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Matthews sat in what had been the main security office where Jonas had worked. He sat in the chair watching the security cameras. A few minutes after the shuttle left through the landing bay doors and the doors sealed shut, Matthews spoke over the intercom system:
“Greetings to my new employees. Let me give a brief introduction of myself. This is Steven Matthews and I’m proud to announce that I own the operations inside Olympus Mons. Of course, the entire Martian planet is far more accurate since we are the only ones living upon this otherwise barren wasteland.
“Now, you’re probably questioning who I am, and what has happened to your beloved Jonas, and how I came to be the man in charge? My dear employees, Jonas decided he wanted to return to Earth for his well-deserved retirement, graciously leaving me in charge, which for some of you, that’s good news. But the even better news is that I will handsomely increase your wages.”
Matthews cleared his throat without turning off the intercom. “Yes, I understand that Grayson has always been the one to give you pay raises, which was quite seldom, was it not? At least according to your records . . . There has been scarce opportunities for anyone to be promoted. But that changes today. I will reward you according to your work efforts. The harder you work, the more you get paid. Fair warning, however, is the opposite is far worse. If you piddle around twiddling your thumbs and half-ass doing your job, you’ll find your reward of being compensated with a Sleeper Chip implant. You’ll join the mining force. Not exactly one of those ‘gotta-have-it’ types of jobs, now is it?
“With the recent changes in the seat of power inside Olympus Mons, I am in need of qualified employees who I can count upon to be my right hand men and women. Over the next few days, I will be handpicking those worthy of such positions since Mars is undergoing a revolution of sorts. Those here will find your surroundings hospitable, and to those Grayson shall send, and understand, he will send others to in an attempt to overthrow us, but we will make such rivals regret ever crossing the galaxy on behalf of Boyd Grayson. Those loyal to this empire shall benefit with untold wealth, and for those who oppose, you will suffer a severe fate working in the mines, making the rest of us wealthier with each gem you unearth.”
Matthews turned off the intercom for a moment and looked at Dr. Sheung with a smug grin. “How am I doing so far?”
“You sound worse than Jonas.”
Matthews’ brow rose, and he quickly formed a frown, shaking his head. “Really? I had hoped to make a better first impression.”
He punched a button and turned the intercom on again. “As I understand it, the prisoners have been tucked away safely inside their cells for the night while the majority of you are busy sealing off Mineshaft 15. I cannot stress the importance of constructing that steel wall within the next few hours. Those nasty critters have the capability to kill all of us. So when you have completed it, I am giving everyone a paid two-day holiday. Drinks at The Vortex are on me.”
Matthews gave a rather pleased smile at Kim and pointed at the camera footage from the outside Mineshaft 15. The men and women working on the metal barricade cheered. Some jumped. Others high-fived. “See? I believe they are happy with our new arrangement. With enthusiasm like that, you could fortify a city in a few short weeks.”
“Not if they’re all drunk,” she replied.
“Most seemed to have already gone that route. Have you not ever been to The Vortex?”
“No.”
“You should go sometime. Mingle. Loosen up. Let people see you and realize that you’re one of them.”
“But I’m not.”
“Come now, Kim, don’t tell me you’re not human.”
She scowled.
“See? There’s that look again. You hold it so often I wonder if it hasn’t frozen on your face.”
“The sad truth is that I’m beginning to miss Jonas.”
“Really? You’re pining after him when we were just beginning to become chummy?”
Her eyes narrowed. “You and I will never be chummy.”
“Oh, Kim, lighten up. I’m starting to think that you hate people, and if so, whatever possessed you to become a medical doctor?”
“I do hate people. The medical field was not my choosing.”
“No?”
“No. Father refused to pay for my education if I didn’t become a doctor.”
Matthews shrugged. “I suppose a career of splitting atoms to make nuclear weapons was out of the question? Your father opposed such a career, but that seems more your line of work. Creating ways to eradicate humans on Earth.”
