HORIZONS MURAL by Robert McCall
Gus McKinney cannot keep quiet.
He, his two closest friends and a supercomputer named Watson III have been pouring
over the Martian riddle, the mathematical conundrum wrapped in a quiz, for months and months on end.
“I am sick and tired of racking my brain over this thing. Theodor Geisel must be behind this!”
“The Chinese think we are the culprits and you are guessing Dr. Seuss’ ghost? How about you Fitch, what’s your theory?” Roy posits.
“I believe it is simpler than just bad math, but that’s as far I’ve gotten. The overriding issue is who is behind it and why. Does the word/term “harmonia” ring a bell to either of you?”
“Why do you ask Fitch?”
“I have programmed Watson III to solve the riddle every single day at Midnight.”
“It hasn’t solved it though, so what’s your point?”
“Well, seven times in 7 different languages, the term “harmonia” has been Watson’s final conclusion.”
“There is ammonia present in Mars’ refreshed atmosphere; we’ve known that for years.”
“Not a-m-m-o–n-i-a, Gus. Yes, you can’t have life without it, but Watson’s English spelling is h-a-r-m-o-n-i-a. I needed a universal translator for most of his other answers.”
“Harmonia sounds like it could be a utopia, as in Valhalla or Camelot. Are you suggesting that literature is the key?” The Classics was not Roy’s favorite in school. He got a weak C in the class.
“Utopia is more of a concept than a place, Dad. Maybe that is the key that lets us down to the surface. How about I give it a whirl?”
“A whirl to you means another ride in SEx. You know that certain people are 
attempting to monitor when and where you go off to in that thing? You cannot treat it like it’s the family car.”
“We just went over it with a fine tooth comb last week, right Fitch?”
“The SOL drive is as amazing as ever Gus!”
Roy is aware that they absolutely lucked out with the speed-of-light upgrade, thanks to Celeste M. and her covert friends. “A night flight couldn’t do any harm I suppose. It has been a while since we knocked on Mars’ door. Make sure you get some sleep before then.” —
The NULL Solution =
Episode 98 page 99
