Sleep never came. Keeping my mind blank was impossible, and the stillness brought physical discomfort. I’d searched the room and found more simple books, which I read at least one of. Also, tucked in the HAG’s void where my arm would go, new instructions. These were handwritten and signed by Hairu.

Added Features-

Updated communication.

All available Martian map data.

Shield (Hold arm at chest level to use feature.)

AI enhancement and other listed minutia didn’t seem too important. Supposedly, the device was more economical and wouldn’t require organic intake as often. That would be convenient, I thought while placing the recent papers with the old in my belt. I was unsure if I would put the HAG back on. But the info was interesting enough.

I’d expected the door to be locked, but it hissed open and cool air brushed my face. The hall was empty and plain as the others. Exploring my way to meet Hairu seemed like a good approach to burn time. And I could ease my curiosity.

A few meters into my journey, I stopped. What is that sound? Music? The notes weren’t the kind I’d known from a recording disk. This was full, thick and layers of tone. The melody led away from where I was heading, but it was irresistible. A few turns later, I found myself in a large circular room with multiple chairs like the ones from the mess hall. Towards the back, the source was obvious.

Verisha sat in front of a wide flat half circle. Some kind of table, broad and ebony, with a lid of sorts propped open. She swayed, green hair loose and waving. I couldn’t help but to admire her for the mystery she was. As her fingers struck against a row of white elongated buttons, the beautiful sounds rolled seamlessly from within the instrument.

I didn’t go in any further. Instead, leaned against the door’s edge and let my eyes shut. The music swirled around and painted a picture of somewhere distant. I missed it, painfully so. “Amazing.” a whisper passed my lips.

The sound stopped abruptly. Verisha stood glaring. Her eyes were like minor stars. Producing their own faint red, orange light that was fading. She took a step towards me, and I held my hands up in surrender. “I’m sor. . . sorry, it was beautiful. I’ll just leave.” I took several slow steps back and turned to move down the hall.

“W... wait.” Her voice was silvery and smooth. I slowly turned. Still standing at the musical table, “You... no criminal.” The words were clumsy, miss pronounced.

Shaking my head, “no I’m not.” As many as she killed in our escape, she can’t hold one death against me, right? I thought.

She eyed me. Her retinas no longer illuminated her features. Her brow furrowed like she was about to speak, but nothing came. Instead, we stared wordlessly back at each other. Then she nodded and walked towards me. I froze, unsure what to do, but she passed by without a second glance.

Blowing air through my lips, releasing a held breath. I spun and watched Verisha’s green hair swish around the corner. Noting the differences between her and Hairu was simple. The latter was slender to the point of appearing adolescent in age, though a wellspring of knowledge. Verisha radiated intimidation. Even in the looser fitting clothes, I could see glimpses of her corded legs and solid core as she moved. It’s not her appearance, but what can be learned from her that matters. I told myself.

The encounter made my chest tight. Thus far, our interactions were always in severe tension. This felt more natural. At least for strangers. But were her eyes glowing. Is that a thing here? Again, the enigma of the green haired girl astounded me.

I gave plenty of time before going back towards the mess hall. Verisha walked the same direction and the last thing I needed was her to feel stalked. The sooner I could figure things out with Hairu, the sooner I could communicate with her. She used some of the common language, so maybe it wouldn’t be hard.

To my surprise, both girls occupied the large mess hall. A platter of food placed between them, and two cups. One in front of Verisha and the other in front of the empty chair beside her. They were conversing in the unusual speech. Both glanced at me and Hairu gestured to come and sit. After a long pause, I followed her request. The proximity to the less hostile green haired stranger immediately made my leg bounce with nerves. But the delicious smells took the edge off and my mouth watered.

“Welcome Ex, it appears we all have an out of tune sleep schedule.” Hairu said. Her voice was soothing as always.

“Yeah, I was asleep for a long time, I guess.”

“Yes, but you seem to be well now.” She poured tea while speaking, then pushed the food towards me. “You should eat while we discuss.”

I had no intention of resisting. The smell was delectable, and I tore into the meal. Verisha gave me a sideways glance. Then said something to Hairu that led to laugh. “What did she say?”

