Classical: MARS: Book 3 of MARS

by Matthew Ellis

  Bob said, “That’s how these things generally work.”

  Wendy said, “We don’t want that. That would allow your people to overrun us. We’d be absorbed.”

  Lin said, “What if we offer you dual citizenship en masse, but only allow immigration to your colony on a case by case basis. You’d have the final say.”

  John said, “I think we can accept that. I’m guessing not too many of your people want to living our harder way of life.”

  Wendy said, “You might be surprised. I think we’re going to be busier with this than you think.”

  John said, “We barely have technology, what would anyone want with us.”

  Lin said, “You’re going to be surprised.”

  Bob said, “The next item is infrastructure. We want to build a road, a railroad, and an aqueduct to your colony.”

  Wendy said, “We have no problem with the road and railroad. It’s the only way to have trade. However, the aqueduct seems unnecessary.”

  Bob said, “I assure you we’re not planning to overrun you. The aqueduct will be empty unless you request water. We have much more water than you do, so you might need supplements.”

  John said, “We have more…”

  Wendy said, “Are you sure you can trust them with that information?”

  John said, “If they wanted to destroy us, they would’ve done it already.”

  Wendy said, “It’s on your head if they take it from us.”

  John said, “I’m not worried. There’s an underground spring that feeds our crops and we have wells for our homes.”

  Lin said, “You’re fortunate. We had to build a 5.000-kilometer aqueduct from the southern rivers to our colony.”

  John said, “Then you don’t need our water.”

  Lin said, “No, we don’t. We also have water come from Earth on a fairly regular basis.”

  Wendy said, “It looks like I was too quick to judge your people.”

  Bob said, “That’s to be expected. The last people you encountered from Earth were DeNoPE. They’re not exactly the best example of humanity.”

  Wendy said, “So none of your people were born on Mars?”

  Cindy said, “No, everyone was either born on Earth or in space. The first baby is due pretty soon, though.”

  Wendy said, “I hope it’s the first of many babies born on Mars.”

  Cindy said, “We thought it would be the first, but apparently, it was one of you.”

  John said, “I was the first, but there’s no reason not to consider your children the first. They are the first babies of your republic.”

  The negotiations went on for a while. The original colonists agreed to borders, which were 10% of the planet. They agreed to roads, railroads, and rights of passage for both colonies. The aqueduct was deemed unnecessary. Mining by the Republic of Mars was banned on the original colony’s land, but the original colonists could mine their own land and the republic would process it for them until they built a processing plant.

  Bob said, “These are preliminary terms, so they’ll need to be approved by the leaders, and we’ll hold more negotiations once the full government can hear your terms.”

  Wendy said, “We realize the treaty might change, but we hope we don’t get shortchanged in the process.”

  Bob said, “We are trying to make this fair for both sides.”

  John said, “I certainly hope so.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Investigation

  Scout called Jordan into the Renaissance. He closed the door and took off his environmental helmet.

  Scout said, “I’m sorry to take you away from your work, but I’ve got something important on my mind that can’t wait.”

  Jordan said, “It better be important. This project is major, and distractions are bad for success.”

  Scout said, “I really wish you wouldn’t second guess me so much. If I call you on the moon, it’s pretty damned important.”

  Jordan asked, “So, what’s up?”

  Scout answered, “I think General Rich and DeNoPE are behind Governor Kidd’s visit.”

  Jordan said, “I’ve thought that since they arrived. The refugees made it sound like they were being framed or set up or something.”

  Scout said, “I want you to get through the bullshit filters that were set up around their case. I need to know the particulars before I decide what course of action to take. I‘d also like to know why it’s so damned important to General Rich that he’d risk discovery. He’s usually a lot more secretive and covert.”

  Jordan asked, “I have two questions. Are we still going to help them with their search, and how deep do you want me to dig?”

  Scout answered, “Dig as deep as you can. On the other question, we’re going to make it seem that way, but we don’t need to make it any easier than it needs to be.”

  Jordan said, “I’ll make it as hard as you want me to make it.”

  Scout said, “We also need to gather information from the original Martians. They’ve had extensive contact with the refugees.”

  Jordan said, “What can we learn from them?”

  Scout answered, “We can learn what the refugees told them. Once we have that information, we can crosscheck it with the intelligence you gather from the DeNoPE computers.”

  Jordan said, “I’ll get on it as soon as we get back to the planet.”

  Scout said, “Actually, I was hoping you could get started on it while we have some time up here. The ship’s computer is tied to our internet.”

  Jordan said, “But it’s not tied to the internet on Earth. For that, I need the computers on the surface.”

  Scout said, “That’s not entirely true. The internet connection is tied to the satellites. If you can tie the ship’s computer into them, you can get on the internet on Earth.”

  Jordan said, “But I won’t be able to hack into the signal.”

  Scout said, “That doesn’t matter. You’ll still be able to start diagnosing the problem. This is too important to wait.”

