from last time:

"As I said, about three years ago, we tried to resolve our problems through the system. The attempt was more for show than anything, no one thought we'd succeed. However, since we've now tried it their way and it didn't work, we can proceed to do it our way, and it will work. I don't know who first named us MIRA. It stands for the Martian International Rebel Army, which is nice, but in deference to our atmosphere, we're non-violent. Not that we'd screw up, but violence breeds violence, and the official retaliation could be hell. We're going so slowly that no one pays much attention. So to answer your question, no, we're not a threat, in that we wouldn't hurt anyone. But yes, we are a threat, in that we will eventually overthrow the government. We just have to make sure that it's a bloodless coup."

and now, part 2:

For the rest of the day, Robert continued his story, filling in details and examples. He also gave her his own life story in brief. His ambition had always been to go into politics, until someone had told him that anyone third generation or more was not allowed to even run for public office, let alone hold it. Since his family had been on Mars since the original colonization, he was clearly eliminated. This struck him as particularly brainless and prompted him to join the revolutionary movement.

Robert ended with an analogy: "The leaders of Earth have served as our parents, in a sense, for the past 160 years. For most of that time, we needed them. Now, however, we're mature. We're self-sufficient; we can feed and govern ourselves, or at least we could if they'd let us, but they refuse to let go. We are ready to assume control of our own destiny, and we'd like to do it legally and peacefully; just move out of the house, as it were. We've tried to work through the system, and it's gotten us nowhere. So, to complete the analogy, our goal now is to sneak out the back door."

Paula had been interested before, but now she seemed to come alive. "Yes, I see exactly what you mean. I had to do just that. My father was the most selfish, inconsiderate bastard I've ever met, so I had to leave my whole family..." Her eyes darkened in remembered pain. "It was very lonely for a time, but it was worth it."

She was lost in thought, remembering. Her father had never been like other kids' fathers. He was an alcoholic who would sometimes leave for years at a time. He would return home, swearing that he was reformed, and they could almost be a normal family for a time, but sooner or later, he would start to drink, and he was violent when he was drunk. When he sobered up he would invariably cry and beg for forgiveness, but he never changed. Before long, he would disappear again.

Her mother's religion had precluded divorce, so he was free to wander in and out of their lives at will. Paula had two sisters, one older and one younger, but of the three, she had suffered the most from the continual raising and dashing of hope.

"Paula, are you okay?" Robert's gentle question broke her reverie, and she stood up.

"I'm fine. Let's have some dinner, then we can relax. I have rules against working after 7pm."

They spent the evening talking about many things besides politics. Paula remembered that she had a column to write for tomorrow, and Robert helped her write a light piece about the mistakes that newcomers to the capital often make. They discovered that they had a lot in common, like taste in movies and music. Towards midnight, Paula brought up a subject she'd been wondering about.

"Don't you wonder why we're getting along so well? We're acting like old friends, but I've known you for less than 24 hours, and I've no real good reason to trust you."

He laughed. "You're right. We should be totally on our guards, instead of which we're at ease. Aren't you afraid that I might assault you or something?"

"Aren't you afraid I might call the police, while you're asleep?" she countered, dismissing both possibilities with a flick of her hand. "Anyway, ever since I first got a look at your face, I trusted you. I have this intuition. It doesn't often pop up, but it's never wrong. And it tagged you as a good friend."

"I can't claim a similar intuition, but you did seem the sort of person I'd want as a friend. So," he asked, extending his hand, "Is it official? Are we friends now?"

She grinned, and shook his hand firmly. "Friends for life."

"Good enough. Now I think we ought to go to bed."

It spoke volumes for their understanding that neither one of them thought that he'd meant for them to sleep together. They retired to their beds and slept soundly.

Next morning, Paula went to the store to get some provisions, and they spent the day doing research. Robert actively assisted her, directing her to important materials in the computer library and the newspaper files. Paula's computer had been designed for this, so it was fairly easy. Most of his examples could be verified, but none were disproved, and any doubts she'd harbored disappeared under the weight of the evidence.

"Robert, you've convinced me. Or rather, you've opened my eyes. Does this top-secret, non-violent organization have any openings?" Though the words were teasing, her tone was serious.

"You really want to join? That's great. I didn't know you had much of a social conscience."

Paula winced at the gentle barb. "Well, you know I don't. But, you remember what I told you about my father?" He nodded and she went on, "Getting away from him was a powerful motivator. It's the reason I worked so hard to put myself through school, and the main reason I accepted the move to Mars. By that point, I had definitely won free of him, but now I have nothing to really motivate me. The column's nice, but it's so easy. I've been slowly dying of boredom in my free time. I think I need a good challenge to enjoy life, and MIRA is certainly a good cause, something I can believe in and fight for."

He thought about that for a minute. "You just want something to do?"

"Robert, I'm too lazy to do something just for the sake of doing something." she replied, dead serious.

He laughed at that. "That's right, you are. How could I forget? Okay, subject to official approval," he stressed, "you're in."

