Just a feeling

Martin stands at the door for a minute awaiting the door to open. He looks to either side at the security detail guarding the door. Both men wear helmets with shielded faces. One guard is tall and muscular. The other is much smaller with a slight build. Together the one whose strength is combined with the second one's agile fighting skills, they make up an efficient body guard. Martin shakes his head, only fools would take these two on without a gun. Then you would likely still be the loser even if you had a weapon. John would have only the best, and these two are likely Dahax. There has never been a time that the jungle people have not trained heavily for combat. These two have most likely trained as children, and have been selected to be a team at a young age.

The door slides open, and he enters looking around the room. It is only John, which seems odd. He has never been in a meeting alone with John. Normally it would be Diana, Steven and himself. What could John want from him?

John gestures to a chair, and then returns his attention to the computer screen. Martin sits nervously, and places his hands on the cold stiff arm rests. He hates to speak first, but feels he has no choice. Just as he is about to say something the silence is finally broken.

The Supreme Commander looks up. "Martin, you are one of the officers who has been spending time with our Youth Corp. In fact, your two aides are Youth Leaders. My attention is actually on the mountain people. So I would say Gordon is the one I am curious about."

"Yes, but if you have concerns about their ability I would say not to worry. They have been in training for this mission as children." Martin has a bad feeling. He can't place why, but something is wrong.

John rubs his forehead. "I have spoken to several already today. I will ask simply, how is the bonding working? Would you say that their devotion to Our Great Leader is without question?"

Martin nods his head, and he finds his mouth pulling to one side. "Yes. I don't understand the question."

"I need to know if there is any doubt to your knowledge as to question their devotion." John pauses for a moment, "Say that some heart wrenching issue happened. Would they choose their family, or remain unquestionably loyal?"

Martin immediately answers, there is no doubt in his mind to their loyalty. "Sir, there is no question to their devotion. If you asked them five a years ago they would have killed themselves at the request of Our Great Leader." He leans forward emphasis his feelings. "Today there is still no doubt to their devotion." Martin shakes head a bit. This is why they can never be trusted to be included in Fifth Column activities. He once thought some of them could have, but with their time on Earth he now knows better. He shakes his head again, "I can think of nothing that would shake their devotion."

John nods his head in agreement. "Thank you that is what everyone has been telling me." However, his eyes appear to be roaming around the room as though there is something else to be said.

"Sir?"

"We have come upon an issue, as you know with our projection of Earth scientists trying to cast fear about us." Suddenly a sound from John's device stops him. He looks at it and says, "Ah, Diana, Steven and Oliver are here. I would like to include you." With that they walk into the room.

"John I am busy," Diana says without hesitation. "The work on the conversion process needs my attention."

"Let us go to my meeting room," John says with a grim smile.

They all follow him in to a room taken up mostly by a conference table and take their places. All of them are looking at each other with questioning looks.

"So that you understand, this is a meeting for preparation for all ships. When you leave this room, you leave to begin the groundwork work." John stares directly at Diana. "I want you to be filled in not only as second, but also to approve the procedures we will be taking. Your knowledge, and your work is of great value in this area."

Diana's voice takes on an unexpected fearful tone, "John what is happening?"

"I received an encrypted message last night. Four Whipelli clan leaders have been taken, and charged with treason. They are the fathers of four of our Youth Leaders. Brighton of the Seattle ship, James of the Sydney ship, Graham of the London ship, and unfortunately Brian of this ship. Also, I have been told the other clan leaders may also have been taken. All transmissions are being censored until we; shall we say ensure the loyalty of our Youth Leaders."

"Treason!" Steven looks shocked.

"Treason." Diana looks as surprised as Steven. "As for the Youth Leaders. They have been through bonding." She smirks, "Bonding is just a lesser shade of conversion. It already ensures devotion, and a feeling of unity to each other. They are fine."

John's tone is quiet, which forces everyone to listen. "Diana, your work with conversion I believe can be somehow manipulated to be used with the bonding we currently do with the Youth Corp. I am hoping if you, and Eileen will work on this immediately we can ensure that a new more viable bonding procedure can be used on them. We need to make this a priority. It should not take long, if I recall you and Eileen had several emergency program changes that could be put in play."

Diana responds in a high pitch, "What! We don't have time for this. I must work on the conversion for humans. Perhaps later."

