Mia fired off two shots in the general direction just to let them know they were in for a fight. But right at that moment, the waiter came out the open door beside her.
“Get back!” she shouted, but it was too late. He was immediately hit by two bolts in quick succession. One went straight in his neck and he slumped to the floor, his eyes unblinking.
“Goddammit,” Mia screamed, then tried to sneak a peek across the plaza. She spotted one assailant lying on a low rooftop opposite. She flipped the weapon to max, aimed, and fired a shot. A blot of highly charged plasma engulfed the figure; they screeched, then fell to the ground just as another crossbow bolt slammed into Mia’s right foot. She yelled out in pain and ducked back behind the table.
There was another out there; the fight wasn’t over yet. She crawled to the open door to the cafe, rolling the upturned table as she went to give her cover, then she quickly moved inside and sat with her back against the inner wall.
“Shit.” Zack was probably dead, and so was the waiter, and there was still someone out there who wanted her dead, too.
On the floor in front of her was the shiny metal tray the waiter was using. She gripped it and used it as a mirror to see across the plaza. It was empty of people; everyone had scattered.
The tray was suddenly ripped out of her grip as a bolt hit it, and it went clattering across the floor. But it was enough—she had the location of the second attacker. Now she just needed to get a shot off. Had she been quick enough she would have fired immediately, but she hesitated, and now the attacker would have reloaded a new bolt and would be waiting for her to poke her head out. She needed a decoy.
Mia looked at the fallen waiter. He was lying part exposed in the doorway with his legs inside. Mia grabbed his trouser leg and pulled him in. He had only moved a centimeter before another bolt slammed into him. “Sorry,” Mia whispered. But the attacker had taken the bait. Mia whipped around the edge of the doorway, locked on her target, and fired, just as another bolt slammed into her chest just below her left shoulder. But she heard the scream from across the street. Her shot had hit home.
Mia lay there for a while, just trying to deal with the pain. She was pretty sure there were only two attackers, and she had killed them both. All was silent, and a strange stillness filled the space around her. She saw blood pool around where she lay, and felt a little confused as to whose blood this was. She watched it for a while, mesmerized by its viscosity, the way it flowed, the way it glistened. Then her eyes began to slowly close as she slipped into darkness.
11
Enclave
Around two hours after Jann and Nills were shown to their lodgings, there was a timid knock on the door. Jann rose from her seat and opened it. Anna stood outside, again flanked by the two hooded figures. “Master Xenon will see you now,” she said, with a facial expression that inferred that this was an astounding privilege.
Jann glanced over at Nills. “Ready?”
He stood up and clapped his hand together. “Looking forward to it.”
They were led through a series of corridors and eventually ushered into another industrial-sized elevator, except this one was highly ornate, clad with brightly patterned decorative tiles and spiraled metalwork. They rose up a level and opened out into a large, verdant biodome. Sunlight streamed through a translucent roof, infusing the space with soft, bright illumination. Tall, broad leaf plants rose up on all sides, creating dappled shadows that danced across a decorative tiled floor. The path through this foliage opened out around a circular pond with a fountain at its center. Ahead of this was a slightly raised area with low seating. A number of figures were gathered here—some sitting, some standing. They all stopped what they were doing and looked at the visitors as they approached. A tall figure broke away from a small knot of people and came forward, arms outstretched, his face a broad smile. It was Xenon Hybrid.
“Ah…there you are, Jann Malbec and Nills Langthorp. What a pleasant surprise. I couldn’t believe it when they told me you were here.” He strode across the space between them with purpose, and embraced Jann in a great big bearhug. She felt the air being squeezed out of her. He broke off, then turned to do the same to Nills. Xenon finally stood back and looked at them both. “To what do I owe this pleasure, after all this time?”
“Just a whim, really,” Jann said, with a hint of nonchalance. “We figured we hadn’t seen you in quite a while. You’ve become very reclusive, Xenon.”
He smiled again. “True, my work has become my life. Sometimes I forget the outside world exists. But…come, come, sit and we will talk.”
They moved onto the dais, and several of the hooded figures parted as Xenon ushered them to a low seating area. He sat down beside Jann along with two others as a tray of tea was brought out and placed before them on a low table. The other figures moved away and occupied another area at a respectable distance.
“You’ve built a substantial facility here,” Jann said as she sipped the hot tea.
Xenon glanced around the verdant biodome. “Yes, we have been blessed with many newcomers all willing to offer their time and efforts to expanding the enclave.”
“So why don’t you use robots?” said Nills. “We had to leave ours behind in the rover.”
“Our ethos here is one of simplicity—a return to nature, if you will. We believe that since we are fundamentally all products of nature, to find true internal harmony it is best to properly immerse ourselves in the natural world.”
“Except you live on Mars. Hardly the natural world,” said Nills, a little skeptical.
“That’s where you’re wrong, my friend. This planet may be harsh, unforgiving, devoid of life, but it is still a product of nature. You only have to look at the vast mountains and canyons. There is great beauty here.”
