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Hello, friends, and welcome to Sleep Tight Stories.
Red cannot believe that she is in the right place and that the charm has just opened the door.
Red takes a step inside to see what could this be.
The Transfer Student Volume 2, Part 9 Red stared at the open doorway, the charm in her hand now glowing so brightly, it cast blue shadows on the moss -covered concrete.
The entrance revealed itself to be far more than she had expected.
Not just a simple door, but the mouth of what seemed to be a massive underground complex. As she stepped closer, motion sensors somewhere in the depths triggered a cascade of light stretching far into the distance.
The illumination revealed a long, sloping corridor that disappeared into the earth.
its walls lined with a kind of smooth, metallic panels that reminded her of home.
This wasn't some primitive earth bunker.
This was technology that belonged on Mars.
She took her first tentative step across the threshold and immediately felt the difference.
The air was filtered, recycled, with that metallic tang she remembered from the habitat domes.
The temperature was regulated to exactly 18 .3 degrees Celsius, standard for Martian facilities.
Even the subtle hum of the environmental systems sounded like home.
The charm pulsed in harmony with the facility's awakening systems, as if it were communicating with something deep within the complex. Red could see that this entrance was merely the beginning.
Corridors branched off in multiple directions, and the main passage continued downward at a steep angle, suggesting the facility extended far underground.
How had Dr. Hart found this place?
How had she managed to hide something this vast, so close to a human settlement?
Red's eyes picked out details in the distance, multiple levels visible through transparent barriers, what looked like storage areas, and far below, the suggestion of much larger chambers.
This wasn't just a hiding place for a few books or artifacts.
This was a research station, possibly a place built to house dozens, if not hundreds, of people.
And she was standing only at its entrance, seeing for the first few meters of what might be a complex That stretched for kilometers underground Red stepped further inside Her footsteps echoing off the metal -like flooring Whatever Dr. Hart had discovered here It was far more significant Than anything she had imagined The Martian seeds Weren't just hidden in this place The entire facility Might be one of the seeds itself red moved deeper into the corridor leaving the natural light of the forest entrance behind the charms glow reflecting off polished metal surfaces that stretched endlessly ahead
her enhanced vision revealed just how vast this complex truly was what she could see The sea was merely the uppermost level of a facility that seemed to burrow deep into the Earth.
Along the walls, she discovered Dr. Hart's equipment.
Portable scanners, data tablets, and research materials scattered as if the scientist had left in a hurry.
Red picked up one of the tablets, its screen flickering to life at her touch. such. Partial records filled the display.
Star charts, population calculations, something called Integration Protocol 7.
A soft humming emanated from somewhere far below, the sound of massive machinery operating in the depths.
Red peered down the main corridor and saw saw lights extending into darkness, suggesting this facility was larger than some of the habitat complexes on Mars.
I wouldn't go any further if I were you.
Red spun around surprised.
Behind her, silhouetted against the green chaos of the forest entrance, stood two familiar figures.
Her heart sank as she recognized the shapes, Misty and Shade, the AID agents who had first appeared in her kitchen after she'd accidentally blurted out in class that she was from Mars.
The charm in her pocket began pulsing so rapidly it was almost burning against her leg, as if responding to some kind of danger signal.
Red's mind raced through her options.
Retreat deeper into the facility, try to slip past them, or stand her ground.
Oh, come on, Red called out, her voice echoing in the metallic corridor.
Really? You two again?
The two figures stepped forward into the artificial light of the facility.
Misty, the large woman with arms twice the size of Red's legs Moved with that same unnaturally motionless quality Red remembered Even in the forest setting, she wore her black sunglasses And maintained that intimidating presence Shade, the man, flashed that same forced smile with impeccably white teeth looking just as out of place in the wilderness as he had in her kitchen.
We're the people who've been trying to keep you safe, Misty said in her abnormally deep voice, the scar line visible at her hairline even in the dim light.
And right now, that means stopping you from going any deeper into this facility alone.
alone. Red's jaw tightened.
Safe? Just like last time, when they'd shown up asking questions about integration protocols while her mother frantically tried to serve them tea.
She'd been managing perfectly well on her own.
