The meeting was held on one of the smaller asteroids, an independent homestead. The miner's domicile was large enough for a few miners in person. The cylinder-shaped housing was spun up enough to provide one-third Earth gravity, similar to Mars. The rest of the miners were attending over a secure comm-link. Or what Martin hoped was secure.
Martin had already introduced himself to Almon Kipler, the homesteader and host of the meeting. Almon was short and wiry with a balding head and eyes that always seemed to twinkle with humor. Martin immediately took a liking to Almon because of his no-nonsense attitude but playful banter.
Martin now introduced himself to the rest of the attendees, all men very similar to Almon in personality and integrity. He explained his family background and his credentials. He began to talk about the efforts of Uncle Abram and his father on their behalf. He explained why his family had made this their concern.
“Once we were Earthlings,” said Martin. “We saw things as Earthlings do, self-centered and self-important. But Uncle Abram was different. He encouraged the family members to take the long view of history. He encouraged us to take a look at ourselves as others would. We found that a selfishness had taken over our lives. That is when my ancestor, Donner Jackson, moved to Mars, joining others of our family, to start over.
“On Mars, my family learned about the importance of self-reliance. Of local autonomy. They found many like-minded individuals there. They wanted to ensure that as the next wave of explorers and settlers pushed out into the solar system, they too would have the chance for self-determination.
“The Martian Republic was very supportive overall to this point of view. But of course, there were a few on Earth who opposed it, for selfish reasons or not. Now those that opposed it are here to stop this movement of autonomy. To stop it here and now. So that it will not spread any farther. They already despise the Mars Republic, and they think that if they can limit it to a single planet, they will be able to control and eventually eliminate it.
“So, our duty, if we choose, is to see that those selfish forces do not limit self-determination to Mars alone. That local autonomy becomes universal through-out the solar system. That people locally decide their futures. We do this by uniting in a union of self-declared free agents and announcing it to the inhabited worlds . . .”
Just then there was an alarm. Someone switched the view screen to the exterior. They zoomed the image to display a cruiser with UN markings. Everyone moved to put on their space helmet as Almon moved to open a comm-link with the cruiser. “UN cruiser this is Almon Kipler, homestead miner of this asteroid, may I be of service to you.”
Seconds passed and then a response, “Kipler this is UN Spaceship Amity, hold please.”
Another minute passed. Then Martin heard a voice he recognized, Ms. Lockwood. “Mr. Kipler this is Laura Lockwood; I am a representative of the Terran Federation. We would like to invite you and the others, especially Martin Jackson aboard the Amity for further discussion.”
“It's a trap,” said one of the homesteaders. “They get us over there and they can lock us up and throw away the key.”
“Martin, what do you think?” asked Almon.
“I think if they want to join the discussion that is fine, but they can do it here as easily as aboard their ship.”
“Are we all agreed?” asked Almon.
“Yes!” came the response.
“Good,” I will tell Ms. Lockwood our decision. “Ms. Lockwood, this is Almon Kipler. We thank you for the invitation, but we have not only ourselves, but several dozen others tied in by comm-link to our discussions. We believe it can be continued most easily here, and I invite you and your guests into my home.”
A minute, then another. The comm thundered, “Mr. Kipler this is Captain Cumberland of the Amity. As the only representative of a duly authorized governmental entity responsible not only for the safety of our own citizens but also others in this sector of space, I declare this assembly unlawful. You will either disperse immediately and board the Amity or prepare to be boarded, by force if necessary, that is all.”
“I can't believe they are going to do this, the danger is as much to them as to us,” said Almon.
“They're in a hurry for some reason,” said Martin. “We need to hold out as long as we can. Open a comm-link to my father on Mars, please, I'll give you the address.” Almon moved to establish the link.
“Dad, this is Martin. We are under siege by the UN ship Amity. We need an update on the situation as soon as possible.” It would be at least ten minutes before they heard anything, assuming Martin's father was available.
“Martin,” said Almon. “I want you and the others in the safe room. The door to that thing is thick enough to slow them down for quite some time if needed. I will stay out here to monitor the situation. They will have to get past the airlocks first.”
“Almon, why don't you come with us?”
“Because someone needs to be out here to handle communications and environmental as long as possible. And to protest this invasion of my home in no uncertain terms.” Almon opened a locker and took out a weapon, an old firearm. “Now go, in case they are more competent than I expect.”
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