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We Went to Mars. They Never Told us What's at the Pole. · Creepy Stories to Fall Asleep To

0:00
Mars grew larger in the viewport, a rusty orange sphere
0:04
swelling against the black canvas of space.
0:07
I'd seen countless images and simulations during training, but
0:11
nothing compared to the real thing.
0:14
The planet looked both inviting and alien, it's dust storms
0:19
visible even from this distance, swirling across the surface like
0:23
ghostly fingers. Commander Gordon, we're on final
0:28
approach. ETA to orbital insertion, 48
0:31
minutes. Landon's voice came through my
0:34
headset, precise and measured as always.
0:38
Copy that, Lieutenant. Keep me posted on any
0:41
deviations. I pushed away from the viewport
0:44
and made my way back to the command module.
0:47
The MTV Hermes had been our home for 18 months now, a carefully
0:51
designed habitat that represented the pinnacle of
0:54
human engineering. 6 modules connected by a central hub,
0:59
rotating to create artificial gravity that kept our muscles
1:02
from wasting away during the long journey between worlds.
1:06
I pulled up the classified briefing on my tablet, scanning
1:10
through the information for what felt like the 100th time.
1:14
The file was labeled Artifact X1, containing images from the
1:19
automated probe that had made the discovery at Mars's northern
1:22
pole six months ago. The grainy photos showed
1:27
something partially buried in the Martian soil, an object with
1:31
unusual properties that defied initial analysis.
1:36
The accompanying data suggested it wasn't natural to Mars, which
1:40
was why we were here. What the briefing lacked in
1:44
details, it made-up for with urgency.
1:48
NASA and the Department of Defense had fast tracked our
1:51
mission, cutting corners I didn't want to think about.
1:56
Whatever was waiting for us at the pole had powerful people
1:59
very interested. I looked up from my tablet and
2:03
watched my crew at work. Five of the best minds Earth had
2:08
to offer, each selected not just for their expertise but for
2:11
their psychological profiles. Supposedly optimal for long
2:15
duration missions with high stress elements.
2:19
Doctor Jacqueline McCoy sat hunched over her workstation,
2:23
Auburn hair pulled back in her typical tight bun.
2:27
As our lead scientist, she'd been given the most
2:30
comprehensive briefing on the artifact, and she guarded that
2:33
information like a dragon with treasure.
2:37
Her green eyes darted back and forth across her screen as she
2:40
reviewed her notes for what must have been the 20th time today.
2:45
Finding anything new in there, Jacqueline?
2:47
I asked. She looked up, her expression
2:50
momentarily annoyed at the interruption.
2:54
Just ensuring my extraction protocols are airtight,
2:57
Commander, we won't get a second chance at this.
3:01
I nodded and moved on. Something about her intensity
3:05
had been bothering me lately, an edge that went beyond
3:09
professional focus. Lieutenant Landon Park stood at
3:13
the navigation console, his clean shaven head reflecting the
3:17
blue light of the displays. His military background showed
3:21
in his posture, back straight, movements economical, uniform
3:26
impeccable. Even after months in space, he
3:29
was monitoring our approach vector, making tiny adjustments
3:32
to our trajectory. How's our fuel margin looking,
3:36
Landon? 8% above minimum requirements,
3:40
Sir. The orbital insertion burn is
3:43
well within parameters across the module.
3:47
Dr. Doris Wagner and Doctor Dale Williamson were engaged in a
3:51
spirited discussion about extraction methods.
3:55
Doris, our geologist, gestured at a holographic model of what
3:59
we thought the artifact might look like.
4:01
Once fully excavated, the surrounding regolith will be
4:05
unstable, she said, tucking a strand of black hair behind her
4:10
ear. We need to account for potential
4:13
collapse during extraction. Dale adjusted his wire rimmed
4:17
glasses. What if we use the vibration
4:21
dampeners from the secondary drill?
4:24
We could modify them to create a temporary support structure that
4:29
could work, Doris admitted. Let me run some simulations.
4:35
Their collaborative approach was exactly what I'd hoped for when
4:38
selecting the team. I wish Jacqueline would
4:41
integrate more with the others instead of working in isolation.
4:46
At the communication station, Brian Morales was performing his
4:49
hourly check in with Mission Control.
4:53
His fingers moved quickly across the controls, compensating for
4:56
the increasing time delay between Mars and Earth.
5:00
Houston confirms weather patterns are stable at base
5:03
Olympus, he reported, looking up at me with a quick smile.
5:07
The dust storm in the northern hemisphere is moving S away from
5:11
our landing zone. Good news for once, I said
5:15
returning his smile. I settled into my command chair
5:19
and pulled up the pre landing checklists.
5:22
The familiar routine of verification and cross checks
5:25
helped quiet the knot of anxiety in my stomach. 18 months of
5:30
travel and now everything would happen in a matter of hours.
5:35
As I worked through the lists, I kept glancing at Jacqueline.
5:40
She'd move to a corner workstation, angling her screen
5:43
away from the others. When Dale approached her with a
5:46
question, her response was clipped, almost dismissive.
5:52
Dale retreated with a puzzled look, returning to Doris's side.
5:57
I made a mental note to address this with Jacqueline after
6:00
landing. Whatever her reasons for
6:03
secrecy, we needed cohesion as a team.
6:07
The landing itself went more smoothly than I dared hope.
6:11
Despite a dust storm that kicked up during our final descent,
6:15
Landon guided the Lander down with precision.
6:19
The craft settled onto Martian soil with just a slight bump,
6:23
barely enough to rattle the equipment.
6:26
Touchdown confirmed, Landon announced.
6:29
All systems nominal. A brief cheer went up from the
6:34
team. 18 months of travel and we'd made it.
6:38
I allowed myself a moment of pride before focusing on the
6:41
next steps. Nice work everyone.
6:44
Let's run through post landing checks and prepare for transfer
6:48
to Base Olympus. Base Olympus had been
6:51
constructed by automated systems 2 years earlier, a series of
6:56
interconnected habitats and labs built into the side of Olympus
6:59
Mons. It would be our home for the
7:02
next 8 months as we studied the artifact and conducted other
7:05
research. The transfer from the Lander to
7:08
the base took most of the day. By the time we'd moved our
7:12
essential equipment and personal items, everyone was exhausted.
7:17
I called the team together in the main hub for a brief meeting
7:20
before we settled in for our first night on Mars.
7:24
I want to congratulate everyone on a successful journey and
7:27
landing. I began, looking around at their
7:30
tired but excited faces. Tomorrow we'll begin
7:35
preparations for the expedition to the Northern Pole.
