Sorry this took so long to update. I was facing some writers block for a bit there. This chapter should begin to pick it up a bit.

Also, I have some things to say based off of your reviews about this story.

The chipmunks will swear from time to time. It shouldn't get too excessive, but especially as things get more and more intense, they'll react similar to how kids their age would. That doesn't make them OC, even though it's not necessarily how they act in the cartoons.

The munks/ettes pretty much have open relationships with each other.

POV will change pretty much each chapter, as well as in the middle of some chapters

No this is not a rated M story and I will do my best to make sure that it stays that way. If you ever think I exceed the T rating please let me know.

With all that said, I'm pleased to offer up Chapter 3.

Chapter 3: Oh Captain, My Captain

Simon's POV

It was the same routine, every day, for 42 days. 42. Days. And I'd be lying if I said the worst part wasn't the wakeup call we got every morning. It was just like that first day. The alarm would go off, and we would need to push a button to open the door and get out of our rooms. The only catch was, each day the button was in a different location. This morning was no different than any of the others.

We met Megs as quickly as possible down in front of the pain tolerance testing room, as it was that day of the week again. Our trainer was waiting patiently for us.

"You guys have been getting faster," she said smirking down at us. "I'm impressed, commander Simon."

"Thank you," I replied, noticing the jealous look on Jeanette's face. Technically speaking, it had not yet been decided which between the two of us would be the head pilot of the mission. And although she claimed that it did not matter to her, I knew she was salty that it seemed to be going more my way.

"Are you guys ready to begin your weekly pain tolerance test?" Megs asked us.

"Yes ma'am," Jeanette said.

"Right, well, I'm going to throw something new at you guys today. That's all I'm gonna say. Get in there and make me proud."

Confused, we all obeyed. Exactly the same procedure as the first time, as well as every other time we took this test. The Chipmunks and Chipettes were buckled in on opposite sides of the room. The only door shut and sealed behind us. The temperature started to drop.

Over the past six weeks, we had all done a good job of improving our times. We had figured out a few tricks, including keeping our eyes shut and breathing as little as possible so as to conserve body heat. Obviously this meant only talking if it was absolutely important. Because any heat that escaped your body was undoubtedly gone from the room very quickly.

And we were on a roll today. It was still a competition between the Chipmunks and Chipettes, winner gets shower tokens. But no one had talked. No one took any breaths that seemed too deep. We all definitely felt in our hearts that we had beaten our best time yet. And although we physically felt a numbing pain from the freezing cold, we mentally felt able to go on forever.

Then the twist came.

Megs' voice piped up over the loudspeaker, "here's where it get's interesting." Which, although no one said anything, had us all petrified. "I want to remind you all that no matter how you feel in there, it's nothing that will cause you permanent harm."

Suddenly, I felt the temperature begin to go back up and quickly. It was only a few seconds before we were back up to room temperature, which to our bodies felt like we were baking under a noon sun in the summer. And that was just the beginning. As very quickly it went from room temperature to mid-90's. And it was still climbing. And we realized our strategies would have to change soon.

The shock of the sudden switch from freezing to hot had our bodies tingling. We felt like we were being suffocated in the heat, especially as it rolled up to what must have been 110 degrees. Our breaths became long and rapid.

The whole room began to glow orange, faintly at first, then slowly becoming more and more bright. Flames began to burst on the screen that was simulating the room's "window". The whole room began to shake violently as the room continued climbing in temperature. It honestly felt like being baked in an oven… during an earthquake.

"I'm gonna pull the plug!" Theodore exclaimed desperately.

Just as I was about to encourage him to keep going, Jeanette interrupted me: "No, Theo!"

Everyone looked at her in shock. She was on the cusp of winning shower tokens. Brittany, especially, looked pissed.

"We can get through this. Together. They can't keep us in here forever!"

We were all sweating puddles by then. But Theodore gulped down his discomfort and pain and did not press the button, as did we all.

Suddenly, only a few moments later, the machine powering the heaters was turned off. The room quickly cooled back down to room temperature.

Alvin groaned. "Ok, who pressed the button?"

No one owned up to ending the drill.

The door to the room slid open, allowing Megs to step inside. "I was the one who ended the test," she said gruffly.

