Trouble on the Red Planet; Aumrill
The Nodes

Later, that day after showering and changing into more leisure attire Donna met with Martha Corey in the entertainment lounge. Martha was the entertainment director for the holographic stage in the lounge. “Well Donna”, she began, “we have three shows on the holo-projector this evening.”

“Okay good,” Donna told her. “That’s how we keep the crews happy. Tell me, what have you lined up?”

Martha motioned for Donna to follow her down some steps through an opening in the floor next to the holo-stage that led to her office below the stage. “I managed to piece together a show from some vintage films that have recently arrived from Earth. The show will be in three parts, starting with a 1950’s Sci-Fi classic, converted to holographic imagery, of course. The intermission will be bits of a holographic reproduction of a 1960’s Rock concert. Then we’ll finish with another ’50’s Sci-Fi and for the late nighters we have more Rock-n-Roll.”

“Well, Marty, I don’t know what I’d do without you. There won’t be any outdoor activities for a while with the Martian Twisters dancing through this region for the fall seasonal storms.”

“Yes, I was listening to the weather reports this morning and the wind will start kicking up any day now and it’s a good thing they built this structure on the south side where the wind has a tendency to avoid.”

“What bothers me, Marty, is that last year we lost three power towers that needed to be replaced and with new towers coming in we won’t be able to afford to replace them.”

“Don’t worry, Donna, I don’t think that kind of thing happens very often. The towers that are down in Cydonia have been operating since the archeological dig. Oh, what was it, twelve years ago?”

“Fourteen, but who’s keeping tracks. Cydonia has had its own set of problems.” She stopped short to look at her watch. “Well, the old crowd will be shuffling in soon. I’m going back up check with the Bartender and the Chef.”

The bar was located on the east most end of the north wall. The bartender was placing clean glasses on the shelves. Donna sat down in the middle stool to talk to the bartender. “Hey, George, how’s it going?” she began.

George Leslie looked back from his work. “Oh, Donna, I didn’t see you there. What can I do for you?” he said brushing his hands on the front of his apron.

“Just stay busy it’s going be a long night for you and I hope you are well stocked.”

“We’ve got plenty, could I get you a drink?”

“Sure! I could use a small glass of Southern Whiskey.”

George dropped some ice cubes into a glass and put it in front of her. She watched the glass fill up. Once it was full she picked it up to her lips and sipped a swallow. “Ah!” she said, “I’d forgotten how good that felt.”

“That’s what we’re here for,” George told her. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”

“No, George, this is quite enough. Just keep up the good work.”

“Of course, and if you’ll excuse me I have things to do in the back?” George went back to his work and Donna finished her drink.

The door to the kitchen was on the opposite end of room on the south wall. Donna got up from her stool and went directly over. On the other side of the door were several kitchen hands preparing vegetables on stainless steel tables. “Has anyone seen Tracy?” she asked aloud, to be heard over the kitchen equipment.

A nineteen year old kitchen hand, Rhonda looked up. She had a plastic cap over her dark brown hair. She looked over and smiled with her brown eyes flashing. “Hi Donna,” she said, looking surprised. She turned her head toward a stainless steel door to her right and pointed her cutting knife in that direction. The girl turned back towards Donna and said, “She’s in the oven room setting chicken in the rotisserie.”

“Mmmm! Sounds yummy.” Rhonda chuckled and went back to her cutting. Donna proceeded through the door to replace Tracy sliding chicken onto spindles.

She looked up and said, “Just give me a minute Donna while I get this in place. She slid the last chicken on the spindle, snapped on the end, pushed the mechanism into its receptacle, and closed the glass cover. She set the temperature and the machine went into motion.

“Well, Tracy, it looks like we may be gaining a few pounds after tonight,” she said with a grin.

“We aim to please,” Tracy said with a chuckle. “Now, what’s up?”

“Just making sure things will be in order for tonight.”

“Plugging away Donna, I’m just plugging away.”

