Names of War

Published by Rebecca Colvin 9.9.24

When NASA sends a capsule with the names of thousands of people to Mars as a symbolic gesture, it sparks a series of unintended consequences. The Martians, a secretive and advanced civilization that had remained undetected for millennia, intercept the capsule and see it as an act of war. Enraged by this perceived invasion of their territory, they begin planning their revenge—targeting Earth, starting with the people whose names are in the capsule.

Chapter 1: The Capsule

Edward Thompson shuffled nervously as he stood on the podium, staring down at the small silver capsule that was about to be launched into space. He wasn’t exactly sure why he had agreed to submit his name to NASA’s latest publicity stunt, but now it was too late to back out. “We’re doing this for the future,” the scientist had said. “A symbolic gesture, a way to say we were here.”

The crowd cheered as the countdown began. Edward felt a knot form in his stomach. He had always been paranoid—what if aliens really did exist? What if they didn’t like their new message in a bottle? He laughed at himself, shaking off the silly thought.

Little did he know, millions of miles away on a cold, dusty planet, someone—or something—was about to open that very bottle.

Chapter 2: The Awakening

Somewhere deep beneath Mars' surface, where the sun’s rays couldn’t penetrate and the dust storms that raged above were but a distant hum, the Grand Council of Martians convened. The air in their chamber buzzed with an unusual tension. It had been centuries since they had met to discuss any real threat, and yet here they were, staring at an odd, glowing object recently unearthed from the northern hemisphere.

“It’s a device,” one Martian, Zogorth, said cautiously, his three eyes narrowing at the capsule lying at the center of the room. It glowed faintly, emitting a soft hum. “It contains… data. Names, of the Earthers, sent through the void of space.”

“Names?” the Chief Elder tilted her head curiously. “And for what purpose? A challenge? A declaration?”

Another council member snorted. “It’s a list of their warriors! A show of arrogance!”

The Elder’s ancient face grew grim. She hovered her hand over the capsule, her green skin shimmering in the dim light. “These Earthers have been advancing quickly. We’ve observed their satellites, their exploration probes, but this... this is different. They dare to leave their names on our planet, as if claiming it for themselves.”

Zogorth tapped on a small holographic device, bringing up a list of names. Thousands of them. “It is a clear act of hostility. What shall we do?”

“Prepare our ships,” the Elder said coldly. “Send a warning. Let them know we will not tolerate their insolence.”

Silence fell over the chamber. The Martians’ long, slender bodies moved slowly as they departed, each one with a mixture of concern and eagerness. After all, it had been a long time since they had engaged in any form of conflict with another species, especially the Earthers, who they had always dismissed as primitive creatures.

The Elder’s eyes gleamed as she watched the capsule one last time. This would be the beginning of something new.

Chapter 3: Strange Signals

In a dimly lit NASA control room, the hum of machines filled the air. Monitors blinked with endless streams of data, and the usual clatter of keyboards echoed through the space. At the helm of it all sat Dr. Emily Cole, NASA’s leading astrophysicist, sipping coffee as she stared at the screen in front of her.

“Anything yet?” she asked, glancing over at her assistant, Jake, who was nervously fidgeting with the volume of the communications array.

“Nothing… wait, hang on!” Jake suddenly straightened up, staring at the screen. “There’s something… weird coming from Mars.”

Emily quickly rolled her chair over to his station. “Weird how?”

“It’s like… a signal. Repeating. Not like the usual background noise.”

They both stared at the waveform on the screen, which pulsed in a regular pattern. Emily’s heart skipped a beat. They had received signals before—static from space, or interference from Earth’s own satellites—but this was different. This had structure.

“Boost the gain,” Emily said, leaning closer. The signal grew louder, a steady pulse of strange rhythmic beeps and tones. She frowned. “That… almost sounds like a language.”

“Should we report it to the higher-ups?” Jake asked nervously.

“Not yet. Let’s see if we can decode it first. Could just be an anomaly.”

They both sat in silence as the signal continued to play. But deep down, Emily knew this wasn’t an anomaly. Something had changed. Something on Mars was communicating.

Chapter 4: The Target List

Edward Thompson was having a particularly bad day. He had woken up late, spilled coffee on his only clean suit, and gotten a parking ticket just as he arrived at work. But as he sat down at his desk, thinking the day couldn’t get worse, his phone buzzed. It was a notification from NASA.

He stared at it, confused. “Urgent meeting for all capsule participants,” it read. He frowned. Capsule participants? He had completely forgotten about that ridiculous stunt he had signed up for months ago. Surely this wasn’t important.

Still, curiosity got the better of him, and he tapped on the email link. A moment later, a video feed popped up on his screen, and the face of a tired-looking NASA official appeared.

“Good afternoon,” the man began, not bothering to hide his frustration. “I’ll get straight to the point. We’ve been receiving… strange communications from Mars. And we believe it’s in response to the capsule we sent there.”

