I walked past the group of school kids and looked for my destination in the science museum. Throughout the end of the world this place still stood. It was quiet with only a bit of traffic in the middle of the day. The surrounding area had transformed since I was a child, and the businesses had swapped in and out about once a decade. More apartments had gone up in the area along with a mall complex. It was all to accommodate half as much growth as they had been promised.

A few heroes had popped up originating in the area. I never discussed my connection to the city, but I was happy to see the place kept safe and free from any real problems. No supervillains targeted the out of the way stop. Even as the world was crumbing around me this place was unharmed.

My telescope now stashed away in the warehouse had originated here, in the giftshop. They had been doing an expanded look at the Milky Way due to recent advancements in satellite imaging and space telescopes. Presented in full detail were the highest resolution images of the solar system and space that we had at the time.

The distant memories of the layout and displays reemerged from my mind as I went through the building. Some things had been added while old, outdated exhibits were removed. This place was starting to dredge up some memories that were best left behind. Here in the evening, I was here for one purpose. This part of the museum hadn’t changed since it was opened. Up on the top floor was a much nicer telescope than the one my father had once bought for me. I would need its precision before attempting to perform with the smaller and less clear image of the smaller telescope.

I found an older man sitting next to the telescope as its operator. I waited in line as he repeated his message. “The telescope is trained on Venus today. Its faint light reaches us from so far away.”

I watched with interest as the older man continued to explain the finer points of Venus to the small group gathered around him. When they dispersed, I took my turn, peering through the telescope at the distant planet. The image was breathtaking, and I felt a sense of wonder wash over me. After a moment, I looked up at the operator and asked my main question, "How do you realign the telescope to focus on different planets? And can I see other planets as well?"

The operator smiled, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. "Ah, yes, realignment is a delicate process. We use a combination of motorized controls and manual adjustments to ensure precise alignment. As for seeing other planets, we can definitely try. Let me see if I can get Mars in view for you."

I waited patiently as he worked his magic, the telescope's motors whirring softly as it adjusted its position. After a few minutes, he stepped back and gestured for me to take another look. I peered through the eyepiece, and my breath caught as the rust-red hue of Mars filled my vision. I committed the image to memory, trying to wrap my head around the vast spatial distance between Earth and Mars. The operator told me a few interesting facts about the planet, and I listened intently, soaking up every detail.

As the museum started to close, I thanked the operator for his time and began to make my way out. I felt grateful for the brief respite from my duties and the chance to reconnect with a part of my past. As I descended the stairs, I couldn't help but think about the telescope back in my warehouse. My plans were coming together quickly.

My suit was almost ready for space travel. The first tests would be soon, and then I could start unloading the piles of materials from the warehouse. Construction on the new planet would be intense, but I was ready to step on Mars again. The first blink of my powers had shown me the breadth of its use, and now, finally, I was putting it to use unconstrained by the label of government hero.

The assembly of the suit seemed to take far too long and was just as bulky as the real deal. I wished I could have gone and stolen the real thing, but they were locked up, not anywhere I had been before, and it was unclear if they had my size. The manufactured suit would hold up to the same stresses as a real suit. Or at least most. I didn’t intend to take it to zero gravity or stay in it for very long. Things like food and potty breaks could be taken at my leisure. I could even quickly teleport out of my suit if I required it.

The suit was built with construction in mind, along with survivability, at least for long enough for me to be alerted and teleport home. That was my safety line back to heavier gravity. At 3.71 meters per second square, I would be bouncing around for a while until I got used to Mars’s gravity. It would certainly make some things about the construction easier. Other parts would be harder.

NASA had mapped out the entirety of the planet, which worked to my benefit. This would be a secret base, and I intended to keep it that way. I would hide it somewhere not easily scanned for, and if they tried, then they would find nothing but rocks. My first mission to Mars would be to find a possible secure location that could be covered and built into the rocky landscape. A cave, if possible, would cover me from any telescopes, and no one would ever notice.

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The collection of the necessary materials took an extra month after I had collected the stuff for my suit. In between my courier jobs, I searched the globe for deals and found quite a few. American currency was accepted around the world and worked for all the deals I wanted. The price of things was also helped by the fact that the ones I searched out had often overproduced their goods. Sometimes due to superhuman help, sometimes not.

I scoured the international market, leveraging my connections and resources to find the best deals on the materials I needed. From steel alloys to advanced composites, every component had to meet my exacting standards. I traveled to various countries, visiting factories, warehouses, and suppliers to inspect the quality of their products. My ability to teleport allowed me to cover vast distances quickly, making it easier to manage the logistics of sourcing materials from different parts of the world.

