Peyton lay silently in the bed. She was pretty sure some of her ribs were broken. The room was stark with just the bed, a small lamp, a metal cabinet, one chair, and a sink. There weren't any mirrors, which was a blessing considering the number of times she'd been hit in the face. But he hadn't just hit her face. There were countless bruises all over her body. All of it was easy to see as she wore nothing but her underwear and a tank top.

  What would have happened if they’d stayed in Merrick? The rest of the M6 crew would have assumed they died, which would have been enough to squelch the kid's desire to boycott. General Stone wasn't aware of the portal, but for some reason, he hadn't been able to read her mind. Over their last few sessions, he’d repeat questions she wasn’t willing to answer. Then, his fists would show her who was in charge.

  “Did you go somewhere other than the dig site?” he'd asked repeatedly.

  “No, we explored no more than a mile outside of basecamp,” she’d answered every time.

  And then he'd slap her face and say, “There’s only room for one hero on this mission, Mrs. Lawrence, and they hired me for that.”

  No one had come to see her other than Stone, and she was almost sure the sun had gone down three times since she'd arrived. Peyton was terrified for the kids. They could escape to Merrick. Would Edward suggest that? Hameel would try to help them, or was going back to Earth the shortest way to end this nightmare?

  But Peyton's thoughts were interrupted by a female voice calling her by name.

  “Yes,” Peyton answered.

  “Good grief. Please cover yourself. I’m here to check you,” said Commander Mitchell, agitated.

  Peyton, unsure how her lack of clothing and pummeled body was causing someone else pain, pulled a sheet over her legs and rolled to face Commander Mitchell, who probed her belly and ribcage.

  “They’re broken, aren’t they?” Peyton asked.

  “Can you sit up?”

  “I think so.”

  “Show me,” Commander Mitchell said.

  Peyton used the back of her forearms to push herself into a sitting position, groaning hard against the pain.

  “It's more likely they're bruised.”

  “Do you need an X-ray to confirm?”

  “Do you need to stop lying to us about where you went?”

  Peyton collapsed back in bed, her dark hair falling away from her face. No one was coming to save her.

  “Are the kids alright?”

  “They are. Camden is isolated, but the others are on a fairly routine schedule. These children need to go home, Ms. Lawrence. Any more talk of boycotting the launch is ridiculous. We’re all Red Rock employees, Peyton. Significant time, money, and research were involved in securing this sixth mission to Mars. It’s not our place to judge what's moral or immoral regarding colonizing. We’re simply reporters. Why don’t you leave the heavy lifting to those more capable than yourself?”

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  “Because people will die if we keep sending them here.”

  “People have already died, Ms. Lawrence."

  “Who?”

  “Nigel’s wife. You and these children have the misguided intention to shut down this company, even though there is evidence that at least one human has avoided cancer altogether after coming here. This has nothing to do with fame. Laura died for something greater. Would you give up on something with a price that high?”

  Peyton had stopped listening. The answer was yes. She could give up on Mars. The one thing she'd dreamed of since childhood. Yes, absolutely, she could.

  “Rocky does whatever Nigel tells him to, Ms. Lawrence. We’re a team, and our team reports to Nigel. Please stop inflicting this brutal nightmare on yourself. If you truly love those kids, you’ll convince them that going home is the right thing to do.”

  But there had been no further discussion, and twenty minutes later, Commander Mitchell had gone, the chill in the room worsening. It wasn't a surprise when General Stone arrived. He came about the same time each day.

  “Good afternoon, Peyton,” he said. “Get up. We’re going on a trip today.”

  “A trip where?” she said, turning her battered face towards him.

  “To the galley. The kids are worried about you. I think seeing you will do them good.”

  “Seeing me like this?”

  “Well, no, leave the sheet here.”

  Peyton stared at him in horror.

  “Please don’t.”

  “Up you go,” he said, grabbing a bruised arm. “We don’t want to keep them waiting.”

  “Can I put some clothes on?”

  “No.”

  “And why?”

  “Because I ordered you to go as you are, and you must learn to follow orders. This is the consequence of instigating a boycott. They should know that.”

  It was a long walk to the galley from where she was, and Peyton realized they’d been keeping her in a space close to the entrance of the hub. She wondered if Camden was nearby.

  “We’re almost there,” Stone said.

  The galley would be busy if it were lunchtime, and in seconds, anyone eating inside would spot her. Tears welled in Peyton's eyes, a mixture of fear and humiliation. And then, it was happening, and Presley was screaming.

  “Oh my God,” Mia said, her eyes tracking Presley's tortured gaze. Mia stood involuntarily.

  “Sit down, Mia,” said Edward.

  “We’re all fucked,” Kai whispered, his first words in weeks.

  “Don’t react,” Edward said, looking at Alex and Trevor.

  “I’m so sorry, Ms. Lawrence,” Mary Jane cried out before Edward put his hand over her mouth.

  “It’s ok, everyone. I’m ok,” Peyton said loudly, which was obviously a lie.

  Rocky put his hand up to quiet Peyton, and she stopped speaking instantly.

  “Good afternoon, M6 cadets. You've asked so many questions about Ms. Lawrence that I decided it was time for a visit.”

  “How could you?” Presley screamed as Max gripped her shoulders.

  “Well, she's given me no choice, honestly. Ms. Lawrence continues to evade my questions, and Camden made the poor choice to break out of solitary confinement. Stupidly, he’s chosen to breach a rocket full of cameras and alarms, so he’s no more free of me than he’s ever been. But the good news is he’s already on the ship, where we’ll all join him in ten short days. How many of you plan to be on that ship with me?”

  “I’ll be there,” Sloan said, standing to be seen."

  “Excellent,” Rocky said.

  “Who else?”

  “Me,” said Kai, also standing up.

  But then there was silence. No one else stood. General Stone’s fists knotted tightly against his legs.

  “I’m afraid I need all of you on the ship. And each day we wait for your compliance- Ms. Lawrence pays the price,” Rocky said, suddenly shoving Peyton to the ground.

  “Stay calm,” Edward whispered, trying to make eye contact with his peers.

  “You don’t have to launch!” Peyton screamed out. “Don’t do it to save me.”

  "Holy shit," Lilly said, looking at Alex.

  Then Alex flipped his chair and crossed the galley quickly. His arms bulged, the kid was ready to swing, and Rocky braced himself for impact, but Alex's swing was for Peyton, who lay defenseless on the ground and unprepared to block it. Her head bounced before the pain reached her brain, causing her to vomit reflexively.

  "Oh my God," Presley wailed, hiding her face in Max's chest. "Make it stop, Max. Please!"

  General Stone stared at Alex, his face hard to read. Minutes passed. One of the girls was crying. Then Stone held out his hand to Alex, who shook it.

  “Well, this is good. A step in the right direction. Alex, I'm assuming that means you're planning on coming home without a fight, then?" Rocky asked.

  “Yes, sir,” Alex said. Thanks for the opportunity to change my mind."

  But the real opportunity had been the diversion Alex created, pumping Stone's ego to the point where he hadn't noticed Lilly leave, making her way to Rocky's office, where she hoped to find something to help them pull off the boycott.