Academy Murders: The Red Planet

Documentaries streamed on Kim’s TV in her room. Investigations into how possible ise formations in the ravines and valleys of the Martian surface intrigued her. Maybe I should have been a scientist, she thought. But she banished the idea. She was a cop. She was a Marine. Everything she knew came from her integrations as someone who upheld law.

As the images of the red planet crossed her screen, she considered for a moment the idea that she could live there with just him. And visit Yawquisha from time to time back on Earth.

The doctorate holders they used as talking heads truly seemed fascinated by the prosepect of living beings on Mars. They spoke with such enthusiasm and never gave a hint that they doubted the idea of a distant, life supporting system other than Earth. Intrigued, Kim turned up the volume. She did anything to keep her mind off the trial.

In her own mind, she knew that this extraordinary case had to be an Earth shattering event. All of the press and the screenwriters clamoring to get the details just right made her want to look at more footage of rovers drifting over the red surface like shepard’s dogs.

She paid close particular attention to the ones with the largest wheels. They seemed like metal monsters terrorizing the red rocks. Since it was so late, she thought of calling for room service and ordering ginger beer with bitters.

Again, she didn’t signal for any deliveries. She just watched the marathon of science documentaries. As she dozed off, she heard her phone ring.

“You’re watching space docs, aren’t you?”

“How’d you know?” Kim sat up and rubbed the back of her neck. Yawquisha laughed.

“I knew it.”

“What are you doing at this hour?”

“The same as you. They’re not going to find life. Much less ice.”

“Yes, I’ve noticed.”

“I watched the trial.”

“Why?”

“Space docs don’t come on till late.”

“Seriously…..”

“I wanted to see how horrific the DA was. And he never failed my expectations…again,” Yawquisha admitted.

“A few more showings from the prosecution and then it’s all up to the jury.”

“Oh, they’re on your side. Have you started Atlas?”

“Yes. I finished The Fountainhead in four days. I think Atlas Shrugged will take me a week. Why?”

“There’s a scene where one of the lead heroes is on a trial-like basis due to his decision not to kowtow to the regulators. You have regulators ready to cannibalize you right now. Don’t let them.”

“Are you going to continue on your video campaign?”

“Absolutely. I’m focused on maintaining a healthy, steady diet of facts and figures about your case that will be sure to please anyone worth watching. I’ve got an arsenal of material that I’m ready to unleash. The torrent of truth I’m about to unleash should target the minds of those who’ve yet to discover the truth.”

A doctor in astrophysics spread his hands apart and then contracted them.

“That sounds great. It just may win the minds of the populace. It won’t say for the twelve who will have their say, but I do appreciate every gesture you’ve afforded me. You helped to keep my sanity in a way no one has ever had in my life. Not my parents or siblings. My him has shown love and affection but you stimulated my intellectual side. My mind has opened with these books you’ve recommended and I take extra pride in knowing that you were my ride-along. The only one I’ve known to have had my six and twelve and keep her head on a swivel for me, I commend you Yawquisha.”