Classical: MARS: Book 3 of MARS

by Matthew Ellis

  Scout said, “If we’d known you were there, we would’ve come to your aid.”

  Wendy said, “We didn’t want your aid. We want to be left alone.”

  Scout said, “I think you’re missing out on a chance to exchange information and technology. We could form an alliance, and help each other.”

  Wendy said, “I don’t think the others want that.”

  Scout said, “I know that when we thought we were the only colonists on Mars, we thought we wanted to be left alone, but now that we know you’re here, we would like to make friends.”

  John said, “That may be difficult. Our colony is very far from here. It takes a long time to get from one colony to the other.”

  Scout said, “We could build roads, railroads, electric lines, and other infrastructure to assist the free flow of information.”

  Wendy said, “That might not be the best idea. The others were adamant that they didn’t want to be absorbed into your colony. This infrastructure would make it seem like our two colonies are joining up.”

  Scout said, “Why don’t you gather your colony’s requests and we’ll make a list of our requests.”

  Wendy said, “Our colony has no long-range communications. How are we supposed to accomplish that?”

  Scout replied, “Our investigators left a communications device in your colony. “

  Wendy asked, “Why would you contaminate our colony like that?”

  Scout replied, “It was a precaution in case your people needed to contact you.”

  John said, “This is too much interference already. However, since you’ve taken upon yourselves to provide this device, we will use it to contact our people.”

  ***

  Notah went to his office, picked up the phone and dialed.

  Kidd asked, “Is it done?”

  Notah said, “I’m your supervisor. I have to stay away from you, and I’ll be taped to make sure of it.”

  Kidd said, “That’s fine with me. Tapes can be altered.”

  Notah said, “So long as I don’t lose Scout’s trust.”

  Kidd said, “General Rich wouldn’t have it any other way. Your loyalty will be rewarded.”

  Notah said, “Thanks.”

  Notah hung up the phone and began to cry. He hated lying.

  ***

  Scout waited until the next morning to call Governor Kidd. He wanted to make life as difficult as possible for the search party.

  Scout said, “David, I have some good news for you. I’ve found a volunteer to oversee your search.”

  Kidd said, “So you have your spy.”

  Scout said, “Not only do I have a person to spy on you, but I also have my com satellites programmed to follow your every move.”

  Kidd said, “I know. I had to watch as my GPS was programmed to transmit to your spy cameras.”

  Scout said, “Just in case you decide to anything dumb. I don’t trust anyone who is in a position of power on Earth.”

  Kidd said, “I seem to have no choice. The treaty’s terms very clearly give you these rights. I will abide by the terms of the treaty, but I don’t have to be happy about it.”

  Scout said, “He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

  When Notah arrived a few moments later, David hurriedly introduced himself. He was in a hurry to get started with the search, and he didn’t want Scout to catch on to the fact that Notah knew David.

  Scout said, “I’ll let the two of you get to work. Remember, Notah, that your orders don’t allow you to help him in any way.”

  Notah replied, “I’m your recorder. I won’t do anything to aid the governor and his men.”

  Scout said, “Just remember that I’m not only watching him. I’m watching you as well.”

  Notah said, “Understood. I won’t let you down.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Moon Plan

  Scout looked over his files to see who he should recruit for the moon project. He needed some engineers to design and oversee the project. He also needed to have a miner who understood drilling and blasting. Jordan and Kathy came to mind right away. Both of them were engineers and both were eager to please Scout.

  Kathy was on her way to join her husband at his office, so Scout didn’t call her. He called Jordan instead.

  He said, “Hey, Jordan. Do you know why I’m calling you?”

  Jordan answered, “I hope it’s not to babysit those cops chasing the ‘fugitives.’”

  Scout said, “Oh, hell no. I wouldn’t assign you crap duty. I want you on the moon mission. I need a good engineer who has knowledge of blasting and drilling.”

  Jordan said, “What about your wife. She‘s just as qualified as I am.”

  Scout said, “Do I detect a hint of jealousy?”

  Jordan said, “I was your right hand before you hooked up with her.”

  Scout said, “I need both of you. You and Kathy will lead one of the teams.”

  Jordan asked, “What do you mean teams? We’re going to split up?”

  Scout replied, “It’ll go quicker if we have a team on each moon.”

  Jordan’s objections melted once he understood he wouldn’t be working with Kathy directly.

  Jordan said, “So we’ll have one team on Phobos and one on Deimos?”

  Scout said, “That’s my plan. Then we’ll join up when we join them together.”

  Jordan asked, “How many others do you need?”

  Scout said, “I need about four per team: one person to lead the team, one to control the ship, one to do the blasting and one to drill.”

  Jordan asked, “Couldn’t we use Nick and Kit?”

  Scout answered, “They’re busy right now building an amusement park in Progress.”

  Jordan said, “That’s scheduled to finish in a couple of weeks. We should be able to commandeer them after the park is done.”

  Scout said, “That reminds me; I wanted to check that out with Kathy once it’s done.”

  Jordan said, “I think everyone on Mars wants to check it out once it’s done. They’ve already hired a full staff. But I thought Kathy couldn’t ride anything because she’s pregnant.”

