A Gift For Terra

"A Gift For Terra" by Fox B. Holden is a science fiction story set in the early days of space exploration, where astronaut Johnny Love's mission to Mars turns into a fight for survival and a test of humanity's intentions. Johnny finds himself stranded and alone after a crash, soon discovering that Mars is inhabited by beings who have watched Earth with both hope and concern. The Martians, offering incredible technology in hopes of preventing Earth's self-destruction, force Johnny to face difficult choices about the future of both planets. As more Earth ships approach, Johnny becomes a key player in a tense standoff, where the fate of Earth and Mars hangs precariously in the balance as he questions his own values and what he truly knows about his home.