In the dim light, the photograph of Jacob was indistinguishable, but Ben could still see the image of the dead man.
He thought, I can't run away with Jacob like a selfish, cowardly kid! No matter how bright the stars would be, that brightness couldn't destroy the image of a dead man with staring eyes. No matter what Jacob and Simon do to me, I've got to try to get back to Earth.
He suddenly felt clean inside. He was no longer ashamed to hold his head high.
"Maggie," he said.
"Yes?"
"I've made my decision."
Outside the window, a waterfall of flame cascaded onto the desert, pushing aside the dust and the darkness. The deep-throated sound of rocket engines grumbled above the whining wind. The floor of the dome vibrated.
"The rocket's here!" Maggie cried.
The flaming exhaust from the ship dissolved into the night. The rocket thunder faded into the wind.
The alarm on the dome's inner airlock bulkhead rang. Maggie ran like a happy child through the concrete corridor, Ben following. She bounded into the supply room, pushed Simple Simon aside, stopped before a control panel. Her fingers flew over switches and levers.