[ WP ] We finally get men on Mars and they discover an old Soviet flag placed down decades ago . The Soviets won the space race but for whatever horrifying reason did n't say anything .

We'd seen it in the distance, an anomaly on an already alien planet. Thought it some kind of mirage, since the reality just did n't make sense. I volunteered to go check it out, though we all knew what it was - and when I'd just confirmed it. 
 
 A Soviet flag. 
 
 Why had n't they told us? I'd heard rumour of a Soviet mission, decades back, but we'd written it off as Cold War propaganda. If they'd actually managed to get to Mars, even if they did n't get them back - that would be humanity's greatest accomplishment. 
 
 *Why had n't they told us? * 
 
 What could it mean? Had the Russkies simply lost contact and assumed the worst? That did n't make any sense, since if they landed intact enough to erect the flag, they must have been in communication with them back home... 
 
 Something was wrong. I needed to get back. 
 
 I tried to make contact with the boys back at the ship, but there was no reply. Figured I was out of range, but that did n't make sense. Brushed it aside; nerves were getting the better of me, and there was no use worrying about something I could n't change. 
 
 Saw my team in the distance. It was immensely comforting; you've never known isolation till you're alone on a new planet. I quickened my pace. 
 
 Still radio silence. I just wanted to get back to the ship. 
 
 Nearing them now. They seem to be coated in sand - had there been some kind of storm? How long had I been gone for? They did n't seem to be moving, either. Just standing there. Why were they just standing there? 
 
 Still no response. Why are n't they coming out to meet me? Why are they just *standing* there? 
 
 I can see their suits properly now. Coated in sand. Weatherworn. And why... why do they look like they're a different colour underneath? Are those- are those *Soviet* suits? *Why are they just standing there? * 
 
 Wait. That's not- that's not my- 
 
 *They've seen me. * 
 
 **Oh Christ, they've seen me. **
