"But, Laura," Dan Steeling said worriedly. "What about security? Surely you're not thinking about walking back to city hall alone, through downtown?"

This was a legitimate concern, and not just because she was an easily recognized person. With Martian unemployment at approximately twenty-two percent, the crime rate was frighteningly high. Large, well-organized street gangs roamed about with near impunity in certain parts of the downtown Eden area. "Have one of the police wait for me," she told him. "Tell him I won't be long. Captain Jackson is an old friend from school and I'd like to talk to him for a few minutes."

Steeling reluctantly agreed to this plan and took his leave, heading across the park towards the entrance.

"So," Jackson said, his smile warmer once he had gone, "you're making quite a name for yourself in the political arena, aren't you? I've heard stories even down in Argentina about the charismatic Eden city council member."

Laura smiled. "I have a gift for making myself known to the right people," she told him.

"You always did, Laura, you always did."

"And yourself?" she asked. "You say you were in Argentina. I hear it's pretty nasty over there."

He shrugged a little. "Poorly armed fanatical nationalists who have never accepted WestHem rule. They love to hide in the mountains and shoot at us with old World War III era weapons. It's not that dangerous as long as you have a little common sense and don't venture far from the base. The worst part is being in that hellish environment. For someone who grew up on Mars where the temperature is always the same and it never rains, it takes a little getting used to, I'll tell you."