"Parker McCloud," the minister’s assistant said, deep from within the halls of the Aethpisian security center. "The unfortunate result of your video is that some people see you as a villain, too."
"What? How?"
"You are the poster boy for Martian brutality in the outer colonies."
"My face can’t be seen in the videos, and my name was protected in the reports. How can I be implicated in any of this?"
"You did provide the feed to Jenny Freeman’s newsfeed."
"To expose the truth."
"Yes, but the truth doesn’t always set you free."
Parker grumbled. "So what are my options?"
"One option. You have high aptitude for engineering, and I have transferred you to the Martian Command engineering school."
"On Saturn Station?"
"The flight leaves tonight. Saturn will be a good place for you to lie low."
"Maybe I’ll just quit."
"That would lead you to the prison colony on Deimos."
Parker was confused. He thought he was doing Mars a favor. Instead, he saved the day, and they treated him like the criminal. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"I am the reason you are being sent to Saturn Station. Riggens had some friends among the council who wanted you in prison with him, but they were crushed under the political pressure from Chancellor Arwell, where I pulled the favor from. You must accept this post."
"But…"
"An engineer is a noble profession."
"As an engineer, I can never lead a platoon or run an outer colony."
"Perhaps, after what you witnessed with Riggens, it is for the best. You have seen the worst of Mars, and your righteous endeavor to change the planet would have eaten you up."
"But…" Parker wanted to argue with the woman, but he was struck by her statement. Perhaps she was right, and he was too idealistic to be stationed on Mars. A heavy hand was still needed to survive on Mars. The planet’s wildness still controlled the people.
THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES…
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Coming soon the Legacy Duology – Alexandria Part I and II
Lunara: The Original Trilogy Page 106