Novels2Search

035

“Da’grass , can you start the investigations of the refugees?” asked Alex while walking through the gate .

“I’ve already started when you talked with John about it” replied Da’grass .

“When you’ve investigated all of them , let me know” said Alex .

Alex , I’ve just got a message from Etherea stating that she allows the construction of a tier 4 city on Mars in the Nexus .

She’s happy to see you take an active stance in the establishment of the Nexus on Earth by providing shelter to the new government and will remember it in future dealings with her .

“Does this mean they already logged in on Mars and claimed the city core?” asked Alex while standing still in the warehouse.

“Yes Alex . Etherea just asked me some questions about the overall situation and granted them a tier 4 city core” replied Da’grass.

“I need to think for a bit” replied Alex and he walked home in silence .

“Hi Alex , back so soon ?

I thought you would enjoy yourself a little while longer” said a cheerful Helena when Alex entered their home .

“They’ve logged in on Mars and claimed a tier 4 city core” responded Alex .

It made me think about Mars in general , and I realized that we’ve got an opportunity now that our city won’t be a secret anymore .

“What do you mean?” asked Helena .

We don’t have to hide anymore and can construct whatever we want .

The new government can claim credit and make for an easier transition .

“Do you mean more cities” asked a confused Helena .

“Those too , but I mean terraforming Mars .

It would take hundreds of years before it would be habitable , but thanks to the mall , we can buy the technology to make it happen ” answered Alex .

That are some big dreams .

Are you sure we can afford it? Asked Helena .

“When I was browsing the mall , I came across two solutions within our price range” replied Alex .

The first was a satellite network that emits a magnetic field , and the second was a construction that covers a planet like the outer segments of an orange , with the possibility to act as living space in space .

I’m not inclined to get the satellite network .

Sure it costs a fraction , but I believe its high maintenance and doesn’t provide the opportunity to set foot in space .

The second option could sustain itself like the colony , even if we decided to leave earth behind .

It would provide a viable magnetic shield for Mars that can continue operating for hundreds of years .

“It would be operating for far longer , Alex” said Da’grass .

These technologies are meant to last and have maintenance bots for small and large malfunctions if it ever came to that point .

Nobody wants to lose a planet that they have been terraforming .

It would take about 20 years to construct the second option , but I advise to enlarge the mining operations if you decide to do so .

“If it takes hundreds of years to terraform , you can build some more cities too , but you should claim the colony for ourselves” said Helena .

“Let’s just start with the terraforming project , shall we” said Alex , not inclined to bring the rest of the world to Mars yet .

“Do you wish to buy solely the technology or all the equipment to be delivered by a galaxy freighter?” asked Da’grass .

You already own a lot of technologies needed , so it would be cheaper to just buy the missing ones .

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“We need to go in space for this and I’m already producing ships for other projects , let’s buy it as equipment” answered Alex .

“I would have advised to do so if you would have asked otherwise” replied Da’grass .

The freighter will be here in about 2 weeks with the equipment you ordered .

In the meantime , I’ll be enlarging the existing mining operations .

“So that’s it?” asked Helena .

You buy something and 20 years later , boom , we’ve got a working magnetic shield and living space for god who knows how many people ?

“Scientists and engineers will curse you for solving that problem with swiping your credit card” laughed Helena .

I just got access to the mall and the credits to buy it said an ashamed Alex .

“Don’t take it so serious , Alex” said Helena in a gentle tone .

A lot of people would buy a lot of crazy stuff if they had the opportunity .

At least you bought something for the betterment of humanity .

But there are a lot of people on earth who would have liked to be a part of something like this .

I’m worried that the mall will hollow out the scientific endeavours of humanity.

“I’ll talk about it with John the next time I see him” promised Alex .

If you want you can log in and visit Mars .

It should be available by now in the Nexus .

Helena just smiled and gave him a kiss .

“Don’t forget to talk to John” she said .

A week passed , and Alex received good news from Da’grass .

