Defying Mars (Saving Mars Series-2) (12 page)

“I first met Cassondra Kiplinger when she was a girl of four winters. Cassondra, or Kipper, was a child of Squyres Station. Any of you who have visited this austere settlement know that to pass even one Marsian winter in its harsh environs is a noble accomplishment. Daughter of tellurium miners, Kipper showed an early aptitude for

leadership in a settlement known for the orneriness of its residents. To lead anyone in Squyres Station in any direction is no small thing.”

She paused for laughter.

“And yet Kipper organized activities that brought life and joy to those around her. Her ‘Inspire a Child to Read for Life’ program is in use throughout the settlements of Mars Colonial.”

Jess’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

The Secretary continued praising Kipper’s other accomplishments and ended with a call to action. “Ask yourself what good you can undertake within your own school or neighborhood. How might you contribute to the bettering of your settlement? Be inspired by her example, as I have been.”

Jess allowed that she might have misjudged her captain in some regards.

The image of a smiling Captain Cassondra Kiplinger was replaced by a photograph of Harpreet caught with her head thrown back in laughter. It was a familiar sight to all who had spent any time in the old woman’s presence. A murmuring sigh passed through the Crystal Pavilion.

“I can only say that if you haven’t met Harpreet Mombasu, you must be a cave-dweller of the most reclusive order. More than anyone else I know, Harpreet stands as an example of all that is kindest, wisest, and most giving among our people. A Mars Raider upon not one but
two
missions, she is surely among the most fearless of us all as well. Many,
many
of you here today found the courage to follow your own dreams as a result of one of Raider Mombasu’s inspirational school visits.”

A round of thunderous applause rumbled through the building, and Jessamyn joined in.

“As an advisor, she has been worth far more than her weight in water. As a friend, she has brought light and laughter to many.” The Secretary paused to turn her gaze to Harpreet’s shining face upon the wall. “Very wisely, it has been said of the peacemakers that they are blessed. Harpreet did more than just help those of us who
keep
the peace of Mars; Harpreet Mombasu
created
peace wherever she roamed.”

“It is spoken among us, ‘Be as generous as a dog.’ At times, it can seem as if our lives as Marsians are composed of lack. I’m the first to admit our descendants will enjoy a life richer and more comfortable than that which we know.

“But Harpreet Mombasu placed little value upon riches or comfort. Instead, she valued the ‘wealths’ of friendship, peacemaking, and sharing with others. Might we find our lives enriched if we acted as she did?”

The Secretary turned aside to cough and a young boy stood to offer his water packet. Smiling, Mei Lo, knelt, accepted the packet and took a slow sip.

“Mmm,” she said to the child. “That’s very good water. I am grateful for your generosity. You remind me of my friend Harpreet.”

The Secretary, standing once more, spoke in a voice that betrayed how close she was to wasting water in a very public way. “And a little child shall lead them,” she murmured. “And now, if you will allow me to bring to your notice
another
selfless young man, I would like to say a few words about Ethan Jaarda.

“There are many ways to be brave. But where we see someone who acts in spite of great fear, we say:
that is courage.
I have known many brave adults. Many brave children as well. Yet I have met few who walked so willingly into the heart of what unsettled them as did Ethan Jaarda.

“Ethan could have settled for a life of ease and prosperity upon Mars. In his twenty-two years he invented more useful objects and found more solutions to problems than most engineers will in an entire lifetime. We have no patent system upon Mars. But if we did, my associates at MCAB tell me Ethan would hold more such claims than anyone in the history of Mars Colonial.

“This young man had another compelling reason to remain at home. Ethan bears an alter-ability which profoundly affects his daily life. Those of you who live with claustrophobia will recognize at once the challenges of a Marsian lifestyle. Our dwellings are by necessity of compact size. Travel upon the surface of our world is impossible outside of a walk-out suit. We are at all times constrained by the harsh environment we have chosen to call home.

“Imagine, if you will, how much greater the test of resolve for such a person to contemplate dwelling for weeks at a time upon a small space-faring vessel. And yet Ethan chose to do just this. As you all are aware, MCC sent two crews of Mars Raiders to Earth. Ethan agreed to go when I asked him to accomplish the audacious task of disabling the laser array. This, he did, before he was taken prisoner and re-bodied upon Earth. We owe him an incalculable debt.”

