Chapter 3

The second the video call ended, the questions started.

‘How can we help them?’ KC said.

‘Will Cooper be okay with us taking on this mission?’ Nash asked.

‘Can we come?’ Raj said.

Captain Malik held his hands up to quieten everyone. ‘I don’t have all the answers yet,’ he said. ‘But if we’re going to do this, we must move quickly. I need to speak to Cooper before I can make any decisions.’

Everyone was dismissed. The kids headed back to Nash’s apartment. They didn’t feel like doing schoolwork, so they listened to music and played VR games. No one’s heart was in it, though, so most of the time they sat talking, wondering at every possibility, and hoping they would be able to go to Mars.

An hour later, Orson appeared at the door, his face a solemn mask. The three friends ran up to him expectantly.

‘Is everything okay?’ KC asked.

‘What’s happening?’ Raj said. ‘Are we going to Mars?’

Orson chewed his bottom lip, hesitating.

‘Dad! Tell us!’ Nash insisted. ‘We can handle it. I mean, we want to go to Mars, but you not saying anything is making us worry.’

‘It’s okay,’ Orson said before cracking a huge smile. ‘You can come.’

‘All of us?’ Raj asked expectantly.

Orson nodded. ‘Absolutely.’

Nash, Raj, and KC shrieked with delight.

‘We’re going to Mars!’ KC said. ‘We’re going to Mars!’ She did a cartwheel then a backflip, nearly landing on the coffee table.

‘Careful!’ Orson said. ‘There’s not enough room in here for gymnastics.’

KC brushed her hair from her face. ‘Sorry.

I’m a bit excited.’

‘Will your parents let you go?’ Nash said.

‘Sure, if you and Raj are going, I’ll be allowed,’ KC said.

‘When do we head out?’ Nash asked.

Orson checked his watch. ‘Three hours. We’ll be using Cooper Borgstein’s latest experimental technology: a powerful space cruiser that travels faster than any vehicle ever built before. It’s called Ventura 2.’

‘Like Ventura that we used in the Milky Way Space Race?’ Raj said.

‘That’s the one,’ Orson said, ‘but V2 is bigger, stronger, and much faster. With her special warp speed technology, she’ll have us on Mars in three days.’

‘So, my dad was right,’ Raj said. ‘Cooper does have the technology.’

Nash felt a moment’s hesitation. ‘Is it safe?’

‘Is anything in space truly safe?’ Orson replied.

His dad’s response didn’t make Nash feel any better. He peered outside into the dark void of space. Most of the time, Nash felt completely safe on Misty. It was easy to forget that space was actually a harsh environment that humans were still learning to adapt to. The adventure to Mars would no doubt bring with it new dangers, new challenges, and new discoveries.

‘I’m happy for you to stay here,’ Orson said, seeming to sense Nash’s doubt. ‘You don’t have to come.’

Nash bridled, feeling stung that his dad might not want him to come – and that he’d said as much in front of his friends. ‘Don’t you think I’m up to it?’

‘Not at all,’ Orson said. ‘I have every faith in you, and I’d love for you to come with me. But it’s not going to be a picnic, that’s for sure.’