Classical: MARS: Book 3 of MARS

by Matthew Ellis

  Kidd angrily asked, “And how many people have you discovered with contraband?”

  Jordan calmly answered, “Two so far, but I think our thoroughness is a deterrent for people thinking about smuggling.”

  Kidd asked, Two of how many potential smugglers?”

  Jordan replied, “Thousands.”

  Kidd said, “And that justifies these extreme methods?”

  Jordan replied, “Of course. We must do our due diligence. Even the slightest chance of our lives being disrupted must be dealt with.”

  Kidd said, “I don’t think you’re being truthful.”

  Jordan said, “We’re just being thorough.”

  Kidd said, “Or there might be no basis for this invasive search method.”

  Kidd removed his clothes, jewelry, and electronics. He placed them in the scanner, and Jordan scanned them.

  Jordan said, “Now bend over.”

  Kidd asked, “Why?”

  Jordan placed a glove on his hand as Kidd bent over. Then he performed a full cavity search of the governor. Kidd was upset, but didn’t dare say anything because he didn’t want to delay his investigation any longer than necessary.

  Once the search was complete, Jordan asked David to empty his luggage while still naked.

  Kidd asked, “Why can’t I get dressed?”

  Jordan replied, “We’re waiting for the deep cavity search to be completed.”

  Kidd said, “You already did that.”

  Jordan said, “No, that was the shallow cavity search. The deep cavity search requires your bowel to move.”

  Kidd said, “So I can’t get dressed until I take a shit?”

  Jordan replied, “That’s correct.

  Kidd said, “Then give me a laxative.”

  Jordan said, “Laxatives can cause fecal matter to liquefy. That could conceal potential contraband.”

  Kidd said, “I don’t have any fucking contraband.”

  Jordan said, “Well see.”

  Jordan inspected every item in the governor’s luggage thoroughly. He was meticulous with each item in the luggage. He unfolded every article of clothing and refolded it with care. He opened every package and analyzed even the most mundane items.

  Kidd asked, “Do you really have to analyze my snacks?”

  Jordan replied, “I have to make sure they don’t have any pathogens that aren’t present on Mars. We have to make sure we don’t inadvertently allow our colony to get sick.”

  Kidd said, “I don’t think there’s much chance of that. I was thoroughly vetted before I left Earth.”

  Jordan said, “You’re asking me to trust Earth’s authorities. Those people will do anything to subvert our society.”

  Kidd said, “The war’s over. I promise we don’t want to take Mars back.”

  Jordan said, “I’ll be the judge of that.”

  Jordan didn’t allow the governor to get dressed until he had a bowel movement, which Jordan inspected before he allowed the governor to flush. The inspection took about two hours.

  David Kidd emerged from the customs room and walked to the table. Scout sat down and joined Kidd once he was seated.

  Kidd asked, “Are your customs inspections always that thorough?”

  Scout replied, “The strip searching is random. You were just unlucky enough to get the draw.”

  Kidd said, “I know that random is not always random. Sometimes random is just an excuse to push your authority around. I don’t begrudge you the right to exercise your authority, but that was ridiculous.”

  Scout replied, “That’s your opinion.”

  Kidd said, “It’s also my opinion that you’re not treating us the same as other visitors.”

  Scout said, “You’re right. You were assigned highest level security screening.”

  Kidd asked, ‘Why is that?”

  Scout answered, “Because you’re representatives of DeNoPE.”

  Kidd said, “Well, it’s your prerogative. It might come back to bite you in the ass, though.”

  Scout said, “We’re going to have to take that chance. Are you ready to discuss the terms of your investigation?”

  Kidd said, “Okay, I have the goods that you requested on my ship.”

  Scout said, “How many people are in your posse?”

  Kidd said, “Twenty”

  Scout said, “I don’t want to have to quarter twenty people all the time.”

