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agreement.”
     
    Keen said, “I can agree to that. And after the last few months, I think my people will too. But they will vote on it. I am not Taps. I govern by consensus, not decree.”
     
    Rhodes looked up again. “Mr. Addison, how did you separate yourself from Atlantica oversight?”
     
    “For that you need to talk to Dar.” Cort was standing now, showing that this meeting was coming to an end. “But I would support your move to independence. Which means if you want it, I’ll defend you. But you need to be self-sufficient. Once you sever those ties, you’re on your own when it comes to gear. Since you can’t export back to Earth, you have no currency to bargain with. I don’t have that problem. Between the two trusts supporting my colony, there is about half a percent of the total wealth in Atlantica. But again, talk to Dar about all that.”
     
    --
     
    There were a hundred or so adults in the auditorium. No children were here, but there were some adolescents. Cort was at a lectern in the CONDOR suit, with Kim sitting to his right. Keen was at her right. A vid was being sent back to Rhodes, and from him it was being sent to Aeolis.
     
    “I am Cort Addison. Some of you have read about me since you were a child. Some of you have not. But I assure you, I am who I say I am.” Cort took the CONDOR helmet off, revealing the scar that defined his face. He spoke for almost an hour before asking if anyone wanted to move to Aeolis.
     
    --
     
    “I didn’t think they would all want to go,” Keen said as they watched Cort’s family walk out of the room.
     
    “I knew they would. Since I arrived in this time, I’ve found that part of the Addison genome doesn’t seem to have diluted at all. We have an independent streak. Being under obligation to Earth is not ideal to them, even if the Martian frontier is.”
     
    “I didn’t believe you were really from another time. Now that you’ve shown us your face, I’m not so sure you are as insane as I thought.” Keen watched as Kim handed the helmet to Cort. “You were smart to ask them not to say anything about your appearance.”
     
    “Everyone, even Earth will know soon enough. I just want it to be on my time, not theirs.” Cort lowered the helmet into place, twisted it, and walked out of the room with Kim and Keen and continued in the suit’s authoritative voice, “Keen, I know you have thrown your lot in with me, but the fact is, you are going to have to do so publicly. And soon.”
     
    “I know. Earth may cut us off. We are somewhat self-sufficient, but we will grow much more slowly if they do. I’ve been thinking a lot about that.”
     
    They reached Keen’s office; Kim hesitated at the door as the two men walked inside. Cort turned and said, “Kim, you have a new job while you are still here. Call it ‘Personal Assistant’, ‘Secretary’, whatever. But you are my right hand at Aeolis. When I am here, you will be with me. All the time. You will also coordinate the moves for our people. I want Keen to assign someone as your counterpart as well.”
     
    Kim was taken aback. “Me? Why?” She stepped into the office with them and the door slid closed.
     
    “Because you trusted me at a time when you didn’t trust any man. That is important. And it means I can trust you. What is your professional background?”
     
    Kim and Keen laughed. “I just assumed you knew, based on the job you gave her,” Keen said. “She’s a logistics specialist. She was in charge of new arrivals. Equipment and personnel.”
     
    With the door closed, Cort took his helmet off again. “See? Kismet. Okay, Governor Keen. You have a new security protocol. If you want our help, you will follow it. I’m not taking over for security for you, but you are following my plan. I may also supply the team that handles it. But one of your people has to be in charge. I don’t want it to look like an occupation.”
     
    “Rhodes will like that very much. I am in agreement.