7:39
Doctor McCoy will brief us on the extraction protocols.
7:43
Jacqueline stepped forward, tablet in hand.
7:48
I've prepared individual briefing packets for each of
7:50
you, specific to your roles in the extraction.
7:54
You'll find them on your personal servers.
7:57
Brian frowned. Wouldn't it be more efficient to
8:00
review the complete protocol as a team?
8:03
I'd like to understand the full picture, not just my piece of
8:06
it. Jacqueline's expression
8:09
hardened. The information has been
8:12
compartmentalized for security reasons.
8:15
You only need to know your part. Security reasons?
8:21
Brian's voice rose slightly. We're the only humans on the
8:25
entire planet. Who exactly are we keeping
8:28
secrets from? The tension in the room
8:31
thickened. Dale and Doris exchanged
8:34
uncomfortable glances, while Landon maintained his neutral
8:38
expression. The protocol comes directly from
8:42
Mission Control. Jacqueline said firmly.
8:46
If you have concerns about security measures, you can take
8:49
them up with Houston. Brian, look to me.
8:52
Clearly expecting support, I felt caught between maintaining
8:57
chain of command and addressing A legitimate concern.
9:02
Let's compromise, I said after a moment.
9:06
Jacqueline, can you prepare a general overview that gives
9:10
everyone the big picture without compromising the security
9:13
details? She looked ready to object, but
9:17
finally nodded. I'll have it ready by morning
9:21
briefing. And Brian, let's respect the
9:24
protocols that have been established.
9:26
I'm sure there are good reasons for the compartmentalization.
9:31
Brian didn't look convinced, but he nodded.
9:34
Yes, Commander. I dismissed the team to get some
9:38
rest, but the exchange left me uneasy.
9:42
As everyone filed out, I caught Jacqueline by the arm.
9:47
A word, please. When we were alone, I kept my
9:51
voice low. I need this team working
9:55
together smoothly. Whatever you know about the
9:58
artifact that the others don't, I need to be sure it won't
10:02
affect our mission cohesion. Her green eyes met mine
10:07
steadily. The artifact is potentially the
10:10
most important discovery in human history, Commander.
10:14
The Protocols exist to protect its integrity and our safety.
10:19
I understand that, but this team needs to trust each other.
10:25
Secrets create divisions. Some information is restricted,
10:29
even from you, Commander. Those are the orders.
10:34
Her tone softens slightly. But I'll try to be more
10:39
collaborative. I wasn't satisfied, but I let
10:44
her go. This wasn't a battle worth
10:47
fighting on our first day. Later that night, after the
10:51
others had gone to sleep, I sat alone in my quarters recording
10:55
my daily log. Day one on Mars Surface
10:58
complete. Team performed exceptionally
11:02
during landing and transfer procedures.
11:04
Some tension regarding information sharing protocols
11:08
will monitor situation. Expedition to northern poles
11:12
scheduled to begin in three days, pending equipment checks
11:15
and weather conditions. I paused the recording and
11:19
reached for the small photo frame I'd placed on my desk.
11:23
Julie smiled back at me, her blonde hair catching the
11:27
sunlight in our backyard on Earth.
11:30
The picture was taken six months before the accident, before the
11:34
drunk driver who took her away from me.
11:37
I ran my thumb over her face. Three years had passed, but the
11:42
pain still felt fresh some days. This mission was supposed to be
11:47
my way forward, a new purpose, a reason to keep going when
11:52
everything in me wanted to give up after she died.
11:55
I made it to Mars. Jules.
11:57
I whispered to the empty room. Wish you could see it.
12:01
I placed the photo back on the desk and finished my log entry.
12:06
Personal note first night on Mars.
12:09
The gravity feels strange, Lighter than Earth, but heavier
12:13
than our artificial gravity. On Hermes, the base is quiet
12:18
except for the constant hum of life support systems.
12:21
It's hard not to think about how far we are from home and
12:25
everything we left behind. I ended the recording and looked
12:29
out my small window at the Martian landscape bathed in pale
12:33
Starlight. Somewhere to the north lay the
12:36
artifact, the reason we travelled so far.
12:41
Whatever it was, I couldn't shake the feeling that it would
12:44
change everything. I pulled the Rover to a stop at
12:47
the base of a small Ridge. The Martian landscape stretched
12:52
out ahead of us, a vast expanse of rust colored terrain under a
12:56
pale pink sky. 3 days of driving through this desolate wilderness
13:02
lay ahead before we'd reach the northern pole.
13:06
Systems check complete. Jacqueline said from the seat
13:10
beside me, her eyes fixed on her tablet.
13:13
Environmental readings normal. Dale leaned forward from the
13:18
back seat. Ready when you are, Commander.
13:22
I glanced at the second Rover through my side mirror.
13:26
Doris sat behind the wheel with Landon and Brian beside her.
13:30
She gave me a thumbs up. Bass Olympus, this is Rover one.
13:35
I said into my con. Final departure check complete.
13:39
We're heading north now. Copy that Rover one, Came the
13:43
automated response from our base systems.
13:46
Safe travels. Next scheduled check in at 2000
13:50
hours. I engaged the drive system and
13:54
our six wheeled vehicle lurched forward, kicking up a small
13:57
cloud of red dust. Rover 2 followed close behind as
14:02
we began our journey across the Martian surface.
14:06
The artifact extraction protocols are clear.
14:09
Jacqueline said, not looking up from her tablet.
14:13
We'll need to establish the habitat first, then begin
14:17
excavation using the Sonic drills.
14:20
I've packed extra vibration dampeners.
14:23
Dale added. The regolith at the pole might
14:26
be more unstable than our initial reading suggested.
14:30
I nodded, keeping my eyes on the terrain ahead.
14:34
The Rovers were designed to handle Mars rough surface, but I
14:38
still needed to navigate carefully around larger rocks
14:42
and sudden dips. What do you think we'll find?
14:45
Dale asked. After a few minutes of silence.
14:49
Jacqueline finally looked up from her tablet.
14:53
We know exactly what we'll find, Doctor Williamson.
14:56
The probe images were quite clear.
15:00
Images don't tell the whole story, I said.
15:03
Whatever this thing is, it's not natural to Mars.
15:07
That's why we're here. The first day of travel passed
15:11
without incident. We stopped every few hours to
15:14
stretch our legs and check the Rovers, maintaining radio
15:18
contact with Base Olympus at regular intervals.
