Acheron/Mars Orbit
Stephanie Karras was looking around with considerable interest. Jax eased himself into the seat next to hers, then looked across the cabin and met Joanne's knowing gaze. She and Mick were seated in the two chairs on the other side of the circle.
''Here we go'' Martin had taken the controls, by mutual consent.
None of them had actually taken the Acheron on a trip through pace, although Rip had insisted on giving them all basic instruction in time travelling. If Martin thought about it, the process seemed simple enough - the Acheron ascended - as usual - and then just kept rising until they were out of Earth's atmosphere. Morris would assist with navigation, making sure they didn't fly off into space or go too close to the sun.
The Acheron rose above the treetops of the forest it had been concealed in. The landscape below them widened and features grew smaller, wider and smaller - suddenly they were in space.
''Morris'' Martin could not resist taking a second to gratify a secret wish. ''When we get far enough away for the whole Earth to be in view, can you turn us to face -''
''Certainly, Professor'' Morris assured him ''that will be in two minutes.''
He waited - after what seemed like an age, Morris slowly began to turn the Acheron to bring the Earth into view.
''So beautiful'' he whispered ''So fragile'' - he was quoting but couldn't remember who from. A glance over his shoulder showed him that the others were equally transfixed.
Time passed.
''Professor'' Morris managed to sound apologetic ''The best window for approaching Mars -''
''Yes'' Martin dragged his thoughts away from the globe hanging in space. ''Set course.''
He swallowed as the Earth's image slowly drifted out of sight and the Acheron headed off into space.
''The journey will take six hours.'' Morris informed them.
X
They were all back on deck within four hours, gradually watching Mars grow larger as they made their approach run.
Jax had showed Stephanie around the Acheron, Martin had been studying up on all that was known of the 'red planet', Mick and Joanne had been playing cards.
The small ice caps were visible now, at the northern and southern poles. Martin remembered that Mars was the site of the largest former volcano and the deepest canyon known to exist in the Solar System. He imagined that the planet must have been more Earth-like at some very distant time. Had life once found - and lost - a fragile foothold here?
''I can see a settlement - I think.'' Jax announced. ''Lower left side of the viewport.''
Morris enlarged the magnification of that section of the approaching planet. There was construction work going on - it appeared to the lower parts of what would build into a domed city. To judge by the comparison between its size and those of the humanoid-type figures dotted about the site, it was going to be substantial - the size of a large town.
Martin flicked the communications switch.
''Morris, please transmit the following message.'' He paused. ''Occupants of Mars, this is the Acheron. We have come from Earth, the third planet in this system. We come in peace and wish to meet and talk with you. Please respond.''
''Very polite'' Mick murmured to Joanne.
Silence. The minutes stretched on. Martin found he couldn't keep his attention from being drawn to the fascinating landscape outside the viewport - a landscape dotted with meteor impact craters and dramatic rock formations. He made a mental note to ask how the settlers were going to deal with meteor impacts - if relations did become friendly of course.
''Professor -'' Morris might have had a touch of alarm in his tone.
''I see them'' Martin assured him. ''Take no hostile action.''
Four alien-looking vessels had appeared, quite far away still, approaching from what appeared to be the far side of Mars. They were plainly on a converging course with the Acheron.
''We're being hailed'' Morris reported, as the vessels drew steadily closer.
''Let's hear it.''
The voice was male, speaking heavily accented English. ''You will follow the lead ship. Deviate and be destroyed.''
''Friendly'' Mick commented. Joanne murmured agreement.
The lead ship curved round to a position just off their bow, two others falling into place on either side. The last one was following them. The course they were being taken on curved around Mars, towards the side furthest from Earth - we're going to see something they've been concealing, Martin thought, hopefully it won't be a one-way trip. The Martian landscape rolled past under them, several other partially constructed settlements coming into view. At one point, Martin couldn't help leaning forward in fascination. They were passing over the Borealis Basin, the smooth area that covered forty percent of the planet's surface - no one had conclusively explained its origin.
''How many of them are there?'' Joanne murmured. No one had an answer for her.
Their escort was leading them towards the far side of Mars, bringing something new into their field of vision in the process.
Martin's breath caught in his throat. Behind him, he heard Jax whistle - a glance over his shoulder showed that his counterpart was leaning forward, - everyone else seemed equally transfixed.
''Mother ship'' Stephanie breathed.
It was certainly big enough, Martin thought. He tried to study as much the huge alien vessel as he could as they were led towards it. As far as he could tell, its armaments - it's capacity for combat - were considerable. The escort vessels curved towards an opening in the lower part of the frontal section.
Jax flinched slightly, suddenly reminded of the Independence Day film. Into the maw of the mothership.
Morris set the Acheron down. A few moments later, the A, I, announced ''The air is breathable, Professor, and I believe you should -''
''Disembark'' Martin finished for him. Several humanoid figures, mostly male, were plainly waiting for them, in the hangar outside the viewport. ''We should.''
Martin led the way down from the Acheron, studying the humanoids waiting for them. He thought that the Acheron's crew might be the first to meet these beings - although he couldn't be sure - put them on a city street and no one would notice, they were so humanlike in appearance. they were all dressed the same, in brown tunics and trousers, which probably meant they were all military. They were certainly all armed.
One of the waiting humanoids stepped forward.
''You two will stand apart'' he spoke with the same accent as the being who'd hailed them on their approach.'' He gestured towards Martin and Jax.
They know who we are, Martin realised, nodding agreement.
Other humanoids stepped forward and searched them, reporting back to the one who appeared to be their leader, in what was presumably their own language.
''Follow me.'' That individual ordered.
It was good news, Martin thought, that they were not being restrained. They were marched across the hangar and a short distance along a corridor that led off from it. The alien's leader stepped close to a doorway on the left, which softly hissed open at his approach.
''You will wait in here.'' he gestured.
Martin glanced cautiously into the room before stepping inside. It was plainly not a prison, neither was it what he could have called a reception area. It looked like a room used for small meetings - half a dozen chairs grouped around a table was the only furniture. They sat - Martin and Jax being careful to keep apart - neither of them had any doubt they were being watched.
A few minutes later, the door opened. Two people came in. One, Martin saw, was a rather attractive furry, elf-like alien. The other one was Naomi.