Zak remembered bits of news he had seen.
‘Lots of people complain about space development, don’t they,’ he said.
‘Yeah,’ said Tom. ‘But you should take a look at the MMM site. These guys are different. Get on the Mind Mat and I’ll activate the link. This’ll show you what Mars is really like.’
Zak wondered if Tom was just trying to scare him for amusement. He tilted back the gaming chair, rested his head and closed his eyes.
The scene opened. Zak stood on a flat area of rock, up the side of a Martian mountain. In front of him stretched a great canyon. It was all very orange.
A burst of dramatic music made him flinch. He sighed, and turned around.
Standing right behind him was a tall man. Zak nearly fell over as he jumped back with fright. The man was wearing a dark red mask, with only his eyes visible beneath ruffled blond hair. His outfit would have suited a commando, being the classic camouflage pattern, but in shades of dark orange and red.
‘Welcome comrade,’ he said, as the music faded. ‘My name is Kort.’
Kort stepped up to Zak again, and offered to shake hands. Zak didn’t respond. The man withdrew his hand, but remained facing Zak, towering over him.
‘Mars, the most majestic wilderness in the solar system,’ he said, sweeping his hand across the view. ‘It was once protected by the scientific community. But in 2052, the governments of Earth gave in to the corporate lobby, and opened it up for development.’
Kort looked Zak straight in the eye. Sorrow crept into his voice.
‘The result has been a tragedy. Mars is being destroyed.’
Zak glanced around, embarrassed.
‘Don’t you believe me?’ asked Kort.
‘No,’ said Zak.
Kort looked up to the sky. A dark cloud grew from behind the peak. Within seconds, strands of grey fog drifted at their level.