Jessamyn could feel the shift in the mood around her. In twos and threes and then by dozens around the room, people rose from their seats in silence to award their highest form of accolade.

“This ovation and much more, Ethan surely deserves,” said the Secretary. “In fact, it is my hope that you will join me in calling for a rescue to be undertaken to bring back to safety Kipper and Harpreet and Ethan next annum.”

Upon the dais, several board members blanched. Evidently the Secretary had not consulted with them before expressing her hope. But the room went wild with clapping, stomping, and whistling. It was electric and contagious and completely unstoppable. Crusty, catching Jessamyn’s eyes, raised his brows as if to say,
Couldn’t ask for a better response than this.

A pair of the more worried-looking members of MCC’s board had approached the podium and stood beside the Secretary. She shook her head vigorously,
No.
The tension upon the dais thrummed palpably, reminding Jess of all Mei Lo had said about her position being so tenuous.

The Secretary held her hand high for silence, and the audience settled back into their seats. Mars’s diminutive leader spoke softly.

“This is not my decision to make—the sending of a rescue mission. But I urge you, citizens of Mars, consider the contributions made by these lost raiders. Consider what is owed their bravery, their sacrifice. And as you consider these things, remember also how you might alter your own lives to reflect all that is best in these three heroes of Mars.”

Looking about her to take in as many faces as was possible, the Secretary then ended the memorial as she ended all her public addresses. “Work hard. Be courageous. Be bold. And always, be as generous as a dog.” She bowed and exited the dais and the pavilion, leaving a gape-mouthed board to follow her.

“Well, that was unexpected,” said Crusty. “You got time for a quiet word or two?”

Jessamyn nodded and followed the gruff mechanic out of the crowded building.

16

TRYING VERY HARD

Crusty and Jess did not, however, get to enjoy an immediate tête-à-tête. Instead, they were subjected to another round of photographs and interviews, Jess carefully emphasizing the dangers of re-opening relations with Earth.

When the two were finally permitted to depart, Jess stood to one side waiting for Crusty while he joked with a cameraman.

“Excuse me,” said a young man who’d approached Jess very quietly. “Um, good afternoon. Gary Hikari with the New Tokyo Venture.” He flushed and then said, “Forget I said that. This is nothing official. It’s just, well, I knew your brother. We took Combinatorics together. Great guy. And, um, I’d just like to thank you both for your service.” He bowed slightly to Jess and Crusty, who was now paying attention.

“You knew Ethan?” Jess asked, immediately regretting her use of past tense.

“Smartest guy in any of my classes,” said Hikari. “I wondered, that is, well—”

“Spit it out, son,” said Crusty. “’Less you want to choke on it.”

“If you don’t mind,” said Hikari, “Ethan said to me once he’d die a happy man if he could just walk outside without a walk-out suit. Not to imply—oh, Hermes—I’m sorry. I just wanted to know if he got his wish on Earth.”

Something about the deep shade of red covering Hikari’s face softened Jessamyn toward the young reporter. He seemed a very decent sort.

“Yes,” she replied. “Yes, he did. And he enjoyed it even more than he was expecting.” She smiled softly, remembering Ethan on the Isle of Skye. “You can put that in your newsfeed if you want.”

Hikari looked away, flustered. “I’m not authorized to request a soundbite.”

“Well, you got one,” grunted Crusty, as he pulled Jess away with him.

Jess, looking over her shoulder, waved goodbye.

Hikari bowed, smiling sadly.

Jess turned back to Crusty, wishing to prolong her time with him. She dreaded returning to her house, no longer the home for which she longed. “So, how’s your new super-algae doing?” she asked.

“Hmmph,” grunted the mechanic.

The two walked in silence, and Jess realized she felt more comfortable at the gruff old man’s side than she’d felt anywhere these past two days.

“Hey, kid? What would you say about tellin’ your ma about my algae?” asked Crusty.

“Tell her yourself is what I’d say.”

“Yeah, well, we had a difference of opinion a few years back. Before you was born. I don’t know as she’d welcome a visit from me.”

