The Mars Frontier Box Set, page 66
part #1 of Mars Frontier Series
Georgia nodded. "You've made it very clear. Your race is nothing more than cowards. You pick fights with defenseless species. I don't think you'd stand a chance in a fair fight."
Both Tremo and Uslaw laughed. "There is no fairness in war," said Uslaw. "You're either a victor or a memory. You are naive to think there is any other way."
"You fear the Confederacy. Will they consign the Arethusans to be no more than a memory?" Georgia's statement seemed to unsettle Uslaw. He gave Tremo a nervous glance but didn't reply to Georgia's question. Both Arethusans disappeared, leaving Georgia alone with the rest of the crew.
Megan walked up to her and whispered. "If your intention was to aggravate our captors then I think you succeeded. Your time would have been better spent trying to find an escape route."
"You know me better than that," replied Georgia. "We need to understand the Arethusans if we're going to find a weakness in their armor. No prison is escape proof. Charlie was able to escape from an earlier version."
"They've learned and adapted," said Molloy. "While you were talking to the aliens, I was inspecting the perimeter of this dome. It appears to be hermetically sealed and the dome is made from a very thick glass. There are no objects to manufacture tools. It looks like a perfect prison cell to me."
Georgia quickly glanced around and confirmed that what Charlie said was true. "Okay, from a physical standpoint we're trapped. But remember, this place isn't real. The Arethusans have access to each of our subconscious selves. So, we're not really here. Our brains have merely been fooled into thinking we're in a sealed done on a distant planet."
Megan shook her head in disbelief. "If we know this place is a lie then why does everything feel so real? I can feel the heat from the sun on my skin. I can hear the waves crashing onto the beach. Whatever device the Arethusans are using to deceive us, it must be highly complex."
"And it's working on twenty-nine individual brains in various locations across Mars," said Molloy, suddenly excited as he began to analyze the situation. "Which means the beacon must be drawing on a lot of power to keep us here."
Georgia saw where he was going with his reasoning. "And so far, we've been extremely compliant. I wonder if the beacon would need to use more energy if we began to resist it in some way. Particularly a co-ordinated challenge. Would the beacon be able to continue controlling all of us and maintaining this dome?"
Grant had a mischievous look on his face. "There's only one way to find out. I'm sure they've not finished questioning you yet. Perhaps we need to be more disruptive."
"Is that wise?" ventured Doctor Coleman who had been sitting quietly at the back of the group. "We're dealing with a technology well beyond our comprehension. You have no idea what will happen if you antagonize the hosts. And don't you think you've committed enough reckless acts already?"
Georgia wondered how the doctor had ever passed the psych evaluations for the Mars program. He was a misfit and was never going to integrate with the team. His attitude was beginning to grate. "Thank you for your positive input, doctor. I'm well aware of the mistakes I've made and I'm more than prepared to own them. If we're going to save the human race, then we're going to continue taking risks. If the plan fails, we try something different. Again and again, until we succeed. I'm sure everyone here will do all they can to save the Earth. Even you must have someone back home that you care about. Do it for them. I'd really appreciate it if you could support us in that effort."
Coleman seemed to shrink as he felt the crew looking at him questioningly. "I never said I wouldn't assist you. But you have to accept I have the right to challenge your decisions. Especially when you're no longer our base commander."
Dunn stepped forward and stood next to Georgia. "She has my full support, doctor. She's led this base out of several impossible situations before. She'll do it again. Get back in line and offer your full assistance. We have to do this together."
Georgia was grateful for the show of confidence. "Thanks, Ashley. Now here's my suggestion."
***
Colonel Byrne's image appeared on Libby's computer screen. Instead of being in his own office, he was in the mission center, sitting with the rest of the Mars support team. "We've lost contact with Alpha Base," he said, skipping the normal pleasantries. "Doctor Betts should have reported in ten minutes ago."
Libby's mind swirled through all of the reasons why this could have happened. None of them were good. "I assume you're tried to establish contact and checked for any malfunctions in the comms relays."