John's tone is reassuring as he says, "I need for you to do this quickly so we can implement this now. Then each, and every Youth Corp member goes through it as rapidly as possible. Starting with the Youth Leaders. What I want, and need is a bonding experience more like conversion, one that ensures devotion. However, not the severity of conversion. We want that feeling of bonding, and devotion. Not have them fearful, and we do not want them thinking like robots. It is important that their mental, and emotional capabilities remain as usual."

Diana frowns, "Why not just arrest them, and then execute them. Problem taken care of."

Oliver speaks up and says with a wry grin, "Better yet. We take them, and they die in an accident."

"Or make it appear that a human is responsible for killing them," Diana says. "This will make a very strong statement against any human resistance with our people."

He hates to admit it, but that would take care of the situation. He finds his stomach lurching yes it makes him sick. However, not for the things Diana and Oliver are saying, but for what they said had been his first thought. If he were John, it is what he would do as well. He turns his head, and looks at Steven. Steven is frowning, and looking at his hands. Martin knows of Steven's history with the death of his son, and the suicide of his wife. This is not something Steven wants to hear, and Martin can sense that the man is about to explode. Martin had no plans to speak, but he takes a deep breath. He has no idea why he is interceding in Steven's behalf.

Martin looks directly at John. "I take it that Our Great Leader has other plans for these young men. Possibly if needed, and with enough subtle conversion done on them; they can be put into clan leadership roles. They would not be in control of anything simply figureheads."

John smiles, "Martin I can see why Diana keeps you so close. Yes, if we ensure their devotion, then we keep them here until needed. In fact, I want all to go on as normal. In fact, I am discussing a promotion for Brian with Victor at this time. We need to leave everything status quo if at all possible."

Diana tilts her head, "Do you have any idea at all why they were arrested for treason?"

John shakes his head, and frowns. "The clans are supposed to do as Our Great Leader demands. However, the mountain people always look towards their clan leaders and council first. Their communal lifestyle must end. Our Great Leaders needs must come before all others, and the mountain people are self-serving. They put their community ahead of Our Great Leader's needs. Nor are they living up to their quotas."

Diana shakes her head, "Surely you received more information than that."

"The encrypted transmission did not say, but indicated they have apparently for many years been doing some subversive activities. Obviously they do not benefit Our Great Leaders goals for our people. Which is another thing, but until I have more data I have nothing to say." John looks down for a moment before speaking again. "We may see later the arrest of clan council members as well."

Martin knows that just because the Whipelli may have been forced into the Regime. They are always going to be a thorn in the side of whatever the ruling government of the time is.

The room is quiet for some time. Then an eruption of conversation begins on how to enact their plans. If all goes well, the Youth Corp members will have their bonding increased. The news of the arrests will never be heard of, or if it is it will be manipulated in a way to show the treason of the Clan Leaders. Martin shakes his head, the bulk of the ship's officers and crew have no idea how much information, or news has been kept from them.

After four hours they are prepared to do their assignments for John, and the new conspiracy. Steven had managed to keep his professional tone, but the general sense Martin felt, and he was sure others felt was Steven was not happy with the situation. However, Steven would do everything as asked. Also, if he had any ideas on obtaining the goal, he would not be opposed to bringing them up.

"Diana unless I am needed I have an appointment for a little skin repair." Martin says.

For a moment Diana glares at him. "Did you know about any of this?"

"No, I did not, it took me by surprise." All Martin can do is shrug, "Did you have any idea about this?"

She continues glaring at Martin, and then turns her eyes towards John's door. "No, I did not. Yes, go to your appointment."

Martin is alone with his thoughts. Jack had been wise keeping him, and others from looking further into Youth Leaders for the Fifth Column. Deep in his thoughts he finds himself at his destination. It always amazes him how you can go to places on auto-pilot, and not feel surprised how you got there.

"Martin! You're a little late," Nancy says with that never ending grin of hers. She motions him to a room, and he takes his jacket off. "Put this on." She hands him a covering. He puts it over himself and sits down placing his head on the headrest.

"Thank you for seeing me. I noticed the hair was. How do I say this, not feeling like it was sitting correctly?"

"Understand." She begins the process of removing the pseudo-skin, and hair.

Then she cleans him, and he can't help but smile. It feels so good to be free of that horrible fake skin.

