 What's really happening on Mercury?
Red Witch of Mercury By EMMETT McDOWELL Death was Jaro Moynahan's stock in trade, and every planet had known his touch. But now, on Mercury, he was selling his guns into the weirdest of all his exploits—gambling his life against the soft touch of a woman's lips. The night was very hot; but then it is always hot on Mercury, the newest, the wildest, the hottest of Earth's frontiers. "No! Mercury is not ready for freedom. The revolution is scheduled to break during the Festival of the Rains. On the hot, teeming planet of Mercury it was as refreshing as a cold plunge. Peet controlled the Latonka trade for which there was a tremendous demand throughout the Universe.
 Peet is lying to stop Earth from granting Mercurians their freedom.
 The Mercurians are rebelling against Peet and will do what it takes to get their freedom.  Peet wants to sell his Lotonka Trust and get back to Earth.  Karfial Hodes is taking hostages to win his battle against Terrestrials.  Peet is lying to stop Earth from granting Mercurians their freedom.