Chapter 31

Aloohula

Life Stories

Aloohula is not sure how he is to work with Anthony, he has no experience working with children. Real children and not Youth Corp. He has had no siblings as well, his uncertainty on how this works is beyond him. How does the Youth Corp work with young people so easily?

Making this worse there are two other Downstairs Kids who will be working on this project. That means multiple children. He is not ready to play games, manipulate no matter how good it is for them or more importantly teach. The elevator seems to lurch as it stops and almost seems to groan as its door opens. "Yeah, that is how I feel," He says to the door. There is suddenly a whooshing sound as the water sprinklers begin their job of watering plants, this causes him to jerk his head about as he had not expected this. Stepping forward into the room itself he finds that not only Anthony is running up to him, but three others; one more then expected. They are happy, laughing and speaking all at once. Finally, he raised his hand thinking all the while, please get me out of here. "Stop! Just give me a moment."

"We're just so happy to see you. Did Brian come, is Willie coming?" Anthony asks beaming and waving his hands around.

The Downstairs Kids all look as they should. It is the one thing that he loves about coming down here. For what time he is here it is like being home. No, fake human facade; they are themselves. Beautiful green skin, red or orange eyes with a slitted pupil. None of the children are Dahax or Whipelli; they are all Depol, but he is fine with that. They have small delicate crests and forked tongues that they love sticking out for some reason. Likely because upstairs as they like to say, everyone must look human.

He holds up both hands to indicate they should stop jumping up and down and squealing as he speaks. "No, Brian will not be coming as discussed last time. I will be the one directly...ah, I guess ah." He finds himself squinting. Surely he wasn't in charge. Lifting his brow he realizes that is exactly what Brian has manipulated him into. He had told himself that Youth Leaders are very manipulative, therefore always beware of them, he just should have known better. However, with Brian he knew he was being manipulated, yet he went right along with what was in Brian's head. Now of course, he is supposed to be one of those that are tasked to rein the Youth Leader in when he begins charging ahead. Something Brian has asked of him, to be honest at the time it made him feel kind of important. Now, he realizes that it is actually a challenging job as the Youth Leader is stubborn, opinionated and thinks he knows better than everyone else. Brian may know exactly what he wants, but does not always think of the repercussions he was told by Gordon. Making it odder he is now in the Twenty and Under and the Doing Our Own Thing, gangs. All he can do is shake his head, how did he get so involved with Brian, Shy, Gordon, George, Kelly, William and some Downstairs Kids and likely a growing list of cohorts. He shakes his head again, he won't have to worry about his life being dull now.

The four Downstairs Kids look up at him intently awaiting his answer. Shaking his head, "I don't know about William. It is his day off so he may be here later or in just a minute or two. You will however, be working with me directly. Brian and William are of course involved, but." He suddenly stops speaking and shrugs.

Anthony and the others shake their heads although the smiles have not left them. Anthony says. "Ah, you actually are a farmer and we need someone that actually knows what they are doing. We know Brian thinks he is, but he isn't. I am just a kid and I know that he really isn't." His tone softens. "Willie, I think; well he acts a bit like he is my father or big brother and not a coworker."

When the young man speaks of William, Aloohula can hear how much he cares about him. However, the Downstairs child tone changes again, speaking in a more dominating delivery. "I want to truly be the one who is in charge. I know that I need permission and assistance where I don't know what I am doing. Trust me I am not stupid, I know I need lots of guidance, but I can help you to fulfill your goal and mine."

Aloohula shakes his head, smiling he says, "You are lucky to have William on your side. He inspired Brian for your project. Who in turn has inspired others. So all of this is because William cares a great deal about all of you. I guess never forget that someone truly cares about you that they are willing to drag in a bunch of crazy people like the Youth Leaders and myself." He has no idea why he has gotten all soft about any of this.

One of the youths speaks with a sober tone, "It's nice suddenly having people actually care about us. We are treated like pets down here. Study, study, study, we rarely see any adults other than the one who checks on us and gives us our studies and makes sure we eat and stuff."