  Kidd replied, “I already brought along a vehicle that can quarter all of us. It’s sort of a mobile crime lab. Actually, it’s more like a bus. I’ll need to store it with you.”

  Scout said, “Our hangar isn’t your personal storage locker.”

  Kidd replied, “I don’t need your hangar. It’s been modified to resist the Martian environment.”

  Scout asked, “So I don’t have to worry about housing your posse?”

  Kidd replied, “Nope.”

  Scout said, “Okay, so that’s one worry off my back. Now, you’re on Mars. That means Martian authority is the highest authority.”

  Kidd said, “That’s fine with me. I’ve already even agreed to allow a team to supervise my posse.”

  Scout said, “You will also allow my supervisors to enforce Martian law among your team.”

  Kidd said, “Is that really necessary? I mean, we’re not going to deliberately break your laws. We’re just here to apprehend a group of fugitives.”

  Scout said, “If you want to search Mars for your criminals, you will abide by our laws.”

  Kidd said, “We’re wasting time. I need to go back to Earth and collect my team. Then I have to come back here and endure your ridiculous search again. In the meantime, the fugitives are going to get away.”

  Scout replied, “I doubt your fugitives are going to escape from this planet. It’s the only place to escape from Earth, and there are very few places to hide.”

  Kidd said, So, what can we do to catch them?”

  Scout answered, “We need to negotiate that.’

  Kidd said, “While we waste time negotiating terms, the fugitives could be planning to kill and destroy your colony.”

  Scout said, “If they really wanted to do that, they would’ve been here by now. If they do show up, we have more than ample means to defend ourselves.”

  Kidd said, “I don’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to gather my team before I came here. We’ve already lost two months in travel time, and I’m going to lose four more months in the coming roundtrip.”

  Scout said, “There are only two planets that can support human life in this system, and we don’t know how to get out of it yet. I’m pretty sure they’ll still be here when you return.”

  Kidd knew Scout was throwing as many roadblocks as he could at him. He hid his intentions well.

  Kidd said, “I guess I can agree to that.”

  Scout said, “So long as we can agree on these terms. For now, we’ll take a recess and hammer out the remaining terms after your delegation has gone through our customs process.”

  Kidd went back to his ship to rest for a couple of hours. His delegation woke up a couple hours later, and they all endured the Martian customs process. Many of the delegation were traumatized by Jordan’s random strip search procedures. Once the customs routine was complete, Scout and David finished their negotiations.

  Once the negotiations concluded, Kidd and his posse returned to Earth to pick a team to recover the fugitives. The trip took forty days, and Kidd was eager to return to Mars once he arrived on Earth.

  Chapter Eleven

  Distrust

  Jordan looked over the crater’s edge and saw the pods the DeNoPE soldiers used during the war. He remembered the bloodbath he created the last time he was here.

  He thought, “That was an awful day. I killed dozens of people in their sleep. I was a monster.”

  Notah asked, “What do you see?”

  Jordan replied, “I see the pod colony, but I don’t see the vehicle. I only see the pods.”

  John s
aid, “They’re probably at the caves. We should go into the pods and get our people back.”

  Jordan said, “What if they come back while we’re in there? We should wait until we know we have more time.”

  John said, “And they’ll kill our people while we’re waiting.”

  Jordan said, “If they want to kill our people, they’re already dead.”

  Bob said, “Jordan’s right. We should wait until we know a little more.”

  The team waited for the fugitives to return to the pods. They went into the crater and set up some surveillance equipment. Jordan quickly worked to bury a microphone wire from the crater to the center of the pod colony. The team took turns sleeping, so everyone would be fresh when the fugitives arrived.

  Jordan said, “When they get here, we can hear everything they say.”

  Bob said, “Make sure your headphones are turned down. Those pods aren’t very far away.”

  Jordan said, “I know how to spy. You’re not the only one who was in the Army Rangers.”

  Bob said, “Maybe, but I was better at it than you.”

