Revolutions Season 12, Episode 11.7: The Annulment of Contracts

Release Date: December 9, 2024
Host: Mike Duncan

Introduction

In Episode 11.7 of Revolutions, Mike Duncan delves deeper into the unfolding Martian Revolution of 2247, focusing on the critical event known as "The Annulment of Contracts." This episode examines the systemic strategies employed by Timothy Werner, a key figure in the Mars Division Authority, and the profound impact these actions have on Martian society.

Recap of Previous Events

The episode picks up from last week's dramatic incident where Timothy Werner was targeted with batteries in the Upper Warrens of Olympus on May 17, 2246—an event later termed the Day of Batteries. This act marked the first of three pivotal revolutionary moments that would shape Martian history. In the immediate aftermath, the Mars Division Authority swiftly censored media to contain the fallout, making information dissemination increasingly difficult as one moved away from Expansion 1 Five Way Seven.

Security Services' Response

Following the Day of Batteries, Security Services intensified their crackdown, apprehending 42 individuals on the spot. However, with over a thousand participants present, identifying the remaining culprits proved challenging. The D classes, having mastered evasive interrogation techniques, rendered the search efforts largely ineffective. As Mike Duncan narrates:

"Security Services then fanned out looking for the rest of the battery chuckers... But more than 1,000 people had been there that day, and security was ordered to track them all down..." [03:45]

Despite the widespread participation, only 57 people were eventually detained, leaving nearly half of the protesters unaccounted for.

Alexandra Clare: A Defining Figure

The narrative shifts focus to Alexandra Clare, a pivotal figure in the Martian Revolution. Born in 2222 in the D class Warrens of Olympus, Clare’s lineage was deeply rooted in Mars, with all her great grandparents emigrating during the colony's nascent decades. Clare’s early life was marred by personal tragedies—the deaths of her father at age 10 and her mother to Skinner's Rot at 16—steering her towards a life of apathy towards politics.

However, the death of Vernon Byrd in 2244 and Mabel Doar's political ambitions galvanized Clare’s involvement. Although initially indifferent, Clare's engagement with friends Akao Juma and Desta Oniago in canvassing efforts marked her nascent steps into political activism. As Duncan highlights:

"Alexandra Clare was born in the D class Warrens of Olympus... She reckoned her life was going to be what her parents life had been... So best to just get your kicks when you could..." [12:15]

Implementation of New Protocols

In August 2245, new company protocols were introduced, prompting widespread operational disruptions. These protocols mandated software updates that led to numerous bugs, crippling routine functions like maintenance requests and delivery schedules. The frustration was palpable in Martian drink halls, where workers voiced their discontent:

"The chatter in the drink holes was vocal and hostile... because they were also dealing with this right here, right now, on personal time." [19:30]

The Onset of Contract Annullments

Timothy Werner, grappling with the inefficiencies of the new protocols, initiated a controversial strategy: the annulment of employee contracts. This move was intended to purge the workforce of underperformers, beginning with the D classes and progressing to the C classes. Duncan explains:

"Annulling a contract is no small thing... If you couldn't stay on Mars because you literally couldn't live on Mars, what could you do?" [25:50]

The repercussions were immediate and severe. Contract annulments effectively severed an individual's access to essential services, housing, and sustenance, leading to an escalating humanitarian crisis.

Impact on Martian Society

The annulments fostered an atmosphere of pervasive anxiety and insecurity. As contracts were systematically voided, Martians could no longer sustain their lives on the planet, forcing many to either seek relocation to Earth or, failing that, face deportation to Saturn. However, the cultural fabric of Mars, which emphasized cooperation and mutual aid, meant that communities banded together to support the annulled:

"You can't get food here. I'll bring you some. Can't get into your house, sleep on my couch." [34:20]

Organizations like the New Society of Martians, co-founded by Alexandra Clare, spearheaded efforts to provide for the annulled, organizing food and water distribution and establishing the No Doors Movement to keep tunnel doors accessible.

Werner's Strategies and Failures

Despite the growing unrest, Timothy Werner persisted with his strategy, believing that contract annulments would streamline the workforce and enhance operational efficiency. He introduced proprietary metrics to evaluate employee performance, disregarding the systemic issues caused by the new protocols:

"He developed new metrics of his own devising... which Werner would use to decide whose contract would be retained and whose would be annulled." [42:10]

This myopic approach ignored the fact that many infractions were a direct result of malfunctioning systems, exacerbating the crisis rather than alleviating it.

Formation of Mutual Aid and Resistance

In response to the escalating crisis, mutual aid networks flourished. Alexandra Clare emerged as a leader, leveraging her position within the New Society of Martians to organize resistance. Clare’s first significant political act involved providing a candid and impassioned testimony to a documentary crew, highlighting the systemic injustices perpetuated by the annulments:

"I gave Zhao's crew a stirring, if somewhat profanity laced account of how I and my team were being screwed over." [47:35]

This act of defiance resonated with many, galvanizing further opposition against Werner’s policies.

Humanitarian Crisis and Rising Tension

As contract annulments continued unabated, the humanitarian crisis deepened. The annulled often vanished from official records, relying instead on community support to survive. Security Services found it increasingly difficult to track these individuals due to the widespread use of Pixel Wash makeup, which obscured identities. Duncan notes:

"With pixel wash and the annulled, they could survive amidst a loyal population of friends, family, and co-workers who were not about to let their loved ones be sent to certain death." [55:00]

This resistance culminated in the unification of Martian society across classes, setting the stage for a mass demonstration against the annulments.

Conclusion and Prelude to the Next Episode

Episode 11.7 concludes with the realization that Timothy Werner's relentless pursuit of efficiency has inadvertently united Mars against him. The formation of the first mass protest, dubbed the Bloody Sunrise, is imminent, signaling the second major revolutionary wave in Martian history. Mike Duncan leaves listeners anticipating the escalating conflict and the profound transformations that lie ahead.

"Next week, that wave will start forming. The Martians will stage the first mass demonstration in Martian history... Bloody Sunrise." [58:45]

Notable Quotes

• Timothy Werner on Contract Annullments:
  "Annulling a contract is no small thing... If you couldn't stay on Mars because you literally couldn't live on Mars, what could you do?" [25:50]

• Alexandra Clare on Personal Transformation:
  "I reckoned my life was going to be what my parents life had been... So best to just get your kicks when you could..." [12:15]

• Mike Duncan on Mutual Aid:
  "You can't get food here. I'll bring you some. Can't get into your house, sleep on my couch." [34:20]

Final Thoughts

In this episode, Mike Duncan masterfully intertwines the mechanics of revolutionary movements with a richly crafted sci-fi narrative, offering listeners an immersive exploration of the Martian Revolution's early stages. The strategic annulment of contracts by Timothy Werner serves as a catalyst for widespread unrest, highlighting the fragility of societal structures under authoritarian pressures. As the revolution gains momentum, the subsequent episodes promise to unravel the complexities of collective resistance and the quest for autonomy on the Red Planet.