The God Mars Book Two: Lost Worlds Read Online Free PDF Page A

promoting peaceful
contacts. They have gone to great lengths to conceal themselves, as
many of them believe that the nuclear bombardment of the planet was
intentionally triggered by Earthside, and not by Disc sabotage. It
may take some time and quite a bit of goodwill to convince them
otherwise.
    “The surviving ETE personnel have maintained
terraforming operations that provide oxygen, water and hydrogen
fuel to support these groups. They have also erected an
electrostatic net over Melas and Coprates that maintains an almost
breathable atmosphere density and has moderated surface
temperatures—we will forward you our latest environmental data. The
ETE technicians’ efforts in this endeavor have been heroic, and all
of us owe our continued survival to them.
    “While none of the survivor groups we have met has
expressed any desire for evacuation to Earth, I expect a number of
our own personnel would greatly appreciate relief as soon as is
practical. We would also greatly appreciate information from home—I
expect a lot has happened while we were sleeping. I can imagine the
last fifty years has been quite eventful.
    “I will send along an updated personnel roster—if you
could send updates about our families, it would be greatly
appreciated.
    “You have no idea how good it is to hear from you.
Awaiting your reply. End message and out…”
    I have to stop and breathe. I’m still shaking.
    “Nice job,” Matthew grants with a nod and a
smile.
    “One for the history files,” Tru agrees.
    “You smoothed the ETE issue nicely,” Matthew adds.
“You really are getting good at this.” I give him a nod, then get
to my feet.
    “Attach that personnel roster, along with our survey
images of some of the colony sites—Shinkyo, Industry...” I tell
Anton. “No mission logs yet. I want to see how they respond to this
much. Send it ASAP.”
    “Two minutes,” he promises eagerly.
    I don’t feel like celebrating. Not yet.
    “I’m going to need some coffee…”
     
    The next communication comes at 02:05. We get video
this time: a low-rez and pixelly talking head. He’s tanned, with a
longish face and high cheekbones, military cropped hair behind a
high hairline, and the familiar lines of a crisp drab uniform.
Behind him like a halo is the familiar United Nations’ globe and
laurels on blue. I’m thinking he looks familiar, and I know why as
soon as he introduces himself:
    “Melas Base, this is Brigadier General Jonathan
Richards, United Nations Global Peacekeeping Force. Colonel Ram,
Colonel Burke, Colonel Ava, Dr. Mann, I believe you knew my
grandfather, General Thomas Richards.” The voice that comes through
with him is not the same as the one that spoke previously: it’s
warmer, making the attempt at being at least professionally
personable. But he does look like our old UNACT SO, only
younger and less worn down by decades spent dealing with the likes
of us. “I requested this honor because of that connection, and I
hope I can provide you some personal reassurance that we are
aggressively working toward providing you material relief.
    “We have received the files you sent and are
reviewing them now—what I have seen so far is truly incredible, so
expect to be bombarded with questions. I can pass you some initial
requests that you send along as much information you can about the
other survivor groups you have encountered, as well as whatever you
know about what progress the ETE technicians have been making,
especially in terms of any technological advancements. Your report
was also unclear about the circumstances surrounding the nuclear
detonations we detected.”
    “So much for happy to hear from us,” Matthew
mutters.
    “I didn’t think they’d just let me get away with
being vague,” I admit.
    “As for what has been transpiring here,” Richards
continues evenly, “I don’t think I’m the one to explain it. I can’t
even address the decision to abandon rescue efforts—all that was
before my time.