"I understand, I was lucky I had my family to be there for me." Aloohula shrugs and says, "So lets get started as I need a list of things so we can." He pauses for a moment, "Well, smuggle if you want to call it that. We need to start with the necessary items for the project first."

A couple of the kids giggle, "Smuggle."

"Remember you can't say anything. If you are all here for this, you must remember this is our..." He puts a finger to his lips for a moment. "Secret, our secret project. We are doing what?"

The group replies together. "Doing our own thing."

"Very good." He isn't sure if Anthony and the others are saluting or making fun of him as they put a fist to their chest. "None of that. This is not a regime. We really are doing our own thing."

The group loses their smiles as Anthony steps forward. "I am in command of this group." He points to the others. "They agree to support me and I them. I have a list and have written it on a paper so you can hide it as we have been directed to do." He takes a long stiff step to the trooper and hands a small paper with the list of needed items. "Thank you sir!" Then he takes the same long stiff step back and then turns and walks back to where he had been standing. They all stand very straight and stiffly, staring directly at him.

Aloohula takes the scrap of paper and reads out loud what is on the list, all the while wondering why they have decided to go all military on him. "Didn't know you had paper. Are all of these items needed now?"

"Yes, sir." Anthony says with a stiff nod.

He feels like a headache is beginning to knock on his forehead as to say, look what you got yourself into. "You have gone over this list with William?"

"No, not all of it. That is why we were hoping Willie was coming." Anthony says quietly. "Will we have to wait for the go ahead. Really want to get the platform started and I know you need to get the seedlings started."

Aloohula blinks, knowing a more puzzled look is likely gracing his face. Seriously, this is when a manipulative Youth Leader is supposed to step in. "Huh? Okay, but we need to work on immediate needed items first."

It is easy to see that Anthony is losing some of his confidence. How do you work with others, telling them what to do, then make them feel like it is the very thing they want to do. Aloohula knows he has a lot to learn himself. However, before he can try to find a way to work them he hears a sound. Cocking his head he is sure he has heard the elevator door. He stares intently awaiting who may be entering the garden. Then there he is...

"Willie!" The four youths run over to Willie, then except for Willie they bounce up and down laughing and talking with a lot of enthusiasm as they all walk back to Aloohula.

"Good to see you William." He is happy himself as there is now someone who can guide him through what is a new experience for himself. "I know this is your day to relax."

Willie looks at the kids giving a snort, then shaking his head and laughing a bit. "My pleasure. I would love to see the platform built, even if it is a just a small one. We will need somehow to get a crystal to create the electro magnetic energy needed."

"I guess the list is first." Aloohula beams happily at Anthony for a moment before turning back to Willie as he says, "Thank you for your service William. It means so much to them and to me. It is good for all of us to do something that may only be important to us."

They go over what is on the list and how they may be able to achieve the supplies. Anthony and the others jump in from time to time to either ask or answer questions. Then the Downstairs Kids run off to fulfill their studies leaving him and Willie to finish their discussion on getting the needed supplies.

"Time to go," Aloohula points to the elevator.

"Thank you Aloohula. I must say I never thought of a trooper helping with this. Inspired Youth Corp members naturally, but never thought of troopers as being interested in something like this. It shows you that you never truly know anyone."

"Brian says it was you that began all of this. You got him to think about a way fight the pain that we Dahax have from our fake human..." He pauses, "Sorry no more rant. How did you inspire Brian and his friends?"

Willie stares up at the ceiling for a moment. "I will make it a short story. I was supposed to be on another ship. There was a mistake I was needed on this ship. It was easy to change this skin and place different hair on me." He rubs his hand and then points to his head. "However, speaking a different language was something different. Here I am having spent all that time at home learning the wrong language. Now I had to learn this language and very quickly. It was too hard for me. So they got me someone well versed in learning languages and was a tutor while performing his Youth Corp assignments at home. That someone was Brian. We learned a lot about each other as time went by. Maybe, he learned more about me, but that is his job. Anyway when I needed help for Anthony, it was Brian I asked. Although I did not expect him to...ah, ah, plunge in like a tornedo...I mean tornado."

Aloohula tilts his head, "You know he is real manipulative jerk."

Willie looks him in the eye, "Then why are you helping?"