15:21
By nightfall, we'd covered nearly 100 miles.
15:25
We set up our temporary camp between the two Rovers, using
15:29
their bulk as a windbreak against the occasional Martian
15:31
gusts. The thin atmosphere meant the
15:35
winds weren't powerful, but they carried fine dust that could
15:38
work its way into equipment if we weren't careful.
15:42
How's everyone holding up? I asked as we gathered around
15:45
the portable heater in our pressurized tent.
15:49
Fine. Doris said, rubbing her hands
15:53
together. Near the heat.
15:55
Though I'll be glad when we reach the site and can set up
15:57
proper quarters. Brian nodded in agreement.
16:02
The sooner we get there, the sooner we can see this
16:04
mysterious artifact for ourselves.
16:08
Just remember the protocols. Jacqueline said sharply.
16:13
This isn't a sightseeing trip. I caught Landon rolling his eyes
16:18
behind Jacqueline's back, and I shot him a warning look.
16:22
We needed to maintain team cohesion, especially out here
16:26
hundreds of miles from our base. The second day brought the first
16:30
signs that something wasn't right.
16:33
We've been driving for about four hours when Dale suddenly
16:36
grabbed my shoulder from the back seat.
16:38
Stop, stop the Rover. He shouted.
16:42
I hit the brakes, the vehicle sliding slightly on the loose
16:45
soil. What is it?
16:48
Dale was staring out the window, his eyes wide.
16:52
Don't you see them? The trees?
16:54
I followed his gaze, but saw only the empty Martian plains.
16:59
Dale, there are no trees on Mars, but they're right there.
17:04
He insisted, pointing frantically.
17:06
A whole forest of them, just like the Pines back in Colorado.
17:11
Jacqueline turned to face him. Doctor Williamson, you're
17:15
experiencing A hallucination. There's nothing out there.
17:20
Dale blinked several times and rubbed his eyes.
17:23
But I they were so real. He looked again, and his
17:28
expression changed to confusion. They're gone now, I radioed.
17:33
Rover 2. Doris, Everything OK over there?
17:37
There was a long pause before she answered.
17:40
Commander, this is going to sound crazy, but I think I just
17:45
saw an ocean. An ocean?
17:48
I repeated. Yes, like we were driving along
17:51
the California coast. Blue water as far as I could
17:54
see, but it's gone now. I felt a chill that had nothing
18:00
to do with the Martian cold. Everyone stay alert, report any
18:05
unusual sightings immediately. But remember, Mars has no
18:09
oceans, no trees, nothing but rock and dust.
18:14
Whatever you think you're seeing isn't real, it's just
18:18
exhaustion, Jacqueline said dismissively.
18:22
Long hours in the Rovers unfamiliar environment.
18:26
The human mind plays tricks when it's tired.
18:29
Maybe, I said, not entirely convinced.
18:34
Let's take a 15 minute break. Everyone out, stretch your legs,
18:38
clear your heads. As we stood outside in our Eva
18:42
suits, Brian approached me privately.
18:45
Commander, I didn't want to say this over the comms, but I've
18:49
been hearing things. What kind of things?
18:53
He looked embarrassed. Children laughing.
18:56
I know it's impossible, but it sounds so real.
19:00
I nodded, trying to hide my concern.
19:03
Noted in your log. We'll monitor the situation that
19:07
night as we set up camp again. I stepped away from the group to
19:11
record my private log. Day 2 of Expedition to Northern
19:16
Pole. Multiple crew members reporting
19:19
sensory hallucinations. Visual and auditory.
19:23
No apparent pattern yet, but increasing in frequency as we
19:27
approach the artifact site. Doctor McCoy suggests
19:31
exhaustion, which is plausible, but I'm not convinced.
19:37
I paused, debating whether to include my own experience.
19:41
Professional integrity one out. I also experienced A brief
19:45
visual hallucination this afternoon for approximately 10
19:50
seconds. I saw our old apartment in
19:53
Houston, the 1 Julie and I shared before her accident.
19:57
It was so vivid I could see the yellow curtain she hung in the
20:00
kitchen window. The vision disappeared when
20:03
Doctor McCoy spoke to me. I closed my log and rejoined the
20:07
others, keeping my concerns to myself.
20:11
We needed clear heads for what lay ahead.
20:15
The third day brought us to the pole.
20:17
The terrain grew more rugged as we approached, with ice
20:20
formations mixed with the red soil.
20:23
The artifact site was marked by automated beacons placed by the
20:26
probe, guiding us to a shallow depression in the ground.
20:32
There it is, Jacqueline said, pointing ahead.
20:37
Her voice held an excitement I hadn't heard before.
20:40
We parked the Rovers and began unloading the habitat modules.
20:45
Working together, we assembled the pressurized structure that
20:48
would serve as our base for the excavation.
20:52
Despite the strange experiences of the past two days, everyone
20:56
performed their duties efficiently.
20:59
Habitat established and pressurized, Landon reported.
21:03
After running the final checks, Environmental systems nominal.
21:08
Good work, everyone, I said, let's get some rest.
21:12
We'll begin excavation at O 700 tomorrow morning.
21:16
Came with a sense of anticipation.
21:19
We suited up and gathered the excavation equipment, including
21:23
the Sonic drills and containment devices specified in
21:25
Jacqueline's protocols. Remember, I said as we prepared
21:30
to head out, safety first. No one touches anything without
21:35
proper protection. We follow the protocols to the
21:39
letter. The excavation site was exactly
21:42
where the probe had indicated a small depression in the Martian
21:46
soil, with unusual readings coming from about two meters
21:49
below the surface. Begin with a surface grid.
21:54
Jacqueline instructed 1m increments.
21:58
We need to map the exact dimensions before we start
22:00
digging. We worked methodically, mapping
22:03
the area and then carefully removing the top layers of soil.
22:08
The Sonic drills made the work faster than traditional digging,
22:12
breaking up the compacted regolith without damaging what
22:15
lay beneath. By midday, we had reached a
22:18
depth of just over a meter when Brian's drill hit something
22:22
solid. I've got something here, He
22:26
called out. We all gathered around as he
22:29
carefully cleared away more soil, revealing a smooth,
22:33
reflective surface. Proceed with extreme caution,
22:38
Jacqueline said, her voice tight with excitement.
22:42
Over the next hour, we gradually exposed more of the object.
22:47
It was unlike anything I'd ever seen, a crystalline structure
22:51
about 1m wide, with what looked like liquid flowing within its
22:55
solid form. As we remove the last of the
22:59
soil covering it, the artifact began to emit a soft blue glow.
