walking outside in a Martian atmosphere that no
longer required spacesuits or even 02 concentrators to
breathe. Before them swept a vast plain studded with oak
trees-genetically engineered, to be sure, but recognizable
just the same-that grew to towering heights because of the
low Martian gravitational pull. Beyond that lay the
deceptively gentle slope that led to the top of Olympus
Mons, the highest point on Mars (and three times as high as
Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth); it, too, was
covered with trees, though pines predominated at the upper
elevations. "Warming the planet was accomplished in a
fraction of the time twentyfirst-century scientists had
predicted.
Water and oxygen were liberated from the subterranean
permafrost and genetically engineered bacteria were
introduced into the terrain. This began the terraforming
process. There were colonists living on Mars as early as
2103, but they needed atmospheric suits in order to breathe
outside a biosphere. Not quite one hundred years after
that, Mars possessed a breathable atmosphere." They had
approached a huge, man-made quarry that, Kathryn noted,
contained water. "These are quarries left by the first
mining projects on Mars," explained Data.
"The earliest colonists utilized local resources, mining
the elements to build habitable structures."
Some of Kathryn's history lesson came back to her. "They
mined something that helped them make concrete . . . ."
"This is correct. Basaltic regolith exists in large
quantities on this planet.
Refined and mixed with water, it forms a crude concrete.
This process was far more efficient than trying to bring
building materials from Earth."
"Why is there water in the quarry now?"
"When the quarries were abandoned, they filled with water
from the underlying cave systems. Mars had quite a wet
beginning, you see; rivers, streams, and lava flows carved
caves just as they did on Earth." The pale being stared
down into the clear water of the quarries. "In summer these
quarries are quite popular as swimming sites." He glanced
down at his small charge. "Although I am told that adults
frown on children utilizing them in that way, since they
are not serviced by lifeguards."
Kathryn smiled to herself. This fascinating person said
things that were funny, yet she was sure he didn't intend
them that way, or even realize that's how they came out.
But her mind had filed away an interesting piece of
information: children weren't supposed to swim in the
quarries. Why that seemed interesting, she wasn't sure, but
it did.
5
HARRY KIM WAS FASCINATED. FOR THE PAST TWO HOURS, THE trail
of burial markers had led the group from one site to
another, each one larger and more elaborate than the one
before. The arrangements of the flying creatures" delicate
skeletons became more complex as they went, curves and
loops and spirals composed of the bleached white bones of
the beings who had once inhabited this place. "What do you
think it means, Lieutenant?" he asked Tuvok. "It seems as
though we're being led somewheresomewhere important."
Tuvok, he knew, was more concerned with reestablishing
contact with voyager than with conjecturing about an
archaeological site. But Harry also knew that it wasn't
unusual for an away team to lose temporary contact with the
ship, as there were many kinds of interference that would
cause trouble with the long-range comm system. And he was
too caught up in the present mystery to worry unduly about
what was probably a routine mishap. He waited until he had
Tuvok's attention.
"It may be," the Vulcan mused, "that the eventual goal
will be what the inhabitants considered the most important
site-the grave of a leader or great dignitary, or possibly
the location of sacrificial offerings." Harry stared at the
intricate grouping of skeletons that lay before them,
dozens of them laid out in a series of concentric circles.
Was it possible these magnificent
longer required spacesuits or even 02 concentrators to
breathe. Before them swept a vast plain studded with oak
trees-genetically engineered, to be sure, but recognizable
just the same-that grew to towering heights because of the
low Martian gravitational pull. Beyond that lay the
deceptively gentle slope that led to the top of Olympus
Mons, the highest point on Mars (and three times as high as
Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth); it, too, was
covered with trees, though pines predominated at the upper
elevations. "Warming the planet was accomplished in a
fraction of the time twentyfirst-century scientists had
predicted.
Water and oxygen were liberated from the subterranean
permafrost and genetically engineered bacteria were
introduced into the terrain. This began the terraforming
process. There were colonists living on Mars as early as
2103, but they needed atmospheric suits in order to breathe
outside a biosphere. Not quite one hundred years after
that, Mars possessed a breathable atmosphere." They had
approached a huge, man-made quarry that, Kathryn noted,
contained water. "These are quarries left by the first
mining projects on Mars," explained Data.
"The earliest colonists utilized local resources, mining
the elements to build habitable structures."
Some of Kathryn's history lesson came back to her. "They
mined something that helped them make concrete . . . ."
"This is correct. Basaltic regolith exists in large
quantities on this planet.
Refined and mixed with water, it forms a crude concrete.
This process was far more efficient than trying to bring
building materials from Earth."
"Why is there water in the quarry now?"
"When the quarries were abandoned, they filled with water
from the underlying cave systems. Mars had quite a wet
beginning, you see; rivers, streams, and lava flows carved
caves just as they did on Earth." The pale being stared
down into the clear water of the quarries. "In summer these
quarries are quite popular as swimming sites." He glanced
down at his small charge. "Although I am told that adults
frown on children utilizing them in that way, since they
are not serviced by lifeguards."
Kathryn smiled to herself. This fascinating person said
things that were funny, yet she was sure he didn't intend
them that way, or even realize that's how they came out.
But her mind had filed away an interesting piece of
information: children weren't supposed to swim in the
quarries. Why that seemed interesting, she wasn't sure, but
it did.
5
HARRY KIM WAS FASCINATED. FOR THE PAST TWO HOURS, THE trail
of burial markers had led the group from one site to
another, each one larger and more elaborate than the one
before. The arrangements of the flying creatures" delicate
skeletons became more complex as they went, curves and
loops and spirals composed of the bleached white bones of
the beings who had once inhabited this place. "What do you
think it means, Lieutenant?" he asked Tuvok. "It seems as
though we're being led somewheresomewhere important."
Tuvok, he knew, was more concerned with reestablishing
contact with voyager than with conjecturing about an
archaeological site. But Harry also knew that it wasn't
unusual for an away team to lose temporary contact with the
ship, as there were many kinds of interference that would
cause trouble with the long-range comm system. And he was
too caught up in the present mystery to worry unduly about
what was probably a routine mishap. He waited until he had
Tuvok's attention.
"It may be," the Vulcan mused, "that the eventual goal
will be what the inhabitants considered the most important
site-the grave of a leader or great dignitary, or possibly
the location of sacrificial offerings." Harry stared at the
intricate grouping of skeletons that lay before them,
dozens of them laid out in a series of concentric circles.
Was it possible these magnificent
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