Is it a setup?
Brian disembarks from the shuttle, and leaves for his appointment with Victor. He is uncertain what to make of his conversation with Daniel this evening. It had all started with his walk with Robin. He had pointed out the constellation Canis Major, and it felt like a moment with her. His work life is busy, but it did not mean he did not miss someone to share pleasant moments with. He had not thought until he reached for Robin's hand that he had actually thought of her in that way. Perhaps it was due to loneliness or missing female companionship, but at that moment was a chance to share quiet moments with someone. Yes, she is a human, but George may be correct. Does it really matter in the end? Oh, but that moment was short lived. He can only feel regret, and uncertainty now.
It had actually been nice, they were smiling, and being slightly awkward with each other. They stared into each other's eyes in a way that seemed to be asking each other if there could be more to this. It mattered not if he was from another world at that moment.
Another thought comes to him; why can't he can't get it into his head that humans are humans, and his people are a lizard proto-mammal species; meaning they are different from each other. All his teaching on the home world has him seeing everyone in the same flat, fuzzy universe; and being numb to the appearance to different species. It has been a long ongoing conversation with George and Gordon. He has also overheard other Youth Leaders trying to understand why they seem to think so differently than others. Even regular Youth Corp members seemed to grasp the physical difference. Although of late those Youth Corp members who were dealing with the same human individuals daily seem to forget or lose touch that they are dealing with a different species. When he thinks about it; does it really matter, in fact it made it much easier to do the work they needed to do as he never felt uncomfortable around humans. A blurred perception to human's and their selves made it easy to dismiss any odd awkwardness to skin, human hair and eyes and such. The differences were left in its own hazy indifference. Still when he hears other crew members speak about humans, they talk about a difference that Brian and other Youth Leaders just don't grasp the way he knows he should. Different is different and not some hazy dazy feeling. Was it the training? Was there more to bonding sessions than unity to themselves and the Great Leader?
He returns to thoughts of being with Robin and how that moment ended so abruptly. Wham! There was Daniel as though he popped up from the ground. Then Daniel asked Robin. 'How is your father?' Robin had suddenly become strange and nervous, which instantly concerned him. Then the words that came from Daniel's mouth . . . 'Must be tough to be a scientist right now; particularly an anthropologist.'
He remembered he could not hide his disappointment. He absolutely could not be involved with a scientist, rather the daughter of a scientist. That sick feeling remains. Not Robin's fault of course. Then again, scientists are responsible for trying to turn their people against his. He bites his lip his people are trying to take their world, and his people are not mammals. No, from what he saw of humans so far and from the training modules he would be nothing but a lizard monster to them. He had watched the portions of Earth movies depicting alien monsters. The aliens were evil always. Humans didn't like life forms that were not human. He shakes his head, then again they didn't like other colored skins of their own species. Brian bites the inside of his mouth in disgust; humans are the monsters. He smiles slightly; his people have learned to live with four different species of sirian on his world. Yes, his people are better to the inferior human. He must always remember that whenever he feels badly for what must be done. His people are in need and humans are not ones to care about others in need. He has seen this not only in training modules, but their own news broadcast on how little they care about others. Brian nods his head and smiles slightly. Yes, he is doing the right thing for his Great Leader and most of all his people still on the home world.
Now he must go to Victor's office at this late hour when all he really wants is to sleep or just at least have the chance to relax. What can Victor possibly want? He has given his unity speech now on most of the mother ships, which he has truly enjoyed as it has given him the feeling like he has given something of himself to the other Youth Corp members. The Youth members, whether Corp or Leaders; need to know that they are as if one. Let the ship personnel think that they are idiot children being given what they don't deserve. He and the others have trained since children, they deserve their rank and to be acknowledged for what they are doing for their people back home.
Still it was different giving the speech in English, and then having his words go through the language translator. He felt like the speech missed something when he didn't know enough words to give the speech in that particular ships language. If only he was allowed to communicate in the language of their home world, but it was not allowed. However, Martin's advice had worked out well. His speech was memorized, and he had left in the key words that only Youth Corp members and Youth Leaders seemed to understand. Also, he had watched himself giving the speech the first time several times, and had picked out where it was very important to add passion; or leave it out. He found he really didn't like watching himself and hopefully never has to again. Another thought comes to mind; he had been recorded the first time and didn't even know it. He looks at the ceiling and wonders is he being recorded now?
