Jordan replied, “Yes. The solar system is full of moons that are about the right size to fix our wobble problem.”
Lane stood up and said, “But you have no idea what will happen to a planet if it’s suddenly altered. It could send a rogue body smashing into us or our neighbors on Earth.”
Scout said, “Point taken, but we have to put any and all ideas on the table. Let us continue on this path and see where it takes us.”
Jordan said, “We could simply take a moon from another planet and bring it here to orbit around Mars. There are a whole lot of moons and other bodies in the solar system that are about the right size to serve as a moon for us.”
Lane said, “Well, in that case, we could bring an asteroid here. The belt is the next major body in the solar system.”
Jordan said, “But that will take a lot of time to select the right body, and then we’ll have to follow it to know where it is. I think a moon is easier because we have well documented charts of their locations.”
Scout said, “Well, we can’t steal Earth’s moon. Our treaty specifically says that we are not allowed to take anything from that planet without triggering a war with DeNoPE.”
Jordan said, “But there are plenty of other planets with moons. Jupiter is about the same distance away as Earth, and no one has colonized any of that territory yet.”
Shai said, “But there are plans to begin exploration of several of the moons with the intention to colonize the moons. Moving one of those moons might be taken as a sign of disrespect and could cause another war.”
Scout said, “Jordan’s thinking on the right track, but there are just far too many variables with that plan. We could go to Saturn and move one of that planet’s moons.”
Jordan said, “I don’t think that anyone wants to go way out to Saturn to do that. It would take a tremendous amount of resources to pull that off, and it would take way too long. Not to mention that it would commit much of our workforce to that while things need to get done here.”
Scout said, “Okay, so we can’t steal a moon. What else do you have?”
John stood to attention and said, “We could build a moon from Martian soil and rock.”
Shai asked, “But how big does this moon need to be to stabilize the planet’s tilt?”
Scout answered, “That depends on how far away the moon is away from the planet. Earth’s moon is about a quarter million miles from Earth, and is one sixth as big as that planet. I figure as long as the ratio is the same, the effect should also be the same.”
John said, “Well, we can’t use a sixth of Mars’ resources. They’re too valuable to us on the surface. So my idea’s not viable.”
Scout said, “Who else has an idea to fix this problem?”
Mayor Vasquez asked, “Well, doesn’t Mars already have two moons?”
Kathy replied, “Yes, but they’re too small and too far away to help stabilize the planet.”
Vasquez said, “I understand that, but the Moons already belong to this planet so we don’t need to steal them from anyone else.”
Scout asked, “So what do you propose to do with our two small moons?”
Vasquez said, “I say we combine them, and make Phobos and Deimos into one large moon.”
Jordan asked, “How do you suggest we do that?”
Vasquez said, “I say that we crash Deimos into Phobos and then cement the two together.”
Scout said, “I don’t think that crashing the two together is the best idea. We might lose a lot of material in the collision.”
Kathy offered, “What if we were to capture Deimos, and then artificially combine it with Phobos.”
Scout said, “But that would still be too far away to make a difference.”
Kathy said, “Not if we altered Phobos’ orbit. We could use rockets attached to carbon fiber rods drilled into the core of Phobos to move it closer to Mars.”
Jordan asked, “Then how do we combine them?”
Kathy said, “We could drill into the core of Deimos as well, and then join the two cores with a series of carbon fiber rods. We pull the rods taught and then use some of Mars’ soil and rock to make a sort of concrete glue to permanently join the two.”
Scout said, “That would be a great plan if Mars had an abundance of Carbon. However, we all know that it does not. Only Earth has enough carbon fiber to pull that off.”
Vasquez said, “But we have trade treaties with Earth. Surely there’s something we have to trade for the carbon.”
Scout did not yet want to alarm the colony with news of the fugitives on the planet. He did not mention the possibility of trading the colony’s cooperation for the resources in question.
He said, “I’ll send Ambassador Yazzie to investigate that. If we have a resource to trade, we can move forward with that plan.”
Jordan protested, “We can’t put all of our proverbial eggs in one basket. We need to have a contingency plan, and perhaps even a second redundancy plan.”
Scout asked, “Who else has any ideas that might work?”
John said, “We could bring Venus here and use it as a moon.”
Scout said, “I really don’t like that idea. It would take just as many of our resources to go to Venus as it would to go to Saturn. Once we got to Venus, though, we would have to deal with a fully formed planet with a functioning atmosphere. In case you have forgotten, the average temperature on Venus is above the melting point of lead. We don’t have enough gold to build the kind of equipment required to capture a world like Venus.”
Kathy said, “Or we could be very careful about which of Jupiter’s moons we capture. If we made sure that the moon in question was not being targeted by Earth’s leaders for colonization, then we could safely take it.”
Scout said, “I don’t think you should join us on this mission. You’re in no condition to put that much stress on your body and the baby.”
Kathy replied indignantly, “I can do whatever the hell I want regardless of my condition. You have no right to tell me what I can or cannot do.”