“She wonders why you use your hands. She is curious if everyone is primitive here.”

“How else do you eat?” I asked.

Hairu pointed to a small bundle with odd looking tools in it. “With those.”

I picked it up and selected an item with a pronged end. Deducing how it functioned, I went to work, ignoring the girls’ watchful eyes. The closest I’d ever been to this flavor was some dry stuff from Cragg’s camp. I supposed it excused my ignorance in the ways of consuming it.

Once finished, an edge of self consciousness washed over me. Verisha hadn’t touched her platter. “Um, I’m sorry, I’ve never eaten like this.” I whispered.

“You have not hunted before?”

“No. It was only my friend and I, so we couldn’t take on hunting.”

“And why is that?” Hairu asked, then turned and translated to Verisha, whose orange eyes looked quizzical and expectant. It was hard to meet her gaze and not lose focus. I offered a momentary smile, then sipped my tea to avoid gawking.

“I’m sure your people have vast numbers, or maybe you have other methods here because you said hunting is unnecessary. But it’s risky for a two person group to go where large beast are. Those areas draw adult spradin and Greys. It’s impossible to handle when they get the drop on you.There’s too much ground to cover as a pair. Jazz would trade for ration bars with other groups. Or we would work for the faith.”

Hairu continued to carry Verisha in the conversation. It surprised me how intrigued the girls seemed with this. Even though she obviously couldn’t understand my words directly, Verisha turned fully sideways in her chair and listened. Which oddly, caused me to fidget like a child. Hairu gave nothing away.

Can they actually live that differently out here? Verisha finally picked at her plate as I rambled on about some other odds and ends of my life. Trying to ignore the desire to watch her eat. The hell is wrong with me? I wasn’t ready to delve into the HAG’s origin, though I wanted to know more about it. After explaining our minimal existence outside the settlements of the faith, I paused.

This was the most I’d spoken in a very long time. Jazz and I shared a strained relationship over the last orbit. This led to limited conversations. And most of those ended in a disagreement. I hope you’re ok old man.

“So, how many people live in this settlement? Do the perpetual harvesters deliver here as well?” I asked, ready for input as opposed to offering output.

Hairu stalled and folded her hands on the table. Verisha looked back and forth between us, obviously waiting to be filled in. The red head spoke to her first, then turned to me. “Ex, how much history do you know?”

I fought off the frustrations of my questions being dodged again. I assumed she meant how things got to be like this. “The basics I guess, but more than most in the sacred land. We came from earth. Once here, too many humans in one place resulted in war. War destroyed the big sky cathedral which caused the terraforming to retract. Everyone panicked and ran back to the star arks.” I tested my theories against Hairu’s knowledge. “The Solarr stayed to monitor the planet, see if it could recover. The others left.”

The possibility of this settlement having contact with the Solarr sent tingles up my spine. Then another thought struck. What if Verisha is from there? It made sense. Even though she and Hairu were strangers, they’d moved past it and acted friendly. Maybe the green haired girl expected to find the other here.

I waited for an answer, trying not to give away my giddiness. Both girls looked down now, and I felt that perhaps my outlandish opinion sent the mood in the wrong direction. Guess Jazz was right.

“You remind me a lot of my last visitors Ex, it is refreshing.” She stood and waved for me to follow. I hated leaving the divine smell of food and drink for the sterile halls, but I assumed this was important.

After a long venture through the bland corridors, unease crept into my bones. Where is everyone? I snuck a glance at Verisha, who didn’t seem to be concerned. Before I could voice a question, we approached a mammoth door that growled open like an iris. For the first time in days, I looked upon the Martian landscape. But this was foreign. An immense flat slab of steel sat in front of me, a giant H painted on it. A waist high yellow rail lined the edges. Beyond that, a chasm so wide the far edge was merely a thin jagged line on the horizon.

I swallowed hard and followed the others out. A quick glance back sent a wave of fatigue through my limbs. The structure of Utopia was monstrous. A collection of domes and towers that connected with bridges several hundred meters in the air. One of the silly books I’d read the prior night had depicted something called a castle made of stone. This was the same but born of iron and created materials. It was easier to see how I hadn’t bumped into anyone, especially if they were waiting for Hairu’s approval.

