John
The stark white and very large conference room is filled with officers dressed in their well-fitted red uniforms. Instead of order and debate there is yelling and hostility raging through the room. Why yell, all is going well? They have several motherships that are prepared to settle in their designated positions above many of Earth's cities. All plans have been laid out and prepared for over twenty years. They have reached their destination with no problems. However, questions and apprehension of certain aspects on achieving their goal have become the focus.
One man sits quietly and patiently, he has allowed the officers this one last time to speak without prejudice. He is John, the Supreme Commander and he is a man with a practiced elegance combined with inherent confidence. He has weathered each storm set upon him, and has come out on top no matter the outcome to those he stood against. He is a bureaucrat and knows how to work a crowd.
He holds his hand up, it is enough of the arguing amongst themselves. It is now time to put to rest those things that have been put in question since leaving home. John speaks quietly forcing everyone to listen. "I understand you have concerns about our reception on Earth and are apprehensive of our more subdued way of taking this planet instead of going in fighting until they surrender."
Nods of agreement among those in the room confirm this statement.
"We have preparations for our first interaction, but will not touch foot on the planet until we feel safe to do so. Again their journalists and government people will visit the ship first. However, again be assured we have been careful in the way we approached the planet so not to be seen by the Earthers antiquated technology. So we are a bit of a surprise to them and I am sure they are in fear of us. We don't want that; we need at least in the beginning to gain some trust."
Thomas the officer in charge of communicating and establishing the protocols for interaction with the humans stands. He is very tall and quite thin with an almost never ending smile. "I remind everyone again that we have also compromised many of their government, news and communication computers. We are well aware of those on the planet that may need to be monitored after our arrival. We will continue to monitor them and note those who could jeopardize our objective. These humans whom will be welcomed aboard the ship; for shall we say a one on one with our Supreme Commander. Also remember that due to your positions you will be involved and you must always be sensitive and ever diligent to our plan to take this world. So please remember that all protocols must be followed . . . meaning no adaption unless absolutely necessary and that it can only happen during a dire emergency. Keep to our protocol it will protect us all." He nods his head to John and sits.
"Thank you, Thomas. Please everyone remember to review Day One through Day Thirty schedules. They may change, but we should be able to stay to that schedule." John smiles and pauses for a moment before continuing. "Yes, when the time comes if needed we will know how to deal with those particular Earthers, those who could cause problems. Plans and procedures are in place."
A few of those attending begin to check their devices and there is momentary whispering as they review parts of the schedule.
He shakes his head slightly. "No, you can never tell how people will react and one of the things we have learned is that Earthers are very much like ourselves. If our own history has shown us anything, it is that you can't trust individuals to react as planned. If we were the ones having our world taken over, we would not capitulate to the invaders. No, we would fight to the bitter end. Therefore each detail must be considered on our invasion to a people who may react as we would if this was happening to us."
John looks at the commanders and tries to keep the look of disappointment from his face. They have gone over the objective many times and know how they will present themselves to the inhabitant's living there. He knows exactly how harsh The Great Leader will react if the humans do not bend to his will. How many people have been executed with charges that seemed difficult to believe that individual had actually participated in.
Also the Great One took advantage of certain things that had been done just before he had taken power. It was sixty years ago when the hostilities between his people; the Deypol and the mountain people the Whipelli were finally put to an end. Poisonous gas had been released on one of the mountains. The northern mountain range encircled the planet so it did not take long for the mountain people to surrender and pledge themselves to the Unified Lands of the People. The ruling democracy at the time ordered that deadly gas and the young official who would become Our Great Leader just watched. It united their world and ended the animosity between his people and the mountain people.
His father was a representative when that government was still in power. His father had been one of those voting to not drop the gas. Funny it reminds him of a game he played as a child. Little stone game markers that he sat on one end and made an intricate path. Then he pushed the first marker and as it fell it hit the next stone, on and on until the multi-colored stones lay flat. When the mountain people gave up and surrendered themselves and their mountains, it began the process of the falling stones. Now unlike Earth, there is only one power that rules their world. A world of unity. John wonders if that elective government would have voted with his father to find another way to bring peace with the mountain people. Now that government had been ended and the Regime is in power. Yes, Our Great Leader will not stop at anything to get what he wants and the same will happen to the Earthers as it did to the Whipelli; and these officers know that.
