Martial Law
Diana sits in the conference room that is normally used by the Youth Corp for their morning meetings. There will be no morning meetings today and most likely for several days as many Youth Leaders have received the new bonding procedure the day before. They at least must have the Youth Corp controlled before they can be sent back to their more crucial duties and at the very least they want the Youth Leaders to have gone through the new bonding procedure before any further meetings. It would not do to have the Youth Leaders questioning what was happening, which in turn will make other Youth Corp members worried. However, she is feeling very good about things. The new bonding has worked to everyone's expectation and likely the procedure will be expedited to get the Youth Corp back on track. For now the duties of the Youth Corp will be simple and those Youth Leaders who have finished the procedure will be separated as best as they can from those Youth Leaders who have not undergone the procedure. Once the Youth Leaders are finished they will move on to the rest of the Youth Corp. Yes, she feels very good about her success.
Today those in the conference room are only this ships higher ranking officers. The only reason to use this large room is due to the largest screen on the ship is in this room, and the meeting is being telecast to all other ships so that they may interact without having to travel. Fifty screens for each ship including their own shows on the large viewing screen. This meeting also includes additional higher ranking officers and is set so individuals like Martin are not accidentally included in the meeting. Diana just wants the drama over as politics holds no interest to her and it so early that most crew and officers are still asleep or just waking. However, she still likes the idea of obtaining as much power as she possibly can during this mission.
Harry the Commander of the Chicago ship speaks. "I suppose we really all should have ensured that humans could not get on board our ships without our knowledge. However, let's face it we always assumed if they found who we truly were that it would be with the Whipelli Youth Leaders. They are the closes as we have to looking anywhere near human, and who eat as humans do. Many more similarities I guess, but truthfully not really. Thinking on it now, the majority of the ship's crew are Deypol. Almost all of our shock troopers are Dahax. He shrugs, "We really should have been more aware that life does not work as planned. Besides even if some more predicted accident had occurred with the mountain Youth Leaders and Visitor Friends it would still shock the humans to see green people with what they would call scales and reptilian eyes; lizards is what we would be to them. Whipelli definitely do not look human. We simply thought we could cover it better with them if something happened, and that was not the reality of things." He shakes his head, "Of course, it was not even a Whipelli individual who the human recorded, and this image taking was done on one of our ships. Well the truth is out there now and eventually more humans will learn the truth. This news person is only the first. Let us simply uncover ourselves from this false image we are presenting and show us as we are."
Diana is tired of all of this and she speaks forcefully. "Seriously, so if there is limited resistance let's really build the fear in them so that the majority of them try to find ways to destroy us. Humans already think skin color is a major difference even with their own people. You want to show them we are not only a different color from them, but that we ourselves look so differently from each other. Secondly, humans believe that the reptilian species are inferior to mammals. They are not going to see us as superior, or even equal."
Again Harry speaks up, "We are not reptilian or snakes. We are a spices unknown to Earth and they will understand that. We are bluntly an alien race, not of this world. They know that other planets will not have evolved exactly the same. Besides we are not here to be their friends, it is quite the opposite."
Diana glares up at the screen, and with a mocking tone says. "You want to scare them showing them that there is not just one species on this ship, but three on this ship? That should comfort them." Her tone becomes icy, "What they will see is that the Deypol and Dahax look like reptiles with crests, and that the Whipelli look like weird snake people. Does not matter if our scales are made of keratin or bone or whatever is in their heads. That is what they will see, and that is ALL they will see. Reptile, something of lower class than themselves. So unless you wish to begin terminating every human with the possibility of destroying the water supplies, I would say we continue as is!" She watches as most are nodding in agreement, and she surmises that the murmuring is due to their agreement with her statement.
Harry does not reply, there is nothing he can say as this topic comes up over and over again. Everything they have learned is that the human mindset will turn against them immediately. It is why they had to use the subterfuge of looking mammalian.
There are a few more comments, but in the end they agree this is for the best to remain human looking.