Nancy sits even closer to him as she finishes the cleaning. Then she sits up, "Martin you have such a beautiful crest. Small, but the alignment is so lovely as it runs over your head." She chuckles, "Hum, sexy! Oh, and your mouth so. Hum, I love the way it almost seems to kiss your ear lobes." She sighs.

Martin is taken off-guard as he knows her well enough to know she is not flirting. "But you see us all the time as we are. This is nothing new."

Her laugh is a bit self-depreciating. "I love looking at good-looking men. I mean really looking at them. Sounds stupid I guess."

"No, Nancy it does not. I miss my face as it should be as well."

"I think we all do Martin. Had your aide, Gordon and his buddy Brian in here yesterday. They were like kids. They are Whipelli. They pretty much look like themselves with, or without flat beige skin. Oh, of course they have to wear hair so I guess that's different. Still you should have seen them. Brian apparently wears glasses, and he brought them so he could see himself in the mirror. They were making faces and stuff." She sighs, "I like that when you watch people getting a chance to be really themselves." Nancy smiles, "They were so happy. Everyone is."

She works on Martin's face and neither speaks. Over an hour goes by, and finally she says, "Turn slightly to the right. Very good. Okay we're done." Then she sighs, "Then I put their faces, their hair back on, and the joy is gone."

Martin looks up at her confused by what she is saying.

"Sorry, I got to thinking what I said ages ago. I think yesterday was just too much for me. Those two didn't even look to see how good a job I did, or didn't do. They left like they were a hundred years old." Nancy gives him a mirror, and slowly turns the chair so he can see the back as well.

Martin looks in the mirror, and forces a smile. "I on the other hand look great."

Nancy snorts, "Right you have the same look they had, but worse 'cause you looked in the mirror. Hate to admit it, but humans really would never have accepted us for who we really are or rather what we look like."

Martin looks at her. He had never thought about how hard this job really was. Not physically, but emotionally draining. She begins to clean up the area so he stands, and puts his jacket back on. "Nancy I don't know what to say. Humans have races, not species on their planet. Nor, have they had contact with other peoples from other worlds. You see. . . ." Nancy puts a finger to his lips, and shakes her head no.

Walking out Jack calls to him, and he follows him to Jack's small office. Martin finds his own step heavy. He takes a chair, and takes a deep sigh. "Sorry. Hard day."

"I heard you talking to Nancy. It is sad for a job even with no interaction with humans. No, heavy lifting so to speak. Sure can get you down. Todd came in to get his nose fixed, had to have a bit of tweaking. Kid was upset, and Nancy is such a caring person. Finally, he asked her, if all humans would think us ugly if they saw us. It just added to all the other comments, and crap going on." Jack rubs his pale hand across his forehead.

As he watches Jack's hand it finally dawns on him that Jack has once again made a tweak to himself. "Ah, a few days ago were you not black?"

Jack grins, and turns his head in profile first to the right, and then to the left. "Yes, I was. Today I am albino."

"Albino with jet black hair, and dark green eyes?"

Jack smiles, "Why yes, of course. My interpretation." Then his tone takes on a serious note, "I want to make sure that you're okay."

"I am not supposed to talk to anyone about this. What I can say is in a week or two something bad may or not; be coming down. Better just keep you out of it for now. I will update you later though." Martin gives a dismissive shrug. "The one thing I thank you for is talking me out of bringing in Youth Leaders into the Fifth. Do not know what I was thinking."

"You were thinking; Youth Leaders are really, really smart. They are go-getters. Once they set a goal they do not let up. They will try to out think, out smart, out manipulate, and charm their way into whatever runs in their devious little heads."

Martin laughs, "That is right on point." He then drums his fingers on the desk for a moment. "What do you think about what the Regime has done with the Youth Leaders, is it working differently than expected or as expected. It has become a question of the day."

Jack looks at Martin, "The bonding? I would say that bonding appears to have worked. They are devoted to Our Great Leader. Or supposedly to each other for unity, but really for you know who. Why?"

Martin sits back, and takes a deep breath. "Brian gave a speech, and was asked to give it on a few more ships. He did that, and now has given it on several of the ships."

"Sounds about right. He is always yapping about something he believes in. He motivates people, and knows how to organize so maybe he will be a clan leader or member of their clan council. I get that sort of feeling off of him. He's really smart, and is learning how to get things to go his way. So I can see why John or Victor would like to utilize him. Sorry not sure why that seems odd to you." Jack tilts his head, and gives Martin a questioning look.

