Status Quo, Upset

By: Robert P Wills

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Hugh leaves Anchorage for Deimos, searching for Abgiail's husband, Gideon who has been put on display in a rich Martian's home. The small moon has become a community for the ultra-rich; less than a hundred people live there. Hugh also wants to go to Mars itself to see how these Humans live and to try to understand why they now display Earthlings as 'living art'. And how to get them to stop.

But Hugh decides at the last minute to rescue Gideon first. He knows it is just a matter of time before the woman who owned him is reported missing- Hugh dealt with her on Earth. When Hugh gets to her home, he finds not only Gideon on display but another man; Hinata. A Japanese man who has been in a glass cage right beside him for two years. Before that he was 'garden art'. Unable to leave this man behind Hugh takes him along.

Hinata is thankful that Hugh has released him from his prison and daily tormenting. His captors have been goading him into killing himself and dressing him in gaudy Japanese attire. They even gave him a sword to use on himself. When he learns they will be traveling to Mars before heading back to Earth, Hinata is pleased. When they arrive on Mars, Hugh is shocked to learn that Hinata's violence rivals even his own.

Hinata’s plan involved killing every single Martian he comes across, which makes Hugh's plan of trying to reason with the governor of Mars that much more difficult. It will also make it more difficult for them to leave Mars if the entire planet is alerted to their presence.

After a failed meeting with the governor, Hugh finds himself trying to escape Mars as quickly as he can while Hinata tries to slow their progress so he can dole out justice with the blade of his katana.

Join Hugh on his journey as he learns to live in society instead of just hunting in it.