Conquerors Of Mars

He could no longer remember which day could be marked as the date of the big move. Maybe that pandemic that made everyone stay indoors and wear masks? He was still a child, but he could remember.

Possibly not, as life hadn't changed that much yet. Volcanoes, tidal waves, earthquakes, natural or unnatural disasters, which began to wipe out communities, cities, peoples from the map? Any in specific? None of this, thought of in isolation, could transform the world. As much as lives were interrupted and others drastically changed, most continued to live within the rules of capitalism. It's amazing how much money guides human behavior, even in chaos. How billions of people manage to accept a system where hundreds of people, maybe dozens, concentrate all the financial power in the world, even as final and total destruction looms, becoming clear.

These same powerful people demonstrating that, even with all the money they had, they were doing everything they could to get to Mars as quickly as possible and the rest of the world watching it and going to work for food, the next day, just the same, as if nothing had happened.

In the large structures, in the metropolises that held the system, water still came through the tap and still had electricity. Although in a rotation situation, which started with every other day, supply and went on to three days a week. Still, "life" went on.

Scientists who said there was no going back, that the day when everything would collapse was before everyone, were considered apocalyptic and ended up discredited. Science itself, on a popular level, had been completely emptied. Scientists and researchers were now exclusive roles in favor of the richest. Knowledge, for the great mass, was only passed on when necessary to adapt commercial technologies.

There had been a gradual revolution, where large companies began to be increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, with increasingly glaring monopolies, which generated a choice, on the part of the dominators, regarding what should be provided to the people . It was decided that it was not necessary to deliver technologies to everyone. The consumption imaginary of those who were exploited did not need to go very far for profit to be achieved.

As such, there was no longer any kind of mass-produced technological evolution, on the contrary. With costs rising and incomes falling, older technologies became the most popular and this was enough to maintain a new conception of domination and control.

Meanwhile, Robert arrived on Mars.

The first man to set foot on the red planet. He knew he wouldn't survive it, but in the end, he was someone who already knew he wouldn't last much longer on Earth, either. Not everyone had this knowledge.

In fact, very few people still had any knowledge of anything.

Perhaps the moment when the US Congress decided that it would relinquish power and that next year there would be no government, only the market itself would self-regulate American society, would have been the milestone it was looking for. Of course they didn't really give up power, they just sold their power which didn't mean much anymore. Not that the existence of politicians, as it was, helped much. But it all got a lot worse.

But, glaringly, nothing much had changed in the life of society. Although, in the comparison of the last ten years, the world seems different, still, it was not possible to say that something changed everything overnight.

But now it was hard for anyone looking or not understanding that the world was going to end.

And the commerce was still there, working as if someone really needed to buy some trinket before Earth was no longer able to live on. The fact that they didn't know how it was going to end also gave them an air of denial that it was even going to happen.

Jack was lucky, if you could say so. He was a police officer, government employee, who was eventually reassigned to private security forces. With the compensation he received, he accepted a joke from a friend. He was challenged, in a drinking circle, while he was already drunk.

Stewart said he never dared anything. That he was a coward.

- How many missions have you seen me face openly? - Jack replied.

- That's not what I'm saying. You did it out of some completely insane childhood trauma, not out of courage. I'm talking about something that would compromise your security. His solitary life and financial reserve. - Stewart explained.

- Well, I was never even one to get involved or spend - he explained

- Cowardice! - the friend continued teasing.

- What do you want me to do? Throw money in the trash and ask Carol to marry you? - everyone laughed out loud. Carol would clearly be one of the few people at the table who would never accept such a request.

- Bet all your money! Choose a B coin in your band and buy it with all your money. Any one, without thinking. You can't take it out in less than a week, regardless of whether it appreciates or depreciates.

That request from Stewart was particularly difficult. Even dizzy from the drink, he still stopped to think. The market was at a very difficult time for betting like this. The currencies, now virtual, were many and all controlled by the main companies in the world. B coins were those that were still linked to countries or companies that had some strong traditional and cultural link with communities. In the beginning, the companies' tactic was to buy these coins, but now, it was much more to hope that they would no longer be used. He could lose everything.

At that moment, which changed his whole life, he took his "band", which was a device that was the latest evolution of the smartphone. He was multifunctional, but most of the things he did were holographic.

- He "drawn his gun", Stew! yelled Pink, the youngest of the security group.

- Band, select all my available capital into account - he said and everyone was absolutely silent.

"Optical recognition required," the device replied.

He picked up the small rectangular box and held it to his eye. She did an analysis with a light and replied that the value was selected.

- Apply the amount in a currency B with redemption within seven days, scheduled. - he gave the command.

- Which coin? - questioned the device.