"Just the way everyone is believing what he is saying."

Jack is silent for a bit. "You know he just has that way of speaking passionately. Believe me I have been around when his passion button got pushed. That guy will get right in your face. So giving a speech should not be that big a deal for him."

"No, I mean yeah." Martin sighs. "No, his speech wasn't what everyone thought he was saying. I mean they heard something different than what the Youth Corp heard."

"Confused." Jack gives Martin a puzzled look.

"The Youth Corp heard something far different than the humans, and senior officers heard. Same words, but something that just they understood. Like a coded message." Martin shrugs. "What I heard Brian say, was the Youth Corp is a group of their own. They trust themselves, and no one outside Youth Corp. I think that bonding slash conversion is not doing what they think it is doing. Victor seemed to know that at first, then Brian opens his mouth says something, and Victor hears what he wants to hear. It changed in Victor's mind. . ."

Jack looks hard at Martin, and then a sneer comes on to his face. "So they are inventing their own secret coded language. Nice." Then he chuckles before saying, "You mean those in charge may be creating a monster of their own making."

Martin looks at Jack and raises a brow, and then laughs himself. Then his tone becomes serious again. "Possibly I told Barbara there was something not quite right, and I still feel that something is off. Unfortunately, something is coming that may be building a monster to destroy our movement, or with luck," He looks up at ceiling to signify the powers in control. "To destroy another. Then I could be making nothing into something."

Jack frowns, and his voice takes on a hardness. "The Youth Corp will have an easier time of communicating with each other than us with our fellow Fifth Column members. Those idiots have their hands in everything. Funny, but you said the Youth Corp could destroy us! What is John and Diana up to now?"

"First, I don't think the Youth Corp themselves know what they are doing." Martin shrugs, "They will though if given enough time, but things are being set in motion to ensure they do not. As for Diana and John they are being pressed to do somethings. I want to tell you, but I have said to much already. Our Great Leader will not allow anything to get in his way, or hinder his plans."

"I have no idea what is happening, but Martin you are definitely making me nervous. Confusion reigns, but when does it not. However, there is a reason you are our leader. You are compassionate, smart, and know when to make the moves. You are also in a position to keep tabs on everything. Do not forget we are here for you."

"You are the only person I will talk to. I trust Barbara and Nancy, but sometimes I need someone to talk to." Martin raises a brow and shakes his head. "I just need to sort things out. I hope I am not burdening you, because if not for you it would be hard. Sometimes even when you can't tell all that you know it is good to talk to someone."

"I know, and it also helps that this room is always safe from listening devices and drones due to the work here." Jack leans forward, "What we are doing has just as much of a chance of failing as it does succeeding. In fact, we are more likely to fail. Every day I breathe is another day to enjoy life. So Martin, remember to take a breath once and a while."

Martin's face takes on a blank look, "I can't let up. This is my life, and I don't know. Some day's fear seems to take hold of me. I think more of you as a leader than myself."

Jack's laugh is loud. "Now that is funny." He takes on a very serious tone. "No, I am a sounding board. I will give advice. If it was back when we had our own democratic government. Well, maybe I would be tempted. This though is a younger man's game. It needs a born leader, someone who has seen the game played so to speak, and can see the next move. Someone who can truly organize, even those he may have to bully into position. Remember that sometimes hard decisions must be made."

Martin nods. "I know, and I will do my best. As for the situation, it may be nothing. Just seems like something to watch. The Youth Corp may not be what Regime thinks of them."

Jack nods, "If I hear of anything out of the ordinary I will let you know. Must say from what I know of the bonding for unity thing, that would be a great way to start a coded language. Hum, Youth Speak."

Martin chucks, "Yeah, Youth Speak. Wonder if they will teach their human friends. Anyway, for now, we continue doing what we are doing. We do need to find others to join our cause and continue our work. Yes, it will be good to monitor the Youth Corp for now, just in case. It could be something to our benefit, or warn us to avoid certain pit falls."

Jack shakes his head. "What else could get in our way?" He stands, "Do you remember the day we clasped hands and shouted. . ."

Martin stands, "Resist. No, matter resist."
Together they say "Resist!"

V v V v

Note

Todd one of Javanyet's characters has been used with permission.