00106



Mita Morgan sat in the parked Security Agency vehicle on the outskirts of the rocketport with her cell phone to her ear.

Security Agent Osmo Martin sat beside the Security Leader, scowling, watching the Hopers milling all about the rocketport- The Hopers were sitting in the middle of landing fields (playing cards), standing atop the idle and waiting freighter rockets, confounding traffic, some hanging around the rocketport lounge and glaring at the Earthers inside- and every one of them answering to Struber. "Sec. Ldr. Morgan, why waste our time negotiating with Struber? You know he's a slug."

Mita Morgan paid him no mind. She spoke on her communications device: "Yes, Sir. Gov. Bright, I know what you are going to say- I know the CDG force is still not in shape, and for that I apologize- Oh, it's not about them? Oh, I see. Yes, Sir."

When the call abruptly terminated, she paused a brief second, considering, then she put away her comm unit. She took out her blaster and aimed it at her companion beside her in the vehicle. "Osmo Martin, you are hereby under arrest."

"Ha ha, you're so funny. Funny, I don't remember you having much of a sense of humor before, Sec. Ldr. Morgan." He kept his eyes on the Hopers, observing them from his seat inside the car and shaking his head in disgust at their antics.

"This isn't a joke. Hand over your blaster- NOW!"

Osmo Martin blinked. "Hey, you're serious, Mita. What gives?"

"Your blaster, Osmo."

He hesitated, then, reluctantly, he gave it to her. "What's this all about?"

She yanked his hands together and cuffed them. "You'll find out. Gov. Bright wants me to bring you to the Governor's House immediately."

Sec. Ldr. Morgan started the vehicle and did a U-turn, heading back into town and then for the Governor's mansion at the edge of Sparkle City, on the Governor's Hill. Perplexed, Osmo offered no resistance, willing to go there, to see the Governor and get to the bottom of this.


Sheila Bright had just left her Uncle's residence, wearing her CDG workout uniform, ready to start another morning of training on the Security Agency's grounds, with the rest of the new volunteers. She got only halfway across the lawn when a Security Agent vehicle coming up the driveway to the mansion's door caught her attention. She saw Mita Morgan get out, which made her mildly curious.

She told herself, I thought Mita would be at the rocketport for those negotiations with Struber again- not that they seem to be doing any good.

Then she noticed Mita open the passenger's door and tug out Osmo Martin, whose hands were cuffed. Mita marched him straight into the Governor's House at blaster point! What? Why?? What did Osmo do?! Sheila forgot about her CDG fitness duty as she dashed back to the mansion for answers.


Meanwhile, Mita brought Osmo to Gov. Bright's office, where Xavier Bright awaited them. Mrs. Kline was gone. She had been sent out for a very long coffee break, something which seemed to happen fairly regularly of late.

Osmo Martin fumed, "What's the idea? You have no reason to treat me like this!"

Sec. Ldr. Mita Morgan kept her blaster trained on Osmo.

Before Gov. Bright had a chance to answer him, Sheila burst into the office. She stared at Osmo Martin, still in cuffs and with the blaster pointed at him. Unbelievable! "Uncle! What is going on here? What is it you think Osmo did?!"

Seeing Sheila, Xavier Bright's usual confidence in all his decisions seemed to wilt a bit. He shifted his weight uneasily, standing there, momentarily thinking what words to use with his niece. Suddenly, his eyes grew cold and focused again. He stood straight, resolved to see this through.

"Sheila, arresting Osmo is not something I wish to do. Osmo is a good man, in his own way. I have grown fond of him. But this is something I must do. For the security of the World of Hope."

Mita Morgan said nothing. She stood alert, watching for any signs of trouble from Osmo.

Sheila protested. "Osmo isn't a threat!"

Osmo Martin also complained, angry. "Gov. Bright, what ridiculous thing are you saying? I have always worked for the good of Hope! You are making a terrible mistake-"

"It is not a mistake, Osmo. You are now my hostage, in order to keep the Earth Leaders in line. I do not want them to send their Army rockets here. I will not allow it."

This flabbergasted Osmo Martin. "A- a hostage?" He had a hard time convincing himself he had heard rightly.

Xavier Bright pointed to the doorway to the hall beyond. "Sec. Ldr. Morgan, take Osmo to the guest suite, the one formerly occupied by the McCleers. There's no reason for Osmo not to be comfortable. The windows do not open, and they are unbreakable- ironically, they are a product of Martinology-, and well above the ground. The walls are made of stone. He should not be able to escape from there."

"Yes, Sir." She motioned to the doorway with her blaster, and said to Osmo, "Let's go."