The most astonishing feature, a huge section, including our exit and current location, hung over the chasm, jutting out from the sheer rock face. I staggered and dropped to my knees. I’d never imagined seeing a something like this. It was beyond words.

“Where is this place?” my voice was horse.

“This is Utopia settlement five on the eastern edge of Valles Marineris. The great ravine.” Hairu held her usual too rigid posture. Her red hair swayed in the faint breeze, and she tucked a loose lock behind her ear. Gray eyes set and her lips pressed in line. Why is she so hard to read?

“I can’t believe you people live here. It’s amazing. This structure is larger than all of Star Light Rise.” Finding my footing, I walked to the edge of the slab and leaned on the rail. “I will be honest. I want to stay here, Hairu.” The words came without thoughts while staring down at what appeared to be clouds obscuring the ravine’s bottom from view. This had to be thousands of kilometers deep, but gave the impression of floating in the sky. I almost wish I had the HAG on to measure the distance.

Breaking my reverie. Hairu walked back towards the opening. “I will not ask you to leave. But there is more you should know.”

A few cycles later, we stood in front of another door, not as large as the one that lead outside, but still more massive than the ones between rooms. This didn’t budge upon approach, instead Hairu went to a small panel on the wall and pressed a series of buttons. The way forward wurred open, eerily slow. Again, my breath hitched.

A cluttered mess lay ahead of us. Raw sunlight filtered in through jagged holes in the nearest halls. Charred debris was strewn about and in several places the floor bore rough holes showing bare mearth. “This is the result of the war.” Hairu’s brow furrowed as she spoke. “This was the last day any of the inhabitants of Utopia five walked its floors.”

The words didn’t register at first. What did she mean? Sure, this looked bad, but it showed decay and orange red dust that was a telltale sign of ancient age. There is no way they could abandon this whole place over this section of damage.

“Do you mean this particular area has no one in it?”

“No. . . There is only the three of us here at this settlement.”

I turned to the girl and stared, wanting to see through the mask of calmness. She had to be lying. Did I fail some test and now she had to get rid of me? Verisha seemed aloof as Hairu and I faced each other. Sucking in a deep breath and exhaling, trying to find the right words. I couldn’t lose any more ground here. Deciding to change my approach. “So, how did you come to be here, then? Is there another settlement nearby?”

“The remains of Utopia four are several thousand meters west of here and abandoned. The rest of the settlements were established later and closer to the Montes and the sky cathedrals at their peaks. So no, that is not the case.”

Confusion lapped at the edges of my mind as the high of excitement left me. What could she be getting at? Is this a test? seeing if I’ll be obedient regardless of apparent nonsense? So, they’re like the faith then. “look, I don’t know what you’re playing at, but I’m not that much of a fool. There’s no way for you to live here alone. Unless all the garbage you fed me about the trees and food is just that?”

I caught Verisha stiffening as my voiced raised. The sharp edge returned to her eyes. Damn it, I can’t let my temper get away like that. I did my best to push the heat in my blood back as Hairu looked on with features of stone.

“I assure you, Ex, this is no ploy on my part. Please be rational. I have nothing to gain from you.” Her words held the relaxing effect. Though the message left a sting none the less. I really brought no value to the table. I stepped away a few meters. I couldn’t be sure how far I’d set myself back in Verisha’s. The distance should keep her from lashing out at me.

“Ok, so how is it you live here and know so much then? Is there ancient records or books that explain it?” My tone was more natural now. I saw as the first bit of sadness cross Hairu’s splendid face then vanished.

“I have been here since long before this branch of Utopia five fell. I watched the first craft land from star arks Sues, Neptune, Musk and Solarr. I was also here when the last left the surface to return to them.

“Impossible. That’s thousands of obits ago.”

“Eight hundred fifty-five, to be exact.”

“So, you’re not trying to trick me, but asking me to believe this? That’s impossibly old. You’re claiming to have witnessed the exodus war?” I was clenching my teeth now as the world seemed to crumble again. Verisha made her way to Hairu and stood close. A million thoughts flooded me. Are they cannibals? Do they think they could use me as a hostage? Why bother with this elaborate ruse?

