something fundamental in Ann Clayborne warmed at the sight of this ferric world, stone on rock in the perpetual wind, and as the Red cars rolled up the mountain all their occupants grew as rapt as Ann, the cabins falling silent as the sun cracked the distant horizon behind them.
Then the slope they ascended grew less steep, in a perfect sine curve, until they were on the flat land of the round summit plateau. Here they saw tent towns ringing the edge of the giant caldera, clustered in particular around the foot of the space elevator, some thirty kilometers to the south of them.
PAVONIS MONS CALDERA
They stopped their cars. The silence in the cabins had shifted from reverent to grim. Ann stood at one upper-cabin window, looking south toward Sheffield, that child of the space elevator: built because of the elevator, smashed flat when the elevator fell, built again with the elevator’s replacement. This was the city she had come to destroy, as thoroughly as Rome had Carthage; for she meant to bring down the replacement cable too, just as they had the first one in 2061. When they did that, much of Sheffield would again be flattened. What remained would be located uselessly on the peak of a high volcano, above most of the atmosphere; as time passed the surviving structures would be abandoned and dismantled for salvage, leaving only the tent foundations, and perhaps a weather station, and, eventually, the long sunny silence of a mountain summit. The salt was already in the ground.
• • •
A cheerful Tharsis Red named Irishka joined them in a small rover, and led them through the maze of warehouses and small tents surrounding the intersection of the equatorial piste with the one circling the rim. As they followed her she described for them the local situation. Most of Sheffield and the rest of the Pavonis rim settlements were already in the hands of the Martian revolutionaries. But the space elevator and the neighborhood surrounding its base complex were not, and there lay the difficulty. The revolutionary forces on Pavonis were mostly poorly equipped militias, and they did not necessarily share the same agenda. That they had succeeded as far as they had was due to many factors: surprise, the control of Martian space, several strategic victories, the support of the great majority of the Martian population, and the unwillingness of the United Nations Transitional Authority to fire on civilians, even when they were making mass demonstrations in the streets. As a result the UNTA security forces had retreated from all over Mars to regroup in Sheffield, and now most of them were in elevator cars, going up to Clarke, the ballast asteroid and space station at the top of the elevator; the rest were jammed into the neighborhood surrounding the elevator’s massive base complex, called the Socket. This district consisted of elevator support facilities, industrial warehouses, and the hostels, dormitories, and restaurants needed to house and feed the port’s workforce. “Those are coming in useful now,” Irishka said, “because even so they’re squeezed in like trash in a compactor, and if there hadn’t been food and shelter they would probably have tried a breakout. As it is, things are still tense, but at least they can live.”
It somewhat resembled the situation just resolved in Burroughs, Ann thought. Which had turned out fine. It only took someone willing to act and the thing would be done— UNTA evacuated to Earth, the cable brought down, Mars’s link to Earth truly broken. And any attempt to erect a new cable could be balked sometime in the ten years of orbital construction that it took to build one.
So Irishka led them through the jumble that was east Pavonis, and their little caravan came to the rim of the caldera, where they parked their rovers. To the south on the western edge of Sheffield they could just make out the elevator cable, a line that was barely visible, and then only for a few kilometers out of its 24,000. Nearly invisible, in fact, and yet its existence dominated every move they made, every discussion— every thought they had, almost, speared and strung out on that black thread connecting them to Earth.
• • •
When they were settled in their camp Ann called her son Peter on the wrist. He was one of the leaders of the revolution on Tharsis, and had directed the campaign against UNTA that had left its forces contained in the Socket and its immediate
Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 1 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 2 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 3 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 4 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 5 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 6 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 7 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 8 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 9 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 10 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 11 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 12 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 13 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 14 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 15 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 16 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 17 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 18 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 19 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 20 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 21 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 22 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 23 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 24 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 25 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 26 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 27 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 28 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 29 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 30 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 31 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 32 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 33 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 34 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 35 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 36 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 37 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 38 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 39 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 40 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 41 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 42 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 43 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 44 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 45 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 46 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 47 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 48 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 49 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 50 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 51 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 52 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 53 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 54 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 55 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 56 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 57 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 58 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 59 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 60 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 61 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 62 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 63 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 64 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 65 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 66 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 67 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 68 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 69 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 70 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 71 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 72 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 73 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 74 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 75 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 76 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 77 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 78 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 79 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 80 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 81 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 82 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 83 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 84 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 85 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 86 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 87 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 88 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 89 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 90 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 91 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 92 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 93 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 94 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 95 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 96 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 97 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 98 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 99 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 100 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 101 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 102 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 103 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 104 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 105 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 106 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 107 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 108 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 109 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 110 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 111 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 112 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 113 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 114 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 115 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 116 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 117 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 118 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 119 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 120 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 121 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 122 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 123 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 124 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 125 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 126 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 127 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 128 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 129 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 130 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 131 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 132 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 133 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 134 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 135 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 136 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 137 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 138 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 139 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 140 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 141 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 142 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 143 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 144 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 145 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 146 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 147 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 148 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 149 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 150 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 151 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 152 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 153 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 154 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 155 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 156 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 157 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 158 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 159 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 160 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 161 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 162 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 163 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 164 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 165 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 166 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 167 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 168 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 169 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 170 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 171 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 172 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 173 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 174 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 175 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 176 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 177 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 178 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 179 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 180 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 181 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 182 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 183 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 184 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 185 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 186 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 187 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 188 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 189 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 190 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 191 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 192 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 193 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 194 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 195 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 196 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 197 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 198 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 199 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 200 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 201 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 202 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 203 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 204 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 205 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 206 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 207 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 208 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 209 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 210 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 211 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 212 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 213 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 214 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 215 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 216 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 217 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 218 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 219 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 220 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 221 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 222 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 223 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 224 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 225 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 226 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 227 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 228 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 229 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 230 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 231 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 232 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 233 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 234 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 235 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 236 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 237 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 238 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 239 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 240 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 241 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 242 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 243 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 244 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 245 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 246 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 247 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 248 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 249 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 250 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 251 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 252 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 253 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 254 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 255 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 256 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 257 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 258 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 259 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 260 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 261 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 262 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 263 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 264 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 265 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 266 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 267 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 268 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 269 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 270 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 271 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 272 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 273 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 274 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 275 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 276 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 277 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 278 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 279 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 280 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 281 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 282 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 283 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 284 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 285 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 286 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 287 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 288 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 289 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 290 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 291 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 292 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 293 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 294 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 295 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 296 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 297 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 298 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 299 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 300 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 301 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 302 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 303 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 304 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 305 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 306 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 307 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 308 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 309 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 310 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 311 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 312 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 313 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 314 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 315 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 316 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 317 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 318 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 319 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 320 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 321 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 322 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 323 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 324 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 325 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 326 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 327 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 328 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 329 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 330 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 331 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 332 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 333 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 334 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 335 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 336 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 337 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 338 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 339 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 340 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 341 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 342 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 343 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 344 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 345 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 346 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 347 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 348 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 349 Blue Mars - By Kim Stanley Robinson - Page 350