"I wouldn't have contacted you if I hadn't completed all the standard protocols. We've tried to make direct contact with Georgia Pyke, but we can't be sure if she's switched to the correct frequencies."
Libby ignored the colonel's directness. He was under extreme pressure and, she reluctantly had to admit, was the best person for this scenario. "Do you have any recommendations?"
"You have to inform the president. We must now assume the lack of communication means that something has gone badly wrong on Mars. The crew may be already lost for all we know. My recommendation to President Ramsay is that he orders the immediate destruction of Alpha Base."
Libby was not ready to make that call. "We have no proof they've failed, colonel. Don't you think it's too early for such a drastic decision? There could be a valid reason why contact was lost. I don't want the murder of our colonists on my hands."
Byrne leaned in close to the camera. "Libby, you have to accept that we're in a war with the Arethusans. Tough decisions have to be made and there will be collateral damage. It's inevitable. We lose some battles so that we can win the war. Step aside if you 're not up to the job. I'll respect you more for accepting your limitations."
She had more backbone than Byrne gave her credit for. She was not going to back down now. "Thank you for reciting warfare for idiots. If the crew needs to be sacrificed, then I am prepared to make that call... at the right time. I'll report the situation to the president and share your recommendation, but with a caveat that we wait for another thirty minutes. In the meantime, keep trying to raise Alpha Base."
Byrne swore under his breath before abruptly hanging up. Libby took that as a small victory, even if it ultimately proved to be hollow. Taking a deep breath, she keyed in President Ramsay's direct number and hoped he would listen to her advice. The next ten minutes were going to define her career and, possibly, the fate of the human race.
Chapter 36
Uslaw and Tremo soon reappeared in the dome. Tremo moved menacingly toward the frightened group of colonists. "Georgia Pyke, we require more information about your planet's relationship with the Confederacy. There are many gaps and inconsistencies in the accounts given by you and your colleagues. The time for games is over." Tremo pulled a knife from somewhere inside his cape. It glinted in the sunlight and looked incredibly fearsome.
"Tremo can be very persuasive," said Uslaw, his evil smile returning. "I would suggest that you co-operate if you want to enjoy your remaining time here."
"So, it's time for good cop, bad cop," replied Georgia defiantly. "This world isn't real. How can you threaten me in this environment? I've said I'm not going to help you anymore. Your fleet can find out for themselves how well we know the Confederacy."
Uslaw looked more confident than ever. "You're foolish to think we can't inflict pain on you here. You've realized by now that this is a realistic representation of our world. Your brains believe what your eyes and senses see and feel. The pain you will experience from Tremo's dagger will feel excruciating. Do not fight us."
Georgia held her ground, looking Uslaw squarely in the eyes. "You'll learn nothing more from any of us other than how resilient we are. You will fail your masters." She took one stride forward and slowly raised her right arm, giving the signal that her crew was waiting for. As one, they began to advance on the two Arethusans.
Uslaw and Tremo were momentarily taken by surprise by the unexpected show of aggression, taking several steps backward to keep some distance between themselves and the crew. Tremo was the first to recover his composure, firmly planting his feet and waving his dagger in front of him. "That's far enough," he warned.
But the crew, led by Georgia and Molloy took three more paces forward. "I said you were cowards," taunted Georgia. "Now release us." She was worried that the two Arethusans would disappear again. But, at the same time, she was greatly encouraged that the aliens were showing some genuine fear. Perhaps her plan would work.
What she wasn't expecting was for Tremo to suddenly lunge forward. She was stunned by the speed of his movement. For his small stature, Tremo's movement was incredibly fast. As he returned to his defensive position, Georgia spotted blood dripping from the end of the dagger. She knew it wasn't hers and was wondering who had been injured when Molloy let out a scream and dropped to his knees clutching his face. She could see a stream of blood running through his fingers and down his arms.
"My eye!" he shouted, angrily.
Georgia could see Molloy was covering his left eye as deep red blood continued to ooze down his face. Megan and Coleman immediately rushed across to see what they could do to help.