Thank you very much. Let me guess, Red said, crossing her arms. You've been watching me this whole time?
Following me through the forest like some kind of nature documentary?
Shade's smile somehow grew even wider, which made the situation even more unsettling.
Long enough to know you're not supposed to be here alone, Misty replied, her deep voice echoing strangely in the metallic corridor.
corridor. She stepped closer, but her posture seemed more concerned than threatening.
Red noticed that neither agent seemed surprised by the facility's technology.
They weren't gawking at the advanced systems or the clearly non -Earth architecture.
Which meant they already knew about this place.
How long have you been watching me?
Red demanded Shade's perpetual smile never wavered as he pulled something from his jacket pocket Some kind of granola bar that he unwrapped with practiced ease The sight of him casually snacking made Red wrinkle her nose Earth food was bad enough, without having to watch someone eat it during what was clearly an important conversation.
Since you left your house this morning, Shade said between bites, his tone almost cheerful.
Nice note, by the way.
Nature study project.
Very creative. Red's cheeks burned.
You read my note? We keep an eye on Martian families, Misty said, adjusting her black sunglasses It's our job to help with the transition to Earth life But you're here, Red pointed out, at this place Which means you know about Dr. Hart's research Misty and Shade exchanged one of those adult looks that Red had learned to recognize eyes, the kind that meant they were deciding how much to tell her.
Dr. Hart was a brilliant astronomer, Shade said, finishing his snack.
Way ahead of her time, she figured out things about Mars and Earth that other scientists didn't discover for decades, including the location of old Martian facilities like this one, Misty added.
added. Red's eyes widened.
Old Martian facilities?
You mean this place was built by your people?
Yes, long before the recent refugee situation.
This facility is probably over a century old.
Red looked around with new appreciation.
No wonder the technology felt She felt familiar.
It actually was Martian, just much older than anything she'd seen before.
Dr. Hart found several of these sites, Shade continued.
She was documenting them, studying them.
We think she hid important information in them before she, well, before she passed away.
way. The problem is, Misty said, we're not the only ones who know about Dr. Hart's work.
There are other people looking for these facilities too.
What kind of other people?
Red asked, though she wasn't sure she wanted to know.
The kind who think old Martian technology should belong to Earth governments, Shade Shade said, the kind who don't particularly care about Martian families trying to build peaceful lives here.
Red felt the charm pulse against her leg, as if responding to the conversation.
So there are good guys and bad guys?
Red asked, trying to process what she was hearing.
It sounded like something out of one of Charlie's books.
books. Shade chuckled, which made his perpetual smile seem almost genuine for once.
It's not quite that simple, but yeah, kind of.
Misty nodded, her massive frame somehow managing to look reassuring, despite the intimidating sunglasses.
The A -I -D was created to help help Martian families adjust to life on Earth.
That's still what most of us want to do.
But some people in our organization have changed, Shade continued, unwrapping another snack.
This time, some kind of Earth fruit that made Red's stomach turn just looking at it.
How could anyone eat something that grew in dirt?
At least, that is what she used to think.
Changed how? Red asked, though she was getting distracted by the overwhelming greenness visible through the facility entrance.
Even here, surrounded by clean Martian technology, she couldn't escape Earth's chaotic plant life sprawling everywhere.
Well, Misty said carefully, some agents have been on Earth so long they've started thinking like Earth people.
People. They see dollar signs when they look at Martian technology.
Money? Red wrinkled her nose in disgust. On Mars, scientific advancement was pursued for the betterment of everyone, not for personal profit.
The idea of selling knowledge for individual gain was revolting.
Exactly, Shade said, shaking his head.
They want to patent Martian innovations, sell them to Earth corporations, make themselves rich. They've forgotten that science should benefit everyone.
Red felt ill, and not just from watching Shade eat his disgusting fruit.
That's horrible. Knowledge belongs to everyone.
You sound like a true Martian, Misty said, with what might have been approval.
Our people understand that research and discovery are about advancing civilization, not building personal wealth.
But some of our agents have been living on Earth for decades, Shade explained between bites.
They've gotten caught up in Earth's, let's call them, business practices.