John stands, and with a tone that is authoritative, yet appearing to be accepting of any opinion he begins to speak. "This morning as you know the posters have been approved and the original timeline was to have put them up yesterday, but things changed with the assignment of weapons to Visitor Friends and our new bonding procedures. However, tomorrow morning we see no reason to not place them and we will be sending Youth Corp members to Earth from your ships to place them. Then working with the Visitor Friends they will be positioned so that we can further enhance our propaganda that we are here as friends. We have ensured that Earther's understand that it is their government which has asked us for Martial Law. It was easier with some government officials and more difficult with others, but it has been done. Unfortunately we will not have all of our Youth Leaders in full force for awhile. Then after that we will see our other Youth Corp members numbers cut for awhile. Bear this in mind when setting up schedules."
The room remains quiet and no sounds come from the broadcast screen. Still John can feel the unrest, but at least the ranking officers will have the feeling of inclusion. Very important when the mission means so much to their Great Leader. He asks for questions on the availability of the Youth Corp members and for a few minutes he addresses concerns and scheduling of the Youth Corps.
Then someone asks about the need to try and continue to fit in with humans at parties and other events. John shrugs and says, "We have gone over the protocols. We understand we will continue wearing our pseudo-skin and eye contacts. The only individuals really eating meals amongst the humans are the Whipelli. However, if you are willing to enjoy eating only the foods that the humans are consuming at these events, then please do; it would please us all." He smiles and shrugs, "Just be polite and tell them what you have been saying. We will ensure the Whipelli continue to dine and drink with the humans so that they believe we all have the same diet. We will remind the Whipelli to not eat insects in front of humans." He laughs, "Or whatever odd food they find interesting that is out of the human norm. Then again, humans, what is in the norm? I believe I have been told that some human cultures eat insects as well." He chuckles, and others in the room and other ships snicker as well; it is as if a moment of levity was needed.
His smile disappears and the seriousness returns to his tone, "We are going to inform our lower ranking officers slowly as to what is happening, and to a lesser extent the rest of the crew. Unless you have other topics of discussion we will move on to the treasonous acts of the Whipelli clan leaders and others in their mountain communes."
It has only been this morning that Diana learned everything, but knowing their Great Leader there is likely even more to this. For now she does not care. Her only concern is what she will get by succeeding in her own project for him.
John holds up his hand to stop the discourse and says, "First no one outside of this meeting will know anything about what we are doing to the Whipelli Youth Corp members. All anyone will know is how loyal they are and their great respect for Our Great Leader. We have reminded those not in this meeting, but whom have some knowledge of what is happening that their lives could see severe discipline if they repeat anything without permission." He nods his head to Arthur the commanding Youth Corp counselor.
Arthur smiles and stands. "You will be pleased to learn that we have been working with the Youth Leaders with the new bonding procedure, and the work has been more than any of us could have expected. I have complete admiration for Diana and Eileen. I could not say enough about their work. Yesterday the bonding done on the first group of Youth Leaders was a true success. We will also do an unscheduled counseling session on them just this morning to be sure that all is as expected. In fact, Don will be bringing them in for that and I should know in a few hours how those that went through it yesterday are doing today. Again their devotion to Our Great Leader is outstanding, and their disgust for their families is more than expected. Later this morning scheduling will begin for those on your ships for the new bonding process. You will see that your leading Whipelli Youth Leaders will be scheduled first, we need the noted leaders to be the first individuals until all have been through the new procedure. The first to go through the procedure will show unswerving devotion, and for those Youth Corp members who have not gone through this," Arthur's face displays his own unfaltering devotion to the cause. "Well, they will be more inclined to keep their steadfast devotion following the example of those who have gone through the procedure." His face seems to almost glow with his own excitement.