"I warned you," said Uslaw. "You can now witness the power of our illusion at first hand. Tell me now that we cannot harm you."
Georgia broke her gaze away from the fallen Molloy, but his screams of agony did not diminish. Her resolve was now being truly tested. But she knew she had to stay strong and ensure the crew were not distracted from the plan.
"That changes nothing. I'm not afraid of what you can do to me. You've taken my freedom and probably my home. There's nothing more that you can take." She took another stride closer to the Arethusans and was reassured to hear footsteps behind her. "I call that a stalemate."
Uslaw leaned his head to one side. "Yes, I can now see that you are not easily intimidated. You are a worthy opponent. But we are aware of your species' emotional weakness. Your sentimentality for friends is overrated." Then, as Georgia had feared, Uslaw and Tremo disappeared in front of her.
She spun around to see where they'd gone, Uslaw's words ringing in her ears. She didn't have long to wait. They reappeared next to Megan who was still kneeling beside the writhing Molloy. Uslaw stared at Georgia and revealed his teeth again in an evil grin. Instinctively, she knew what was going to happen next with a sickening certainty.
"No!" she screamed as she watched Tremo bring his blade down in one swift motion. Megan saw the movement and raised her left arm in self defense. It was the wrong move. Tremo's dagger sliced through her arm, just above the wrist, in one swift motion. Georgia stared in shock as Megan's hand arced through the air and landed on the floor of the dome with a sickly flat sound.
The colonists were stunned into silence as they turned in horror at the sight of Megan's severed hand and a fountain of blood pumping from her arm. Megan looked at her arm in frozen shock, seemingly unable to register what had just occurred.
It had happened so quickly. Georgia managed to suppress a feeling of nausea but noticed that several of the crew were throwing up. Seeing her friend so graphically and callously wounded was too much for her. She was filled with an uncontrolled rage like she's never felt before. Logic and reason were forgotten as she sought revenge for the violence carried out against Megan.
With a guttural roar she leapt at Tremo with all her strength. Most of the crew, including Mancuso, followed her example and bore down on the two Arethusans in outrage.
Tremo lifted his blade and pointed it at the oncoming Georgia. He was mistaken if he thought that would deter her from venting the rage inside her. She saw the sharp blade aimed at her chest, but it meant nothing to her. Her one thought was to tear Tremo apart for what he'd done. She ran headlong onto the dagger as if it wasn't there. Instead of piercing her body, however, the elaborately carved blade buckled and shattered, leaving a stunned Tremo holding the hilt of the blade.
Before he had a chance to react, Georgia grabbed Tremo around his neck and lifted him above her head with ease. His eyes widened in disbelief at her sudden display of anger and strength. "Uslaw, get her away from me," he yelled in panic, as he waved his arms uselessly.
There was no one to help him. Georgia noticed with satisfaction that Grant was struggling on the ground with an equally shaken Uslaw Haern. And the rest of her crew were waiting to step in if needed.
Georgia glared down at Uslaw as he was held down by Grant. "You're beaten. Now free us and inform your masters on Arethusa that this solar system and it's human inhabitants are not going to be bullied or conquered."
To her surprise, Uslaw laughed defiantly. "You still don't understand that this is nothing more than a visual illusion. You can't defeat what isn't real."
"Then why did you both show fear?" she replied, returning his steely gaze. "You're not as indestructible as you'd like to have us believe. I'm going to prove it by breaking Tremo's back across my knee."
But before she could carry out her threat, the dome and Tremo shimmered and vanished as everything around her went black.
***
Libby Selznick had just completed her call with President Ramsay when her cell phone pinged. She picked up the phone from her desk and opened her messages. This one was from Evelynn and it simply read, "It's done sis". Not that the revelation will make a difference now, Libby thought, ruefully. There's going to be no one left to read the article!
She called Byrne, who answered on the first ring. "What's the president's position?" he asked.
Libby sighed, disappointed that it had come to this. "We have twenty minutes. Then you can blow the hatches on the base and pray that we've done the right thing."