  Jordan said, “That’s debatable.”

  John said, “We don’t have time for bickering.”

  Bob said, “I’m not bickering. Jordan just needs to let go a little. He needs to get laid.”

  Jordan said, “What I need is none of your goddamned business.”

  John snapped, “Keep your voices down. If they hear us, we’ll lose the element of surprise.”

  The sun set and the team donned night vision glasses. An hour later, the vehicle returned to the pod town. Jordan woke Bob, and he turned on the microphone.

  Wendy said, “We need to put the food in the refrigerator. It has to last until next week’s harvest is ready.

  Elaine said, “I hope we’re going to have enough food now that I’m pregnant.”

  Wendy said, “Our food production is designed to be increased or decreased as our colony grows or shrinks.”

  Elaine said, “I wish we could just stay here with you and join your colony.”

  Wendy said, “I’m sure once we present our cases to the new colony’s cities, they’ll let you return here.”

  Andres said, “No they won’t. We’ve been branded mass murderers. They’ll think we’re dangerous.”

  Martian John said, “I don’t think you’re dangerous. You were defending yourselves.”

  Andres said, “Once the corporations label you, it’s taken as gospel on Earth. That’s why we came here.”

  Wendy said, “Things can change; and if they turn you over, we can get you back.”

  Michael said, “I just hope you don’t get yourselves killed in the process.”

  The fugitives went inside the pod with the Martians. The surveillance team took off their equipment and discussed the situation.

  Jordan said, “It looks like Scout’s been duped. They don’t seem to be all that dangerous.”

  Bob said, “Did you not see the people they were with. We’re not alone on this planet!”

  Jordan said, “I saw them. I’m assuming they’re descendants of the original colonists from the ‘30s. We just assumed they were all dead. Clearly we were wrong.”

  Bob said, “Why didn’t we see any sign of them before now?”

  Jordan said, “Probably because they don’t want to be seen. They probably went into hiding when the war broke out.”

  John said, “There was no place to hide on this planet where you can survive until now.”

  Jordan said, “They could have a pod in a cave. I’ll bet that’s where they have their food storage.”

  Notah said, “Have we forgotten that we’re still on a mission to get back our people from our first investigative team?”

  Jordan said, “No, I haven’t forgotten. I just don’t think they’re dead. They’re probably holding them so we don’t attack them.”

  Bob said, “They’re probably using them as a bargaining chip.”

  Jordan said, “You might be right.”

  Notah said, “We should try and negotiate with them.”

  Jordan said, “That’s a stupid idea. How do you know they won’t kill us on sight? You’re trying to get us killed.”

  Notah said, “I told you, I’m on your side. Besides, didn’t you just say that they probably aren’t all that dangerous?”

  Jordan said, “Yes, I did, but I’m not willing to commit to walking up on them in the dark without a weapon.”

  Bob said, “Maybe we can wait until the morning and go into their encampment with our weapons.”

  John said, “Then they’ll think we’re here to start a war. I don’t see a viable option for negotiation.”

  Wendy cocked her rifle and pointed it at Jordan’s head. Jordan dropped his weapon.

  She said, “How long have you been spying on us?”

  Jordan said, “Long enough to know that you’re not unreasonable people. We want to negotiate for the release of our people.”

  Wendy said, “You mean the last group that was sent to spy on us?”

  Jordan said, “We didn’t even know you were here. We were told about the fugitives you’re harboring, and came to investigate. We assumed they killed our investigators.”

  Wendy said, “The charges are overblown. They were defending themselves, and if you don’t drop your weapons, I’ll be defending myself as well.”

  Bob, Notah and John dropped their weapons. They started to raise their arms when Wendy spoke.

  She said, “I’m not asking you to surrender. I just want to talk to you. Let’s go into the pod and talk about this like reasonable people. You can bring your weapons, but we’re armed as well.”

  Jordan said, “That sounds like a reasonable request.”

