I shifted in my seat, my hands trailed along the pad in front of me. A series of incoming request from plenty of architects, military contractors, and directed lab test requests filled the screen. A week had passed since the incident and now , no matter how much I had tried to stop it for prosperity sake, many have referred to it as Jack's Folly. The damage was catastrophic after all. Starting with basics, floor paneling of the clean rooms were now useless as was the walls and most of the equipment. In addition I had all of Jack and Mike's research samples and files seized. I had hoped a sanitization effort would fix our issues, however when the lab was designed a multi-piece mounted flooring was used. Due to the high amounts of body fluids that spewed onto the floor and over the panles, the chances of leaks under the floor mounts was extremely high. After spending the last week in consult with multiple agencies within the governments of Mars and Earth, only one solution presented itself. Raise the lab and begin anew. Having gotten permission from the General, who treated the whole event as a joke and tool of ridicule when I was around, agreed to the plan. All I had left to do was meet with the different company reps and explain what we needed. Most companies on the list I had never heard of, probably government contracted only, yet a couple I did and one Ti`nak Inc was a Cirin construction company that was contracted after the war as part of the treaty. Ti`nak caught my eye, they had, with our guidance for cultural relations, managed to rebuild large sections of the great cities lost in the war. Still it was odd to see a Cirin company on a military design request.
I sat back in my chair and dragged my long fingers through my thick short black hair, giving it a firm tug or two as I did. Opening my eyes to the new office I had commandeered. A small room one of the unused bunks in Habitation, my desk took up one wall, on it set a large viewscreen for calls. It wasn't much but it was sure better than wherever in command the general would have stuck me.
'Knock' 'Knock' The rapping of the door echoed through my small room as the thin pressure door slid apart. In the doorway stood Miller, who since the incident has stuck to me like glue. Miller, now having spent some time with her was an enigma, originally I thought she was a he, due to her baritone voice and business like manners, and she still managed to shock me, one example is how she explained the low gravitational construction. "Sir, The first of the company reps is here to see you." She said assertive as usual. Looking up at her I nodded and said, "Yes, yes," this would be much simpler if they all came at once." A tall man stepped through the door in a well kept dark suit, white shoes and sported a long cane with some sort of octopus or squid for the handle. "Mathias is my name. I'm with Orion Arms." "Hello, Mathias my name is George Jurgen and I am the director of Lab h." I nodded to the seat in front of my desk as I sat back down. His attitude though reminiscent of what earthly aristocratic society supposedly use to be it made sense, Orion Arms was insanely wealthy, manufacturing everything from basic self defense weapons to proprietary planetary defense networks. "By your look you know who we are and what we deal with, so what do you have for me?" Mathias set down in one of the smaller chairs with a rather distasteful look. "Yes, I do have a general understanding of Orion Arms. Today however I am presenting quite the challenge." "First we need a sensory net able to detect minuet fluctuations in temperature, as well as scan recycling air for containments. The system should also have a lock down fail safe to insure no containment escapes. These need to include pressure locks, a gas deployment method for crowd control, a sub accessway only reachable from the outside in. And finally a fully integrated friend foe finder defense system with obvious capabilities for defending in case of siege." When I finished Mathias had already committed this to memory or at least he would have me think. "Well Director, I will relay your request to my employer. Once they have looked over the request they will send you a estimate for time of completion." With this he rose, bowed slightly and left, giving Miller a smirking smile as he left that was returned with a Gruff glare from her. For a moment I thought she might clout him over his silly hat. But to my dismay she just nodded towards the door with a firm "Move it."
The rest of the evening was filled with similar less entertaining meetings. Of these few replied before the day was out. Those who did brought grave news. The Medical Equipment company Forward, gave me a 2 month expected delay on the equipment alone to just name one. It was clear Lab H would be down for a extend period of time. Before resining myself to sleep I paid a visit to the General.