- Random selection.

- Confirm the transaction? - The machine even put on a last protection that made Jack break out in a cold sweat.

- Yes!

- Transaction completed, with $1,330,030 of Ms you bought $100,200,020 Reais.

- Real? What coin is this? - Stewart asked without remembering the monetary origin of that name and Jack replied the question to his band.

- This is the currency that was once official in the former Brazil. After the country followed the US path and became privately owned, only the Amazon region retained traditionalists who managed to keep the currency, refusing to incorporate any other form of capital into their culture. What was left of it is mostly traded on paper.

Everyone started to laugh and then their consciences were heavy.

- Relax, Jack. If you lose some money, it won't be much. It is a coin with little mobility. - Alfred tried to calm him down and lessen the heavy atmosphere that remained.

-After Jack upsets me and shows that he is braver than anyone at this table, the round is up to me. Stewart raised her glass and announced.

- Less bad. At least one more drink. I'm glad I have food at home. A week with no money, anything will go after you until the end of the world, Stew. - Jack yelled.

- Yeah, considering that the end of the world doesn't seem so far away. - Everyone laughed and as in almost all things they still found funny, they felt regret right away.

The next day, the Real had suffered a major devaluation due to news of the discovery of a scheme in the forest where natives had smuggled what little was left of wood.

If Jack took the money the moment he found out what was going on he would still get a third, maybe a quarter of his money back. But the schedule he made was closed. Changes were not allowed, this guaranteed the transparency of transactions and was part of maintaining their liquidity potential.

Close to completing the seven days, something incredible and unimaginable happened. The big M announced the negotiation of the entire administration of the Amazon forest and the acquisition of every physical resource of the local currency. It would indemnify all the inhabitants and guarantee investment not only for the continuity of the natural life of the place, as it would also undertake to increase investment in its recovery.

The Real automatically appreciated more than 4,000,000% and the very few owners of what was left of its virtual version became part of the select group of very rich people, the few who still remained outside the circle of world companies.

That day he could remember.

Maybe that's the point: individualism. The day that someone's life, as an individual, changes completely is always marked, but the day drastic social changes cannot be fixed with an exact date.

Of course, if the lives affected are those of powerful people, and this brings major social changes, then yes, we can remember the date.

The clearest example is that Robert's arrival on Mars will never be considered a big change for society, not as big as the arrival of the Big M himself.

Jack started going to places he never thought existed.

Everyone always believed that the richest had some sort of secret hiding place, but they were more hearsay than facts. The news always ended up losing credit when fantastical theories of aliens, vampires, werewolves, zombies surfaced. It started with some logic but ended up descending into science fiction that nullified any credibility of the information.

After companies took over the organization and dynamics of cities, they changed completely, gradually.

The official configurations remained the same, although the concept of capital is no longer used. However, it was noticed that some places became more exclusive. Air travel became more restricted and required authorization from companies. The price of tickets was another factor that made it difficult for anyone to access anywhere. The fact that some people were compensated to vacate properties and get close to family members, a concept that was seen as a publicity excuse, was another reason for the decrease in travel.

Lincoln in Nebraska and its extended region has become one of the most closed and shrouded in mystery in the world in the world. Several "toll booths" and stopovers were needed to reach the site. Still, even with a lot of money, not just anyone could get there.

It was speculated that the richest had created their residences in the city, but nothing was proved. All information was filtered, since the last communication vehicles that existed were owned by the only large companies, which had convergent objectives and proximity in collective decisions. Any information they didn't want would never be released.

Jack's first objective was precisely to go to Lincoln.

- You're completely crazy! said Stewart.

- Of course I am, I put all my money on a crazy drunk bet! - Jack replied laughing.

- I never imagined you would do that. -His friend looked at the horizon, as if he were looking for an explanation for that crazy decision.

- And now you're going with me! - Jack spoke as if he was summoning him.

- And I will too! - Carol walked into Jack's living room.

- What are you doing here, Carol? - Stewart was more surprised by her arrival than by her friend's invitation.

- Time, Jack asked me to marry him! - Carol replied and Stew nearly had a heart attack.

- How is it?

- Yeah, he invited me to go with you two to Nebraska and for me it was almost like a proposal of marriage - she replied, laughing.

- I knew how much she was always attuned to these social mysteries, I imagined she would be our perfect company. Not to mention that she was once in the army. It's better at martial arts and self defense the two of us make excellent company. To tell the truth, if I was interested in the male sex, it was even possible that I would even ask her to marry him - Jack praised so much that Carol was slightly flattered.

-You wouldn't last 5 minutes without me, in this endeavor-she made the joke to break the shame she felt and the three of them laughed.

