by Sean Devney
Walker sighed and said,
Yes, I know all of this! But what can I do? I am only one man! How can I stop the human race from coming to Mars and making a mess? Come on.
Yes, we realize that. We can’t expect you to save Mars all by yourself! I can help you – I have the computer code to unlock the corporation’s computer system. I shall send the information to your android. He will find what you’ve been looking for – a connection between Rocco and the corporation. They are working together and the corporation doesn’t want this information to be made public. It would kill them! But be careful, my friend – the Russian knows what you are trying to do. He is passing information to both Rocco and the corporation. You cannot trust him! He will stab you in the back!
Walker sighed. He didn’t want to deal with Petrov. He was a loose cannon. Ka’al said,
I know what you’re thinking. Do what you think is right. That’s all you can do. It’s time for you to go back. I will keep in touch.
Ka’al raised his right hand and suddenly, Walker was back in bed. He looked over at the android. He was sitting by a window, looking out into the night sky. Walker got up and walked over to him. He said,
“Joe, did you receive any information just now? A code or something?”
The android looked at Walker and said,
“Yes. A computer code just popped into my mind. It appears to be the access code I need to gain access into the corporation’s computer system. I don’t know where it came from.”
“Never mind that. Please find out the connection between Rocco and the corporation. Okay? When you have it, let me know. I’m going back to bed.”
“Very good, detective. I will keep you informed. Good night.”
The android turned back and looked back out the window. Walker got back into bed and closed his eyes…..
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Come on, sleepyhead. Time to get up and get back to work.”
Walker opened his eyes and yawned. Edwards was standing over him, looking down at him with a warm smile. He could smell coffee and toast in the kitchen. She said,
“Come on, John! I don’t want to be late for work!”
“All right,” said Walker, as he got up and stumbled off to the bathroom and took a shower. After he dried himself off, he walked back into the bedroom and got dressed. Edwards stood at the doorway, drinking a cup of coffee and watching him. She said to him,
“You were talking in your sleep again. Where did you go this time?”
“I was in Ka’al old home. It’s not there anymore. Anyway, he told me that he gave the android the code to the corporation’s computer system. He should be able to break in now. I want to find the connection between Rocco and the corporation. It’s in there somewhere.”
“And then what, John? Arrest them? You’re not dealing with petty thieves here, you know.”
“Yeah, I know. No one can stop them but I can give them a bloody nose. You get them angry enough and they’ll make a mistake sooner or later.”
“Perhaps. And maybe they’ll just step on you like a bug. Ever think of that?”
“Yes, I have considered that but I have an ace up my sleeve. You’ll see.”
He finished dressing and walked into the kitchen for a cup of coffee and a slice of toast with strawberry jam on it. He ate quickly and then said,
“Okay, let’s go. Don’t forget the android.”
They left the apartment and headed downstairs to the garage, where the car was waiting for them. They got in and the android sat in the front driver seat and took control of the car. The car drove downtown towards a massive black building – police headquarters. It was shaped like a bunker. Walker said,
“Joe, stop the car. Look, Sam, I’m going to go and have a talk with the Tyler Corporation’s CEO – Mr Jack Smith. I just want to ask him a few questions, that’s all.”
“But Chief Hernandez is expecting us!”
“Don’t worry, honey – I won’t be long. I’ll catch up with you. Take Joe with you.”
He kissed her and got out of the car and walked over to a subway entrance. The car took off. Walker walked down a flight of stairs to the subway. He noticed how clean it was and he didn’t see any homeless people anywhere. He was used to seeing homeless people everywhere back in New York City but here on Mars, there were none. It was surreal. He bought a ticket at a kiosk and entered the system. It was now 9:07 AM and it was rush hour but he saw only a handful of people. Where was everyone?
The train rumbled into the station and it was being driven by a robot driver with a silver face and two black holes for eyes. It was dressed in a dark blue uniform. The doors of the train opened and Walker got in and the doors closed silently behind him. Walker sat down and looked around. He saw a corporation robot sitting further down the train and there were a few businessmen dressed in black sits and red ties scattered about the train. Overhead were ads for various companies, including a new gambling house that was run by Rocco and his gang. Johnny Rocco stood in front of the New Sahara Hotel and Casino. He was wearing a black suit with silver strips and he wore a pink diamond ring on his left pinkie finger and a shark’s smile. Same old Rocco – classy all the way.
The train slowed down and pulled into a station called the Lincoln Stop. It was also the stop for the Tyler Corporation. Walker got up and left the train and walked over to a glass door that slid open. In front of him were two male receptionists and one very human looking robot – all three were dressed in black suits and red ties. It was the standard corporation uniform. Behind them was a large vase full of flowers and past them was the corporation’s entrance. As Walker approached the receptionists, they looked up at him with bored expressions on their faces. One of the men asked Walker,
“Yes? Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m Detective John Walker. I would like to speak to Mr Jack Smith. Is he in?”
