Article 23 by William R. Forstchen Read Free Book Online

arrest someone for saying a change of government or in the status of the colonies is needed. Only if they move to overthrow the government, only then."
    "Tell that to Colson the third in there," Matt snapped. "He's a chip off the old block, it seems. Beyond that, his family did kill many a good sailor. The investigation showed that they knew the seals were degrading quicker than the specs said, but they never issued a recall since it would have cost them millions. So the seals blew, dozens died, and they managed to cover it up."
    "Matt, you can't blame him for that one."
    "Yeah, I know, I was out of line."
    Justin forced a smile.
    "Hit the head, cool off and let's see if we can settle this when you come back."
    "Yeah, sure, Justin. Thanks, buddy. I might of slugged the guy if it hadn't been for you."
    Justin smiled and went back into the room.
    "You can't lump them all together like that," Pradeep was saying.
    "They allow it to be said in their midst. Without our support on Earth the colonies would all die within the year. It's about time they realized that and got off their high horses. I know what I've heard and I think that when you look at an offworlder , you're looking at an ungrateful traitor."
    "Wait a minute, Wendell," Justin said. "Didn't you hear Thorsson ? He won't tolerate that kind of talk around here. If we reported this conversation to his office your butt would be in the wringer."
    "Are you going to go squealing?" Colson asked, a mocking tone in his voice.
    "No, of course not."
    "And what about you, Uncle?" Colson asked, looking at the computer.
    "You know that would be a violation of the law," Uncle replied, his voice sounding cool and distant. "Computers may not report conversations without a specific court order, which is issued only when a felony is under investigation."
    "Well, right there you have it," Colson said. "Everyone's too soft. Those people out there are plotting rebellion. One of my family's construction sites was threatened with seizure by some damn radicals, and we can't even use a stupid computer to help get the evidence!"
    Justin looked over at Uncle as if to apologize. Even though Uncle was a machine, somehow Justin felt that he did indeed have feelings, and to call him stupid was an insult to something that could not fight back.
    "So is that the real reason here?' Pradeep asked. "It's not policy, but rather it's your family's construction sites on Mars? Sites they control from Earth and which are little better than factory towns right out of the 19th century, where they even charge double the going rate for air rations?"
    "We have a right to make money and they don't have a right to try and stop us. All this rubbish about 'local control' is nothing but double-talk for theft by traitors. I've yet to meet an offworlder you could trust."
    "Then, if so," Justin asked, "why are you here?"
    Colson sniffed. "Family tradition. Do my bit with the Service, then move up to take over the business, if there's still a business around in ten years."
    Matt came into the room and Wendell stiffened.
    "It's finished right here," Pradeep announced before Matt could say a word. " Thorsson was right, we have to treat each other like comrades. There are too many other strikes against us plebes as it is without you two going for each other's throats."
    Matt nodded, and ever so slowly extended his hand.
    "Look, I'm sorry about accusing you of being responsible for my parent's deaths. OK?"
    Golson smiled, but it wasn't a friendly look. To Justin it seemed as if Wendell fully expected Matt to simply bow down and submit. Colson limply took Mart's hand and then quickly dropped it. Turning his back, he went to work on arranging his bunk.
    An icy silence descended on the room. Justin could sense that the basic good-natured aspect within Matt wanted to somehow patch things up, but the way Colson had taken his hand without comment and then turned away had left him confused as to what to do next. The silence was strange to