23:05
Remarkable, Dale whispered. It's like it's alive.
23:10
Jacqueline stepped forward, reaching toward it with her
23:12
gloved hand. Stop.
23:15
I grabbed her arm. Protocol.
23:17
Doctor McCoy, no direct contact. She looked at me, her eyes
23:22
bright behind her helmet visor. Of course, Commander.
23:26
I was merely going to scan it. Use the remote sensors.
23:30
I said firmly. No one touches that thing until
23:33
we know more about it. We spent the next several hours
23:37
documenting the artifact, taking readings and images from every
23:41
angle. The flowing movement inside
23:44
never ceased, creating patterns that seemed almost purposeful
23:50
containment time. I finally said.
23:54
Let's get it secured for transport back to base.
23:58
Following the protocols, we carefully placed the artifact
24:01
into a specially designed container with built in sensors
24:04
and stabilizers. The blue glow remained visible
24:08
through the containers transparent sections secure and
24:13
ready for transport. Landon reported after running
24:16
the final checks. Good, I said.
24:20
We'll break down the habitat and head back to base Olympus first
24:23
thing tomorrow. That night I found it hard to
24:27
sleep. The container with the artifact
24:30
had been secured in Rover 1, but I couldn't shake the feeling
24:34
that something had changed since we'd unearthed it.
24:38
The hallucinations had stopped, but a new kind of unease had
24:42
taken their place. I must have finally dozed off,
24:47
because I suddenly jerked awake, sensing a presence in my small
24:52
sleeping compartment. When my eyes adjusted to the
24:56
darkness, I saw her. Julie was sitting on the edge of
25:01
my bunk, looking exactly as she had the morning before her
25:04
accident. Her blonde hair caught the dim
25:07
light from the status panel, and her blue eyes watched me with
25:11
the same warmth that they always had.
25:13
Julie. I whispered, my heart pounding.
25:17
She smiled, but didn't speak. I reached out to touch her face,
25:22
but my hand passed through her as if through smoke.
25:25
Her image wavered, then faded completely, leaving me alone in
25:30
the darkness. I sat up, her breathing hard.
25:34
It had seemed so real, more substantial than any dream.
25:39
I could still smell her perfume, that vanilla scent she always
25:43
wore. Sleep was impossible after that.
25:48
I lay awake until the alarm sounded, signalling it was time
25:51
to begin our return journey. As we packed up the habitat, I
25:56
noticed the others seemed distracted, avoiding eye contact
25:59
with each other and with me. Finally, as we were loading the
26:03
last of the equipment, I pulled Doris aside.
26:07
Did anything unusual happen last night?
26:10
I asked quietly. She hesitated, then nodded.
26:15
I saw my father. He died when I was in college.
26:19
He was just standing there by my bunk, looking at me.
26:23
Anyone else experienced something similar?
26:26
I asked when we gathered for a final briefing.
26:29
One by one, they admitted to their own visions.
26:32
Landon had seen his childhood dog.
26:35
Brian had seen his brother who lived in Texas.
26:38
Dale had seen an old girlfriend. Only Jacqueline remained silent.
26:43
Doctor McCoy? I prompted.
26:46
Did you experience any unusual phenomena last night?
26:50
She shook her head. No, Commander.
26:53
I slept quite soundly. Unlike the rest of you, I appear
26:57
to be unaffected by these hallucinations.
27:01
Something in her tone made me uneasy, but I had no reason to
27:05
doubt her. Still, as we boarded the Rovers
27:09
for the return journey, I couldn't help wondering why she
27:13
alone would be immune to whatever was affecting the rest
27:15
of us. With the artifacts secured in
27:19
Rover One, we began the three day journey back to base
27:22
Olympus. I kept glancing at the
27:26
container, watching the blue glow pulse gently like a
27:29
heartbeat. Whatever this thing was, it
27:32
wasn't just some ancient relic or natural formation.
27:36
It was something else entirely, and I couldn't shake the feeling
27:40
that by bringing it back to our base, we were making a terrible
27:44
mistake. I woke up to the sound of Doris
27:47
screaming. My eyes snapped open and I
27:50
rolled out of bed, grabbing my jumpsuit from the hook on the
27:54
wall. The screams came from the mess
27:57
hall, raw panicked sounds that made my stomach drop.
28:02
I yanked on my boots without bothering to tie them and ran
28:05
down the corridor. The scene in the mess hall hit
28:08
me like a punch to the gut. Dale had Doris pinned against
28:12
the wall, his hands wrapped around her throat.
28:15
Her face was turning red as she clawed at his fingers.
28:19
She's one of them. Dale screamed, spittle flying
28:23
from his mouth. His eyes looked wild, unfocused.
28:28
I saw her changing in her sleep, her face.
28:31
It wasn't human. Landon and I moved at the same
28:35
time, grabbing Dale's arms and pulling him off Doris.
28:39
She collapsed to the floor, gasping for air.
28:42
Now get off me. Dale thrashed against our grip.
28:46
You don't understand. They're infiltrating the base.
28:49
The artifact brought them here. Dale, that's enough.
28:54
I twisted his arm behind his back, forcing him to his knees.
28:59
Doris is your colleague. Look at her.
29:03
Doris coughed, rubbing her throat.
29:05
What the hell, Dale? Her voice came out raspy and
29:08
broken. Dale's eyes darted around the
29:11
room, settling on Doris with a mix of confusion and fear.
29:16
I saw, I was sure I saw. He blinked rapidly, his
29:21
breathing slowing. Oh God, Doris, I, Landon, help
29:28
me get him to the Med Bay. I said, maintaining my grip on
29:32
Dale's arm. We need to sedate him.
29:35
Landon nodded, his face pale. What's happening to us,
29:40
Commander? I didn't answer, I couldn't, but
29:45
I knew it had started after we brought that damn artifact back
29:48
to base. After we secured Dale with
29:52
restraints in the Med Bay and gave him a mild sedative, I
29:56
headed to the communications module to update Houston on our
29:59
deteriorating situation. The door wouldn't open when I
30:03
pressed my palm against the scanner.
30:06
Brian. I called, knocking on the door.
30:09
I need to send a priority message to Houston.
30:13
No response, but I heard movement inside.
30:18
I tried again. Brian, open the door.
30:21
That's an order. They'll hear us.
30:24
Brian's voice came through, barely above a whisper.
30:28
The voices from the stone, they're listening to our
30:31
transmissions. I pressed my face closer to the
30:34
door. Brian, we need to contact Earth.