“Well, that’s not possible right now. Mr Smith is a very busy man. I’m afraid you just can’t walk in here and ask to see Mr Smith! You need an appointment!”
“I understand that but I’m working on a case and I need to speak to him right now. I won’t be long.”
“Sir, Mr Smith is not – “
The robot suddenly said,
“Let him through. Mr Smith will see him.”
“Very well. You take that elevator up to the top floor. You’ll find him.”
“Thank you.”
Walker walked over to an elevator and got in. It took off and went up very quickly. Suddenly, the elevator passed by a large window that over looked the great desert past the city limits. The desert was vast and red – it was an impressive sight. Then just as quickly, the view was gone. The elevator slowed down and the doors opened to a small waiting room filled with freshly cut flowers. He sat down on a chair and waited. A door opened and Walker got up and entered a larger room with another beautiful view of the desert. Sitting behind a desk was a beautiful blond secretary. She looked up and said to Walker,
“You may go in now, detective.”
Walker walked towards a dark glass door that opened into a huge room filled with more flowers and soft music. At the other end of the room was Jack Smith, a large man with a deep red tan and he wore a light gray suit and red tie. He was talking to a Japanese businessman on the phone. He looked up and pointed to a leather chair in front of him. Walker sat down. When Smith was finished, he said into a speaker,
“Tracy, That was Mr Tanaka. Please send him two tickets for the opera tonight. My compliments!”
“Yes, sir,” said the secretary.
Smith leaned back in his chair and said to Walker,
“So, d
etective, what can I do for you?”
“You know who I am?”
“Well, of course! It’s my job to know what’s going on! You want to ask me a few questions, I gather. Well, I don’t have much time.”
“No, of course not. First of all, do you have dealings with Johnny Rocco?”
“Yes, I have business dealings with everyone on Mars. It’s a small world up here, detective. I don’t discriminate. What’s your question?”
“Are you aware that he’s a dangerous criminal?”
“Yes, I know that.”
“Do you know that he deals with drugs and prostitution?”
“Yes, of course. I know all about him. He’s a businessman and a very successful one at that. He makes lots of money and he puts his money into the banks up here. I also deal with the banks. Lots of banks do business with criminals. What’s your point?”
“I’m sorry I’ve bothered you, Mr Smith. Good day.”
“What do you want to know, detective? No one is perfect. I’m a realist. People like Rocco exist. I work with people like him all the time. Money is money. What do you want me to do? Stop working with him? He’ll just find somebody else to work with. Anything else?”
“What about those robots you have walking around the city?”
“What about them? If something happens, we notify the proper authorities. Look, detective, the police and fire departments up here are not very big. They can use our help. Why is that wrong? We are doing a public service. Agreed? As for drugs – well, alcohol and cigarettes are far more dangerous than Martian Candy. So, what’s your point?”
“Nothing. Thank you for your time.”
“Not at all. If something happens, we’ll let you know. Good day.”
Walker left the office with a bad taste in his mouth.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Walker took the subway to police headquarters and took an elevator up to the 12th floor. He walked down a hallway until he found the right door and opened it. Chief Hernandez was sitting behind a cluttered desk. He was a big man with salt and pepper hair and a thick mustache. He looked up at Walker and said with a smile,
“Well, here he is! The legendary Detective Walker! You’re a famous man! Everyone is talking about you! Glad you could make it!”
Walker looked around and saw Edwards sitting in a chair and the android was standing by a window and looking down to the city below. He closed the door behind him and said, as he sat down,
“Sorry I’m late. I was just over at the Tyler Corporation and I had a chat with the CEO – Jack Smith.”
“Oh? And what did he say? Anything interesting?”
“Not really. So, they have their own police force, right?”
“Yes. They do help us at times. So, I know why you’re here. The freighter that Max Thorton is on won’t be here for another week. I spoke to Captain Parker last night. He’s an old friend of mine. I’m supposed to help you when the time comes. In the meantime, would you mind helping me? I could certainly use someone like you and your robot. We don’t have a lot of crime up here. It’s pretty quiet compared to New York. You know, I’ve been up here on Mars for ten years now. I haven’t been back home for ages. What’s it like?”
“Oh, it’s still the same. Just more people, that’s all.”
“Yeah, well, we don’t have that problem up here yet but people keep coming. You know, I just can’t figure out how Rocco got up here in the first place.”
“Well, look, chief, I have to talk to you about something but I can’t do it here. Can you come by our place tonight after work? It’s very important.”
“Sure, I’ll be there.”
Walker said,
“So, what else goes on here? Anything interesting?”