Edward blinked. “Wait, what do you mean ‘strange communications’? Like aliens?”

“Exactly like aliens,” the official said, deadpan. “They seem to have found the capsule. And they’re… not happy.”

“Not happy?” Edward’s stomach dropped. This was sounding less and less like a joke. “What does that even mean?”

“We’re still trying to figure it out,” the official admitted. “But based on the signals we’ve intercepted, they’re demanding to know why we sent a list of names to their planet. They seem to think it’s some kind of invasion plan.”

“Invasion plan?!” Edward nearly dropped his phone. “Are you kidding me?”

“I wish I was,” the official said grimly. “We’re working on a response, but in the meantime, we need you to be on alert. If the Martians decide to take action, it’s possible they’ll come after the people whose names were in the capsule.”

“Come after us?” Edward’s voice squeaked. “You mean, like… alien abductions?”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” the official replied. “But just in case, we recommend you stay close to home for the time being. We’ll be in touch with further instructions.”

The video feed cut off, leaving Edward staring at his screen in shock. He couldn’t believe it. The Martians were real. And they were coming for him.

Chapter 5: Martian Mischief

Late that night, Edward lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. He had tried to brush off the NASA warning as a joke, but the idea of Martians hunting him down kept nagging at the back of his mind.

Just as he was finally drifting off to sleep, a strange noise jolted him awake. It sounded like a faint hum, growing louder by the second. He sat up, squinting into the darkness.

Then, out of nowhere, a beam of light shot through his window, illuminating the entire room. Edward scrambled out of bed, heart pounding. “What the—”

The light shifted, focusing on his desk where his laptop sat. Then, with a soft click, the laptop lid lifted on its own. Edward watched in horror as the keys began to press down rapidly, typing out a message:

“We know who you are, Earthling.”

“Oh my God,” Edward whispered, backing away slowly. “They’re here.”

Just as he reached for his phone to call NASA, the light flickered off, and the room plunged back into darkness. The laptop screen went blank. Everything was still.

For a long moment, Edward stood frozen in place, his heart racing. Then, with a shaky breath, he whispered to himself, “This can’t be happening.”

But deep down, he knew it was. The Martians had found him.

Chapter 6: Warnings Unheeded

In a small suburban town far away from Edward’s troubles, Alison Miller was just wrapping up her evening lesson plan for her third-grade class. She had signed up for NASA’s capsule project on a whim, hoping it would inspire her students to dream of space and exploration. But as the news about the strange signals from Mars reached her, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Alison sat on her couch, staring at her TV, which was blaring the latest update from the news:

“... NASA officials are urging caution as the strange signals from Mars continue. While authorities assure the public that there is no immediate danger, some citizens are expressing concern over what the Martians’ intentions may be.”

“They’re overreacting,” Alison muttered to herself. “There’s no way Martians are real. It’s just some space anomaly, probably a weather balloon or something.”

She tried to focus on her lesson plans, but the nagging feeling in her stomach wouldn’t go away. She glanced out the window, where her backyard was bathed in moonlight. Everything seemed so peaceful, so normal.

And then, without warning, her backyard lights flickered. She frowned, standing up to check the fuse box, but before she could take a step, the lights went out completely. The whole house was plunged into darkness.

Alison froze, her heart racing. She took a deep breath, telling herself it was just a power outage, nothing more.

But then, she heard a strange noise outside—a soft, rhythmic tapping. It sounded like someone—or something—was knocking on her window.

“Hello?” Alison called out, her voice shaking slightly. “Is someone out there?”

No answer. The tapping continued, slow and deliberate.

Alison cautiously approached the window, squinting through the darkness. She couldn’t see anything outside, just her empty backyard.

Then, as she peered closer, she saw it—a small, glowing figure darting across her yard. It was barely a foot tall, with a long, thin body and large, round eyes that gleamed in the moonlight. It was definitely not human.

“What the…” Alison gasped, stumbling back from the window.

The tapping stopped. The figure paused, turning its head toward her as if it had noticed her presence. And then, with a sudden burst of speed, it zipped out of sight, disappearing into the shadows.

Alison stood frozen in place, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t know what she had just seen, but one thing was clear—this wasn’t a power outage. This was something much stranger.

Chapter 7: Martian Meddling

Across town, Jacob Rivera, a sixteen-year-old high school student, was playing video games in his room, completely oblivious to the growing crisis. His name had been submitted to the capsule by his mom, who thought it was “a fun family activity,” and he couldn’t have cared less.

As Jacob’s character raced through the virtual landscape, a flash of light suddenly filled the screen. At first, he thought it was part of the game—a special effect or glitch—but then he noticed that the light wasn’t coming from his monitor.

He turned around and saw a bright orb of light hovering just outside his bedroom window. It pulsed softly, casting a warm glow across the room. Jacob frowned, standing up to get a better look.

