“Did you play poker?”
“Yes, that was easier.”
“So how much did you make?”
“Just enough to pay for our stay and shopping trips,” Catie said.
“Shopping?”
“Yvette likes to buy clothes.”
“Yes, and Alex was so nice to pay with all her winnings,” Yvette said.
“Yvette, what did you do while Alex was gambling?”
“Oh, I played the slots and craps,” Yvette said. “They are much more exciting.”
“Did you win?”
“Non, Alex covered my losses, so it was just fun.”
“I should have come with you guys.”
“Yes, you could have gotten Alex to buy you a new outfit,” Yvette said.
“Oh, I should have thought about that,” Liz said. “Now let’s get home.”
Chapter 21We Ain’t No Communists
Nov 29th
“Marc, I’ve had four requests for transfers to the mining village just this week,” McCovey said as he and Marc started their meeting to review job allocations.
“Why? It’s not like they get paid more for working there. Do they like the isolation?”
“I don’t know, but there have been a lot of complaints about job assignments in the last two weeks.”
“What kind of complaints?”
“Things like, why should I do this job, it’s too much work, why can’t I have one of the easy jobs. And some complaints about hours, too.”
“I wonder what’s behind all that. I need you to look into it,” Marc said.
Dec 1st
“Marc, there is a crowd gathering outside,” McCovey said. “They’re yelling something about not signing up to join a commune.”
Samantha, Chief O’Donnell, Natalia, Paul, McCovey, and Major Kobayashi all looked concerned. This was definitely out of character for the colony.
“Interesting timing,” Marc said. “Since this is our scheduled meeting to review the colony status, I’m guessing this was planned.”
“I’d say so.”
“Sir, we have security on scene. Should we disperse the crowd?” Major Kobayashi asked.
“Let’s find out what they want first,” Marc said.
Marc got up and made his way to the door with Major Kobayashi right behind him. When they made it outside, they were confronted with about fifty or sixty colonists standing in a tight group in the street. Several were holding signs that read things like We Want Freedom, We Signed Up For Opportunity, and the simple and to the point, We Ain’t No Communists.
“How can I help you?!” Marc shouted.
“Stop being a communist dictator!” someone yelled.
“That is not my intent,” Marc replied in a loud voice so the whole crowd could hear.
“Then how come there’s no free enterprise on this colony?!”
“There is some small amount, but I acknowledge your point. We’re too young to have much in the way of free enterprise yet,” Marc said. “We are still focused on ensuring our survival.”
“How come I have to break my back working in construction, and I don’t get paid any more than someone who babysits kids all day?!”
“Do you have kids?”
“Sure.”
“Do you want someone taking care of them that is malnourished and living in a tent or someone who’s healthy and well fed-like you?”
“That’s not the point, I should get more for working this hard!”
“You people seem organized; do you have a spokesperson?”
“This is a democracy, ain’t it? We all want to have our own say!”
“Okay! First, this is not a democracy; you all work for me. But we want to be democratic about it, so, here’s my suggestion. I’ll suspend all but critical work for the rest of the week. Everyone needs to figure out who they think best represents their point of view. We’ll set up twenty groups, you’ll need to select which group you belong to, and I’ll meet with a representative from each group to discuss how we’re going forward.”
“How do we do that?”
“Think of it like a caucus. Everyone, start saying what’s important to you. Our DI will collate your issues and start identifying common themes. Once a pattern emerges, the DI will identify groups that share a common set of themes. You can then decide which group you want to represent you. The groups can meet, discuss the issues further, and elect a leader. If necessary, we can go through the process several times until you feel you’re being fairly represented. On Saturday, my staff and I will meet with your representatives and look for solutions to your issues.”
“How do we know you won’t rig the system with your DI?!”
“You can meet with your groups. If you don’t like the result, then you can develop a different process. I’ll accept a meeting with any group of representatives you come up with as long as it’s only twenty. You’re also free to utilize your Comms to view the meeting and provide input to your representative.”
Dec 2nd
“Hello, I’m calling for Karl Marc,” Blake said when Marc answered his Comm.
“Very funny,” Marc said.
“I always knew all that leftist propaganda Mom was feeding you would get you into trouble.”
“You grew up in the same house.”
“But I was safely ensconced at the Naval Academy before she stated taking you to indoctrination sessions.”
“I went to one seminar on 'labor unions as the last bastion against corporate greed,’ and only because Mom didn’t want to drive at night.”
“Yeah, I’m sure your communist handlers taught you to say that.”
Marc sighed. “Other than razzing me, is there a point to this call?”
“No, just wanted to take advantage of the situation,” Blake said.
“ADI, hang up, and please filter my calls,” Marc said.
“Yes, Captain. I’ll tell Cer Kal that Cer Blake has used up all the funny lines.”
“Oh great, then they’ll meet to compare notes.”
“They are already arranging to meet at the bar for lunch,” ADI said.
◆ ◆ ◆
“What’s the matter?” Samantha asked.
“Oh, this situation. I guess I should have anticipated it,” Marc said.
“You can’t anticipate everything. You’ll figure it out.”
“You mean, we’ll figure it out.”
“Sure, we’ll be there,” Samantha said. “Is ADI giving you an update on their issues?”
“No, they asked for privacy until Saturday,” Marc said.
“So, somebody with experience is coordinating this.”
“It seems so. I just hope it’s not some agent from one of Earth’s governments.”
“I thought you had ADI filter them out,” Samantha said.
“She did, but no filter is perfect.”
“Well, even if it’s an agent, they can’t control all the colonists.