Scout said, “I’m your husband. I have a vested interest in your health, and the health of our baby.”
Kathy said, “If you really care about me, you’ll let me contribute to this society without putting up roadblocks.”
Scout replied, “Okay,” in an apologetic manner.
Kathy said, “Can we get back to business now. We need to find a moon and guarantee that it’s not in the eyes of Earth’s leadership for colonization.”
Scout reminded, “We would still need the carbon fiber rods and rockets to move that moon into orbit around Mars. I think we have to put all of our eggs in the best basket and hope everything works together for our good. Fortunately, I think we have something they want very badly right now.”
Jordan said, “Are you referring to those four criminals that are loose on the surface right now? I thought we weren’t going to let the colonists know about that yet?”
Scout said, “That is correct. I wasn’t going to divulge that information just yet, but you let the cat of the bag.”
Everyone looked shocked, and some in the room suddenly became very afraid. John began to sweat and had difficulty breathing. Shai was flabbergasted. Jordan looked up and saw the panic, and he knew he had to do something to calm the crowd.
Jordan said, “These people are hiding on the barren side of the planet. They don’t want to be anywhere near our colonies. They’re trying to hide from Earth’s authorities.”
Shai asked, “What nation of Earth’s authorities?”
Scout answered, “The United States. They’re from New Mexico. They’re all accused of murder.”
Shai looked indignant as she asked, “What do you mean by ‘murder’?”
Scout said, “They’re accused, but you know as well as I do that the governments of Earth are in the palms of the corporations of the planet. I suspect they’re not guilty.”
Lane stated, “But there’s no assurance either way. What are you pl
anning on doing to aid the authorities?”
Scout answered, “I plan on using our systems to help find them as a bargaining chip to get the resources we need. These people are not our concern, and ordinarily, I wouldn’t care. But we need something, and this is the way we can get it.”
Scout dismissed the meeting, except for Kathy, Jordan, and the Johnson siblings.
Jordan asked, “What’s up, Scout?”
Scout replied, “We have a problem with the campsite.”
Jane asked, “Did we lose the investigators?”
Scout answered, “We don’t know. We lost contact with them shortly after they arrived at that site.”
Jordan said, “I’ll get the Army ready.”
Scout said, “I don’t want to start a war until we figure out what happened. I’m going to send you, Bob and John to gather intelligence on what’s going on over there.”
Kathy asked, “Why don’t you send them to rescue the investigators?”
Scout answered, “Because we don’t know what we’re dealing with yet. I’m not fully convinced that this is a DeNoPE operation.”
Jane asked, “What the hell else could it be? They probably killed our investigators just like they killed Jack.”
Scout said, “We don’t know that. I’m thinking that this is something else. I just want to find out what it is.”
Jordan said, “You could be putting us all at risk. We need to take decisive action.”
Scout said, “There’s a reason we have two consuls. It’s so that no one does anything rash without being offered a different option.”
Jordan said, “I’m not saying I won’t do it your way. I’m just saying I hope you’re not wrong.”
Kathy said, “For once, I agree with Jordan. Babe, I love you, but this colony is more important than anything else.”
Scout said, “I know it is. That’s why I don’t want to do anything without seeing all the options.”
Jordan said, “We’ll leave tomorrow morning. We just need time to get our equipment together.”
Scout dismissed them and went to his office. Kathy went home, upset because he was spending so much time working and so little time with her. She was starting to feel like she’d lost her place.
Chapter Eight
Discovery
Scout answered his phone, and the person on the other end sounded very worried. He should have realized that answering his phone was a bad idea when he saw that the number was from Earth.
Scout said, “This is Scout Ellison.”
The man on the other end said, “I have a serious problem, and only you can help me. Now it is imperative that this line is private. Is it?”
Scout said, “Do you think the leader of Mars would have a line that isn’t secured? I especially wouldn’t talk to someone from Earth on an unsecured line, given the history of our worlds.”
The man said, “My name is David Kidd. I’m the governor of the state of New Mexico in the United States.”
Scout replied indignantly, “I know where New Mexico is. I’ve been there several times. Now get to the point.”
David said, “There was a mass murder committed in Carlsbad last month. I guess from your perspective it was earlier this month.”
Scout said, “Quit trying to garner my trust by using my calendar. What does this murder have to do with me?”
David replied, “They have fled Earth and we believe they’re on Mars.”
Scout said, “You believe they’re on Mars? I’m not sending my people on a wild goose chase to find fugitives that may or may not be on my planet.”
David said, “We tracked them as far as our treaty with you allows us to do so. They began to slow down just as they were entering your border. We believe they’re hiding out on the uninhabited side of your planet.”
Scout thought, “This must be what we’ve been seeing. If he’s telling the truth, we’ve got fugitives on our hands. The investigators are probably dead.”
Scout said, “They won’t last too long there. There’s no food on that side of the planet, and no drinkable water either.”
