The Scapegoat: a Capricorn Adventure

Mars Part 6

Meanwhile on Mars, one of the camels fell ill, and it was feared that the creature had developed the dreaded goat disease. Faced with the possibility of losing their remaining domestic animal species, the colonists channelled their anxiety into hatred and blame.

"Now the camels are sick!"

"It must have been the Capricorns again."

"There aren't any Capricorns left on Mars". 

"Where did the disease come from then?"

"A few Capricorn might have arrived on the recent spaceship from Earth-Prime," an Agitator suggested. 

Mack was tasked with the chore of checking everyone's identification once again. He performed his duty with solemn resignation. "I'm sorry to ask you all - but may I see your identification once again?"

The friends pulled their wallets out of their pockets. "Sure Mack."

 Peyton held her breath as the security guard scrutinised her papers, but having socialised with the pilot, he let her pass without further investigation.

"I know you - you are all right!" 

"Thanks." 

Peyton tucked her false papers away with only a slither of guilt. Mack was a decent guy. It wasn't his fault that she had to trick him to avoid the malice of the rest.

****

Meal times became stressful as verbal abuse of Capricorns developed into declarations of serious intent to harm, should one be discovered on-planet. Peyton shivered as she huddled over her food, trying to look like a mild mannered Pisces. 

Threats became actions as a few newcomers were cornered in the corridor and subjected to heckling. There were shouts of anger echoing along all the passageways.

"No Cappies!"

"Ban the goat killers."

Mack was called in to break up a demonstration that began to get violent. Despite the scarcity of materials in the colony, protesters had fashioned placards. A group were standing blocking the entrance to the Free Mars Colony space terminal.

"We are not moving until we are sure the terminus is Capricorn free!"

"Please let people through," Mack was gentle but firm.

Peyton viewed the event on a vid-screen from the refuge of her room. She noticed that the terminus staff looked harried as the campaigners closed in on their workplace. The workers were innocent of everything except manning the airlocks in the course of their duty.

A ring leader stood out the front spouting anti-Capricorn sentiment and provoking the crowd to express their wrath. No one really liked drinking camel milk or wearing camel hair, and the colony still could not afford to slaughter the camels for meat; but still, the camels were the only herd animals that they had.

"What if the camels die too?"

"It is all because of the Capricorns!"

One terminus employee was pushed against the wall and beaten. The gate was pushed open and intruders rushed through. Someone began to throw clods of red clay gathered from outside the colony. Mack and the other  guards had to get out their batons and release some sedative gas to prevent more people being injured. 

"Stop!"

"Settle down."

It was all Mack and the security team could do to get the people to disperse and return to their various quarters. Several arrests were made, but it was expected the individuals would be released the next day as their actions had coincided with public sentiment. 

"Have you heard the good news?" Mack asked at dinner a few days later.

Peyton and Linnet shook their heads.

"What good news?"

"The animal scientists have declared the sick camel was an isolated case and not at all related to the goat virus." Mack looked pleased. "By all reports, the rest of the camels are well and appeared to be adapting to life on Mars amazingly well."

"That is good to hear!"

The crisis was over, but the harm had been done. Peyton had spent weeks being especially careful not to indulge any Capricorn interests or reveal any of her Capricorn personality traits. At night she even had nightmares about red goats with glowing horns, and accusing fingers pointed towards her. So extreme were her precautions, that she even maintained her reserve on visits out to Jed's asteroid.