“Not really. Just the usual drug and alcohol problems and bar fights. But lately, we’ve been having problems at Sin City. Some of the people get out of hand but it’s nothing we can’t handle. Oh, and thanks for helping out with that hostage situation.”
“That’s what I’m here for. Do you have anything going on right now?”
“No, not right now but it could change. You know that.”
“Well, look, if you don’t mind, I would like to have a car and drive around the city to see what it’s like. You can have the android.”
“Fine. I’ll call the garage and have a car assigned to you right away.”
“Okay.”
He said to Edwards,
“So, I’ll be back before dinner.”
Walker said to Hernandez,
“Don’t forget chief. I’ll see you tonight.”
“See you then.”
Walker got up and left the office and headed for the elevators…..
CHAPTER TWENTY
In the garage, Walker found a black police car waiting for him. He got into the driver’s seat and he said to the car’s computer,
“Computer, let me drive. Also, show me a map of the city.”
A video monitor on the dashboard lit up and showed a detailed map of the city. Walker put the car into gear and drove out of the garage. It was a bright, sunny day and people were out walking around. He began to notice young people wearing tan uniforms standing on street corners, passing out leaflets. He thought they were the Hare Krishna at first but they were not. Walker asked the computer,
“Computer, who are those people handing out leaflets on the street corners?”
The computer said in a monotone voice,
“Working. They are members of a religious cult called the New Dawn of Mankind. They have their own compound outside the city limits. They arrived on Mars fifteen years ago.”
“Who is their leader? Can you show me a picture of him?”
“Working. Their leader is Father Johnson. Here is a photo of him.”
Walker looked at a photo of a wild eyed, gray haired man of 75. Walker asked,
“Is this man dangerous? Why did he come to Mars?”
“No, they are a peaceful group and Father Johnson brought his people to Mars to escape the growing pollution and overpopulation on Earth. But they have been known to stockpile weapons.”
“Hmmm….where is their compound exactly? Can you show me a map?”
A map appeared on the monitor, showing a large compound just south of the city. Walker said,
“Okay. I want to see what they’re up to.”
He drove the car over to two young men standing on a street corner, passing out bright yellow leaflets to people. Both men had red dots on the foreheads and they both had long ponytails and they wore matching tan outfits and sandals. Walker reached out and took a leaflet and looked it over. There was a rising sun and other religious symbols. He said to the car,
“Computer, drive me out to the compound.”
The car put itself into gear and drove south through the city and into the desert. Ahead was a tall wooden fence with two towers. Beyond that was the compound. Walker said,
“All right, computer, I’ll take it from here.”
He drove the car to the front gate and an armed gunman walked out and said, pointing his gun at Walker,
“Stop! Who are you?”
Walker took out his badge and said,
“I’m Detective Walker and I would like to speak to Father Johnson.”
“Wait here a minute.”
The man walked back into the compound and a moment later, the heavy wooden gate swung open. The armed man said,
“All right. Father Johnson will see you. Just drive into the compound and park in front of the m
ain building just ahead. Someone will escort you.”
“Thank you,” said Walker as he put the car into gear. He drove into a huge compound, complete with farms, schools, etc. It was a world unto itself. Ahead was the main building. It had a porch and Walker drove to the building and parked the car. He got out and presently, a young woman wearing a tan uniform came out of the building and said to Walker,
“Please come with me.”
He followed the young woman into the main building and walked past a courtyard with a fountain and fruit trees and into a large study lined with books of all kinds. There was a large wooden desk and beyond the desk was a large window that overlooked a farm with dozens of people picking fruit and vegetables. Sitting behind the desk was Father Johnson. He looked old but his eyes were alert and intense. The young woman said to him,
“Father, here he is. He says he’s a policeman.”
The old man said to Walker with a deep voice,
“Thank you, my daughter. Please sir – have a seat. We don’t get too many visitors out here. We like to live alone from the rest of humanity. Why have you come here?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, sir but I am new to Mars and I was exploring the city when I saw two young men passing out this leaflet. I am curious by nature and I wanted to see what was going on out here, that’s all.”
He held up the leaflet and Father Johnson said,
“Yes, it is one of ours. Are you a religious man, detective?”
“Well, sir, I do believe in God, if that’s what you mean.”
“So, you want to know why we’re here on Mars, is that it? I brought my people to Mars to escape the filth and pollution of Earth. God’s paradise is ruined. When we first arrived on Mars, there was hardly anyone here but scientists and engineers. It was a clean and safe world, free from man’s destructive presence. But gradually over time, man has come and brought with him all of the sins of the old world. Sin is man’s burden. It haunts us! Now, they have built Sin City and it is an abomination! Drugs and filth are washing upon these shores and it is time we cleansed Mars once and for all!”