Walking into Command was a bit daunting during the day. Soldiers milled around checking ids and bags. At night I found more peace arriving at Command, the large structure was nearly empty now with only a few of the late shift rotating on. I made my way to the top floor were the Generals' office was perched. I stepped in to find the General leaned over his desk shuffling data pads around counting budgets under his breath. "MHM" I coughed loudly announcing myself. The General looked up as if he knew I was there. "Yes George what is it? Did you turn the Habitat into a blood bath now?" I felt my face redden with anger and embarrassment yet I held my tongue, to snap now wouldn't hurt me but might hurt those under me. "No, I was looking over the rebuilding plans and the time frame is well overly massive." As I finished the sentence the General gave more of his focus towards me, however I wished he wouldn't. "I understand I'll move a corner lab in the normal labs for your scientist? Will that be all?" He said this with a intent to get me to leave with out bugging him further. "No sir, I would like to request leave for the scientist of Lab H, for at least two weeks to a month. Between the effects of extremely low gravity of the base, and the stress involved with the incident I don't want them underperforming." The last part sold him I knew the greedy man wouldn't want them underperforming. "I see, well normally I would say no with out question." He suddenly leaned forward with a dark grin. "How about this, you do me a favor and I'll make sure your boys and girls get the finest treatment the government can buy." I immediately became worried, first of all I was doing this not because I liked my co workers or because I wanted their kindness. No this was about keeping them at their best. Prepared to deny what ever he offered I asked anyways. "What deal?" "Oh it's simple, I'm sure you will be able to handle it, Its right up your ally." He stated as he begun shuffling through data pad after data pad until he found it with a "Ahah!" "We found traces of an alien presence in a old staging outpost in the asteroid belt. Your job would be to enter with a team of commandos isolate the Signal and determine its origin, if you find any lifeform you are to capture it preferably alive." I started laughing, it had to be a joke a bad one at that. once I caught my breath I noticed the Generals face hadn't changed. "I'm a scientist." I managed to spit out before almost bursting into laughter again. "George that's enough. Your not a scientist your director of lab H." He said with a affirming voice that made me straighten up. "You do lack military rank and training, We can fix one of those for now." Staring at me he pressed a com button on one of the pads. "Trevor, Yea I'm sending you a greenhorn, Yeah, No, I need him ran through the basics and toughen up as much as possible. Got you, bye." Hanging up on the com he looked at me over the table with a piercing gaze. "Tomorrow you report to the Space dock, Trevor down there is going to bring you up to speed of sorts." The way he said this I knew I had no choice. "And if I don't?" "Don't do that, Trevor might drag you there himself. Off you go."
As I left, my mind went through hundreds of scenarios of what could happen, all the way up till I drifted off to sleep in my chair at my desk. I was awoken by Miller shaking my shoulder. I sleepily raised my head, I'm sure there was something stuck to my face, to look at her. "Director! Get Up your late!" At first I murmured, "Late? Late for what?" Before she could respond a large pair of hands yanked me over my desk and into the hall. "Whaaa," I shouted while being thrown. "What the hell is this!" I demanded. "O this, this is your wakeup call Petunia, NOW GET YOUR ASS MOVING!" The large man in military Jean's and a white shirt stood shouting over me. Before I could respond my body scampered to his commands.
Quickly we moved out of the Habitat, with one of his shoves, I considered turning with momentum and catching his jaw. I knew better, the last fight I was in was back in placement school. I had stood up for one of my class mates she was beautiful and I was stupid. Funnily she married that bully. I realized, after my temporary lapse of nostalgia, that we now stood at the entrance to the space port. As I stood there two soldiers I recognized where moving some cargo. A thought accrued to me and while the large Trevor was distracted, I ran over to them. "Hey listen you got to help me out that guy over there just dragged me out of my office." As I had hoped they recognized me. "Director? What guy?" The Bigger of the two asked. Wondering how they could miss, I turned around to see no one there. As I turned my head back around to ask where he had gone I had my answer. "Bad choice." Came Trevor's deep voice as he leg swept the bigger of the two striking his back and sending him toppling into me. I didn't witness the next exchange of blows only the result, as the wiry looking soldier tumbled into the ground next to me seconds later. "Grogan, Mecicilini. Still not watching your backs I see, that will get you killed one day." Trevor said addressing the two soldiers and patting his hands as if knocking off dust. Hearing Trevor's voice the two quickly got up, the bigger one, I know knew as from his name tag on his shirt, nearly crushed my under heel as he scampered up. "Colonel Walkins, I didn't know you were on base." The smaller said as he picked himself up. "Well besides hearing about your colossal failure. I had to pick up the fresh meat there." He said pointing to where I was still sprawled out on the floor. "Taking him to S.A Environmental camp to break the wuss off him." The two looked down at me with both contempt for dragging them into it, and some pity when they heard the location. "You two stop blowing things up and I won't drag you down when I get back." He said this with his boot up on their cargo container almost posing. "Alright troublemaker let's go." Hulling me to my feet he shoved me past the opened docking doors. His ship was a modified Wedge fighter, made slightly larger for living accommodations and a more powerful core, giving out more range of flight. The outside was a sleek triangular vessel, the weapon systems seemed to be well hidden as well. We entered the rear of the vessel underneath the two massive ion engines. Heading through the ship I could tell it was designed with a minimalistic approach, nothing extra even the lighting seemed dimmed like a emergency light. As we passed a series of doors he pointed to last saying "This is your bunk, use it, you will need the rest, dinner is 16:00 hours. We will land sometime tomorrow." Curiously I asked. "Tomorrow where are you taking me?" To this he smiled and said one word before heading deeper in to the vessel. "Earth."
