Ally or Alien: A Sci-Fi Novel by Mars Dorian Read Free Book Online

nanomedicine. However, worries lingered. Would he manage digging up his past? Ten years of therapy-worth trauma still lurked below the surface.  
    "Sounds awesome, Tee, but I've got a big fan base here. Besides, so many servicemen need my help."
    Taurus nodded without looking up. 
    "What's your priority, Belly?"
    He thought about the true answer and the one Taurus wanted to hear.
    "Serving the AC better than anyone else."
    Taurus nodded.
    "What do you think is the best way to serve the AC—teaching at a shooting range or gathering intel about humanity's worst enemy?"
    Bellrock's rigid grimace broke into a big, fat grin.
    "You slimy little sucker."
    Taurus looked up with a boyish smirk.
    "What?"
    "You sound like one of these officer sitters. What the hell happened, Tee? Did you take lessons in nose-diving?"
    "Blame my wife. She grilled my nuts when I had trouble convincing the president."
    They exchanged a smile of camaraderie.
    Almost felt like the old days, when their ranks were more leveled. Bellrock wondered how much money the old bastard was making now, after all, he lived in Falls Church. The Eden which mortals couldn't access.
    But that wasn't the issue.
    The veteran had made up his mind.
    "Fuck it. I'm in."
    Taurus' face lightened up. The man glowed like the sun high above, and that was quite the accomplishment.
    "You sure?"
    Bellrock glimpsed into the endlessness of Texas again. The golden land shone with endless pride inside and sent him a wind of confidence. It looked like a sign from the creator himself, telling him: do it, son.
    The world needs you.
    Bellrock was going to miss it, that was for sure. 
    But better miss it than lose it. 
    "Tell me what happens next."

15
     
    Two Days later, Bellrock drove all the way to NASA's new Space Center in Houston. A 225 mile ride from Dallas, sweetened by his favorite Japanese pop band Shibuya Burn. He only understood half the lyrics at this stage, since the singers synthesized their already high-octave voices. Something along the lines of:
    Don't go quietly into that night
    as you burn your thrusters bright
    into that dark cosmic sea
    at least you are super-free
    Yeah, well, the Japanese. 
    Fifty of their catchy songs later, Bellrock soon recognized the space base appearing on the horizon. Quite an amazing sight, with all the cube-shaped buildings, the launch pads and towers scratching at the sky like giants reaching for the heavens. Thanks to corporations like Stryker Solutions, Boeing and SpaceX who heavily invested in the launching site for mutual use, NASA's part-privatization had led to a renaissance of the Commonwealth's space program.
    Bellrock parked his Tesla Dragon pickup, passed the refurbished Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center sign and took one of the smart lifts to the third floor. He followed the corridor to the office with the semi-transparent walls and found a silver plate with engraved letters, 3D-printed from sustainable sources. The sign read, "PhD. Matt Watney.”
    The current Director of NASA.
    "Please step in."
    Bellrock pranced in with a smile brighter than a solar flare. He targeted the metallic chair in front of the shiny, black and white desk that looked like the wing of a classic shuttle. Next to him sat a dark man with curly hair, wearing a suit that had style written all over it. Gucci shoes, white jacket and gelled black hair inclusive.
    Maybe an investor? 
    "What's up," Bellrock said and shook hands in hierarchical order.
    First the Director, then the 'guest' next to him.
    "Mr. Bellrock, my name is Matt Watney, and I'm responsible for supervising your flight to Mars, making sure everything goes as smooth as possible."
    "Nice."
    The balding Director nodded and intertwined his hands.
    "To your right is Dr. Sriniva Rao, one of our scientists in the xenology department. He’s also one of our alien resource specialists. He will be your partner during the operation."
    "A pleasure to meet you," Sriniva said. 
    The attention came back to the