1 The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life

Ever since I was a little kid, all I've wanted to do is be an astronaut. The first time I saw Star Trek on TV back in the 90's I started dreaming of exploring the stars and colonizing far-off planets. That's why, within days of graduating high school, I went to college to become an astrophysicist.

Twelve years later, I got a job at NASA. I didn't do much in the mission to go to Mars but I was there and I helped a bit. Little did I know, landing on Mars was only the beginning. My name is Ed Wilson and this is my story...

It was November 26th. Thanksgiving. My mom and dad, my sister and her family, my aunt and uncle and their kids were all there. Keep in mind, this was 2020 so they were attending via zoom call. I thought it was dumb, but, what are you gonna do?

"So, how's my nephew the rocket scientist?" asked my Aunt Ida.

"Um, good. I guess." I responded. "I can't talk about the stuff I do at NASA unless it goes really well."

"Come on," my Uncle John said. "just a little."

I sighed and said "Okay, but this doesn't leave this room or, rooms. We're a month away from launching a ship to Mars. If we can get bureaucratic backing, it could be sooner."

"Wow." exclaimed my dad. "Imagine humans finally living out there."

"I could never go." said my mom. "The conditions wouldn't be favorable. But I guess that's why astronauts are so highly trained."

"It seems like it could be fun for a little while but would get old quick." my sister Nina asserted. "Getting there alone just takes so long. I'd get bored."

"What new tech are you guys using to get there?" my brother-in-law asked.

"Can we change the subject please?!" I blurted out.

One month passed and I don't think I could have gotten a better Christmas present.

"3...2...1 blast off!" I shouted.

"Be professional." replied a technician with a stick up his butt next to me.

"Oh lighten up." I said. "We're headed to Mars. Isn't that cool?"

"I suppose." said the technician, slightly less grumpy than before.

Seven months went by, the ship made it to Mars and we were now watching the footage. The brave astronauts stepped out of the shuttle and set foot on the red sand. One of the astronauts took out a large pole with the American flag on it. She walked up to a spot on the sand and planted it down. All the astronauts saluted to it while ground control cheered. Even Mr. I'm too good to say blast off was celebrating.

This was the happiest moment of my life. Well, technically, it was twenty-two minutes ago as there's a delay in video. The astronauts stayed there for a couple hours exploring and collecting samples. Then they got back in the shuttle and returned home. Seven months later, when they arrived on Earth, something happened. Something that changed everything.

The astronauts brought back some strange reddish metallic object they found on Mars. I was given command of a team dedicated to studying it.

"How's it going, Ed?" my boss asked.

"Fairly well." I replied. "The analysis shows that this isn't a natural metal. It was forged."

"What?" asked my boss, in shock.

"And considering the shape, I think it's a weapon of some kind." I said. "I looked at the blade part and found residue: a greenish viscous liquid. I had the goo tested and the results are coming soon."

"That sounds amazing." my boss said. "But don't get your hopes up."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

A person walked in and handed me a sheet of paper.

"Well, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking it's alien blood." my boss explained. "And while that's possible, it's highly unlikely."

As I read the paper my eyes lit up with joy and astonishment.

"Care to bet on it?" I asked.

"You mean..." he started.

"...The test results show evidence of DNA." I finished.