“Yet to live here, we must all wrap ourselves in technology. We are forever removed from the planet by a thick layer of insulation.” Jann pushed the debate.
“True, this may be so. But we try to minimize that here. We utilize only what’s necessary, and robots are not necessary. They simply insulate us even further, denying us the fulfillment of our own labor. You of all people, Nills, should understand that.”
“Yeah, to an extent.” Nills nodded. “But I also happen to see them as useful tools, something that augments one’s own labor. In fact, I find myself getting quite attached to some, to the point where they become my friends.” He gave an unapologetic gesture. “And, I doubt that any of us would be sitting here talking if it weren’t for that droid that has been left abandoned out in our rover.”
Xenon seemed a little confused by this answer, as if he did not quite know what Nills was referring to. “This is our way,” he finally said.
“How come you never visit us in Jezero anymore?” Jann asked, changing the subject.
“My work here keeps me busy. And even though I tend not to be seen in public, more and more of the public come to see me here, and many stay.”
“Jann glanced around at the lush vegetation and took in the beauty of the biodome. “I can see the attraction. This place is beautiful.”
“It is, and we have many more areas like this. Below us is a vast submarining horticultural complex. We have been building and expanding for a great many years, all through the labor of our followers. Many come here to seek answers, but many also stay for the peace they find from the simple agrarian life.”
He swept a hand around. “What you see here is available to all in this enclave. Such a biodome is only for the rich elites in Jezero, and none exist in Syrtis—that’s just an industrial hellhole.” He turned to face Jann. “So, you can see the attraction. Many who arrive here have become disillusioned by the crass commercialization of Mars. It’s a source of great disappointment for them that the utopia that was promised has been corrupted so terribly. Whereas here, that dream is rekindled in them, a dream of a true enlightened civilization.”
“Very laudable, Xenon. But you are forgetting that none of this can exist in
isolation. Without the industries that provide the technology that insulates you from the harsh world beyond, none of this is possible,” Jann said, challenging Xenon’s narrative.
“The same could be said of Jezero, yet it is the playground of the elite, those who have the good fortune to insulate themselves not just from the realities of the planet, but also the grimy reality of how all this technological abundance is produced.”
Jann began to realize that Xenon had changed considerably over the last few years. The Xenon she remembered was more philosophical, more into the poetry of the planet, seeking out its inherent beauty. He was more of an artist, a creative thinker, a curious eccentric. Which was why most of the citizens of Mars were happy for him to be their mascot. But now, Jann felt that the Xenon she was talking to had become harder, more cynical, less of a philosopher and more of a radical. It was troubling. She cast a glance at Nills to gauge his reactions. She knew him well enough to read his face, and it told her that he too was confused by this change in Xenon.
“It’s all still a little precarious, after the destruction that the Great Storm inflicted on us,” Jann replied. “Jezero is like a ghost town, and both Syrtis and Elysium are struggling for viability. It’s safe to say that the future of the colony is far from certain.”
“I agree that this is a concern, but I have a feeling that we will prevail in the end.”
“I don’t share your optimism, Xenon. We now have a new problem on our doorstep.” Jann considered that this might be a good moment to get to the point of her visit.
“Oh, and what’s that?”
“A ship bound for Earth blew up on the launch pad in Jezero.”
“I heard. That is most unfortunate.”
“Yes. But the thing is, we found two bodies at the site with some…very strange DNA.” Jann looked directly at Xenon.
“Strange? In what way?” Xenon replied as he sipped his tea.
“They were both identical, but that’s not all.” Jann glanced around to ensure they were not overheard and leaned in. “This DNA had elements of your own, which as you know is unique.” She paused for a beat. “I just thought I’d bring it to your attention.” She looked at him more intently, trying to gauge his reaction to this revelation. But she detected no apparent change in his facial expression.
“Curious,” Xenon finally said, with a slight nod of his head. “Do you suspect that someone has been utilizing my DNA for some clandestine biological experiment?”
“I’m not sure what it means. I thought you might be able to shed some light on it.”
Xenon sat back a little and seemed to think about this for a moment. “I see that your trip here was not simply to visit an old friend.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “But if you want my thoughts, then I think it would be very easy for someone to obtain a sample of my DNA.” He picked up the teacup. “You could get it from this.” He gently placed it back down on the table. “And you need to realize that my DNA has been out in the wild, so to speak, for a very long time. I’ve been tested and experimented on for years, so there would be samples in many of the labs both here on Mars and on Earth. Perhaps that’s where you should start your search.”
Jann gave a long sigh. “You’re probably right, that might be the best place to start. Anyway, I just thought I’d give you a heads-up on it.”
“And I thank you for that, Jann. Now”—he slapped both hands on his knees—“I do believe that food is ready to be served in the viewing area.” He stood up and held out a hand. “If you’d both follow me, we have something prepared for your entertainment.”
Behind them, a wide set of concertina doors were folded back, leading into yet another domed area, smaller and much less grand. But the structure was completely transparent, providing an unobstructed view of the Martian landscape. The sun sat low in the sky, just over the horizon.