“What the hell?” he muttered, pushing the curtains aside. The orb bobbed gently in the air, like it was watching him.

Jacob blinked, rubbing his eyes. “This is trippy,” he whispered. “Am I hallucinating?”

He reached for his phone, snapping a quick picture of the orb. But just as he did, the orb darted away, disappearing into the night. Jacob stared at his phone in disbelief. He had captured the photo, but the image was completely blank.

“Weird,” he mumbled. He sat back down at his desk, trying to shake off the strange encounter. But as he reached for his controller, something even weirder happened—his game had changed.

The screen, once filled with colorful characters and landscapes, was now pitch black. In the center of the screen, glowing letters began to appear, one by one:

“We are watching, Jacob.”

“Whoa!” Jacob jumped back, nearly knocking his chair over. He frantically pressed buttons on his controller, but nothing happened. The message remained on the screen, pulsing ominously.

And then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the message vanished. The game returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.

Jacob stared at the screen, his heart racing. He knew this wasn’t part of the game. Whatever had just happened was real. And it was creepy as hell.

Chapter 8: The Message Decoded

At NASA’s headquarters, Emily Cole and her team had been working tirelessly to decode the signals coming from Mars. The more they studied the strange rhythmic beeps and tones, the more convinced they became that this was an alien language.

“We’ve isolated a pattern,” Emily said, pacing in front of the monitors. “It’s not random noise. There’s intelligence behind this.”

“What does it say?” Jake asked, his eyes glued to the screen.

Emily frowned. “It’s hard to translate directly, but from what we can tell… it’s a warning. They’re demanding an explanation for the capsule. They think we’re trying to claim their planet.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Jake said, shaking his head. “It was just a list of names. How could they take that as a threat?”

“We don’t know how their minds work,” Emily replied. “To them, this could be the equivalent of planting a flag on their soil. They think we’re preparing for an invasion.”

“So what do we do?” Jake asked nervously.

Emily sighed. “We need to respond, but we have to be careful. If we send the wrong message, we could escalate things even further.”

Just then, one of the monitors beeped, alerting them to a new signal coming in. Emily rushed over to the screen, her eyes widening as she read the message.

“What is it?” Jake asked, his voice tense.

Emily swallowed hard. “They’re asking for a surrender.”

“A surrender?” Jake repeated, incredulous. “They think we’re at war with them?”

Emily nodded. “And they’re not going to wait much longer for our response.”

Chapter 9: Signs of Trouble

As the strange incidents continued to occur across the globe, the people whose names had been sent to Mars began to grow more and more paranoid. It wasn’t just Edward, Alison, and Jacob who were experiencing bizarre encounters—hundreds of people reported strange lights, eerie messages, and unexplained phenomena.

Reports flooded in from all over the world:

• A farmer in Kansas claimed his cows were mysteriously rearranged in perfect circles overnight.
• A woman in Paris found every appliance in her home turned on at the same time, despite all being unplugged.
• In Tokyo, a group of friends saw their names written in the stars, glowing in the night sky for just a brief moment before disappearing.

It was clear that the Martians were not just targeting the names on the list—they were playing with them, testing their limits, and slowly increasing the pressure.

Back at his apartment, Edward couldn’t sleep. Every night, the strange lights returned, casting eerie shadows across his walls. His laptop would flicker on and off at random, typing out cryptic messages like:

“We are coming.”

“Prepare yourself.”

He had tried contacting NASA multiple times, but each time he was met with the same response: “We’re working on it. Please stay calm.”

Calm? How was he supposed to stay calm when aliens were sending him creepy messages every night?

Edward had no idea what to do. He felt completely powerless, trapped in a situation he never asked for. But deep down, he knew one thing for sure: whatever the Martians were planning, it was only a matter of time before they made their move.

Chapter 10: Martian Misunderstanding

Deep beneath Mars’ crimson surface, the Grand Council of Martians reconvened in their grand chamber. The situation was escalating quickly, and yet… no one seemed to know exactly why.

The Elder floated slowly into the center of the room, her three eyes darting between the nervous council members. “Zogorth,” she called, “report on the progress of our… message delivery.”

Zogorth, still proud from his discovery of the Earth capsule, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Well… Elder, it seems our… uh… intimidation tactics are working. The Earthers are becoming increasingly… err… ‘concerned.’”

The Elder's eyes narrowed. “Concerned? What do you mean ‘concerned’?”

Zogorth winced slightly. “They’re… well, panicking, actually. They seem to be taking our warning signals as hostile actions.”

“Hostile actions?” The Elder blinked in confusion. “All we did was send light displays and electronic nudges! Is that not their customary greeting?”

A buzz of confused chatter rippled through the room. To the Martians, showing up in glowing orbs of light and rearranging Earth objects into neat patterns was a perfectly respectful way to introduce themselves. It was, in fact, a tradition in their culture—an artistic display meant to express peaceful curiosity.

