//------------------------------// // MARS // Story: Lost // by Subject 19 //------------------------------// Razka opened his front door and Janet Stahl walked in. He led her to his living room and motioned for her to take a seat on the sofa, while he sat down across from her. “So what is it you needed to show me?” she asked. “Before I do, you need to swear you will speak to no one about this.” Janet gave Razka a questioning look before slowly nodding her head in agreement. “I am currently housing an alien that is trying to return to her world,” Razka said, his tone deathly serious. “I need your help getting her home.” “Bullshit.” “If you don’t believe me, take a look for yourself.” facing the door, he said,” Luna, you can come in.” The night princess cautiously entered the room and stood next to Razka. “H-hello,” Luna nervously greeted. Janet was at a complete loss for words. She knew that there was bound to be life somewhere else in the galaxy, but she never thought she’d be staring right at it. Razka grinned. “So, shall we begin?” One Week Later “Gentlemen, the twenty of you represent the best scientists in the world that can assist with Project: MARS,” Razka began. They were in the basement of the chairman’s house, which was about the size of an aircraft hangar. Most of the hangar was empty except for some stockpiles of weapons and ammo. Razka held a belief of being prepared for the very worst. The fact that he would be committing treason in the near future was only a bigger incentive for him to be prepared. “You have all sworn to keep everything regarding this project secret from everyone not involved,” Razka stated. “We are here to assist the alien, known as Luna, return to her home world as quickly as possible. I know that many of you wish to know more about her, but in the interest of her safety and privacy, all information about her will be kept on a need-to-know basis. I want a concept design in two weeks. Until I say otherwise, you will live here. I’ll have cots brought down tonight and I’ll be sure you have everything you want to eat and drink.” One of the scientists, a man in fifties, raised his hand. “We’ve all read your base requirements for the portal, chairman. From what we’ve read, it appears that the aliens already have a portal waiting to be linked by our own.” “What’s your question?” Razka impatiently requested. “If we do build this portal, it will act as a door between both our worlds. There is the serious risk that they could send in soldiers to conquer us.” The man’s concerns received agreeing nods from the other nineteen scientists. “Which is why the portal will be destroyed immediately after we send Luna through it. The last thing we need is having war between two worlds. Based on what I’ve been told about Luna’s planet, I’d say we would be the ones doing the conquering anyway. Now unless you have any more questions, we have a lot of work to do, so let’s get started.” 3 months later. It had been weeks since Razka was at CHECKMATE’s headquarters. Most of his days were spent managing Project: MARS. After a week of their incessant complaining, Razka had moved the scientists into the closest hotel he could find. As he entered his office, his secretary followed him in. “Sir,” the young brunette started. “General Shepard is on line one, he says it’s urgent.” Razka sighed. “Of course it is.” After his secretary left, Razka picked up his desk phone. “What do want, Shepard?” “I know you well enough to know that you loathe being in your house for long periods of time,” Shepard confidently stated. “What are you up to?” The CEO silently cursed. If Shepard found out what he was doing, he’d find out about Luna. That would also result in Shepard digging through everything on Razka’s computers, and finding out about his plans to overthrow the US. “My personal life is none of your business. The company has a lot on its plate right now and I find that I’m more productive during times like this in my workshop instead of a desk.” Shepard remained quiet for a few moments, as if contemplating whether or not to believe Razka. “And where do the twenty scientists come in?” he challenged. “I have some shiny new toys I’m making, Joseph. Christmas is only two months away and I still have a few more of them to wrap, including yours. The real question is if you’ve been naughty or nice.” “Enough with the bullshit. I’m only going to ask this once. What are you not telling me?” “Are you threatening me?” Razka demanded, his voice rising. “We are not equals, Razka. I’m the secretary of defense and you’re-” “The CEO and chairman of the largest weapons company and private army in the world,” Razka interrupted. “You’re right about us not being equal. I have more power than you’ll ever have.” “The President knows about the scientists. You don’t bring the greatest minds the world has to offer without planning to use them. We’re treating this as a very serious threat. You either hand over the information on this project you’re working on or we will do it ourselves!” Seeing no way out, Razka gave up for his sake and Luna’s. “You’ll have what you want in twenty-four hours.” “If you’re so much as a second late, I’m busting down your door,” Shepard warned before hanging up. “NO!” Razka yelled, slamming the phone against his desk. The receiver flew off the phone from the sheer force. “I have not come this fucking far for it all to be thwarted by that son of a bitch!” Razka couldn’t believe what was happening. If Shepard found out everything about MARS, it would raise more questions than it would answer. That meant Shepard would search through every file on every computer Razka owned. He would find Operation: Defiance, and discover Razka’s end goal. All because of some fucking horse. Christopher Razka stumbled into his house. Hard liquor tended to have that effect on him. Looking at his watch he saw it was almost midnight. As he made his way to the living room to sit down, Razka kicked off his shoes, followed by his suit jacket, and tie. The chairman fell back into his couch and laid his head back. “Christopher!” Luna hollered as she trotted into the room. “I was getting worried. You’re never out this late.” “Tell your sister we might be fucked,” Razka said with a slight slur. This struck Luna completely off guard. “What, why? And why do you smell like alcohol?” “Shepard’s going to find everything! All my hard work is going to be down the drain. Sorry, thanks for playing. Game fucking over!” “Christopher, you’re not making any sense.” Luna was a bit uncomfortable seeing her friend so out of it for the first time. “And he’s going to find you too,” the drunken Razka added, pointing a wobbly finger at the night princess. “And you’ll be stuck on this cesspool for the rest of eternity. I’ll be executed for treason and you’ll be a lab rat.” Luna sighed, deciding it would be better to dismiss his drunken ramblings. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.” Using her magic, Luna lifted Razka up off the couch. Razka put an arm around Luna’s neck for support. Once she guided him to his room, Razka collapsed onto the bed, much too tired to get beneath the covers. Within seconds he fast asleep. “Sleep well, Christopher. Hopefully you can explain this all in the morning.”