He has no idea what she has planned for him, the poor sap. The first time he saw her, he was leisurely enjoying lunch at one of the many sidewalk cafés in the city’s suburbs. Nonchalantly sipping on a Chai Tea Latte with Biscotto, he basked in the warm glow of another sunny day. The sunlight filtered through the multilayers of translucent panels from the Dome, covering the town and making life bearable. Every day was sunny on Mars now that all the kinks were out of the system.

Her name is Amelia, and she’s been on a mission that began about ten years ago. It all started with the tragic suicide of her lover after a harrowing incident of date rape left her pregnant. The details surrounding the rape were shrouded in mystery due to her lover’s death, leaving Amelia with unanswered questions. Women, she knew, often guard the shameful aspects of their lives, and it became her unwavering determination to unveil the truth.

Years of meticulous research and intense interrogations of victims finally led Amelia to unravel the events that transpired that fateful night and identify the predator responsible. Shockingly, the perpetrator escaped justice by immigrating to Mars before Amelia could confront him. Undeterred by the vast distance, she lacked the immediate means to travel to Mars but began crafting an elaborate plan to bring herself to the Red Planet.

As she sat across from the unsuspecting man, her eyes fixed on him, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions—anger, sadness, and a stubborn determination to make him pay for the pain he had caused. Little did he know that this encounter at the sidewalk café was not a coincidence; it was the culmination of years of relentless pursuit and meticulous planning. Amelia had finally closed in on her prey, and he was about to discover the reckoning she had meticulously orchestrated.

She arrived on Mars just a few days ago, embarking on the quest to locate Lazarus. Nestled in the burgeoning districts of the city, Lazarus found purpose in constructing homes for the influx of new Earth immigrants. Determined to blend in, Amelia secured one of these flats for herself. Maneuvering through the bustling streets with an anti-gravity luggage cart in tow, she stood out slightly, her appearance carrying an air of maturity that transcended the youthfulness of the local residents.

Her gray hair cascaded gracefully beyond her shoulders, giving her an almost regal presence. Despite her age, she exuded vitality, standing at one hundred fifty centimeters in height and weighing around fifty-seven kilograms. Her fair complexion bore no blemishes, and her piercing blue eyes mirrored the Earth’s oceans when observed through a telescope. She moved with purpose, scanning her surroundings in search of Lazarus. Each inquiry to passersby demonstrated her urgency, yet despite her persistence, Lazarus eluded her.

Enter Lazarus, captivated by her grace and unaware of her true motives. Drawn to her charm, he recognized her as a newcomer, oblivious to his usual bag of tricks for ensnaring the opposite sex. Seizing the opportunity, Lazarus approached her with a disarming smile and queried, “Good afternoon, my name is Lazarus. Is there anything that I can help you with?”

Amelia, appreciative of the unexpected assistance, replied, “Oh, hello, Lazarus. I have just moved here, and I am trying to find someone. A friend, actually. His name is Lazarus, too. Have you heard of him?” Little did Lazarus know that this seemingly chance encounter was the opening move in a carefully orchestrated game that would soon unravel before him.

She smiled at Lazarus with a big grin, her recognition evident. “I seem to be lost,” she admitted, her tone friendly and genuine. “It’s not uncommon for me to get lost easily; this is such a new place. I am looking for 2133 lot A, Sirius sector. Would you happen to know where that is?”

Lazarus, noting her familiarity with his name and overall warm demeanor, surmised that she must be one of the new residents filling the recently constructed flats. The influx of immigrants had been gradually transforming the area from a construction site into a bustling town. As an engineer focused on remodeling flats and resolving issues, Lazarus had noticed a slight slowdown in work lately. The city, it seemed, was still a bit underpopulated, considering the available space.

Taking advantage of a rare break from his usual responsibilities, Lazarus offered his assistance. “Sure, I know where the flat is. If you don’t mind, I’ll take you there. It’s just around the corner here.” He gestured for her to follow as he led the way through the winding streets, his casual demeanor masking the curiosity flickering in his eyes. “By the way, what brings you to Mars? It’s not every day we get someone new in town.” Lazarus inquired, trying to engage her in conversation as they strolled through the vibrant Martian neighborhood.

She gazed at Lazarus with those captivating blue eyes, a subtle gratitude evident in her expression. Despite the age difference, she acknowledged, “That would be so gracious of you, thank you,” and stepped behind him as they made their way to her new flat.

Lazarus initiated casual conversation as they strolled along the bustling Boulevard, trying to unravel the mystery of her sudden arrival on Mars. “No problem at all. I live nearby and know the area quite well. What would bring you all this way?” he inquired, the rhythmic flow of people on the street creating a lively backdrop to their exchange. In the middle of the thoroughfare, vendors peddled their wares, offering everything from fresh produce to curious trinkets and gadgets to enhance life on Mars.

Upon reaching her residence, Lazarus gestured toward the entrance. “We are here. You’ll need the code for the door to get in. See you later.” With a friendly nod, he started to leave, but she halted him with a thoughtful request.

“Well, thanks for your help,” she said, her eyes lingering on him. “Can you come by later today, and we can talk?” Her request hung in the air, leaving an intriguing invitation for Lazarus to ponder. The enigma surrounding her purpose on Mars seemed to deepen, and as he agreed to her proposal, little did he know that this encounter would soon unfold into a tale of secrets, revenge, and the pursuit of justice.

“Sounds like a plan. I will bring some pizza as a welcome gift for moving into a new place. I’ll be by around seven,” said Lazarus, a friendly smile accompanying his offer. Amelia nodded appreciatively and headed to the door. She keyed in the passcode, granting herself access, and pulled her cart through the entrance, leaving it in the spacious living room. The size of her flat hinted at a level of affluence that piqued Lazarus’s curiosity. Despite his observation, her luggage revealed nothing about her occupation. Unbeknownst to him, she was busy preparing for the clandestine encounter with the man she intended to assassinate.