Space Rescue One by Atk. Butterfly Read Free Book Online Page A

passengers tour the bridge for a few minutes each that day. That was the kind of opportunity the burglars wanted since many of the passengers were lined up waiting their turn. That's probably why they didn't head that way in the first place," Dickson answered.

    ***
    "Well, I guess they can claim to be freedom fighters, but it won't keep them from being convicted for burglary and murder," Richard said.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "I didn't say it would. I'm just pointing out that there are people extreme enough to use the political situation to their advantage or who are absolutely serious about what they're saying and doing. I'll agree with you that it's one of the oldest ploys in the book for a common criminal to plead that he's a freedom fighter and shouldn't be judged as harshly for his actions. You have to admit, they did demand a lot of money and passage to a colony," Clarke said.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "Sure, but that doesn't make them freedom fighters. All I saw were criminals. Just petty thieves and murderers."
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "It's a fine line between the two. However, think it through. Just what would they do with that much money at a colony? They could live well there on much less quite easily. I think they really intended to turn the money over to buy weapons. In fact, the Taurean Princess passengers were burgled on their last trip, too. The crew caught them and the burglars claimed to be doing it for political reasons, too. That one was kept quiet so that tourism wouldn't be jeopardized. This one can't because there were deaths. This one is going to hit the Internet news big time."
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "So, you think this is more than just a ploy?"
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "I do. I think the colonies are actually getting ready, politically, economically, and militarily to declare their independence and keep it. Everyone of the men caught was from one of the colonies," Clarke answered.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "I still don't see them getting away with it."
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "Why not? Think it through some more. Over ninety percent of Mars and Venus is uninhabited. That's a big area to search for just a couple of people. The colonists can claim that the bad guys gave them the slip and took the money with them into the wilderness, even if they're the ones receiving the money. Who's going to dispute their word? You? Me? We might have our suspicions, but without proof that's all we have. You can't make a case out of suspicions and no evidence."
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "Then how long do you see before the colonies make their move?" asked Richard.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "How long? Right now it's a keg of gunpowder ready to blow. All it's going to take is one serious incident to set it off. They could be rebelling as soon as today if things go badly wrong somewhere."
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "What kinds of things?"
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Clarke replied, "A large-scale food riot in North America could be all that's needed before the colonists make their move. All they want is for the major power on Earth to be too busy elsewhere so they can put their plans into action. If you paid more attention to the Internet news, you'd know about all the rabble rousing going on right now. Most people are pretty sure that the riots they're having now are being started by colonists, but no one can prove it yet."
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "You mean the free immigration riots?"
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "Yes, along with the food riots in a few places. They're using whatever issue is hottest in the locality they're working in."
    Â Â Â Â Â Â "They? You mean the rabble rousers you claim to exist are doing this?" asked Richard.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Clarke answered, "That's precisely what I mean. And I don't just claim they exist. Believe me, they're out there now."

Chapter 4

    "You still on the wagon, Richard?" asked Damon, the bartender.
    Â Â    "Yes. Just fruit juice still," Richard