Chapter 35

Martin

Need to Rant

The meeting appears to be progressing nicely. That is to everyone's satisfaction, but his own. John seems satisfied that there has been no arguing between everyone. Diana is all but gloating. Steven, well you never know with Steven. Sometimes he seems to be challenging Diana on everything, other times he appears as if he didn't care if the ship blew up as he watched his own body tearing apart in different directions. Victor who is not normally attending is smiling with much satisfaction. For him it is just sitting in a corner quietly taking in any information that he should need to know to carry out any orders given. More importantly noting needed information to accomplish the Fifth Column's goals.

Discussion on Kristine's latest broadcast had finished and another topic has begun. As for the broadcast discussion they had listened to it again tonight as they made decisions on the next steps to take. Kristine's words of fewer incidents of violence has them all smiling, especially the fact that people are now not only turning in friends and neighbors, but family as well. This makes him sick.

Names of scientists and some others are being discussed as to those that they are currently looking for. John looks at Victor for any intelligence work the Youth Corp may have for them. Martin does not shake his head or frown, but does Victor work out before coming to any meeting or event. His muscles always appear as if they are going to pop out of his uniform. A uniform that he must have custom made to display his muscular physique.

Victor looks at his device and is giving names and what information he has in an almost casual voice. "Steven has told me that we do not need to worry about, Dr. Bjorn Gifford." He nods towards Steven. "He has been found and is no longer a concern. As for Chad McGraw, the expert in robotics I have spoken to a Youth Leader Chris and his information may have led us to a possible hiding place in Denver, Colorado. I have sent the information to Steven. I am afraid Chris is the only one that seemed to have information, but it seems quite reliable." John smiles to both Steven and Victor.

Steven turns his head slightly, "As soon as we have him in custody or further information I will let you know immediately."

"That about covers it," Victor says with a short laugh, "Our Youth Corp have been amazing. That covers the six names I was given."

"I sent you another name before you left for this meeting. We have been unable to find this individual. . ." Steven's tone is flat.

Victor interrupts with a friendly smile, "Ah, yes. I spoke a few days ago to Youth Leader's, Brian and Gordon for Robert Maxwell. I was told by one of the Visitor Friends that Brian was friendly to this man's daughter." Victor looks at his device, "Her name is Robin. At first Brian didn't remember any information, but with further questioning he remembered something. He said there was mention of a beach house, but if the Maxwell's have one we have no records. However, it is very likely he would not really know and his interaction with this girl was limited. I asked Gordon and he did not know either and said that he didn't visit her home. He mentioned that he only remembered Brian visiting a couple of times." He shrugs, "Sorry limited information. However, the human who informed us may know something more. He said the family may have visited friends at a beach house, but didn't know where it was or who these friends may have been. His name is Daniel Bernstein," Victor looks at his device again. "He did give a location of a cabin they have.

"No, I sent the name of Cliff Broadus." Again Steven's voice is flat.

Victor has lost his smile and appears to be replicating Steven's flat tone. "The two Youth Leaders, George and Craig were unable to arrive before this meeting as they had other scheduled duties. I will check with them later and send the information."

"I believe this takes care of today's agenda," John says calmly. "Anything else, we do have a few minutes."

Everyone shakes their head, except for Victor who's face reflects the sincerity of his question. "I have been in discussion with other Youth Corp supervisors. Apparently humans have made some comments about many of the Youth Leader's ears being small."

Steven's face is the only one that remains bland and not making quiet comments to himself as the others are doing. John tilts his head, "Victor you do know that the bulk of our Youth Leaders are Whipelli. That their ears, are their ears. A reason to use Whipelli." He then with the rest of them just stare at Victor.

"I was bringing it up only as others have noticed humans making comments." Victor shrugs, "I thought you may like to take note of this."

"Humans know we are from another planet." Steven says with a half-smile, it is the first tonight that he appears to have truly taken any real role in the meeting. "My thought is forget it. It gives the humans a chance to joke about us that does not interfere with what we are doing."

"Of course," Victor has the look of someone who knows he just made a mistake.

Martin is fighting the urge to start laughing. Want to hear the humans make remarks about ears, then take your false one's off. He bites the inside of his mouth for a moment to remind himself to stay quiet.

With that the meeting ends and everyone leaves nodding their heads to each other. Martin looks towards John and Diana, "Is there any other needs for tonight. I also have noted that I am not on the pilot list tomorrow."

"You have been a very busy man. Take the day off starting now." John gives him a kindly pat on the shoulder and Diana just walks off without a word. "One day, two nights. You deserve; now rest and relax, try and catch up on personal tasks. Now good-night."

"Thank-you sir," Martin says quietly and then gives a sidelong glance down the hall as he watches Diana marching down the hall. He can only wonder what that woman has on her mind now. On his mind is a visit to his friends Jack and Nancy.

Once he reaches the door it comes to him how late it is. Taking his device out he sends a message to both of them to see if one answers and if they have time for a visit. A pleasant message from Nancy appears and an automatic message from Jack's device stating he is currently unavailable. The door opens, "Hello Nancy. I see that Jack is unavailable." He holds his device up.

"For you anytime." Nancy nods and he enters the room.

Martin's eyes dart about the room, there is the chance of monitoring so he is not sure if he should say anything that is too personal.

Before he can say anything Nancy exclaims, "I just have to show you that new equipment we were talking about in the Houston ship." She waves and he follows. Once in the room and the door closed, "I knew you were nervous of monitoring. Jack always ensures that there is no monitoring, but you never know up front. Here the upper officers require no monitoring equipment. Just want to talk or you have or need information?"