"Same reason, needed help and he was the one that offered." He laughs, shaking his head. "Short story. I called him a child."

"I can see that there are times they are most certainly not acting their age. However, that is not their fault. The Regime I believe finds it easier to ensure their unflagging loyalty if their maturity is a bit..." Willie rolls his eyes, "Easier to manipulate them if they have had less life experience. That is changing and the Regime cannot stop that. Everyone grows up. Well, most grow up."

He lifts a brow, "For sure. That is what I meant when I said it, but I said it loud enough for him to hear. Brian literally hunted me down and belittled me. Jerk did not care who was there to hear him. Not good. Then we met again and I told him about my pain. Not going into that, but we will work on Anthony's project and mine together. I wish I could tell you, but anyway no more pain medication. There is something as I said about him. He can manipulate someone and you know he is doing it." Aloohula tightens his lips, biting the inside of his mouth. "He did it to me and I am sure others and yet we can't help ourselves. You just become part of the pack."

"You know he has to be the way he is to survive. Not just him, but all the Youth Leaders and most of the Youth Corp."

"I do now, but I don't like it. I just can't trust him. Don't think I ever will totally. However, just changing this conversation up a bit. You happen to have a young man who thinks a great deal of you. He tries to cover that, but he does. Just the few times I have spoken to him his admiration for you can be immediately felt. He respects you."

"Anthony is a good kid. Myself and a few others were asked to have him assist us in some assignments on the ship. In the end I think he was teaching me. The more I get to know the Downstairs the more I come to understand that most are on the..." Willie pauses for a moment. "Genius level."

Aloohula has an almost puzzled look as he speaks. "Yeah, the next level of Youth Corp. If our current Youth Leaders are the way they are; how will the Downstairs be? Rather scary when you think about it."

They begin walking towards the elevator when finally Willie speaks in a morose tone. "I don't want them to be like the Youth Corp. I wish they could have true lives, just I wanted for..." He stops speaking and begins walking again.

When they reach the elevator Aloohula puts his hand on Willie's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"I am fine."

"No, you are not. I take it you have a wife and maybe a child at home?"

"No wife and no son."

Aloohula looks around and stops Willie from calling for the elevator. "You said son. I don't normally do this, sound like Shy now. Are you okay, is there something you would like to say? I didn't ask about a son."

Willie shakes his head, but the two just stand looking at the elevator door. Finally Willie looks up at the ceiling and then to the floor. "I was married. Her name was Taor. She was not beautiful, but not homely either. However, a few hours after meeting her she became the most beautiful woman I knew at that time."

Aloohula says nothing, but steps backward a few steps.

Willie turns and walks towards him, stopping he begins again. "Taor and I had a beautiful son. BjoBak was three, because I was coming here we were given permission to have another child. She was just a few weeks old and her name was Bofael."

"I take it something happened."

"Taor and I were so happy. You don't know how excited we were. I was to leave in a year and I was so happy I could spend time with my children before we had to leave and the idea of doing something for our family. Well, we were willing to sacrifice ourselves and time with each other to bring water home."

"That is why we are all here."

"Yes, I just wish when I go home that." Willie stops speaking and just looks at the floor.

"What happened?"

"One night my friends said they would like to celebrate the birth of my daughter. I never did things like that." He looks down and is now shaking slightly. "My friends and I would get together and just do happy, stupid stuff. It was just going to be a short time, but as I said we partied. Taor sent a message out to me. We were to go to her parents together, but I wanted to spend just a little more time with my friends. She came back with another message, she wrote; then see you when you have time for us."

"Sounds like she wasn't to happy." Aloohula isn't sure if he should give a smile. He certainly doesn't feel the humor.

"I left immediately, but when I got home they were gone. I sent a message to her family. They said that she had not arrived. So I started on my way; I sent a message with no response. When I reached her family's home there was a medical vehicle and her parents outside along with several strangers. Her mother was screaming and when she saw me she ran and started hitting me." There is a long pause before he finishes. "My wife, my children were killed. Just an accident, but they would not have been there if I had not went out with my friends, I should have just GONE HOME!" As they walk to the elevator his voice is heavy as says, "I will never have that again."

