Been Quite A Day

Martin

Martin stands at the elevator door. It is exactly 4 pm California time. Right now he would give almost anything to be on Earth standing in the bright sunshine. He would take off his protective glasses and allow the Earth sun to do its magic. What he would give to watch the grass with its glimmer of green, gold, blue and various hues from the grass sparkling before him. To complete this picture, have a bright breeze come waving the multiple colors about. Others may find the way their eyes viewed the world in the Earth sun unsettling, but he did not. This phenomenon did not happen on his world. Green was green, blue was blue and so on. He may have stood there longer if Steven had not come up behind him.

Steven's arm sweeps towards a door down the hall. "I take it you have been invited to Diana's little party."

He shrugs, "I was told second-in-command Rita from the Houston ship was here. I am to bring her aide Sadie down to view the new software for the J07 shuttle. Sadie is a pilot and aide, like myself. That is all."

"Then you know not of why they are here?"

"No, I simply do as directed."

A sound of the second elevator and a trooper with a Youth Corp member walks out and head in the opposite direction to the bonding room.

"Well, I guess we will find out why we are here." Steven says.

The second elevator opens once again and another trooper and Youth Corp member come out and head for the bonding room. A moment later another trooper and a confused looking Youth Corp member come out of the bonding room. The trooper is holding her arm and guiding her to the elevator.

Martin frowns, he is bothered by the haunted, almost desperate look in the eyes of the Youth Corp member. It is troubling to him.

"They are going twenty-four hours a day after they worked on the first three Youth Leaders. It was decided all is working as expected. Now they work all day and they do at least four at a time." Steven says with a troubled look. "Not just this ship. All of them."

"I heard that all Youth Leader commitments have been halted for the last two days. Not resuming until tomorrow and then very limited. Also, that those things the other Youth Corp members are assigned to do are being limited; if not suspended for the next few days." Martin stares up at Steven awaiting his response.

Steven shrugs, "The Youth Corp is an odd group anyway. Now this." He stares at the bonding door for a moment before turning back to Martin. "However, I am sure all will be good." He snorts, "They sure are a tight group aren't they. Brian gave a unity speech on all of the ships. Jose on the Mexico City ship has been doing some reach out program to the younger Youth Corp members who may be struggling with some issue or whatever. Alfred another Youth Leader on the Berlin ship has been setting up a program where small bonding events can be held to bring unity. Well, blah, blah, blah. Does anyone, including yourself understand these Youth Corp people? I swear they have their own secret society."

"Just a dedicated group of young people." Martin deadpans.

Steven puts a hand on Martin's shoulder. "We better go in...if we like it or not, as they are likely waiting for us." They begin to walk towards the door and Steven says quietly, "I have told Diana and John that I think the Youth Corp is becoming more of their own group. Not just the Whipelli. Worries me. Youth Leader, doesn't just mean do what your told." Just before entering the door he shakes his head. "Ignore me. I am making more of this than it really is. You can't be anymore dedicated to the cause than the Youth Corp and after what is happening now in the bonding room...well, I guess more dedication will be coming from them." He chuckles, "I guess the only thing to worry about is if they think we are dedicated enough to the Great Leader."

Martin rubs his chin nervously as they enter the room. "Everyone is dedicated to the cause." Inside his head he is saying, "To their cause and I to my cause."

Walking into the room not only are Rita and Sadie standing there, but a trooper and one of Diana's medical aides. Martin believes the aides name is Jason. However, something he has never seen before. A room with an observation window. Inside the room a young woman. Her hair is a tangled mess and her eyes hold an emptiness, it is if who she was, has left her physical self.

"...I am using a figure of speech, Rita." Diana stops speaking and turns to look at Steven and himself. "I think everyone knows everyone." She smiles.

Rita barely turns her head towards them. She is tall, nearly six feet and has Hispanic features. However, it is almost like she and Diana are in competition for some look. Both have the same hair style and makeup.

Steven folds his arms across his chest and faces everyone with his quirky grin. "Lovely to see you all. I see that we have Brenda 489 on display." He turns to Martin. "Have you been introduced?"

All he can do is shift his feet awkwardly. "Ah...no, this is the first time."

Diana turns to the window and Rita moves next to her. " The human genome is accepting of the manipulated mountain sperm. As I said we need the Whipelli sperm in order to begin the process of introducing the Depol donors DNA. Unfortunately, this doesn't work with all human females. I will be sending you the documentation and when younger females are taken I want you to take a blood sample and run the test. Sadly, Brenda 489 has been the only one we have found and I am having trouble finding another ideal subject."

Rita speaks up. "You still have not told us why this is needed?"

Edging forward, Diana touches the window and turns her head to Rita. "Again, it is confidential. However, it is a mission for our Great Leader. You will need to get details from him, or shall I tell him you will not or cannot do as directed?"

"No, that is fine." Rita stares at Diana in disbelief and a bit of fear on her face. "We will do as requested."

"You are the first that I am asking," Diana smiles and says softly, ". . .think of the reward."

"The reward will be good, but knowing I have done this for the Great Leader is everything." Rita says with a smile.

