VISUAL EFFECTS / CH. 8:FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

THE PALACE, 11 A.M., THURSDAY 19TH MAY.

“Thank you for coming, Ms Findhorn.” the Queen said.

“I'm at a loss as to why I received the invitation, your Majesty.”

“I watched your interview yesterday, I'm glad that God has made his presence known to you. That's not why you're here, but I'm glad.”

“So am I, Maam.”

“Mars. You have a certain reputation, Ms Findhorn.”

“That I'm someone's embarrassment waiting to happen?” She'd heard that from a number of people she interviewed.

“I was more referring to your ability to get results. We'd like results too, but it might be a little embarrassing to my husband if word of this conversation got out to certain parties.”

“I'm not sure I understand, your Majesty.”

“Fair enough. I'm aware that your channel was investigating disturbing stories from the moon, and that you're now investigating Mars Corp. I presume there's a link there. What I'd like you to know is that you have our full support and encouragement, at least in private. Something odd is happening at Mars Corp. One of the board members resigned a few years ago saying that he couldn't see eye to eye with the rest of the board. He was bound to secrecy, but did say that they were playing games with legalese and misinformation. Promises were made, we'd like to see them kept, but we're a small shareholder, and the board seems to have some strong allies among other shareholders in whatever it's up to. So, basically on that front we're a bit stuck.

"Nor, under the terms of the share holding, can we take any dispute about the way Mars Corp is run to the press. We can of course, interpret our own laws as we see fit, and we choose to interpret freedom of information requests from a bona-fide journalist as having a clear priority over a mere presumption that they'd prefer us not to divulge information. Your freedom of information requests were a little overly precise. If you could perhaps amend one of them to be much broader, that'd be wonderful.”

“Like 'any other records concerning Mars Corp's operations or plans?'”

“That sounds about right, yes. Perhaps a little less specific, even.”

“Is such a vague request legitimate, Maam?”

“A vague request can legitimately refused of course, if it's too broad in scope. But it can also be honoured.”

“And you'd like it to be attached to one of my requests that have already been submitted?”

“Yes. We wouldn't want there to be any motive for someone to accuse me of telling you what to ask, now, would we?”

“They'd be right though.”

“Ms Findhorn, do you think that? I don't want to hurt your conscience.”

“Aren't we fabricating evidence?”

“No. It is perfectly legitimate to modify a data access request. Your addition will be marked as being such, if someone thinks to look in detail.”

“And if they don't then they'll see it as the original request date?”

“Yes, if they only give it a cursory glance, or, say, if they're ignorant of our laws.”

“I see. Well, if it's all properly recorded, and as I'm sure that the law and right is on my side, and not theirs, I don't mind submitting the modification request,” It didn't take long from her wrist unit.

“Thank you.” the Queen said. She read the request Alice had made, 'Any other records you can give me about Mars Corp's governance, finances, plans, etc.', and smiled brightly “That is a wonderful request, thank you.”

“Thank you, your majesty.”

“Now... you might be wonder why this couldn't have been done, say, by some member of Security.”

“I'm sure the thought would have occurred to me eventually,” Alice said. Still a bit over-awed at the thought of the Queen asking her to ask for more information.

“When someone has submitted a broad-reaching data access request, it's a requirement that they be interviewed to determine if they have sufficient motive to make that request.”

Alice wondered if she'd just done something very silly. Was she now going to be asked to betray confidences about her investigation?

“Now, to ensure that you're not accused of bowing to any pressure. I invite you to call your editor.”

“Thank you, Maam.” She wasted no time in calling Ed.

“Alice, I thought you'd been invited to the palace?”

“I'm calling from there at the moment,” Alice said, and then floundered.

“Hello, Ed, nice to hear your voice and sorry to take your time.” The queen said, “I'm just trying not to scare your rising star here. Under the provisions of the freedom of information laws, I've just told her that part of her request — the part I've just asked her to make — requires that the she undergo a formal interview, and it's normal for the editor to be listening in.”

“I'm all ears,” Ed said.

“So, your name is Alice Findhorn, yes?”

“Yes,” Alice said.

“And you are making a request for data concerning the board, operations and plans of Mars Corp?”

“Yes.”

“And that is because of a legitimate investigation into some part of their operations, processes or plans?”

