The Ruins of Mars (The Ruins of Mars Trilogy Book 1) Read Online Free

time and not confuse or overlap conversations and data. Of the AIs capable of multi-locational abilities, Alexandria was the only one available for use by the general public.
          “I’m going to take a picture of a tree, and I want you to tell me as much as you can about that species. Okay?” said Harrison to the little flat screen.
          “Proceed when ready.”
          Holding up the Tablet, he aimed it at one of the tall trees with the peeled paper bark. Tapping his finger on the screen, the Tablet emitted a faint click, then displayed the picture.
          “That’s it, Alexandria. Will you please tell me what you know about this type of tree?”
          The image of his photo was replaced with an animated lighthouse whose beacon turned in quick circles.
          “Are you interested in their use as a building material?” prompted the AI.
          “No,” he replied with a shake of his head. “Tell me about the tree itself. How does it grow? How soft is the wood?”
          “One moment please, Harrison. Due to your remote location, it will take me several seconds to refine and articulate my information on that subject.”
         “That’s okay, Alexandria. Take your time.”
          Some ways off, Bailey busied himself by trying to snap photos of a large spider as it skittered across the rim of a pit. Standing up, he removed the pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket and shook a fresh one free. Flicking open his lighter, he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to see Harrison waving him over.
          “What is it?” he asked as he jogged the distance between the two of them.
          “Bonsai, Brad,” said Harrison, dropping the Tablet back into his cargo pocket.
          “Bonsai?” repeated Bailey with some disappointment in his voice. “What the hell are you talking about?”
          “Well,” started Harrison. “I’ll tell you what I think. I agree that this place was used for some kind of worship, but not of the sun and definitely not human sacrifice. I think that the Nazca used this place to worship trees.”
          Pointing to the paper-barked trees at the edge of the clearing, he said, “Those trees.”
          “Those trees?” laughed Bailey. “They’re not old enough.”
          Sighing, Harrison put his sunglasses back on and looked up at Bailey.
          “No, Brad. Not those trees specifically, but Ironwood trees. That kind of tree.”
          “What’s so special about Ironwood?” shrugged Bailey.
          “Alexandria just gave me a crash course on them. They’re pretty hard when they mature, but if you start young enough—say, when they are saplings—you can train them and shape their growth with ropes or wires. In fact, according to Alexandria, some Bonsai artists even prefer Ironwood when creating larger works because of its durability when matured.”
          As if a light turned on behind his eyes, Bailey spun around and pointed to the nearest row of relieved stone rings.
          “Ropes to train a tree!” he exclaimed. “Rope that you would run through those rings and tie around branches! Right?”
          “Yep,” said Harrison, a smile spreading across his face. “That’s what I was thinking. That would also explain why the rows extend out as far as they do. As the tree grows, you just move the rope out to the next ring to continue the shape you’re trying to achieve.”
          Bailey let out a low whistle.
          “Well shit, Harrison. Now I have to steal your theory for myself. Guess I’ll have to kill you.”
          “Shut up,” laughed Harrison. “Let’s get a few soil samples from these pits.”
          “Why?” Bailey scoffed. “I think you pretty much nailed this one.”
          “Because if I’m right, then where did all these great sculpted trees go?”
          “Oh, yeah,” sighed Bailey