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Authors: Shawn Jones
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Both security men stepped out of the way, so as not to get run over by the Science Director.
“Clare!” Kay ran down the module. “Oh my Gods! It’s you!” She turned to Cort as she ran, “You bastard! You knew!”
Because she was running one direction but facing another, as the words left her mouth she stumbled and was caught by another security officer, this one a woman. “Careful, Dr. Gaines.”
Mother and daughter both looked at her. After a moment they all laughed. The security woman said, “This is going to get confusing.”
Clare, Rand, and Kay spent the rest of the day together in Kay’s quarters. It was the first time Clare had seen Rand in almost ten years. Cort left orders that they not be disturbed for any reason. All communications were to be directed to him. That night, after visiting with her mother and brother all afternoon and evening, Clare went to Cort’s quarters.
“How have you been, Clare?” Cort asked his twelfth great granddaughter.
She said, “Kiss me.”
--
“Cort, I just got a message from Dar,” Keen said over the comm, “Atlantica and The Southern Alliance have asked to send diplomatic teams here.”
“That’s your area, not mine.”
“I know, but Atlantica is asking to send their own security team.”
“No. And it’s not negotiable. I control every weapon on Mars. That’s the way it is.”
“Dar doesn’t think they will send the atmosphere plants if we don’t give in on this.”
“Then start looking elsewhere. I control the weapons on Mars, Dave. Only me. In fact, cancel the contracts for the plants. Nobody blackmails us.”
“Okay. I’ll let Dar know. Keen out.”
Earth
“You can’t do that!” Pan was furious. “You cannot cancel the atmosphere plant contracts. We are too far into the production. We will lose billions.”
“It’s out of my hands, Dr. Pan,” Dar said. “Mr. Addison was quite clear. The Ares Federation will not be strong armed into allowing outside weapons onto Mars. Therefore, as of now, the contracts are cancelled.”
Pan sat down. After he regained his composure he said, “It’s not just the atmosphere plants, Ambassador. We need that data. Without it, nearly a decade research will be ruined.”
“May I speak candidly Dr. Pan? Perhaps you should have considered that before you made threats against Mars.”
“We didn’t make threats against Mars. We only wanted to supply our own security people for our diplomatic team. It’s standard practice.”
“It’s standard practice here on Earth. There are different rules on Mars, Doctor. You should know that by now.”
“Dar, I have to get the data from your astrophysics people. We didn’t have anything in place to observe the comet’s collision because we thought you would give us the data. You had a front row seat. Well, your people did. I’ve seen the vids of the event. It was incredible. Dammit Dar, we need that data.”
“And we will give it to you. But not for the atmosphere generators. There are other supplies and materials we can trade for. Even money. But we will be looking elsewhere for the atmosphere generating equipment. Mr. Addison made that decision.”
“I thought the civilian government ran things on Mars.” Pan’s comment was clearly meant to come across as snide.
Dar was unfazed by the comment. “All decisions made on behalf of the people of the Ares Federation are made by civilians. Until you make weapons a part of the discussion. Then Mr. Addison has not only the final say, he has the only say. You would do well to remember that in the future, Dr. Pan. In the meantime, I will send you a list of requested materials. Once we agree on the exchange rate, I am sure things will get back to normal and this matter will serve as a lesson to all parties. Good day, Doctor.”
As Dar left his office, Pan cursed the late General Taps yet again. I wish
“Clare!” Kay ran down the module. “Oh my Gods! It’s you!” She turned to Cort as she ran, “You bastard! You knew!”
Because she was running one direction but facing another, as the words left her mouth she stumbled and was caught by another security officer, this one a woman. “Careful, Dr. Gaines.”
Mother and daughter both looked at her. After a moment they all laughed. The security woman said, “This is going to get confusing.”
Clare, Rand, and Kay spent the rest of the day together in Kay’s quarters. It was the first time Clare had seen Rand in almost ten years. Cort left orders that they not be disturbed for any reason. All communications were to be directed to him. That night, after visiting with her mother and brother all afternoon and evening, Clare went to Cort’s quarters.
“How have you been, Clare?” Cort asked his twelfth great granddaughter.
She said, “Kiss me.”
--
“Cort, I just got a message from Dar,” Keen said over the comm, “Atlantica and The Southern Alliance have asked to send diplomatic teams here.”
“That’s your area, not mine.”
“I know, but Atlantica is asking to send their own security team.”
“No. And it’s not negotiable. I control every weapon on Mars. That’s the way it is.”
“Dar doesn’t think they will send the atmosphere plants if we don’t give in on this.”
“Then start looking elsewhere. I control the weapons on Mars, Dave. Only me. In fact, cancel the contracts for the plants. Nobody blackmails us.”
“Okay. I’ll let Dar know. Keen out.”
Earth
“You can’t do that!” Pan was furious. “You cannot cancel the atmosphere plant contracts. We are too far into the production. We will lose billions.”
“It’s out of my hands, Dr. Pan,” Dar said. “Mr. Addison was quite clear. The Ares Federation will not be strong armed into allowing outside weapons onto Mars. Therefore, as of now, the contracts are cancelled.”
Pan sat down. After he regained his composure he said, “It’s not just the atmosphere plants, Ambassador. We need that data. Without it, nearly a decade research will be ruined.”
“May I speak candidly Dr. Pan? Perhaps you should have considered that before you made threats against Mars.”
“We didn’t make threats against Mars. We only wanted to supply our own security people for our diplomatic team. It’s standard practice.”
“It’s standard practice here on Earth. There are different rules on Mars, Doctor. You should know that by now.”
“Dar, I have to get the data from your astrophysics people. We didn’t have anything in place to observe the comet’s collision because we thought you would give us the data. You had a front row seat. Well, your people did. I’ve seen the vids of the event. It was incredible. Dammit Dar, we need that data.”
“And we will give it to you. But not for the atmosphere generators. There are other supplies and materials we can trade for. Even money. But we will be looking elsewhere for the atmosphere generating equipment. Mr. Addison made that decision.”
“I thought the civilian government ran things on Mars.” Pan’s comment was clearly meant to come across as snide.
Dar was unfazed by the comment. “All decisions made on behalf of the people of the Ares Federation are made by civilians. Until you make weapons a part of the discussion. Then Mr. Addison has not only the final say, he has the only say. You would do well to remember that in the future, Dr. Pan. In the meantime, I will send you a list of requested materials. Once we agree on the exchange rate, I am sure things will get back to normal and this matter will serve as a lesson to all parties. Good day, Doctor.”
As Dar left his office, Pan cursed the late General Taps yet again. I wish
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