“Wait,” one Martian council member interrupted. “Did the Earthers not respond with delight and invitation to further our communications?”

Zogorth cringed. “Not… exactly. They think we’re… invading.”

“Invading?” The Elder's voice took on a high-pitched tone of disbelief. “Invading with lights and games? These Earthers have strange customs indeed.”

“Perhaps our methods have been… misinterpreted,” Zogorth said nervously. “They might not understand our intention.”

“Then why didn’t they just say so?” The Elder’s three eyes twinkled with bemusement. “We’ve been very clear in our messaging.”

The council members exchanged uncertain glances. Maybe they hadn’t been as clear as they thought.

“Perhaps,” the Elder said, stroking one of her long, luminescent tendrils, “we need to send a more direct message—one that leaves no room for confusion.”

She turned to Zogorth. “Prepare another signal, but this time, make sure it conveys our true purpose: curiosity, not conquest.”

“Of course, Elder.” Zogorth bowed, though inside, he wasn’t entirely sure how to craft a signal that wouldn’t be misread by these perplexing Earthers.

Chapter 11: The Martian Embassy

Back on Earth, tensions were at an all-time high. Governments around the world were holding emergency meetings, trying to figure out how to respond to the increasing number of “Martian incidents.”

The media had dubbed it “The Great Martian Scare,” and conspiracy theories were running rampant. Some believed the Martians were here to harvest Earth’s resources, while others were convinced they were preparing for a full-scale invasion.

And yet, amidst the growing chaos, there was one person who wasn’t scared at all: Professor Beatrix Lamont, an eccentric linguist and expert in alien communication. Beatrix had been studying the Martian signals from the beginning, and she was convinced that the whole thing was just a big misunderstanding.

“They’re not trying to invade us,” Beatrix said, pacing in front of a group of nervous government officials. “They’re trying to communicate! Look at the patterns in their signals—it’s too structured to be a threat. It’s more like… an invitation.”

“An invitation?” one of the officials scoffed. “To what? Abduct us?”

Beatrix rolled her eyes. “No, no. To communicate, to engage with us. They’ve been sending us light displays and manipulating technology in ways that mimic Earthly art forms. It’s like they’re trying to play with us.”

“Play with us?” Another official threw his hands up in exasperation. “People are panicking, Professor! How do you explain that?”

“Because they don’t understand,” Beatrix said calmly. “The Martians are using their own cultural norms, which are clearly different from ours. We’re interpreting them as hostile because we’re afraid of the unknown.”

The room fell into an uneasy silence. Finally, one of the officials spoke up. “So what do you suggest, Professor?”

Beatrix grinned. “We send them a response. A friendly one.”

“A friendly response?”

“Exactly.” Beatrix held up a diagram of a peculiar, brightly colored symbol. “We send them something familiar. This,” she said proudly, “is the universal symbol of peace.”

The officials stared at the symbol—a bright yellow smiley face. Beatrix beamed. “Trust me. Everyone understands a smile.”

Chapter 12: The Return Signal

A few days later, back on Mars, Zogorth stood nervously in front of the communication console, awaiting the return signal from Earth. The Martians had crafted a beautiful message using advanced light displays and harmonic sound waves that they were sure would leave no room for misinterpretation.

“It is ready, Elder,” Zogorth said, bowing slightly as the Elder approached the console. “We have sent our most elegant and peaceful display to the Earthers. Surely they will understand this time.”

The Elder nodded. “Let us see how they respond.”

Slowly, the screen in front of them flickered to life, revealing the Earth’s transmission. Zogorth and the Elder watched in anticipation as the image came into focus.

And there it was—a bright yellow circle with two black dots for eyes and a curved line for a mouth.

The Martians stared at the smiley face in silence.

“What… what is this?” the Elder asked, tilting her head. “Is it some kind of code?”

Zogorth scratched his head, utterly confused. “I’m… not sure. But it seems… friendly?”

The Elder stared at the image for a long moment. “Perhaps this is how the Earthers express peaceful intentions,” she mused. “Yes, it must be! This symbol… it is simplistic, yet conveys warmth. They have accepted our communication!”

“So… we’re not at war?” Zogorth asked, relief flooding his voice.

“No,” the Elder said with a soft smile. “We are not. This ‘smiley face’ of theirs… it is a symbol of mutual understanding.”

Zogorth sighed in relief. “I’m so glad that’s settled. Now we can finally establish peaceful contact.”

The Elder nodded. “Indeed. Let us proceed with the next phase—inviting them to visit us. After all, we have much to share.”

Chapter 13: An Invitation From Mars

Back on Earth, Beatrix was ecstatic. “It worked!” she shouted, waving the smiley face transmission in the air. “They responded positively! We’re not at war—this is the beginning of peaceful interplanetary relations!”

