A bit of a physical transition from Neo-Yokohama to Ekaterinberg. And yes, Alicia’s reaction as the pass over the marshes is what we writers call a “tell.”

The Russian functionary makes two mistakes in a row, which I find a bit surprising for a politician at that level and on another world. When I wrote what comes out in segment six, I now think it was a ruse to get Anton wondering how competent these people are. Looking further ahead, I was surprised to find someone I’d not expected to see on Mars. That will be for later.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

If for no other reason than to spite the Japanese consul, Anton Senior led his wife and son to the small transport craft, each one carrying a small piece of luggage.

“How long will we be gone, Father?” his son asked the night before.

“Both places know I’m coming.  So long as one of the transports is not suddenly requisitioned by powers-that-be,” Aqua, Kira, or someone else, “then four days.  So, pack for six.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How is it,” he asked Saras when he toddled off, “that I’m father and you are mom?”

“You are a powerful, austere figure to him,” she began quite seriously before breaking into a grin.  “And, I told him to.  It shows proper respect, in both of our lands.”

“True.”

Stepping up the few steps to the suborbital ship the next morning, they stowed their kits and did a check on each other’s suits and gear.  Being suborbital, even Saras had her helmet.  She clipped it to the back of the chair in front of her and looked left across the aisle to where her husband sat next to little Anton, who, naturally, had demanded the window.

“I would ask if this is a problem, taking you away from work,” his father began, looking back at her, “but I guess you are working right now?”

“Three jobs at once, my Master,” she replied, eyes filled with the centers of her world.

“Three?”

“To your question, yes, I am looking at some of the data from the corals and plankton factories.  But, you bringing me along also telegraphs the involvement of the imperium.  So, I’ve diplomacy in mind,” she explained.  “But most importantly, I am your wife and our children’s mother.”

As the hatch closed, he reached out to touch her cheek.

“The most important job on any world.  And you do it so well, Es.”

They checked their harnesses and were pushed back into their seats at a 4G lift for a flight of less than two hours.  Their son had several questions about the Arabia Marshes, provoking both a kick and unsettled thought from Alicia.  Saras strove to calm her down, wondering what was wrong.

Anton looked at both his tablet as well as paper files for the first part of his mission, to the nominal Russian capital of Ekaterinberg.  Formerly just called Colony Two, it had been the home of his wife and her mother when they had their three-year exile, nearly a decade ago, in Earth years.  Fed power not just by the many small fission reactors, but now also from the massive Marineris Hydroelectric Complex, the Thinking Machine who ruled Russia made a deal with the one who effectively ruled Mars to allow fifty thousand Russian colonists to settle.  Ensuring their claim to the area of the eastern anchor of the Tharsis Rise.

Next to him, his son had finished a small bulb of berry juice and was already asleep, probably from too much excitement.  Not wanting to compromise the ship’s signals, Saras did much the same.  But every now and again shifting in her chair as light flared under her eyelids.

Once on the ground, they were met by the equivalent of the city’s deputy mayor, accompanied by three others.  When the functionary moved to greet Saras first, she deliberately stepped back and glared at him for his breach of protocol.

“Ambassador Alvarez,” the man in his mid-thirties smarmed, perhaps realizing his mistake of greeting a princess who had no official standing, first.  “Welcome to Ekaterinberg.  The first vehicle is for your family and me.  The latter for my aides, here.”

“Thank you.  Your English is surprisingly good,” Anton pushed a little, knowing his wife knew what he was doing.

“There is still a sizable international contingent here and, just as on Earth, it remains something of a common tongue,” he explained.  “I’m sure, in time, that will change.”

They followed to the lead car, little Anton looking about at a town he really didn’t recall.  But as his parent’s son, said nothing.

Once in motion, the deputy mayor turned about from the front seat and spoke again.  “We will have a small ceremony at the Administrative Building where Count Lavrov will say some words.  After that, with your permission, I’ve arranged some activities for your son while we have our meeting.  A meal shall follow.  Tomorrow morning, a tour of the dam, to make you fully aware of some of our progress, before your departure to the south in the afternoon.”

“It is perfectly acceptable to at least say, ‘the town of Macon,’ if not, ‘the imperium’s land,’” Saras said, finally getting into the conversation.

“Of course, Princess Hartmann,” he said.  “The town of Macon.”

“Princess Alvarez, please.”

“Understood.”

Put in his place twice in five minutes by a woman, the man said nothing more until they passed through a large airlock into one of the new business district domes.  After some turns there was a three-story building of unremarkable make.  Before it, none in skinsuits, were three who looked like reporters, two more aides, and the count, who they both knew from pictures and videos and a brief meeting some years ago.

From his place in the front seat, the deputy was quickly out to open Saras’ door for her.  The driver did the same for the two Antons.  A quick re-introduction to Count Lavrov, followed by his short speech about “a proper division of administrative functions,” with Anton countering with “a concord between all Great Powers of the Polar Alliance as well as our friends.”

That done, Anton went to one knee and spoke in Spanish to his son, telling him to have fun, but to behave.

“And, you have it at hand?” he finished with a question.

“Of course, Father.” It being a silent alarm.  Silent to any human but not his mother.  Accidents happen.