“We made it, Captain! We’re the first crew to land on Mars!”


    “Indeed, but we can’t stay here on the surface. That’s why the robots prepared a subterranean sanctuary.”


    “But, sir, aren’t we here to establish a colony? Isn’t that the plan?”


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    “Negative. We’re here for a real-world psychological study.”


    “But, sir, we passed those tests.”


    “Right, psychologists realized it’s impossible to do that properly on Earth—too much hope for escape.”


    “A deception?”


    “No, not exactly. This will be life on Mars. All underground. No escape. A foundation for future generations of colonists—the surface shall be the past.”