The government officials, on the other hand, were less enthusiastic. They had spent the last several days preparing for the worst, and now it seemed like all their efforts had been in vain. The Martians weren’t invaders—they were diplomats.

“So, what now?” one of the officials asked cautiously.

Beatrix grinned. “Now? Now we plan a diplomatic mission to Mars. They’ve extended an invitation, and we’re going to be the first humans to make contact with extraterrestrial life.”

The officials exchanged uneasy glances, but Beatrix was already halfway out the door, brimming with excitement. The smiley face had opened the door to an entirely new era of space exploration—one that was far more bizarre, and far more wonderful, than anyone had anticipated.

?

Chapter 14: Arrival on Mars

The spaceship Hope One was on its final approach to Mars. Inside, the atmosphere was tense. Beatrix Lamont stood at the front of the cabin, staring out of the window with wide, eager eyes. The red planet loomed closer with each passing minute, its rusty surface gleaming beneath them.

The rest of the crew, however, was not nearly as excited. The team consisted of an odd mix of individuals—military personnel, scientists, and a few handpicked diplomats. Each of them carried their own expectations for this mission, ranging from hopeful to downright terrified.

“We’re really doing this,” muttered Captain Arnold Hayes, who had been with NASA for over two decades. He had seen his fair share of missions, but none quite like this. “We’re about to meet aliens.”

“Oh, relax,” Beatrix said with a grin. “It’s going to be fine. They’re friendly! They sent us a smiley face, remember?”

Captain Hayes raised an eyebrow. “A smiley face? You think that’s enough to guarantee this will go smoothly? For all we know, that could be their version of a polite death threat.”

Beatrix laughed, patting him on the shoulder. “You worry too much, Captain. This is history in the making! We’re the first humans to make contact with an alien species! It’s going to be… extraordinary.”

The ship shuddered slightly as it began its descent, the thrusters engaging to slow their approach. Beatrix’s heart raced with excitement as the Martian surface grew closer and closer. She had spent years studying alien communication, but nothing could have prepared her for this moment—actual contact with extraterrestrial life.

“Touchdown in five minutes,” the ship’s automated voice announced.

The crew exchanged nervous glances. In the cargo hold, the diplomatic gifts sat securely packed—items like Earth art, music, and a small garden of plants that NASA hoped would demonstrate Earth’s culture of peace and cooperation. Beatrix had even insisted on bringing a giant banner with a smiley face on it, much to the confusion of the crew.

“I still think that banner is a bit much,” Captain Hayes grumbled as the ship prepared to land.

_“Nonsense,” Beatrix said, adjusting her jumpsuit. “It’s perfect.”

Chapter 15: First Contact

As Hope One landed gently on the Martian surface, the crew held their breath. Outside, a gathering of Martians awaited them, their shimmering, translucent bodies glowing in the soft light of Mars’ setting sun.

The Martians were taller than the humans had expected, standing about eight feet high, with elongated limbs and large, expressive eyes. Their skin was a soft, iridescent blue, and they moved with a graceful, floating motion, as if they were swimming through the thin Martian atmosphere.

“Well… they’re certainly not what I expected,” whispered one of the scientists, Dr. Lucy Nguyen, her eyes wide with awe.

“They’re… beautiful,” Beatrix whispered back, her voice filled with wonder.

The Martians hovered just outside the ship, waiting patiently for the humans to make the first move. Beatrix took a deep breath, grabbing the banner she had insisted on bringing, and stepped forward.

“Here goes nothing,” she muttered to herself.

As the hatch opened, the crew stepped onto the surface of Mars for the first time. The moment was surreal—here they were, standing on an alien planet, surrounded by alien life.

Beatrix raised the smiley face banner high in the air, smiling broadly as she approached the Martians. “Greetings, friends!” she called out. “We come in peace!”

The Martians tilted their heads in unison, their large eyes blinking slowly. For a moment, there was complete silence. Then, one of the Martians floated forward, its body glowing slightly brighter as it extended a long, thin appendage toward Beatrix.

“A handshake!” Beatrix whispered excitedly to Captain Hayes. “They’re trying to shake hands!”

She reached out and took the Martian’s appendage in her hand. The Martian blinked again, and a soft hum filled the air. Beatrix smiled, feeling the warmth of the Martian’s glowing skin. “See?” she said to the crew. “They’re friendly!”

But before anyone could react, the Martian let out a loud, melodic chime—a sound that echoed across the barren Martian landscape. The other Martians joined in, creating a chorus of harmonious tones that reverberated through the air.

The humans stared in confusion as the Martians’ hums grew louder and more complex, the notes rising and falling in what seemed to be a form of communication. Beatrix, ever the linguist, listened intently, her brow furrowing as she tried to decipher the melody.

“I think… I think they’re singing,” she said slowly.

Captain Hayes looked skeptical. “Singing? What are they singing about?”