Paula was so happy she hugged him. The prospect of having a worthy goal to work towards, after a year in limbo, had her dizzy with relief. Robert hugged her back for a minute, then let her go.

"I have to warn you, it might not be what you think. When you first join, they don't let you do much. We're not doing much anyway, and there are lots of members. Most of which are what we call passive members. They don't take any risks at all, they just wait for instructions to vote a certain way, or boycott certain projects, whatever. The instructions can get pretty incomprehensible. You'll be in that group for a minimum of 6 months, Earth months that is. After that, you might get tapped for something, I really don't know. You've got to know now that this could be very boring."

"I don't think so, Robert, but thanks for the warning. I'll have plenty of things to do. I have to catch up on the history of this planet, and study the charter, and the revision. I'll be much more interested in current events, now, and I can weave them into my column. Speaking of the column, I could come out, well, not precisely for MIRA, but sympathetic to it. I don't like to brag, but I've got a following, especially on Earth. Where else are you going to get such good, and free, publicity?" She got lost in thought, mulling over the opportunities. Robert got worried and decided to interrupt.

"Paula, that's a great idea, and may turn out well, but you can't just start it on your own. You've got to get approval, because handled wrong, this could be damaging. So promise me you won't do anything before you get the word. Absolute obedience is necessary, and if that's beyond you, you're out."

She looked wounded. "There's no need to threaten. I can perfectly understand the need for approval. It was just a suggestion."

He smiled. "It was a very good suggestion. I just wanted to impress it on you that when you join up, you have to follow orders. Just like a regular army. Except we usually don't make you get up at 4:30 and do calisthenics."

That made her laugh. "Thank goodness. That's extraneous effort, and you know how I feel about that."

"No exertion without good reason," he quoted her. "Sounds like a political slogan or something."

"Might you be thinking of 'No Taxation without Representation'?"

He grinned. "Could be. We've gotten a lot of things from that war. Anyway, I am glad you decided we were worth the effort."

"Oh, I have a feeling that my life will never be dull again." At the cautionary look on his face, she protested. "No, I don't think of myself as the next super-spy, or anything. I don't want *that* kind of excitement. I just mean that now, I'll have an interest, a reason to read the news, and a more personal connection with it. Don't worry. I won't get delusions of grandeur. Really, I'll be fine. It'll be just like having your favorite team make it to the playoffs, except that the season lasts years, and the score is never official."

He relaxed then, and started chuckling at her metaphor, as well as at her reassuring tone. "Paula, you have got to be one in a million, and I'm glad you're on my side. Wait a minute," he said softly, "you *are* on my side. You're a member now. And you've got just what we need."

She looked a little apprehensive, but said, "What do you need?"

"Chuck and I were in New Houston for a reason, as I'm sure you figured out."

"Well, I didn't know why. I figured if I needed to know, you'd tell me." She shrugged. "If you don't want to tell me, that's fine."

"But I do want to tell you, and to ask your help. Let me explain. I said earlier that Mars is self-sufficient, and we almost are. But wheat and other grains don't grow well in our soil. Our respective governments on Earth have forbidden any research into this problem; they like to keep us dependent on their shipments. It gives them someplace to send their surpluses, and if the two planets were at war, they could easily starve us out.

"The Board of Ecology has nevertheless been looking into growing methods. I'm not a farmer, so I don't know what the problems are; but one of their scientists claims to have solved them. He's one of ours, as well, but he's watched, so he can't just give us the notes. He agreed to file them in a certain drawer in the county courthouse. When we attempted to get in there the other night, we somehow set off a security alarm, and had to run. The rest of that story, you know. Anyway, the papers should still be there."

He looked at her expectantly, but she was still confused. "I don't see why you can't just walk in. The courthouse is public property."

"Not in New Houston, Paula, and not for Marsmen. They'll ask to see your ID, and if you're Martian, they run a security check. If you're clean, they'll fetch and carry for you. Marsmen are not allowed in the files themselves. But," he paused significantly, "You, as the Earth-born reporter, could easily be allowed to browse in the back files. I'm not entitled to give you orders, but it would sure look good on your application."

He ended with such a pleading grin that she had to laugh. "Okay, it doesn't sound difficult. I may as well join with a bang, to mix some metaphors. We can spend this evening planning it, and I'll go over tomorrow."

It didn't take long to plan such a simple expedition. Robert told her about the security measures and how to circumvent them, as well as which cabinet to look in. He didn't know what the notes would look like, so they started guessing. The guesses quickly changed from probable to silly, but that didn't bother them. Shortly after, they went to bed.

As Paula was getting ready for bed, she silently reviewed the events of the last two days. She'd never thought that such a boring party would lead to such major changes in her life. Even if the changes were mostly psychological. She had a purpose again, and it felt wonderful.

The next morning, she woke up in an almost joyous mood, which lasted only until breakfast. Over cold cereal, she and Robert discussed the project for the day, and she felt tension curling into the pit of her stomach. Her voice got louder and her responses more mechanical, until Robert noticed something was wrong.