“Yes.”

“And the reason that you are asking the crown rather than them directly is you believe they might have some reason to prefer your investigation not to be completed?”

“Yes.”

“Sometimes large corporations protect themselves through the courts or by other methods. Do you feel that there might be some personal risk to yourself related to this investigation?”

“It is possible, yes.”

“I remind you that you have the right to police protection. If you have any trouble obtaining that protection, perhaps because the police officer concerned does not believe you to be at risk, you may state to them that protection has been promised to you personally by myself.”

Alice was taken aback. “Thank you maam. Do you mean in general, or just in connection to this investigation?”

“I made no restrictions on it, Ms Findhorn. People who hate corruption sometimes gain enemies. If you reach the decision that you need protection in a given circumstance, I expect it will not be a frivolous decision.”

“Thank you for that trust, Maam.”

“Moving back to your request for information. Based on what you know, do you suspect, or have reason to suspect Mars Corp have misled the public in any way?”

“Yes.”

“Does the data you seek serve to reinforce those suspicions?”

“Not precisely, Maam. I seek rather to establish the extent and possible motivation or motivations.”

“Then I have no doubt that you need those documents. Thank you, this concludes the formal part of this interview. Happy reading. I'm glad I don't need to edit this.” The Queen handed over a data crystal. “Informally, can I ask how long your investigation might take you?”

“I'm not sure. Sorry.”

“And I shouldn't even ask what it's about, should I?”

“Probably not, Maam.”

“Might I ask a question, your Majesty?” Ed asked.

“Of course you can.”

“If it should happen that Alice goes to Mars as part of this investigation, might there be any source of help she could turn to in an emergency?”

“Other than the local authorities, you mean? You can ask the question, Ed. I might not be able to answer. Does it seem a likely course of events?”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“It depends on a number factors,” Alice said.

“That's a lot of time to put into an investigation.” the Queen said.

“Yes, Maam. Some of the other factors are things like whether there's anything else for me to do there. I really hope this one investigation doesn't take me the whole time until the next transfer window.”

“I'll talk to people who know the answer to Ed's question, then. Assuming there is an answer, it'll probably get to you on Mars.”

“Surely, no would be an answer,” Alice said.

“I was more thinking that it might depend on what the emergency is, or how it came about. Let me make it clear, I'm speaking from total ignorance here. But if our services do have someone on Mars, then I can't guarantee they'll be within range to help, nor can I guarantee that even if they are that they'll be able to offer any more useful help in an emergency than anyone else.”

“Right, I understand. And there's no embassy I could run to, or anything like that,” Alice said.

“So far, no one has an embassy on Mars.”

“Is that Mars Corp policy, or purely because of practical considerations?”

“Probably no one's seriously thought of it. It's not technically a sovereign state, after all, and as you're aware, it's not exactly easy to get to either.”

“But it does have its own currency, laws and justice system.” Alice pointed out.

“Sort of,” the Queen agreed. “As far as I understand, the legal system is rather informal. I'm not saying it's an anarchy, but they're making up a lot of unique laws for their unique situation. But everything is in such a state of flux anyway, it probably doesn't make sense to have a carefully defined set of laws. All I can say is if you go there, do be careful, Ms Findhorn. You can't breathe the atmosphere, which rather cuts down on your options for escape.”

“Thank you for your warning, Maam.”

----------------------------------------

“Simon, the interview was with her Majesty no less. It's now finished.” Alice greeted him over her wrist unit. “So I'm on my way back to work.”

“So, what made it in your interest to attend?” he asked, referring to the summons.

“My freedom of information request has been granted.” [And more.] she added by thought.

“So, are you going to be interested in food and company this evening?” She'd put their date on hold when she got the summons, first thing that morning, with no idea what it was about or how long it would take.

“Yes to both,” she said with a smile. The previous night had been company, but not really a date — she and Simon had been talking to Evangeline about life on Mars.

----------------------------------------

4PM, EDITOR'S OFFICE.

“Ed, I got given gigabytes.”

“Useful gigabytes, or useless?”

“I think it's going to be useful. It's pretty well organised, anyway. Top level splits it into publishable and 'classified data for research purposes only'. In that I have a complete set of minutes of shareholder's meetings, and I see what her majesty meant. Based on the samples I've taken, any time questions were raised about the plans for honouring the promises to the firsters — that's Martian for the first batch of settlers — a vote is called and the question is postponed until the next meeting. That's been going on for decades.”

