CHAPTER 1: ARRIVAL
     
     
          The Aerospace Plane "Pulsar" was almost at the end of its
     journey, just a few more hours and it would touch down on martian
     soil.  The bulk of its cargo was food supplies, scientific
     equipment and building material for the colony.  Among its
     passengers is a group of four scientists consisting of: Rick
     Baker a scientist, Vicki Clarke an archeologist, Robert English a
     technical engineer and Dan Strickland a biologist.  Accompanying
     the team is Captain Stan Freeman of the United States Air Force
     who personally assembled the group to carry out a top secret
     assignment for the American government.  He was instructed to
     debrief them when they arrive and meet up with three more
     scientists living and working in the biospheres.    
     
          Mars was filling the observation screen on the front wall of
     the passenger lounge.  The four scientists were gazing at this
     screen in awe of the glowing red disc growing larger as they
     approached.  
          "I wonder what we're supposed to do down there," Rick said, 
     "It's been bothering me every minute of the journey."
          "Maybe they found some kind of vegetation or bacteria in 
     the ice," Dan said, "something like that would surely qualify for
     top secret.  It could even be deadly."
          "Maybe the biosphere is being invaded by little green men," 
     said Robert jokingly.
          "Don't be silly," said Vicki, "we'll be there shortly and
     Captain Freeman over there will soon give us our answer."
          She motioned to Captain Freeman who was talking over an
     intercom to the bridge. 
          "...We'll be entering the atmosphere in little over half an 
     hour sir," The voice on the intercom was saying.
          "Good," Freeman said "very good."
     
          On the planet below, close to the martian equator, stood five
     large, domed structures surrounding a larger center one. 
     Scattered around and between the large domes were several smaller
     buildings and platforms, Martian terrain vehicles, spaceships and
     solar arrays.  
     
          Through the atmosphere came the "Pulsar," descending toward
     a long landing strip outside the formation of biospheres.  It
     landed smoothly and taxied to a docking bay connected to the main
     biosphere by tube shuttle.  The party stepped out of the ship and
     into the shuttle which took them to the main biosphere through a
     clear plexiglass tube.  Through this they marvelled at the
     surrounding array of structures set against the martian
     landscape.  At the end of their short trip they went through an
     airlock and were suddenly weighed down by the artificial gravity
     generated inside the dome.  They assembled in a large, busy area
     and were greeted by a group of colonists dressed in white lab
     coats.  A tall man stepped forward and shook hands with Captain
     Freeman.
     
          "Greetings from mars and welcome to the main biosphere," He
     said, "I'm Professor Scott, head of the scientific team working
     in the biospheres.  This is my assistant Mrs. Furlong and your
     fellow workers; Steven Flynn an archeologist, Clara Davis a
     technical engineer and David Cross a scientist."
          "I'm Captain Freeman of the U.S. Air Force and this is my 
     team, Doctors Baker, Clarke, English and Strickland." 
          "If you'll follow me I shall show you around, Your luggage
     will be sent to your quarters." Scott said.
     
          The rest of the group exchanged greetings and followed
     Scott over to one of the six walls of the large room and peered
     through a large glass window spanning the length of the wall. 
     Outside was a green, grassy pasture where a group of people were
     planting seeds in a freshly hoed patch of ground.  A small self
     recycling stream flowed close by.
     
          "This is one of our experimental terra-forming projects," Scott
     said. "There are many under each biosphere, you can see the two closest
     ones through these windows.  The roof of the biosphere is shielded from
     all harmful radiation which penetrates mars' thin atmosphere.  It is
     also strong enough to withstand small meteorites, but we usually destroy
     them before they even come close." "Very impressive," said Dan.
     
          They moved to another window.  Under the reinforced, triangular
     panelled sky, was a small forest, with an irrigation system hanging
     above.  Scott motioned to an elevator cubicle on the far side of the
     observation window.
     
          "The central buildings of each biosphere consist of living
     quarters, hydroponic gardens for food and added oxygen, fitness
     centers and research facilities," Scott said as they entered the
     elevator and ascended to the top floor.  "Your quarters are on
     the tenth floor, but before you retire, as I know you must be
     tired after your long journey, I would like you to see the view
     from the roof."
     
          Upon reaching the roof they stepped out of the elevator and
     walked to the side of the tall building on which they were
     standing.  Over the short rails lining the top of each side they
     could see a multitude of smaller buildings surrounding them. 
     Beyond these were green gardens, sparkling lakes, grassy fields,
     domed greenhouses, and forests of trees. 
     
          "It's beautiful," remarked Vicki.
          "Yes, quite impressive," said Rick.
          "Each biosphere is much the same, having several simulated
     earth environments to study reaction to different martian        
     conditions," said Steven, "It is hoped that one day the entire
     surface of mars will look like this."
     
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