[ WP ] The death penalty has been replaced by a one way trip to Mars .

David looked at the clock on the wall of his cell. There was ten minutes left until the process to end his life would begin. David was still unaware how that would happen, all the judge had said was, “ You will find out when it is time, son. God have mercy on your soul. ” 
 
 David had heard rumors of bizarre death sentences being carried out, but he didn ’ t actually believe them. Men being subjected to lethal doses of radiation, accelerated at high speeds until the G forces crushed them, these were cruel and unusual. David rationalized these stories were simply to put more fear into the hearts of the men about to die. 
 
 David didn ’ t believe he deserved to die and he certainly didn ’ t think he had done anything so terrible that his death must be slow and painful. David had struck very wealthy and influential man ’ s dog while driving home after a few beers. This man had used all his power and influence to make sure David was to die for his mistake. 
 
 In a world like this where he could be sentenced to die for accidentally killing a dog he could almost believe some of the rumors. 
 
 The door to his cell opened and 2 large guards were standing there waiting for him. David had accepted his fate long ago so he stepped forward with his hands out to be placed in handcuffs. Instead he was struck with a cattle prod. The electric shock tightened every muscle in David ’ s body and his heart fluttered as he fell to the ground. He could hardly form thoughts through the pain, “ What on earth is going on… ” 
 
 David ’ s body was completely seized up from the shock of the over-powered cattle prod and he could not move a muscle. The 2 guards grabbed David by the shoulders and started dragging him out of his cell and down the hallway. 
 
 The guards had taken David all the way down the hall, into the elevator and outside. He was finally regaining some control of his body at this point. David found it hard to speak but he managed to ask the crucial question. “ How am I to die? ” Without even turning to look at David one of the guards replied, “ Mars. ” 
 
 “ Mars? What does that mean? ” David was confused; he had expected the electric chair. Whatever this Mars sentence was didn ’ t sound good. David was dragged up a ramp and onto a platform which had a large rocket mounted in the center. The guards dragged David around the side of the rocket and into another elevator. 
 
 There was what almost looked like a mad scientist waiting for them in the elevator. The man was very old, over 70 at least. His long white hair fell down over his shoulders and humped back. David was asking the man questions as the elevator started to rise, “ What is happening? Who are you? WHAT IS HAPPENING? ” The scientist refused to answer David; he simply continued to stare at him while twirling his finger through his long white handlebar mustache. 
 
 Once they reached the top David could almost stand again. With the guards help David was able to get into some sort of harness attached to the side of the rocket. His mind was still foggy from the electrocution but he kept asking what was happening to him. 
 
 The mad scientist finally looked at David and smiled. “ My dear boy, you have the honour of being the first criminal to be sent to Mars! ” David had never been more confused. None of this made any sense. “ Shouldn ’ t I be inside the rocket if I am going to Mars? ” It was the first of a million questions David wanted to ask. The scientist laughed, “ No, no, no… I don ’ t think there will be a need for that. ” With those words the mad man walked away from David and back to the elevator. David watched the doors close behind the man with utter despair. 
 
 He couldn ’ t understand how this could be real. This was insane, it didn ’ t make any sense. David spent his last few moments on earth thinking about his family, his job, his dog. It was all gone. 
 
 The elevator retracted from the rocket and a countdown began. 
 
 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 
 
 At this point the rocket was obviously starting to power up. 
 
 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 
 
 The engines engaged. There was an instant roar as fire began to shoot out of the rocket. 
 
 The sound waves bounced around a little even though they were contained by thousands of gallons of water being poured on the concrete. 
 
 One of these sound waves hit David. He didn ’ t have time to scream, not that it would have been heard anyways. David ’ s body exploded into a fine pink mist as if thrown through an extremely fine shredder. 
 
 The guards looked at the scientist and one of them asked, “ Did you know that would happen? ” 
 
 “ Well I considered it, but the man was sentenced to die. Who cares exactly HOW we do it these days? ” 
 
 The guards were uneasy but they followed orders. Both men in uniform simply nodded and watched the rocket takeoff. 
 
 

