After what seemed like an eternity, the buggy’s platform stopped descending as a series of blast doors shut above it. Jolene surmised that they were at least five hundred meters below the surface. Not super far down, even by the standards of Deimos, but far enough down that getting out could be quite a hassle if something went wrong, especially when they were shut in by–what was it–twenty blast doors? Possibly more, she’d lost count.

Her line of analysis was interrupted by the sudden rush of sound outside the buggy. Airflow. So they were in an airlock. Interesting decision considering that they were there for a tour. Surely the whole mine wasn’t ventilated, right? That seemed like a tremendous waste of time, energy, and money, no matter what it was that Matsumoto–assuming he was the one still in charge of this whole mess, anyway–was planning on earning from this venture.

No, this was probably just a receiving area. Maybe even connected to worker barracks or a cafeteria or something to that extent, assuming these workers got an even halfway-decent work environment, which Jolene had her doubts about. Admittedly, her doubts were slightly softened by the amount of autonomous work vehicles on the surface, but still, she didn’t like how much of a good face was being put on display, especially considering the outright lack of advertising that such a job was even available to the citizens of the colony.

Eventually she had to vocalize these worries. “I don’t like this, guys. I don’t like this at all.”

Everyone turned to her, nodding knowingly, with Rami himself opening up his mouth to offer an agreement. “This whole thing stinks, and not in the way I remember experiencing working in a mine. Everything feels just a bit too perfect.”

Elaine further vocalized her agreement. “I’m still going to keep the suit and mask on. If nothing happens, I look ridiculous. If something happens, I’m not going to suffocate.”

Brad nodded. “Absolutely, we can’t be giving away our identities if we can avoid it. Let’s just let Rami do the talking.”

“Way ahead of you,” Jolene agreed. “If Matsumoto’s down here I know I’m’ not going to be able to avoid saying something stupid if I talk at all.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Brad sighed. “I know we went over this on the ride over, but are you guys sure it wouldn’t be easier to just shoot him and get it over with?”

Elaine snorted. “And have to deal with his security teams? Hell, most of them are probably automated as well which is going to be just peachy to deal with.”

Outside, the hissing of the air ceased, and Rami then said, “Okay, last chance to back out. Obviously we can’t have anyone taking off with the buggy so you’d just have to entertain yourself until everyone gets back, but still, I thought I should offer.”

Nobody responded.

“I thought not,” Rami chuckled. “Okay, follow my lead.”

As the group disembarked from their buggy, another voice echoed from what sounded like a local PA system, this time a male voice, middle-aged, oddly enthusiastic, saying, “I was wondering if you were just going to wait in your vehicle all day. Please, do follow the lighted corridor to my office. I’d have been out to meet you in person but I find myself just a tad swamped trying to finish up one last project”

Elaine and Jolene looked at each other, trying to process what they’d just heard. “That’s…not Matsumoto,” Jolene said, shocked. “That sounds nothing like the man.”

The voice responded, “No, no I’m not Matsumoto, miss. He’s a very interested party in our operation here, but no, he’s just another investor. Not of money, mind, but of security. So I suppose if you wish to be pedantic, as much as I loathe that personality type, it’s more of a donation. But please, do come in. We have much to discuss.”

At these words, an automatic door slid open leading into a steel corridor with soft, sterile lighting. The group began to make their way into the hallway, until Jolene stopped, noticing that Brad hadn’t moved from his spot. Jolene paused, then said, “Hey B-” No, she caught herself. No names. She cleared her throat. “Hey, you coming?” she asked in a much more professional-sounding tone.

Brad started at this. “Ah-yeah…I’m coming. Sorry. Spaced out a bit there.”

She couldn’t see through the helmet, but she could almost feel Elaine rolling her eyes. “Right,” she said. “Well come on, let’s go.”

Jolene was surprised. She’d already gotten used to Brad spacing out while alone in his thoughts. Elaine had even said this was a pretty normal thing for him to do. But something else entirely was at work here. He seemed…rattled. Jolene wished she could ask Elaine or even Brad himself what was up, but she was worried that saying something might jeopardize what they were doing here. As of now, the three of them were anonymous bodyguards under the employ of some rich big-shot as far as the “bad guys” were concerned. Ruining that now, while they were deep behind enemy lines literally trapped in by steel, stone, and concrete would most certainly be a death sentence.

Don’t screw this up for us, Brad. Whatever you’ve got going on in that head of yours.