As for the speech on other language ships, it was awkward at first, but it got better. He believes in what he is saying. Not really the unity is important for Our Great Leader's goals as his superiors believe, but rather we the Youth Corp have only each other. Still a mystery how it is that they are the only ones to understand the true message. We can trust only each other.
"Brian come in, sit, sit." Victor says in jovial tone and motions to a chair.
"Sir," Brian sits, but this is not like Victor for he seems happy to see him; what else could possibly be wrong. Why is Victor so excited?
Victor turns to his computer. "I have news. I received recognition for the work we have been doing. Your speech has been well received. Unity is a goal we all strive for."
All he can do is sit there anxious and uncertain why he would be here to celebrate Victor's unknown achievement. Brian swallows hard before speaking, he is still nervous. "Sir, you deserve all that you have received."
"You have received a promotion as well for your hard work, and devotion to duty. Please stand." Victor smiles as he rises to his feet.
Brian jumps up with excitement, and can hear his heart pounding. He had not expected this, and finds himself shaking slightly. "Thank you."
"You are to be Chief Organizer at the Visitor Friends building, and my aide. You have a done an outstanding job as Visitor Friends coordinator already. Do you accept?" Victor holds up his device.
"Yes, sir," Brian is now shaking with excitement. He takes out his device, and holds it up to Victor's. The data downloads from Victor's to Brian's. He wants to immediately look at the promotion, but that would make him seem like an overexcited teenager.
They shake hands, and Victor smiles. "It is now official, please sit." They go over what his new assignments will be and what is expected of him.
Once finished Brian stands and grins, "Thank you sir. This is much appreciated. Others on the ship who are not in Youth Corp will see that I have earned my rank." He finds his heart is racing, he had truly not expected this. He had thoughts towards this happening, but not really something that would actually occur. After all it was a speech and that was it; just a speech.
"You earned it," Victor says with an equally large grin. After all he has been promoted as well.
When Brian turns to leave Victor's office he is still shaking with excitement. He may not like doing all that he is asked to do, but a promotion and further points may get him off this ship and back home quicker. Home where he can go back to being himself again.
Then Victor calls out to him, "Brian one more thing. I know you are not scheduled for your bonding session, but one of the things that was passed down to me was that another bonding would be scheduled earlier than normal."
"Sir, do you know why?" Brian asks. His eyes dart around the room. All he can think is that they do not trust him after all.
"I don't know." Victor squints, and gives Brian a look like he does not understand why he would be concerned. "It is likely a new directive. Do not take it badly."
"Thank you. I am fine with doing that." Actually he is not fine with doing a bonding session before his scheduled one. However, he has no choice. Suddenly alarms sound, and Brian turns and looks at Victor. "Sir?"
Then a loudspeaker comes on and speaks to them in the official sirian language used in the military. "Please standby. There has been an incident. A human has boarded our ship, and has taken images of our people that are not as presented to them."
Brian licks his lips nervously, it is daunting to hear a sirian language spoken it implies there is something to be fearful of. It is against all protocols; this must mean they don't know if they are being monitored now by humans.
Victor shakes his head angrily, "How could this possibly have happened?"
Then the speaker comes on again, however now the voice is in English. "Our Supreme Commander is giving the following message to humans. and to our people. If you are near monitors, computers, or have your devices please turn to them now. Standby."
Both Brian and Victor bring up their devices, and an image of John appears. His words appear to be directed to humans.
"My friends throughout the world. First, I must thank the leaders of each of your countries who have graciously; and in the interests of peace have turned over all their broadcasting facilities to us to help avoid confusion in this crisis."
Victor walks to his chair and sits down heavily, and brings up the hologram showing the broadcast. Brian walks closer to the desk and turns his device off. They both stare intently awaiting what dire emergency has occurred.
John continues after a pause. "I am sad to say that there has been a carefully coordinated, and quite violent attempt by Earth scientists to commandeer control of our facilities at many key locations all around the world."