Beatrix tilted her head, trying to follow the intricate patterns of the Martians’ song. “It’s… it’s hard to tell, but it seems to be… a celebration?”

Just then, one of the Martians floated forward, holding what appeared to be a small, shimmering orb in its appendage. It presented the orb to Beatrix with a flourish, its eyes glowing with pride.

Beatrix accepted the orb carefully, cradling it in her hands. “Thank you,” she said softly, though she had no idea what the orb actually was.

“Is that… a gift?” Captain Hayes asked, eyeing the orb suspiciously.

Beatrix nodded. “I believe so. It’s their way of welcoming us.”

“Or it’s a bomb,” Captain Hayes muttered under his breath.

Beatrix rolled her eyes. “Not everything is a weapon, Captain. These beings are clearly peaceful.”

As Beatrix held the orb, it began to glow brighter, emitting a soft, warm light. She could feel a strange, tingling sensation in her fingertips, like a gentle electric current. Suddenly, the orb began to project images into the air—images of the Martian landscape, their cities, their culture.

The humans gasped as the holographic display unfolded before them, revealing a world unlike anything they had ever seen. Towering spires of crystal-like structures reached toward the sky, glowing softly in the Martian twilight. Strange, floating creatures swam through the air, their bodies pulsing with light. The Martian cities were vast and intricate, with winding pathways and beautiful gardens filled with bioluminescent plants.

“This is… incredible,” Dr. Nguyen whispered, her eyes wide with amazement.

The Martians continued to hum softly as the holographic images shifted, showing scenes of Martian life—families gathering together, art and music being created, and even what appeared to be a game similar to chess.

“They’re showing us their culture,” Beatrix said, her voice filled with awe. “This is their way of communicating with us—through images and music.”

The crew watched in silence as the Martians shared their world with them, the peaceful hum of their song filling the air. For the first time since the mission had begun, the tension seemed to melt away. The humans began to realize that the Martians weren’t hostile—they were simply trying to connect.

Chapter 16: Martian Hospitality

After the exchange of gifts and culture, the Martians led the humans to a grand structure nearby—a dome-shaped building that seemed to glow from within. Inside, the Martians had prepared a feast of sorts, though it was unlike any feast the humans had ever seen.

Tables were lined with strange, floating dishes that glowed softly in various colors. The Martian food appeared to be a collection of strange, gelatinous orbs that shimmered in the light. The Martians motioned for the humans to sit, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Beatrix, always the adventurer, was the first to try one of the glowing orbs. She hesitated for only a moment before popping it into her mouth.

“Well?” Captain Hayes asked, eyeing the orb with suspicion.

Beatrix’s eyes widened in surprise. “It’s… actually delicious!” she exclaimed. “It tastes like… like sweet honey and fresh mint.”

Encouraged by Beatrix’s enthusiasm, the rest of the crew cautiously tried the Martian delicacies. To their surprise, the food was not only edible but quite enjoyable. The Martians watched eagerly as the humans ate, their hums growing louder and more melodic as the meal progressed.

“I think they’re pleased,” Dr. Nguyen said with a smile. “This must be their way of welcoming us into their community.”

Captain Hayes, finally relaxing a bit, leaned back in his chair. “Well, I have to admit,” he said with a grin, “this is turning out better than I expected.”

Beatrix laughed. “I told you! The Martians are our friends. This is just the beginning of a beautiful relationship between our species.”

Chapter 17: Learning the Language

After the feast, Beatrix and her team were invited to stay in the Martian city for a few days. The Martians seemed eager to continue the exchange of knowledge, and Beatrix couldn’t have been more thrilled.

In the following days, the humans were introduced to more aspects of Martian culture—art, music, and even their complex system of written communication. It didn’t take long for Beatrix to realize that the Martians had a sophisticated language system based on light patterns and sound frequencies. Each glowing symbol or musical note conveyed layers of meaning, and while it was beautiful, it was also incredibly complex.

Beatrix spent hours each day working with Zogorth, who had been designated as their Martian liaison, trying to decode the intricacies of their language. She sat in front of a glowing tablet-like device, mimicking the light patterns that Zogorth produced and attempting to match the sounds to their corresponding symbols.

“So,” Beatrix said, tapping a symbol that glowed a soft blue, “this represents… what? Peace? Harmony?”

Zogorth hummed in response, his large eyes blinking slowly as he floated next to her. “It represents the balance of all things,” he said in a melodic tone. “It is… how you say… harmony between forces.”

Beatrix grinned. “See? We’re getting somewhere! I’m starting to understand.”

Zogorth blinked again, his glowing eyes flickering. “Your brain is… how you say… spongy? Absorbing well?”

Beatrix laughed. “Yes, spongy. It’s absorbing your language very well.”

