Kathy said, “I don’t think they’d be foolish enough to violate the treaty. They know that we have a superior military force to theirs.”
Jordan said, “No, we were a superior force during the war. That could’ve changed in the meantime.”
Scout said, “We have spies on Earth feeding us information about new technologies and training methods used on Earth. We’re still superior. You have my assurance in that matter.”
Kathy asked, “So are we going to bow to these corporate interests?”
Scout said, “It may be in our best interests to help in the search for the fugitives. They have, after all, committed a crime according to our own laws.”
Jordan said, “But our immigration policy allows for political refugees to have exceptions. Surely you’re not suggesting that we prosecute these people for such a minor violation.”
Scout said, “No, I’m not, but the stakes are too high not to assist in the search. We’ll deport them as soon as they’re discovered. Then they’re no longer our problem.”
Jordan asked, “Why do you want Notah joining us?”
Scout replied, “Because he has information about these people. “
Jordan said, “What kind of information?”
Notah said, “I have some information about these people from the bank I used to work for. They think I’m still working with General Rich.”
Jordan said, “So do I, you Judas. I know the most dangerous person to us on this planet is you!”
Notah said, “I assure you I’m on your side.”
Jordan said, “Bullshit!”
Scout said, “I’ve told you many times that I trust Notah. If it’s good enough for me, it should be good enough for you.”
Jordan said, “I just see a snake in the grass.”
Notah lunged at Jordan with his arm cocked. Scout grabbed him and held him so he couldn’t attack.
Scout said, “That’s about enough out of both of you. If I didn’t need both of you so much right now, I’d have you both thrown in jail. Jordan, serpents are a curse to Notah’s people. It’s no different than me calling you the N word.”
Jordan said, “I apologize. I didn’t realize how offensive that was.”
Scout said, “Can I trust the two of you not to kill each other while you’re on the hunt for these people?”
Notah said, “You can trust me.”
Jordan said, “I can put my feelings aside for the good of the colony.”
Scout said, “Good. This better be the last bickering I hear from the two of you.”
Jordan said, “It will be.”
John said, “I think we should put this up to a vote in the congress and the senate.”
Kathy said, “That could take forever. How long do we have to get back to him?”
Scout replied, “Twenty-one days.”
Kathy asked, “Earth days or our days?”
Scout said, “Really? The difference is 40 minutes. I don’t think that it matters all that much. Over the course of three weeks, we only gain 10 hours and 40 minutes. I don’t think that he would mind a few extra hours that much.”
Kathy said, “You don’t need to talk to me like I’m stupid, especially not in front of the other leaders. Don’t forget that I’m carrying your baby. If you don’t show me some respect, I can make sure you never see Zabet.”
Scout said, “I’m sorry, baby. I’m just under a lot of stress right now. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
Kathy said, “You had better not do it again, or you’ll be sleeping alone for a good long while.”
Jordan said, “So are we going to put it to a vote, or are we going to move blindly without telling anyone?”
Scout said, “We have other matters to attend to first, and they’re more pressing. This colony could be destroyed by the instability of this planet. We need to do something about it, and that’s more important than this request.”
John asked, “So we’re going to table this for now?”
Scout said, “Just until we come to a decision about the moon problem. Call a meeting of both colonies in two days.”
Scout dismissed the team and sent them on their mission.
He thought, “I know rich is trying to subvert us. I just need proof.”
Chapter Nine
Orientation
Scout and Bob were discussing the pending immigration meeting. Jordan had instructed Bob to be extra diligent about inspecting and investigating any new potential immigrants.
Jordan said, “We can’t trust General Rich. He’s probably sending people to subvert our government as we speak.”
Bob asked, “What makes you think that?”
Jordan said, “It’s awfully suspicious that we have a group of immigrants from New Mexico at the exact same time that we have a group of criminals from the same place hiding on our soil.”
Bob asked, “It does seem suspicious, but we can’t accuse people of treason just for visiting.”
Jordan said, “Mars is for Martians. Anyone who hasn’t taken the oath of citizenship is not trustworthy.”
Bob said, “I didn’t realize you wanted to run this like a Nazi regime.”
Jordan said, “I’m not a Nazi, but I can’t trust anyone from Earth until the DeNoPE threat is neutralized. We need to check for any recently changed information in their profiles, and especially who altered those profiles.”
Bob said, “I’ll be extra diligent.”
Jordan said, “That might not be enough.”
Bob growled, “I’ll be extra diligent.”
Scout and Bob discussed that conversation as the immigrants were on the way to the orientation. Scout agreed that diligence was necessary, but not to the extent that Jordan recommended.
Scout asked, “How far did Jordan want you to go?”
Bob answered, “He wants a customs-like inspection every time the potential immigrants change buildings.”
Scout said, “That seems a bit ridiculous. We’re not doing that.”
Bob said, “It’s a good thing he’s on the other side of the planet.”