  Scout replied, “She can still ride a few things as long as they don’t put too much pressure on her.”

  Jordan said, “So just the boring rides. When do you think you’ll go?”

  Scout said, “Maybe I’ll go at opening. Sorry, we’re getting off topic. Are you in?”

  Jordan said, “Count me in.”

  Just as Scout finished his call to Jordan, Kathy walked through the door. She walked over the Scout and kissed him.

  She asked, “Have you found enough people to join us on the moon project?”

  Scout answered, “Us? Does that mean you’re on board?”

  Kathy said, “I would’ve thought you knew by now that I’d follow you to the end of the universe if you asked me to.”

  Scout said, “I love you, but I’m not sure you can do it in your condition.”

  Kathy snapped, “My condition is your fault. I can do anything you can do whether I’m pregnant or not.”

  Scout resigned himself and said, “I’ll add you to one of the teams.”

  Kathy asked, “So who else is going?”

  Scout replied, “Well, I have you, me and Jordan. He thought we could also use the robots.”

  Kathy said, “I thought they were still building the new amusement park in Progress.”

  Scout said, “They are, but they’ll be done in a few weeks. Then we can have them join us on the moons.”

  Kathy said, “Sounds like a plan to me. Is that everyone we need?”

  Scout said, “We’ll still need a couple more people. I’m gonna make a few more calls. I’m sure I’ll find the people I need.”

  Kathy kissed her husband and said, “Good luck.”

  She walked down the hall to her office. She had her own pile of work to do.

  Scout called Lane next. He needed the most qualified people on this project. Lane, along with Jo
rdan and Kathy, were the best people for the job.

  Scout said, “Hey, Lane, how are you doing?”

  Lane replied, “I’m doin’ okay. What can I do for you?”

  Scout said, “I need to ask you for a favor.”

  Lane growled, “I am not going to babysit those damn cops.”

  Scout said, “Why does everyone say that before I even tell them what I want? I wasn’t going to ask you to do that.”

  Lane relaxed his voice and asked, “Oh, then what can I do for you?”

  Scout replied, “I need you on the moon project. I have a couple of engineers and the robots on board, but I need someone with military experience.”

  Lane said, “My military experience isn’t really going to help you put moons together, is it?”

  Scout answered, “You’re also our cartographer. You can help us by mapping where we need to drill and blast.”

  Lane said, “I’m in, then. I was really worried about you asking me to babysit those lying cops.”

  Scout said, “I already have that covered. No need to worry.”

  Lane said, “Thanks, Scout. I’ll be available when you call me.”

  Scout hung up the phone and typed some notes into his computer. He was assigning the moon crews to teams as they agreed to the project.

  Kathy came back into Scout’s office to check up on him a few minutes later. She sat in his lap to make sure that she had his full attention.

  She asked, “How’s the search going?”

  Scout answered, “Three people called, three positions filled.”

  Kathy said, “Who’s with us now?”

  Scout said, “We have the two of us and Jordan, along with Lane and the robots.”

  Kathy said, “Okay. I’ll let you get back to work. Good luck.”

  Scout said, “One thing is weird though. Everyone keeps asking me if I’m going to ask them to join the fugitive search.”

  Kathy said, “No one really wanted to do that. We were lucky to get Notah on that assignment.”

  Scout said, “That’s strange too. He just volunteered. I didn’t see that coming.”

  Kathy asked, “Are you still sure you can trust him?”

  Scout replied, “He fought on our side in the war. He’s proven his loyalty to me on more than one occasion.”

  Kathy said, “I trust your judgement.”

  Kathy walked back to her office to allow Scout to continue his recruiting. Scout‘s next call was to Becky.

  Scout said, “Hey, Becky. Don’t worry; I’m not calling to ask you to join the fugitive search.”

  Becky said, “Oh, good. I was worried when I saw who was calling me. I really don’t want to do that.”

  Scout said, “I want to ask you for the moon mission, though.”

  Becky said, “I would love to join that project, but the foundry is so backed up that I’m playing catch up all the time.”

  Scout said, “Well, that’s important. I could’ve used your experience and work ethic, but I’m sure that I’ll find someone else.”

  Becky said, “I’m sorry, Scout. Maybe the next project.”

  Scout said, “I might need you in the middle of the project. There’s some work that can’t be done without you.”

  Becky said, “If you’re desperate for my help, then I’ll assign my work at the foundry to one of the trainees.”

  Scout said, “I really appreciate it.”

  Scout hung up and thought about whom else to call. He decided to call Jane. Her mining experience, along with her weapons knowledge, would be very valuable to the project.

  Scout said, “I’m not going to ask you to babysit the fugitive search. I need to ask you to join the moon project.”

  Jane said, “I didn’t even think about the fugitives. I know you assigned Notah to do that.”

  Scout said, “Everyone else has been worried about me asking them to babysit the cops. I was just covering that base to save time.”

  Jane said, “It looks like that strategy failed. You’ve spent too much time explaining it to me to save any. So, what do you need me to do?”

  Scout answered, “I need your mining and blasting experience to form the new moon.”

  Jane said, “You can count me in.”