Diana restrains rolling her eyes, what had they expected from the Youth Corp. Their devotion has always been unwavering. They have been going through rigorous training as children to do just what they are doing. She likes the human word, brainwashing. The Youth Corp truly do not know any other way to think. Diana smirks, all this praise; and really very little was done for the more intense bonding session. Simply some tweaks were added from the conversion program were used. Then appropriate visuals were added by Alex, the gifted individual who seems to know what visual works, and the timing to apply them in the procedure. She knows nothing about programming and nor does she care, it works and that is all that matters. That is the job of staff directed to do their job as requested, like Eileen and Alex.
She looks around and nods her head accepting the praise. Eileen she notes is doing the same. No, one will ever know how little was done for this. Anyway looks like it worked, with the exception of one of the first having his session stopped and then restarted. Likely due to being one of the very first to have the procedure done to him. Maybe they should have done some more testing on some other individuals first, but she knows with no doubt, all is good.
John allows for more praise of the bonding session, and how the schedules will be worked out. Finally he holds his hand up. Everyone knows that they will be moving on to the next subject and they become quiet.
"Now for the last item in our agenda. The treasonous acts of the Whipelli Clan Leaders and Council. Evidence shows that the Whipelli began this about fifty years ago. Yes, this means this betray was not even begun by most of the Whipelli that have been charged currently. We believe this is in retaliation to when the poisonous gas was dropped on one of their mountain communes and their being forced into the government of the time. Their betrayal did not stop even when Our Great Leader took control of the government and became our Supreme Leader."
James of the Sydney ship speaks up his tone hard and there is a serious glint his eyes, "How could so much time go by without anything being discovered?"
John looks up to the screen. "Yes, they most certainly did this with a great deal of planning. As you know the mountain people asked if they could be part of the colonization efforts for Avena. We all truly thought this was for the best. Decreasing the population of the mountains would lead to less resistance. They also asked to move their priests and religious objects to the colony planet. Again it seemed like a good way to lessen any resistance. Also in the beginning we allowed them to take wetthi and budion to Avena. It takes at least forty years for their product to become the crystals, and longer to be truly viable. It was viewed as an important step as well to ensure we could continue further exploration and have access to the power crystals without having to return to our home world. We didn't know that such a great amount was being taken though and that there are diminishing supplies."
Again James stiffens with a touch of impatience as he speaks. "Yes, we know the ruling government gave permission. The crystals are something our world, and our world only has knowledge of on how they are created; and the needed animals and environment. I know others besides myself have been uneasy of these crystals being accessible off world. Do we have any idea why or how?"
"Yes, however..." John looks at individuals in the room and then turns to look at the screen. "When Our Great Leader came into power, and his brother Secoery was sent to Avena as administrator we now know what evil the mountain people were doing continued. What Secoery knew and how much was being sent or if he knew nothing; is unknown to me. I have not been made privy to that information. I assume he didn't know as the Whipelli have from recorded time been very good at hiding what they see as their religious duty to the mountains by their god. What was thought; was that the Whipelli were sending only wetthi eggs and young budion in small numbers. Again something we wanted so we could have needed power later for further exploration. However, they have been sending these in large numbers. Worse we have just discovered that the Whipelli appear to have been killing wetthi lizards on their mountains. With fewer wetthi, than fewer crystals are created."
While John pauses James speaks up, "Sir, I think Secoery and the rest of administration knew. They just want the crystals to ensure we don't leave them defenseless. It is a colony planet and you don't see the number of individuals that are needed to protect and ensure colonization. They had to know, but are afraid of the Bateen attacking. As for the Whipelli and their mountains, I imagine lessening the number of crystals, and for us not knowing why, would ensure that they would not be removed from their mountain home." He shakes his head, "I don't understand any of this."
Julie from the Brussels mother ship holds up her hand and John nods to her. "I apologize for the questioning, but who if the mountain communes are in upheaval will ensure the crystals are still grown?"
