Steven
What Next
Steven walks into a small room that has been setup for officers to relax; the exception being Youth Corp officers. The Youth Leaders have been excluded from many perks that other officers enjoy. Today he is looking for a little relaxation and not having to think about the Youth Corp for a few minutes. He can't say why, but the new bonding slash conversion program being used worries him.
He walks into the room and looks about. There are so many people here today. Likely this is due to the fact that they have begun to serve the earth version of chaffee. He already has tried coffee at the Dupres home. It has some of the same bitterness as chaffee, so it is okay. For him if you truly wanted the best you went to the northern mountains and they mixed the chaffee with some spice that they kept secret. He doesn't care what the spice or herb is, he simply likes to enjoy a cup as a treat when he is there.
Steven cuts that thought when he overhears Martin say something about a magic army to Jack, the skin specialists. Many others begin to laugh and talk about what a magic army would be composed of. The magic army comment seems more like a Jack comment, at least from what he knows of the man. However, this remark came from Martin, he is not someone he would thought would make such a statement. Martin, is just way too serious in nature. Steven smiles and shakes his head, he knows Martin's twin brother Phattac as well; the two could be interchangeable. They could truly fool anyone if they wanted them thinking that they were the other brother.
He picks up a cup and pours the coffee; he looks about for the sugar, but there is none. Next he looks for any kind of sweetener; again nothing. Obviously, those preparing this didn't realize that even the Whipelli put sweeteners or other flavorings in their chaffee. Humans, put sugar or cream in their coffee. He most certainly does not like it without that little personal touch you, yourself choose. Steven shrugs, and walks over to Martin and Jack. "Do you mind if I sit with you? It's been a busy day today; have not seen so many in here at one time."
Martin and Jack look at each other and Martin waves to a chair and smiles much too broadly. "Certainly, good to see you."
Steven returns the broad smile and sits, "I thank you. I hope you are both having a great day. I heard the comment about the magic army. Is there a joke behind that?"
Martin shakes his head smiling. "No, just saw everyone in the...as you have noted a crowded room. You know the magic army."
"Of course," Steven hesitates for a moment and tilts his head towards the chuckling Jack. "Ah, I was wondering if I could ask a quick question of you, Jack?"
"Question away," Jack says with a silly grin.
"Our storm troopers are mostly Dahax. Their noses are very broad and fairly flat. Now, I understand that the thought is that they are not human enough looking. However, that piece used to give them more of a...what you call a higher bridge is hurting them. These are troopers and they are now beginning to use pain medication. It is affecting them, how do I say this...Is there anything else that can be used, so that the medication is not needed. If not, can another medication be given? Again just a quick question?"
Jack tilts his head thoughtfully, "Humm, you are not the only one bringing this up. I imagine, that you have likely already spoken to John and Diana."
Steven nods his head immediately. "Yes, they just keep saying that this is needed to make them human looking. I told them the Dahax are not used to taking medications and that this could become problematic over time; which could affect their ability to fight physically or shoot accurately."
"I understand, I am hearing from other skin specialists on our other ships. They in return are speaking to their security officers who are looking for other alternatives. Like you, I have also spoken to Diana and others hoping that they may allow for some alternatives. I have been told that scores in target shooting have fallen greatly and I mentioned this as well. They have said we will continue with what we are doing currently." Jack shakes his head, it is obvious he does feel for the Dahax.
Steven stands and speaks with a solemn tone. "Thank you, but we may be paying a price if our best soldiers lose their abilities due to what they look like. Not right, I have now seen a few humans whose noses are nearly as broad and flat or very similar to the Dahax." He shakes his head and walks off silently.
He walks down the hall as troopers, crew and other officers nod at him as he walks past them. Steven does not really notice any of them, he is truly concerned about the troopers. It is not just their shooting scores that are falling, but as he told Jack they are reacting slower when going through physical fighting exercises. It is not just the troopers noses, but their heads that are hurting as well. Lately, he has noticed some of them rubbing their heads and the looks of pain on their faces. Unlike his people with the smaller crests, the Dahax not only have large crests, but what to humans would likely be perceived as flexible horns. These are not a people that should be wearing this idiot pseudo-skin. Their heads certainly appear deformed as well, so how can that be the look of a human.
