8. Mars

[Dome]

"So now look how it all worked out. You didn't get the shipment out. You exposed your operation, and you got captured. Not one of your best days. Where's your radio array?"

[dakota]

McKenna looked at the heat gun, and how comfortably Jessica seemed to be handling it," You're not gonna barbeque anyone, right? That's just for show, Jess? See, I've really got this thing when it comes to burns." she didn't bother hiding that even thinking about them made her squeamish.

[Mierin]

Jessic smirks weakly at McKenna and shakes her head as they head to where the rest of the tour bus passengers are being held. "No, I don't have any plans to barbeque anyone. I would only use it as a last resort if we were attacked." Looking down at the heat gun, Jessica adds, "I'm just good with guns."

[Renekin Skywalker]

It was at this point that Martians, real, live Martians coalesced out of the cave walls in front of Foreman. They looked like your typical Martians. One was clearly an accountant. Another a fast-food clerk. Still another a used car salesman. They all walked up to the group, forming a circle around them.

Their dark eyes surveyed everyone, taking them all in.

Soon after, their slit-like mouths started to open. In one voice, they said "April fools!"

And disappeared like they were never there.

Ha!

[dakota]

"Okay, that's good to know," MJ replied (ignoring the screwy April Fools post). " Means I can stick to patching people up when you're done."

[Renekin Skywalker]

One by one, Jessica thawed and revived the remaining passengers on the bus, and brought them all to the loading area.

In the meantime, M1 was found trying to get a truck started and leave, and was tied up with M2 and locked in the medical tent. M2 Simply shrugged it off, but M1 was blustery, talking about never forgetting it, how there’ll be payback, etc.

After retrieving a camera from the remains of the bus, Thing 2 went with Thing 1 and proceeded to document the whole place for later criminal proceedings. Miner Joe, meanwhile, was looking over whether or not they could actually get the system back on track. Mensk was all for it, but they faced Things 1 and 2 saying it’s evidence. M2 shouted out about how there was no crime until the police arrived, if it helped..

They didn’t get a chance to decide when the radio station on the bus crackled to life. The Stormguard had, indeed, come looking for them, and were looking for the bus’s signal. The driver quickly handed out the location, and the afrea was soon crawling with the Martian Sailors of the Beach (no, they do not wear red jumpuits, but they do run along the san in slow motion… due to the gravity, I mean).

After a few more days of getting things sorted out, taking statements, health checks and battling reporters (they were heros, after all), the four (Mensk, Jessica, McKenna and Foreman) found themselves back at the Martian spaceport.

Tawfeek was talking with a suited fellow when the quadrio arrived. “So.” He said when he noticed them. “See any scary Martians?”

[dakota]

McKenna scowled," Next time you want to reward us like that, please don't. I'm happy with a night or two in a spaceport bar from now on."

[Dome]

Flip who's mood had actually seemed to improve after the experience shook his head at the Captain, "almost," he says with a shrug.

Not wanting to waste time and having seen enough of Mars, "tell me we're getting off this rock."

[Mierin]

Jessica nods in response to McKenna's comment and says, "Agreed."

[Renekin Skywalker]

"Really?" Tawfeek asks. Turning back to the suited man, he says, "Just a moment."

Turning back to the group, he says, "But I thought you saved the world. Mr. Smith personally came to thank me. I think he might even have smiled for a second, or two."

[Dome]

"Mr. Who...oh. Well thats nice, we got to spend our leave stopping a smuggling ring after a boring tour of Mars. Where's my medal," Flip asks sarcastically. "It doesn't matter. Whats the next mission?"

[Renekin Skywalker]

"We have two choices." Tawfeek says. "We can either wait for the trials, or skip town, fail to be witnesses and ship priceless artifacts to Earth."

[Dome]

"Wait for the trials? How long is that going to take? Besides they have everyone elses reports. Do you really want us to sit and wait?"

[Renekin Skywalker]

"Wellm Foreman certainly seems interested in the trial." Tawfeek says. "And it would give McKenna a chance to find out why I figured the tour was better than the local bar scene. But, I'm wondering about the rest of you."

[Dome]

Flip looks at the captain as if he had grown another head, "did you know about the operation that we ran into?"