Many have concerns besides other than going in fighting with guns blazing. The objective they have been told is water, but water can be found on meteorites. Their own solar system has a planet that can be easily mined for water.
For food? Had they just gotten the water from other locations they would already be ahead and not so far into this crisis? He is as confused as many of these commanders as to what the actual reason is for the invasion.
Yes, there is a question for the true reason for this takeover. Not the one they have been given. There appears to be something not quite right; there is more to this then just water. However, like himself they will not defy their orders. No, far from it. They will continue with this acquisition no matter the true reason.
However, these commanders say that if they know, they will be better able to understand best how to accomplish the true intention for The Great Leader. For most they simply want to know how best to place themselves significantly in these plans.
John shakes his head, so many layers. Telling humans of their need for a certain chemical; telling their people it is for water. Yet there is something else that lies hidden like a snake waiting to strike.
He looks over to a beautiful woman with dark flowing hair, she is a favorite of The Great Leader. She smiles calmly amidst the animosity and discord. Her Earth name is Diana and she is the Chief Science Officer of the fleet and second-in-command. He knows she understands as he does, that this is but a game to many of the commanding officers. Each commander each wishing to win his way, but there will only be one way. That way is Our Great Leader's way.
John walks slowly over to a very large, darkened window directly in front of the officers.
Earlier he had announced what was expected of each ships group and answered their trivial questions. He also had listened to their objections to various techniques to be used for humans targeted for conversion. His stance clearly shows everyone who is and will be in charge of this mission for their Great Leader. No, for him there is no game, it is all for The Supreme One whom he fervently follows without question. The time of discord must end now. He had allowed them one last time to voice their opinions, but that is now ending.
Lifting his hand and taking a deep breath, John speaks in a passionate tone. "One hundred years ago the length of time from the home world to this planet with all of its potential would have taken a lifetime if not longer. We; that is all of us are empowered and motivated to do what is necessary for our people. We can now in a few short months travel from home to this planet." His smile is genuine and his hand waves gently in a sweeping motion to acknowledge that each officer will be needed to complete this mission.
Then as on cue the dark tinge covering the window disappears and slowly the blue planet comes to full view. Those in the room become calm. Their eyes are mesmerized on the planet before them as though a spell has overcome them. The never ending arguments and the voicing of concern of those issues that still troubled some suddenly end. They have watched this scene often, but today; today is the day that fulfillment begins. They have actually arrived.
Quiet expectation fills the room.
John shifts his position so the view of the planet is clear to all. He lets them soak in this new adventure at hand and the glory each expects to obtain. John knows each has some private agenda and he must ensure they believe that they are obtaining their personal goal and still keep them in check.
As for the Earthers they must see his people as humans. His people wear pseudo-skin and hair of humans. For those skin areas that do not lend themselves to the pseudo-skin then the skin has been stained to a color humans expect to see. Lastly contacts for the eyes.
All of those on the ship, no matter if they never meet an Earther, they will appear human at all times. They will use the human names given to them and speak only the human language they have been trained to use. Even the Dahax, must resemble humans as best they can. The Dahax are much needed; they take very little training to master new weaponry. It is unfortunate, but their very broad noses and large crest cannot be covered enough to look human and not look deformed. So they are mingled with other troopers and wear their fully shielded helmets at all times, unless in their group quarters.
John himself knows he must be very careful his mother was a Dahax and his face reflects the broader nose and larger forehead crest. A slight smile comes to his face even Our Great Leader is half Dahax.
What one looks like is not all. How one reacts and views humans is also important. Those selected at a young age for the Youth Corps have been trained since the age of fourteen to adopt many nuances of teenagers and young people of Earth for each ones' selected area. They have undergone 'bonding', a word taken from the mountain people. It is a less intrusive conversion process; that each underwent beginning at the age of sixteen and continue to undergo every forty-days. The Youth Corps are fiercely loyal to The Great Leader. Literally they are willing to do anything requested to honor his wishes. This includes to be willing to accept death to protect him without question.