“Who calls for the vote?”

“One of the big three shareholders: India, Russia or China. Between them, they've got the majority of the votes, and it looks like they're fully behind status-quo.”

“Hmm. That's not encouraging. Why hasn't there been a leak?”

“Mostly because it's mostly only our government that's been putting the questions. Most of the other countries abstain, I think it's become a bit of a ritual. The rules laid down for the shareholder meeting says it's forbidden to take any dispute about the way it's run to the press, subject to forfeiture of shares.”

“Haven't they just broken that? Not that I'm complaining.”

“I don't think so. After all, I asked about Mars Corp's plans, all unprompted. They didn't tell me to, and I was already investigating them.”

“So, the shareholders aren't holding the board to account, and everyone knows that two of the majority shareholders don't like the fact that the de-facto language of Mars is English. Anything else?”

“Yes. Despite Mars Corp's moans about how expensive it is to get there, Mars transport has always been profitable. Mars trade is profitable, Mars on-planet operations cost about a tenth of the trade income, including local terraforming. Transport and space operations cost another tenth of the income. As far as I can see, Mars Corp has been turning in a profit for at least the past three decades, and even allowing for inflation and the pre-colonisation period, it's been a nice little earner for the shareholders.”

“So... they've got a golden goose and they don't want to cut it up?”

“I think so. And finally, there are a lot of questions from the big three about when dome-less planting will be feasible. Whoever organised the data has a sense of humour. The finance stuff is all under 'boring numbers'. But there's also an index of 'telling quotes'. One is India saying that immigration should be nine million a year, not just nine thousand.”

“I wonder what the Martians would think about that?”

“Probably why they don't want to give them the vote. Another quote is 'We can't let a bunch of convicts steal our resources.' Bearing in mind that convicts are less than a percent.”

“That's going to be popular.”

“I think, Ed, that I'm going to go to Mars, and I'm going to start with some anti-propaganda. Like maybe visit the hospital and get someone to tell me that there are five times more births than immigrants. And then I'm going to try to find some descendants of the first colonists, and I'm going ask them about how they feel about Mars Corp declaring they don't exist. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like a plan, yes. You think you can cope with a purely vegetarian diet?”

“I do already,” she said with a straight face.

“You do?”

“Yes. I only eat vegetarian cows, none of those carnivorous cows for me.”

“Very funny. More seriously?”

“It worried me. Then I spoke to someone who ought to know, and she pointed out that junk food on Earth is mostly soy and additives anyway, and that what with genetic engineering, and square kilometres of hydroponic gloop production, the fake meat industry on Mars exports to the rest of the solar system. It's not as cheap as eating your own lentils of course, but fake meat is cheaper than buying vegetables. Or for that really special meal, you can also get hold of genuine Mars-reared rabbit.”

“They rear rabbits on Mars?”

“A few people do, yes. Apparently it's quite a lucrative business, assuming you've got the farmland.”

“I thought...”

“You thought all Martians were struggling on the edge of starvation,” Alice said, “uncertain whether their harvest would come in, whether their compost would mature on time, and so on.”

“Urm, I guess so.”

“We owe it to our public to dispel some myths, don't we?”

“So, how much does bunny cost?”

“You seriously want to trade vegetables for it, if you can. Commercial rates for vegetables on Mars normally involves earthling cash. It's silly, really.”

“What's silly?”

“The best way that someone on Mars can get to Earth is to really get into farming, so that they can sell their spare vegetables. Apparently, my source would have earned about a half of her ticket price simply by coming to Earth, and supporting herself, and not eating on Mars. Except her big brother keeps bunnies, so she's doing even better.”

“Vegetables are so rare there?”

“No, but they're normally only sold to pilots, engineers, and the like who get very nicely paid, thank you. Normal folk wouldn't buy them, not for money, so there's hardly any trade except barter.”

“So people don't starve?”

“From what I've found out, very few people go hungry. Most people are more concerned with their compost heaps than their stomachs, if that makes sense.”

“I'm not sure it does, no.”

