Jordan said, “Well, we could try to raise money to buy additional ships.”
Scout said, “Then we’ll have the added expense of taking those with us to Mars. No, I think we’ll have to build ships once on Mars to have a space military.”
Scout said, “Kathy, write down the army in the device.”
He then spelled out the duties of the army to Kathy as she wrote it down. The group then discussed the space military, which they called a “Star Brigade,” and how to make it function. They also decided that ships could be imported from Earth if the opportunity presented itself. Then they added an Air Force to provide a layer of protection between the stars and the ground.
Scout said, “Now, we have all the military we should need.”
Lane said, “What about a navy?”
Jordan said, “There are no oceans or lakes on Mars. Why would we need a navy?”
Scout said, “Well, we are going to alter the environment, and we don’t know how much water is going to flow onto the planet once the polar ice caps melt.”
Kathy said, “I’ve studied that, and I don’t foresee any more than a few ancient riverbeds filling up with water. The one area that may become flooded, though, is the great trench. That is where all of the water should flow.”
Scout said, “So, it’ll be a mini ocean?”
Kathy said, “I don’t think you know how big that thing is. It will be at least as big as the Arctic Ocean on Earth, so not really a ‘mini.’”
Scout said, “Still, I don’t think we need a navy. Our base is on the other side of the planet from that trench, so at least in the beginning we shouldn’t need a navy.”
Kathy wrote the lack of a navy and the justification for it into the constitution. The military of the Martian Republic was now formed.
The next item was the code of law. The group passed laws against all of the standard things for having a decent society. Murder, rape, stealing, lying to officials, and betrayal were all outlawed rather quickly. Other laws banning the possession of banned substances were a little more confusing.
Scout said, “We’re going to ban banned substances.”
Jordan said, “Why do we need a law that says you can’t have something if it’s already banned. That’s like that sign they have in Albuquerque.”
Lane asked, “What sign?”
Jordan said, “They have a stupid sign on Unser that says, ‘No illegal dumping.’”
Lane said, “Oh, so if it’s illegal, why do they need a sign. It is kind of redundant.”
Bob said, “I agree. This is a stupid law. We should just make a list of banned substances and mark it as such.”
Scout said, “No, we have to have the law that prohibits possession of those things.”
Kathy wrote it down, and the law was passed. Some of the other colonists believed that Scout had overstepped his bounds by not taking a vote, but no one dared to question the great leader. They mostly believed that his record of good decisions far outweighed the few times he had gone a little too far to get his way.
The group passed many other laws and the punishments for breaking those laws. Some seemed harsh to the colonists, but all punishments also seemed to fit the crimes. No law or punishment was passed without a majority vote on the issue except for the seemingly redundant law concerning banned substances.
Kathy said, “We have a code of laws now, so it’s time to deal with a touchy subject. Do we allow trade with people of other worlds?”
Scout said, “Now, this doesn’t mean just at the beginning, when they’re trying to stop or kill us. I know that General Rich and his men want us apprehended or dead, but this is also for later on when we’re an established colony.”
Cindy said, “I definitely think that we should allow trade, just not with money.”
Scout said, “We already outlawed money, so that won’t be an issue.”
Shai said, “How do we deal with trade without giving the people of the other planets what they really want for their goods?”
Becky added, “Especially when the goods they have are things we need and can’t produce for ourselves.”
Kathy said, “We could use the old barter system.”
Notah said, “That’s a great idea. Trade our products for their products. That way money never even enters the equation. Everyone wins that way.”
Kathy said, “Who’s in favor of barter?”
Everyone present raised their markers. The motion passed unanimously.
Scout said, “Also, if a product is available for free from another world, then it may be freely possessed. However, I am adamant that no money shall ever be present on Mars. So we shall never allow anything of another world which requires money for its purchase to be possessed on Mars.”
Kathy wrote all of the restrictions on trade into the constitution, and they were now set and ready for enforcement. Of course, that would have to wait until they actually arrived on Mars.
It was now 10:25, so the meeting of the group had to be adjourned. The first section of the constitution had been written, and the group felt that they had accomplished much in this first night.
Scout said, “Okay, you’re dismissed for the evening, but be back here next week at the same time to discuss the next section of the charter.”
The group exited the “office” and headed home for the night. Every one of them was exhausted, so they went to bed and slept very well. They spent the next week thinking of things to add to the new Republic’s constitution.
The next week, the entire group that had attended the prior week’s meeting was assembled in Scout’s kitchen. Joining them were Lin Chin and Clive Walker. The meeting was called to order, and everyone took a seat either at the table or on the couches. Scout stood to preside over the meeting, and Kathy sat at the recording device to write all of the document’s new articles.
Kathy said, “Okay, section one is done. Let’s move on to the second section of the constitution. This is the section of the responsibilities of citizens.”
