Author: Adrish Bardhan
The year is 2057, and humanity has colonized Mars. The planet is dotted with small settlements, each struggling to eke out a living in the harsh environment. But one settlement, the smallest of them all, has a secret. A secret that could change everything. Jaxson, the settlement's lone engineer, has been working on a secret project for months. He's been building a machine, one that can create breathable air from the Martian atmosphere. If successful, it could mean the end of the settlements' reliance on oxygen shipments from Earth, and pave the way for a true Martian civilization. But Jaxson's machine has one flaw. It requires a rare element, one that can only be found deep beneath the Martian surface. Jaxson has been searching for this element for weeks, but he's running out of time. The settlement's air supply is dwindling, and Jaxson knows that if he can't find the element soon, they'll all suffocate. Desperate, Jaxson takes a risk. He dons a spacesuit, grabs a shovel, and heads out into the Martian night. He knows the risks. The surface of Mars is treacherous, with hidden crevices and sudden storms. But he has to try. Hours later, Jaxson stumbles upon a cavern. It's dark, but his suit's flashlight reveals a glinting rock. He rushes over and strikes it with his shovel. It cracks open, revealing a small crystal inside.
