DragonHunter rubbed his chin. “You suggested Khrusos might be mind-jacked… but I say it’s more likely Khrusos chipped Qui Fon Chin than anything else. While I was in the parliamentary servers, I used the opportunity to download a few classified documents. Okay, I admit it, a lot of classified documents. Anyway, after reviewing some of the most recent communiques between the office of Khrusos and the Martian government—which rules China, in case any of you are unaware—Khrusos obviously played a big hand in their most recent policies. He seems to be responsible for the cyborgization push of recent years, for example.”
“The cyborgization push?” Rhea asked.
“The Chinese government offers financial incentives and tax breaks for people who give up their bodies and transfer their brains into cyborgs,” Horatio explained. “As part of an overall program designed to reduce the water footprint of the average man and woman.”
“Yes, that’s the one,” DragonHunter said. “The office of Khrusos has also pushed the Chinese to implement specific water rationing and recycling programs. When the program first started, I heard thousands died from dehydration because the rationing was so strict. They’ve since eased off, with a focus on recycling, but only after Khrusos signed off on a deal involving billions of dollars of United Settlements water reclamation technology. Also, I don’t know if anyone noticed this, but recently the Chinese always vote with the United Settlements on matters put forth to the High Council.”
The High Council was the official ruling body of Earth, responsible for all decisions that globally affected the planet, and served as the interface between Earth and the remaining governments of the solar system. It was composed of five member nations: the United Settlements, China, Russia, Chile-Argentina, and Persia.
“He definitely seems to be China’s puppet master,” DragonHunter continued. “All of the aforementioned policy changes began after he moved to Mars, incidentally.”
Will nodded. “So, he moved to Mars to infiltrate the Chinese and consolidate his control over the High Council then. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s begun similar infiltration operations against the other members. Whoever controls the High Council, controls Earth.”
“I think he has designs on the entire solar system,” DragonHunter said quietly. “He essentially has Earth and Mars already. The Galileans are next on his list, judging from the military options he’s asked his team to look into.” The latter was the general term for the colonists who lived on Jupiter’s Galilean moons, including Ganymede.
She stared at DragonHunter. “What military options?”
DragonHunter returned her gaze uneasily. “Well, in one of the classified documents I saw, he asked the Defense Secretary to consult with the top generals and admirals to put together a plan for the invasion of Ganymede. The Defense Secretary is coordinating with his Chinese counterpart, and they’re working on a plan with a scale that hasn’t been seen since the aftermath of the Great Calming.”
“They’re going to fight for water again,” Rhea said softly. “When they should be expending their resources cooperating instead.” She thought of the Europan colony of Centaar on Ganymede, and imagined it turned to rubble, like the Ganymedean geodesic dome she’d visited. Was that the fate of all who tried to colonize the water-rich moon?
She glanced at Renaldo. “Get in touch with Targon. I want him to bring us to Mars as soon as he’s available.”
“You won’t be allowed to debark when you reach Mars,” Horatio said before Renaldo could reply.
She gave the robot a defiant look. “Why not?”
“Visitors from Earth need to apply for a special visa,” Horatio replied. “Processing can take up to six months.”
“Well I’m not waiting six months,” Rhea said. “This assassin threat needs to end right now. As do these war plans.”
“You won’t be able to change a thing,” Will said. “Khrusos isn’t going to listen to you.”
“I was very convincing with the mayor of Aradne…” she said.
“Yes, but only because you removed his mind jacking chip,” Will told her.
“Maybe Khrusos is chipped, too,” she insisted.
“I doubt it,” Will said. “Your words will fall on deaf ears, trust me. Just like when you tried to convince the Europans to donate water to Earth.”
“But I didn’t use force then…” Rhea said.
“Yeah? What, you’re planning on waltzing into the presidential palace on Mars, one of the most well-guarded facilities in the solar system, and storming into his office? And once you’re there, jabbing an X2-59 under his throat and demanding he stop sending assassins? Oh, and while he’s at it, can he please arrange a deal with Ganymede for water to boot?”
Rhea gave him a cold look. “I have a nanotech-enhanced body. Ban’Shar that can deflect all energy weapons.”
“Yes, you’re powerful, but you’re not invulnerable,” Will said. “Remember how we first found you: your head and shoulders chucked out with the trash. All it takes is one mistake on your part, and that’s it, no more Rhea. You get hit here—” He indicated her forehead. “Your brain is lost. Look at what happened to your hand in the last fight.”
“You could try official channels again,” Renaldo suggested.
“Khrusos’ office has ignored all the messages we’ve sent,” Rhea said. “It’s obvious he intends to continue ignoring me. No, I have to go there and confront the bastard. And use force to get what I want.”
Will was shaking his head. “Worst idea of the century.”
“We could try publishing the accusations again,” Jairlin said.
Rhea had created a video where she implicated Khrusos in the attempts on her life and had her Wardenites disseminate them across the mainstream video sites, since she was personally banned from them. But the uploads were always deleted moments after publication, even from the alternate streaming sites she had access to, like Subversenet.
“No,” she said. “I’m going to Mars.”
Will threw up his hands. “First Ganymede, now Mars. When does it end?”
She ignored the comment and glanced at Renaldo. “Arrange for the transport.”
Renaldo nodded.
“This merchant of yours, is he willing to take you as unregistered passengers?” DragonHunter asked. “As in, no entry on the manifest at all? Because without visas, they’ll