I sat on the hard cot as my heart sank. I had never been to Earth but gravity alone worried me, would it hurt? By the sands, could I even walk. Worry became my companion as my mind listed everything that could go wrong. Finally I drifted into a uneasy sleep and my dreams were filled with the sounds of breaking bones.
I Awoke to the smell of searing meat. Stretching lazily I felt my joints ache slightly, I stood up but felt my self shift back onto the bed like I was drunk. After a couple more times I was able to maintain my balance. Everything was more difficult, my shoes felt heavier as did my pants as I zipped up my suit. Famished I headed for the galley, walking down the corridors of the tight ship wasn't difficult save for the thrashing from side to side, it would do every so often. Reaching the galley my senses were assaulted by the overwhelming sights and smells in front of me. Set up on a simple table was a carved small boar roasted somehow. Thick batter like material with melting butter sticks set to the right on the left was a rich salad with a variety of vegetables. Most of this food seemed extravagant at best. "Whoa, Where did all this come from?" I ask as I rushed to the a open chair greedily grabbing a plate and attempting to rip a piece off the boar. Before I could a large hand appeared out of my blind spot and smacked my hand away like a fly. "Benefits of the military. And what do you think your doing?" Trevor's face was staring at my hand with a look that made my spirit quake. "Eating?" I half asked half told. He looked at me with disdain in his eyes and than looked away as if he remembered something. "Bow your head, and repeat with me." I heard of scores of religious people, Yet I had never met one. Most born on mars are not taught earth's religions just the history itself. However I humored the man who could easily kill me and write it off as accident. "For this food, and the breath we breath, we give thanks to those who came and died before us. To our ancestors who carved the trail we travel, to our brothers who have fallen in battle, and to what ever waits after the last breath, may it go with little pain." After repeating the words, I won't say I felt a presence or comfort, yet it felt powerful, just words yet their weight and meaning made my mind spin. "Now we may eat." Trevor said as he tore into the boar. "What was that prayer?" I asked curiously. "No prayer," He said through his food. "Us soldiers are taught to be thankful for everyday, for those making our food and those who may have fought and died to make sure we have the time to eat it." He stopped to gulp down the yellowish carbonated drink next to him. "Its an aging tradition adopted during the last war. I still feel its necessary, after all I wouldn't want someone to forget to thank me if I lay dead on the field." He said with a morbid laugh. I really didn't have any words, and my body hurt more every minute. After dinner I headed back to my bunk, just happy to lay there unmoving.
GDG, Genetic Deprivation of Gravity, It is a issue on mars, and most places, due to the thirty eight percent less gravity than on the home planet of humans, my home Mars blessed me with this condition. Effective equipment exist to adapt, these are gravity simulation rooms that slowly increase the gravity you experience to build a tolerance. As well as Calcium and growth hormone injections that increase bone density over time. Still this is expensive and painful most mars citizens don't get this treatment. Sitting up in a sweat and realizing I wasn't sitting. I regretted not getting the treatment before my positioning at base 6. Now entering the atmosphere of earth, even at high altitude and our expectational speed the weight on my body was best described as sandbags of 20 pounds consistently added to every inch of my body. I don't know when but shortly after we entered atmosphere I blacked out from the pain.
