Mission: Red Planet

By Audrey Yeung

The year is 2051. Technology has advanced greatly and huge strides have been made in science. Humans have also gotten smarter and have even avoided the uprising of Artificial Intelligence. A dream of many in the astronomical industry is for a human to set foot on Mars. To prove if Martians were real. After years of dreaming and planning, it just might come true.

“Astronaut Gennaia Lindon and Astronaut Kalos Marshall, the two of you have been chosen to embark on a journey many have wished for. Both of you are the ideal choice because of your wits, bravery and teamwork you have shown in other missions.” Commander Nathaniel Allen said. He was a well respected astronaut and wore a blue jacket with embroidered badges. He had graying hair, broad shoulders and though he looked very serious all the time, he was very kind.

“What’s the mission?” Kalos asked. Kalos had brown hair and even browner eyes that glinted whenever he smiled or was feeling mischievous.

“We call it Mission: Red Planet.” Commander Allen answered, grinning slightly.

“We’re going to Mars?” Gennaia said excitedly.

She had wavy chestnut hair that just reached her shoulders and ocean blue eyes. Gennaia and Kalos worked very well together and both were very smart, with a combined IQ of 342.

“Will you accept the mission?” Commander Allen replied. Gennaia and Kalos nodded. “Wonderful. I will now explain more about the mission. The two of you will take our new spacecraft, the Artemis XIV to Mars and when you get there try to find Martians, which we now know for sure they exist. Scientists have also speculated that Martians might have built a city on the planet. Try to locate it and if it does exist, take a photo of it and take some notes. Find as much information as you can. Once you do, return back. Any questions?”

“How do we take photos and notes?” Gennaia asked.

“And how do we survive the radiation on Mars?” Kalos added. “Oh, and how long will it take to get to Mars and back?”

“To answer the first two questions, we have new equipment for you to use. I will show them to you shortly. And for the third question, it will take roughly six days to and back, only counting travel.” Commander Allen said. “And you will leave today. I’m sorry you did not have time to prepare but this is an important mission.”

Gennaia and Kalos both nodded eagerly. Commander Allen led them to a large metal room. He presented them with two pairs of glasses.

“These are what you will use to take photos and notes. Tap twice on the left side of the glasses and it will start recording. When you get back to Earth, we will be able to listen to these recordings, which will be your notes. Tap twice on the right side and it will take a picture of whatever you see through the lens. We will be able to access these photos once you get back,” Commander Allen explained as he set the pairs of glasses on the small round table. “There are also special astronaut suits you must wear to help with the radiation. They’re upstairs.”

Then, a large hole formed neatly on the silver floor and rising on the hole shaped platform, was a small but sturdy spacecraft.

“The Artemis XIV,” the Commander said proudly. “This is just a prototype but it will do a fine job. It is operated on a positron reactor and will get you to Mars quickly. But because it is a prototype the reactor will only be enough for going to Mars. We have put another reactor in the trunk of the spacecraft for the return trip so try not lose it. Gennaia will know how to install it. Same as the one in the Artemis XII. Go upstairs and get ready.” Gennaia nodded knowingly.

Twenty minutes later, Gennaia and Kalos boarded the Artemis XIV and waved back to the watching astronauts, wearing their special glasses. The first couple days on the spacecraft were smooth. The two astronauts had made themselves well occupied and going through space was a breeze. On the third and final day however, as they were getting nearer the Red Planet, they met some trouble. A huge asteroid belt. There was no way to avoid it and these asteroids were very large. Kalos, who was a better navigator took the controls and managed to swerve through the sharp asteroids with a few minor scratches on the exterior of the spacecraft. Suddenly, more asteroids appeared and they seemed to be aiming for the Artemis XIV.

“What the–?” Gennaia muttered.

Kalos frowned and tried to find his way around the asteroids but unfortunately a particularly large asteroid hit the spacecraft and everything in the trunk fell out. Including the reactor they needed to get back home. The asteroid hit the back of the spacecraft so hard it actually surged it through the belt and Kalos was able to land on Mars with several but not unfixable dents. Kalos and Gennaia put on their helmets and alighted on the rocky surface of Mars. Two shadows emerged and when they were visible the astronauts quickly tapped the right side of their glasses twice.

“Martians.” Kalos breathed in amazement.

The Martians were gray and they had large black eyes with no whites that were pointy as it got closer to the nose. Only, they had no nose.

“Zaak vop?” one of the Martians said. Kalos and Gennaia looked at them blankly.

