Free The Man Who Sold Mars by K. Anderson Yancy Page B

the Naval Academy.  In
the past, he’s performed invaluable services for The Group and for us.  And, now
we need him again.”
    Joshua opened a valise and removed a cell
phone.  “We’ve customized a solution.  Loqutous.”
    He handed the cell and a page to me, and
I read the words on the paper into the cell.
    # # #
    My talk and growing friendship with Tot
on my mind, my purse and valise in one hand and folders in another, I walked
through the corridors towards Stephen’s office.
    # # #
    My talk and growing friendship with
Selena on my mind, my purse and valise in one hand and folders in another, I
walked through the corridors towards Stephen’s office.  Turning a corner, I saw
Selena slightly ahead of me.  My eyes blazed with mischief, and with speed and
stealth, I snuck behind Se, swiftly moved beside her and playfully bumped her
with my hips.  “May the best woman win.”
    # # #
    We laughed like two schoolgirls at play. 
And playing like schoolgirls at play, we raced to Stephen’s office.  There and
laughing outrageously, we burst through the doors.
    # # #
    Joshua’s cell phone still in hand, we
were shocked by the sudden intrusion.  But, the mirth of two beautiful women at
play was infectious and we broke from our troubles and smiled.
    I rose, “Sorry, we started early.  Joshua
has a pressing—“
    The doors exploded open behind the two
and they jumped with fear.
    “Federal Marshals!” announced the lead
officer.
    And as he said those words, Federal
Marshals, FBI agents, and armed soldiers poured into the room, while Joshua,
unnerved and undetected, took the cell phone from me I’d spoken into only
moments ago and placed it into his pocket.
    The lead Marshal walked towards me,
papers in hand.  “Mister Young, Federal Agents.  We have orders to seize
various Young Stellar Resources’ assets within the United States and it’s
territories that have compelling National and Strategic importance—“
    I was livid.  “No.  You—“
    The Marshal handed me an order.
    “This is crazy.”
    George pulled out his cell phone.  “I’m
checking with legal council.”
    The officer stared at George.  “That may
be difficult.  For related reasons, your attorneys are being removed from their
offices as I speak.  You might try their cells.”
    Fuming, I whipped out my cell.  “I need
to verify—”
    Gerard’s voice boomed through the door
just before he entered.  “You don’t have to.”
    He walked in surveying the room and
spoke.  “I told you this day or something like it would come.”
    “You did this!”
    “No, Stephen.  I would never.  Someone is
pulling my strings, just as much as they’re pulling yours.  All of ours.  And
here we are.  The US government has exercised eminent domain and condemned your
Mars project and all facilities related to it in the US and its territories.”
    “Thieves!”
    “They wanted everything you have, but I
convinced them that wasn’t necessary since it’s required to pay fair market
value.  The cost of the Martian project alone will be monumental.  It was only
prudent to take what was necessary.”
    “Why?”
    “You and I both know the answer to that. 
They want the first staffed mission to Mars.”
    “There’s more honor if you develop the
program.”
    “Stephen, honor is not an issue with
these people and in ten years, who will remember?”
    Hemmingson spoke a truth, “If that long.”
    My friends and I stood for a very long
time in silence.  The lead Marshal walked over and took my arm to guide me
out.  “Sir –“
    I wrenched it free as the Marshal spoke.
“Sir, you have to leave.”
    Ignoring him, I started towards my desk
to gather things from it.
    And the Marshal spoke again, “You can not
take anything with you.”
    Gerard expanded the officers command,
“You can take your personal belongings on you, purses, etc.”
    “Sir, I was told they could take
nothing.”
    Gerard unaccustomed to having anyone question
his words,