  The team followed Wendy into the pod. They saw their investigators sitting nearly naked on the couch. They were covered with only basic loincloths.

  Wendy said, “Your people are alive and healthy. We took their clothes to make sure you they wouldn’t escape. We had to make sure you’d come to look for them.”

  Jordan made sure they were healthy. They were healthy and at ease.

  Jordan said, “Okay, they’re in good shape. Once we finish here, we’re taking them back with us.”

  Wendy said, “That’s fine, but you’re not taking anyone else with you.”

  Jordan said, “We’ve been tasked with returning the fugitives to Earth.”

  Wendy said, “That’s not going to happen today.”

  Bob said, “We’re on your turf and outnumbered, so we’re hardly in a position to disagree.”

  Jordan said, “We’ll have to come back for them at some point, and we’re going to be joined by Earth’s authorities.”

  Wendy said, “We can dig that cave when we get there.”

  Bob said, “So what do you want from us?”

  Wendy said, “We want to negotiate a treaty with your colony. We want our own colony to stay ours, and we never want to be forced to join your colony.”

  Bob said, “We have rights to everything on this planet. You’re asking us to forfeit that right.”

  Martian John said, “We’ve had that right for the last 60 years. You’re asking us to give up our independence.”

  John said, “We can’t work out a treaty by ourselves. Only our full government can do that.”

  Wendy said, “Then take us with you to your capital and let us negotiate.”

  Jordan asked, “Can your vehicle make it all the way there?”

  Wendy answered, “You’d be surprised at what our equipment can do.”

  Bob asked, “Can our investigators have their clothes back?”

  Wendy said, “Of course.”

  John fetched the investigators’ clothes and handed them to their owners. They got dressed and started walking toward the vehicles.

  Elaine asked, “What about us?”

  Bob said, “It might be a good idea if you leave this place. The Earth authorities are bound to come here to look for you. It’s the most
logical place for you to be. You should take food and find somewhere else to hide.”

  Andres asked, “So, you’re going to have to come back for us?”

  Jordan said, “We don’t have a choice.”

  Bob said, “We can pretend we haven’t already been here, but we have to look for you once they arrive. They’re already on their way.”

  Michael said, “Then we should go find a place to hide soon.”

  Wendy said, “Kate and Hugo will help you while John and I go to the city.”

  Jordan said, “It’s called Freedom.”

  Wendy said, “Then let’s go to Freedom.”

  Kate and Hugo started gathering the fugitives’ supplies, and Jordan’s team gathered their equipment. Once everything was loaded into the vehicles, Wendy followed Jordan’s team to Freedom while Kate and Hugo led the fugitives to a good place to hide.

  Jordan called Scout and said, “We’ve recovered the investigators.”

  Scout said, “Good, get back here before the fugitives find out you were there.”

  Jordan said, “It’s a little more complicated than that. The fugitives are really victims of corporate greed, and the vehicle we saw isn’t theirs. We’ve never been alone on this planet.”

  Scout asked, “Are they descendants of the first colonists?”

  Jordan answered, “They are, and we’re bringing two of them back to Freedom to negotiate a treaty. They want to keep their colony free from our influence. Oh, and by the way, they have children.”

  Scout said, “We have enough on our plate without negotiating a treaty with an unknown entity right now.”

  Jordan said, “It might help us to have an ally in the future. From what they’ve told me so far, they don’t want very much.”

  Scout asked, “Do the people and the kids look normal?”

  Jordan was puzzled and asked, “Why wouldn’t they?”

  Scout replied, “Because of the low gravity and low pressure before we got here.”

  Jordan said, “They look like any other humans. They might be a little taller than average, but nothing that would concern me too much.”

  Scout said, “That’s reassuring. It probably means our kids will be normal.”

  Jordan said, “I hadn’t even thought about that.”

  Scout said, “Well, it doesn’t really affect you.”