Captain Hayes, who had been watching the interaction from a distance, couldn’t help but chuckle. “You two sound like old friends already,” he said, leaning against the wall of the Martian structure. “Though I still have no idea what half of this glowing stuff means.”

Beatrix waved him off playfully. “It’s all about context, Captain. You have to look at the whole pattern, not just individual symbols. It’s like reading poetry—there’s always more beneath the surface.”

Captain Hayes smirked. “I’ll take your word for it. As long as none of these symbols mean ‘we’re planning to eat you,’ I’m happy.”

Zogorth tilted his head at the Captain’s remark, then gave a soft hum that could only be described as a Martian chuckle. “We do not consume… how you say… sentient beings,” Zogorth said. “We consume energy… and light.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” Captain Hayes said with a grin. “I wasn’t really looking forward to being someone’s dinner.”

Beatrix smiled warmly, feeling the bond between the Martians and the humans growing stronger by the day. Though their communication was still limited, there was a sense of trust building. The Martians were clearly eager to share their knowledge and culture, and the humans were equally curious to learn.

Chapter 18: A Cultural Exchange

One afternoon, the Martians gathered the humans in what seemed to be a large amphitheater made of crystal-like material that shimmered in the Martian sunlight. The Martians had prepared a special performance for their guests—a display of their artistic abilities that combined light, sound, and movement in ways that were completely foreign to the humans.

Beatrix and the others sat in awe as the Martians moved gracefully across the stage, their bodies glowing and shifting colors in perfect harmony with the music that filled the air. The performance was mesmerizing, a blend of dance, art, and storytelling that conveyed emotions without a single word being spoken.

At the climax of the performance, the Martians’ colors burst into a dazzling display of light, filling the amphitheater with a rainbow of hues. The humans gasped in amazement as the lights danced around them, wrapping them in a warm, welcoming glow.

“This… this is incredible,” Dr. Nguyen whispered, her eyes wide with wonder. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”

Beatrix nodded in agreement, her heart swelling with appreciation for the beauty and grace of the Martians’ culture. “They’re expressing their connection to the universe,” she said softly. “It’s a celebration of life—of harmony.”

Captain Hayes, who had been quietly observing, leaned over and whispered to Beatrix, “You know, if you told me a week ago I’d be sitting in a glowing Martian amphitheater watching an alien light show, I’d have called you crazy.”

Beatrix grinned. “Well, aren’t you glad you came along for the ride?”

“I’ll admit, this is way better than I expected,” Hayes said, chuckling. “Though I’m still not sure what half of this means.”

After the performance, the Martians invited the humans onto the stage, encouraging them to participate in their own version of a cultural exchange. Beatrix, ever the adventurer, eagerly agreed, suggesting that the humans perform something in return.

“How about we teach them some Earth music?” Beatrix suggested excitedly. “Something simple but fun.”

Captain Hayes raised an eyebrow. “You want us to sing?”

“Not just sing,” Beatrix said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “I’m thinking something with a little energy. Something that shows our spirit. Let’s teach them a classic Earth song!”

And so, to the great amusement of the Martians, the humans began to perform a spirited rendition of “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles. Beatrix led the singing, while Captain Hayes—reluctant at first—eventually got into the groove, twisting and dancing along with the rest of the crew.

The Martians watched with wide eyes, their bodies glowing brighter as they observed the humans’ strange, energetic movements. At first, they seemed confused by the concept of dancing, but soon enough, they began to mimic the humans’ motions, their elongated limbs moving in awkward but earnest attempts at “twisting and shouting.”

The amphitheater filled with laughter and music as the humans and Martians danced together, their differences momentarily forgotten in the joy of the moment.

“This is amazing!” Beatrix shouted over the music, laughing as she danced alongside Zogorth, who was now attempting to imitate her moves.

“You call this… how you say… dancing?” Zogorth asked, his voice humming with curiosity.

Beatrix grinned. “That’s right! You’re doing great, Zogorth!”

The Martian gave a melodic chime of delight, his glowing body swirling with color as he tried to twist and shout along with the humans. The other Martians followed suit, and soon the entire amphitheater was filled with Martians and humans dancing together in a bizarre but beautiful display of interspecies unity.

As the song came to an end, both the humans and Martians collapsed into laughter, their bodies glowing with happiness. For the first time since their arrival on Mars, the humans felt truly connected to their alien hosts.

Chapter 19: The Shared Universe

The next day, Beatrix and her crew were invited to a special ceremony held by the Martians. It was to be a symbolic gesture—an official acknowledgment of the bond that had been formed between their two species.

The Martians gathered in a circle beneath the glowing spires of their city, with the humans standing in the center. Zogorth approached Beatrix with a small, glowing crystal in his appendage, holding it out to her with reverence.

“This,” Zogorth said softly, “is a symbol of our unity. It represents the balance of our worlds—the harmony between our species.”