Steven sighs deeply as he enters the elevator and gives the computer his destination. With the thought of crests and frills he finds he is rubbing his own head. He doesn't like wearing this false skin. His true skin feels dry and all he wants to do is rub it and he can't because of the pseudo-skin. This leads to thoughts of his eyes and how for some time they feel dry continuously. It seems that his eyes are watering at odd times. In fact, he now has a recent memory of this happening unexpectedly when it should not have. He had visited Eleanor and they had sat outside visiting; however, the smog was thick that day and he kept finding himself squeezing his eyes shut several times. Suddenly his eyes started watering heavily. Eleanor looked at him and suddenly looked concerned. She had asked him what was making him so sad. Next she was asking if he wanted to talk about anything and that she was happy to listen. He could not tell her his people didn't cry when feeling certain emotion, but that this was caused due to his eye coverings and the smog. It took him a while, but he was finally able to change the subject. However, he knows she must be wondering if he was sad or if some odd alien thing was happening. Humans must not know that his contacts are not some small disc, but the ones used for his people cover their entire eye. It is this kind of thing that makes it hard to seem human-like, when you are not.
His last thought brings him to how humans really will perceive his people in their true-form. The information about humans has been very correct unfortunately. He has watched a couple of their movies with aliens and the aliens looked like reptile monsters. This is all humans would see if his people were to show their true face. Yes, monsters. It matters not that his people are neither lizard, mammal or fish.
The elevator stops and just before the door opens he is sure he can hear people arguing or at least speaking very loudly. The door opens and a Youth Leader and a trooper are standing there. Neither is speaking now. They both are standing stiffly and appear as if they are going to salute him. He really is not sure what to make of this.
He looks at the two of them for a moment as they stand stiffly and quietly. He looks at the Youth Leader. "You are, ah...Brian? Yes, Brian. I heard that you are now Chief Organizer at the Visitor Friends building and Victor's aide. Correct?"
Brian begins to bite his lip, but stops and looks about for a moment. "Yes, sir." He says nothing more and Steven watches as Brian's eyes dart about again before suddenly staring directly at him.
Steven then looks at the trooper. "Your name?"
The trooper if possible stands even straighter. "S9N10060, sir!"
He shakes is head, "I would like more than your identification number. Please, give me your name."
"I do not have a human name sir. I am Dahax."
Steven speaks calmly and reassuringly. "It is okay. You will not be in trouble. I...have requested your name."
The trooper for the briefest moment looks at Brian. "Aloohula, sir."
He looks at his device and then smiles, "Thank you." The trooper appears to relax a bit and Steven continues. "So is there a problem, Aloohula? Lost perhaps? I show you should be eating and perhaps taking a nap or at least relaxing for a bit."
"I was going to eat in the smaller dining area, sir."
Steven then looks at Brian, "You are not assigned to security. Is there a reason for you to be in this section? Planning to enjoy a Dahax meal?"
Brian is quiet for a long moment and suddenly says, "I was interested in maybe doing security some time. Aloohula, has been so kind to speak to me. I was so interested in our conversation that I got off without even knowing I had..." Then he turns to the trooper. "Thank you, Aloohula."
The trooper turns to Brian, "You are welcome. I hope, ah...I was helpful."
Steven shakes his head. This has got to be the worse cover-up he has encountered in sometime. "Well, Brian if ever you are interested in serving in security then let us speak sometime. However, it appears your talents are in a more social arena. Security, I promise you is far different than organizing, guiding and getting people to do what you need them to do."
Then both Aloohula and Brian smile and nod. Steven awaits someone to say something, but neither say anything. They both just stand stiffly in front of him. He had been curious as to what was happening before the elevator doors open, but he is finding he doesn't really care. He waves them off. "Please, continue on." He then just walks away not knowing what is happening between the two.
He feels bored and stares down at the floor for a moment before entering into the room. Then he chuckles. Yeah, Brian in security. You could smell politician in the making all over the Youth Leader. Who would want one of them in security anyway. They are manipulative, and overly sensitive, which is good it gives them the ability to read people. He appreciates their passion as well, but Youth Leaders always think they know better than everyone else. Of course, who knows what they will be like now with the new bonding procedure.
With a sigh he enters the room where lower ranking security officers await his appearance. Like it or not he must do his endless tasks. Truly he feels like he is not making any difference at all. The thought of suicide sits awaiting him to embrace that day.
He certainly is not making anything of himself as of late. Now his thought to help the Dahax is failing as he has not found a way to get assistance in helping them. The task is certainly outside of his expertise.
Then there is Diana who is always brushing off every idea he has and if he speaks to John she intervenes. Then if he speaks to Diana first and gives her the details she then takes credit for it and his name is never even mentioned.
What next? Really, what next in this messed up mission.
Having to listen to Diana's endless ranting is also tiresome. Then he stops, would it be possible to well; overthrow Diana. He finds himself smiling. Diana is a psychopath and after awhile there will be a growing number of officers looking for a way to get rid of her. They will also be looking for a replacement. Why not him? Why not.