“Well imagine this: you're new to this whole farming game. You've got a plot of land with poor soil, amazingly poor soil. You're starting off, just like the other nine thousand this year, except of course it's eighteen thousand because there's two years between when the people get there. And everyone you meet is new, too. The deal from Mars Corp is that you have this starting plot of land, you grow stuff in it, and eventually, it feeds you. You also do work for Mars Corp, mainly construction work, for the next eighteen thousand arrivals, and they feed you on gloop. Gloop is a carefully balanced nutritious foodstuff that apparently tastes like boiled cardboard. But it means you don't starve. You have some seeds, and maybe you cut off your hair and put in your nail clippings too, and any gloop you don't want to eat that day, because you're sick of the stuff, and that's your compost heap. And you seed that with the carefully selected bacteria that Mars Corp included in your start-up package. Then you take your compost, and mix it with soil and plant your crop in it, then you feed and water the plants, and you've got some vegetable matter for your compost heap. But you want some vegetables, so you mix your compost with your soil and start again, and maybe you get a tomato plant or two, and have a wonderful taste to supplement your gloop that week. Everyone around you is checking on their compost bacteria so you do the same, and you mourn with them that it's not doing as well this month, and so on. If you do well, you've got enough compost that you can plant enough that you don't need to eat the gloop, and you're a Martian in the making.”

“And that's really the life you're choosing for yourself?”

“No.” She smiled sweetly at him. “I've had a better offer.”

“Your contact?”

“Yes.”

“Go on, tell me.”

“I use some Earthling cash to buy a farm dome straight away.

"My boyfriend and I, well, probably fiancé by then, help my friend's family on their farm in exchange for food, and we pay for shelter from my salary. My friend lends me some of her compost. I mix half of that into the soil, not all the soil, just enough. The rest goes on my heap. I make sure not to build up lots of credit with the processing plant, and I mix that 'goodstuff' straight into the soil in my claim too, mixing in some of the bacteria I got from Mars Corp since otherwise it's sterile, and marking things clearly, so that I know where I've put it. I grow stuff, fast growing stuff, not food stuff, and put that onto my heap. All the while writing up about life on Mars.”

“And you carefully keep yourself out of Mars Corp's domes?”

“Yes. That's part of it, the rest is that I don't want to write about being in a slave camp eating foul tasting gloop, I want to write about what it's like starting out with real Martians. Her family are willing, so why not?”

“But don't you think it's too unique an experience?”

“Not really. It's an alternate model, a more expandable model, in fact.”

“But it demands you pay rent.”

“I'd rather pay rent than pay time.”

“No, I mean for most people, that's going to be hard.”

“They did offer food and accommodation in exchange for work, but I thought you'd prefer me taking the time to write, not to mention investigate.”

“Oh, yes, certainly. And the host family don't mind you writing about life with them?”

“I'm going to be careful with their privacy, don't worry.”

“And they're going to introduce you to some people who ought to have a vote about Mars Corp's activities?”

“I hope so. I'll need to build up some trust as well as my heap.”

“It sounds quite feasible, then. But are you really going?”

“I think it makes sense from my end. What happens from Simon's is another question.”

“You're that serious about him? You've known him, what, less than a week?”

“'A week's a long time in politics,' so I hear. And it does rather seem God wants us to go together.”

“I'm glad you're back on good terms with God, Alice, but don't ascribe all your feelings to Him.”

She shook her head. “You're misunderstanding, Ed. When God told Simon to give me a message, he also told him that I needed his help and protection, Simon's that is. I heard that on Saturday, hours before we worked out that that might mean romance.”

“You're not afraid that might be a cunning chat up line?”

“Not at all. When his friends learned that Simon actually had a girlfriend, they were shocked. He's been Mr terminally shy in the whole relationship department. He's still pretty scared.”

“And you said you'd worked out you were old friends?”

“Yes. Just before I got convinced I was cursed, we were chatting for an hour or more a night, just voice calls, and we never met, either. He tells me I called him, all out of the blue, but I don't remember getting his number.”

“Alice, you're saying you just called up Simon when you were a teen, and started chatting?”

“Yes. It's even odder than that, because I thought his name was Jack.”

“You were obviously a weird teenager.”

“I think the term you're looking for is utterly self-confident.”

“Well, some things haven't changed much,” Ed said with a smile.