30:39
Dale just attacked Doris. The situation is escalating.
30:44
No, His voice rose sharply. They're waiting for us to call
30:49
home. That's how they spread through
30:51
our words, our thoughts. I can hear them in the static.
30:56
Through the small window in the door, I saw Brian hunched over
31:00
the communications console. Multiple screens showed active
31:04
transmissions. He was broadcasting something.
31:08
What are you sending, Brian? Warnings.
31:11
Patterns they can't understand. I'm trying to jam their signals.
31:16
He looked up at me, his eyes red rimmed from lack of sleep.
31:21
The artifact is broadcasting, Commander, can't you hear it?
31:26
I tried my override code on the door panel, but Brian had
31:30
physically barricaded the entrance.
31:33
Equipment cases were stacked against the door from the
31:35
inside. I'll come back for you.
31:39
I promised, knowing I needed to check on the artifact first.
31:44
The lab was at the opposite end of the base.
31:48
As I approached, I noticed the lights flickering slightly, a
31:52
power fluctuation that shouldn't be happening with our redundant
31:55
systems. The lab door was ajar, blue
31:59
light spilling into the hallway. Inside, I found Jacqueline
32:04
standing over the artifacts container.
32:07
The protective casing had been partially opened and her bare
32:10
hand pressed against the crystal surface.
32:14
The blue glow pulsed up her arm in vein like patterns.
32:19
Jacqueline. I said quietly, not wanting to
32:22
startle her step away from the container.
32:26
She didn't turn around. It speaks to me, Teddy.
32:29
It knows things. I moved closer, careful to keep
32:32
my distance from the artifact. What kind of things?
32:36
Everything, the past, the future.
32:40
Her voice had a dreamy quality I'd never heard before.
32:45
It's been waiting so long, millions of years in the ice,
32:48
waiting for minds to connect with.
32:51
Take your hand off it now. I kept my voice firm,
32:55
authoritative. Jacqueline finally turned to
32:59
look at me, her eyes unfocused and dilated.
33:03
It showed me what happened to Julie.
33:06
The mention of my wife's name hit me like ice water.
33:10
What did you say? Your wife, the drunk driver, the
33:14
artifacts showed me. It knows everything about us,
33:17
Teddy. Everything we've lost,
33:20
everything we want back. I grabbed her arm and forcibly
33:23
pulled her away from the container.
33:26
She fought against me with surprising strength.
33:29
No, you don't understand. She clawed at my face, drawing
33:34
blood. It needs us.
33:37
It can give us what we want. I slammed the container shut and
33:41
engaged all the locks, then dragged Jacqueline toward the
33:45
door despite her violent struggling.
33:48
You're making a mistake, she screamed.
33:51
It shows us. It shows you specifically,
33:54
Teddy. I managed to get her to the Med
33:57
Bay where Dale was now sleeping. After sedating Jacqueline, I
34:02
secured her to the second bed and stepped back, my hands
34:05
shaking. Doris stood in the doorway,
34:09
watching the bruises on her neck had darkened to purple.
34:13
We need to abort the mission, I said, wiping blood from my cheek
34:17
where Jacqueline had scratched me.
34:20
Whatever that thing is, it's affecting everyone's minds.
34:24
Not everyone, Doris said quietly.
34:28
You seem OK. I laughed bitterly.
34:32
I'm seeing my dead wife in my dreams every night.
34:35
I'm far from OK. What's the plan, Commander?
34:41
Secure the artifact, Contact Houston and prepare for
34:44
emergency evacuation. I checked the restraints on Dale
34:49
and Jacqueline one more time. Can you stay with them while I
34:53
try to get Brian out of communications?
34:56
Doris nodded. Be careful.
34:59
He was talking about voices all day yesterday.
35:03
I spent the next three hours trying to convince Brian to open
35:06
the communications room door, but he remained barricaded
35:10
inside, broadcasting what he called counter signals to block
35:14
the artifacts influence. Eventually, I had to give up and
35:19
focus on preparing the evacuation protocols without
35:22
Houston's input. That night I fell into an
35:26
exhausted sleep in my quarters, only to dream of Julie again.
35:31
She sat on the edge of my bed, more real than ever before, the
35:36
scent of her vanilla perfume filling the room.
35:40
You need to listen to Jacqueline dream.
35:42
Julie said, stroking my face. The artifact can bring me back
35:46
to you for real, not just in dreams.
35:52
I reached for her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against
35:56
mine. You're not real.
36:00
I could be. Her smile was exactly how I
36:03
remembered it. All you have to do is bring it
36:07
home. The base alarm jolted me awake,
36:11
its piercing whale cutting through the quiet night.
36:14
The emergency lights pulsed red, casting eerie shadows across my
36:18
quarters. I grabbed my sidearm from the
36:21
lock box under my bed and ran toward the lab.
36:25
The corridor seemed to stretch and contract as I ran, my heart
36:28
pounding in my ears. When I reached the lab, the door
36:33
was wide open, the room bathed in that sickly blue glow.
36:38
Brian lay on the floor, a pool of blood spreading beneath his
36:42
head. His eyes stared sightlessly at
36:45
the ceiling, his mouth frozen in a silent scream.
36:50
Jacqueline stood at the artifact container, which was now fully
36:54
open. She cradled the crystalline
36:57
object in her bare hands, the blue light pulsing up her arms
37:01
and across her face. What have you done?
37:06
I raised my gun, pointing it at her.
37:09
What needed to be done? Jacqueline's voice sounded
37:13
different, deeper, with an odd resonance.
37:16
Brian tried to stop me. He wouldn't listen.
37:20
Put it down now. My finger tensed on the trigger.
37:24
It will take us home, Teddy. She smiled, but it wasn't her
37:29
smile. Julie is waiting for you.
37:33
The dimension of my wife's name again made my hand waver.
37:38
How did you get out of the Med Bay?
37:39
Where's Doris? Sleeping.
37:42
They're all sleeping now. Jacqueline stepped toward me,
37:46
the artifact pulsing brighter. The artifact has waited millions
37:51
of years for minds like ours. It feeds on memories, emotions.
37:57
It can make them real again. You killed Brian.
38:01
I steadied my aim, a necessary sacrifice.
38:05
He was interfering with the connection.
38:08
She took another step forward. Lower your gun, Teddy.
38:12
You don't want to hurt Julie, do you?
38:15
For a split second, I saw Julie's face superimposed over
38:19
Jacqueline's, a perfect, heartbreaking illusion that made
38:23
my breath catch. You're not her.