David said, “We know they took a lot of both with them when they left Earth.”
Scout said, “Ah, yes, the corporate tracking devices to account for every drop of every resource that a corporate interest controls.”
David asked, “Are you willing to help us to find these fugitives? They’re very dangerous individuals, and it’s in your best interests to help us. These people are very dangerous and pose a threat to your people. It also might help your standing when it comes to trade. The people of Earth know that you don’t have a lot of things that you need to get a society off the ground right now.”
Scout said, “Trade with Earth is guaranteed by the terms of the treaty. Besides, your people are too enamored with Martian food to ever give it up. Not to mention our red crystals that power your spaceships’ engines. You’ll need to find something else to entice me with.”
David said, “Our spaceships can be powered by other fuels, and it’s you that benefits most from faster ships. I know that trade is guaranteed, but shipments can get lost. Orders can be prioritized, and you can be ignored, accidentally of course.”
Scout said, “So you’re saying that this might improve my image with Earth. I don’t really care too much about that. I’m more concerned with the threat to my people from murderers roaming around free.”
David said, “You might not care about your trade standing right now, but if it dries up, you’ll have a much harder time building your society. The faster ships bring you new workers and supplies, and you can’t really afford for that to dry up.”
Scout said, “So you’re saying if I don’t do this, I might not be able to continue building my republic.”
David said, “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Helping us might get you something you want very badly one day, and not helping us might stop your society in its tracks.”
Scout said, “But it will be of great detriment to my image on my own planet if I help you and it turns out that these people have been unjustly accused. Earth’s corporations are notorious for ‘setting up’ crimes and then prosecuting people who threaten their interests. That’s one of the reasons we left.”
David said, “You have my assurance that these murders were committed by the individuals in question. Furthermore, I guarantee that these people are very dangerous. It’s definitely in your best interest to assist us in the apprehension of these fugitives.”
Scout said, “I’ll need to confer with my advisors and the other leaders of Mars before I give you a definitive answer.”
David said, “Nice to see that bureaucracy isn’t limited to the Earth. You may not use money, but you’ve got the same problems we do.”
Scout said, “I never thought eliminating money would solve all the problems of society. It just solves the biggest ones.”
David asked, “When can I expect a response from you?”
Scout said, “I’ll call a session this week, so you can expect an answer by the end of the month.”
David asked, “Do you mean an Earth month or a Mars month?”
Scout said, “It’s only five days different, so what difference does it make?”
David replied, “Five days could mean your people are pillaged while you negotiate.”
Scout rolled his eyes in disgust of the fear mongering tactics David was using. He never liked using fear to get people to do what he wanted them to do.
Scout thought, “They’ve been here for a while already, and haven’t come anywhere near our cities. I don’t think they’ll race here now. I should warn Jordan and his team, though.”
He made a note on his tablet and glanced at his calendar.
Scout said, “Then expect an answer in the next 21 days. Now I have a planet to run. I’ll get back to you.”
Scout hung up the phone and hung his head. He knew that helping the police of Earth would be a very unpopular decision. He also knew that if these
people were indeed bloodthirsty killers, he’d be putting his people in danger.
Scout called a meeting of his advisors the next day to discuss the proposition that David Kidd presented the day to him.
Kathy, Jordan, Bob, John and Notah were summoned back to the Great Hall of The Republic of Mars. They wondered why they were being summoned to the hall before they were to go on an expedition. They especially wondered why Notah was joining them.
Scout opened the meeting, “I have some new information that might be important to your mission.”
Jordan said, “We were wondering why you summoned us here when we already have our orders.”
Scout opened the meeting, “I’ve been contacted by the Governor of New Mexico and asked to assist him in a search for fugitives.”
Kathy asked, “Why should we help anyone on Earth? They tried to destroy our colony, remember?”
Scout said, “Because these people are dangerous, and they might pose a threat to our society. They’re accused of a mass murder in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Also, I’ve been told it might improve our standing in trade. I was reminded that, while we’re guaranteed trade by the terms of the treaty, we’re not guaranteed standing when placing orders. We might need something like carbon fiber rods, and not be able to get it because they deprioritize us.”
John said, “I don’t like where this is going. We’re being blackmailed into assisting the corrupt authorities of Earth. We don’t even know if these people are guilty. What are the details of their crime?”
Scout replied, “They’re accused of a mass murder. That is the only detail I got out of him. He wouldn’t tell me much more about the case, except that they’re believed to be hiding on the uninhabited side of the planet.”
Jordan said, “Corporations are renowned for accusing people who threaten their power with trumped up charges. This might all be a bunch of bull.”
Scout said, “I realize that. It happened to me if you’ll remember. But we might have a great danger on our hands if we don’t act. This is not the best situation for us to find ourselves.”
Jordan said, “No, it’s not. It sucks that we don’t have a bargaining chip to ensure they’re not trying to double cross us.”
Classical: MARS: Book 3 of MARS Page 4