Edla's Expedition to Explore the History of Mars

1) My Journey

Hello, I'm Edla. At the age of 10, I was captivated by tales of space, the formation of planets, and the possibility of life on other worlds, particularly Mars. These stories ignited a passion within me. During high school, I embarked on my journey as a traveler, exploring various places to expand my knowledge. I also interviewed many people from small villages, who shared fascinating insights about Mars. Now, at 22 years old in the year 2250, I believe that life has existed on Earth for millions of years. There are stories suggesting that Mars may have harbored life billions of years ago, and I am here to uncover the mysteries of this incredible planet.

My birthplace is Madras, India, where I also spent my formative years. The city was highly developed, showcasing modern architecture and cutting-edge technology. AI was omnipresent, and there were no neighborhoods considered impoverished or lacking in development. Every corner was infused with artificial intelligence.

I have conducted interviews with 103 individuals, and today I am scheduled to meet Mr. Ganesh. He is employed at research centers focused on theories related to space. Additionally, he has authored several books on the subject of space.

He is an older gentleman with gray-blond hair and green eyes. When I greeted him, he responded with a warm smile and welcomed me kindly.

I inquired about the theories surrounding Mars, and he responded affirmatively.

He explained, "The predominant theory regarding Mars' formation is the core accretion model, which posits that the planet came into existence through a random accumulation of materials from the protoplanetary disk surrounding the sun. A early study indicates that Mars might have had a ring system between 3.5 and 4 billion years ago, inferred from the orbital tilt of one of its moons. Mars possesses a thin atmosphere, primarily composed of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. This atmosphere is thought to retain thermal energy close to the surface during periods of heating. However, its thinness also hinders the presence of liquid water on the surface. Our missions have uncovered evidence suggesting that Mars was once significantly warmer and wetter, with a thicker atmosphere, and that nearly a third of its surface was once covered by an ocean of liquid water in its early geological history."

I was amazed and asked, "How did you verify that?" He responded, "We've deployed numerous robots to Mars, and during our explorations, we found metallic fragments that were challenging to identify, as well as some pieces of wood."

The revelation of wood particles was astonishing, leading to the idea that life might exist. But what if those metal pieces and wood came from Earth? What if they fell from the spacecraft we've been launching to Mars for decades? I posed this question to him. He answered, "That could be true, but these items were discovered in different areas. Studies show they don't correspond to any technology from the past 300 years. We suspect they could have been made by aliens or by ancient Martian civilizations." 

After absorbing all that information, I decided to travel to another village in India.

The village was renowned for its tranquility, as the residents had chosen to embrace nature by rejecting technology and pollution. Though small in size, it was adorned with vibrant flowers and ancient fruit trees that had stood for over a century. The houses, quaint and traditional, were nestled among a diverse array of trees. Children played joyfully among the trees and with their pets, engaging in timeless games that have since been overshadowed by digital entertainment in Cities. A visit to this place evoked cherished memories from the past century.

It was there that I encountered Meenakshi, a household laborer. I had heard many stories about her; people often referred to her as "Google" because of her vast knowledge. Not because she uses Tecnology but due to her very good memory. She often engages elderly individuals in conversations about their past experiences and seeks their insights on religion and various other topics of knowledge.

The question about Mars lingered in my mind, especially when she asked, "Would you believe me if I told you we are from Mars?" It left me bewildered. After a brief pause, I said, "Maybe, but why do you think that?" She replied, "I have this tendency to ask older people, and a lot of them believe we are from another planet. Some scientists even say we were once monkeys. Don't you think that's possible?" My confusion intensified. She added, "Just think it over, and I believe you'll find the answers." With that, she walked away.

After recording all the details in my diary, I embarked on my journey to northern India. Delhi, once the heart of India, now struggles with pollution, though it has improved significantly over the last fifty years. The city is home to the breathtaking Taj Mahal, a world wonder created by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan between 1631 and 1648 as a final resting place for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The streets are bustling with people from various castes and religions, and the skyline is filled with modern, high-tech buildings. Tourists come from all over to experience this iconic site. Among them is Nezam, a knowledgeable guide who enjoys sharing his love for the city's ancient monuments and history with visitors.

I asked him about Mars, and for a moment, he looked genuinely astonished. I could see a flicker of fear and uncertainty in his eyes. After a brief pause, he began, "I know a girl named Medusa. But before we go on, are you trying to protect our planet from any threats?" His words left me stunned, and I inquired, "Is there a danger to Earth because of Mars?" He then asked, "Do you believe in the multiverse theory?" I admitted, "A little, but why do you ask?" He explained, "There's a girl from another planet here. She has a wealth of knowledge about both her world and ours." Our conversation unfolded at the train station, and just as he finished, he rushed off to catch his train, leaving me behind in confusion. 

I had never encountered any of this information before; no one had ever warned me about a threat to Earth. A threat? What does that mean? Who is she? Why has she come here? And where is she now? With all these questions swirling in my head, I returned home to prepare on my journey to France.