Three days passed , and everything concerning the gate had been handled , including shipments that had to be transported to the colony .

The gate was concealed as a closed off construction site and would only be activated as a last resort .

For the coming week , Sam would handle everything on the island , and Cynthia would keep him company if her schedule allowed it .

Sarah was busy organizing all of their businesses on Earth in the Nexus but would stay in the colony for the time being .

Alex and Helena wanted to observe the journalists from a distance , but their main reason for staying in the colony was to assist John if needed .

Every journalist that visited the colony would be accompanied by a volunteer who had received a crash course in security and had been briefed on what information needed to be concealed .

There were over a hundred journalists who would visit , so Alex knew that information would inevitably leak .

The only question was how much and what kind of information.

Everyone in the colony was instructed to keep conversations to a minimum and let the volunteers handle the journalist’ questions .

Nevertheless , the colonists also had a list of topics that needed to be avoided .

Since the spaceship had already departed for earth , Alex and Helena went through the gate as the last people who needed to be in the colony .

They decided to wait in their apartment until they received the message that the journalists had arrived .

Several hours passed while they talked to each other until Da’grass told them that the ship was nearing Mars and would pass the construction site in orbit .

Since there were no windows , Alex gave permission for the journalists to go onto the bridge to view the construction site .

While Da’grass showed them footage of what was happening on the bridge , Helena had the time of her life watching the journalists react at the fact that there were no pilots .

But soon the journalists’ attention was focused on the construction site and they were filming and taking photo’s as if their lives depended on it .

They let the space ship circle the construction site a few times before deciding it was enough and let the ship land .

Alex and Helena walked to the dock , curious how the journalists would react when entering the city .

They weren’t disappointed .

While exiting the ship , the journalists were already filming and taking photo’s .

This continued as they entered the city and were led to their apartments , where they would sleep and work while in the colony.

There would always be someone at their door or by their side until they left , but they were free to go where they wanted , just under supervision .

While the journalists were depositing their luggage , John was preparing for the welcome speech and interview with drinks before letting the journalists to their own devices .

It would take about 2 hours before they would start their investigations of the colony unless they decided to grill John .

Alex and Helena decided to eat something while waiting for the journalists .

They picked a restaurant that had a clear view of the reception hall .

“I’m feeling a bit like a spy” said Helena while laughing .

“Then you would be one of the prettiest spies that exist” answered Alex .

“Sweet talker” replied Helena and she slapped him on the arm .

They ate leisurely and waited , talking about small stuff until they saw the first journalist exit the building .

“It won’t be long before the rest of them come out” said Helena .

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“Do you want to follow one of them or walk through the colony and observe while crossing paths with one of them” asked Alex .

“Walking across the colony with plenty of stops at bars” replied Helena .

Following one of them is asking to be found out , and they already have someone watching them .

I’m just curious what they think of this place .

“Yeah , I’m a bit curious too” answered Alex .

So for the next few days , Alex and Helena did nothing but walking through the city and drink at bars while receiving updates from Da’grass .

The journalists explored the whole city , from ordinary shop to production facility and the ship yard .

All of their questions were answered by the security personnel accompanying them , and they started to enjoy the bars and restaurants as if they were on earth .

Sometimes a journalist tried to ditch the one accompanying them , but they were almost immediately found by the colony’s AI .

Most of the journalists didn’t mind , but when they asked questions they didn’t get answers to , they tried harder and formulated their questions in a way to make someone slip up .

Colonists had to endure questioning too , and a slip up wasn’t far off in those circumstances .

On the fourth day everything had settled in a routine , and the journalists seemed to be only enjoying themselves .

While Sarah , Helena , and Alex were talking to each other at a bar about what was happening and their companies , they suddenly got approached by a journalist and his security companion .

“Sarah Peeters , I never forget a face , but you seem a lot younger.

To meet you here on Mars of all places , that should be an interesting story !”

“Excuse me , who are you?” asked Sarah .

“Max , Max Mertens , from the magazine science and technology .