We all looked at her, confused, as we unbuckled ourselves and hopped down to the floor.

"I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that all six of you have been granted double shower tokens," Megs continued to our delight. "AND the rest of the day off of training. Enjoy yourselves. I'll speak with you again tonight."

We all jumped and celebrated, hugging each other. It was a great sense of victory. Megs nodded and walked off, leaving us to do whatever we wanted.

Alvin's POV

Theo and Ellie were busy applying water to dehydrated food that had made up our diet over the last six weeks. It was disgusting as hell, but I had gotten used to it. Theo and Ellie did their best to make it taste good and I always felt like I had to pretend they succeeded.

Anyway, Jeanette and Simon were kind of in their own world, on the other side of our bedroom, making small talk. Brittany was sitting by herself. I half-confidently walked up to her and sat next to her. She forced a smile at me. I smiled back.

"So… how you planning on using those shower tokens?" I asked slyly.

"Probably in the shower, dumb ass," she giggled at me, rolling her eyes.

"Not what I meant," I responded.

She looked straight into my eyes for the first time. "What do you mean?"

"I dunno," I said, pretending to think about it. "I was thinking maybe we could pool our tokens… later tonight?"

She grinned at me. "Alvin Seville. Isn't that against the rules? That's why there's a girls locker room and boys locker room."

I looked at her with wide eyes in fake shock. "You clearly forget who you're talking to."

"Food's almost ready!" Eleanor called to all of us.

"Before we eat," Simon interjected, "I suggest we all shower. Use up those double shower tokens that Megs generously provided for us."

I smiled at Brittany and whispered in her ear, "Only use half of them."

Brittany's POV

The guys were in one shower room. The ladies were in the other. It was just like any day, where we were all about to cash in the tokens that we had during the day, excited as we were about to have our only opportunity of the day to gossip about the other three. We each had four shower tokens, each good for five minutes. As Jean and Ellie started inserting all four of their tokens into the slots by their showers, I made the split-second decision to only use two of mine. I made sure to act like I had used all four while sneaking the other two inside of my towel.

Each of our showers turned on to our great satisfaction.

"So why do you guys think Megs ended the test today?" Eleanor said.

"I don't know," Jeanette said, shrugging. "She clearly wasn't mad at us, cause she gave us the day off. I guess we'll find out later tonight."

Eleanor nodded.

"I bet we passed the test," I said. "I think she thinks we're ready."

"For the mission?" Eleanor gasped.

I smirked. "I feel ready, I'll tell you that much."

"Well," Eleanor continued, "if training's over, who do you think will get the job of Head Pilot? Jean or Simon?"

Jeanette blushed. "I-I really don't care. Either one of us would do the job well."

"Oh come ON Jeannie," Eleanor insisted. "I love Simon as much as the next person, but everyone knows you'd be way more qualified to pilot this thing."

Jeanette shrugged. "The guys are probably saying the same thing about him. Besides, there's way too much pressure being the number one and I'm not sure I won't let it get to me."

We decided to change the subject, and mostly just talked about the food Ellie and Theo had made, and whether or not it was gonna be good.

After what I guess was about ten minutes, my shower shut off.

"That was not twenty minutes," Jeanette scowled, looking at my shower head.

I shrugged. "Oh well." I grabbed my towel, careful not to drop my two remaining tokens, and began drying off.

"You should complain to Megs," Ellie said.

"Nah," I said. "It's all good. I'll just start getting ready for dinner. See you guys later."

Jeanette's POV

Megs had called us all down to the conference room where we had first met, and that was where we all sat. At first she looked at all of us with her usual stirn grimace, but once she knew we were all paying attention her face loosened up into a smile.

"My work with you guys is done," she said. "Today you six proved to me that you are ready for deep space travel. I've already made my recommendation to Tom, the head of the mission, and he agrees totally. There's very little more I can help you with."

We all held eachothers' hands in congratulations. We were going to be the first Earthlings to visit Mars.

"Jeanette," Megs continued, "you showed me tremendous leadership and perseverance today when you encouraged Theodore to push himself despite the fact that it could have cost your team. It's that kind of selflessness and compassion for each other that I was really looking for. On top of being physically ready, you guys know how to be there for each other now, no matter what."