“Carry on,” Donna told her, “carry on.” Satisfied, Donna left the Kitchen.

Later the room became bustling with people. Donna was standing next to the observation window located on the far end of the room. She could see the courtyard that was lighted by lamp posts that illuminated part of the crater wall. Beyond the light was darkness but she could make out a faint outline of the mountains in the distance. The courtyard was empty of people because the temperature outside was a minus-one hundred seventy degrees Fahrenheit. The outer part of the insulated glass was vibrating from a rustling wind outside.

Donna was approached by Dana and Robert Wilson. “Now, Bob what makes you think she’d be interested. After-all you’re a Technician and not a Biologist.” The couple was showing slight signs of alcohol intoxication.

Bob Wilson was the first to speak. “Donna, if I may impose upon you for just one minute I’d like to share with you a recent discovery.”

Dana interrupted. “I think this is one of his ravings, like the time he tried to convince us that the crater was an active volcano.’

“Dana, will you not interrupt I was asking Donna a question.” Dana turned her head looking annoyed.

“As I was saying, Donna, there is something down in the Biocontainment area that is quite interesting.

Donna got a sparkle in her eyes as she was a bit amused. “What did you replace down there that has gone unnoticed for all the years work has proceeded?”

“Well, I’m not entirely sure I’d have to show you.”

“Humph!” Dana blurted.

Bob gave her an irritated look.

“It’s quite all right Bob,” Donna assured him, “I won’t mind taking a look as long as it doesn’t take more than thirty minutes. I don’t want to miss the first part of the show.”

“Well, it shouldn’t take that long, but we will need our thermal suits as it’s still quite cold down there.” He turned to his wife, “Dana could you replace a table for the three of us while I show Donna what I found?”

“Sure, why not. I will have drinks ready for you.” She made her way to replace a table.

Donna and Bob went through the east end door to a corridor. A hundred feet down the corridor was the doors that lead to a room where thermal suits were stored in lockers.

They went into the room and immediately retrieved their thermal suits. The thermal suits were plain white, a coverall item with a sturdy zipper in the back and a hood that covered the entire head like helmet with a clear plastic visor over the face. The zipper was operated by a draw string over the left shoulder to allow the wearer to use it without assistance. Once they were inside the suits Donna and Bob entered an elevator that was a cylindrical car that raised them to a platform.

At the end of the platform was what looked like an airlock, but it merely served as a barrier between the two bio-units. They went through the doors and on the other side was a zigzag set of stairs that lead to the bottom of the crater.

Outside, the back of their hoods looked like they were blowing steam when the exhausts of their breath met the cold air. They went down the stairs to the dirt floor of the crater. The sandy soil made crunchy sound as they walked over to a natural mound that was partially excavated.

“This is one of the sites where we will install a heating unit,” Bob told Donna.

“Okay, what did you replace that was so fascinating?” asked Donna.

Bob unlatched a tool box that was already at the site. He took out a thermal pale and a shovel. He scooped some dirt with the shovel then turned towards her. He took some of the dirt in his gloved hand and showed it to her. He ran his thumb over the lump of dirt in his palm and bead-like nodules rolled out. “Do you see these little nodules of dirt?” he asked.

“Yes,” she answered quickly. “Those are very interesting but they just look like little balls of dirt to me. What about them got you so excited?”

He put the shovel down with the dirt still in it. He opened the thermal pale and opened it. The pale was filled with water. The thermal pale had built in heating units to keep the water from freezing and it looked like steam from the pale though the water itself was barely above freezing. He scooped another clump of dirt from the shovel and dropped it into the pale. The nodules in the dirt began wildly popping and stirring in the water. There was also a fizzing sound when bubbles appeared in the water. It looked almost as the nodules were making squirming motions. The motions shortly slowed and eventually stopped. The only motions left in the water were the bubbles.

“Fascinating is the word but how do you know what types chemical reactions are taking place?” asked Donna.