I interviewed you when you opened a VR factory , the first in our country .

But sorry when I say that you looked older than you do now .”

“And how do you know if I am this Sarah and not someone else who looks the same? ” asked Sarah .

“Don’t try to weasel your way out of this , Sarah” said Max .

I never forget a face , and yours would be especially hard to forget after you rejected me when I asked you if you would be interested in a meal with me .

Helena and Alex started to sweat ; this was bad .

Sarah sighed .” I would appreciate if you didn’t mention this in your magazine , Max” pleaded Sarah .

“I don’t know , Sarah , this seems to be a big story , and I am a journalist” said Max .

You on Mars and younger than before , that seems like the biggest scoop I can get since no one wants to disclose how they got here .

It also explains why everyone seems to be only 25 years old around here .

“If you don’t mention this , I’ll make it worth your time” said Sarah .

“You mean money ?” said Max .

I’m not interested in that , Sarah .

“I can make it so that you can visit Jupiter and Saturn , where three bases are being build” interjected Alex .

“That sounds more interesting , but it won’t do

Who are you anyway ?” asked Max .

“He is the boyfriend of my daughter , Max” said Sarah.

“Looks to me he’s got a lot to say in this place if he can promise me that” replied Max .

“Shit” thought Alex , “I’ve should have kept quit”.

“We are a small community , everyone can ask for favors” interjected Helena .

“That proposition is a good start , but I need something more , something that rivals my findings here” said Max .

Look I’m not a bad guy but I’m a journalist and frankly , this is the biggest job I ever had .

Chances are I’ll never get anything as good as this again , so I can’t let this opportunity go .

“What if you could get your own magazine in the Nexus and a prime location ?

You wouldn’t need to look for articles and could let others do the work” asked Helena .

“Shit” thought Alex .

“Helena , look out with what you say” pleaded Alex with his eyes.

“Sure you guy’s aren’t some big shots around here ?” asked Max .

“I’m the daughter of a rich mother who’s got enterprises in the Nexus and on Earth” said Helena .

Do you think we can’t afford it ?

“It’s tempting .

I’m not getting any younger , and it would be fun to have my own magazine , but like I said , I’m not doing this for the money” said Max .

“I’ll have dinner with you , and we can discuss what might interest you” said Sarah .

“A dinner and a drink afterwards at a bar of your choosing” answered Max .

“Fine , tomorrow evening we’ll have dinner and a drink” replied Sarah .

Max smiled and said , “I’ll be looking forward to that” and he left after exchanging contact information .

“Don’t you find it strange he went easy on us the moment you agreed to a dinner and a drink?” asked Helena to her mother .

“I didn’t notice .

When I started the company and had the interview , he did try a couple of times to get a date with me .

He even sent me flowers and chocolates like in the movies” answered Sarah .

I thought it was because I had money or that he wanted an inside scoop .

“That bastard , he made us sweat just because he wanted a date with you .

That’s why he emphasized the fact that he didn’t do it for the money” exclaimed Alex .

“Oh my” chuckled Helena , “looks like mother got an admirer who isn’t persuaded by money or power” .

“That’s not a laughing matter , Helena” said Sarah .

He’s got sensitive information that could lead to major consequences back on Earth .

“I’ve got to agree with you mother , Helena” said Alex .

He’s got us by the balls and he knows it .

“Well , there’s nothing we can do about it .

Just go out with him and let us know what he wants afterwards” answered Helena .

“Well , the fact that he blackmailed me to go on a date with him gets him some negative points in my book” replied Sarah .

“He’s got some negative points in my book too” concurred Alex .

“I kinda feel like he went the extra mile to go on a date with my mother , who persisted in turning him down” said Helena .

Before I give my final judgement on the guy , I want to see what kind of guy he is.

“I don’t think it’s romantic for blackmailing someone to go on a date with you” replied Alex .

“He did try with flowers and chocolates first , and he didn’t stalk me” said Sarah.

They decided to wait with countermeasures until after Sarah sent them his conditions and went their separate ways to their apartments , each with their own worries .