Cage grinned, his white teeth barely visible from the blood still inside his mouth. Hartman cleared his throat, and then spoke, keeping his tone as amicable as he could.
“PanAm needs to hear of this. The Titans are a major threat to Earth as well as Mars.”
“You’re suggesting we need to work together?” Cage said.
Hartmann lowered his head a little in resignation.
“Perhaps.”
Cage nodded and looked at Jamison. “I think I’m done here.”
Jamison nodded in agreement, but placed a hand firmly on Cage’s shoulder.
“Not quite. I’m going to need experienced leaders for our armed forces. The Titans aren’t going away, and we’re a long way from being ready to face them.”
Cage smiled. “I’m no Martian. I’m a citizen of PanAmerica, and I’m still a wanted man.” Vos chuckled. “That is, until I can get the recordings and depositions of what went on here. How about it, Sheriff?”
He shrugged. “No need. As far as I’m concerned, you’re in the clear. No charges. Not after this.”
Jamison wasn’t satisfied. “You’ve carved out a place here, and this planet needs you. You’re an honorary Martian, my friend, and this is your home more than Earth ever was. We need you, Cage.”
He was tempted, sorely tempted, but the pain started to move through his body. Rose grabbed his arm, as if for support. He gave her a quick glance, and she tried to look reassuring.
“You okay, Cage? Think you’ll live to fight another day?”
He tried to laugh. “Just about, I still have my last life. What about you, did you find what you were looking for here on Mars?”
He looked into her eyes, and he could see the struggle in there. “Yeah, I guess I did. I found Rob, or at least part of him. At least we have some answers now. I doubt we’ll get more.”
Two RedCorp soldiers and a single rebel dragged the body of the Titan Captain from view. Cage staggered away from the shattered glass still littering the floor. Rose nodded to the long window that showed the view of the still burning battlefield outside.
“So, what next? You ready to go home?”
Cage sighed. “It may not be that easy. The Titans won’t give up. And you’ve seen the state of this place.”
He looked specifically at Jamison, who was busy talking across the room. “If they’re going to have a chance, they’ll need help.”
“You’re probably right.” At last, a genuine smile began to form across her face, “The Titans won’t give up, that’s true, but I have a bodyguard. Rob may be gone, but his body is still with us and will keep fighting. Jamison has the Janissaries, and if you agree, he’ll have the best officer in the Solar System at his side. What do you say?”
Cage thought back to Earth, and to his old life, or at least whatever remained of it. He focused his gaze on Rose, and then let out a slow, but contented breath.
“If we’re gonna stay, then we’d better find Travers.”
He started to collapse, but a mixture of Martian and rebel soldiers grabbed him and held him up. Jamison extended a hand to the man he’d so recently met.
“Cage, welcome to Mars.”
THE END
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