January 11 Jones warns over no ‘No’ campaign

Since they landed on the moon there had been problems. Lines had been drawn in moon sand, alliances formed and pledges announced. At the last count thirteen people had lost their lives directly and another four had died indirectly from the disagreements.

Jones, the leader of the 'Earths Dead – Deal with It coalition' had buried two members of his own family and wondered again if he had enough bite left in him. Public opinion was waning and some he counted upon as his strongest supporters had abandoned the cause, some to the hills whilst others had crossed the divide.

'You're running away from too much Jones'

The ballot was to be held on Saturday; the proposal was to use the last of the fuel to make a final journey to see if life could be re-established on the mother planet. The ship could only take 44 passengers, even squeezing them in like sardines; he knew this as it had been tried many times. The colony now numbered 78. No one had asked what would happen to those left behind but everyone had an opinion.

Still he was growing tired now; no one believed they needed to run a counter proposal, to say 'no, we're in the together'. It was too familiar.

'It'll work out'

'Don't get so wound up old man, you're really looking your age now'

Fewer listened day by day, by Saturday he'd be on his own, by Sunday they may wish they'd made more of an effort.