The Youth Corps will be the most heavily utilized in regards to human interaction. Their job is to find those human youth who will be easily manipulated and to bring them into the regime. Then the recruited humans will be officially joined to the Friends of the Visitors Youth Corps. The new human Youth Corp Members will be molded into positions to watch over and monitor other humans.
John feels comfortable that this will go well as they have prepared their propaganda and are ready to setup upon arrival. He has no doubts that they will easily recruit young humans. Also with his Youth Corp members very close to the same age as the human youth, he believes that the young humans will not feel any intimidation. Rather the human youth will likely be intrigued with the idea that they themselves, could hold positions the same as the Youth Corp Leaders that bring them into the membership. At least that is what they will be led to believe.
Later they will not only hold those positions, but as time goes by they will be trained to take some low-key positions of power for what will become Earth's new government. John has no doubt of this working, and it may not even take as long as the expected. They have done this with selected youth on his own planet who were chosen for positions as programmers, technicians, cleaning staff, and such. They had wanted to ensure that these individuals would be loyal and not resist any assignment given to them. However, they had not wanted to put in the same effort and expense of going through the long training and bonding of the Youth Corp members. The training and counseling may not be as extensive as what the Youth Corps had undergone, but it was effective for their need on the ships. Since it had worked, it should work on Earth. In fact, the details may even be modified if it works better than expected. Also they may find more human youth that are eager to work with them and accept orders that will be for The Great Leader's benefit.
John, will then ease his Youth Leaders into different branches on the ship; military, security, conversion processes and other positions on the ships. The Youth Corp members who were not given the rank of officer will be eased into technical duties. The individuals selected for Youth Corps were chosen for various reasons. For those given rank it was for above average intelligence; and the ability to think quickly in any given situation. The Youth Corp members not given rank than their ability to learn and adapt to different technical and mechanical work quickly when needed. They have done much in the way of training and will continue to learn as expected in any area they are directed to do so.
Nor is he concerned for their devotion, the continued bonding will ensure their loyalty. All Youth Corp members will also be required to see their counselors regularly to also ensure they do not begin to identify too much with the Earthers.
John smiles as glowing remarks are made amongst the officers. "You are all part of this. Your interaction with humans is very important." Then his face frowns, just enough so they understand what he is saying is important. "Remember you look human, you cannot express any disgust with human appearance or give undo interest in anything you think is physically out of the ordinary. No, offensive name calling of humans even in private."
Eileen a beautiful blonde female officer, one that John cannot help but give a warm smile to speaks. "Yes, but sir they are human. We are not! Just because we are forced to wear their ugly skin does not make us them." Her face takes on a troubled look. "I apologize you asked us to be careful how we spoke."
John shakes his head and laughs. "This once, but try to remember. Continue please this is supposed to be an open meeting."
Her face now takes on a gloomier look. "I will remember after this. To continue how are we expected to not be offended or put off by them? I know that this has been brought up often, but it is a concern. I have done the training and passed the compliance tests in this regard, but I am concerned. My interaction will be different with them and also limited. Others will be doing the actual adaptations. What if they do something and I; I do something that is found out of. . . .I don't want to make a mistake."
John rubs his forehead wondering why this comes up time after time. They have been wearing their pseudo-skin for three months. There is always some detail that can't seem to be accepted. Surely they are used to looking at each other and not looking as they did before.
He extends his hand out to Eileen, who is also in charge of Conversion programming. His voice is flat as he speaks, "As you know we do have a process for shall we say influencing the mind to not see the difference between our people and another species not from our home. If I recall you were essential in creating it for its use on the Youth Corp members. If you want, and I encourage this. Modify the program so that you can ensure you do not make those kinds of transgressions in front of humans. Take that part of the program and make the modifications for any of you who are not certain of your reactions with the humans. Create it so it is not as deep and concentrated, as what the Youth Corp officers went through."
"But they were barely teenagers when they first began the procedure, their bonding conversion was not due to begin until later." Eileen sighs, "The process is also varying, as well as the influence in this area and no one knows how long it will stay with them. Even if we make modifications maybe it will work and maybe it will not. Perhaps you must be a juvenile when you begin the procedure for it to influence the brain in that way. Then does it stay always, and if so how does that influence our careers. The Youth Corps were the first for this to be used on. Will it always be with them?" She shrugs, "Then again for them maybe it won't matter."
