents? They will want details of where we are going and I cannot tell her. Mostly it is because I do not have a clue myself.  She has tears in her eyes. Cynthia is thinking with a funny look on her face.

I got it Cynthia says. Tell her the truth. You are going on a trip with two of your friends. If they ask where just tell them we are just going to follow our noses. Charlene smiles you are so smart. Well, I did get a cum laude honor. Not as good as yours though. Cynthia gives Charlene a hug, which does not mean I am gay too. Faith laughs, the truth is we are more like sisters. We have lived next door to each other for four years. We are not gay, just good friends. You said she should say that she is going with two friends. Cynthia says that is because I am going too. This is going to be fun, a mathematician, a scientist, and a microbiologist traveling together into the unknown. 

Chapter Five

The Journey Begins

The bus arrives in the parking lot. Several people head toward the bus. In turn, Jacob marks them off as they enter. Once the bus is loaded, he does a headcount. We are missing one person. If he does not show by, eight we leave without him. Jacob stands in the aisle. You will find a stylus and an electronic notepad in the back of every seat. Take them and write your full name on it. I will be doing some of the indoctrination as we travel. Make notes, I do not speak just to hear myself talk.

He looks at his watch it is eight am. He motions the driver to start the bus. The driver starts off the parking lot towards the street. Behind the bus, a man is running toward it. Jacob sees him but the bus does not stop. Here he says, is lesson number one. Following instructions to the letter will get you on the bus. If you are not on time, you will be left behind.  

Once the bus is on the interstate Jacob says; you may turn on your tablets and begin working. The blocks that must be filled in are; name, address where you used to live. I also want any IDs you use on social networks. An example will be Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Take notice each box has a color rectangle around it. Green will be the information you would share with everyone. Yellow is the information you might give to a good friend. The red boxes reserved for the information you would not want to be shared. Examples of these are Passwords, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers. On the red boxes, you will find you have to fill them in two times. This ensures they are correct and one matches the other.

I know each of you has a computer; I need the password for it also. Do not worry; all sensitive information is hidden once entered. All of this may seem extreme but once your intake is complete you will have a security clearance very high on the scale. Your clearance is top secret. There is one over that. Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) or Special Access Programs (SAP), and one will need special SCI Access or SAP approval to access to this information. If anyone needs help or has a question just raise your hand.

Right away Faith sees a problem and raises her hand. Jacob comes to where she sits can I help you? Yes, Jacob, there are only three boxes for my name. He chuckles; I noticed that when going over your records. Let me see your tablet for a second. He types in something then taps the styles three times. When he hands it back there are four spaces for her name. Your mother must have thought you were special Faith Ann Charity. Jacob, my mom lost her two boys in wars. She said I was a miracle baby because she was 42 when she had me. She told me when I could understand that God gave her the faith to go on and the charity of being given a third child.

Now I understand, very creative, and quite outstanding. I will not forget that. I am sorry for you, as I understand you do not have any family left. Yes, Jacob on that you are correct. He leans over and whispers in her ear. Of all the candidates I researched, I knew you were special. You will go far working for us.

Chapter Six

The First Stop

They are about eight hours into their trip. They stopped once for lunch at Effingham Illinois. It is getting near five in the afternoon. Road signs seem to indicate the next large city may be Memphis Tennessee. Jacob had finished the indoctrination around three. They were getting off the freeway and told it will be an overnight stay.  The hotel has a restaurant the food is paid by us as well as the hotel rooms.  As you exit the bus, give me your tablets. I will go over all the information you have entered.

Tomorrow we will be meeting in the room reserved for parties. At that