Osmo grumbled, "You're actually making me a hostage, Gov. Bright! You can't get away with this!"

Sheila found herself speechless.

Before Mita Morgan left with Osmo, the Governor added, "Please see that a guard is posted outside his rooms at all times, Sec. Ldr. Morgan. He must not be allowed to leave. Sheila will bring his clothes from his place at the Security Agency building."

As Mita led Osmo Martin away, Osmo shouted back to Gov. Bright, "You wait- My father won't allow this, once he finds out!"

Gov. Bright corrected Osmo. "He already knows. I told him that you are my hostage, and if Earth dares to send the military, I will execute my hostage."

Sheila Bright found her voice. "No! No, Uncle! This you must not do!!"

Osmo gasped at the Governor's news, startled beyond belief. "What-??"

This threat even shocked Mita Morgan in her tracks. She paused while escorting Osmo away, and Osmo, assessing the situation, considered breaking away, but the Security Leader recovered quickly and poked her blaster into his side. "Osmo, don't try it. Let's go. To the guest suite."

"So, Gov. Bright, Clyden was right about you, after all," Osmo realized, while Mita pushed him along down the hallway with her weapon. "He warned me about trusting you..."

Sheila sniffled, watching Mita take Osmo away down the corridor.

Gov. Xavier Bright did not respond to Osmo. He closed the office door to the hall.

"Uncle Xavier- How can you do this- Why- I don't- I don't understand how you can do such a thing to Osmo!" blubbered Sheila.

Her Uncle's face looked grave, almost unhappy. "No, I don't suppose you can understand. I assure you, though, I do what I do for the World of Hope. Our world. You know me. There is nothing I will not do for our little planet. I do not want to this, but I must. Now, get some of his things, as I had said, and take them to Osmo at his new quarters."

She listened, weeping quietly. Finally, she wiped some tears from her eyes. She nodded, trying to keep her emotions in check. "Y-yes, Uncle..."


When she reached his former rooms at the Security Agency Building, she found she had no way in. The door was locked. But Mita Morgan arrived there shortly afterward. All Mita said was, "I have the key," and with the key, she opened the door for Sheila.

"Mita-" Sheila began.

Mita cut off any discussion. "Sheila, I am sure Gov. Bright knows what he is doing. If I were you, I would not question him so much, and instead trust his judgment more."

"I- I do, but-"

Mita Morgan hastily left, not wanting to talk about it.

It felt weird for Sheila Bright, going through Osmo's things without his permission. She felt like she was violating his privacy. She did not like it. She felt ashamed of it. She selected some of his civilian clothes and put them into one of Osmo's suitcases that he had brought on his journey to Hope, which she found in the closet. Naturally, she left behind his Security Agent uniforms.


When she returned to the Governor's House, and went to the suite, she found a low-level Security Agent guard stationed before the door. He had been told to expect Sheila's coming with the clothes, and to let her into the guest suite. "But first, Miss Bright, I must inspect the case."

Sheila, insulted, asked, "You dare to not trust me, you- you-"

"Just following orders, Ma'm." After quickly looking through the clothes and finding no hidden blasters or anything else controversial, he allowed her to go through the door.

Osmo Martin, inside, understandably did not look very happy. He looked even less happy when he saw Sheila enter. He paced slowly, thoughtfully, back and forth, in front of an easy chair, saying nothing.

Sheila sheepishly set down the suitcase. "I- have some change of clothes for you, Os... Oh, Osmo, I feel so terrible about this! You know, though, my Uncle wouldn't do it, if he didn't believe it was for the good of the World of Hope-"

Osmo Martin stopped pacing. He faced her and growled, "Oh, well, then, that makes it okay. Lock me up, lock you up, threaten us, threaten everybody- It's okay, it's all for the good of the World of Hope!"

"Os-"

"I remember how you encouraged me to cut down on my booze, to mature- and I did, because I found something to believe in, someone who inspired me. Gov. Xavier Bright. A great man! One of the best! Or so I thought. So you told me he was, anyway. What a dope I was! I think my old attitude served me a lot better, I'll tell you that- Look how I ended up when I tried to behave responsibly. What a joke. As if Gov. Bright- and you- act responsibly and decently yourselves! As if taking me hostage is a decent act of a great man. Not the way I see it. And you go along with him! Now my eyes have opened."

"Os-" Sheila choked back tears.

Osmo Martin sat down in a chair, still staring at her. "Yeah, Sheila, you once told me you didn't have many close friends when you were growing up. I can see why, if this is how you treat your friends. Mere pawns, to be used for the good of the World of Hope."

