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obvious.
    The sympathizer squinted and shook his head dubiously.
    Weve won, I thought. With fools like this, the Statists dont have a chance. I couldnt quite convince myself, however.
    We spent ten hours in that dorm room, cold and naked, skin itching furiously.
    I fell asleep and dreamed of trees too tall to fit into any dome, rooted unprotected in the red dirt of Mars: redwoods in red flopsand, lofting a hundred meters, tended by naked children. I had had the dream before and it left me for a moment with an intense feeling of well-being. Then I remembered I was a prisoner.
    The West Indian prodded my shoulder. I rolled on the thinly carpeted floor. He averted his eyes from my nakedness and drew his lips tightly together. I want you to know I am not all in this, he said. My heart, I mean. I am truly a Martian, and this is my first work here, you know?
    I looked around. The sympathizer was out of the room. Get us some clothes, I said.
    You blew up the train lines and these people, they are very angry. I just tell you, dont blame me when the shit sprays. People go up and down the hallsthe tunnels. I look out, there is so much going on. They are afraid, I think.
    What did they have to be afraid of? Had the LitVids grabbed Gretyls injury or death and put our cause on the sly spin?
    Can you send a message to my parents?
    The fellow Rick has gone, the West Indian said, shaking his head. He meets with others, and he leaves me here.
    What happened to Gretyl?
    He shook his head again. I hear nothing about her. What I saw, it made me sick. Everybody is so crazy. Why did she do it?
    To make a point, I said.
    Not worth losing your life, the West Indian said, frowning deeply. This is small history, petty people. On Earth
    My temper flared. Look, weve only been here a hundred Earth years, and our history is small stuff by Earth standards, but youre a Martian now, remember? This is corruption and dirty politicsand if you ask me, its directly connected with Earth, and the hell with all of you!
    You really sound committed, I thought. Abuse could do wonders.
    I awakened the others with my outburst. Felicia sat up. He isnt armed, she observed. Oliver and Chao stood warily and brushed dust off their backsides, muscles tensed as if they were giving thought to jumping the man.
    The West Indian looked, if possible, even more abjectly miserable. Do not try something, he said, standing his ground with arms out, shaking his head.
    The door opened and the sympathizer returned. He and the West Indian exchanged glances and the West Indian tilted and shook his head, saying, Oh, man. Behind the sympathizer came a fellow with short black hair. He wore a tight-fitting, expensive, and fashionable green longsuit.
    Were kept here against our will Oliver complained immediately.
    Under arrest, the man in the fashionable green suit said jovially.
    For more than a day, and we demand to be released, Oliver finished, folding his arms. The man in the suit smiled at this literally naked presumption.
    Im Achmed Crown Niger, he said. His voice was high Mars, imitative of the flat English of Earth, an accent rarely heard in the regional BMs. I presumed he would be from Lai Qila or some other independent station, perhaps a Muslim. I represent the state interests in the university. Im going from room to room getting names. Ill need your family names, BM connections, and the names of people youll want to talk to in the next hour.
    What happened to Gretyl? I asked.
    Achmed Crown Niger raised his eyebrows. Shes alive. She has acute facial rose and her eyes and lungs need to be rebuilt. But we have other things to talk about. Under district book laws, you are all charged with criminal Trespass and sabotage
    What happened to the others? I pursued.
    He ignored me. Thats serious stuff. Youre going to need advocates. He turned to the sympathizer and barked, Damn it, get these people something to wear. He looked back at us and his ingratiating smile returned. Its tough being legal