Sophie stepped up to the table. “We’re the best private science team on the planet, that’s why. The NTC board has enough common sense to realize that.”

“I don’t like that we’re being intimidated,” Emanuel said.

“Dr. Hoffman’s clearly trying to exert dominance over Sophie,” Holly said.

Emanuel shrugged. “I don’t care what you call it. I don’t like it. And the contract we signed scares the shit out of me.”

“You were the one who said we’re risking our necks for the human race, Emanuel,” Sophie said, shooting a stern glance in his direction.

“That was to keep you from getting us fired before the mission even started!”

“Well, we aren’t going to be fired, and now that we’re here we need to be focused. That means we need to get some rest. So if we’re done, I suggest we head to our bunks. 0600 is going to come quicker than we might like.”

The team members all nodded, acknowledging her before filtering out of the room. Sophie waited for them to leave before returning to the holographic images of the spheres still hovering over the table in the front of the room. She had an odd feeling, an eerie sensation that something was amiss. It was the same sensation she had felt in the chopper. But she shook it off; there was no turning back now. Emanuel was right—humanity was depending on them.

CHAPTER 3

SOPHIE awoke with sharp pain running up her back and neck, more than likely the result of the turbulent helicopter ride. A few pain pills and a cup of coffee numbed most of the aches. The mixture of excitement and adrenaline in her system took care of the rest.

It was actually happening; the mission was starting.

Just one more step until she reached her goal of seeing the Red Planet. She blinked and took in a short breath, savoring the moment before joining her team on a narrow ramp. They shuffled up to the platform anxiously.

She watched them advance, listening to the clank of their shoes on the metal walkway. Each of them had a unique reason for joining the mission. Emanuel had called it the opportunity of a lifetime for a biologist. Saafi had joked that it was his chance to continue his travels. Holly hadn’t said much, but Sophie knew she had signed on to advance her career. Timothy was the only anomaly. He had never explained why he decided to join them. Perhaps it was the familiarity of working with the team, or perhaps it was something else—Sophie wasn’t sure, and that bothered her.

The top of the platform was a large, triangular chamber made of thick, airtight glass on all sides. A single glass door blocked their entry into the space. They stopped in front of it, pausing to await further instructions. Several seconds passed before a speaker above the door coughed to life.

“Welcome,” said Dr. Hoffman’s voice. “In front of you is the first airtight chamber. Inside you will find a white jumpsuit with your name and title. Upon entering, please change into these suits and discard all of your clothes and personal items into the metal trunks on the floor. Once the green light flashes, a second glass door will open, and you are to proceed into the next isolation chamber. When the door is sealed behind you, a cleansing mist will fill the room and kill any toxins you may be carrying. After the cleansing is complete, you will enter Biome 1. NTC will monitor you for the duration of the mission; but remember, there will be no contact with the outside world after you enter the Biosphere. Do you have any questions?”