38:27
I whispered, then lunged forward to grab the artifact.
38:32
Jacqueline moved with inhuman speed, swinging a metal case at
38:36
my head. Pain exploded across my temple
38:39
as I crashed to the floor, my guns skittering away across the
38:43
smooth surface. My vision blurred, the room
38:46
spinning around me. Through the haze of pain.
38:50
I watched helplessly as Jacqueline stepped over me,
38:53
carrying the glowing artifact toward the airlock.
38:56
Blue light pulsed around her like a second skin, illuminating
39:00
her path as she walked away. Julie.
39:05
I mumbled, reaching out as darkness closed in around me.
39:11
The last thing I saw was Jacqueline turning back, her
39:14
face shifting between her own and my dead wife's, a terrible
39:17
smile spreading across her features.
39:21
Then everything went black. I woke up with my head pounding
39:25
and the taste of blood in my mouth.
39:28
Red emergency lights pulsed overhead, making the lab swim in
39:32
and out of focus. Brian's body lay a few feet
39:35
away, a dark pool spread beneath his head.
39:39
I tried to sit up and nearly blacked out again.
39:43
Julie, I whispered and caught myself.
39:48
Not Julie. Jacqueline, the artifact.
39:53
I pushed myself up, using a nearby table for support.
39:57
My legs felt like rubber, and the cut on my face had crusted
39:59
over with dried blood. The artifact container sat open
40:04
and empty on the lab table. I stumbled to the door, catching
40:08
myself on the frame. The corridor stretched ahead,
40:13
emergency lights casting everything in a hellish red
40:16
glow. The alarm had stopped, but the
40:20
lights continued their silent warning.
40:23
Doris. I called out, my voice rough.
40:27
Landon. No answer.
40:30
I made my way down the corridor, one hand on the wall for
40:33
balance. The Med Bay door was open and I
40:37
looked inside. Dale's restraints hung empty
40:40
from the bed. Jacqueline's too.
40:44
Shit. I continued down the corridor,
40:47
checking rooms as I went. The mess hall was empty, chairs
40:51
overturned from whatever struggle had happened.
40:55
Then I heard a low moan from behind the kitchen counter.
40:59
Doris lay on the floor, a nasty gash on her forehead.
41:03
Blood had matted in her black hair, and the bruises on her
41:07
neck had darkened to an ugly purple.
41:10
I knelt beside her, checking her pulse, strong but rapid.
41:15
Doris, can you hear me? Her eyelids fluttered but didn't
41:19
open. She was alive but unconscious,
41:24
and I couldn't leave her on the floor, so I gathered her up as
41:27
gently as I could and carried her to the Med Bay, laying her
41:31
on one of the empty beds. I cleaned the wound on her head
41:35
and applied a pressure bandage from the medical supplies.
41:39
I'll be back. I told her, though I knew she
41:42
couldn't hear me. I needed to find Landon and Dale
41:47
and Jacqueline. I needed to find the artifact.
41:52
The command center was at the opposite end of the base from
41:55
the lab. As I approached, I could see the
41:59
door was sealed, but through the small window I caught a glimpse
42:03
of movement inside. Landon.
42:07
I called, tapping on the glass. Landon, it's me, Open up.
42:12
Landon's face appeared at the window, his eyes wide and
42:15
unfocused. He'd barricaded himself inside,
42:19
just like Brian had done with the communications room.
42:23
Commander. He said, his voice muffled
42:26
through the thick glass. They're everywhere, in the
42:29
walls, in our heads. Landon, I need you to open the
42:34
door. We have to secure the base.
42:37
He shook his head frantically. Can't let them in.
42:41
They want in my head. Like Brian, like Dale.
42:46
What happened to Dale? I asked, pressing closer to the
42:49
glass. He went outside, said he had to,
42:53
said they were calling him. Landon's eyes darted around the
42:58
room. They're in the air, Commander,
43:00
in every breath. He held up his oxygen filter,
43:05
the one we all wore when the bases air quality dropped below
43:08
optimal levels. It was standard equipment,
43:12
filtering out the fine Martian dust that occasionally made it
43:15
through the ventilation system. Landon, put your filter back on.
43:21
I said slowly, trying to keep my voice calm.
43:25
No, no, no, he muttered. That's how they get in through
43:30
the filters. I figured it out.
43:34
Landon, listen to me, you need oxygen.
43:37
Put the filter back on. But he was beyond reason,
43:41
backing away from the door, still muttering about voices and
43:44
signals. I couldn't get to him through
43:47
the barricaded door, and I couldn't waste more time.
43:52
I had to find Dale and Jacqueline.
43:55
I went to my quarters and grabbed my sidearm again,
43:58
checking that it was loaded. Then I headed for the airlock.
44:02
The status panel showed that Airlock 2 had been cycled
44:05
recently. Someone had gone outside Dale,
44:10
according to Landon. But where was Jacqueline?
44:14
And more importantly, where was the artifact?
44:18
I checked the Rover Bay next. Rover 2 sat where we'd left it
44:23
after returning from the pole, but Rover One was gone.
44:28
I ran to the control panel and pulled up the Rover tracking
44:31
system. The blinking dot that
44:33
represented Rover One was moving away from the base, heading
44:37
north back toward the pole. Jacqueline had the artifact and
44:42
she was taking it back where we found it, or somewhere else
44:46
entirely. I grabbed an Eva suit from the
44:49
storage rack and started putting it on my movements quick and
44:53
practiced. I take Rover 2 and go after her,
44:58
but first I needed to check on Dale.
45:02
The external storage Bay was accessed through airlock three.
45:06
I cycled through and stepped out onto the Martian surface, the
45:10
familiar crunch of regolith under my boots.
45:14
The storage Bay was a separate structure, connected to the main
45:17
base by a short walkway. I opened the outer door of the
45:21
storage Bay and swept my flashlight across the interior.
45:26
Equipment, cases, spare parts, extra oxygen tanks, all the
45:31
overflow that wouldn't fit in the main base.
45:35
And Dale. He was slumped against the far
45:38
wall, his Eva suit intact but his helmet visor open to the
45:42
Martian atmosphere. His face was frozen in a rictus
45:46
of peace, eyes open but clouded over with frost.
45:51
He'd removed his helmet deliberately, like Landon
45:54
removing his filter, but more final.
45:58
I closed his visor gently and left him there.
46:02
There was nothing I could do for him now.
46:04
Back inside the base, I checked on Doris again, still
46:08
unconscious, but her breathing seems steadier.
