“You mean—why did we stop blindly following rules made by an alien species from a star system we’ll never even see? Why did we stop starving ourselves and start listening to instincts we've had for millennia? That’s life, my dear. Kill or be killed. Isn’t that the law of nature?”
He leans forward slightly.
“Wouldn’t it be fair if I asked you the same question? Why are you obeying such absurd and frustrating rules?”
“But if you had no intention of respecting the Pact,” I say, my voice rising with outrage, “then you never should’ve agreed to it in the first place!”
“Tsk, tsk. Don’t judge us. We had a right to that second chance, just like everyone else. But look at what Mars is: a harsh, punishing place. That’s already punishment enough. And it’s not like we’re exploiting the whole planet—we’re only using a tiny part. So don’t bother throwing that tired argument at me about protecting the environment and all that nonsense…”
I stare at him, stunned. He’s not angry—he’s calm, composed. Worse—he believes every word he’s saying.
Under my sharp gaze, he continues.
“Here’s how this is going to work. Our time has come. We’ve been planning this for months—carefully placing every piece on the board. Naoto was too attached to that damned Pact to see what needed to change. He made the wrong choice. And he paid the price. In a day or two, maybe less, we’ll reveal our new order to every Martian colony. And we’ll set the new rules. The ones who resist…”
He shrugs.
“You mean, the ones you’ll kill,” I mutter.
“No, no. You’re missing the point. We don’t have to kill anymore. Now that objectors can be traded for valuable goods, they serve a purpose. See? We’re working for the greater good. We’ll offer colonists a better, freer, less stifling life than the one they’ve had. They’ll get to choose—a choice they weren’t given when they landed here. If they join us, they live freely, without the petty restrictions of the Confederation. If they resist, they’ll still be useful—sold off to benefit the community. I find that delightfully ironic, don’t you?
Those who hate waste will be recycled. But really, the choice is obvious. Who would turn down a better life?”
“Tell that to the people you murdered to cover up your crimes.”
“They were obstacles to our future. You’ll see. We’ll have access to advanced technologies, luxuries we’ve only dreamed of.”
“I still don’t get it,” I snap. “You’re going to trade human lives for what—stuff? You're rebuilding the same rotten system that destroyed our old world! What’s next? Exploiting animals again—for meat or profit? Selling them to who, exactly?”
He offers me a wide smile and chuckles.
“Ah, I forgot to tell you who our allies are.
You won’t be surprised to learn there are countless intelligent species out there. And I’ve been told you’re quite familiar with one of them—your feline friend.”
“A Sadjim,” I snap, my voice trembling as a lump rises in my throat. “You killed him.”
“Yes, yes, a Sadjim. And yes, he had to die. Our main partner was very clear—he wanted that one gone. Unfortunately, it seems Anatoli skipped a step and didn’t make sure the job was done. There’s no body to present. I imagine wild animals have already cleaned up the mess, robbing our friend of the joy of seeing the corpse for himself.”
He pauses dramatically, then adds, “Anyway, as I was saying, intelligent species abound. And we’ve entered into a mutually beneficial arrangement with one of them. Bully provides us with the tech we were unfairly denied—better comm systems, weapons, gadgets…”
Seriously? That’s his dream? Unlimited phone access? That’s why Prax is dead? And Hans? Akiro and Jonathan?
“And what do you give this Bully character in return?” I ask, my voice tight.
Do-yun straightens up proudly and lets out a laugh.
“Oh, nothing major—just a few animals captured in restricted zones. And more importantly, information about Earth. She’s not entirely dead, you know? Sure, she’s inhospitable now, but still full of untapped resources—if you know where to look. And that’s what our friend wants to learn.”
I stare at him, wide-eyed.
Something doesn’t add up.
All of us have access to the data about Earth’s resources. That info was made public. So why would Bully need them to get it?
“But… why doesn’t he just search the databases? What does he need you for?”
He rolls his eyes, his tone thick with scorn.