John hesitates for a moment as he notes the mixed reaction of the officers. "With those arrested and most executed; we believe that the communes will do their duty. They will understand they are now going to be watched very carefully. I am sure their devotion is still number one as it has always been and it was only those radicals who caused problems. Also, fear if nothing else will keep them mindful of their duty, if due only to those serving on our ships. Remember we have many of their children as Youth Leaders or serving in the Youth Corp. Surely an unfortunate accident is something they would not want to see happen."
Kunal of the Mumbai mother ship holds his hand up quickly and does not wait for acknowledgment. He speaks sternly, "You understand the animals responsible for the crystals need a certain environment. The mountain people have evolved to survive the fifty below winters, again something needed to give us the environment to create the crystals. Our science has been unable to recreate the crystals yet. We have tried confining or moving the animals and they seem to undergo stress if they are constrained or their environment changes." Many nod their heads in agreement.
John gives Kunal a stern stare. "I have told you nothing will change. Steps have been taken."
Before John can continue Kunal speaks again. "You are correct, we do have some of their young people here and they can go from Youth Corp members to hostages. So I agree that the mountain communes will likely have to do as requested. However, we need those crystals and no other world has what we have." For a moment he stops and frowns before continuing. "As far as we know in order to travel the known universe other worlds took decades or hundreds of years of research to achieve what we were literally given," Again he pauses, "The crystals." Eyes are now fixed on John as Kunal shakes his head, "Do we know..Anything..Else..About..What..Has..Happened?"
Diana watches as John bites his lower lip for a moment, she knows he needs to bring some calm. Or rather have them all feel empowered somehow. She knows he believes that highest ranking officers must be aware of what is happening. She shakes her head. Everyone as far as she is concerned should do as John says with none of this drama. Diana smiles for a moment, she is second-in-command, that means that she should never be questioned.
John looks around and speaks, "We have learned more of what the Whipelli have been doing with interfering with the growth of the crystals. Also, be mindful that the Youth Corp will be going through the new bonding procedures. If all goes well..." John smiles, "Well we could use it on those of appropriate age who are not in the Youth Corp." He smiles slightly, "Then we would have a clearly devoted staff at our beck and call. How comforting it will be when we leave most of the Youth Corp here to ensure Earth stays in our hands. Complete devotion even if it means they may need to accept death goes badly and we can not rescue them. Devotion, complete devotion. Just a thought."
Many heads nod in approval and most officers are smiling. What murmuring Diana can hear is very positive. She wishes she had thought of expanding the bonding procedure. John is correct this could become a good way to begin controlling all of the young staff on the ship. There is a large gap between younger crew members and other staff in the same positions. Yes, not only Youth Leaders and Youth Corp, but all of the younger staff under twenty-one have one thing in common, extremely passionate and devoted, but they may not always embrace what the older staff members direct them to do as time goes on. The younger ones could be made to be faithful to the extreme with every request made of them and never, ever question their orders. Before she can continue her thought she can hear John ranting that no one outside of this room know of the new bonding procedure.
"So again, if the Youth Corp finds out before the procedure is done they may try to warn others or openly protest. We chose Youth Leaders for many reasons, lets not regret the very things that we now find important to use to complete our own projects. Commitment, devotion, passion and a need to assist those in need; these are wonderful qualities. However, lets not have them use them against us to inspire others of their age or even those that are older and not happy with some situation. One reason certain Youth Corp members were chosen for Youth Leaders, was their ability to inspire and lead. Remember no staff outside of this meeting will know of our leaving large number of staff here after we leave." John states, and you can hear the officers agreeing.
John holds up his hand for a moment and the room becomes quiet. " Let us continue with the interference the Whipelli may have been involved with. We know that they were sending their people in larger numbers in the last ten years to Avena. The Whipelli have also sent Ibrea. Secoery has sent the records of Ibrea sent to the colony planet and they are no where near the numbers of individuals actually sent. We don 't understand how all of these individuals could have been sent, but they were. Somehow the records given to Secoery were different than the very few originally given to the Regime by the Whipelli. No, one seemed to actually care on Avena, which included Secoery. As you said, more workers are as you have pointed out very important to a colony planet."