- And how do you intend to get there? - Stewart asked. - It doesn't seem like a simple mission even for someone with the amount you earned.

- We're going to Nebraska in order to go elsewhere - Jack revealed with some mystery.

- Where? - they asked together.

- To Mars! - Jack replied.

- How is it?

- Stew, it's very simple, they're crazy to get off this planet. We know our days are numbered and I'm sure they're all inside that county, recluses, waiting for the right time.

- But wouldn't it be more logical to go after the rockets in Miami, Florida or California? - Carol asked.

- We would be expelled from there, of course. Have you ever seen a subordinate authorize something? And the way is to get to the powerful first. I'm sure they expect eager people with money willing to be guinea pigs like Robert.

- And what tells you that I'm willing to be a guinea pig? - Stewart asked.

- Once inside, we can do whatever we want. I am much more our trickery and flexibility. - Jack looked confident.

- None of us have a family, Stew. What do we have to gain by staying on this dying planet? Even the powerful are ready to go. In fact, I still don't know why they didn't go." Carol was pondering.

"I heard a theory that the men from Mars were blocking the arrival," Stew joked.

"The theory I've heard is far more interesting and palpable, my friend: we would need to become these men from Mars," Jack said.

- I did not understand! exclaimed Carol.

- Man on Earth cannot live on Mars. The triscientists (as the scientists who served the trillionaires were called) were looking for ways to accomplish Earth-formation. Transforming Mars until it was able to house the human. But they had to change their goals when Earth had a short expiration date. There would be no time at all, even accelerating the process to the maximum, not even if a small temporary structure were created for the few. Life would not continue in any setting.

Another group of scientists, who also worked together with this elite, in the area of ​​medicine, came up with another proposal for a solution. They're going to transform human bodies, make them fit for Mars. The theory, while making some sense, still seemed insanity to Stewart and Carol.

- So that's what you think is happening there? - Stew asked.

- If I could bet everything I have, I would. By the way, that's what I'm going to do - he replied.

"Well, when you bet without thinking it got lucky, I don't see why it would go wrong now," Carol mused.

"And I'm calling you a coward," Stewart said uncomfortably.

- Maybe now you know me better! - Jack knew it wasn't that person, that his friend was right about him. But given the whole context that presented itself before him, daring seemed not to be an act of so much courage anymore. Even more with the money Jack had earned.

- I just have to pack my bags, then! Stewart decided.

- I've already brought mine, they're by the door. -Carol, who was already lying on the couch, turned over on her back, as if she were going to sleep.

- Do it and sleep now at night, Stew! When you get back in the morning, we'll leave.

- Bring coffee and some very tasty breads, those stuffed! You won't need your money anymore, you can spend little of it - Carol joked.

- A real princess, isn't she? - Now it was Stewart's turn to play with her ways.

- Princesses blow the face of idiots, too! - Carol teased without even turning around.

- Wasn't there anyone better for you to invite on this trip? Stew continued the teasing, asking Jack.

- It's just that you ended up coming into my head, but if you want I'll call someone else in your place. - Jack laughed at the face that Stew made and said goodbye, while he left annoyed.

- I also can't imagine why you called me first. - Carol herself who asked, muttering as if she was already half asleep.

- I needed someone I knew would say yes. I couldn't think of anyone else but you. Well, we've known each other for so long, haven't we? - He explained.

- We've even fallen in love with the same person. - Carol remembered.

- Life was so much simpler - Jack was filled with an unusual longing for him.

- No, it wasn't, it was never simple. We as a society never struggled together to make our lives simple. Now let me sleep - Carol ended the conversation there with a thought that left Jack pensive for the rest of the night.

- It is not possible that you have not managed to get a better car. Are we going to do it? - Stewart's astonishment was justifiable. Jack's car was from the beginning of the century, it was hit in several places and it was a surprise to still walk.

- Nobody's selling cars, Stew. I made offers that I thought were crazy on cars a little newer than mine. Everyone who still has a car is afraid of having to flee in a moment of catastrophe. You know that for many years, cars have not been produced, and now you can't even find used stores anymore. Maybe closer to the center of the country, crossing the barriers, we will be able to buy another one. - Jack explained himself.

"I hope I don't get tetanus from all that rust," Carol quipped.

- Stop complaining! My car is super conserved and it's a warrior. It's just been a while since I've been with him. And you can't even imagine how difficult it was to find gas. But it called and it worked really well. Glad I had taken the battery out and left it safe. Those antiquity preservation tutorials are always worth it," Jack said proudly.

- A gas-powered car. It won't blow us up, right? Carol continued with what seemed like ironic remarks.