Scout said, “This section will list all of the things that are expected of all citizens. We’ll begin by making a list of approved work tasks. That’s the whole basis of our society. It is the idea that everyone must contribute to the good of the whole.”
Jordan said, “So we don’t need a law saying that everyone must work?”
Mark said, “We already do. Last week we passed that as our first law in the first section.”
Jordan said, “Oh, so no more redundancies?”
Scout said, “That was one law that I saw as necessary to enforce a ban on things.”
Leona said, “If we’re ready, I’d like to propose that all medical work is necessary and for the common good.”
Mark said, “I agree with my wife. Not only is necessary, but I don’t think people should have to use their work credits to gain access to health care.”
Kathy said, “Who here is in agreement with the doctors?”
Sixteen markers went up, and medical work was approved. People would have access to medical care without using their work credits.
The list grew long after a short while, as many fields of work were approved. They included elected officials, teachers, food production, mining, drug production, transportation, and others. There were also a few that didn’t pass without some debate.
Kathy said, “I propose that military service be allowed.”
Jordan said, “I concur, and I’m happy to see that Scout’s girlfriend is so keen on the army.”
Kathy said, “Quit hitting on me, I’m taken.”
Scout said, “Okay, stop. Let’s not take this too far. You might piss me off.”
Lane said, “If we can be serious for two seconds, I’d like to propose that military service be compulsory.”
Mark said, “Do you mean that everyone has mandatory service in the military? That’s not cool.”
Leona said, “Even doctors need to be protected. And the military always needs medical care on the battle
field.”
Shai contributed, “I don’t think we should force people to join a military force. We are, after all, a nonviolent society.”
Scout said, “Many societies have been nonviolent and still needed a military to keep them protected. I think compulsory military service is a good idea.”
Kathy said, “Let’s take a vote. All in favor of compulsory military service raise your markers.”
Nine markers went into the air. The vote was a tie. More discussion was required.
Kathy said, “Among those opposed, what are your reasons?”
Mark said, “I don’t want to have years of my life devoted to fighting.”
Shai said, “I don’t think we should be forcing people to do anything. This is about freedom from a bad system, not making another bad system.”
Becky said, “I don’t want to be forced either, and years of my life would be lost. I could’ve used that time to accomplish something more worthy.”
Scout said, “What if we compromise? We could have the compulsory service only last one year, and then you’d be free to pursue other things.”
Becky said, “One Martian year or one Earth year?”
Scout said, “We’ll have to make it a Martian year.”
Mark said, “That might work for me.”
Kathy said, “Let’s have another vote on the issue. All those in favor of limited compulsory military service raise your markers.”
Twelve markers went into the air, and the motion was passed. Mars would have one year of mandatory military service for all citizens. The next disagreement came over a contentious issue within the group.
Kathy said, “I propose that artists be allowed to earn work credits.”
Jordan said, “I thought we were all agreed that movie stars and musicians were part of the problem. Art in any form should be a hobby, not a career.”
Shai said, “I don’t think that all art should be solely a hobby. That would not leave enough time to create the great works that we’re setting out to see if we can create.”
Mark said, “Art is medicine for the soul, and it should be allowed.”
Leona said, “I have to agree with my husband on this one. Medicine is necessary for obvious reasons, but art is what preserves our soul.”
Becky added, “And art is what preserves our history. Without arts like music and literature, we wouldn’t know where we came from or what we’ve been through. We’d have no way to know what we’ve overcome.”
Scout said, “I think that art is important, but I don’t really want it to be someone’s job. Can someone think of a compromise?”
Kathy said, “What if we allow it to be an approved job, but only allow half of an artist’s work credits to come from art?”
A wave of nodding heads signaled that a potential compromise had been reached. Kathy called for a vote on the matter, and it passed by a vote of 14-4. The arts would be preserved on Mars. A similar debate was held on the topic of professional sports. In the end, it was decided that the people would want to be entertained, so they would be allowed. The same compromise that allowed half of all work credits to be earned was applied to professional sports.
The next section of the constitution dealt with the list of banned substances. The group banned animal and child pornography, unregistered weapons, money from other worlds, and many other things. One debate was quite heated.
Mark said, “Okay, we’ve banned drugs. Can we please make some exceptions?”
Becky said, “Like what? We already allow all drugs that are used for medical purposes.”
Mark said, “No, we don’t. We just got done outlawing all hallucinogenic drugs, but I want to make an exception to that rule.”
Kathy said, “Is this about medical marijuana?”
Leona said, “Marijuana is not a drug. It’s a plant. It just grows like that. It just happens to have effects when you set it on fire.”
Scout said, “You know what, I tend to agree with the Black’s. Marijuana has a bad rap. No one has ever overdosed on it, and I really don’t see that it causes any societal consequences that aren’t prohibition related.”
