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Software Vault: The Sapphire Collection
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Software Vault (Sapphire Collection) (Digital Impact).ISO
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CHAPTER1.TXT
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1994-07-23
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CHAPTER 1: ARRIVAL
The Aerospace Plane "Pulsar" was almost at the end of its
journey, just a few more hours and it would touch down on martian
soil. The bulk of its cargo was food supplies, scientific
equipment and building material for the colony. Among its
passengers is a group of four scientists consisting of: Rick
Baker a scientist, Vicki Clarke an archeologist, Robert English a
technical engineer and Dan Strickland a biologist. Accompanying
the team is Captain Stan Freeman of the United States Air Force
who personally assembled the group to carry out a top secret
assignment for the American government. He was instructed to
debrief them when they arrive and meet up with three more
scientists living and working in the biospheres.
Mars was filling the observation screen on the front wall of
the passenger lounge. The four scientists were gazing at this
screen in awe of the glowing red disc growing larger as they
approached.
"I wonder what we're supposed to do down there," Rick said,
"It's been bothering me every minute of the journey."
"Maybe they found some kind of vegetation or bacteria in
the ice," Dan said, "something like that would surely qualify for
top secret. It could even be deadly."
"Maybe the biosphere is being invaded by little green men,"
said Robert jokingly.
"Don't be silly," said Vicki, "we'll be there shortly and
Captain Freeman over there will soon give us our answer."
She motioned to Captain Freeman who was talking over an
intercom to the bridge.
"...We'll be entering the atmosphere in little over half an
hour sir," The voice on the intercom was saying.
"Good," Freeman said "very good."
On the planet below, close to the martian equator, stood five
large, domed structures surrounding a larger center one.
Scattered around and between the large domes were several smaller
buildings and platforms, Martian terrain vehicles, spaceships and
solar arrays.
Through the atmosphere came the "Pulsar," descending toward
a long landing strip outside the formation of biospheres. It
landed smoothly and taxied to a docking bay connected to the main
biosphere by tube shuttle. The party stepped out of the ship and
into the shuttle which took them to the main biosphere through a
clear plexiglass tube. Through this they marvelled at the
surrounding array of structures set against the martian
landscape. At the end of their short trip they went through an
airlock and were suddenly weighed down by the artificial gravity
generated inside the dome. They assembled in a large, busy area
and were greeted by a group of colonists dressed in white lab
coats. A tall man stepped forward and shook hands with Captain
Freeman.
"Greetings from mars and welcome to the main biosphere," He
said, "I'm Professor Scott, head of the scientific team working
in the biospheres. This is my assistant Mrs. Furlong and your
fellow workers; Steven Flynn an archeologist, Clara Davis a
technical engineer and David Cross a scientist."
"I'm Captain Freeman of the U.S. Air Force and this is my
team, Doctors Baker, Clarke, English and Strickland."
"If you'll follow me I shall show you around, Your luggage
will be sent to your quarters." Scott said.
The rest of the group exchanged greetings and followed
Scott over to one of the six walls of the large room and peered
through a large glass window spanning the length of the wall.
Outside was a green, grassy pasture where a group of people were
planting seeds in a freshly hoed patch of ground. A small self
recycling stream flowed close by.
"This is one of our experimental terra-forming projects," Scott
said. "There are many under each biosphere, you can see the two closest
ones through these windows. The roof of the biosphere is shielded from
all harmful radiation which penetrates mars' thin atmosphere. It is
also strong enough to withstand small meteorites, but we usually destroy
them before they even come close." "Very impressive," said Dan.
They moved to another window. Under the reinforced, triangular
panelled sky, was a small forest, with an irrigation system hanging
above. Scott motioned to an elevator cubicle on the far side of the
observation window.
"The central buildings of each biosphere consist of living
quarters, hydroponic gardens for food and added oxygen, fitness
centers and research facilities," Scott said as they entered the
elevator and ascended to the top floor. "Your quarters are on
the tenth floor, but before you retire, as I know you must be
tired after your long journey, I would like you to see the view
from the roof."
Upon reaching the roof they stepped out of the elevator and
walked to the side of the tall building on which they were
standing. Over the short rails lining the top of each side they
could see a multitude of smaller buildings surrounding them.
Beyond these were green gardens, sparkling lakes, grassy fields,
domed greenhouses, and forests of trees.
"It's beautiful," remarked Vicki.
"Yes, quite impressive," said Rick.
"Each biosphere is much the same, having several simulated
earth environments to study reaction to different martian
conditions," said Steven, "It is hoped that one day the entire
surface of mars will look like this."
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