The hologram shows various images of a refinery in flames and people running about. He can see individuals removing a wounded human, and his people out of harm's way. Brian is stunned how the humans could have done this. Why? They put their own people at risk.
Victor shakes his head, but there is a look on his face. The look of complete shock is gone, but it seems beyond just disbelief, rather more like surprise; no not surprise. Brian is uncertain why he is questioning the look Victor has taken on. No, he is likely just thrown off by his own anxiety as to what is happening on the planet.
John continues, "The loss of life has been enormous, both to your people and ours. In addition thousands have been wounded, and we're fearful that there will be more attacks. The outbreak is so widespread, and so dangerous. Most civilian members of your governments have asked us for protection. Of course, we're more than happy to provide this. We are bringing them here so that they are safe aboard our ships."
Brian looks up again at Victor. Something is wrong, the look on Victors face seems incorrect for the situation.
"I'm also very sorry to report this man in whom we had placed considerable trust . . ." A face appears. "Michael Donovan of the United States, has proved to be the biggest traitor to your peace and your well-being. Any person who gives information leading to his capture will be handsomely rewarded by the U.N. General Assembly, and the government of the United States."
Brian watches as Victor appears to be sneering at the image. Since the images of the burning refinery the man's reactions have changed from shock, to something else. He and his friends had discussed the issue about the scientists trying to harm his people and take a ship. Was it true, or now that he is watching Victor's reaction a setup. It is appears from the look on Victor's face this is a setup by their own people. He can't be sure, but reading people is something he has been taught to do. He shakes his head, no there is no reason for his people to cause all of this. The possibility of this situation can create turmoil and uprising. No, his people have not done this.
John continues, "We anticipate this crisis will pass relatively quickly. In the meantime, friends, I and my fellow Visitors will do our best to see you through it, and maintain control. There will be more announcements later." Two flashes, and then the screen goes dark.
Victor lifts his head indicating he should leave. Brian nods, and leaves immediately saying nothing more. Something about the look on Victor's face. He can't lie to himself, there must have been some sort of plan. The reporter and the possibility he has gotten information that he should not have. There must have been some sort of contingency plan in the event of something like this happening. His stride is firm, and it feels like every step can be heard for miles as he races for his room. He feels dizzy and sick to his stomach. When he arrives he cannot get through the door of his room fast enough.
Of course, the smell of herb hits him immediately. There is a touch of anger in his tone. "Kelly?"
"I thought it was okay?" Kelly smiles.
"For you! Who is this?" Brian points to someone sitting in the second desk chair. His chair. Who is this person? Still Kelly would not bring him here if he didn't trust him as Kelly has now done enough to find himself in trouble for if caught.
"Ah. . . ." Kelly looks over to his friend. "Oh, yeah. This is Alex. So, what did you think about the news tonight." He fills the pipe, and hands it to Brian.
He sits down, and takes a hit. Just the smell of the herbal smoke is already relaxing him. He puts the pipe in his mouth again, and takes in the smoke. He holds it for a long moment before slowly blowing it out. Unsure what to say he feels like he has to summon up the words from the turmoil running through his head. "I think it was a setup. Not sure how, or why. Probably shouldn't say anything. However, the burning refinery; I don't know what to say." Brian takes one more toke, and hands it to Alex.
Alex gives a hesitant nod, "That was me," Alex then takes a hit off of the pipe. Then he coughs, and a large billow of smoke comes out of his mouth at once; and with a shocked look on his face he says, "I can't believe I told you. You're a Youth Leader. You won't say anything, Kelly says I can trust you." His face does not lose the fear that he most likely is feeling for giving away something he should not have.
Kelly takes the pipe, and refills it, "Exciting times. Hey, you won't tell on Alex?" Kelly cocks his head a bit, "Right Brian." He nods over at Alex and back to Brian. "Here you go roommate." Then he hands the pipe over with a broad smile on his lips.
Brian takes the pipe, and realizes his mouth is slightly open in disbelief. "That is a joke. You're playing me." Then he takes another hit off of the pipe, and hands it to Alex. "Yes! You, this is a joke." He then takes his boots off, and suddenly starts laughing. It is not long before Alex and Kelly join him in laughter.
