Portal to Ares

Portal to Ares, an engaging noir mystery by RL Beers, follows the rugged private investigator Tony Mandolin as he navigates hostile extraterrestrial realms. The story opens in a gritty San Francisco, where Tony's irritation mounts as his usual haunt, The Snug, is unexpectedly closed. This leads him to a clean alley behind the bar, where an otherworldly light engulfs him, transporting him to Ares (Mars). Upon awakening in a strange, sterile holding cell, he experiences a surge of strength that feels abnormal. His astonishment escalates as he encounters a red-skinned guard and discovers that he's in a planet where Earth's gravity doesn't apply, making him extraordinarily powerful against the local inhabitants. Tony witnesses brutalities in a prison yard where he must choose between intelligence gathering and intervening in a violent spectacle. As the narrative unfolds, Tony learns that a young girl he saves was meant to be a sacrifice to the rulers of Ares, the Highborn. Throughout his journey, Tony meets Mars—a bar owner who aids him with information about a portal back to Earth, as well as insights into the politics of Ares, including complex power dynamics among ruling families. After disguising himself to avoid detection and rescuing a friend, Tiny, who also has Norse ties, they return to San Francisco, ending with a humorous reflection on Tony's original goal: simply wanting a drink. The narrative intricately weaves themes of heroism, survival, and the clash between diverse cultures while maintaining a sardonic tone characteristic of the noir genre.