“Such does not have to be extreme, Mr. Matthews.” She held coldness in her voice that matched the glint in her eyes.
Matthews smiled and laughed. “Ah, I suppose not, Kim.”
Her countenance didn’t change. “Do you know the difference between remedy and poison?”
“The dosage.”
Kim gave a slight satisfied nod at his reply. “Do not forget who administers the cure on Mars, Mr. Matthews.”
Before he could reply, she turned and left the security office, leaving him alone. After the door closed, Matthews shook his head and spoke to the door. “So Dr. Lee, I see why you fear her as much as you do. How she ever got past the medical boards is beyond me.”
Matthews turned in the swivel chair and watched the workers constructing the steel wall. He had promised Jonas not to contact Grayson for a few days, and the temptation to ignore their agreement weighed upon his mind with pure agony.
Oh, how he wished he could hear those long moments of complete silence after he told Grayson the news. But since the two of them wouldn’t be standing in the same room, he’d have to wait at least fifteen minutes for the reply. That silence would be too long. However, Grayson’s sharp harangue afterwards would return with quite a vicious tone. He expected no less from the muscled bullying entrepreneur. No matter, the banter would be enjoyable. Grayson would wish that he had allowed Lydia to kill Matthews.
***
Two Days Later:
Mineshaft 15 had been sealed, and the miners were back shoveling dirt into the shaker machines while the hungover guards could barely stand up straight. The rattling noise had to be unmerciful.
Matthews occasionally viewed the guards via surveillance footage for added amusement. He had gladly paid their tabs, which they had overindulged, and now their temporary bliss was shrouded by agonizing dismay.
“Live and learn,” Matthews said with a wry smile.
Matthews had attempted to connect with the pilot of the shuttle Jonas was aboard but learned that they had entered Hyber-Sleep.
Grayson had also tried to make contact with Jonas at the security office, but Matthews didn’t respond to the message, even though he had to fight the nagging urge.
He figured Jonas had requested a delay in relating the message to Grayson so that everyone aboard the shuttle would be in hibernation, which prevented Grayson from threatening or needling Jonas for information about how Matthews had taken over Olympus Mons. Now Matthews could inform Grayson about everything.
Sitting at the computer, Matthews scrolled through the list of numbers on Earth to contact via satellite. Several numbers for different branches and departments of Grayson Enterprises appeared on the screen. He scrolled through the list until he finally found the New York number where Grayson had worked when he had hired Matthews. Jonas had written a note to the side of that number, which explained that Grayson could only be contacted at the California number.
“Interesting,” Matthews thought. He entertained the idea momentarily that he had probably been the one responsible for making Grayson flee to the west coast. While it probably wasn’t true, it did give Matthews a tidbit of information he could use as repartee to mock Grayson if necessary.
Matthews clicked the ‘dial’ button and waited for the computer to upload the recorder so he could dictate his message to be sent to Grayson.
After the device connected, Matthews said, “My dearest Grayson. How are you doing, old chum? Matthews here, delightfully enjoying my newest endeavors as the Chief Overseer of Olympus Mons. King would be significantly dated, don’t you think? You did a splendid job with the initial transformation of this massive volcano, but it’s high time for me to make a few modifications of my own. It’s a shame we couldn’t meet in person, as I’d have loved to join you for a mug of freshly brewed Luwak coffee. It would certainly take away the sting of listening to the constant BS coming out of your mouth. But no matter, understand that Olympus Mons is now in excellent hands, and nothing you should concern yourself about. I’m sure you have many questions about how I’m here and not in the mines, and I’m certain you’re sorely disappointed. Oh, and please give Lydia my regards.”
He hit the send button and leaned back in the swivel chair with a broad smile on his face with a cigar in hand.
He mused. “If Hell existed, I’d find a way to take the throne away from the devil himself. But I suppose that’s what I have done here.”