They’re not dead people.” “A ghost is a ghost in any man’s language…”  The British ambassador and his wife drove out with the American governor and his wife to the space station, where Russian and Chinese delegates joined them. Remember, we bill this as the Scientific Planet!” “Stan’s ghosts are purely scientific. People always like the notion of alien life.”Phoebe May almost upset her drink in horror. “For God’s sake! Don’t mention ghosts or no one will want to come here, ever! The American public thinks ghosts are a British thing. Crapaud is French for toad.”Unity started to explain her husband’s theory about the ghosts “You never know, they could become a tourist attraction. If the tourist industry gets going, things might change.”Unity concealed her delight; the news would please Stanley. She said merely, “Stan thinks that terraforming would spoil the crapout.”"I can’t imagine where that dreadful word comes from,” said Phoebe May, who was apt to turn slightly religious at times.”It’s from the French.

I’d like a Borzoi…”"I thought the program was scheduled to start last year,” Unity said.Phoebe May leaned towards her friend. “Maybe I shouldn’t tell you this, but the project is shelved ­ terraforming is just too expensive. They were not allowed on Mars until they were 15, to protect natural bone development and prevent the osteitis that was proving to be a common complaint among adult Martians.Unity occasionally phoned their son Graham, currently sitting the Baccalaur? in Paris ­ referred to by Graham as “the bacchanalia” ­ but conversations were impossible because of the 20-minute lapse while signals crossed from one planet to the other.”Life will be simpler when and if terraforming ever gets into action,” said Phoebe May “I dream of walking outside with no suit Maybe having a dog. Both ladies complained that they were missing their children. The only way to cross between the planets, conserving oxygen, food and space, was to lay the passengers out cold.This brave company represented the beginnings of tourist traffic to the Red Planet The Mars Olympia Hotel had been specially built for them They were closely guarded.

The fee for the visit was suitably astronomical, but these first 200 were hoping their names would go down in history.The event they had come to witness was embodied in a giant ship ­ not a rocket ship, but a nuclear ship ­ standing at one side of the space station, pointing out into infinity.While the British contingent were enjoying drinks in the governor’s lounge, Unity and Phoebe May were chatting. A ferry brought the 200 visitors down from the ship into the space station. Since the visitors were all in cryosleep as yet, following the six-month journey from Earth, they were driven straight to hospital to be revived and checked over. “There’s not a great deal to be said on these occasions ­ but it could be positive for my image, Stateside…”  The tourist rocket arrived on schedule, and went into orbit about the planet.

If you did, the Chinese and Russians would insist on making one too.” He shrugged. Let me refresh your drink.” The British ambassador placed a broad hand over the top of his glass and shook his head Chris said, “I’m making a speech at the launch, Stan I can’t let you make one. “Bring in indentured labour, you bring in terrorists.” “I have started to do some research into this planet’s indigenous population. We need a sheltered space in which they…”"Stan, I have every respect for your hobbies, but the last thing we need up here is goddammed Martians Sorry. Wine was a luxury available only to governors: it came in plastic barrels at immense cost from the Florida station.”Plenty in the midst of extremest poverty!” said Chris, and Phoebe May echoed him with a toast, lifting her glass high: “Here’s to good old democracy!”Stanley mentioned the hundred indentured labourers he still hoped to import to the British Zone to work on new outbuildings “You know we can’t permit that, Stan,” said the governor.