Oudwi was bored. He wasn't sure why they thought he would make a good archivist, looking through old papers, scrolling through old documents on old storage systems… it was less than exciting. Give him the arena any day. Still, even though he was bored, he was also sore, to the quietude of the archival room, interrupted only by the occasional distant footsteps echoing through the labyrinth of shelves, as at least relaxing. He had been assigned to section X9.3781, one of the lowest levels of the tombs. Rumor had it that the place was almost as old as Trama Vasily. Today was a day Oudwi where the highest expectations Oudwi had were of a catnap in one of the cubicles.

Those expectations would last as long as it took for him to pull an old cardboard box filled with papers, discs, and memory cards from over a century back. The lettering on the box, faded from years of neglect, seemed to indicate that this particular box was supposed to have been incinerated over seventy years ago.

The documents he found were a revelation. Ledgers, captains' logs, Ghim accountancy sheets, correspondence between Moeties, news reports from Earth – each piece of evidence painted a picture that was almost the exact opposite of what he and the other slaves had been taught. New Australia was not a place of death, but rather a refuge for those who resisted the tyranny of the Havers. The history of New Earth, the terraforming process, and the journey from Earth – all had been warped and twisted by the Havers to maintain their power. The Havers had created Mars as a refuge for the wealthy.

They were not the heroes that everyone believed - they had nothing to do with bringing the last hundred million survivors of old Earth to Mars, they were not the architects of the Moon vessel. In fact, they made several attempts to destroy Luna before its arrival in the orbit of the former Red Planet, attempts that caused the deaths of over fifty million souls. It was the governments of the humanity's former home that had crafted and launched the literal lunar vessel; had they not done so, who knows where the human race would be now.

Oudwi was not aware of this, not yet, not until he spun up the first drive and began lazily scanning the documents. He scrolled through agricultural reports, terraforming costs, and leaked pornographic emails from a hundred years in the past. Then something caught his eye.

Strategic Lunar Bombing Survey

Moiety Ghim - Mars Command

Top Secret

Subject: Evaluation of Potential Lunar Bombing Campaign

Introduction:

This report assesses the feasibility and potential impact of a strategic bombing campaign targeting the Moon vessel, Luna, to prevent its arrival in Mars orbit. The objective is to maintain the power and control of the Moieties on Mars, particularly the Ghim Moiety, by eliminating the threat posed by the arrival of the Earth refugees.

Targets:

The primary targets for the proposed bombing campaign include:

1. Luna's propulsion systems: Disabling or destroying these systems will prevent the Moon vessel from maintaining its course and reaching Mars.

2. Life support systems: The destruction of life support systems would make the Moon uninhabitable, forcing the Unified Earth government to abandon the mission.

3. Communications infrastructure: Severing the Luna Vessel's communication with Earth will hinder their ability to coordinate and respond to any attack.

Strategic Considerations:

1. Timing: The bombing campaign should be executed during a narrow window when the Moon is at a midpoint to Mars, increasing the chances of a successful strike.

2. Operational secrecy: Maintaining strict operational secrecy is crucial to prevent Earth governments from detecting our intentions and taking countermeasures.

3. Technological capabilities: The use of advanced, precision-guided weapons is required to maximize the chances of successfully striking critical targets and minimizing collateral damage.

4. Potential consequences: The bombing campaign carries significant risks, including retaliation from Earth governments, reputational damage for the Ghim Moiety, and the potential loss of resources and scientific advancements available through collaboration with the Moon's inhabitants.

5. Ethical considerations: The potential loss of over one hundred million lives should be weighed against the preservation of Moiety power on Mars. A thorough evaluation of the moral implications of such an action is essential before proceeding.

Recommendations:

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Before proceeding with the proposed bombing campaign, we recommend the following actions:

1. Establish a dedicated task force to further evaluate the feasibility and risks associated with the operation.

2. Conduct covert intelligence gathering on Luna's defensive capabilities, vulnerabilities, and Earth government response strategies.

3. Consult with legal and ethical advisors to assess the potential ramifications of the bombing campaign on Mars and the Ghim Moiety's standing.