“I don’t,” he began, “but I do have a theory though, one that would shake up just about everything we know about Mars,” he told her frankly.

“Okay, you’ve got my attention,” answered Donna sincerely.

“Well,” Bob began, “everything in this Biocontainment field is in a freeze dried state, as is most of Mars. Whatever it was that was living here may be in an advanced stage of suspended animation. When I dropped the dirt into the water whatever is in there is reanimated somehow.”

“Hey,” Donna interrupted him, “you’re getting too far ahead of yourself with this. The reaction only lasted about a minute, and there’s nothing moving in the water now. If it were alive it would be still swimming around in there now wouldn’t it?”

“Well,” answered Bob, “I don’t know, maybe it’s some kind of shock or maybe when they are reactivated they drown or . . .” he stopped short.

“It is okay, Bob, Dana is right, you’re not a Biologist and your theory would be very good except that this area has been surveyed for years by a number of Biologist and they have found nothing living,” she tried to assure him.

“Donna,” he pleaded, “Biologists are Scientists and they have a set of routine test that they do. Yes, they studied this area and they weren’t surprised to replace organic material in the soil because microbes and fossils have been found all over this planet. What I discovered here was an accident. If we show them what I’ve found I think it might change their minds.”

“Well,” Donna hesitated, “maybe you’re right, this may warrant further study. But I don’t know if there are any Biologists anywhere on Mars right now. I will replace out. Now, Bob, have you told anyone about this besides Dana?”

“Well, there were a couple of helpers who thought I was overreacting, like you and Dana.”

“No, Bob I don’t think you’re overreacting. I think you’re getting ahead of yourself. We don’t know what is causing that reaction. It may just be something super cold suddenly going into a warmer environment.” She looked at the time. “We’d better start heading back,” she said slowly. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone else about this until we get someone to look at this.”

Bob looked dismayed and he sighed. “I suppose you’re right I won’t tell anyone else. But, will you promise to keep me informed as to what you replace out?”

“Of course this is your discovery. Whatever this is it should prove to be important.”

Donna was more disturbed by Bob’s discovery than she was willing to admit. There would be ramifications if Bob was right about this discovery that could affect the entire project. They made their way back to the metal stairway and proceeded to the top. Before going through the door she turned and looked out over the great expanse to the central ice dome, a mere white spot in the middle of the great field. It was as though she was seeing it for the first time. What was hidden inside the great ice barrier that was made rock hard by time and extreme cold? It stuck in her mind. She knew that she would ponder it for some time to come.

They made their way back to the theater and just as they walked through the door they noticed that the show had started. The holo images were of a band starting to play. The singers were singing the words: “It’s getting to the point . . .”

They made their way over to the table where Dana was sitting. “What took you two so long? The ice in your drinks is starting to melt,” said Dana, with a sound of relief.

“Robert showed me the discovery that got him so excited. It was quite interesting,” Donna told her. “Some kind of chemical reaction brought on by extreme temperature displacement.”

“I’m glad someone that has a brain could go down and assess the situation,” Dana agreed.

Donna quickly changed the subject. “My drink is watered down.” She swigged it down and motioned to the bar help. “Fill me up she told the young gentleman waiting the table. She looked over to the images on the holostage, which were flickering wildly. The musicians looked awkward with the movements of the camera and extreme close-ups when converted to the three-D imagery, but interesting nonetheless. The holostage is little more than an elaborate distraction in the midst of a massive social event. The clatter of the room dominated the sound of the music that permeated the air, though the rhythmic quality remained intact. Robert and Dana were disposed in their own conversation and Donna was taking in the event. Shortly after the music stopped the first movie began and it was “Forbidden Planet.” The opening scenes were extraordinary and Donna was fascinated by the three-d image of the spaceship moving through space. The movie, like the rock band, was little more than a backdrop surrounding the festivities of the room, but still from time-to- time the scenes of movie would draw ones attention.