He feels for William and would like to say something that would make him feel better about himself. Unfortunately words fail to come to him so he simply says what comes to him first. "Were you married long enough to have set the life monogamous bond to one another. You had children together."

"No, I don't believe that we had spent enough time for the bond to complete even though we had children. I suppose I should be able to love again, but I don't know that I want too."

Aloohula looks to the floor for a moment, taking a deep breath he places a hand on Willie's shoulder. Then he steadies himself, speaking quietly he says. "Still one day you may find someone, someone that together you will create the marriage bond. I believe that we are all meant to have love and family."

Willie's face shows his deep sadness as he sighs deeply. "However, I will never forget I am the one too blame for their deaths."

The elevator arrives and the door opens, all Aloohula can think to say is, "Not your fault. It is life. I will always be here for you."

Willie nods at him, both know that the time to share private and personal conversation is coming to an end. As far as the officers on this ship are concerned there is nothing in common between William and himself. He snorts, actually he has less in common with Brian, the other Youth Leaders and Brian's odd programmer roommate Kelly. He feels like he understands William so much more than the others.

Willie cocks his head to one side and has a puzzled look. "I am okay, I promise. Have one thought how can humans be married over five or even fifty years and then leave each other with little feeling. I don't understand how they can do that? Our people will create the bond, some do have affairs, but yet can never leave their marriage bond behind. These affairs are only sexual in nature and few are inclined to even do this." He shakes his head, "Maybe I am being too harsh."

"No, your not being harsh. However, humans appear to do it easily, maybe they take drugs or something. Like conversion to end their relationship, no that isn't right. Just humans don't develop that monogamous bond for life like we do after we spend a certain amount of time together. I am not knowledgeable on this, but I don't think their females have the birthing ring on their necks. Therefore, the male is not bonded as quickly. Not that you need a child, just time. Just a child creates the bond quicker and even with a child in that marriage we can go on with another relationship if the bond before...it is, ah set. So maybe...Anyway, I mean the humans must have loved one another to have gotten married and then stopped needing the other." He contemplates what he has said and he cringes and sighs deeply. "Sorry. That made no sense, not even to me. I really don't know anything about humans."

They stand for a moment and Aloohula enters his destination for the shuttle floor, but they both continue to ponder the differences between their marriage bond and the human marriage bond as they stare at the door.

Finally, Willie turns to him with slight smirk says, "Just a mystery I guess. Wonder what a Banteen marriage is like."

They then both give horrified looks at one another. Willie then grins and says, "I could marry one of your females, or a Whipelli girl, Ibrea, or even a human woman; but a Banteen." He literally shivers, "What would that be like?"

Aloohula laughs, "Better have a knife at your side at all times. I am not sure if they know what love is." He bites his lower lip to keep himself from laughing out loud for a moment. With a smile he asks, "How do they have sex?"

The both laugh as the door of the elevator opens at the shuttle floor and Aloohula looks at his device for a moment before stepping out.

Willie smiles, "Better stop talking." He remains on the elevator as he will be going to his room for his day off and he is looking forward to catching up with messages from friends. He gives Aloohula a smile. "Thank you again, I think I needed this day."

"You are welcome, all I did was listen. I guess it is time for Earth. No, message from Brian. Hopefully, he is here so we can take care of..." His hand touches his protective vest where the list is hidden. "Things."

Willie gives a nod saying nothing. They can't speak now and know that they have pushed the boundary where they should not have spoken.

Aloohula walks to the shuttle he is taking to the Visitor Friends Headquarters. There is no Brian walking about so he quickly enters the shuttle, the Youth Leader is not there as well. He walks back to his seat and sits with the other troopers with his thoughts swirling around in his head. What a day he has had. This morning he has gone from how can I take charge of anything, to allowing someone to share private moments. Moments William likely needed to speak aloud, but is not quite ready to let go of in his imagined guilt. Sitting there all he can think of is that life is anything, but fair. Maybe for John, maybe some of the other higher officers, but for the rest of them. Well life is anything but fair. Brian could be right, life is a path with many stories. Will be interesting to see how the different stories end and how the new ones begin.