Scout said, “I let him have a radio, and he’ll be listening to your group today.”
Bob protested, “Don’t you trust me?”
Scout replied, “Yes, but Jordan insisted.”
David was joined by two couples and another woman in the immigrating group. On the way to the capitol, they were nervous. None of them knew what to expect beyond what the recruiting website told them, and David was worried about being discovered as a spy before he could decide whether to commit to Mars or become loyal to Rich and DeNoPE. Then they arrived at the capitol and met Scout, who was waiting with Bob and Cindy.
Scout said, “Welcome to Mars. I hope to convince you to move here. It’s not an easy life, but it’s worth the hard work.”
Bob added, “We’re among the original members of this society. We were here terraforming in the very beginning, so we know all about hard work.”
Cindy said, “You won’t have to do anything nearly as hard as what we did in the beginning. We took a dead planet and brought it back to life.”
The group got off the bus and walked toward the capitol building. They went through another security check, but it was not as invasive as customs or the biodome inspection. While the capitol was just as secure as the biodome and customs, Scout believed they had been inspected thoroughly enough. David and the other candidates already felt like they were being treated like criminals.
Bob said, “I know you’ve all been through three or four security checks by now. Remember that we’re leery of anyone from Earth until they’ve been assimilated. To make that worse, there’s been an incident that I won’t bore you with that has us on high alert. Don’t take it personally.”
David asked, “Will there be more checks? It’s not like we’re likely to get anything dangerous when we don’t even know our way around.”
While Scout spoke, David reached into his shirt and pulled off another piece of skin
from his chest. He stuck it in a planter in the hallway as the group walked to the orientation room.
Scout replied, “There won’t be any more this month unless you tour restricted areas, but there will be another one when you go to the biodome next month. We actually check every person as they go in, even if they work there. That building’s too important to us to allow anything to kill the plants.”
David said, “That’s actually reassuring.”
Jordan radioed Bob, “We need to double check that guy. He’s way too worried about our security.”
Bob quietly replied, “He checked out. There were no changes in his profile, and he’s a regular guy. I think he’s just concerned about his privacy being invaded.”
Jordan replied, “I’m not buying it. I’m going to check his profile again.”
Bob said, “You go ahead, but I’m going to deal with more immediate threats that aren’t based on neuroses.”
Jordan said, “I was an Army Ranger. I know how to recognize when a threat exists.”
Bob snapped, “So was I! You’re just blinded by hatred for General Rich, and think he’s always trying to get you.”
Jordan said, “I worked for that asshole, so I know that he’s not going to let this go until he has to.”
Bob thought, “He needs to get laid. I’m going to fix him up with one of these ladies.”
Scout and Bob took the group into the capitol and gave them a full tour. Then he took them into the conference room. He showed them a presentation about how Martian society worked. He went over the Martian Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Luna, and newer laws and declarations.
David asked, “So how do you trade with Earth if you don’t use money?”
Scout replied, “We mostly barter, but we have some money that comes from tourists like you. We’re a recognized corporation on Earth, so we maintain a bank account there.”
David said, “I thought you were recognized as an independent nation.”
Bob said, “We are, but we need a way to trade. The treaty guarantees us trade, so we need a vehicle for that to take place. The only recognized way to do that on Earth is through a corporation. It’s our only tie to Earth, though. Everything else we do is truly Martian.”
David thought, “That actually makes a whole lot of sense. I wish I’d come here on my own. I’m kind of stuck being General Rich’s bitch.”
David asked, “If we move here, will we have to join the military?”
Bob said, “Yes, everyone on Mars has to do the mandatory term of service in the military. However, once that’s over, we’ll never bother you about military service again, but you’re free to choose that as a career.”
David said, “Do you have to join immediately?”
Bob said, “No, you have 700 days after you get here to sign up.”
David said, “That’s also reassuring. I’ll have time to adjust to Martian society before I begin.”
Jordan had been listening intently to David.
Bob thought, “This guy makes no sense. He’s way too interested in our way of life to be a true spy, but I know he’s up to something. I’m going to have to do some research.”
The group continued the presentation until the end of the day. Then they went to the hotel for the night.
***
David said, “I’ve placed two of them.”
Rich responded, “That’s good.”
David asked, “Why wasn’t there a delay?”
Rich answered, “Those skin devices have a quantum curve technology in them.”
David said, “What the hell did you just say?”
Rich said, “We’ve been working on it for some time. It curves space and time on both ends of the communication. It shortens the distance from Earth to Mars as if it was Portland to Albuquerque.”
David said, “So, it makes communication between two worlds millions of kilometers apart as if the distance wasn’t there?”
Rich said, “That’s pretty much the gist of it.”
David thought, “Why aren’t you sharing that with them?”
He said, “So, does it work only where I’ve placed them, or everywhere on Mars?”
Rich replied, “They have a range of about a kilometer. That’s why I’m having you place one everywhere you go.”