"Thank you ma'am. With all due respect, what does this mean for who will be Head Pilot?" I didn't want anyone to catch on that I actually cared.

She nodded, solemnly. "We have decided to go with Simon for that position. His team won the most drills, and we believe he'll do a great job."

I was crushed.

"In fact," she continued, pulling a folder out and tossing it out onto the middle of the table, "I have official positions set here for each of you. All six of you have been training for these positions, but these are the official job descriptions."

Simon

Head Pilot

Main job is to pilot ship as it launches and is under way. Is responsible for all major decisions made during mission. Safety of crew is priority number 1. Success of mission is priority number 2. Can use any means necessary to ensure that either of these priorities or met.

Jeanette

Head Engineer

Is responsible for monitoring and maintaining stability and function of all mechanical parts on the ship, as well as all other tools and devices that the crew will use. Will also take over as 1st in command of mission if the Head Pilot is ever unable to continue his duties, according to protocol.

Alvin

Field Manager

Versatile crew member who should be at the forefront of any expedition or job that would assist the mission. This includes but is not limited to repair jobs, driving rovers, and collecting material to be studied.

Brittany

Head of Communication and Navigation

Two main duties include tracking and reporting any necessary information regarding the whereabouts of the ship or any other equipment, as long as it is possible, as well as monitoring all signals and communications sent to and from the ship's computer.

Theodore

Nutrition and Health Monitor

Main duties are to monitor calorie intake by each crew member, insure food is rationed properly, and also to see to it that all living conditions for the crew members are as optimal as possible. Is also the main assistant to the Medical Officer.

Eleanor

Medical Officer

Must make decisions on health and conditions of any and all crew members, including head pilot. This includes mental and physical health. Has the power to quarantine anything as well as other crew members. May also need to help heal wounds in some cases.

I wanted to scream sexism, or something. But that wouldn't have made an effect as Megs was indeed a woman. On top of that, I was still trying to keep of the perception of not caring. So I politely gave Simon a warm hug of congratulations.

"None of these assignments should come as a surprise to any of you," Megs said. "You each have been training for these jobs for six straight weeks. With that, I dismiss you. You'll be meeting here with Mr. Julian Mitchell. I bid you all farewell, and good luck."

With that, she stood and saluted us as we began to walk one by one out the door. I was the last one out.

"Jeanette, a word with you?" Megs called, stopping me dead in my tracks.

I turned around slowly to face her. She motioned for me to come closer. Nervously, I obeyed.

"I understand you feel shafted by getting second in command," she said.

"Oh… no I understand," I tried.

"Save it," she retorted. "I've been in your position. But if you had not expressed fear to your teammates about taking on the position…"

"When did I do that?" I asked suspiciously.

"Today, for example, in the locker room-"

"You were listening to that?" I interrupted in shock.

"We've bugged every single room in this building. Including both locker rooms." She spoke as if this was standard procedure.

I felt embarrassed.

"Look," she said, "I just wanted to remind you that your title may say 'second in command', but this is outer space we're talking about. Sooner or later you'll get your chance to shine as a leader, God forbid something happens to Simon."

I nodded and walked away without saying another word.

Brittany's POV

I had kept up my end of the bargain, and I soon found out that Alvin had too. I walked into the girls' shower room at 10:04 pm, past our curfew. He was there waiting for me, just out in the open, looking at me with that stupid sly grin of his that secretly always gave me the feels.

"What if someone else had come in, besides me?" I whispered.

He shrugged. "Coulda told them I made the gender swap."

I looked him up and down, grinning. "There's an easy way to find out if you're lying," I said, winking at him.

He held up his two remaining shower tokens and fit both of them into the slots. Getting closer to him, I did the same. Without speaking, we both slid out of our clothes and threw them across the room, staring at each other as if we were having a staring contest. Without breaking his concentration, Alvin pressed the button as hot water began drenching both of us.

There's chapter 3! If you liked it, make sure you show it love with a review and to follow me for more content! Didn't like it/had some issues with it? Don't be shy and find a way to let me know. All constructive criticism is welcome.

Also let me know what you think is going to happen in the story. If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

Chapter 4 will be dropping ASAP.