Many of the companies I dealt with had overproduced their goods, often due to superhuman intervention. Some had been aided by heroes who possessed abilities that accelerated production or enhanced manufacturing capabilities. Others had simply miscalculated demand, leaving them with surplus materials. I capitalized on these opportunities, negotiating favorable prices for the excess goods. My ability to teleport also allowed me to transport the materials quickly and efficiently, reducing transportation costs and minimizing the risk of damage or loss.

As the materials began to arrive, I carefully organized and stored them in my warehouse. I developed a sophisticated inventory management system, ensuring that every item was accounted for and easily accessible. The warehouse was set up efficiently, with rows of shelves and racks carefully labeled and categorized. I spent hours each day reviewing my inventory, planning my next moves, and optimizing my supply chain.

With each new shipment, I felt myself getting closer to my goal. The materials were piling up, and my suit was nearing completion. I could almost taste the excitement of setting foot on Mars, of beginning a new chapter in my life as a hero and a pioneer. The countdown had begun, and I was ready to take the next step into the unknown.

I focused the telescope on the night sky. I found a clear field to set up my equipment and bring my space suit. The sky was devoid of unnatural light sources. Any houses, buildings, or light poles were at least miles away. This way, I would get the best second look at Mars for my teleportation. After some adjustment and referencing a star map, I could see the red planet through the lens. I held the image I had seen through the larger telescope in my mind.

I got to work putting on the space suit. The unfortunate side effect of building the suit for construction was that it was just as bad, if not worse, in some areas to put on. A dozen layers of clothing to prevent the heat, cold, and additional radiation that I might experience on the planet. Eventually, I would consider making version two of the suit, but that would have to wait a month or two. The suit weighed on me while I wore it. Support helped to spread the load across my body as things fell into place. In total, it took me almost an hour to put it together. I turned the valves on my oxygen for the suit and looked through the telescope.

The new glass over the helmet was clear and was annoying to fiddle with as I found the optimal spot to lean over and look through the telescope. Eventually, I would know the location intimately, but for now, I would have to do this. I looked through the telescope centered on the red planet. My focus was on the feel of the planet. The view I had seen from the larger professional telescope. I tried to connect the two images in my mind together. This was a place I had gone to before. I could do it again. The suit, I, it all had to go to Mars. Nothing else mattered until the goal was accomplished.

Mars was in my sight. The suit felt cumbersome, but I knew it was necessary for my survival in the unforgiving Martian environment. I drew on my powers and blinked away.

The instant I opened my eyes, I gasped. The sudden change in surroundings was disorienting, and for a moment, I panicked. My heart raced as I struggled to process the unfamiliar landscape. The red rocky terrain stretched out before me, a stark contrast to the familiar sights of Earth. I felt a rush of excitement mixed with fear as I realized I was actually standing on Mars.

As my initial panic subsided, I took a few deep breaths to calm down. I looked around, taking in the breathtaking view. The sky was a deep crimson, and the air was thin and cold. I could see the curvature of the planet in the distance, a reminder of the vast emptiness that surrounded me. The silence was almost deafening, broken only by the sound of my breathing and the gentle hum of my suit's life support systems.

I double-checked my equipment, ensuring that everything was functioning properly. The suit's systems were all green, and my oxygen levels were stable. I took a moment to appreciate the view of Earth, now a distant blue dot in the Martian sky. It was a surreal experience, one that I had dreamed of for so long. My brief glimpse into this world had been short but powerful. Reexperiencing it more safely was amazing. Here, it was the culmination of my work and progress. A world to call my own and a place to continue building my new beginnings. Far away from here, Earth would continue to fall apart, but I would be safe.

With my equipment checked, I began to search for a suitable location for my base. I needed a secure place, hidden from prying eyes and easily accessible. As I explored the Martian terrain, I was struck by the sheer beauty of the planet. The rocky outcroppings, the vast dunes of red sand, and the towering mountains all combined to create a landscape that was both alien and awe-inspiring. I looked for a spot higher up where I could get a good view and find a place to settle down. Around me, the land was spotted with craters.

I wandered through the Martian landscape, my footsteps echoing in the stillness. Every step revealed a new wonder, a new marvel that left me breathless. I felt like a pioneer, charting new territory and pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible.

As I walked, I couldn't help but realize I had done it. I had actually set foot on Mars, and it was more magnificent than I had ever imagined.