The extreme close-ups often-times looked like huge disembodied heads hovering over the stage. The robot scenes were most amusing but the underground alien technology seemed a bit distorted. The scene of (The Monster) was quite disturbing in its three-D projection and caught most every ones attention. The energy bolts caused by the creature attempting to break through the force-field caused Bob to flinch, “Holy shit!” he exclaimed, “that looks so damned real!”

The night wore on and the crowd became more intoxicated as time passed. The intermission was of a young solo artist, woman in her early twenties playing an acoustic guitar. The rhythmic folksy music filled the room and almost every head in the room was bobbing. The singer sang the words: “Oh, I’m the one; I found the birthday of the Sun . . .” Between the sound of the woman’s voice and clever camera angles and movements it was quite hypnotic.

Shortly afterward followed came the second feature which was actually a holographic adaptation of an early Robert A. Heinlein novel, ‘Red Planet’. The story had never made it to the big screen but remained a classic up to recent times. The complex imagery was far ahead of its time and finally made it to the holographic stage. The story was complex as well as simple and was of the struggle to survive between the harsh environment of Mars and the political climate brought with them from Earth with interesting interventions with the fictitious natives. For Donna it had haunting parallels to the reality of the existing projects. Like many others she kept these observations to herself.

The people were done eating and the remaining crowd was concentrating on intoxication. The slurred speech of most of the conversations around the room was evident of that. The Sci/Fi feature had ended and the holostage was shifting to the final musical segment.

Donna looked over to Bob and asked. “You are sort of a musician aren’t you Bob?”

“Sort of?” said Bob with some surprise.

“Sort of?” said Dana. “You mean you don’t know? Bob was a sensation in college when he played with his band.”

“Is that right? How did I miss that? It wasn’t in your file when I was considering you as a technician.”

“I didn’t know that it was a prerequisite,” stated Bob while looking through his wallet. “Ah, here it is.” He pulled a photo out and handed it to Donna; her eyes flared and then she chuckled.

“Well, it certainly looks like Bob but who is that strange person standing next to you?” Dana was taking a sip of her drink and almost inhaled the contents. She quickly put the drink down and put her hand over her mouth and cleared her s throat.

“Donna, take a closer look,” said Dana after regaining her composure.

“I really don’t know,” Donna said perplexed. “Am I supposed to know this person?”

Dana glared. “You really don’t recognize me do you? I was Bob’s biggest fan and that was one of the happiest days of my life. I thought he was joking when he said he wanted to marry me. But I went along with it all up to graduation.” Donna was amused chuckling.

“I’m sorry Dana I just wouldn’t have imagined you with yellow and orange striped hair. And Bob what is that on your head that looks like part of a stuffed rabbit?” Donna asked still chuckling.

Bob chuckled. “That’s the way I kept my hair back then it was sort of mauve, latter-day punk style.”

“Hmmm, was that the style of music you played too? “

’Hmmm, it was at first but it grew into what you’re about to hear. I urged Marty to show this tonight and insisted it would be a great way to close the evening.”

“Well, I certainly can’t wait,” Donna waved to the bar help for another drink.

The show started with the band setting up. Shortly the guitarist was strutting across stage playing guitar. He stopped at the microphone and sang: “. . . let me stand next to your fire . . .” echoed by the other band members.

“Bob, can you play that?” asked Donna.

“He most certainly can,” Dana proudly announced, “he’s a better musician than he is a technician.”

“Well, Bob is there any way I could persuade you to put on a show for us sometime?”

“Hmmm, I’m sure that’s a possibility.” The three sat quiet through the rest of the show. When the lights came back on them they all got up want went in separate directions.

Donna found her way to her quarters then found her portable telephone device. She fumbled once but then managed to dial the number. She could hear the ringing through the speaker and then a recorded voice announced, “I’m not available at the moment. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you.”

“You wouldn’t be available when I try to call you. This is Donna. I miss you, call me.” She then got dressed for bed then fell on the mattress and the room spun around while her mind focused on the ‘Ice Dome’ in the Biocontainment Field.