“Excellent,” Xenon exclaimed. “The sunset here is a thing of great beauty, and I’m delighted you’ll both be able to witness it.”
They were directed over to a low, comfortable seating that arced around tables laden with food and drink. Off to one side, a group of musicians began to play. Their instruments were all acoustic—strings, wind, percussion—and all had a homemade, artisanal look to them. Yet the music they produced was ephemeral and ambient, almost hypnotic.
Jann found herself relaxing as the conversations began to coalesce around the quality of food, or the sunset, or the music. Any attempt by Jann to discuss the issues facing the colony after the Great Storm were snuffed out almost immediately. In the end, she gave up and went with the flow.
Nills seemed to be enjoying himself, and regaled the assembled group with tales of his and Xenon’s exploits back in the early days of the colony’s founding. This gave Jann an idea. She waited for a break in the conversation.
“Do you remember that time, Xenon, when we were both trapped in that crashed shuttle we stole?”
Xenon’s face struggled for a moment to recollect this incident. Then it brightened. “Yes, yes, of course. How could I forget.”
Jann leaned in and directed her story to the group. “Something went wrong with the engine, and we had to crash land—it was somewhere around Gale Crater. Anyway, we were stuck inside, couldn’t get the damn door opened. I tried and tried to reroute power to the access control panel, with no luck. I thought we were going to die there.” She paused for dramatic effect, and to gauge Xenon’s reaction. He seemed to be enjoying the story. “Anyway, Xenon gets bored with all this, walks over to the door, and gives it a kick. And what do you know, the door simply falls off its mounts.” She turned to Xenon. “You remember that?”
Xenon gave a big bright smile. “Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the best.”
Everyone laughed.
The evening progressed in a similar vein until Jann and Nills decided to take their leave and retire. There was much hugging and handshaking, and Anna was yet again put upon to bring them back to their lodgings. Xenon had agreed to meet them again in the morning, before they set off for the long journey back to Jezero.
When they finally entered their room and closed the door behind them, Nills put a finger to his lips, took out the jamming device, activated it, and set it down on the table. “Should be okay to talk now,” he finally said.
“So, what do you think of Xenon?” Jann asked.
“I hardly recognized him. He’s changed a lot—older, more cynical. It’s like he’s a different person.”
“You know that story of the shuttle crash I was telling everyone?”
“Yeah, funny. I don’t remember you mentioning that before.”
“That’s because it never happened.”
Nills’ face took on a confused look. “Never happened?”
“Yet, did you notice how Xenon remembered it?”
Nills thought about this for a moment. “Yeah, he seemed to struggle to recollect it at the start.”
“That’s because the person we met was not Xenon Hybrid. It’s someone pretending to be him.”
Nills remained silent for beat. “I…don’t believe it. It can’t be.”
“I think the person we met was a clone. Someone who looks exactly like him, but does not have his memory. He was just pretending to remember.”
“Holy shit.” The reality was finally dawning on Nills. “Now that you say it, it would explain a lot.”
“It does. And it also raises the question: Where’s the real Xenon Hybrid?”
12
Time to Dig
Sound entered into Mia’s consciousness—voices, some with hushed tones, some anxious, some assertive, ordering, directing. Light flickered across her retinas, blurry and indistinct. Movement—she felt her body being shifted and tugged, pushed and pulled. All these external stimuli she was only vaguely aware of. Yet as time passed, they gained more clarity, until the moment she opened her eyes and found herself in a hospital bed.
The door opened, and a medic entered. “Mia, you’re awake.”
; Mia tried to answer, but her throat was dry and rough. It hurt just to swallow.
“Here.” The medic helped her sit up and offered her some water. Mia drank it down like she had just spent five days in a desert—it felt so good. Before she’d finished, the door opened again and this time Bret Stanton and, if she wasn’t mistaken, Poe Tarkin, the big MLOD boss himself, entered.
“Mia.” Stanton rushed over to her. “How’re you feeling?”
She handed the empty bottle of water back to the medic and looked at him. “Are you seriously asking me that question?” She swallowed hard, trying to get some feeling back into her larynx. “How would you feel if someone just tried to use you as a pin cushion?”
He grinned. “Good to have you back.”
Mia shifted in the bed, sitting up a little more.
“We need to know what happened out there,” Tarkin said in a soft, avuncular tone. “Are you able to talk about it yet?”
Mia gave a sigh, and that’s when she realized her left shoulder was all bandaged up and her arm was in a sling. She jiggled her feet; they moved, that was good. But she could feel her right foot was also all bandaged up. Surprisingly, she felt no pain, only discomfort. She attributed this to the amount of painkillers that had probably been pumped into her.
“Zack?” Mia directed her question at Stanton.
“Alive, but on life support,” he said gravely. “They say the next twenty-four hours will be critical.”
“And the waiter?”
Stanton shook his head.
“Shit.” Mia looked up at Tarkin. “Not much to tell. One minute we were talking, drinking coffee, next it was raining crossbow bolts.”
“Did you manage to get a look at the attackers?”
Plains of Utopia: Colony Six Mars Page 6