When the Martians saw they didn’t understand, the other Martian stepped forward.

“What about English?” He asked.

“Y-you can speak English?” Gennaia said. The Martian grinned.

“English it is. My name is Kyp and this is Xovon. Who and what are you?”

“I am Kalos and this is Gennaia. We’re humans.” Kalos replied, tapping the left side of his glasses.

“Humans? Huh, they look strange.” Xovon said. “And now I wonder why I thought they were blue and had wings.” Gennaia stifled a laugh.

“So, what brings you to Mars?” Kyp asked.

“We’re on a mission. To see what’s on Mars.” Gennaia answered. “And also, we were wondering if you might have a positron reactor we could use. Our one got lost because we ran into a nasty asteroid belt.”

“Asteroid belt? You must be talking about the Asterionax. We try to avoid that one.” Xovon winced.

“I think we do have a positron reactor in the workshop. Follow us!” Kyp invited.

The four of them walked for a while but then, Gennaia and Kalos stopped and took a photo. They were dumbfounded and amazed. Standing before them, was a gigantic silvery city and there were many many Martians bustling around.

“Wow. Where do you get these materials?” Kalos asked.

“The elders who built our city said they found metal scraps and parts floating in space!” Kyp laughed.

They continued walking until they stopped in front of a metal shed. It was full of tools from Earth and other tools Gennaia and Kalos didn’t recognise because they were probably from Mars. Gennaia quickly took a photo. There were also generators and motors and reactors in the shed but as they looked around, it was clear that there was no positron reactor to be found.

“How are we supposed to get back home now?” Kalos said.

“I have an idea,” Xovon said, his black eyes glinting like Kalos’ whenever he was being mischievous. “We could take a reactor from Thylock. I know he has one of those reactors for sure.”

“No, no, absolutely not. Thylock would kill us if he found out.” Kyp shook his head then looked at Kalos and Gennaia. “Thylock is the ruler of our city. He hates thieves and especially humans. We’ll just keep looking.”

“Oh come on Kyp. There’s only five minutes till Thylock has his afternoon nap and all his guards are taking a holiday. It’s the best way.” Xovon said.

Kyp closed his eyes then slowly nodded reluctantly.

“Fine. But we have to be quick.” he said.

Xovon smiled and they all ran to the large castle-like building. Kyp rushed into a shed like theirs, only this one was much larger. He came back out with a positron reactor in less than ten seconds.

“Take it and go. I’m afraid you’ll get caught if you don’t leave now.” Kyp whispered.

Suddenly, a large barking sound echoed through the city.

“Klorr zintav,” Xovon cursed. “I am so sorry. I forgot about the Crater Hounds.”

“Ugh. Take these,” Kyp whispered hastily, giving Kalos and Gennaia a few small golden bells each. “Those Crater Hounds are easily distracted with these. They love them. Xovon and I will lure them away with the bells and you two get out of here as fast as possible, okay?”

Before Kalos or Gennaia could answer, Xovon and Kyp zipped off, ringing the bells furiously. Kalos and Gennaia ran toward the Artemis XIV with Gennaia clutching the reactor. Once they got to the spacecraft, Gennaia got to uninstalling the old reactor and installing the new one.

“Um, Gennaia? You might want to go faster cause’ the Crater Hounds are coming our way.” Kalos said nervously, watching three huge black dogs getting closer.

Gennaia grunted then pulled Kalos in the spacecraft just as the Hounds arrived. She blasted the Artemis XIV into space, avoiding the Asterionax. Unfortunately a particularly brave Crater Hound had leaped onto the spacecraft, weighing it down.

“What do we do?” Kalos said.

“I got it. I’ll lure the Hound away with the bells,” Gennaia said, pulling out the bells Kyp gave her. “You get away as fast as you can.” She removed her glasses.

“No way. I’ll go. You don’t need to sacrifice yourself.” Kalos argued but Gennaia was already about to launch herself out.

“I’m going and that’s final. Good luck.” Gennaia said, pushing herself out of the spacecraft, ringing the bells tauntingly at the Crater Hound.

She led the Crater Hound away from the Artemis XIV and Kalos had no choice but to accelerate to Earth if he wanted a shot to live. The Crater Hound did not return, but neither did Gennaia. It was obvious Gennaia wouldn’t be able to catch up to Kalos but he hoped she would, knowing deep down she couldn’t.

Kalos was one of the only people who knew what Gennaia’s name meant and it was that day Kalos realised it was true. Gennaia. It was Greek. For courage.