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Prologue
We thought everythingwas perfect. We had our own planet, the freedom to do whatever we wanted, the resources to survive. And our family. My six men and me. Unconventional, strange, and utterly amazing. I never thought I could feel this much love without exploding, but it worked.
For the first time in forever, I was happy.
There was no news from Earth, but we thought we didn't need them anymore. We'd made it for six months without contact.
But of course, happiness never lasts.
And when happiness disappears on Mars, disaster strikes.
Day Three
52:03
A burst pipe is the beginning of the end. Something so small, so inconsequential at first sight, suddenly broke our fragile life on Mars.
The irony is that a good plumber could have averted a lot of what was to follow. But plumbers are hard to find on this planet. Bastian is a mechanic, and while he's pretty good with everything that needs fixing, there are some things even he can’t fix. Like a bomb attached to the pipes delivering oxygen to all parts of the station.
––––––––
IT’S THE FIRST TIMEsince the virus that the alarm sounds, blaring through the remnants of my dream. I’m cuddled up against Jordan; Will left us at some point during the early hours of the morning. The two of them like to share, and who am I to say no to that. It makes our schedule a little more confusing, but it’s worth it.
At the beginning, we tried it without a schedule, but that led to jealousy and even some heated arguments among my men. Now, we have a timetable, looking just like the one I used to have back at school, and unless there are special occasions like birthdays, we don’t change it. It’s my birthday in a week, actually, and I know exactly that I want to change the schedule for that – the guys just don’t know it yet.
“What’s going on?” Jordan mutters sleepily. “This isn’t the fire alarm.”
We have regular fire drills and training exercises, so we’re used to that sound.
“No,” I reply while jumping out of bed, pulling a hoodie over my sleep shirt. “That’s the master alarm. Something is seriously wrong.”
I check my comm bracelet.
>>Meet in the control room immediately<<
Bastian has sent the message, but I’m confused why he wouldn’t give us the reason for the alarm. It’s still echoing through the room, the entire station, most likely.
