Welcome to Ares Prime

After two long days of drifting through the darkness of space, we finally reached Mars.

The landing on Mars went smoother than we had anticipated. The shuttle hummed softly as it began its descent, and the heat shields glowed red as we passed through the thin Martian atmosphere.

Outside the window, we could see the vast, rust-colored landscape of Mars, which was speckled with gleaming structures marking the progress of human civilization on this distant planet. The sight was breathtaking. It was a mix of barren red terrain and futuristic cities with silver spires reaching up into the dusty sky.

The shuttle's thrusters engaged with a low rumble, and the landing gear extended as we approached the platform of Ares Prime, the largest city on Mars. The platform was bustling with activity— filled with technicians and crew in sleek, silver suits and vehicles that hovered noiselessly as they moved across the surface.

Joseph and I exchanged glances in excitement. We felt the gentle bump as the shuttle touched down, a brief silence hanging in the air before an announcement crackled to life…

"Landing complete. Welcome to Mars…"

The cabin erupted in murmurs of relief and excitement. Joseph unbuckled himself and turned to me with a grin spread across his face. "We did it, Shin. We're on Mars!!!"

I smiled before finally saying, "Yeah, we really are." Soon, the crew members also started to unbuckle themselves.

The hatch opened with a soft hiss, and the first thing that hit me was the cool, dry air, which was artificially regulated and breathable, but it carried a faint metallic scent. Joseph and I stepped out onto the platform. The ground beneath us was a mix of polished steel and red dust that had blown up from the surrounding terrain…

We paused for a moment, taking in the sheer scope of Ares Prime. The city stretched out before us with a blend of gleaming skyscrapers, transparent sky bridges, and lush vertical gardens cascading down buildings like waterfalls. The sunlight, filtered through the thin atmosphere, cast everything in an amber glow, giving the city an almost surreal, dreamlike look. The entire city was covered in a glass dome…

"Wow!!!" Joseph breathed, his eyes wide open as he scanned the skyline. "This is... it's like stepping into a sci-fi movie…"

I nodded as my heart pounded with a mix of excitement and awe. "It looks better than I had imagined…"

As we stood there while taking in the view of Ares Prime, Abdul appeared at the entrance of the shuttle. He was in deep conversation with one of the mission technicians. His voice carried over to us, filled with seriousness and focus.

"Make sure to check the thermal seals on the primary engines…." he instructed as he glanced over briefly to catch our eyes. He gave us a small wave before turning back to his duties...

Joseph let out a sigh, "Too bad…. It looks like he can't come with us. The great Abdul Naqvi stuck fixing wires and running diagnostics instead of soaking in all this…"

I laughed at Joseph and said. "He would probably just lecture us on how we're gawking too much and not paying attention to the 'technological marvels' we're standing on…"

Joseph grinned. "That's true, but it's not the same without his grumbling…."

I glanced back at Abdul, who already disappeared into the main ship and was surrounded by engineers and assistants. "Yeah, it's not…"

Abdul was busy overseeing the checks and repairs on the main ship that would take us deeper into space. On the other hand, Joseph and I set out to explore Ares Prime. The city was alive with activity… people wearing sleek, metallic uniforms walked through the streets, drones whirred overhead delivering packages, and the sky above was crisscrossed with hovering vehicles that moved smoothly between the towering skyscrapers.

We stepped onto one of the moving walkways that snaked through the city, which allowed us to take in the sights at a leisurely pace. Joseph pointed out the various details with a childlike enthusiasm…

"Look at that!!!" he said while pointing toward a building with holographic displays projected across its entire surface that advertised the latest in Martian tech. "These holographic billboards are huge!!! And it looks like it would come out of the display at any moment…. Can you imagine one of those back on Earth?"

I chuckled. "It'd probably cause a hundred car accidents a day..."

Joseph laughed. "Worth it. Look at this place, Shin. It's like Earth 2.0 but better…"

I sighed and said, in realization, "It's true… But it is also true that this Earth 2.0 is only for the people of the higher class. Things are very costly here. If it wasn't for the mission and our job, I think we, the normal people, would never be able to come here…"

Joseph sighed, "That's true… But since we got here anyway, let's enjoy it…."

We passed by a public park, which was filled with greenery. Children played with hover toys, and people lounged in the sunlight. I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret that Abdul wasn't with us, experiencing all this for the first time, too…

"Wish Abdul could see this with us…." I said, voicing my thoughts aloud.