There is a long moment of silence. "Let us eat, shall we?" Diana asks and walks to a panel. The window darkens and the young woman is no longer in view. Next Diana walks to a cage. "Please help yourself."

Steven smiles, "Thank you I have eaten."

Martin shakes his head no. "I am fine and Sadie and I will need to review the program for the long term auto-pilot."

"Don't be shy," Diana says to Rita. She reaches into the cage and pulls out a large guinea pig. Then bends her head back and opens her mouth as wide as she can. She does not break its neck, instead she lowers it into her mouth.

Martin finds he is not the only one squirming. Rita and Sadie look like their eyes will pop from their eyes sockets. The only one not worried is Steven who is shaking his head and smiling. All Martin can do is turn to Sadie. "Shall we go?"

"Yes! Lets do that. I am quite excited about that...ah, yes let us go. Rita when you are ready to leave, please let me know." Sadie says and Diana smiles.

Both she and Martin leave as quickly as they can leaving a dumbfounded Rita and a smiling Steven behind them.

After entering the elevator and giving their destination Sadie looks around sharply. She is small in stature and her very pale blonde hair is short, but fits her slender face. "How did she do that? I have seen competitions where someone sees who can eat the largest rodent. However, what she did." Sadie holds her hands out in front of her as if in complete awe. "The animal was so large and alive. I don't see how her tongue could have pushed it back or down. Her throat muscles must be amazing. Her throat is so slender. I am completly lost on how she did that." She shakes her head. "It was alive. It could have bitten her or scratched her. I am totally amazed."

Martin just shakes his head and shrugs.

"Did you see her belly? If I ate that...ah, my belly would have become distended. Bloated and much to full. My throat would hurt, my chest would ache. Just to large for normal consumption."

Again he shrugs. He really doesn't know what to say. Diana is Diana. Martin then directs Sadie to the small shuttle and they hasten inside. They both become excited about the new program and how the shuttle could fly itself with very little intervention by the pilot in some very difficult terrain and enemy fire. Still they both agree, a fighter pilot cannot be replaced, to many things that come into play, including those able to get into the program and take over the flight. Still this program will allow for those who are not used to flying to at least keep the flight on course if there is an issue or a problem with the pilot.

Sadie turns to him suddenly and plays with the collar on her uniform for a moment. Her eyes dart about and Martin holds up a hand. "Not to worry no monitoring device. Don't worry about your reaction to Diana. Trust me, she likes doing that sort of thing."

"Not about Diana. Do you know anything about the new bonding procedure?" Again Sadie plays with her collar.

"Not sure what you mean?" Martin mutters. He doesn't want to talk about this and provide information that she didn't even know about. It is confidential, but she is in a position where she may no more than most.

"Nothing, I guess." She says hesitantly. "Well, I guess we should leave. I thank you for the information and the data. I will download it on one of our small shuttles and take it out and see how it goes." Sadie turns her head back to him, "No. I have to ask, have you seen them. The Youth Corp members after..." She bites her lip for a moment, "They seem confused. I don't know...ah, lost. Are they really fit now to serve?"

Martin doesn't know what to say. "I understand. I promise it is not conversion. It is just a harsher bonding procedure. You will see. I have heard that the individuals this was first done on are fine. It just takes a few days."

Sadie whispers softly. "I know about the clan leaders and council members and treason they have committed. I know this was done to ensure the Youth Corp keeps its loyalty to the Regime. I also, know that you know this."

Martin finds that he is grinding his teeth. "It is for the best of the Regime."

She shakes her head. "The Youth Corp bothers me already in some ways. I am not talking just about Whipelli. I mean all of the Youth Corp. At first when we were coming I didn't think much of it. They really have had no military training, so they know why they were made fun of, but they are learning. . . .Wow, are they learning. I know that they are either very intelligent, or are gifted in some expertise." Sadie is now the one shrugging. "I don't know what to say. That doesn't bother me. It's something else. It is like they speak to each other. We hear something else, but they seem to be saying something else sometimes...Something they only understand. Do you know what I mean?"

He knew exactly what she was saying, Steven had just said basically the same thing. The first time Brian had given his unity speech he could see something in the Youth Corp faces as he spoke. They were most definitely hearing a different message than everyone else in the room. Even he was not sure what message Brian was truly giving. However, there were a few like Steven who seemed to know something was different. Victor at first seemed to understand this, but then embraced the speech. However, he doubts that Victor really knew, he simply believed that it was unity for the Regime only. Martin, knows Brian really meant unity with Youth Corp first and foremost, maybe even more. However, how bad could the message be. The Youth Corp is one with the Regime and always will be. Yes, Brian it had turned out was a gifted speech giver and the passion he felt for what he was saying was quite evident. The speech was definitely about embracing bonding yes, unity yes, but there was something else he just can't figure out. Still, in the end he had advised Brian to remember that words were more dangerous than knives and passion more frightening than guns. He had done this just in case Brian and many of his fellow Youth Members were not as happy with the Regime as most thought. Mostly, he likes the idea of lurking troublemakers hiding in plain sight. If they were unhappy, no one would ever know as the Youth Corp always appeared to be faithful to the cause. Yes, these individuals that several others saw as more devoted to the Great Leader than any of the officers on the ship could be like tiny biting insects. A true irritation that are involved with everyone and everything on the ship. He chuckles, then frowns; now of course the new bonding procedure will ensure that the Youth Corp are now one with the Regime no matter what. He sighs, he had certainly once indulged in daydreams of the Youth Corp becoming the Regime's little irritation. An irritation that would occupy the ships personnel and keep it away from the expanding Fifth Column. Not happening now. Now, he needs to be even more watchful of the ever present Youth Corp with their hands in everything.