I awoke in a bright room, There was a cool unsimulated wind blowing across my exposed torso. The smell of the air was rich, pungent and complex. As my sense started to return I heard the gentle whip of the wind, alongside a distant cawing that instantly drew my attention. Straining to lift myself, only just managing to lift my head, I saw a Pied crow sitting on the window seal cleverly opening a patients launch pail it had stolen. The beauty of this creature stunned me, I had seen images through the net, yet this was my first time seeing a live bird or any animal not used for human consumption. Not more than a moment later I heard a soft patter as someone approached. "How are the treatments progressing?" Came a Firm yet gentle voice. "Only one is currently responsive, a whole two days early." The older voice sounded satisfied, though both sounded far away, I blinked attempting to clear my vision. "W . . Who's there?" I asked hoarsely, with my eyes clearing, I could see more. The room I was in looked like a medical facility, large windows lined the walls and beds separated by adjusting barriers that raise or lower from the floor. The two stood not far from my bed at the center of the long room. "Ah, there he is now." The older voice commented as they approached, as they did I noticed the older voice belonged to a hunched older man with large glasses and shaking hands. The second of the two was tall, she had long black hair thin figure with firm structure. The older man was dressed in a typical medical coat, the women however wore a official Millitary dress uniform complete with a row of medals.
"How do you feel young man?" The old man asked with a note of concern. I remember croaking out "Like my body is filled with rocks." A hearty laugh broke my coughing. "Your good enough to make jokes, can you stand?" The women's voice was assertive yet still gentle. "Ma'am? He she." The older doctor was silenced by the women's hand raising to wave him off. I knew if I didn't at least try there would be some repercussion. Mustering all the small strength I had been gathering since I awoke, I raised my arms, Each felt like a water filled log, heavy and barley movable. Though slow they responded, I can say I didn't recognize my own hands or arms as I propped my self up. Dragging my legs over the ledge of the bed added a spike of pain as they fell free into the air, a hard wince crossed my face as the old doctor rushed to help me stand. As I stood for a brief moment my entire balance went hay wire, my body twisted before my first step as I fumbled to the hard ground. "I Told You He Wasn't Ready!" The doctor exclaimed with a twisting look of pain and anger as he had fallen under my weight. Annoyed I heaved myself onto my hands and knees, even with the treatments the pressure from the gravity made every one of my nerves come alive with pain. A single hand jutted into my view, I grappled her hand and was lifted to my feet. She steadied me and locked my eyes. "You George Jurgen, are the first of your generation of mars to succeed the trails. Do you understand what that means?" My mind was still reeling but sharp. "Depending on your sample size, that GDG Is getting worse with each generation?" I asked still collecting. "Correct, It also means the military will be insisting you complete your training. My name is General Namenda, this facility is in the northern part of Africa. Once you acclimatize to the gravity I want you reporting to the bunk house." After General Namenda made her statement she turned and left, meeting a group of soldiers at the door. The old man had finally lifted himself from the floor, he stood shorter than me which surprised me slightly but I held my tongue. "Bout as much fun from that one as petting a lion." The older mans joke didn't really sink at the time. "Listen, the treatment is suppose to increase and grow existent bone and muscle mass, your case was a bit extreme. I total your height increased about a foot. Because of this we don't know just how much more or less capable you will be." "I never agreed to this." I stated absently "Yea, well they don't care. Basically Trevor dropped you in the medical wing barley hanging on. We treated you as we knew best. You can complain but no one will listen. Stay here and get your balance, you're going to need it kid." At this he gave me a hard look and made his way to the exit waving his hand over his head as a goodbye.
Alone I tried to recount everything while cataloging my self. Everything from my fingers to my toes had changed. Mostly in girth, as the doctor said I was easily a foot taller, and for the first time in my life I had some semblance of muscular structure. My chest was tight as the muscles balled under the skin with each flex. Sitting back on the bed I was more than a little excited to test out my new strength. Still a heavy thought weighed in my mind, "You George Jurgen, are the first of your generation of mars to succeed the trails. Do you understand what that means?, I know that Martian citizen generally have a lower enlistment rate. But still I'm twenty five, that would mean everyone who applied when they turned 18 ether scrubbed out or suffered complications. It was than I remembered an older report from a private funded news agency, something like large scores of bodies found with abnormal growths. Quickly I went to check myself again and was rewarded with an intense pain down my shoulders into my chest as I set forward. Shoving the pain off I ran my hands down my legs and over my tensioned muscles. After a few moments of not finding anything abnormal aside from the size and strength of each muscle I eased my self back down on the medical bed allowing myself to drift back asleep.
The next few weeks were embarrassing at best, I had to relearn everything from walking to writing. My muscles though enhanced by the treatments were untrained and uncoordinated.