Jess grinned. “You and Mom argued? What about?”

Crusty tried to shove his gloved hands into pockets the walk-out suit wasn’t equipped with. Then he tried to scratch his hand along his new-shaven chin. The sound of his hand hitting his helmet made Jess laugh.

“There was this time your ma thought me and her’d be a good pair,” said Crusty, kicking a small rock in his path.

Jess paused to consider the implications. Crusty as her dad? Well, not exactly.
Sh
e, Jessamyn, wouldn’t exist at all if the gruff mechanic had married her mom. “Huh,” was all she said.

“Kinda turned her down,” said Crusty. “I reckon we haven’t said more’n two words to each other the past eleven annums.”

Jess shook her head. “You and my mom have some catching up to do.”

Crusty responded using a word with which Jess was unfamiliar. The intention, however, was unambiguous.

“Come on,” said Jess. “Let’s get out of here.” She gazed longingly at a row of fast MCAB ships, sure everything would feel better if she could just get behind the controls. “Hey, do you have the authority to borrow a speeder?” she asked impulsively.

As he settled his helmet, Jess saw Crusty’s broad grin. “You bet, kid. What’d’you have in mind?”

“You’re coming home with me,” said Jessamyn. “After a little sunset chasing.”

But the perfect nightfall eluded Jessamyn and she caught only a dull yellow dusk, disappointing as stale rations. In silence, the two raiders flew back into the darkness and watched as stars and then the Terran satellites popped out visible against the black sky.

At length, she sighed heavily. “Oh, Crusty. If only Ethan had been able to complete his mission.”

“Well, he did the important part,” replied the mechanic.

But that was just it, Jessamyn thought; he hadn’t done the most important part. Terrans still
controlled
the satellites.

And this insight had been responsible for another set of fears. Mei Lo was trying to convince herself that someone else could complete Ethan’s task from home. But if there was one thing Jess knew, it was that her brother was always right when it came to computers and code. If he said it wasn’t possible to work on the satellites from Mars Colonial, then it wasn’t possible. End of discussion.

And yet, Mei Lo
needed
those satellites firmly under her control before she could present the reason for not engaging in trade relations with Earth.

It was impossible.

Looking at her navigation readings, Jess realized she’d crossed into the southern hemisphere and was going to be late for dinner. She pulled the ship back toward home, seeking out the soft glow of New Houston.
She recalled with a smile Pavel’s shock upon hearing that Mars had cities.

Pavel
. Jessamyn’s belly did a kind of flop inside her. She missed him. Wanted to talk to him right now.

But that was impossible. Pushing the wish aside, she pulled up before her home. A sprinkling of low lights burned in the main part of the house. Jess felt a twinge of guilt at the prospect of her parents waiting again for her arrival to begin evening rations.

She and Crusty made their way to the front airlock in silence. Once they’d slipped out of their walk-out suits, Crusty spoke.

“Can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” he said.

“It’s just my mom. She doesn’t bite,” Jess said. “Well, she won’t bite you, at least.”

Jessamyn’s father met the two as they stepped into the main dwelling.

“Raider Daschle Crustegard,” said Jess’s father. “It’s an unexpected honor to have you here.” Turning, he called, “Honey?”

Jess looked around for her mom.

“She might be sleeping,” said her father, apologetically. “Give me a moment.”

But her father, instead of heading down the hall to her parents’ sleep room, turned up the hall toward Ethan’s wing. Jess frowned. Had her mom taken to napping in Ethan’s room? That might explain some of the anger directed Jessamyn’s way the other morning. Or not. Jess wasn’t sure about anything at the moment, when it came to her mom. Maybe it had been a very bad idea to bring Crusty.

But Lillian was calm and appreciative at the unexpected visit, insisting Crusty join them for dinner when she learned neither of the raiders had eaten yet. Crusty took Jessamyn’s regular seat and Jess, looking at the remaining places, slipped into her brother’s chair.

An awkward silence settled over the room. Jess was determined to break it.

“Crusty’s been looking into some new ideas for the household algae program,” she said.

“Oh?” said Jess’s father.

Her mother remained silent, but looked up to meet Crusty’s eyes.