46:12
Then I went to the command center door.
46:15
Landon, I'm going after Jacqueline.
46:17
She took Rover One in the artifact.
46:21
There was no response. I peered through the window and
46:24
saw him slumped in a chair, his head lolled to one side.
46:28
The filter lay on the floor beside him.
46:31
Landon. I pounded on the door, but I
46:35
knew it was useless without the oxygen filter.
46:39
He'd slowly suffocated while I was outside checking on Dale.
46:43
Half my crew was dead, Brian in the lab, Dale in the storage
46:48
Bay, and now Landon and Jacqueline was headed back to
46:52
the pole with the artifact that it somehow caused all this.
46:57
I returned to the Med Bay to check on Doris one more time
47:00
before leaving. To my surprise, her eyes were
47:03
open, tracking my movement as I entered.
47:07
Commander. She whispered, her voice raw.
47:11
Doris, thank God. I moved to her side, checking
47:16
the bandage on her head. How do you feel?
47:21
Like I got hit by a truck. She tried to sit up, winced, and
47:25
lay back down. What happened?
47:28
Jacqueline has the artifact. She's taken Rover 1 and is
47:32
heading north. The others.
47:35
I shook my head. Brian, Dale, Landon, they're all
47:39
dead. Doors closed her eyes for a
47:42
moment, absorbing the news. When she opened them again, they
47:47
were clear and focused. We have to destroy it, she said.
47:51
The artifact? Yes, it's it's not just an
47:56
object. It's alive.
47:57
Somehow it gets in your head. She touched the bandage on her
48:01
forehead. Jacqueline did this.
48:04
She said the artifact needed her to take it home.
48:08
I'm going after her. I said, Can you walk?
48:13
Doris nodded and slowly sat up, swinging her legs over the side
48:17
of the bed. I'm coming with you.
48:21
You're injured. You can't face her alone.
48:25
Doris cut in. You saw what she did to Brian,
48:29
what the artifact did to all of them.
48:32
We go together. I knew she was right.
48:36
Whatever Jacqueline had become, whatever the artifact was doing
48:39
to her, I couldn't handle it alone.
48:43
We suited up and took Rover 2, following the tracking signal
48:47
from Rover 1. Jacqueline had a head start, but
48:51
the Rovers all had the same top speed.
48:55
We'd catch up eventually. What do you remember?
48:59
I asked Doris as we drove across the Martian landscape.
49:03
After you took Jacqueline to the Med Bay, I checked on Dale.
49:08
He seemed calm, sedated. I went to help you with Brian,
49:12
but on the way I ran into Jacqueline in the corridor.
49:17
Doris touched her head wound. She shouldn't have been able to
49:21
break free of those restraints. She had help, I said grimly.
49:28
The artifact, It's more than just hallucinations, Doris said.
49:33
It's like it learns from us, uses our memories, our emotions.
49:38
I thought of Julie, how real she had seemed in my dreams.
49:42
The vanilla perfume, her voice. I've been seeing my wife, I
49:47
admitted. Julie.
49:50
She died three years ago. I saw my father, Doris said
49:55
quietly. He's been gone 10 years now.
49:59
It felt so real. We drove in silence for a while,
50:04
the Martian landscape rolling by outside the Rover windows, red
50:08
dust rocks and the occasional small crater.
50:11
The tracking dot for Rover One was getting closer there.
50:17
Doris pointed to a plume of dust on the horizon.
50:20
Rover One. I pushed our Rover to its
50:24
maximum speed, closing the gap. As we got closer, I could see
50:29
Jacqueline had stopped at a small Ridge, not the pole yet,
50:32
but heading in that direction. I pulled up alongside Rover 1
50:37
and saw Jacqueline inside, the artifact glowing blue in the
50:42
passenger seat beside her. Her face was veined with the
50:46
same blue light, pulsing under her skin like a network of tiny
50:50
rivers. And stay in the Rover, I told
50:54
Doris, grabbing my sidearm. If something happens to me, get
50:59
back to base and send a warning to Houston.
51:02
Be careful, she said, her hand briefly touching my arm.
51:08
I cycled through the Rover's small airlock and stepped out
51:11
onto the Martian surface. Jacqueline watched me approach
51:15
through Rover One's window, her expression unnaturally calm.
51:20
The blue light beneath her skin pulsed faster.
51:25
I tapped on the window, gesturing for her to open the
51:27
airlock. For a moment I thought she would
51:31
refuse, but then she nodded and hit the control.
51:36
The outer door slid open. I stepped inside, cycled
51:40
through, and removed my helmet once the pressure equalized.
51:44
Jacqueline, I said, keeping my sidearm ready but not pointed
51:48
directly at her. What are you doing?
51:52
Taking it home, She said, her voice carrying that same odd
51:57
resonance I'd heard in the lab. It's waited so long, Commander,
52:02
Millions of years buried in the ice.
52:06
What is it? I asked, inching closer.
52:10
The artifact sat on the passenger seat, it's crystalline
52:13
structure glowing with blue light that seemed to reach
52:15
toward Jacqueline. It's a traveller, She said,
52:21
stroking the artifact with 1 blue veined hand.
52:24
A collector. It feeds on memories, emotions,
52:28
consciousness. It was dying when we found it
52:32
starving, but now it's awake again.
52:36
It killed my crew, I said, my grip tightening on the sidearm.
52:41
They weren't strong enough, Jacqueline said dismissively.
52:46
Their minds couldn't handle it. But you can.
52:49
It shows you specifically, Commander.
52:52
It saw you through me, through all of us.
52:56
Your grief for Julie makes you perfect.
52:59
I raised the sidearm, pointing it at the artifact.
53:03
Step away from it, Jacqueline. Her face hardened, the blue
53:07
veins pulsing more intensely. You don't understand what this
53:11
means, what it can do. It can make her real again.
53:17
She moved with that same inhuman speed I'd seen in the lab,
53:20
lunging for me before I could fire.
53:24
We crashed against the Rover wall, my sidearm clattering to
53:27
the floor. Jacqueline was stronger than she
53:31
should have been, her hands closing around my throat with
53:33
crushing force. I brought my knee up hard into
53:37
her stomach, breaking her grip, and followed with an elbow
53:41
strike to her jaw. She staggered back but recovered
53:45
quickly, blue light flaring under her skin.
53:49
We grappled in the confined space of the Rover, crashing
53:52
against control panels and seats.
53:56
Despite her enhanced strength, I had the advantage of size and
54:00
training. I managed to pin her against the
54:03
wall, one arm twisted behind her back.
