150 Sols

In a camp at 20 kilometers altitude, a man was silently watching as a robot and a lone traveler were hiking up to the peak of Olympus Mons.

"Sir, the group is ready to move."

"Good, have the people pack their bags, and go ahead. The peak is not too far from here."

The subordinate who interrupted the contemplating man made a short break before he hesitantly spoke again.

"Sir. With all due respect, the people are worried. Is salvation really waiting at the top?"

"Is there any reason for doubt?"

"It just doesn't make much sense. If humanity could have been saved all this time, why are we in this situation? The people are scared. Just two sold ago we lost another one to the memory wipe. What can we find there to save us?"

"Not 'what'. You should ask 'who'."

"All the more if we are looking for a person. How can we expect salvation from someone who willingly lets us die out?"

"Are you doubting the ways of God?" The man giving out orders asked as he pointed his red eyes towards the doubtful person next to him.

"God?" The unfaithful man seemed surprised. "How can you use such concepts in times like this? Don't tell me you want us to believe in gods now?"

"Hah, you remind me of my old student. She always preferred relying on herself instead of higher beings. But God does exist. He is manmade and just waiting to be awakened."

"And do you know the way to revive this god of yours?"

"Why rush, child? The creations of man are not to be used without firm conviction. But fine, I guess He did stray from the intended path. It is time we put Him back on track."

The man with red eyes scratched his grey beard and got up. "Sojourner unit. Mission accomplished. Return."

Nothing changed following those words, but the man with red eyes turned towards the group that formed behind him.

"Go, my children. By the time I catch up, you will finally understand."

He looked back down the mountain.

"You will see how a fallen king becomes our loyal God."

...

Lower down the volcano, the two partners were passing time with a casual conversation.

"Just how tall can a simple mountain get?"

"Olympus Mons climbs to roughly 21.9 kilometers. So far, we have climbed almost..."

"Understanding rhetoric is still a big ask, I see. I know the numbers, but it is still amazing that a volcano can spew so much during its lifetime. By the way, it's dormant, right?"

"The last eruption happened 25 million years ago. It is safe to assume that Olympus Mons has long since ceased activity."

"Wouldn't have been surprised if we were made to gather here just so they can pull one last trick and burn us all into this mountain. Still, eternity up here wouldn't be so bad."

"From the previous discussion, the assumption this unit had of 1441 was that you didn't want eternal life."

"Life? Hell no. But who said anything about living? I was talking about being just a piece of Martian stone touching the sky. How cool would that be? Soj?"

But 1441 didn't receive an answer from the robot. Taking it as uncharacteristic, the man turned around to check on the robot, yet Soj was not by his side anymore.

"Woah. What's the rush, dude? We already climbed plenty today. Another few kilometers and we reach the top. No need to rush."

But the robot ignored him again.

"Soj! Stop!"

1441 got up from his chair and ran after his partner, planting himself in front of the robot with arms wide to halt its movement. To this, the robot just accelerated and ducked under his arm.

"Look, man, I don't know what's gotten into you, but I can't go much higher than this. I am already dizzy enough."

No answer.

The man, as if not having any other choice, decided to follow his partner.

"Ok. I trust you, but I would like to know why you are making me do this. Any danger around? Any reason you can't say anything?"

The man kept climbing together with his robot, putting complete trust in the small unit that had been his partner in this journey for as long as he could call himself a lone traveler. But his strength wouldn't last forever.

After another 500 meters, 1441 could feel himself losing his sense of direction. It took another 100 meters for his breath to start running out.

"Hey, Soj. I think whatever the danger was, we are far enough now. Let's...let's take a small break. I don't feel so well."

Even now, the robot was yet to give a single answer for its actions. 1441 waited patiently for the climb to end, yet Soj never showed any signs of slowing down or paying attention to 1441.

"Ok, Soj. My face is getting numb. I think...that's it for me. Could you...please set up camp? My... hands... aren't moving anymore."

As he said that, 1441 gave in to his sickness and fell to the ground. He tried to look for the robot who was supposed to help him in such situations, yet his vision was too blurry, and the other senses had long left him, blood having stained his lips and cheeks since long ago.

"Haha... It's strange, buddy... You remember when we met? No way I would have left my life in your hands back then. Do you remember how I...how I dug you up? I thought you were some crazy tool made to keep an eye on me. Never told you that, did I? I was pretty dumb."

Those were the last words 1441 spoke before closing his eyes, entrusting himself to his partner like he had gotten used to doing. Only this time, the robot did not stop to help him. Soj continued his journey up the mountain as if nothing happened.

...

"What the hell is this?" Were the first thoughts of the man who had stumbled upon a moving piece of machinery stuck in the Martian ground.

After pulling it out, the robot thanked the man for his help and placed its floating body next to him as if it was the logical course of action.

"Can I help you with anything else?"

"Why did No. 1441 leave the laboratory? Preserving humanity should be the top priority of every colony member."

"...that's how far gratitude took you? I should have left you stuck in there."

"No. 1441 is urged to return to the colony and help in breaking the status quo."

"Shut up and go do your thing, you damn robot." The man said as he turned around and continued walking.

"What is the current destination of No. 1441?"

"Why should I tell you anything? The colony is that way. Plenty of people are still working. You can bother them all you want."

But the robot didn't leave; it started floating beside the man, following him towards his unknown destination.

"I don't remember asking you to follow."

"No. 1441's body shows signs of poorly done maintenance. Immediate repairs are in order." The robot said as he pulled what seemed like a torch.

"Get that away from me! I don't need all of this shit. I'm not a robot. I can leave that damned role to you. Now go. I have a life to live."

"Question: What does this 'life' that No. 1441 is speaking of consist of?"

The man stopped and turned towards the robot. The burning anger in his eyes was obviously caused by the previous question.

"Listen here, you little... No... You know what? Forget it. Do whatever you want. Just do it in silence."

That was the beginning of the partnership between a man with an obscure past and a robot with an unknown origin. Neither of them would have thought that this simple encounter would evolve to such an extent. The robot was unsure why it instinctively followed the man. While the man was just too tired to care.

Both of them had their own doubts and fears, and both of them were on guard regarding the partner that was traveling beside them. Yet they continued to walk. From one sol to another, they continued to move forward. Neither a reason nor a destination was made clear, yet neither of them backed down.

They just continued to walk one next to the other until one of them finally fell. Back then, it was the robot who could not continue.

It was the perfect chance for the man to fix his mistake and get away, but he didn't hesitate to pick up the robot once again.

Robot or human, someone who walks beside you for hours on end with no break is no stranger anymore. 1441 respected that. And so, that sol, both of them made the first step towards something new. For both of them, the ending was rewritten right then and there. For both of them, that last moment would never look the same.