Jordan said, “We spent decades fighting the trade of this evil on this planet, and now you want to take it with us. I don’t care what you say, weed is a drug.”
Lane said, “I agree with Jordan. Marijuana has been the cause of many deaths and wars.”
Scout said, “But those deaths and wars were caused because of the illegality of the weed.”
Becky said, “But the trade of weed with Earth would cause problems we don’t need.”
Scout said, “Why are you going to need to trade with Earth? We can take the seeds with us to Mars, and grow our own like a crop.”
Kathy said, “Are you suggesting that we make it legal to use for anyone, not just people with medical conditions?”
Scout said, “Yes, along with alcohol and tobacco. We should be free to use these intoxicants which are not dangerous as long as we do so in a responsible way.”
Kathy took a vote, and the measure passed easily. It was time to move on to the next item on the agenda.
Kathy said, “The next item on the responsibilities list is the work credit item.”
Jordan said, “More stupid redundancy. Why so we need another duplicate law?”
Lane said, “More signs telling us not to do illegal stuff. Why?”
Scout said, “Because we need to lay out the rules for earning and using work credits.”
Becky said, “Why don’t you wait until you see what they have in mind before you start complaining?”
Jordan said, “Because this is stupid.”
Becky said, “Maybe you’re stupid, you big gorilla.”
Jordan started to jump up when Scout pointed at him and yelled,
“Sit down, now! There will not be any more insulting of others in this or any other meeting! You’ve all been warned. Is that understood?”
Becky said, “Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”
Scout said, “And, you. There will be no violence. Is that understood?”
Jordan said, “Sorry, Scout. It won’t happen again.”
Scout said, “Good, now let’s continue.”
The group then discussed the item at length in a civil manner. Half an hour later, the group had a working model for earning and using work credits. The night had been long, and it was only 8:00 in the evening. It was time for a break.
Scout said, “Okay, we’re almost done here. We just have a couple of more items on the agenda. Let’s take a break and reconvene in about forty-five minutes. Then we’ll finish this up tonight.”
Some of the group gathered in the living room to tell stories, and some went outside to enjoy the night air. Scout and Kathy went to the bedroom for some special recreation. At 8:45, it was time to reconvene the meeting.
Kathy said, “Everyone take your seats. It’s time to finish this up.”
Everyone returned to their seats, and the final session was in order. There was only one item left on the agenda.
Scout said, “Okay, we’re at the final item on the agenda. We need to establish the rights of every citizen of Mars.”
Kathy said, “Anyone wanting to suggest something please raise your hand. We don’t want everyone shouting at once.”
Jordan raised his hand. Kathy recognized his request and called him.
Jordan said, “We should all have the right to speak our mind.”
Becky raised her hand.
She said, “We should have the right to water and air. This system of corporations owning life is not right.”
Scout said, “We should have the right to a trial without having to incriminate ourselves,” after he was called.
Lane suggested, “I think we should all be allowed to worship however we want to, or not worship if we don’t want to.”
These and many other suggestions became the section of rights. The constitution was now complete, and the group went home to rest for a while. They would nee
d to be rested when the next phase of the mission got under way.
Chapter Seventeen
Preparations
The white and gold colored robots emerged from the Renaissance by rolling down the ramp. The machines had been modified to withstand the harsh environment of the Martian surface. They had wheels similar to a tank so that they could roll over the sand and rock. They were equipped with hooks and 300-meter long zip lines to negotiate craters and other sudden changes in elevation. The center of gravity of each machine had been deliberately moved very low so that the Martian wind could not topple them. Each robot had the ability to make its own decisions so that, apart from the programming of its mission, it was autonomous. The machine needed no input from anyone or anything other than its own processors. Its eyes were infrared, three dimensional, high definition cameras which fed information to the processors continually. The head also contained radar sending and receiving equipment and other sensors, which told the robot everything it needed to know about its environment. The bodies of the robots were made of titanium, so they could withstand any assault of wind and sand. Each robot was powered by solar panels covering the surface of the body and head of the robot. Cosmic electric power, which captures solar radiation and uses it to spin a turbine in a similar manner to standard electricity was a secondary system.
Before the robots could begin building, the ship needed to be unloaded. A forklift was on the ship for the robots and the android to use to unload the ship. The trio of machines unloaded the ship in four hours. Then the ship, piloted by Heath Goodbar, returned to Earth to await its next mission.
The arms of the robots ended in three rotating appendages. The first piece of equipment was a scoop, used to analyze the surface and make decisions about where to go and how to proceed. The second was very similar to a human hand, although much stronger. It was used for doing things that humans usually would do, until the humans arrived. The final end was an adapter, which allowed the robot to do many other jobs that other machines usually did. Tools were sent along with the robots, which fit in these adapters.
MARS: Renaissance Page 15