"Understood. It can't be the wrong thing if it saves the planet." Then, unexpectedly, his tone softened. "Libby, it's twenty-eight lives versus seven billion. If I have to carry out the order, I will but I will not take no joy in sacrificing good people. I promise to carry on with our attempts to re-establish contact for as long as I can. Don't give up all hope just yet."
Libby forced a grim smile. "Thanks Eugene." She closed down the call, knowing that what he had said were empty words. In her heart she knew that all hope was lost for the colonists. It was almost unbearable to accept the reality of the situation. All she could hope for was a miracle. Sitting alone in her office with the world potentially about to end, she wondered if it was too late to rediscover her faith.
Chapter 37
Georgia lashed out with both her fists and brought her knee up, directing all of the rage and aggression she was feeling into striking Tremo. Somehow, none of her strikes hit their mark. She opened her eyes and saw she was rolling around on the ground near the prone body of Grant. She'd been punching thin air and had been fortunate to not connect with the power transformer. She stopped moving, feeling the adrenalin still surging through her body. It took her several moments to gather her thoughts and realized she had managed to escape the Arethusan's trap.
Scrambling quickly to her feet, she saw that Mancuso, Molloy and Anna remained unconscious on the ground. She ran across to Molloy and was relieved to see there was no blood inside his helmet. Thankfully the injury to his eye had only been a part of the artificial world created by the probe. The sensations had been very realistic but had just been part of her subconscious. Which meant that Megan hadn't lost her hand either.
It was still dark, but she had no clue how much time she had left. Checking the chronometer on her spacesuit, she estimated she'd been inside the artificial world for about thirty minutes. More time wasted that they didn't have. Turning her attention back to the particle beam accelerator, she was reassured that it was still functioning. The control panel continued to show a series of green lights and the weapon was still powered at fifty percent capacity. Georgia could see the green beam of light had increased in intensity but was having no effect whatsoever on the beacon. The Arethusans attempt to prevent her from using the accelerator was an indicator that it would work, if only she could get sufficient power to it.
She was about to return to the transformer when she noticed Grant stirring. He sat up, shaking his head. "Did we make it?" he asked.
"The two of us have," she replied as she helped him to his feet. "Our coordinated attack seems to have worked in overpowering the beacon's system. It wasn't prepared for such naked aggression."
"There was something else too. I saw how the dagger's blade shattered. It was as if you'd suddenly become as hard as a diamond. You have some type of ability that the probe is unable to handle."
"I'm not sure about that. I was just lucky. But does it mean they can't take us again? All they need to do is delay us for a while longer and then the connection with Arethusa will be made. We need to finish this now."
Grant nodded. "You monitor the particle accelerator. I'll ramp up the transformer."
Georgia paid close attention to the accelerator's control panel as Grant increased the power first to seventy-five percent and then one hundred percent. She ignored the warning lights flashing across the panel. They were in Cyrillic anyway. She was focused solely on destroying the beacon at any cost. Surely the particle accelerator would do its job. But her heart sank as she saw no effect on the beacon other than a white hot glow where the now intense beam was attempting to cut through the its defenses. There was no telling what temperature the beacon was now at, but it seemed to be withstanding the energy from the accelerator. It was indestructible.
"We need more energy," she shouted in desperation. "Jim, you need to turn it up further.
Grant adjusted the controls on the transformer, increasing the power by a further thirty percent. The accelerator's glass tubes were now glowing white hot and Georgia feared they would explode at any moment. But she began to feel some encouragement as she noticed that the casing of the beacon was beginning to warp and blister under the intense heat being generated by the particle beam. She willed the accelerator to hold out for a few more seconds.
Grant increased the energy one final time. The particle accelerator was now at one hundred and fifty percent capacity. Well past any tolerances that the Russians may have designed into their weapon. Georgia could feel the static energy sizzling in the air all around her. Her skin was tingling, and she noticed the top layer of dust on the ground was vibrating so much that it was bouncing off the surface.
