The Martian Journal by Michael Burnside Read Free Book Online Page B

over the last few days. Mounted on a stand, was a dark metallic cylinder that was probably just over three metres long and had a diameter of about a foot. As I approached it for a better look, I noticed the outside was covered with very fine wires leading to several small input sockets. It didn’t mean much to me, but Lloyd was fascinated by it. He pressed a button on the side of the cylinder which opened it up. I looked over to see if Malcolm was going to stop him, but he seemed to trust Lloyd not to destroy it. Inside there were three blue lenses, with a network of wires and circuit boards placed between them. Lloyd nodded his head as he examined, clearly understanding the workings of the device and being quite impressed.
    I commented to Malcolm that it was hard to believe that this was the world saving weapon to which he said that it was merely a small part of a much larger machine. Although he admitted, this is actually the crucial part.
    It was at this point that Lloyd turned to Malcolm and bluntly asked what the real purpose of the laser was. Malcolm smiled and said the story about stray asteroids isn’t fooling anyone who he tells. He looked over at me as he said that, obviously knowing that I didn't believe his story about it.
    Malcolm closed the container and sat down on one of the smaller crates. He then told us something that was very confidential. I don’t even know if I should repeat it.

Log 0040

23:45 Wednesday 20 January 2178
    I thought about it and I realised what’s the point of keeping a log if you’d don’t record everything.
    The laser isn’t for shooting asteroids. That I could have guessed. I guessed it was a weapon either to be used on other objects in space or on specific targets on Earth and the moon. I was wrong about that.
    The target is on Mars.
    The colonisation of Mars has been very slow. Experts have been saying for as long as I can remember that they are years behind schedule. As far as the world is aware, there are only three unmanned bases on the surface of Mars. That’s true, according to Malcolm. I believe him because considering what he told us, it wouldn’t be worth lying about.
    About five miles away from the largest of the Martian bases, is a narrow crevice approximately a hundred meters across and but only half a meter wide. Down in that crevice they’ve found a huge metallic floor buried under the rocks and earth. A metallic floor that is not naturally occurring.
    From what they can gather from the various probes and investigations, is that the floor is at least several inches thick and any drill that they have used on it breaks apart.
    This is where the laser comes in. They intend to clear the tonnes of rock away with a controlled blast to reveal more of the metal structure. Then, with more of it exposed, they can either figure out how to open it or failing that, use the laser to cut their way in.
    They’ve no idea what’s inside. They know it’s been there for quite some time. Several centuries at least. So it’s safe to say the origin isn’t from Earth.

Log 0041

10:32 Thursday 21 January 2178
    We all ate breakfast together in the bridge. I managed to speak to Lloyd without the others hearing. I wanted to get his reaction to what was revealed to us yesterday.
    He was as overwhelmed as myself about it and admitted that it had kept him awake. Lloyd also brought up an interesting point. Malcolm’s revelation still doesn’t answer the question that has been dogging us from the start. Why are we being targeted?
    Is it still the Earthbinders behind all of it? If they want to destroy the laser to prevent the expedition of the Martian discovery, then that would explain the motivation. It still doesn’t explain why they have waited to detonate it.
    We’re approaching the supply satellite now. Within a few hours we should have picked up what we can, repaired or replaced the communication capabilities if we can, and then begin to make our way home.

Log 0042

18:28