Doom Star: Book 06 - Star Fortress by Vaughn Heppner Page A

politely.
    “Do the directors live as simply as apartment dwellers? You know the answer. Directors, hall leaders and other functionaries go to high-class parties, dine at the best eateries and receive top-grade medical procedures. Apparently, not even the lords of Social Unity believe their own slogans.”
    Nancy turned to the crowd. “Notice the craft which Jovians frame a question, which they then answer. It is diabolically clever. Notice, too, the effort our Jovian Representative has gone to learning our norms. It shows great intellect and the belief in hard study.” Nancy turned back to Marten. “On Jupiter the philosopher-kings possess incredible mansions. There—”
    “On Jupiter?” Marten asked.
    Nancy Vance smiled more brightly. “You are the Jovian Representative, correct?”
    “I am.”
    “Then Jupiter—”
    “Jupiter is the gas giant,” Marten said. “No one can live on it. The people of the Jupiter System live on Europa and Ganymede, the moons orbiting—”
    Nancy laughed in a delightful manner as she turned to the cameras. “Jovians are logicians, known for their lack of humor and rigorous attention to detail. It appears that Marten Kluge is no exception. I ask you,” Nancy said, turning back to Marten, “do all Jovians go armed as you do?”
    “Don’t say anything else,” Nadia whispered.
    Marten stared at the cameras, at Nancy Vance and then at Nadia.
    “I apologize if I have touched upon a taboo subject,” Nancy said. She turned to the cameras. “Life is strange and unordered on the fringes of the Solar System. There, men and women must go armed to protect themselves from lawless behavior.”
    “It’s not like that,” Marten said. “People should go armed so the government fears them more than the people fear the government.”
    Silence swept over the crowd. Nancy Vance turned back to him, frowning in disbelief.
    Nadia’s arms tightened around Marten’s bicep.
    “We go armed so we can be free,” Marten said. “We have guns in case thugs in red-armor try to march us to the slime pits. We refuse to live beneath others who would attempt to tell us exactly what we can and cannot do.”
    People in the front of the crowd began to murmur.
    The tip of Nancy’s tongue touched her glossy lower lip. “Representative Kluge—”
    “Once they take your guns, you’re no longer free,” Marten said. “Once you fail to speak your mind, you’re a slave to the system. I know. I once stood up for—”
    “Marten,” Nadia whispered in his ear.
    Nancy’s eyes brightened. “Please, be free with us, Marten Kluge. Tell us what we were about to say.”
    Marten’s desire evaporated as he studied the crowd. People glared at him, some muttering angrily. His fingers twitched, and he longed to draw his gun.
    “Give us your Jovian wisdom,” Nancy Vance said in a sugary voice.
    “I’m late!” Marten declared. “I have an appointment with the Transportation Minister. Our two systems are working together so we may destroy the cyborgs and bring wealth and prosperity to Earth. If you will excuse me…”
    Nancy Vance nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Kluge.” She turned to the crowd. “Make way for the Jovian Representative. He brings aid to our battered world.”
    People glared at Marten, but they listened to Nancy Vance and slowly parted.
    Nancy indicated several peacekeepers. “Escort the representative to the elevators. We don’t want the people to mob him.”
    Marten glanced at her. Then he grabbed Nadia’s hand. Together they hurried for the elevators. It was time to get off the streets.

-5-

    Half a world away in Australian Sector, a small man with narrow shoulders and thinning hair watched a holoset. He lived in Highborn territory and presently watched an illegal channel. He did so with impunity, however, because he was the Chief Monitor of Sydney.
    The small man with vigilant eyes and a down-turned mouth fiddled with a tiny piece of paper, which sat on the glass table in front of the