Page 86 of The Red Woman on Mars

On the screen, a Martian reporter stood on the steps of a stately white building that Vivian assumed was the Council. “All eyes in Arcadia are turned today to Presentation Day. Two Red Mothers remain missing, and Counselor Xavier Dorsey’s whereabouts are unknown. Meanwhile, Chancellor River Hawk, newly elected leader of the Catena dome, has released a shocking new video message.”

The broadcast shifted to River, seated comfortably behind a plain steel desk, their voice smooth and calm. “Today, I speak directly to the Red Mothers. Join us. You are welcome in Catena. You don’t need to agree to be trotted out like a prize on Presentation Day by wealthy Arcadian oligarchs who will not grant you equality in their society. In Catena, you will be free.”

“River must know the sample was destroyed,” Vivian murmured.

“I’m surprised the Intelligence hasn’t suppressed this,” Ivey said.

“It can’t,” Vivian and Xavier said together.

Xavier smiled, and he gestured for her to continue.

“In Mead vs. Martian Intelligent AI, the Council banned the Intelligence from interfering with Arcadian freedom of the press,” Vivian said. “Journalists can report on whatever they’d like, no matter what the Intelligence thinks.”

“Well said,” Xavier murmured.

On screen, two journalists were discussing Chancellor River’s appeal. They both seemed baffled by the idea of a Red Mother wanting to leave Arcadia. “These girls had no money and no prospects on Earth,” one said. “I heard, when they arrived, their bones were sticking out from malnutrition, and they were carrying communicable diseases. Absolutely dreadful!”

A wave of hot anger hit Vivian’s belly.

“I heard the same. The Intelligence liberated the Red Mothers from a dystopia and welcomed them into Arcadian society. Why would Chancellor River think that any Red Mother would be foolish enough to turn her back on the comfortable life we’ve given them here?”

Xavier made a sound of disgust. “What I wouldn’t give to rebut those two nitwits on the Council floor.”

Ivey laughed. “I’ll look forward to it.”

“I can’t. I made an agreement with the Intelligence to withdraw my opposition in exchange for its help on Catena.”

“You did?” Ivey looked baffled. “But … that work is so important to you.”

Xavier rubbed the back of his neck. “It doesn’t matter, not today. I would never step on Vivian’s big moment. And besides, even if I hadn’t agreed to the Intelligence’s terms, I wouldn’t be able to speak against the Red Mothers initiative today. Not in an open forum during a special session. I’m not a wronged party.”

“I am,” Vivian said softly. What would she say in the Council if she were allowed to speak? “What about using Martian Collective Sovereignty as a line of argument?”

Xavier frowned in thought. “Martian Collective Sovereignty covers the obligations of the Martian government and its people to develop the means to live independent from Earth. If anything, it could hurt our case. What is the Intelligence doing, ifnot providing a method for Martians to carry their own children in the next generation?”

Vivian snapped her fingers impatiently. “I need the book you gave me. My reader’s back in the dormitory.”

Ivey stooped and pulled a reader out of her pack. “Which book?”

“Introduction to Martian Law.”

“The Ayesha Wilson version, Ivey.”

Ivey’s lips turned up as she ran a search on the reader. “X, darling, tell me you did not give Vivian a law textbook as a present? Especially not one where you authored the introduction. How gauche.”

“It’s the best gift anyone has ever given to me.” Vivian grabbed the reader out of Ivey’s hands and located the right section. “Here. ‘Martian Collective Sovereignty is based first on the concept of property in one’s own person, expressed as the moral or natural right of a person to have bodily integrity and be the exclusive controller of one’s own body and life.’ ”

Xavier’s eyes lit up. “You’ve got something here.”

“The Red Mothers do not have exclusive control over their own bodies.”

“I’ve never thought of it that way.” He looked down at the reader. “Yes. It’s not how a Martian solicitor would consider the facts of the case, but it works. It’s simple and brilliant.”

Vivian’s heart leapt at his enthusiasm before her excitement faded. What was she doing? She couldn’t stand in front of the Council and denounce the Red Mothers initiative. Her purpose today was to find Ren and beg him to honor his offer. To send money to her parents.

She thought about racing through the streets of Catena on a moped. Punching Silas in the jaw. Listening to Xavier open up to her about his past.

She wanted a life with adventure and ambition and love. Not a gilded cage.