"Just want to complain, and I do miss the Houston ship."

Nancy motions to a chair and he sits, then she whispers as if singing. "You miss Sadie, you miss Sadie."

He looks straight ahead at the wall, "Okay. I admit it. I miss her. Hate to admit it, but sometimes you just want love. Not just sex."

"I knew you two were sneaking off too do that," She sticks her forked tongue out and wiggles it about. "Oh, oh, oh Martin; more Martin more."

Martin has a look of shock and he yelps, "Stop! Stop!" Then he gives her a friendly push. "Okay, let us just leave that one alone. And just in case you are wondering, she knows nothing of what we are trying to do."

"I know you wouldn't say anything unless you were absolutely certain she could be trusted. We have to be careful, as far as we know we are the only movement and just one person could give us away. Well, it truly would cost us everything."

He leans forward clasping his hands. "We need more to serve our cause, but it's not happening." Shaking his head he leans back in his chair. "Oh, I have tomorrow off, starting right now. Have to say, I am looking forward to a little brain relaxation." Then he smiles, raising his arms stretching before placing them in his lap.

"What is on your mind? I know it is not Sadie. Some irritation has gotten under your skin. Doesn't sound overly important, just more of looking to gripe."

Martin would love nothing more then to shout, but his voice comes out in a whisper. "Have you ever had much interaction with Victor the Youth Corp and Visitor Friends supervisor?"

"He is confident and handsome and so, so, so amazing." Nancy then laughs, "I think that guy works out before he sees anyone, muscles bulging everywhere. That uniform of his must be customized for his muscles to show like a statue." She brings her hands up into fists and shakes them. "He drives me crazy."

"Not just me?" They both laugh for a moment. Under his breath, "Just a real inspiration."

"What?"

"The god of muscle," Martin remarks. "He sure likes to be the center of attention, one very confident individual. Today though he messed up."

"What did he do today that irked you?"

"It should not have, but it did. He said that humans were making remarks about many Youth Leaders having small ears. Wanted to look like he was keeping everyone informed on something only he would know."

Nancy tilts her head, "Ah. He what? Does he know that most of the Youth Leaders are Whipelli and those are their actual ears. Besides their ears aren't any smaller or larger than a humans."

Martin feels his eyelids growing heavy. He has no idea why Victor should upset him, but he does. "It was a remark he didn't think it through. They all thought he was an idiot, but yet he will continue to raise in the ranks. I can't figure him out. He and I are the same age, seems like where I am assigned, he is assigned. When I cared about my rank, he kept rising with ease and I had to fight for every point." He shakes his head, "I should not care. He has killed, done things he should regret and I doubt he cares. Just give him his points."

"He really does irritate you. I think though I understand his comment. We know that a human has seen a Dahax with his true face. Funny if something happened it was supposed to be a Whipelli. A green human," Nancy shrugs, "Human enough looking. But no, its a Dahax he sees." She smiles. "As for the ear statement, ear attachments are of different shapes and sizes for our people. The Whipelli, who do not need attachments do have oddly the same looking ears." She shrugs one more time, "I think that was what he was trying to say. The guy is a jerk, you are right he will be someone in charge one day. However, it will only be due to his confidence and ability to take advantage of every opportunity."

With a violent shake of his head, Martin comes out of his doldrums. "What I think his statement did was bring me down. I worry about our movement and where we are supposed to be going with this. We can't stop the Regime, all we can do is try and exit. I am tired."

"So, you see a man who somehow gets what he wants and you feel like we have become stagnant. All I can say is we are moving, but it takes time. You need patience. I remember when I didn't know what to think of the Regime. My father grew up in the Regime, I was born into it. I found the Great One did not appear to be helping those in real need. Every day so many die and the numbers will only grow. This is what moved me to find my own way in life. I have no regrets, I will do my best to do what I see is the way to break the Regime."

Martin finds his neck so stiff that he can barely move his head about, stress is taking over his life. "I have regrets. It is due to regret that I am part of the movement. I can't take back what I did and when I did it I had no idea of the repercussions that it would cause me emotionally. Life is not fair."

"Yes, but you now know what is right and what is wrong. As for Victor, he does know his job. He is good at his job. The Youth Corp, especially the Youth Leaders are learning to do their job and how to do it with great devotion. They were born in the Regime and know of no other government, you and I are were children when the change came. We at least do remember something of a different government. We will find a way." She smiles, "That is all I can say. We will find our way."

"I just wish there were more of us. We need more supporters for what I would like to do to truly shake up this repression, which we are now spreading on this world. I hate being part of this, even though I am trying to fight against it. We need more to stand with us is all." He shakes his head, no matter what they do he knows that it is very difficult to find those to commit without ranking officers finding out. Observation and truly trying to ensure each member is one to bring in to the Fifth Column is very difficult. "Jack is right, it will take more time. I don't think we have the time."

"Hang in there Martin, don't let things bring you down. I believe, I truly believe the time is coming and we will be there too do our part." Nancy points to the door, "Go to bed."

He stands, rubbing his brow. "All I truly wanted was to rant. I thank you. You are correct, I need more patience. Prepare as we go. However, how long can you prepare when you don't know how and what to prepare for. All we are doing now is trying to find other supporters and it is moving slowly. Our crew are not passionate Youth Corp members. Youth Corp, with minds so twisted and molded by those who don't care if those young lives continue, just as long as they do what they have been made to believe is for our people. Sad." Martin steps up to Nancy and hugs her, "Hope you don't mind." He then gives her one more hug, "Too bed. Tomorrow is another day." Then he just walks away wishing when he has a family that he has a true legacy to leave them.