“Ex, please be calm. I have every intention of answering your questions.”

“But if all your answers are lies, what does it matter?” I’d wanted nothing more than to find this place, but now it seemed just the same as the sacred land. Crazy and outlandish claims to appease the commoners. I couldn’t cool my blood as Hairu stared on, unaffected by the situation.

“I understand your reservations. Can I convince you to follow me one more time and I will show you how I’ve lived the life I claim?” Hairu’s words again took the edge off my frustration. Why is that? I fought off the effect and clenched my fingers into fists.

“No, I don’t see how a different location would help your lie.” I said. I could hear the deflation in my voice.

“Very well Ex. But you need to be prepared.”

“Whatever, just show me so I can-.” I stopped as Hairu grabbed at the hem of her white clothing and lifted. So now they think simple seduction would work? Diverting my eyes down and spinning and marching. I was fully aware of this tactic. A mildly attractive drifter had already fooled me at Cragg’s camp. The drive of reproductive pleasure had cost me a projectile rifle. Though Hairu was a beautiful female, I’d overcome these impulses.

A familiar hand on my shoulder stopped me with iron force. I wouldn’t get violent here. Realistically I couldn’t overpower Verisha, so I turned to find the green haired girl pointing at a naked Hairu. But she wasn’t naked, not entirely. Her arms, head and shoulders held pale colored skin, but below that was something else. The slender feminine frame was molded with silvery material. From the neck down to her upper thighs appeared to be wrapped in a HAG?

I took a rapid step back in alarm. Hairu appeared hurt. “Wha. . . what the hell is going on?” I asked. Verisha didn’t seem put off at all. Was she the same as this? It would explain her strength and speed. Without thinking, I dove forward and yanked up the edge of her gray shirt with instant regret. A sharp elbow struck my face just below my left eye, knocking me to the ground. In my panic. I’d pulled too hard and tore a large section of the fabric.

My vision slowly cleared as a chorus of bizarre words flowed. Verisha used one arm to cover a now exposed breast, and the other was pointing viciously at me. Between us, the shiny Hairu, obviously in my defense. The situation had gone entirely sour. Skidding myself back until the wall pressed against my spine, I pulled my knees to my chest and placed my head against them. This is too crazy. I’d never expected anything like this.

“Ex-.”

“Don’t touch me,” I snapped.

“I am sorry for your shock. You are welcome to leave, but I will wait in the mess hall and we can continue if you want to stay.” Hairu’s words were soft and comforting, despite everything.

Several cycles passed after listening to Hairu pad away. Verisha’s stomping boots were audible until she went through a door somewhere further into the settlement. Still, I sat. Unsure of what to do. What does all this mean? What is she? Or Verisha? Glowing eyes? Body of metal? Nothing in the books from the past said anything about this.

Verisha was absurdly strong but appeared all human. My cheeks ignited at the thought of what I’d done to her. Damn it, why did you do that? I chastised myself mentally. But Hairu, is that some unique form of the HAG? Augmenting body suit? I’d assumed there was other technology still on Mars, but a full suit? And if she took off mine, why didn’t she do that for herself? And could it really cause you to live forever? I ran a finger over my pale forearm. Has it already affected me?

Tenderly touching my swollen cheek and trying to organize my thoughts. I decided to ask questions. I wouldn’t know if she was lying, but she had shown me more than enough to give my leaving pause. I doubted I could face Verisha. Even among some heathen gangs, assaulting the opposite sex in such a way could cause exile or death. I couldn’t deal with that now. Hairu first, Verisha later.

I’d planned to approach the red head right away. Instead, meandering through the giant structure, I found the room with my gear. Just as I left it. After my outburst, they could have taken my weapons and I wouldn’t have faulted them, but they didn’t. I rolled the revelation around in my mind.

Judging by the periodic dimming and brightening of the lights, I assumed they followed day and night outside. I slept in fitful spells and occasionally food would be dropped at the door after a brief knock. Waiting several cycles before answering, I poked my head out to get a whiff of the delectable edibles, then consumed them. After what I figured was a few days of the continued hospitality, the guilt drove me from the room. I was being childish. The people at the settlements treated me with fear and rejection because of the HAG. How dare I do the same?