Superfluous Mars

A new flash fiction story - on Mars!

Sep 05, 2024

∙ Paid

Greetings, awesome humans!

Yes, I have new flash fiction today. It was inspired by the news that went around in August about finding a large underground lake Mars.

Before I get into the story, a couple of announcements and things.

First, please follow my Kickstarter! It should be launching next week and I would really love it if y’all followed it! Especially if you’ve been on The Robot Galaxy Series journey with me, you’ll definitely want in on some of the rewards I’m offering!

Next… I have a new story up on Amazon/KindleUnlimited!

Yes, this is the story that a few of you beta read last month. I hope y’all like my final choice with the cover design! FYI… I work with a company and designers to do my novel covers. But the short stories? I’m doing them myself on Canva.

For more insights into all the behind the scenes stuff about being a writer and “small press” owner, then consider becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter!

If you’re not ready to subscribe, that’s cool. Read on and enjoy!

But don’t forget about the rest of my books and stories:

Links: Lunar Logic | Robot Galaxy Series | Final Orbit

Sometimes, I’m not sure if my short stories are doing what I expect and communicating the “message” I want them to communicate. It’s not really a message… but a… sense. But “they” say that art is in the eye of the beholder. So does it really even matter what my intent was? As long as you enjoyed it or got something out of it…

But I’m always curious about what others picked up from whatever I laid down. What did you get out of this one? I’m wondering if it was even close to my intent! After you read the story, reply to this and let me know!

Writing this gave me another idea for another self challenge: write a flash story that involves each of the major bodies of our solar system. I haven’t committed myself to that challenge yet. It’s just an idea. We’ll see where I am in two weeks.

For now, you read (and follow my Kickstarter). I’ll be writing (and promoting my Kickstarter).

Did I mention my Kickstarter? ;) And the rewards like being the first to get follow-on books to the Robot Galaxy Series (the “T-Set”), getting your name on a character in the T-Set, Zoom calls with me, and more!

[Note: Quick reminder about “flash fiction.” While there is no official legal definition of “flash fiction,” it’s generally accepted that flash fiction has a word count of up to 1500 words. However, to make this an interesting challenge, I’ve told myself that these stories will be no more than 1000 words.]

If you want to know more about how this story came about, that’s all in the “Beyond…” section for paid subscribers below. (Remember that paid subscribers also get to suggest elements and get their name used in a future story!)

Superfluous Mars

"And you're going for the record? Which one is this again?"

Zara Nocturne rolled her eyes in exasperation. She couldn't believe she was explaining this. Again. Couldn’t people at least pretend to pay attention?

"The one where you do all the things on Mars. Mars has the largest volcano, the deepest canyon, the steepest cliff, and the largest lake in Earth's solar system," Zara said. "It's called the Mars Quadruple."

"Oh, I guess I’ve heard of that… maybe," said her bunkmate, whose name Zara had already forgotten.

They were on their way to station Waypoint Delta, a bustling hub of activity situated at Mars Lagrange Point 1. After spending a few days there, Zara would take the connecting transport to Mars Alpha Base. Mars Alpha Base, a sprawling complex of domes and tunnels, was home to some 3,500 people. Each lived and worked on the inhospitable red planet, and the base served as the launch point for all Quadruple attempts.

"And why are you doing this?" The question startled Zara, who had closed her eyes.

"So I'm remembered, of course! I want to go down in Martian history!"

Her bunkmate chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Zara asked.

"Have you ever heard the name Rowan Vale?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Didn't think so. When we're connected to HelioNet, look them up."

Zara hadn't paid for full access to HelioNet on this trip. It was expensive, so she limited her access to subspace comms only so she could keep in touch and ensure everything would be ready when she got to Mars.

The Valles Marineris canyon had been first. Stretching across the Martian surface like a scar, it challenged adventurers to navigate its jagged edges and deep shadows. The grueling 4,000-kilometer bike ride tested her endurance, but the sense of accomplishment afterward was exhilarating. She was the youngest person to ever bike the full length, and sponsors back home in the Tau Ceti system noticed.

Climbing Olympus Mons was next. Gear was allowed, and OhmCore sponsored the powered soft exoskeleton she used to reach the summit in two weeks.

She took a couple of years off before she could return. At this point, Zara had made up her mind to do the Quadruple. The rush of attention at being the youngest to do these events fueled her.

She trained relentlessly, and again her sponsor outfitted her with the gear she needed to climb the steepest cliff walls of Valles Marineris. There had been much debate on whether or not this was superfluous enough for the Quadruple. After all, Verona Rupes on Uranus' moon Miranda is taller. The debate stalled Zara's progress for a while as the Committee to Assign Superfluous Ratings debated whether scaling the cliff or visiting Hellas Planitia, the largest impact basin, should be the final event.

Once the Committee decided on the cliffs, Zara prepared and, of course, accomplished what she'd set out to do. No one who knew her had any doubt.

Now, she was on her way back to Mars with her ultimate destination of Lake Eridania. Many years had passed, and in order to gain access, Zara had to become a scientist and make this trip as much about science as about completing the Quadruple.

This last part of the Quadruple seemed less challenging than the others. It was all about reaching the lake, something only a handful of scientists—and a plethora of robots—had done since it became somewhat accessible.

It was a journey through underground tunnels with the scientist's team. Zara would be doing science along the way. Once they reached the lake, Zara would swim or dive out further than the scientists.

"Yes, we can get that on the schedule," the lead scientist, Tory, said. Zara knew that her sponsor—still OhmCore, who was funding most of the science mission mission—had already been in contact with the lead scientist. She refrained from pointing out that Tory didn’t have a choice regarding her extra activities.

"Thank you," was all Zara had said, then made her next call to the Committee to submit her final form for the event.

Everything went smoothly once she was back at Alpha Base. The other scientists were more grateful than not for the funding and joked with her that at least they didn't have to do any extra swimming—they were glad to leave it to her.

None of them mentioned the Quadruple. Did they not know she was about to be the first to complete it?

After it was over, the Committee acknowledged her achievement. They’d send her some kind of trophy, which would be waiting for her when she returned to Tau Ceti.

But no one on Mars seemed to see her any differently. She had set her personal computing assistant to alert her of any mention of her name in the news. There was a mention or two.

And then, right before leaving Mars, before disconnecting from HelioNet, she remembered Rowan Vale.

"Rowan Vale, first person to complete the Mars Triad in 2847."

Zara stared at the screen. The name meant nothing to her. Zara turned off her tablet as the boarding call echoed through the base. The realization settled in, heavy and cold—just like Rowan Vale, just like the Mars Triad, her own name would soon be forgotten, forgotten in the annals of history.

As she walked to the boarding gate, she couldn’t shake the new feeling that overtook her. Perhaps all her efforts, all her striving, were as superfluous as the challenges she had conquered.

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Beyond…

Have you been reading all the behind the scenes stuff? Today I write more about how Superfluous Mars came about and then continue the journey of Kickstater.

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