Pilgrims to Proxima

"Well, if they're so dangerous, why'd you put them in the car?"

"I didn't. They hung around us."

"And we're supposed to go to this temple place?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"It's... I guess the most powerful place on Mars. It's a way-station for god-like beings called the Deep Ones. When the sun isn't in the sky, or when it's eclipse, it can cross over into other dimensions. And... I think that we might be able to use it to get home."

"What about these things? Do we kill them or what?"

"We're not going to kill them. They are as much of a victim as we are."

"How so?"

"They're just... like trained dogs. They have no free will. They're controlled by their masters and they do their bidding." He paused and stared at his colleague with furrowed brows. "You know, like us right now."

The Temple of Proxima - known as such because its location was across the valley from its sister building - was one of the most sacred places on Mars. It stood as an invitation to pilgrims who had lost faith in humanity, who had been shunned by society and wished to seek solace elsewhere: a chance to commune with God. As such, it had been kept free from outside influences by governmental decree: there were no research stations nearby; no mining operations within many kilometers; no plans for terraforming or colonisation - despite all three having been officially sanctioned by the Terran Parliament thousands of years ago when everyone on Earth thought that Mars was worthless. The Temple had survived through every calamity: from wars waged on Earth which engulfed entire planets and solar systems (during which many managed to reach Mars) to natural disasters on Earth which decimated all life above ground (including many people, who were propelled into space). Eventually, everyone forgot about Mars and left it be - save for those few who had found purpose here and never left.

The Temple itself was much like any religious structure: big enough for believers to congregate; simple enough not to cause offence but with ornate details enough to inspire awe; designed not only to inspire religious fervour (and thus induce mass donation) but also as a monument to human achievement - so as not to offend those non-believers who would visit nonetheless. Placed in a crater surrounded by great ridges and peaks, it was visible from most places on Mars except perhaps Phobos. However, that morning something else caught the eye of one visitor: something black moving slowly across the valley floor towards the far wall of the crater. His curiosity piqued, he pulled out a pair of binoculars and focused in on it: two figures walking along a path which seemed almost invisible from this distance until they reached a sheer cliff face whereupon they disappeared behind an outcrop of rock far too large for anyone else but him to see past. He blinked and refocused his eyes several times before giving up: whatever they were doing there was clearly meant for only them to know about. He put down his binoculars and slung his pack over his shoulder before making his way down slowly towards the Temple proper with one thought running through his mind: perhaps today would be different after all?