- You don't know anything. In the past, good, safe and resistant cars were made. These newer cars were all disposable. That's why you almost don't see the intermediate vintages, from 15 years ago, of electric and flying cars. They turned everything into scrap metal. - Jack was still in the nostalgic mood.

- That's a myth. These cars were destroyed so that there was still purchase of the latest productions, before the end of the car industry - Stewart contradicted Jack.

- In any case, it's Big Phil who's taking us.

- My goodness, he named the car. No way will you get rid of him. You know we can't get into Nebraska in that old tin, don't you? - Carol was scared.

- I know, Carol, I know! No need to talk like that - Jack got all sentimental.

- Let's go, go. Stewart, you follow! I'm not going to keep a bunch of suitcases in one of me, just because "Big Phil's" trunk is tiny - Carol has already given orders.

- But you were the one who brought the most bags! And a bus would be more suitable, like this.

- Guys, I have a lot of money, we'll have to buy new clothes! Why so much suitcase? I'm only carrying one backpack - Jack was shocked to see all those bags.

- Two of those suitcases are weapons and survival gear. We can't go around unprotected. Or do you think that just in your trickery speech, we'll get something? - Carol justified herself.

- Okay, but you have three other suitcases. - Stewart endorsed it.

- Look, instead of complaining, you don't get it right there, get organized, everything fits and you're still comfortable - she said angrily.

All ready, they left.

- Did you even ride in flying cars, when they still existed around here? - Stewart asked the first question of the trip. Both replied in the negative.

Silence followed for a while, until Jack decided to put on music.

- What is it? - Carol asked.

- One classic. My grandfather loved it. It's travel music for me. It's a British band was a kind of alternative rock. Yes they called it rock. But I find the melody so pleasurable. Do you believe they started playing in 1996? - Jack explained and they were both surprised.

"I can't believe you're listening to something from the last century," Carol exclaimed as if it were a crime.

- The most famous ones I put are from the beginning of the century. They even had video, look over there. Jack tossed the holographic image to the passenger side of the windshield.

- What a strange concept, is he doing a scene in reverse? - Stewart asked.

-This is pure art! - Jack was ecstatic.

- Lie, his mate died? Were they without feeling? Had he been wandering all this time, in shock? - Carol was in tears. - Music can't be something like that. Oh my!

- Man, I'm in a mess of feelings and another song has already started, are we going like this during these hours of travel? - Stewart asked.

- It will be one of the most amazing experiences of your life. - Jack was beaming.

It was amazing how slow the car movement was. What still existed in terms of transport was collective, but very rare and the use of bicycles was enormous. Still, given the size of the population, the flow was not high.

Most people worked from home and stayed fixed in their neighborhoods, going out for short perimeters and for a few moments of the day. Almost always, just for the publicity recommendation of the sun bath.

- Traveling really is an incomparable experience. Seeing things go by quickly through the window, the feeling of moving from one place to another, the mood, the look, it's very interesting. -Stewart had never left the city where he was born.

"Really, Stew, it's something unique," Jack agreed. - And I make everything more special, right?

They continued to surprise themselves with songs and videos, doing analysis, until they reached the first barrier.

- Good afternoon! - The policeman greeted the group from outside the car. - Let's do a recon on the car, okay?

Instantly, a light went through the entire vehicle and an image appeared on a screen the officer was carrying.

- Are you armed? Oh yes, they were also from the security force! Appeared here. But it appears that they are no longer in the service of Big M. What is the reason for the ticket? - He inquired.

- Sorry, officer. I'll have to ask you to check your top secret authorization system - Jack spoke leaving everyone, including Stewart and Carol stunned.

The man called another policeman who seemed to be higher in the hierarchy, because of the clothes, which were different from what they were used to. He did what was sure to be optical recon to access secure data and verified authorization.

- Sorry I'm late, Mr. Jack! I hope you succeed in your mission - He said goodbye to the smiling driver who slowly passed by in his wonderful noisy car.

- What did you do? - Carol asked very curious.

- I had friends in the company's technology sector. I asked them to include the secret mission data. We'll be able to get past the first two barricades that way. I just made a small contribution to their fund," Jack explained.

- What if they find out? - Stewart, the most concerned of them, asked.

- If something goes wrong, they'll let me know. But they are very good at what they do - Jack reassured them.

- And the other 3 barricades? - Carol wanted to know.

- I already have plans for two and the last one is still under construction - Jack seemed less confident in this line.

"Under construction looks a lot like: I have no idea," was Carol's observation.

They passed the second stop without further ado, despite a slight extra awkwardness, this time, in relation to Jack's car.

Continuity would now depend on changing the car and, in a short time, the solution, in this new location, was already presented to them.