"Look zombie master, it's my job," Alex laughs as he nods his head towards Brian.
"Funny prove it." Brian smirks apparently he is now the zombie master. There is no way this Alex had anything to do with the broadcast. He is much too young to hold such an important position. Then again none of the Youth Corp and Leaders are over twenty. It is a joke on the ship about being the Twenty and Under Group; TUG.
Then Kelly's fingers begin typing so quickly that in Brian's growing haze it looks like they are not moving at all, but the click, click sound is endless as his fingers hit the keys. Kelly smirks and says, "Okay. Now we have three minutes, and we need to get out before a scan detects us."
Both Alex and Brian walk up and stand over Kelly. As they look at the images Alex explains how they fit into the news broadcast for the humans. All of this done in preparation for what would be needed enviably for some reason later.
Then Kelly logs out and then starts another session. He brings up a data file, and manipulates the record of the port where they had been logged in previously. Now it looks like someone else has been logged on and the information changed as to what may have been done on that port.
Alex smiles, "You Kelly are magic. Hacker is the word, yes?"
Brian rubs his tongue against the back of front teeth, and then smiles. This Alex is an individual with potential. He has nothing currently he could use Alex's talents for, but you never know. Later there may be a need. With an ingratiating smile he says, "I think you are both magic. I can see why you prefer a keyboard now Kelly. Alex I take it you are rather supervised."
"Yeah, but Kelly helps me out so I can get a bit lost for a moment of freedom. I hope you don't mind. I guess what I am saying is Kelly is right; you're okay." Alex sighs, "I just need to spend time away from the ones I am forced to be with. I guess even spending some time with someone as potentially as scary as you." He smiles, but looks down so not to stare at Brian.
"No, that is fine. Sorry that you have been given the thought that I am scary." Brian glances at Kelly and then says in a reassuring tone, '"In fact, I want you to come as much as you can. Is there anything on the planet you would like for me to bring you?"
"Really? So much I would like to see. They won't let me down there." Alex hesitates for a moment and lifts his head again, "Can you bring me a sea shell?"
"A sea shell? Sure, but there are sea shells at home." Brian looks at Kelly, and back to Alex. "Think about other things as well. I don't want you to feel used, but one day I may need a favor."
Alex smiles. "Yeah, Kelly told me you collect favors. I don't mind."
Brian still feels the haze from the herb, but his mind still feels like it going in all directions. Still what could he do with Alex, Kelly, or the others he has been involved with? Something deep inside of him is very excited. He smiles, "Good. Now how many people know you are here? I don't mean in my; I mean our room. What I am saying is how many on the ship?"
Alex looks away thoughtfully before looking at Brian again. "Not many, they keep me hidden, not really hidden I guess. They just don't want me socializing on my own. They finally let Kelly and I work together and you know play computer games and such." He smiles as he points his thumb at the pipe. "Not sure why they are so fearful of me being around everyone else."
Brian knows exactly why. Alex has some gift his superiors do not want to lose, but don't trust him to have freedom on the ship. His gift with putting the correct image in the right place, may be more important than Alex understands. Also, where else does Alex work his magic that they don't want others to know? Still, they can't just lock him up, the potential mental health issues could cause problems in itself. He shakes his head slightly, enough thinking. He looks over to Alex and Kelly; "Hum that is sad." Brian takes off his jacket and drapes it over his chair. "Hey, pass that over here. I do not think I have quite reached the depth of haze required to stop thinking in an organized fashion yet."
They laugh as they pass the pipe around, but finally Brian finds he is more than in a slight haze. He has overdone it. He lays down on his bed, and simply listens to Kelly and Alex. Their words are hard to follow as they are talking about hacking, and manipulating scripts with images to convey the message sought by their superiors for different things going on. He tries to make mental notes to remember everything they are saying. You never know what is going to be useful later. After a while his eyes close, and he can't force them open again. Sleep reaches out to him, and the last he hears is, "I think we just lost him. Nighty night Brian." He doesn't even know who said it, or who is covering him with a blanket.