The Forgotten Colony

by J.B. Ryder

You're wrong. You're all wrong. And we're gonna fucking die because of it.

Zach couldn't help but wonder if another country had finally nuked America.

With his eyes trained on the man, Zach's face went pale, as if he had seen a ghost. Because he had.

With Victor distracted with Quinton, Carver reached his hand down and discretely flicked one of his own pool balls into the corner pouch.

I'm telling you: Ryker is dead. Whoever was on that dropship is not Ryker Gagarin."

"Welcome to Mars, everybody," he said under his breath. "Welcome to Mars."

"Please, Zach. You left me behind once," said Ryker. "Don't do it again."

Fifteen years. Fifteen years. Ryker hadn't even been alive that long. And that was how long he had to live on that barren, disgusting planet?

"Home. Home. Earth's not even home anymore,"