 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. [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Planet Stories Summer 1945. On the stage of Mercury Sam's Garden , a tight-frocked, limber-hipped, red-head was singing " The Lady from Mars ." He did not look up at the singer but kept his pale, immature face bent over the keys, while his fingers lightly, automatically picked out the tune. Without looking up, he said: "Have you spotted him?" The night was very hot; but then it is always hot on Mercury, the newest, the wildest, the hottest of Earth's frontiers. Fans spaced about the garden's walls sluggishly stirred the night air, while the men and women sitting at the tables drank heavily of Latonka, the pale green wine of Mercury. "So," said the red-head; "you have come. "No! Mercury is not ready for freedom. The revolution is scheduled to break during the Festival of the Rains. If it does, the Terrestrials here will be massacred. Jaro Moynahan wiped the sweat from his forehead with a fine duraweb handkerchief. "There is one man; he is the leader, the very soul of the revolution. The Mercurians worship him. I am to offer you ten thousand Earth notes to kill Karfial Hodes." The girl started, glanced at the pianist, said with a shiver: "We can't locate Karfial Hodes. You've got to find him, Jaro. He's stirring up all Mercury." "Ah," said Jaro Moynahan; "so that's the way it is." One moment the garden was glowing in light, the next the hot black night swooped down on the revelers, pressing against their eyes like dark wool. Across the table from Jaro there was the feel of movement; he could sense it. Unexpectedly, the deep, ringing voice of Mercury Sam boomed out from the stage. 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. For centuries they had lived most their lives beneath ground to escape the terrible rays of the sun. Only at night did they emerge to work their fields and ply their trades.
 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.