"What's the matter, Paula, scared?" he gently teased. "It's really not such a hard thing to do."

"I know. I just, well I've never broken any laws before, not any important ones, anyway. Nothing's ever had such a potential to go wrong. What if they catch me?" She was ashamed to hear the note of panic in her voice.

"Paula, calm down. No one's going to catch you, because you're too clever for them. And think a minute. This is by no means the biggest risk you ever had to take. You ran away from home when you were 16, you put yourself through school and launched a good career, all by yourself. That involved tremendous risk, and tremendous courage. You told me that you missed those days." He stopped, to let his words sink in, and then continued.

"If you want to back out now, that's okay. We can get someone else in there within the week. The only reason I suggested it was so I could finish my mission and soothe my pride, but I can see that it was too soon for you."

His speech had the desired effect. Paula took a more objective look at the project, and decided it was a very minor challenge. "I'm okay now, Robert, thanks. You're right. I am too clever for them. Besides, anything is better than being slowly bored to death. Let's go resist some authority; it'll be just like in the old days." She was still tense, but she had it under control, and was remembering how to use it to her advantage. She started mentally rehearsing different scenarios, planning for everything she could think of. Silently, she got her briefcase and accompanied Robert outdoors.

The courthouse was not too far to walk in the low gravity, and they decided it was safer than taking the subway and possibly having Robert recognized. The streets were lightly traveled in the midmorning, and the walk was uneventful.

Paula's nerves were starting to get the best of her once again, about halfway there, when she realized they'd left a major detail out of the plan.

"Robert, what do I tell them I'm there for? They'll want to know, won't they, and I'd better know in case someone asks. In fact, I'd better do some legitimate rooting around." She laughed suddenly, "Dammit, Robert, you've trapped me into doing research!"

He laughed with her, and that broke the tension. "A fate worse than death, I know."

"Oh, well, anything for the cause. Let's see, something simple," she mused, thinking aloud so Robert could contribute if he felt like it. "They record things like births and deaths in the courthouse, right? Nothing statistical, that's too tedious. It will have to be a history piece. Now about life expectancy? Informal, of course, just go through and pull the ages off the last 100 death certificates? No, that's too morbid." This problem diverted her for the rest of the walk, and she finally decided to do a column on 'the typical Marsman'. She wanted to look at the records to get a rough idea on ages for marriage and death. The column idea interested her so much that she almost forgot her original purpose for visiting the courthouse, which would make her less nervous than preoccupied and totally convincing.

As Robert waited in a nearby cafe, Paula entered the courthouse. She had no trouble getting in, and they told her she was free to browse if she put everything back where she found it, but she couldn't get in to the birth certificates. They'd had a break-in the other night, and were taking inventory to see what, if anything, was missing.

That brought Paula back to full awareness of her mission. Robert had said the notes were in the marriage licenses, so she casually asked the attendant, "Are you nearly done, I mean, how long do I have before you start on the marriage licenses? That's the information I need most."

"Oh, you needn't worry. This type of search could take weeks; the birth certificates are the main focus. I think the marriage records are going to be last, in fact. Take your time."

Paula thanked the attendant and walked to the room with the files she needed. She shut the door behind her and slumped against it in relief. Robert had said the security camera was above the door, and as she moved around the room she noted that he was right. The rest was really very simple. In the process of extracting some folders she retrieved the notes, which she shuffled into her own notes. She forced herself to stay for almost an hour, but then she gathered all her notes together and left.

She joined Robert in the cafe feeling extremely pleased with herself.

"Paula, how'd it go?" he greeted her, making no effort to keep his voice down.

"Just fine. Good thing I didn't want birth records, though. Seems someone broke into the courthouse the other night," and she told him all she knew about the inventory. She could tell he was shaken by the news, but he responded with a laugh.

"Why on Mars would anyone want to break into the courthouse? It's a very dull building."

The waiter came then to take their order, and Paula ordered a drink. Robert said he had to be going.

"Sorry, Paula, but I've got to get to work soon or they'll fire me. Oh, by the way, do you have that article I lent you?"

"Yes, it's right here," she replied, digging through her briefcase to find the notes. "I hope it makes sense to you, because frankly I was a little lost. Get me something less technical next time," she teased as she handed him the notes.

He grinned, and winked. "No problem. Well, I'm sure I'll be seeing you around. Hug me goodbye?"

She stood and hugged him. He whispered, "My boss will be in touch with you soon. He'll be the one who asks you to take the job of a research assistant. You turn him down flat, and the conversation will progress from there."

They pulled apart, and Robert strolled down the street, the precious notes tucked under his arm. She watched him for a minute, then sat down again. The waiter brought her drink, and she sipped it while she replayed the morning's events. This spy stuff was really very easy, as well as kind of fun. She knew that it had its seamy and unpleasant side, but she refused to consider that. Whatever her life held now, it promised to be anything but boring.

The End