Ivan the Moscow commander speaks next. "The Whipelli were given permission though to take the Ibrea to Avena? The ships used were their ships, they built them; and permission was given to them to to colonize Avena. Also, does it matter about the Ibrea? The desert people really serve no purpose. They refuse to serve in the military. They will die first. I agree with you let them build up the colony planet; after all it is for us. All of our people, no matter the species. So again why do we care. If the Whipelli want to take on the expense of shipping the desert people, let them."
John appears tired of the current topic as he says, "We care because more Ibrea were sent, rather than what was given approval to be sent to the colony. There are other individuals that the Regime may have wanted to take a place on the Whipelli colony ships, that is if we had known what was really going on. Individuals who may be disposed to disrupt the Regime in the future, better to ship them to the colony rather than to have them arrested later. Forced colonizers you may call them. However, you are correct permission was given to appease the Whipelli as they see the Ibrea as individuals their god spoke to in the beginning. We did not to pay attention as maybe we should have. Again, we know that the Ibrea and Whipelli are very close. Their cultures for some reason seem to be tied together, perhaps because of their strange religion. However, it was discovered as I said that the numbers were increasing and at time when it seemed inappropriate. The clans were literally sneaking people out. We know from counseling sessions we have had with the Whipelli Youth Corp that they were not aware of the situation. Likely first due to their young age at the time and also, so that they did not turn their relatives involved into the Regime."
Quinton of the London ship is shaking his head and John motions to him to speak. Quinton shakes his head again, "I feel for the Whipelli Youth Corp members, it seems odd that their clans were abandoning them to the Regime, but they did. This is good, but if they were doing something to supposedly save their people or Ibrea." Again he shakes his head, "It shows you who actually cares about their children. It is us, it is Our Great One."
Zealous comments fill the air: 'We are the guardians not only of our world, but the universe.'
'We care not the species, but only that loyalty is given to Our Great Leader.'
'Let us always be there for our people.'
More comments are made and John allows the vehement animation to override what had become a frustrating meeting for him. Diana is just happy the tone has changed.
Finally John interrupts. "Are there any further questions?"
Again Ivan speaks, "What led these clan members to try and kill many of the wetthi lizards? This makes no sense. Even they as you pointed out are building ships for shipping people and needed animals and plants. They will need the power for those ships, and more importantly they can't move all clans. Therefore, those clans will need the power source for as long as the mountain people live on the home world; and I imagine there will be many who will remain and continue to populate the northern mountains."
John hesitates for a moment, "I want to state that we are not so sure that they were trying to destroy the wetthi, it appears more that they were trying to decrease. Why, I don't know. When we took the Clan Leaders it may have been a maneuver to still get the last ship off to Avena. Actually all of this was due to a fortunate accident. Literally due to an accident, this led to a much more vigorous inspection of their last ship being prepared to leave for the colony planet. We still have no idea, what all has taken place and none of them will talk. All we could get from them was that they were making a new home on Avena. We are still working on the details, but we are sure we will find even more subversive acts that they were committing. Conversion procedure is being tried, but for some reason is not working. However, other methods are being applied to get them to speak up."
Diana smiles, all she sees is confused looks on their faces. Are they confused by other methods, which obviously means torture. Or any of John's statements. For her, did the Whipelli actually do anything except try to leave for Avena in a more accelerated rate? So much speculation.
John clears his throat and glances about sharply before speaking again, "Any questions? Remember we do know the Clan Leaders have done something. For now we know they have committed treasonous acts and we are fortunate that everything was found so soon. Our Great Leader is now solely in charge of the mountains. Any questions?"
Diana shakes her head as she looks at all of the confused looks. However, no one says anything. There are just times nothing will ever make sense. The certainty of all of this is that The Great Leader has removed anyone from the mountains that would get in his way. Most likely his plan the entire time. Yes, Martial Law here on Earth and now on the northern mountains. Martial Law, nothing temporary about it; this is the way it should be always.