Sadie is looking at him awaiting an answer and the look on her face is beginning to appear a bit nervous. "Don't worry, it was on my mind is all."

Martin shakes his head and clears his throat. "Sorry, I was just trying to give a good answer to your question. Yes, I have seen it myself once. I think all of their years together, the forty day bonding procedure since they were what; sixteen years old has indeed bonded them together."

"Yes, I agree. Did you know that it was the Great One's brother that wrote the bonding program?"

"Secoery?" Martin shakes his head. "I can't see how that could be. He may be governing the colony planet, but I doubt that he was trusted to write that kind of program."

"I know it was move to the colony or be arrested by your own brother that he is now governing Avena. Or at least that is the rumor going around and not just by officers. However, the program has worked as expected. Until now it has never been changed, that is how well the program is trusted."

Secoery he knows defied his brother, but still the man had backed the Regieme. "I don't know what to say. I think you will find that the Youth Corp will be as loyal as ever if not more so."

"Yes, loyalty. I just worry these procedures are not working as they think." There is a tone of urgency to her words. "I just don't know. There is something about them. They are loyal, but I don't think it is loyalty to the Regime. I think it is to the Youth Corp. Maybe, it is all in my mind. If not this procedure may strengthen their loyalty to the Great Leader. Just something about them."

Their eyes lock onto each other. Sadie has sent a shiver down his spine. He can't even say why, in fact this could be good as all eyes will be on the Youth Corp. However, this does mean others know that there is something off about the Youth Corp. Best it Their eyes lock onto each other. Sadie has sent a shiver down his spine. He can't even say why, in fact this could be good as all eyes will be on the Youth Corp. However, this does mean others know that there is something off about the Youth Corp. Best it will hardly get in the way of his plans for the Fifth Column if they know or don't. They had all agreed to not allow any Youth Corp member or their Youth Leaders into the Fifth Column. As things have worked out that was a good plan.

Sadie smiles, "Ignore me." She stands and chuckles. "If anything we may have to deal with growing friction over the water we are bringing on the ship. Questions on why we didn't get it from one of our two moons or begin farming asteroids for water collection. People want to send the water home and wonder why we are not sending a few ships home filled with water. Then having them return and another group of ships leave with the stored water."

"I understand, it is the same here." They walk down the ramp. "As for the Youth Corp all I can say for now is that they will always be loyal. The training since they were children and their forty-day bonding procedures." He shrugs, "They will be fine."

"Yes, you are correct. Besides they were also chosen for the fact that they believe in helping. Even the worse of them want to help our people and I must say..." Sadie shakes her head, "They really would die to help our people. Sad, what should be the best of our people, those who would gladly volunteer and work towards fixing our homeworld are the ones that we have sent here."

Martin can feel the restlessness in her. He wishes he knew more about her. Would she be a good fit for the Fifth Column. If they could recruit enough individuals on each ship they could take control of the ships, and return to their world to overthrow the Great Leader. This is what Jack and other resistance members awaiting for them at home are hoping for. That or at least something to begin a civil war against the evil now dictating how things will be for their people. The growing unrest will help with his goal to overthrow the Great Leader and try and repair their world. It may not be possible to take the ships, but anything that they can do to escalate the growing unrest will be good.

"Sadie," He looks at her. "All will be fine. I would like to have more conversations with you. Would that be okay for you?"

Her eyes do not leave his and a small smile graces her lips. Softly she whispers. "I would like that. To have you as a friend would mean so much to me."

Suddenly he finds his heart racing, he really likes her. However, adding romance and perhaps a sexual rendezvous may not be the thing to do with all that must be done to complete his own mission. Still, he likes her and it is just a casual friendship. He speaks clearly hoping to not betray how much he would like to spend more time with her. "I would like nothing more; further discussion on the program would be beneficial."

Sadie's device and his buzz. She smiles, "I guess we are going to have a little dinner party. Maybe we could talk; talk about flowers and such." Sadie bites her lip for a second and smiles.

Martin nods and he passes his hand through the air. "Yes, let us do that." He smiles, "Been quite the day."

As they walk up to the elevator others join them. She leans over and whispers, "Yes, quite a day."

They smile at each other trying not to make eye contact and betray the fact that they intend to spend the night flirting with each other. For Martin this is something; even if it just a little food and simple conversation, something he has not had in a long while. It is doubtful that a real relationship will come of this, but still sometimes it is just nice to be with someone and share a moment.