“Yes, although the magic that links them was a gift from the Astraeus.”
“Did they use some of your people as avatars too?”
She shook her head. “That concept came into conception after our fall. Their way of mourning what happened and trying to prevent it from occurring again on Earth.”
“Where can we park this stuff?”
“Depends. What kind of testing are you doing? Inside? Outside?”
“Both, although the latter worries me. While I can handle any kind of temperature and air on Earth—even the shitty kind—I don’t know what will happen if I try to step foot outside.”
“Likely bad things. There is protective gear, though, we can use.”
“We? You going to join me?”
She shrugged. “Might as well. We’ll head to one of the suruanas chambers. What you might call a ready room with an exterior door.”
“Let me grab a few things I brought.” He dug into his bags and the pallet, putting sample bottles, a few handheld electronics for measuring readings, and more into a smaller backpack. He also strung a utility belt around his waist with a knife, flashlight, and some closed pouches.
“Ready?”
“Lead the way, Queenie.”
The ready room held a layer of dust, but that didn’t affect the suits protected in airtight lockers. She helped him get one on, showing him how to activate the seals, finishing with the helmet.
“Where’s the air tank?” he asked.
“No need for one. When you breath, the helmet takes what you emit and converts it back to a proper oxygen mix.”
“Damn. That kind of technology would make a fortune in the diving world.”
“If I ever find myself running low on funds, I might introduce it.” After all, she’d been doing that for the last century. It took time before humanity evolved enough to understand and build machines. She’d done her best to not interfere too much with their progression, but as parts she required became scarcer to scavenge from Mars, she’d had no choice. Losing Atlantis, with its factories, had been a huge blow.
With their bodies protected, she pressed the button to open the door to the outside. The barren surface never failed to constrict her heart. She’d done this. Ruined her once-lush planet.
Reece immediately stepped outside, bending down to run his hand over the hard, scoured dirt.
“I can’t believe I’m touching Mars.” Wonderment filled his tone.
“Where shall we start?”
“I’m going to get some readings.” He dug into his knapsack and pulled out one of his electronic devices. As he wandered off, she stood staring.
How she wished he could find a way to bring back her world. It would be nice to relieve herself of the burden she’d carried. To shed the guilt. To bring back those who counted her on.
As Reece wandered farther, she joined him, knowing how quickly storms could whip the dust, reducing visibility. She’d not had time to fully explain to him all the perks of his suit, such as the homing device that would lead him back to the citadel if he got lost.
He didn’t say much as he gathered his data, most likely because he’d begun to realize just what an impossible task he’d set for himself. As he crossed a flat expanse, likely heading for a tumble of rocks, she stuck close, and thus disaster hit them both at once.
There was no warning, just a sudden sharp crack before the ground underfoot crumbled, plunging them below Mars’ crust!
CHAPTER 10
Things might have ended badlywhen a hole opened up underfoot sending Aquarius and Ishtar plummeting. Before he could brace for a hard impact—or try and grab the queen and beam them back to Tower—they hit water.
The liquid, with its sluggish current, kept them from shattering all their bones and, despite their gear, bobbed them like flotsam.
“Reece?”
