Chapter 8 – Shooting
The next few weeks were a blur. Dale made his speeches, and the recruits trickled in, and everyone was busy trying to prepare for the expedition. There was always some minor problem or other popping up, some petty crisis that needed his attention. And the governments of Earth were making all sorts of noise. The American president announced new sanctions against Mars, though the list of companies and goods boycotted was highly dependent on which lobbyists ponied up the most cash. The State Department issued travel advisories, but the interplanetary lanes remained open. All in all, there was a lot of passionate talk, but little real action. Things like gridlock and bureaucracy seemed to be working in favor of the status quo, and the nations' usual squabbles with each ot
