Foundations for
Expansion
by Robert H. Stockman
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Table of Contents
1. The Solis
The Solis complex and the Ma’adim Hermes-class shuttle arrive, including the Peres family. Marshall and Rahula talk; Marshall looks up to the older teenager. At the welcoming dinner, Rosa and Neal Stroger talks to Brian Stark about nuclear plans. Will makes his vision speech.
DATE: 17 Feb. 2038
2. Beginnings
Hermes 1 lands on Mercury. Will learns he needs a cataract operation. They discuss health, cancer, kids in conestogas. Then he meets Nigel Stanfield, head of polar operations. They discuss ice on Mercury and Callisto. Brian and Lisa stop by; Brian wants a B-160 low pressure biome for the nuclear facility. Site selection is almost complete. Clara announces she is pregnant but is going to Cassini and the North Pole anyway.
DATE: 8 April
3. Settlers
The ACVs begin to arrive. Sebastian Langlais tells Will he plans to come back to Mars. Will forwards the message to Dave Wright, who told him about a message from the Green Earth Community. A week later, with more information, they debate whether to let the community come to Mars, and the effect it might have on the place.
DATE: 25 April
The Patio buzzes with debate about the Green Earth community. Mormons, Wahhabis, and Zen monks decide to come as well, then a small African sect. Companies call and offer to privatize spaceflight and construction. The legal experts agree Mars can’t be closed arbitrarily from immigration. Marshall and Rahula discuss the paucity of children on Mars and the possibility of more arriving. Will tours the first caravel; he and Alexandra hit on a plan to send it to Earth in time for Columbus 10, doubling the size of the immigration wave.
DATE: 10 May 2038
5. Meeting
Town meeting is held where the Commission’s plans are attacked, but ultimately are supported by the Martian public. At the north pole Jen Tan and Nigel Stanfield argue; Clara decides to ask for help.
DATE: early June 2038
In midterm elections the Democrats win control of Congress; Brian and Nigel commiserate. At the welcoming dinner, Will learns Project Odyssey is redirected away from the asteroid belt. He greets Johnny and Emily and their crews. Clara has her baby. Will suspends Nigel Stanfield until he improves his management style.
DATE: Early November 2038
7. Fire and Ice
Report from Mercury. Fire on the caravel.
DATE: March 2039
8. Dilemmas
Will has a cataract operation. Ethel has breast cancer operation. Nandan’s recovering. Wahhabis want to support their families on one income and Will says no. He has to get Hijazi involved in negotiations. Two commercial companies have agreed to offer flights to Mars; the Director of Project Columbus wants them banned as competition.
DATE: May/June 2039
9. Redbacks
Wahhabis withdraw for now; Shiites come instead; US wants to set up its own polar station; Chinese will want the same as well; Silvio recommends setting up a Martian currency; Father Greg coins the term “redback.”
DATE: Sept. 2040
© 2005 Robert H. Stockman