“What happens when we report this?” she asked as he heated water for tea.
“Ifwe report this.”
The question had been circling his mind since they’d watched the creature dissolve into nothing. What they’d discovered was unprecedented—life on Mars, something that shouldn’t exist according to every scientific survey ever conducted. And not just simple microbial life, but something complex and intelligent enough to self-destruct. Traces of the lichen remained but although it was still significant, it was far less important than the creature.
“Who would believe us?” he continued as he placed a steaming mug in front of her. “No evidence, no samples, not even data files. Just our word.”
“The most amazing discovery since we arrived on this planet, and we have nothing to show for it.” She wrapped her hands around the mug, staring down at the tea as if there were answers hidden in the steam. “But we can’t just pretend it didn’t happen.”
“No, we can’t.” He leaned against the counter, considering the various options. “But we still need to be careful who we tell.”
She finally looked up at him. “I’ve been thinking about that too. I know Earth Government sanctioned GenCon and restricted their activities, but they still have a strong presence on Mars and I don’t trust them. If they knew about this…”
He nodded. The corporation that originally controlled most of Mars’ resources would only see the profit potential in their discovery. “If they learned about this, they’d tear the planet apart looking for more specimens. Whatever that creature was,GenCon would try to find a way to monetize it, or worse, weaponize it.”
“Or both.” She shuddered. “They’ve always treated Mars like their private experimental lab. I don’t want to give them another resource to exploit.”
He’d automatically scanned the station for surveillance equipment when he arrived, a habit so engrained he barely noticed it, but he found himself checking again. GenCon had established the original stations, but as far as he could tell, they hadn’t left any monitoring devices in place.
“I think the other cyborgs need to know,” he said finally. “I’d like to discuss it with the Judge and see what he recommends. But if there are more of these creatures, the rangers need to be prepared.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “I agree, but I wonder if that’s likely. Based on an admittedly limited sample size of one creature, we didn’t see any sign that it was attempting to reach the surface.”
“So if there are more, they might also be underground.” He considered for a moment. “Most of the original cyborgs became rangers when full humans took over the terraforming efforts, but I know a few of them took mining claims. They should probably be the first to know, and the Judge will know how to contact them.”
“That makes sense. And I think we should talk to his wife as well. I know xenobiology isn’t her primary specialty, but she’s brilliant and from what I’ve heard, she knows exactly how dangerous GenCon can be.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Not entirely, but I’m positive we can trust her, even if she doesn’t believe us. I also want to tell Alina. I know she’ll believe me, and I trust her completely. But no one else at the lab, especially not Dr. Reece.”
He hadn’t had many interactions with the doctor, but his impression had not been favorable. Reece clearly considered him nothing more than a machine subject to his orders. He had quickly disabused him of that notion but the doctor had not appreciated the lesson.
“Then we’re agreed.” He’d spent too many years in the military to be convinced that their efforts to limit the information would be successful, but it was a start. “And your official report?”
She shrugged. “I came to investigate anomalous readings, and found evidence of seismic activity consistent with the collapsing of old lava tubes. End of story.”
He nodded. It was a plausible explanation for her trip, one that wouldn’t raise eyebrows or prompt further investigation.
“And of course you were here to make sure the station was secure,” she added, smiling for the first time since she’d discovered the missing data. “It is your job, after all.”
“It’s true. I was here for security purposes,” he agreed solemnly, sitting down next to her and taking her hand.
He didn’t realize he’d used his cybernetic hand until she started running her fingers slowly over the smooth silver surface.
“What do you think it was, Zach? Do you think there are more?”
“I’m inclined to believe that your original theory is correct. I don’t think it’s possible that all of the original surveys werewrong. I think that what we’re doing here has awakened something—maybe more than one thing.”
“Like the lichen,” she agreed, and sighed. “You know, under other circumstances I’d have been thrilled to discover it. Now it pales in comparison.”
“It’s still significant—and it’s still evidence that something is happening here that no one anticipated. Do we reveal its presence?”
“I don’t think so. The fact that lichen—lichen we didn’t plant—exists here is huge, but I’m afraid that it will lead to other questions. Although I should at least document one of the lichen caves.”
“Not alone,” he growled.
She laughed, the sound surprising him.
