Giants Of Mars Read Online Free

cue?” Jason inquisitively asked.
    “Those sticks mounted on the wall next to the billiard table, those are cues.”
    “Ah, that’s what they are, and here I thought they were some poorly made replicas of ancient weapons of war.”
    “Jason, I have to run but if you have any last minute questions about the mission, please feel free to contact my office.”
    “Will do, sir,” Jason replied.
    “Semper Fi!” said Aldiss Spline.
    “Semper Fidelis!” Jason echoed before the scroll pad’s screen went inactive.
    “Jason.”
    “Yes, Lexis?”
    “I would like to return to the Chameleon now, so I can run a complete diagnostic of the ship’s systems in preparation for our journey.”
    “All that was done by the mechanics at HOVERTECH, Lexis.”
    “I wish to do a thorough run through of their recalibrations; better to find a problem now rather than later,” she replied.
    “Good idea, Lexis. I’ll see you at the launch then.” Jason knew something was wrong by her melancholic tone but he did not want to pry open the new emotions she was dealing with. However, he felt letting her leave early was an expression or display of her new found independence. “Boy, she’s as sensitive as ever. I hope her upgrades haven’t ruined her ability to co-pilot the Chameleon.”
    The early morning winds subsided, allowing a foggy mist to roll out from the thick forest; subduing the bright green undergrowth surrounding the house. Tiny water droplets gathered and clung to the base of the exterior windows, the natural but man-made ecosystem replenished the well tended landscaping. Jason gazed out at the splendor of his new home’s setting in awe. Comparing it to the apartment he had abandoned, he thought, “I’ll never get used to this lifestyle.” In all the refined elegance of the home’s interior, and the tranquil scenery Level 7 offered, he felt a cord of awkwardness run through his body.
    Jason muddled around the house nervously while his brain apprehensively raced, bordering on an ensuing madness. Traveling Off World had risks, and for him nothing came easy. Trouble somehow seemed to plague him when he deviated from his normal patterns. Learner’s betrayal had catapulted his life down an unseen path. Although, his track record always seemed to fall on the wrong side of the winner’s circle, he somehow ended up surviving, and overcoming unimaginable obstacles.
     
    “Sir, I have placed the house in a passive mode but I will be actively tending to the grounds and home maintenance. Are there any specific instructions you have for me while you will be away?”
    “Sam, I can’t think of anything regarding the home. However, if I ever hear you speak to Lexis in such a manner again I will deactivate you myself. Do I make myself clear?” Jason had partially overheard their conversation, and was furious about the maltreatment Lexis suffered.
    “Sir, I am at your service.”
    “I know you are but do you fucking understand that I’ll send you back to SYNTECH in a box of bits and pieces if you disobey my orders?” Jason’s neck veins popped from the aggressive adolescent hormonal surge flowing through his body. Sam’s advanced neural network easily picked up on this.
    “I will not disobey your orders, Mister Borne.” Sam may not have been human, nonetheless nor was he stupid. It was not his fault how he acted. His programming caused him to think himself superior to all. Albeit he could easily calculate human tendencies and the probability of outcomes, he need not calculate the possibility of whether Jason’s words were merely an idle threat. Sam’s biorhythmic sensors gave him the true answer. Jason’s hormone signature burned a bright red, and he was a man coiled ready to spring.
    Jason entered his black luxury car carrying only a small duffle full of miscellaneous personal items including some new, and some old photographs. He held on to one like it was gold, although he had made copies over the decades, he kept his