Outpost Ares
Nibiru Prime · Mars 2031 · Season 1 · Comic

Chapter 1 · The first Contact

December 3, 2031, 07:40

Chapter 1, Scene 1
The sky above the settlement was still dark when a bright point of light appeared on the horizon that morning, flying low and steadily growing in size. Mitchell was already outside, his gaze fixed upwards, watching the cargo ferry land.
"There it is."
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Chapter 1, Scene 2
The cargo ship approached the ground. Its engines blasted luminous energy against the surface, and for a while the monstrous lander hovered above the Martian surface.
Then it moved slowly toward the landing site.
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Chapter 1, Scene 3
The freighter touched down, more powerful than the lander from the previous day, its cargo hatches opening with a deep hydraulic hiss. The remaining six had now arrived as well. Mikael Heikkinnen drove one of the two rovers, Yuri Leonov the other, down the ramp into the open air.
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Chapter 1, Scene 4
Meeting in the assembly room
Today is our first day together in our new home, on Mars. In light of this historic moment in our lives and its significance for humanity and the Zheng Corporation, I would like to officially welcome you as Commander of the mission. With confidence and positive thoughts, we will master our shared future.
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Chapter 1, Scene 5
No time to rest. No time to settle in for most of us. The signal we received needs to be investigated. We're leaving in an hour. Xiaotong, Anika, Elias, Sahra, Rachel. Mikael and Yuri are driving us on our first reconnaissance trip to the source of the signal.
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Chapter 1, Scene 6
Best of luck to us all.
Thank you, John. On behalf of Weiguo Zheng, I also extend a warm welcome to our community. The future belongs to us!
Let's get to work.
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Chapter 1, Scene 7
Anika Sharma was the first to rush to her terminal. As soon as she removed her helmet, her voice rang out in the OrbiBuds.
Yesterday's signal is still there. Stronger, even.
Then we move out as soon as the rovers are loaded.
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Chapter 1, Scene 8
And after my tablet is updated. Only takes a few more minutes.
Xiaotong's voice could be heard over the Outpost-Ares-Network she had connected to.
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Chapter 1, Scene 9
The search begins. The signal is located in the northwest. Mikael Heikkinnen is driving the first rover. John Mitchell is sitting next to him. Xiaotong Zheng and Elias Moretti are in the back seats.
The terrain here is very flat, according to the map. No large mountains or valleys are expected.
I'm very curious to see what awaits us.
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Chapter 1, Scene 10
Mikael Heikkinnen has let the rover driven by Yuri Leonov overtake. Anika Sharma is sitting next to him, keeping a close eye on the scanner. Rachel Voight and Sahra Carter are sitting in the back, enjoying the scenery.
The signal is getting stronger.
Exactly the same thing on my scanner. We're getting closer to our destination.
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Chapter 1, Scene 11
After the brief stop, they continued driving. The signal was slowly getting stronger. Anika via the OrbiBuds:
Intensity increasing. Distance now under ninety minutes.
Keep it up. Our first trip to Mars is for me a mixture of amazement at the landscape and excitement about what the signal might be.
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Chapter 1, Scene 12
The Rovers proved to be very comfortable and pleasant.
Everything alright?
Well, I have no problems. Don't worry, Sarah. The equipment works perfectly.
The Chinese Rover drives superbly. Well-sprung and comfortable.
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Chapter 1, Scene 13
Through the rover window, the blue glow was now clearly visible on the horizon. Xiaotong stared intently at the energy scanner.
"The scanner is showing a stable energy signature. Eighty-seven percent. We should take a closer look at the glow."
Let's go.
The rovers started moving again.
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Chapter 1, Scene 14
A short time later, Mitchell held up his hand and pointed at something blue hovering above a small crater.
Stop. We're here.
The rovers stopped.
Anika Sharma, Xiaotong Zheng, John Mitchell, and Elias Moretti got ready to get out.
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Chapter 1, Scene 15
A hologram. Sumerian characters. The direction of the energy source indicated by the scanners suggests there is something much larger beneath the surface.
Sumerian cuneiform script simulated. My tablet is performing an initial translation.
My translator shows it as a strong warning to leave the region.
Of course, we won't do that. After all, we're here to find out what it is.
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Chapter 1, Scene 16
My grandfather talked about it for years. Ancient Sumerian texts, hints of a rescue… and of Mars. Most people thought he was crazy.
And now the confirmation is right under our noses.
He was never completely sure if he was right. Only that it was worth searching for.
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Chapter 1, Scene 17
“Can we read more into this?”
Anika shook her head.
Only fragments. It warns of something that lies beneath the surface and could be awakened… and of those who guard it.”
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Chapter 1, Scene 18
Suddenly, a rumbling sound was heard. The ground in the crater began to vibrate, and the sphere shrank.
Hey, what's that? It feels like an earthquake under my feet. The vibration is getting stronger.
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Chapter 1, Scene 19
Away from the edge. Back.
That's it for today. Did you record everything?
Oh yes. It will be easy to analyze everything later.
Ok. Let's drive home.
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Chapter 1, Scene 20
As the settlement came back into view, Mitchell spoke over Intercom:
I'd say that the encounter with the hologram has shown that starting the mission was the right decision.
What we saw earlier, we'll examine more closely starting tomorrow, once the evaluations are available.
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Chapter 1, Scene 21
Weiguo is obviously right. We'll make some interesting discoveries.
I'm happy about that. But I hope that any encounters we might have will be peaceful.
The threat on the hologram wasn't harmless.
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Chapter 1, Scene 22
The area where the hologram is displayed obviously has sensors that can detect "visitors," and then the hologram scene begins.
Once we have the data and scan a larger area next time, we will learn how intelligent the device is.
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Chapter 1, Scene 23
Anika joined the two.
I just learned via the Nibiru Prime-Earth-link that the analysis of the transmitted data has confirmed the existence of enormous caverns deep inside Mars.
The onboard computer also registered that a signal was sent into space at the same time as the hologram appeared. So we can assume that someone will find out about our visit.
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Chapter 1, Scene 24
Xiaotong excitedly calls her grandpa to conclude what had been a very promising day.
Yéye (Grandpa), I'm back at Outpost Ares, looking at the starry sky. Today was an absolutely fantastic day!
It looks like we've discovered traces of civilization. You were absolutely right about everything!
I'm fine, but totally exhausted. I'll get in touch again after my next Mars expedition — say hi to Grandma and tell her she would like the gravity here. Wǎn'ān (Good night), best man! 😉
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