Conclusion:

This report provides a preliminary assessment of the potential strategic bombing campaign against Luna. Further analysis and evaluation are required before any decision can be made on whether to proceed with this high-risk operation. The preservation of Moiety power on Mars must be carefully balanced against the significant human and political costs associated with such an action.

Immediately following this bombing survey, there was an official response.

To all concerned,

After reviewing the strategic bombing report, I have made my decision. In order to protect our Moiety's interests and assert our dominance, we must act decisively. Proceed with the operation – bomb the hell out of 'em.

Trama Vasily Ghim

Oudwi knew Trama Ghim was brutal beyond words, but the young gladiator assumed it was brutality on an individual scale, or at least on an imaginable scale, like the firebombing of a factory that dared go on strike due to malnutrition and .a rotting swear system. But this.. This was brutality on a genocidal level.

He kept sifting through the documents, each one unearthing the cold, ruthless nature of the Moieties, with the Ghim standing out among them. The deeper he went, the more he found: reports, testimonies, and damning evidence that illuminated the innumerable atrocities committed by Trama Vasily Ghim and those loyal to him.

It dawned on Oudwi that the Havers hadn't only sought to annihilate Luna; they'd made a concerted effort to obscure the truth about Mars' origins and the Moon vessel. For generations, they'd woven a web of lies, indoctrinating the masses to accept a false narrative that would ensure their grip on power.

A potent mix of anger and interest welled up inside Oudwi as the twisted past came into focus. He felt a deep sense of betrayal, having spent his entire life in service to a regime that had built its empire on the smoldering remains of countless innocents. The arena, once a point of pride for him, now seemed a grotesque symbol of the Havers' brutal rule.

Oudwi grew somber as he delved ever deeper into the archive, each revelation gradually eroding the foundation of all he had believed. With every fresh document, his heart grew heavier. Questions burned in his mind. Should I reveal this? Should I destroy it? What is the next best move? The strategist in him, the one that served him so well in the arena, began ruminating. What is the best course of action? Do I parlay this into something more for me, more for my sister? Do I give it to Lyitem, so he can get it to the network? He was torn between keeping the status quo, elevating his own position, or doing what was best for Mars.

The burden of responsibility pressed down upon him, carrying more weight than the darkened halls in the deep underground of the library. He knew that at the very least he would have to collect and store the information, copying and scanning everything to his private drive on his Becky.

The next step was to take the originals to the Master Archivist. Oudwi had no idea if this was a trap set for him or if it was just happenstance that he was assigned those particular files in that particular section.

As he moved through the maze-like corridors of the library, his footsteps echoed softly in the musty air. The ancient tomes around him seemed to whisper their secrets, and Oudwi felt an immense responsibility for the knowledge he now carried. Each step forward was a step toward a future that had yet to be written, and the gravity of his actions pressed heavily upon his chest.

The darkness that enveloped him was thick, and the narrow beam of light from his hand torch only seemed to emphasize the shadows lurking in the recesses of the archive. Within those shadows, he felt the weight of history and the burden of the truth he now bore.

He reached the lift at last, the cold metal doors a stark contrast to the warmth of the ancient parchment that had cradled the truth for so long. As he pressed the call button, the soft hum of the lift's motor seemed to resonate within him, echoing the tumultuous emotions that churned beneath the surface. He hesitated for a moment, considering the vast unknown that lay ahead. He knew that once he stepped into the lift, there would be no turning back.

The doors slid open, revealing the small metal chamber that would carry him up to the main floor. Oudwi took a deep breath, steeling himself for the journey ahead. With one last glance at the dark recesses of the library, he stepped onto the lift, the doors closing behind him like the final page of a chapter in his life.

As the lift began its ascent, Oudwi felt the weight of his decision settle upon him. A hundred floors separated him from the world above, and as he rose higher, he knew that he was embarking on a path that could irrevocably alter the course of his life and the fate of Mars. The darkness of the library was now behind him, but the shadows that lay ahead were yet to be seen.