  Scout replaced his helmet and left the ship. Jordan logged onto the computer and started trying to figure out why Earth’s internet signal was unreadable.

  “scout wants me to figure out why I can’t get on Earth’s internet with a ship’s computer. That’s like trying to watch a holographic video with a computer running DOS.”

  He routed the ship’s computer through the planetary satellites. The computer took a few minutes to connect to the signal because the computer could barely handle the bandwidth from the satellite.

  “This is going to take a long time.”

  Jordan spent the next few days working on trying to figure out why the signal wasn’t coming through. He grew increasingly frustrated every day because the computer wasn’t powerful enough to do the job required.

  “I’m starting to hate Scout. He’s told me to blow up a city with a Beebe gun.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Amusement Park

  John Johnson and Becky Garcia went to the newly opened amusement park, Amazing Playland. The park was in Progress, so they took a train from Freedom earlier in the day.

  John asked Becky, “I thought you were on moon detail.”

  Becky answered, “I’m only on the part where the moons are put together. They’re just getting everything ready and bringing the moons together. Once they’re ready for me, I’ll take a Star Brigade ship to do my job.”

  John asked, “Have you missed amusement parks since we got here?”

  Becky answered, “I was always too poor to ever be able to go to one.”

  John said, “That’s what I love about this new society. Everyone can enjoy life the way they see fit. No worries about having enough money.”

  Becky said, “This is going to be a new experience for me.”

  Becky and John both handed their cards to the clerk at the gate. The clerk deducted one credit from each of them, and they went into the park.

  John asked, “What do you want to do
first?”

  Becky answered, “I’ve always heard that the best part of an amusement park or a carnival is the food.”

  John said, “I think that’s probably true. Food at a fair, a carnival or an amusement park has a special property that allows it to have no calories, either.”

  Becky said, “I wish that was true.”

  John said, “Just pretend it is.”

  Amusement parks on Earth are difficult to replicate on Mars. Roller coasters need to be weighted to allow gravity to pull them properly. Water rides are nearly impossible, and games need to be adjusted to work correctly. The food, however, is not hard at all to replicate. The only limitation to the food fare available is what the colonies have on hand.

  Amazing Playland offered twenty different kinds of soda, as well as twelve flavors of slushy drinks. There were pizza and nachos along with burgers, hot dogs, sausages and turkey legs. They also offered cotton candy along with many other sweet treats.

  Becky told John, “I think I want a turkey leg.”

  John said, “Knock yourself out. I’m gonna have a burger with fries.”

  They walked to a stand that had a giant sign above it that read, “No Fish and Chips.”

  John said, “Hi, Shai. I see that you have a sort of restaurant.”

  Shai Jackson said, “I have a real restaurant, but when this place is open I have no customers.”

  The amusement park was only open two weekends per month. They couldn’t find enough workers to keep it open more often.

  John said, “I want a burger and fries. My girlfriend wants a turkey leg.”

  Shai asked, “Do y’all need any drinks?”

  Becky said, “I just want a bottle of water.”

  John said, “I want an agave soda.”

  Shai said, “It’ll be right up.”

  A few moments later, John and Becky were walking toward a group of tables. As they walked, they discussed their plans.

  Becky said, “How do you like our new lives?”

  John answered, “I love it. Work is great, and its wonderful building the foundation of a new society.”

  Becky said, “I love the foundry, and I love that I never have to worry about money.”

  John said, “But the best part for me is when I’m with you. I love you.”

  Becky said, “I love you, too. I look forward to being with you all day when I’m at work.”

  They reached their table and sat down to eat their snacks. John got some napkins from the dispenser and split them with Becky.

  John said, “Where do you see yourself in the future?”

  Becky said, “I don’t foresee ever leaving the foundry. I love the work. There’s a real sense of accomplishment when I make something that’s going to be used to make someone’s life easier.”

  John said, “The mines are too much hard work. I only signed on because there weren’t enough people to do the work. I want to study engineering and join Jordan and Kathy.”

  Becky said, “Mining is pretty important, though.”

  John said, “Yeah, but it’s a young person’s job. I’m gettin’ too old for it. Anyway, I’ve always had a passion for creating things.”

  Becky said, “I’ll be cool with whatever you do.”

  John said, “Good, because you’re a major part of my plans for the future.”

  Becky said, “You are, too.”

  They finished their snacks and placed their trash in the bins to be either recycled or composted. Then they walked over to the map of the park to decide what they wanted to ride.

  John asked, “Do you want to ride a roller coaster?”

  Becky answered, “Those things scare the hell out of me. I prefer things like the spinning cups or whirly tilt.”

  John said, “So things that aren’t too fast or too high?”

  Becky replied, “Fast doesn’t bother me, but I’m terrified of heights.”

  John said, “But gravity is so much lower here than on Earth.”

  Becky said, “That doesn’t make me feel any less high up.”

  John asked, “Didn’t you fly in the star patrol?”

  Becky answered, “But in a fighter, there’s a floor beneath you. It’s different when your body is travelling through the air all exposed.”