Joseph nodded, his smile faltering for a moment. "Yeah. Knowing him, he would probably pretend he is unimpressed, but we would catch him gawking at the holograms like a kid…"

As Joseph and I explored the Martian market district, it became clear that this was no ordinary market… It was a technological wonder fused with the vibrant energy of Earth's Street markets. Rows of stalls lined the wide, open space, each glowing with neon holographic signs advertising their goods in multiple languages. Vendors called out in voices, showcasing everything from Martian-grown produce to sleek, futuristic gadgets…

The air was thick with the smell of unfamiliar spices, intermingled with the faint metallic scent that seemed ever-present on Mars. Hover drones zipped between stalls that delivered packages or food orders, and robotic assistants flitted around like attentive pets, helping customers carry bags or point them to their next destination…

"Shin, look at this…" Joseph said while stopping at a stall that featured tiny, crystal-like fruits. The vendor, a cheerful man with silver tattoos that seemed to move along his skin, handed Joseph a sample.

"Taste of Mars…" he said, his grin wide.

Joseph popped one into his mouth, his eyebrows shooting up as the flavour hit him. "Whoa. It's like... a mix between kiwi and electricity..."

I laughed while also taking a bite of my own sample. The taste was sharp and tangy, with a strange fizzy sensation. "Definitely different..."

Then we moved on to a coffee stall drawn in by the rich aroma that promised a taste of home. The stall was decorated with sleek, black-and-silver panels that displayed the menu and the prices in holographic text...

Joseph's eyes scanned the menu, and he let out a low whistle. "50$ for a cup of coffee? That's like a full meal back on Earth…"

I grimaced, eyeing the display. "Yeah, it's expensive. Everything here costs more. Guess that's the price you pay for being on Mars..."

A young woman sitting at a nearby table chuckled. She looked like she was local. "You're new here, huh?!" she said while sipping her coffee from a transparent mug that glowed faintly. "Welcome to Martian living. Everything's pricey because it's all imported or synthesized…"

Joseph looked at me and shrugged. "When in Rome… or, you know, in Mars. Let's just try it… It's not like we'll be back here anytime soon."

I nodded in agreement and ordered two cups of the signature Martian blend. When the robotic barista handed us our drinks, the cups were warm, almost too hot, and emitted a faint vapour that smelled both rich and oddly metallic…

I took a cautious sip and felt the unique blend hit my taste buds… It was a mixture of deep, roasted coffee with a subtle hint of something floral and spicy. It was different but not unpleasant. Joseph took a gulp and sighed dramatically.

"Okay, this is worth the 100$, I guess…." he said, winking at me.

We spent another hour wandering through the market, taking in the sights. There were stalls filled with holographic art, shimmering in the air like three-dimensional paintings, and booths where people tested out custom-made hoverboards, zipping a few feet off the ground before landing smoothly back on the platform.

Joseph couldn't resist stopping at a stall that sold Martian-made clothing—coats that adjusted their colour and temperature based on the environment. He tried on a jacket that turned from dark blue to deep red as he moved, its fabric subtly shifting to keep him warm as the temperature dropped with the approaching Martian night.

"What do you think?!" he asked while striking a ridiculous pose.

"I think your wallet's going to hurt more than mine," I replied, laughing.

Joseph made a face. "True. Let's leave before I actually end up deciding to buy it..."

As the sun began to set, casting long, warm shadows across the market, the lights around the stalls shifted to a soft, ambient glow. The market transformed under this light and became a kaleidoscope of colour that danced and shimmered….

We decided to end the day at an open-air cafe overlooking one of the city's main thoroughfares. The tables were made of a smooth, transparent material that illuminated gently from below, making the drinks and food placed on them look like they were floating. We sat down with a couple of Martian sodas—fizzy, neon-green beverages that were surprisingly refreshing despite their alien appearance.

Joseph leaned back in his chair, looking out at the crowd below as people and hover vehicles moved along the streets. "I still can't believe we're here. On Mars. Drinking... whatever this is..."

I took a sip and nodded, letting the cool, slightly sweet liquid wash over my tongue. "Yeah. It's almost too surreal..."

We sat in silence for a moment, the glow of the city reflecting in our eyes. The distant hum of hover vehicles, the soft chatter of people, and the warmth of the cafe's lights made the moment feel oddly comforting, even in this strange new world.

"Too bad Abdul's missing this," Joseph said after a while, a touch of regret in his voice. "He'd probably find a way to complain, but he'd love it, deep down."

I smiled, imagining Abdul grumbling about the noise and prices while secretly enjoying the bustling market. "I guess we'll have to tell him all about it…"

Joseph raised his glass. "To Abdul, the busiest man on Mars…"

"To Abdul," I echoed, clinking my glass against his. We laughed, the sound blending into the hum of the market, and watched as the city lights of Ares Prime glistened against the backdrop of the Martian sky.

TO BE CONTINUED