The colony was completely finished , and humans and pets could move in .

The investigations were finished and a little less than 20 percent of the refugees had to undergo behaviour adjustments if they wished to undergo the treatment.

According to Da’grass , even the colony builders that were being constructed would be finished within a week .

Scientists from all over the world were swarming the new tier 4 city on Mars in the nexus to obtain more information how earth gained access to Mars as were a lot of journalists and government officials .

Alex instructed Da’grass to start bringing the selected people to the colony and made an appointment with John to have a talk while enjoying a drink or two .

He made sure to mention that those willing to undergo the treatment had to check in at the hospital after their drink and be aware of the fact that they would be under for about 3 days .

Helena was notified that he would be spending the next three days in the colony .

She told him that she would be playing a VR game with her brother and Cynthia from time to time , but that she was joining him while there .

While walking to the bar , Helena told him that she was going to inspect the fields and reminded him to transfer the livestock to the pastures .

“Hello John” said Alex when he arrived at the bar .

“Hi Alex” said a nervous looking John.

“You all ready for the treatment?” asked Alex .

There were some troubles with people who felt wronged to undergo behaviour adjustments , claiming that you only wanted to control the more difficult members of our society .

But the promise of eternal life outweighed their objections .

There were a lot of talks between us and your people to say the least .

“Can you tell me what behaviour problems they have” asked John .

That’s personal , but I can give you some examples of behaviour problems : psychopaths , sociopaths , sexual predators and narcissistic behaviour .

These are only examples .

Every member of your group had an explanation given for why they had to undergo the adjustment .

Everybody makes mistakes ; mistakes don’t justify behaviour adjustment , so don’t worry that we implement this just willy nilly.

Have your worries lessened now that Earth can’t reach you ?

“Yeah but they don’t give up .

It wouldn’t surprise me if they started a space program to reach Mars just to get to us” responded John .

But there are a lot fewer individuals pestering us now they know we are on Mars .

It was quite a show to watch when they realized where we were .

Everybody that visits us here in the Nexus wanders in the vicinity of the city just to look at how Mars looks .

“There are a few things I need to talk to you about” said Alex .

Helena is worried that scientists will get set aside with the mall , and I agree with her .

So , I was wondering if you could build some institutes on Mars where the government pays them to do research and study various topics .

“I would love to do so , Alex but that all costs credits , credits we need to develop our place in the Nexus and on Earth” answered John .

“I know” replied Alex .

That’s why I would like to fund the construction of the buildings but the government has to pay the scientists and engineers .

It’s imperative we don’t lose our greatest minds just because it’s easier to buy the technology .

And I know for a fact that what is offered to us in the mall isn’t everything that’s out there .

By only shopping for technology we will never exceed mediocrity .

“Very well , I’ll send the bill to your account and we’ll start the construction the moment we receive it” responded John .

Is there anything else ?

“Yes , within a week we start construction with the goal to terraform Mars” answered Alex .

The duration of construction will take about 20 years , but the terraforming itself will take hundreds of years .

Helena and I would like your government to take credit to ease transition for a Nexus government .

“WHAT !” yelled John

Are you serious ?

That’s big , Alex .

I don’t know if we should take credit for this .

“Trust me , it’s for the best” answered Alex .

This , in combination with the institutes , will show the population that you have their best interests in mind , and there’s not a lot that the rest of earth can do while you cement your legacy .

“If you are sure about this , I can only say thank you like a broken record player” replied John , with tears in his eyes .

Don’t mention it .

We need to give the government credibility among the population , lest they think of you as a management game .

What do you think about finishing our drink and then heading to the hospital for the treatment ?

The rest are already receiving their injections as we speak .

After John drank his drink , he said , “see you in three days” and left for the hospital .

Da’grass , can you arrange the transportation of the livestock to the colony ?

“No problem , Alex .

I’ll notify the persons responsible for them” said Da’grass.

“I’ll be going to check on the colony builders since they are almost fully constructed . Notify Helena will you ?” responded Alex