  John said, “So you feel less secure when you’re not in an enclosed vehicle?”

  Becky said, “Mostly, but elevators freak me out too.

  John said, “Well, then, it’s a good thing that I like the whirly tilt. Let‘s go have some fun.”

  They strolled hand in hand to the whirly tilt and stood in line. Because the ride was so popular, there was a long line. While they waited, they cuddled in the cool summer sun.

  John said, “I hope I don’t barf. Those snacks won’t taste as good on the way back up.”

  Becky asked, “Do you have a weak stomach for spinning?”

  John replied, “I lived on promethazine for the whole trip here.”

  Becky then asked, “Why didn’t you take some before we left?”

  John answered, “I did. I just hope it works.”

  The ride came to a stop, and the previous riders got off the ride. The operator opened the gate and let the next group onto the ride. John and Becky wanted a car to themselves, so Becky flirted with the operator.

  John whispered in Becky’s ear, “I hope you flirt with me like that.”

  The operator let John and Becky have a private car for their ride. They spent the whole ride groping each other while the other riders watched. They had no idea they were being watched, nor did they care.

  There were several similar rides in the same area of the park. There were bumper cars, and a ride that had cars on a raised track that went in a circle, along with a ride with cars on raised arms that spun and changed direction repeatedly. There were also games, and that is where John wanted to go next. He wanted to impress his girlfriend with his skills.

  John said, “Let’s go to the game with the baseballs.”

  Becky asked, “The one with the bottles that you have to knock over?”

  “That’d be the one,” responded John.

  They walked to the game and John got the balls. The game had ten bottles stacked in a pyramid that the player had to knock over. John had four baseballs to do it.

  Becky said, “Good luck, baby,” and stood to the side to let John impress her.

  John threw the first ball and missed all the bottles. The baseball flew a meter over the top of the pyramid. Becky tried, unsuccessfully, to hold back her laughter. John was a little embarrassed, but not about to give up. He threw the second baseball and hit the pyramid in the dead center. The top four bottles came crashing down, but the base remained solid. John glanced over at Becky and saw her applauding his performance. He got the third baseball and threw it as hard as he could. He wanted to win a prize for Becky. The remaining bottles flew in every direction and Becky ran to John.

  The game operator said, “You’re a winner. Pick out a prize.”

  Becky told John, “I want the giant stuffed chihuahua.”

  John said, ‘I don’t think you win a big prize the first time you win.”

  The operator said, “This isn’t Earth. No bullshit here.”

  John asked, “So I don’t need to win seven times to get a big prize?”

  The operator replied, “Nope.”

  John told the operator to give him the huge dog. The operator gave it directly to Becky.

  Becky said, “You’re a smart man.”

  The operator said, “Yes, ma’am. Always defer to the woman when dealing with a couple.”

  John said, “That’s exactly right. Happy wife, happy life.”

  Becky gasped. She hadn’t thought about marrying John. Everything had happened so fast since they landed on Mars. She suddenly shut down and became very nervous. John saw her nervousness, and decided to wait before pushing the issue any farther.

  They spent the rest of the day riding rides that were not roller coasters. They
rode the carousel, the train and the bumper cars. They also played more games. John won Becky more stuffed animals and some pretty trinkets.

  At the end of the night, the couple went to the Amazing Playland’s restaurant. Shai was the cook at the restaurant at dinner. She had a lot of specials, but refused to make fish and chips. John spoke to the waiter privately before dinner began. Becky privately wondered what John could have told the waiter, but she didn’t bother asking him. John ordered a steak and Becky ordered chicken with rice.

  Becky asked, “What has she invented since we’ve been here?”

  John replied, “Mostly new techniques to deal with the atmosphere. But she does a mean steak.”

  After dinner, John ordered dessert.

  He said, “We’ll have the chocolate pudding, and bring the box.”

  Becky wondered privately, “What does that mean? Bring the box?”

  Becky was confused, and wondered what box they were talking about.

  The waiter returned a short while later. He was carrying two bowls of pudding and a black leather box. He put the bowls of pudding in front of John and Becky and the box in the center of the table. Then he walked back to the kitchen. There was a group of his fellow employees gathered near the window that looked out into the dining room.

  John grabbed the box and opened it. Becky was flabbergasted.

  John said, “Becky Garcia, I love you. I want to spend my life with you. Do you think you can marry someone like me?”

  Becky said, “I don’t know what to say.”

  She was shocked. She didn’t expect a proposal from John. They’d been dating for years. She knew that John loved her, but she didn’t think he wanted a traditional marriage.

  John said, “Does that mean you don’t want to marry me?”

  John thought that he might have waited too long to ask her. Even though their relationship was good, he’d been scared to marry her for a long time.

  Becky said, “It means I didn’t expect this.”

  John asked, “But now that I’m asking and everyone seems to be watching, I hope you say yes.”

  Becky said, “I was hoping you would ask. I just didn’t think you would. Now that you have, I’m scared.”