Beatrix accepted the crystal with a deep sense of honor. It was small, no larger than a marble, but it glowed with a soft, pulsating light that seemed to resonate with the energy of the universe.

“Thank you, Zogorth,” Beatrix said sincerely. “This means more to us than you know.”

As she held the crystal, she felt a deep connection to the Martians—a connection that went beyond language or culture. In that moment, she realized that despite their differences, they were all part of the same universe, bound by the same desire for understanding and peace.

The Martians began to hum softly, their melodic voices rising into the air as they performed their ceremonial song. The humans stood in awe, feeling the warmth of the Martians’ energy surrounding them. It was a moment of pure unity, a moment where the barriers between their worlds seemed to dissolve.

Beatrix closed her eyes, letting the hum of the Martians’ song wash over her. She could feel the pulse of the universe in that sound—the same pulse that beat within her own heart. It was a reminder that, despite the vastness of space and the differences between their species, they were all connected.

Chapter 20: The Farewell

The days that followed were filled with continued exchange between humans and Martians. The bond they had forged grew stronger with each passing moment, and soon, the humans’ mission was nearing its end. The time had come for Hope One to return to Earth.

Standing in the same clearing where they had first landed, Beatrix and the crew prepared to say their goodbyes to their Martian hosts. Zogorth and several other Martians hovered nearby, their glowing bodies pulsating softly with what the humans had come to recognize as a sign of bittersweet emotions.

“I never thought I’d feel so sad to leave Mars,” Captain Hayes said, adjusting his helmet. “It’s strange… I feel like we’re leaving friends behind.”

Beatrix nodded, her eyes misty with emotion as she stood beside Zogorth. “It’s not a goodbye forever,” she said quietly. “We’ll be back. And who knows? Maybe one day, the Martians will come to visit us.”

Zogorth blinked slowly, his glowing eyes focusing on Beatrix. “You have… how you say… left your light with us. It will always shine here.”

Beatrix smiled warmly. “And you’ve left your light with us too, Zogorth. We’ll carry it with us back to Earth.”

With a soft hum of affection, Zogorth extended his appendage toward Beatrix, offering her the glowing crystal that had become a symbol of their unity. “Keep this… how you say… memory close. It is our bond.”

Beatrix took the crystal, feeling its warmth radiate through her hands. She placed it in her pack, knowing that it would serve as a constant reminder of the extraordinary experiences they had shared on Mars.

The rest of the crew exchanged farewells with the Martians, and after a final round of handshakes (or what could be described as “hand-glows”), they boarded Hope One.

As the ship lifted off the Martian surface, Beatrix watched through the window, her heart full of a mix of sadness and hope. The Martians stood below, their glowing forms shrinking into the distance as the ship ascended higher into the thin Martian atmosphere.

“We’ll be back,” Beatrix whispered to herself, a smile on her lips.

Captain Hayes, sitting beside her, chuckled. “You really think we’ll be back here again?”

Beatrix nodded confidently. “Absolutely. This is just the beginning. There’s so much more for us to learn, so much more to explore. Mars was only our first step. The universe is a big place, Captain. Who knows what other surprises are waiting out there?”

Epilogue: The Teaser

Back on Earth, the crew of Hope One was hailed as heroes. Their successful mission to Mars was celebrated across the globe, and the knowledge they brought back from their encounters with the Martians opened up endless possibilities for the future of interplanetary diplomacy.

But for Beatrix, there was still a sense of unfinished business. Late one night, as she sat in her study looking over the Martian crystal, a faint glow began to emanate from it. She held it up, watching as tiny patterns of light flickered across its surface—patterns she hadn’t noticed before.

Then, suddenly, a message appeared, projected into the air in shimmering light:

"We have seen others. They are coming."

Beatrix’s breath caught in her throat as the message faded away. She stared at the crystal, her mind racing with questions. Who were the “others”? What did the message mean?

She stood up, her heart pounding with excitement and anticipation. Whatever this new message signaled, she knew one thing for sure: their adventure was far from over.

The Return to Mars

The universe is vast and full of mysteries. As humanity celebrates its peaceful contact with the Martians, a new challenge looms on the horizon. The cryptic message left by Zogorth suggests that Earth is not alone in the stars—there are other beings out there, watching, waiting, and perhaps even approaching.

Beatrix and the crew must prepare for their next mission, but this time, they won’t be venturing back to Mars alone. As new alliances are formed and old mysteries resurface, the stakes grow higher than ever before. The question isn’t just whether they’ll return to Mars—it’s whether they’ll be ready for what’s coming next.

Follow & connect to see the next book, coming soon!

About the Author

This Book was written by Chat GPT and the image was created by DALL-E, with prompts by Rebecca Colvin, aka Boudica, the Founder of Boudica Marketing, based in Fort Collins, Colorado. She loves experimenting, traveling, and learning new ways to use AI to generate all the things!

Learn more and connect here: mtr.bio/boudica