“Yep,” Scorpia says. “Either way, we’re all in this together. Unless we each agree to go after the Red Baron, we’ll leave together and figure it out from there.”

My stomach sinks, but I can’t bring myself to argue against her. I know that she’s right—we can’t force our siblings to risk their lives. They deserve a choice. Yet Lyre already voted once against trying to save Nibiru, and Drom was hard enough to convince before she knew the decision would certainly put her twin at risk. And I have no idea what Scorpia will vote for. Any one of them could sink this plan before it begins.

And if they do, will I be able to bring myself to follow them? They’re my family, my blood… but I’m not sure I could forgive them for abandoning Nibiru. I’m not sure I could ever forgive myself. As soon as I think it, I resolve myself to the thought: If they vote to run, I’ll make the same choice as Shey and go down with Nibiru. I won’t bear the responsibility of any more lost lives.

But saying as much wouldn’t be fair to my family. Scorpia is right: Everyone deserves a chance to decide for themselves, including her. And as much as I hope that Scorpia would make the right choice regardless, I know that hearing I’ll stay behind will sway her opinion more than the millions of lives at risk on this planet.

“We should do this anonymously,” I say, as difficult as it is to force the words out. I clear my throat. “That’s the fairest way to do it. We each make the decision for ourselves.”

Scorpia nods. “We’ll all write them down and I’ll read them out,” she says, and looks at Lyre. Our little sister retrieves paper and a handful of pens from the supply closet, and hands out the writing utensils and strips of paper.

“So, one of two options,” Scorpia says. “We either run, or we stop the Red Baron. No getting clever with this, make sure your vote is clear.”

Once each of us holds a scrap of paper and pen in hand, there’s an uncomfortable pause. Despite my decision being secret, it feels strange to make the choice in the view of the others. My siblings seem to have the same thought, because one by one we turn our backs to one another, carving out spots of solitude to make this final choice.