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The last few months have shown that we cannot effectively protect ourselves,” he said as he looked at Kim. “Mrs. Point, I’ve never had the chance to tell you how sorry I am for what happened. I lost two good men trying to stop those monsters. But you lost much more.”
     
    Kim’s eyes were watery but her voice was strong as she said, “After my husband died, I didn’t have anything else to lose. So they only took my body. Mr. Addison gave me back my hope today, though.”
     
    “When it’s just us, my name is Cort. Save the Mr. Addison crap for the others.” Cort touched her hand.
     
    Kim was still amazed at how she could feel his compassion through the armor. It was ironic, considering how he dealt with problems.

 
     
     
Five
     
    Atlantica Science Headquarters, Earth
     
    “Dr. Pan, we don’t like what is happening on Mars. It looks to us like this ‘Addison’ is hell bent on taking over the Oxia Palus colony as well. Two months ago, Governor Keen retracted his request for additional security. Now, according to your latest report, the official population has dropped by over two hundred in the last year. Can you explain that?”
     
    “Yes, General. I can. You allowed your personal interests to interfere with colony operations,” Lee Pan said. Pan was the Director of Off-Earth Sciences, the department which oversaw the Oxia Palus colony, as well as space station and satellite sciences. “You had no right, and very questionable authority to send over one hundred armed men to my colony.”
     
    “Governor Taps req...” General Taps started, but Pan interrupted him.
     
    “General, your brother violated the colony’s charter regulations by imprisoning Rand Gaines. Atlantica law is very explicit. Any colonist is expunged of all crimes, real or perceived , upon arrival at Oxia Palus. They may not be detained unless found guilty of a crime on Mars. Further, your brother was probably guilty of election fraud in the first place. That he requested additional security from you before the first incident involving Mr. Addison, and not through official channels, is indicative that he wanted an iron fist to enforce the legitimacy of his election.
     
    “Doctor, I am offended that you would imply I used my position to furth...”
     
    Pan stopped him again. “Shut up, General. Regarding Mars population, it has only declined because of the deaths of your men. Colonists who have chosen to move to the Aeolis site are still Atlantica citizens, and are still officially colonists. So far as we can tell, only Mr. Addison is not a citizen of our alliance. Governor Keen is acting within his jurisdiction to provide security for the colony. Either by use of our military personnel, or by other means. In this case, he has chosen ‘other means’, and we approve. There has not been a single serious offense on the colony since Mr. Addison’s people took over security.”
     
    Pan stared at the general. “Of course prior to Mr. Addison’s actions on behalf of the colony, every serious offense on the colony in the last year had been committed by your security people and ex-governor Taps’ staff. Governor Keen has our full support. Unless you have other business, General Taps, you are dismissed.” Pan stood and pointed at the office door. “Good day.”
     
    As he walked out of Pan’s office, Taps was fuming. He keyed his comm, said, “Activate ‘Ares Vanquished’. Now.” and placed the device back in his pocket.
     
    --
     
    A year on Mars lasts six-hundred and eight-seven Earth days. Because their orbits are different, the distance between the two celestial bodies varies from fifty-five to four hundred and one million kilometers. Accordingly travel time between the two planets varies greatly. Even from one day to the next. When the first Diomedes mission launched, the travel time to Mars would take twenty-three weeks. It would take twenty-five weeks for the second launch, and twenty-six for the third. The modules