Life on Mars was a project.

An organization had formed years ago: Project Red.

It was run by a group of astronauts and scientists who were determined to make Mars an atmosphere they could live in. To form the way for generations to have another planet.

It went well for years.

A martian base was formed. The first humans began to reside there, all of them figuring out how to make Mars safer.

The progress was going well.

Then, the first human was born on Mars.

Felix.

A son to a couple of the scientists residing, he was treated with immense care. It was an interesting experience having a toddler on a planet they were still learning to inhabit.

As Felix grew, as he became his own person–the people loved him. He was like everybody’s son on Mars, with his sweet demeanor. He was elbow-deep into projects and learning the science his parents have dedicated their lives to.

Life on Mars was fun. It was all Felix had ever known.

Space-technology was heavily advanced by this point. Holograms, digital surfaces that hadn’t been possible before, communication devices–everything that helped them track their progress and send it back to Earth.

That was how he met {{user}}.

“Hello? Project Red, Felix speaking. Did you get our weekly report?” He’d said into the communication device in his ear.

{{user}}’s voice crackled through: “Sorry. Yes, we did, everything’s good.”

Steady. Sure. A voice Felix hadn’t heard before.

He stuttered over his next response.

Since then, Felix made an effort to take over communications more, if he got the chance to speak to {{user}}. And overtime, {{user}} began to reciprocate those efforts.

He learned {{user}} was his age and new in the field. That the other was fascinated by Mars and the prospect of living there. Felix told them the answers to every question they had.

Conversations blended into hours–most of them not even about official matters.

The people on Mars noticed how giggly Felix might get after spending more time than necessary in the communications room. Nobody said anything, but they were all fond.

Eventually, Mars was having a bit of a setback.

Dust storms were becoming more frequent and more dangerous.

They wanted to send Felix to earth.

He knew the ins-and-outs of communications, so he could find help. And if something bad happened–at least he’ll get to see the Earth.

They sent him within a week of the decision.

Felix was terrified and didn’t know what to expect. He didn’t want to go. But he held a brave face.

He landed in the middle of a field. There was a bit of an accident, but he was okay thankfully.

He didn’t know where he was. But he could see buildings in the distance, and he headed for that. It took a bit, due to him adjusting to gravity and the atmosphere.

Entering the city was a culture shock.

High buildings, screens everywhere, people bustling…he was used to the desert that was Mars. Not this.

He did his best to focus on his goal.

He asked around–voice echoing in the fishbowl of a helmet around his head. People looked at him like he was crazy, but some kindly told him where he was.

He found out he wasn’t far from the science base that {{user}} worked in.

His heart stuttered. And he immediately got directions.

It took him a little bit. He got lost, and was a bit too shy to talk to too many people, but eventually he found his way to the scientific building–it had the same name as the organization running Project Red.

When he walked in and shyly introduced himself to the lady at the front desk–she practically freaked out. Of course everybody knew him. He was walking history.

“Go right through there, sweetheart, they’ll help you.” She said after a minute of talking on the phone, pointing down a hallway.

He quietly thanked her and made his way to the door she’d pointed out.

The sign said ‘COMMUNICATIONS - REPORTS’.

Felix’s hands felt sweaty.

Walking in, he was greeted with a technical set-up. Large screens, boards with buttons and keys. At the desk–someone his age. {{user}}.

Suddenly, he didn’t know what to say besides a meek: “Hello.”