- What does that even mean? - Arika was stunned by the ominous comment - Why did a random guy recognize us as... them?
- What did we do that reached the public eye? - I added, equally shocked.
- I guess someone spilled the beans on the Martian Revolution, or at least the version the Agency believes in - Dawn suggested. She was clearly surprised too, but despite this retained logical thinking.
- But how would someone let the word spread? The Agency is a clandestine organization that wants to keep all the info to itself and itself only! - Sebastian commented.
- We know that too well - Justine muttered. Captain Nigel, our principal and the Agency's leader, kept the truth about Anthony and me concealed behind her back, so she instantly got the gist of what Sebastian said.
- I say we dig into this. See what we've been accused of - Amber proposed. Wanting to know more about what's going on, we chose this option.
- How do we look for the information? - I asked. What were we supposed to type into the search engine to get useful results?
- Let's try "Martian Revolution", since the accusation is likely tied to this event - Einstein approached Anthony to get a better look at my phone.
Anthony typed in the suggestion and it wasn't long before results started pouring in. News articles, press releases, even an official statement from the government!
- Wow, that's a lot... - Dawn watched as Anthony scrolled.
- This source is credible, let's see what they have to say about us - Anthony stopped scrolling at clicked on a news website called Space Politics Live. As far as I recall, dad followed this website prior to his enlistment into the Agency, which means that it's trustworthy.
The article in question was titled "Traitors helped the revolutionaries gain control over the Red Planet? Government responds to the allegations!
- Oh boy... - I gazed upon the screen, noticing the title.
- Is it bad? - Claudius was concerned, just like everyone else.
The adults read the article and then Einstein gave us a brief rundown:
- Unfortunately, it is. Much like what the Agency assumes, Space Politics Live accuses us of treason, apparently switching sides to gain power. We allegedly helped the revolutionaries plan the takeover of Mars Base Beta, along with "disposing" of the outpost's governor, who we're all familiar with - Einstein was talking about Roby - Moreover, Richard Diaz, who we're also familiar with, actually responded to the backlash which came from releasing the official statement. He said that intelligence agencies are working hard to capture us, so that we'll, I quote: "Atone for our sins".
- My god, that's horrible! - Dawn gasped.
- So, we're being actively hunted by the agencies who we were formerly allies with? - I tried to grasp the news that just hit us.
- Exactly - Anthony sighed deeply.
- Why did Rich get to talk? Isn't that a little fishy, considering how he already knew us before? - Amber was skeptical.
We met Governor Richard Diaz two missions ago, aboard the AI-managed orbital hotel known as the Hyperspace. The Perseids plotted to kill him along with all the other passengers to blackmail the president. This didn't work out as we foiled the scheme. Richard was escorted off the ship and would have survived anyway, but he heard about us once the dust settled.
- I guess it's because he's the one who constantly goes to space, so the public naturally associated the topic with him - Sebastian shrugged.
- So, to summarise, everyone including civilians hates us now? - Amber asked.
- The only exceptions are the colonists who are here, but that isn't surprising. They know what really happened here - Einstein noted.
- Hey, this goes far deeper - while we were busy talking, Justine started her own investigation. I ran over to her, so did the others.
- What's the matter? - Anthony's concern grew.
- Conpiracy theorists caught on - Justine unveiled what she found.
A whole thread was centered around discussing the Martian Revolution and the people involved, which obviously included us.
- Theorists suspect that we've been bribed by the colonists... - Justine started, but Claudius interrupted her.
- That isn't too bad - he said, as if it was a letdown for him.
- Don't worry, that's not the craziest theory. Some link us to an interplanetary deepstate which wants to take over the Earth. According to those who believe in this fringe theory, we're setting up an army for said deepstate by turning the Martian colony to our side - Justine showed us some more posts, which we're a lot more alarming than the ones from before.
- That's ridiculous! There is no such thing as an interplanetary deepstate wanting to dominate the Solar System! - Sebastian responded.
- We know - Arika hissed.
- Some conspiracy theorists think that we're aliens, so this isn't the most absurd theory. Still, all of those conspiracies spread like wildfire in the internet and many people caught on. Now that we've been spotted by an eagle-eyed viewer, it's likely that things will get a lot worse... - Justine was understandably worried.
- The Agency will soon find out where we are! That will prompt them to react quickly and we'll be cooked! - Sebastian realised.
- But we're okay because of transfer windows? It will still take them years to do anything? - I tried my best not to panic.
- While it's true that it will take a while for spies to arrive here, but the Agency probably has other means of monitoring the situation on other celestial bodies... - Anthony only fueled our fears, even though that probably wasn't intentional.
- Do you know what those methods are? - Arika questioned.
- No, I've only heard some chatter among other agents back when I was on Earth... - Anthony sighed. He couldn't recall any proper information.
- Simply put it, we're no longer safe on Mars - Dawn added and Einstein sadly replied with "Yes".
At this point, we didn't really talk anymore. Not only because we ran out of things to say for the time being, but also because we were beginning to grasp how high the stakes are and that we are truly in danger. Again.
Fortunately for us, someone unexpectedly broke the silence. It was Big Donny, who appeared out of seemingly nowhere.
- Hey, agents! - he cheerfully welcomed us - I have a little task for you...
ns216.73.216.51da2
and then Add to home screen.