That brought a cheer from the crowd, as the sound truck moved on. Gordon
saw two of the police officers nearby fingering their badges
thoughtfully.

Then another truck rolled into view, and the Mayor's canned voice came
over it, panting as if he'd had to rush to make the recording. He began
directly:

"Martians! Earth has declared war on us. She has denied us our right to
rule ourselves--a right guaranteed in our charter. We admit there have
been abuses; all young civilizations make mistakes. But we've developed
and grown.

"This is an old pattern, fellow Martians! England tried it on her
colonies three hundred years ago. And the people rose up and demanded
their right to rule themselves. They had troubles with their
governments, too--and they had panics. But they won their freedom, and
it made them great--so great that now that _one_ nation--not all Earth,
but that single nation!--is trying to do to us what she wouldn't permit
to herself.

"Well, we don't have an army. But neither do they. They know the people
of this world wouldn't stand for the landing of foreign--that's right,
_foreign_--troops. So they're trying to steal our police force from us
and use it for their war.

"Fellow Martians, they aren't going to bribe us into that! Mars has had
enough. I declare us to be in a state of revolution. And since they have
chosen the weapons, I declare our loyal and functioning Municipal Police
Force to be _our_ army. Any man who deserts will be considered a
traitor. But any man who sticks will be rewarded more than he ever
expected. We're going to protect our freedom.

"Let them open their banks--our banks--again. And when they have
established your accounts, go in and collect the money! If they give it
to you, Mars is that much richer. If they don't, you'll know they're
lying.

"Let them bribe us if they like. We're going to win this war."

Gordon felt the crowd's reaction twist again, and he had to admit that
Wayne had played his cards well.

But it didn't make the question of where he belonged, or what he should
do, any easier. He waited until the crowd had thinned out a little and
began heading toward Corey's, with Izzy moving along silently beside
him, carrying half the packages.

He remembered the promise of forgiveness for all sins on joining the new
Legal Force; but he'd read enough history to know that it was fine--as
long as the struggle continued. Afterwards, promises grew dim....

He had no use f