54:07
It's over, Jacqueline. I gasped, out of breath from the
54:11
struggle. The artifact stays here, You
54:15
don't understand. She hissed, still struggling.
54:19
It needs us, it's been alone for so long.
54:23
I found a restraint kit in the Rover's emergency supplies and
54:26
bound Jacqueline's hands behind her back, then secured her to
54:30
one of the seats. She continued to struggle and
54:33
curse as I examined the artifact.
54:36
Up close, I could see the liquid inside the crystalline structure
54:40
moving with purpose, almost like it was watching me.
54:45
The blue light pulsed and rhythm like a heartbeat.
54:49
It feeds on us, Jacqueline said, her voice calmer now on our
54:54
memories, our emotions, our consciousness.
54:57
It consumes what makes us human and gives back echoes,
55:01
reflections. Julie.
55:04
I said yes, and the others loved ones.
55:09
It learns from what it consumes, creates from what it takes.
55:13
She looked at me, her eyes glowing faintly blue.
55:18
It's been waiting millions of years for mines to consume, and
55:22
now it's found us. I secured the artifact in its
55:27
container, though I didn't fully close it.
55:30
I wasn't sure what would happen if I cut off its connection to
55:33
Jacqueline completely. Then I returned to Rover 2 to
55:37
check on Doris. I've got her, I told Doris as I
55:42
climbed back into our Rover. And the artifact?
55:45
She says it feeds on consciousness, on memories.
55:49
Is that what happened to the others?
55:51
Doris asked. It ate their minds, I think so.
55:57
Or it drove them to destroy themselves.
56:00
I described what Landon had done with his filter, what Dale had
56:04
done with his helmet. It makes you see things, people
56:08
you've lost, but they're not real.
56:12
What do we do now? We destroy it, I said firmly.
56:18
We take it back to the pole and blow it to hell.
56:21
Doris nodded, her face pale but determined.
56:26
I'll help you. We transfer Jacqueline to Rover
56:29
2, keeping her restrained and under watch.
56:34
Then I drove Rover One with the artifact secured in its
56:38
container, while Doris followed in Rover 2 with our prisoner.
56:44
The journey back to the pole took several hours.
56:48
As we drove, I began to see Julie again, Not in dreams this
56:52
time, but sitting in the passenger seat beside me,
56:56
looking as real as she had in life.
56:59
I could smell her vanilla perfume.
57:03
It's trying to reach you, Jacqueline had warned before we
57:06
separated. It knows you're the key.
57:09
Don't listen to what it shows you.
57:12
But Julie looked so real. She spoke to me, her voice
57:16
exactly as I remembered. You don't have to do this,
57:20
Teddy. She said, reaching out to touch
57:22
my arm. I could feel her, actually feel
57:27
her hand, warm and solid. We can be together again.
57:34
All you have to do is bring it back to Earth.
57:36
I kept driving, trying to ignore her, but she became more
57:40
insistent, more real with every mile.
57:44
By the time we reached the pole, she was solid enough that I
57:47
could touch her face, feel the texture of her hair.
57:52
I've missed you so much, I whispered, my resolve weakening.
57:58
We set up a small base camp at the pole, near where we'd
58:01
originally found the artifact. I retrieved the explosives we
58:05
brought for rock sampling from Rover 2 storage compartment.
58:10
They would be enough to destroy the artifact, I hoped.
58:14
Doris watched over Jacqueline while I prepared the charges.
58:19
Julie followed me, becoming more real by the minute.
58:23
Please don't do this, she begged, tears in her eyes.
58:27
I can come back, Teddy. We can have our life together,
58:31
the life that was stolen from us.
58:34
You're not real, I said, but my voice lacked conviction.
58:39
She felt real, looked real, smelled real.
58:44
I can be, she promised. The artifact can make it happen.
58:49
It can bring me back permanently.
58:52
I placed the charges around the artifact container, which I'd
58:55
set on the ground, a safe distance from the Rovers.
58:59
My hands shook as I worked. Julie knelt beside me, her
59:03
presence so familiar that made my heart ache.
59:08
All you have to do is bring it back to Earth, she said.
59:12
Think of all the people that could help, all the lost loved
59:16
ones that could return. I hesitated, my finger on The
59:21
detonator. What if she was right?
59:25
What if the artifact could bring her back?
59:28
Teddy. Doris's scream broke through my
59:31
thoughts. I turned to see Jacqueline had
59:34
somehow broken free of her restraints again.
59:38
She had Doris in a chokehold, the blue veins on her arms
59:41
pulsing as she squeezed. I ran toward them, but Julie
59:46
grabbed my arm. Let them go, She said, her voice
59:50
suddenly different, colder, harder.
59:54
They don't matter. Only we matter.
59:57
I looked into her eyes and saw something alien there, something
1:00:01
that had never been part of the real Julie.
1:00:04
You're not her. I said, pulling away.
1:00:08
You're just an echo, a reflection.
1:00:11
I tackled Jacqueline, breaking her hold on Doris, who fell to
1:00:15
the ground, gasping for air. Jacqueline fought with that same
1:00:19
inhuman strength, but this time I was ready for it.
1:00:24
I managed to subdue her, pinning her to the ground.
1:00:29
It's too late. She laughed, blue light pulsing
1:00:32
beneath her skin. It's already inside you, inside
1:00:36
all of us. I looked back at the artifact,
1:00:40
at the charges I'd set. Julie stood there, more real
1:00:43
than ever, her arms outstretched toward me.
1:00:47
Please, Teddy, she called. We can be together forever.
1:00:53
For a moment, I almost believed it, almost wanted it to be true.
1:00:58
But then I remembered the real Julie.
1:01:01
Not this perfect simulation, but the woman I'd loved.
1:01:06
The woman who died three years ago.
1:01:08
Goodbye, Julie, I said, and press The detonator.
1:01:13
The explosion ripped through the Martian silence, a bright flash
1:01:17
followed by a shockwave that knocked me off my feet.
1:01:21
When the dust settled, there was nothing left of the artifact but
1:01:24
scattered crystalline shards, already turning dull and
1:01:28
lifeless. Julie was gone, and Jacqueline
1:01:32
lay unconscious beside me, the blue veins fading from her skin.
1:01:37
Doris helped me to my feet, her face dirty but relieved.
1:01:42
Is it over? She asked.
1:01:45
I looked at the crater where the artifact had been at the
1:01:48
lifeless shards scattered across the red soil.
1:01:52
Yes, I said. It's over.