John shakes his head, "As you stated this is the first time the visual mind training has been done. I can't tell you if it lasts forever, you would be best suited to answer that question. Also on a positive note if you want to create this reinforcement training it may bode well for your career. A temporary tweaking on the thinking process may be quite useful. I saw or do not see any ill effects on the Youth Corp members with its deeper programming. Then again they have not yet been introduced to humans, so perhaps it will be for not."
"Without experimenting we don't know if we could just modify it in that respect. Besides the idea is to take away that kind of visual. No one knows how it really works." Eileen looks out towards the window and the planet with a look of uncertainty and deliberation.
John simply smiles as he says, "Eileen you are an amazing programmer and psychologist. This may be a good side project and one needed later. The idea of influencing the brain; someone's' perception on how we see an individual's physical being. You may find this as a well-received project. You never know it could be something we could do in mass on at least young humans."
Eileen's dark human eyes take on a calculating look and she looks at Diana and a few others and notes their facial reactions. She takes a deep breath and manages to smother a large grin, "I will have to look into that. As you said perhaps someone else here is interested in this project as well." A few others nod their heads to show their interest. Even Diana is smiling and nods her head to Eileen.
John looks about and motions to an officer to speak.
Harry, whose ship is scheduled to position above the Earth city of Chicago speaks, his voice is loud and resonating. "I want to thank John for allowing us to have this meeting which was held for open discussion. John, I fought to be on this project. Fought so I could stand by you. Thank you, another in your position would likely not have allowed this kind of meeting. You do; and you allow us to feel respected, and be part of this as a collaborative enterprise that we all feel devoted to achieving."
What has been said was not something John had asked for, but it was very much on course. It said much. These officers were allowed to speak their minds. No, it may not change anything but it gave a certain amount of pleasure to state what was on your mind without repercussion.
John smiles, he will have to find a way to thank Harry. There was a reason for training Youth Corps in this fading of facial details. If a human is well versed to reading a person's reactions; than the Youth Corp member no matter the situation will hopefully not give himself away. No look of shock, or be offended by the sight of a human or any other odd thought that may come to the Youth members mind. Again John smiles. Detail; always details. They have worked hard to not overlook anything.
A short stocky officer stands. "Sir."
John grins, he likes Ivan. Ivan's ship will be positioned above Moscow. "Please Ivan."
"If we are truly free to speak up. I must ask. Youth Corp Members. Those that were made officers before our ships left home. Are they not perhaps to young and unexperienced for the power given to them?" Most begin nodding their heads in agreement; it is an aggravation to almost all of them.
John backs up against the wall taken back a bit. His eyes squint a bit in thought, Ivan has always been supportive of their plan. "Ivan, they are not the only youth we brought aboard this ship. Young programmers, shock troopers. Many others. What is your question?"
"Sir, do they know that they are to be left behind when we do leave?"
"No, and this will never leave this room. That is why only commanding officers are in this room." John's eyes narrow, "Once we leave we will need personnel here to guarantee this acquisition stays with us. The Bateen, our most aggressive enemy will try to take this planet once we weaken it and leave it undefended."
John sighs. "We have gone over this before, but now it is fully stated. Many of the personnel we currently have under the age of twenty-one will not be leaving this planet. They will be groomed to keep this planet in our hands. Always! We must and I cannot state this clearly enough; they must not know until the time we leave. Nor can any officer outside of this room know this."
Ivan nods in agreement and frowning says, "It will never leave my lips. I am committed to training those young officers and staff members to be the best that they can be when we leave. I am proud of all that we are doing." He looks out the window for a moment, "We thank you, Our Great Leader. You we follow without question."
Most stand shouting praise for the Great Leader and raise a clenched fist in a sign of respect.
John uses this moment to pull back any further questions on leaving personnel behind. Personnel that did not know this was going to happen to them, but it was necessary. Things are never fair for all, it was after all the only way.
