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On Mars, it was a generally accepted fact that Earth was a civilization in decay Lazy, coddled citizens who lived on the government dole Fat, corrupt politicians who enriched the infrastructure that spent close to 30 percent of its total output on recycling syste in its own filth On Mars, there was virtually no uneed either directly or indirectly in the greatest engineering feat in huave everyone a sense of purpose, a shared vision of the future Nothing like the Earthers, who lived only for their next governstore or entertainment malls

Or at least, that was the story Suddenly Bobbie wasn’t so sure

Repeated visits to the various inforot her to an exit door A bored guard nodded to her as she passed by, and then she was outside

Outside Without a suit

Five seconds later she was clawing at the door, which she now realized was an exit only, trying to get back in The guard took pity on her and pushed the door open She ran back inside and collapsed on a nearby settee, gasping and hyperventilating

“First tiuard asked with a smile

Bobbie found herself unable to speak, but nodded

“Mars or Luna?”

“Mars,” she said once her breathing had slowed

“Yeah, I knew it Domes, you know People who’ve been in domes just panic a bit Belters lose their shit And I ed up to keep theuard ra you in when it was dark outside?”

“Yeah”

“They do that for offworlders Helps with the agoraphobia”

“Yeah”

“I’ll hold the door open a bit for you In case you need to coive it a second try instantly won Bobbie over, and she actually looked at the guard for the first time Earther short, but with beautiful skin so dark it was alray eyes He was s at her without a trace of mockery