David asked, “What else is in them?”
Rich said, “That information is given on a need to know basis, and you don’t need to know. As a matter of fact, the less you know the better.”
David said, “Okay. Is that all?”
Rich said, “It is for tonight”
David hung up and thought, “I’ve been sucked into the evil empire. I can’t believe I’m following the dark lord to hell.”
***
Jordan opened the internet on his work computer. He made sure to use every safety protocol available to make sure people on Earth wouldn’t know he was spying.
He thought, “I know something’s up with this guy. I’m going to find out what it is.”
He entered the information in the computer and waited the 16 minutes while the information was transmitted to Earth and back to Mars.
He thought, “Let’s see if David Jamison is even a real person.”
The information came back a while later, and everything looked genuine. His profile was complete with a work history, education, legal history, and even a relationship history.
Jordan said, “Now this is really suspicious. This guy is too squeaky clean. I need to check on some of these references.”
He called some of the prior employers, and they verified the information in the profile. Then he checked the employers themselves, and they checked out.
Jordan thought, “Well played, General. One point to you, but this is far from over.”
Chapter Ten
Deals
Scout didn’t want to pick up the phone and call the governor, or any other representative of Earth. He knew that this decision would be very unpopular with his constituents. He also worried that compromising the colony’s ideals would lead to a lowered confidence from the community. Still, he knew that he needed to get the carbon fiber rods to complete the moon upgrades.
Scout picked up the phone and dialed the number. The eight-minute delay was a pain to deal with, but there was no faster way to send a message from Mars to Earth. Eight minutes after the number was dialed, Governor Kidd answered.
He said, “This is David Kidd. I assume you’re Scout Ellison.”
Scout said, “This is Scout. I don’t want this to go on for hours. The eight-minute delay is maddening. I really wish we were doing this when Mars is closer to Earth. Then the delay would be much shorter. Anyway, I’m accepting your presence on Mars to search for the fugitive. In return, I need about six thousand tons of carbon fiber rods. I don’t like doing this, but I need something. I still don’t trust you, so I’m going to assign a team to supervise your actions on the surface of my planet.”
Eight more minutes went by.
Scout thought, “We really need to work on a way to speed up communications between worlds. The speed of light isn’t fast enough when it’s whole minutes for light to arrive.”
Kidd answered, “I agree to your terms. I will deliver the carbon fiber to you upon my arrival on the surface. I will arrive on Mars in about two months with my posse. I will allow a supervisory team, but I may ask them to assist us.”
Another eight minutes went by before Scout said, “I can agree to that. I shall expect your ship in about eight to ten weeks.”
Eight minutes later, both parties had hung up their phones. Scout’s fate was sealed. He allowed Earth’s authorities to have jurisdiction on his planet. Scout had no choice if he wanted to fix the planet’s stability, but he didn’t feel good about the decision. He hated it.
Sixty-four days passed before Kidd and his delegation arrived on Mars. Their ship arrived at the Freedom spaceport shortly after noon. Kidd left his ship while the rest of his delegation sle
pt. They were still on Earth time, and it was 0230. Jetlag would be a major factor for the next few days.
Scout met Kidd in the Welcome Center. Kidd was a very tall, slender man. He was about 40, and exuded pompousness. Scout took an immediate dislike to him, but tried to remain professional. Scout put out his hand to greet Kidd, and Kidd shook his hand.
Kidd said, “I assume you’re Scout. I’m David Kidd.”
Scout said, “I figured. Do you need some time to rest before we go over the terms?”
Kidd said, “No, I can proceed. My posse needs some time before your customs department inspects them.”
Scout said, “They can have four hours. Then we’ll process everyone and brief them on our local laws and customs.”
Kidd asked, “Will I need to go through the customs procedure?”
Scout replied, “We just need to make sure you’re not introducing any banned items into our colony.”
Kidd asked, “Like what?”
Scout said, “The primary banned item is money. Money will be confiscated. It will be returned when you leave.”
Kidd said, “I made sure no one had any money when we left Earth. I will allow you to search, though, as a sign of goodwill.”
Scout said, “Go ahead and go to our customs room. Jordan will inspect you there.”
Kidd walked into the customs room and waited for Jordan. Once Jordan arrived, he really wanted to make it known that Martian authorities had jurisdiction.
Jordan ordered Kidd, “Strip naked. That means no clothing, no jewelry, no devices, and nothing in your hands.”
Kidd replied, “Is this really necessary?”
Jordan said, “It’s standard procedure for our customs agents.”
Kidd said, “It seems a little invasive.”
Jordan said, “It may seem invasive, but we need to be extra diligent so no one is able to smuggle any contraband onto our world.”
Kidd said, “There are technologies that we use on Earth that do the same thing.”
Jordan said, “Your technologies aren’t as accurate as you think they are. This is the time-tested way to make sure people are here for the right reasons.”
Classical: MARS: Book 3 of MARS Page 5