They see Dr. Hart's research as a way to find old Martian facilities they can exploit.
Red looked around the metallic corridor, realizing what he meant.
This place was ancient by Martian standards, probably built with simpler technology that Earth people might actually be able to understand and copy.
Dr. Hart found dozens of these old sites decades ago, Misty continued.
Most of them were abandoned when our people developed better technology and moved to newer facilities.
But to Earth corporations, they're treasure troves, Shade said, his usual smile fading.
Old Martian tech that's still centuries ahead of anything Earth has developed, but simple enough that Earth scientists might be able to reverse engineer it.
While the newer Martian facilities have security systems very difficult to crack, Misty added, Red nodded, understanding immediately.
Even she, at her age, could probably build things that would baffle Earth's top scientists.
But these older facilities used technology that Earth might eventually figure out how to steal and mass -produce.
The corrupt agents in our organization want to find Dr. Hart's documentation first, Shade continued.
Her maps, her access codes, her research notes.
Then they can raid these old sites and sell whatever they find to the highest bidders.
Red thought about her mom, who could probably solve most of Earth's energy problems before lunch, but was stuck working basic jobs because her advanced knowledge would draw too much attention.
The idea that someone might get rich selling inferior copies of Martian technology while actual Martians lived in hiding was infuriating.
That's disgusting, Red said firmly.
Those facilities were built by our people.
If anyone's going to benefit from them, it should be Martian families who need help starting over on Earth.
Earth. Exactly what Dr. Hart believed back in her time, Shade said, finally finishing his apple.
She documented these sites decades ago, back when the first Martian scouts were exploring Earth.
She wanted them to be resource centers for future refugees like your family.
She hid her documentation well, but if the corrupt agents locate her old records, they'll turn these sites into corporate gold mines.
Red felt a surge of anger at the thought of Earth's corporations getting rich off her people's abandoned technology while Martian families struggled to build new lives.
But even as her anger grew a nagging doubt remained in the back of her mind.
How could she be sure these agents were telling the truth?
Red stared at Misty and Shade.
Everything they'd told her made sense, but Dr. Hart's holographic message kept echoing in her head.
Trust only those who can show you the circle within the circle.
How do I know you're telling the truth?
Red asked, crossing her arms. How do I know you're not the corrupt agents trying to trick me?
Shade's perpetual smile faltered slightly That's, uh, actually a very smart question Dr. Hart left a message, Red continued, watching their faces carefully She said to trust only those who could show me the circle within the circle What does that mean?
Misty and Shade exchanged a look One of those wordless communications that adults always seem to think kids couldn't interpret.
But this time, instead of seeming secretive, they looked...
relieved? She really did think of everything, Misty said, reaching into her jacket pocket.
She pulled out what looked like a small medallion and held it toward Red.
Red stepped closer, her enhanced vision focusing on the object.
It was made of the same metallic material as the facility walls, and etched into its surface were two concentric circles with a small dot in the center, exactly like the symbol she'd seen carved into the library desk and mentioned in Dr. Hart's message.
The circle within the circle.
Shade explained. It's the symbol of the Peace Faction within the A .I .D.
Dr. Hart helped design it.
The outer circle represents Earth.
The inner circle represents Mars.
And the dot in the center represents the hope that both worlds can coexist. Red felt the charm in her pocket pulse gently, almost like it was responding to the presence of the medallion.
The warm sensation was reassuring rather than alarming this time.
The corrupt agents don't know about this symbol, Misty continued.
Dr. Hart made sure of that.
Only the agents who are truly committed to helping Martian families were given these medallions.
Red examined the medallion more closely.
The craftsmanship was definitely Martian, precise, functional, and beautiful in its simplicity.
It felt authentic to her in a way that Earth -made objects never quite managed.
So you're really here to help?
Red asked, though she was beginning to believe them.
them we are here to help shade confirmed and right now that means making sure you don't explore this facility alone it's not safe red looked back at the endless metallic corridor stretching into the depths below then at the two agents waiting patiently for her decision the choice was hers to make but before she could respond, a distant sound echoed through the forest. The unmistakable whine of approaching vehicles.
And that is the end of this part.
Good night. Sleep tight.
Thank you.
