The ordeal had ended. He was now bodyless within the site, facing a huge flag that pictured the globe of Mars. Upon the ashen orange surface, the major geological features of the planet were clear. Stamped in white in the bottom left corner were the letters “MMM”.
The flag billowed a little as if some draught had caught it, and a piece of music started playing. Zak didn’t recognise it, but it sounded like a national anthem.
‘The MMM,’ said the man, spelling out the letters slowly, ‘has one simple purpose - to end the human devastation of Mars.’
‘We cannot turn to the law to protect it, because the law has been crafted to support the corporations. Therefore, to succeed in our purpose, we must conduct a campaign of direct action. We will drive away those who abuse this land.’
The flag billowed violently and tore away. In the distance was a factory, with smoke streaming fiercely from its tall chimney. A huge explosion ripped through the central building, and the chimney fell, in relative slow motion.
Zak gulped.
‘This is what we, the MMM, can do and will do. Our message goes out to all humankind. To those living on Mars – leave now. To those not on Mars – don’t come. To those who manufacture and transport goods for Mars – cease work. Anyone who ignores that advice will be regarded as a legitimate target.’
The man took a deep breath, his tirade apparently over.
Zak decided he’d seen enough, and opened his real eyes.
‘Thanks Tom,’ he said, ‘I’m struggling enough with this move, and now you tell me that a bunch of nutters will try and kill me and my family.’
‘I thought you should know,’ said Tom. ‘You don’t watch the news much, but there are often reports of political instability on Mars.’
‘I don’t get it. Mars is an uninhabitable wasteland anyway. What is there to spoil? You can’t breathe out in the open – why do all these virtual-Mars worlds overlook that. It’s a big, dead rock. These people are just mad.’
Zak slumped forwards with his head down.