  Scout spent the rest of the day on the phone. He called everyone that he thought he could use. Most people were too busy with their everyday work to take on this project. At the end of the day, he recruited Kathy, Jordan, Lane, Becky, Jane and Loni. The robots, Nick and Kit, would join them.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Preparations

  Scout said, “I’ve called you here to discuss how to deal with these representatives from Earth.”

  Scout sat at a table in the capitol building. Jordan took a seat next to him. Clive, Lane and Bob, who replaced Jack as the head of the Star Brigade, were on the right side of the table. Lin Chin, Notah Yazzie, and Jane Johnson, who were in charge of customs and immigration, sat on the left.

  Jordan said, “I say we follow their own strictest protocols to the letter. “

  Lin said, “No, our protocols don’t allow for the bullshit they do. We’re not going to embarrass them for the sake of revenge.”

  Bob said, “We shouldn’t do anything to upset them. We don’t want to give them a reason to attack us again.”

  Scout said, “I don’t care if I upset these assholes. We have a superior military, and it’s getting bigger by the day.”

  Lin said, “I don’t think that’s the healthiest attitude. No matter how much we don’t trust them, they still have things we need.”

  Bob said, “Lin’s right. Our protocols don’t allow for us to become horse’s asses.”

  Jane said, “Our protocols allow only for immigrants and trade ships. This is the first time we accept dignitaries from another world. We don’t have a protocol in place. I think we should come up with one.”

  Jordan said, “We should come up with a range of protocols. That way, we won’t be screwed when they aren’t strict enough.”

  Scout said, “Okay, let’s come up with a set of protocols. We should have five levels, so we can deal with legitimate visits and ward off bullshit.”

  Jordan said, “That’s what I was suggesting.”

  Lin said, “But we shouldn’t automatically stoop to their level. We have a chance to show them a better way.”

  Jordan said, “Fuck that. We should show them how ridiculous they are.”

  Scout said, “Whatever we do, we’ll need parliamentary approval. Let’s draft a bill and get it introduced quickly. The clock’s ticking.”

  Lin said, “It’s ticking faster than you think it is. They’re on a superfast ship. They’ll be here in less than a week.”

  Jordan said, “Then let’s get to work. We need to get this done before we head to the moons for that project. Once that starts, we can’t afford to have any distractions.”

  Scout said, “It’s going to be a distraction no matter what we do. This could go on for a while, too.”

  Lane said, “We can actually use the moon project to our advantage with this situation.”

  Scout asked, “How?”

  Lane answered, “We can set up spy equipment to keep an eye on the people from Earth.”

  Bob said, “We can also keep tabs on the far side colonists.”

  Scout said, “I don’t want to spy on them while we’re about to negotiate a treaty with them. I want them to trust us.”

  Bob said, “I’m not suggesting we spy on them. I’m saying we protect them from detection with our surveillance equipment. The last thing they need is to run into more armed people from Earth.”

  Scout said, “Still, I don’t know that they’d see it that way.”

  Bob said, “We’d explain it to them. We would let them know that we’re trying to help them hide the colonists.”

  Scout said, “I hope they succeed. It would be terrible if they got discovered. I’ll talk to Wendy and John about it.”

  Jordan said, “I real
ly hope they don’t get discovered. I’m tired of the bullshit from Earth’s governments.”

  They drafted five separate bills for each security level. They wanted to make sure they wouldn’t need to recreate a complicated bill if any part of it failed. They spent the better part of the next two days preparing the bills. Once they were ready, they took all of them to the parliament.

  ***

  Scout visited Wendy and John. He proposed the camera idea to them.

  Wendy protested, ‘You’re trying to spy on us!”

  Scout said, “If we wanted to spy on you, we wouldn’t ask for permission.”

  They discussed the equipment for a while, and Wendy agreed to its placement. She wasn’t happy about it, but she realized it was a necessary evil.

  Wendy called the other colonists and asked for Kevin.

  Kevin asked, “What do you need, sis?”

  Wendy answered, “We need to preserve our way of life.”

  Kevin said, “The other family and I were talking, and we don’t think insulating ourselves from the other colonists is such a great idea.”

  Wendy said, “Our colony will become contaminated by these outsiders. The great survival experiment will fail.”

  Kevin said, “I think the last 60 years prove an awesome success. We’ve proven we can survive. Now it’s time to prove we’re still human.”

  Wendy said, “I’m not entirely sure we are. We’ve been here for our whole lives, so we’re more Martian than human. If we were to go to Earth, we’d be out of place.”

  Kevin said, “That doesn’t make us any less human. It just means we’re human Martians.”

  Wendy said, “But our way of life depends on us, and this interference is counterproductive.”

  Kevin said, “These are not the same people that tried to steal our colony. In our limited contact, I saw people who want a lot of the same things we do.”

  Wendy said, “The other families and I have already agreed.”

  Kevin said, “No, you forced your will on the rest of us. We’re actually in favor of an alliance.”

  Wendy said, “I don’t like this.”

  Kevin said, “If you try and force your will in the negotiations, we’ll make your life miserable when you return.”

  Wendy disconnected the phone and started crying. She wasn’t expecting to be reprimanded by her brother.