Man O' War, стр. 74
"The hell we don't," roared Herb Marrow. "The goddamned hell we don't. The Earth League owns Red Planet, Inc., lock, stock, and barrel."
"Mr. Marrow," answered Hawkes, his voice dry and challenging, "aside from the fact that the new government could simply nationalize your equipment, buildings, et cetera, let's get down to the facts. You may not be aware of this, but the Earth League no longer has controlling interest in Red Planet. Over the past few weeks, that has been bought up and consigned to the new government for concessions that are to be granted later."
A sinister joy filling his voice, the ambassador went on, telling Marrow, "You and the rest of your cronies are out of a job, sir. Your powers of office have been curtailed. If you managed to hang on to a bit of stock, then you might still be some sort of minority stockholder. You can voice any grievances you want at the annual stockholders' meetings. They'll be held once every four months in Greentop."
"And where the hell is that?"
"It's a new gigantic-scale park being created by a talented man named Pebelion. You would know it as the old number ten dome . . . on Mars."
Another uproar ensued. Knowing it was time to hit the assembly with everything he had, Hawkes pulled a packet of vid chips from his coat pocket. Holding them up for everyone to see, he announced,
"I think the moment has come for me to let everyone know just what has happened. Please pay attention. Much like Israel so long ago, Mars has bought its freedom, drawn up a constitution, voted on it, ratified it, held elections, created itself a separate government. Although you tried to stack the deck against her, she played the game by your rules . . . and she's won;"
The assembly finally went silent. For a month there had been no word of any kind from Mars. Not from Red Planet management, not from the troopships—nothing. The food barges had continued to arrive, but they were robot-piloted drift ships that brought no messages of any kind.
Now Hawkes had arrived out of the blue and was confirming far too much of what some in the assembly had already been suspecting. Hanging on his every word, they listened while he continued.
"When your troops discovered the actual situation on Mars, they surrendered."
"What?" roared Carri again.
"Yes. In fact, most of them do not have any intention of returning. I have their resignations on vid. They have applied for Martian citizenship and begun to draw their pay as security people working for Red Planet, Inc."
Targeting Marrow with his eyes, Hawkes said, "Considering that most of the murderers you sent to Mars to kill anyone who didn't follow your party line are now dead, the planet did need a new army. But don't worry, Herb . . . I only said 'most.' There are a few on their way back."
As the Earth League head squirmed in his seat, Hawkes added, "You might want to go confer with your lawyers, Herb. Although I beat your handpicked assassin Peste to death myself—the fourth time he tried to kill me—it seems he was afraid you might try to double-cross him. He kept a complete set of records on his activities." Morrow got up out of his seat and began heading for the aisle.
"He names you quite prominently." As the Earth League leader moved for the back door, the ambassador raised his voice, and said, "He was even considerate enough to get firm-vid of you ordering my death." As Morrow disappeared out through the door, others began to leave the room as well. Having known it would start sooner or later, Hawkes ignored the small exodus, addressing those remaining.
"Let me try to give you who have remained something to work with. As you know, food and supplies have continued to be shipped to Earth. The Martian government has assured me this will not stop. Earth bank units are fairly useless to Mars, but there are things they want, and they are willing to trade for them."
"Trade?" came a lone voice. "Trade for what?"
"Seeds. Animals. Plants. More advanced robotics. Ice. And a few more frivolities—entertainment. Art. It's a long list. Don't worry about it now." His hands gripping the podium, Hawkes looked out over the crowd, then said,
"Believe me when I say that Mars doesn't want to see mass starvation, it doesn't want to see riots. It doesn't want war. Greedy, soulless men here on Earth have already visited riots and war on Mars. No one there wants to see any more of it . . . or cause any of it."
The ambassador took a deep breath. He held it for what seemed a long moment. Closing his eyes a split second, he spent what seemed to be a lifetime in the moment of darkness, then came back to the world once more, telling it, "What happens next is up to Earth. If her leaders can accept the simple fact that the people of Mars are human beings and not cattle to be herded and slaughtered for their pleasure . . . if they can accept that they are going to have to ask from now on, instead of demand, then we will all know peace."
"But if not," he said, letting his tone go dark and grim, "then Earth will know suffering like it never has in all its history. Any—any—act of aggression against Mars, including interfering with me or my people, from this moment forward, will be considered a declaration of war. If this happens, all food and materials barges will be stopped—destroyed, if necessary. This is no idle threat. Mars is a self-sufficient planet. It is not a comfortable life, but it is not a life dependant on Earth for anything. Earth depends on Mars. Try and