As the fervor dies away he states flatly, "Detail is important but anything can happen without warning. We must be ever mindful that the Earthers never know that we are not really human."
Oliver, who is in charge of Security policy and the commander of all of the chief security officers on each mothership. He has been standing in the back quietly during the entire meeting until now, he suddenly steps forward. "Yes detail is important and that the correct steps be ready in case they are needed. Seventy percent of the Youth Corps are Whipelli and nearly all of them given rank. I understand that the mountain species will be better equipped to make an excuse as to why they have," he clears his voice and smiles a bit, " green scaly skin versus odd skin of humans. Meaning if an unexpected problem occurs, the idea will be that their facial features which are a bit more like a human may throw in less confusion if this problem occurs. Still we will need to manipulate the situation. The Youth Corp member involved will alert security to take care of the human before that human can announce what they saw."
John then speaks directly to Oliver. "Yes, exactly. Remember we have procedures in place. Oliver, what will happen if this event happens? And I imagine it will."
Oliver nods his head to John, "Hopefully if an event akin to this happens and their false human skin is removed. The problem human can be dealt with straightaway without a scene. This may not necessarily happen to a Youth Corp member, it could be anyone a shuttle pilot or to anyone. Hopefully, never to an upper grade officer, but it could."
Quinton a short man with curly red hair and the London ship commander speaks up with a question and clearly frowning, "Yes, but how quickly could we truly rectify the damage?"
Oliver lifts his head and then scans the room as everyone turns in their seats to face him. "The plan is a quick resolution such as removing the human who saw the removal of pseudo-skin happen. The corrective measure will begin ASAP. I mean just as soon as the individual who was exposed can make the alert."
Eileen nods and says, "I believe we can fix the human without killing them. Therefore this should not to bring up any unneeded questions from humans who know that person. Is that not true?"
"Yes, the best procedure will be to place the Earther through conversion immediately and quietly. Conversion as we know is going to be done on many of the influential humans so running a high risk conversion should be easily done and quickly. They will return to Earth in fact devoted to Our Great Leader." Then Oliver pauses, "If unable to get the human to the ship covertly than a quick death to that human which does not seem out of a line. Automobile accident, food allergy, some crime of theft; whatever seems the quickest way before they can speak to several others about what they saw."
Yes, John knows his people have tried to think of each detail; still you never know what unfortunate possibilities can occur. For a quick moment the thought brings concern on his features.
"Not all can be taken care of in a timely manner," Quinton says as he rubs his hands together as though trying to finish his sentence correctly. Gazing out at the window he finishes speaking. "If I understand from other meetings is that we have computer programs that will create ever evolving instructions that can be chosen to rectify a given situation. How will we know when and what data to use or if what we are given is correct. Each Earth city will be different. This sounds like it could be confusing."
It feels to John where his pseudo-skin ends and the colored portion begins is itching. All he wants to do now is pull away the fake human skin. He scheduled this meeting for all commanding officers as their chance to speak up, and further their feeling that they are one. However, it is taking too long and he is fearful it is not bringing them together. As a bureaucrat he knows it is needed and he just needs to be patient just a little longer.
John nods as though acknowledging everyone. "These will be ever changing to fit the data as it comes in and hopefully the problem at hand will have a clear resolution. Unfortunately, if it's something that may cause complete failure, Our Great Leader has dictated the following. "If there is no way to correct an issue we must destroy the acquisition of Earth. Then the; 'If All Fails,' procedure is to be activated. There is a list of what constitutes ending the occupation. Remember he wants to never have this utilized on Earth. Again you all have this list and we depend on each other to do what is right." However, even John finds himself reluctant to kill an entire planets population. "I am sure we can find an appropriate resolution. We are a people of resourcefulness and clear thinking even in the most disturbing moments."
John stares out the window quietly. The nodding heads and smiles from nearly all gives the room that feeling of triumph as if they had already succeeded in their goal. Just the sight of this planet has solidified them to be as one or at least at this given moment. It is important to have this moment come with all commanding officers present. They will remember the unity of the moment. Solidarity.
One of leading combat officers rises and declares. "Just give our people a task, and say do it and it is done!" Cheers and the stomping of feet follows his statement.