She fell on her knees before him, her eyes pleading for him to understand. "It's not like that, Osmo- He took care of me and my mother, and when my mother died, he took care of me all by himself! I owe him, you see. And he really is a great man. I know he has to make hard choices for the sake of the World of Hope. That comes with being a great leader! You don't really think he will actually hurt you, do you?"

"Yeah, right, you almost convince me. So, what you're saying is, you aren't gonna help me escape, are you?"

"Osmo, don't ask me to do that! I cannot disobey him, not in so important a matter!"

"I see. Hmm. So, tell me, did our friendship mean anything to you at all, Sheila? Did it really mean anything? Is it- was it important? Am I important to you? To let your uncle make me a hostage-" He cut off his own words. Osmo got to his feet and stomped away into another room inside the suite, shutting the door behind himself, in Sheila's face.

Cut to her heart, Sheila put a hand over her mouth to stifle more sobs. She stood again and quietly left the suite, but not before she glanced back at the room into which Osmo had gone, whispering , "Os, I'm sorry, but- I... can't..."

Xavier Bright, waiting just outside the suite, caught her by surprise.

(The guard still remained at his post.)

Xavier Bright saw her tears. "I expected this to be hard for you to do. That's why I had you bring him his clothes, so you can see for yourself how impractical it is for you to visit him in the future. I suggest you heed my advice and do not come here to this suite anymore. No good can come of it."

She kept silent, but walked back down the hall with him. Finally, she inquired, "Will holding Osmo hostage really stop Earth from sending its Army?"

"No. But it will slow them down. Osmo's father is sure to argue against it. He is very influential, and the Council will debate it for many, many days ahead before they can agree. But, in the end, they will do what they want, just like they always did, when it came to sending us those supplies we always needed. Until that time, we shall ready ourselves for that day, when Earth does at last come here to try to take over our planet."

Sheila put together the pieces of the puzzle. "And that is why you formed the Civilian Defense Group, to get the people of Hope in training, so we can fight a war- a war against Earth?"

"Yes, and that is why, behind the scenes, Sec. Ldr. Morgan works with Mr. Struber and the Hopers, to rally the citizens into the right patriotic mindset, so that they are willing to fight for freedom, to battle Earth for control of what little we have here. Earth Leader Bigges knows this as well, so that is why I am forced to make Osmo my hostage. We will fight for our world, Sheila. It may not seem like much of a world to some of our own people, but what we do have, it is ours, and we should not let Earth take it from us!"

Sheia Bright nodded slowly, absorbing this. Then, she forced herself to ask this question. "And, then, if- when Earth does finally send the Army, what then? You won't actually... hurt Osmo, will you?"

He put his arm around her shoulders as they walked away from the suite, and he explained, "Sheila, if a leader makes threats, and is unwilling to carry them out, he will look weak, and he will command no respect from his people. No one will follow him. Nor should anybody follow such a leader."

His niece gaped. "But- but-"

Xavier Bright kissed her forehead. "Sheila, my dear niece, spare yourself some pain, and push it from your mind. You can, with some effort. You are a Bright, after all. Now, I must be going. I have much to do, many things to discuss with Sec. Ldr. Morgan, to prepare for the big day that is coming."

He left her where she stood, heading toward his office once more. So much to do, but now he bought more time, at least. His plans went along as he had expected, but there was one thing that bothered him, one big loose end which made him uncomfortable- the Research and Development Lab. The blizzard cut off access to it, and to whatever newly developed devices that might be there, so if he and his people could not reach it, maybe at least neither could anybody else get there- and get the devices. He hoped. If only he were able to somehow set off that self-destruct mechanism!

(c) drk 2011

00105

Gov. Xavier Bright sat in his inner office going over Security Leader Morgan's report detailing the production speed of blasters- and other things- at the secret factory on the farm grounds. Nice results, but, estimating he had only a very limited time, he preferred to pick up speed on mass production of his secret weapon...

The Governor ignored someone buzzing him over and over, until finally Mrs. Kline called him about it. Her voice came over the intercom. "Earth is on the line, Sir, and insists on speaking with you. They say they have been buzzing your private communications unit and also your screen in your communications room, but that you have not been answering. I have them online here in the office. Shall I patch them through to your personal screen, Gov. Bright?"

"Thank you, Mrs. Kline, but no. I have a more stable connection in the comm room, and we certainly don't want the call to drop out.”

“The usually fast-paced man rose to his feet and sauntered over to the door to his private comm chamber. He leisurely entered and went to the screen. Lazily, he turned it on.

Instead of Doris of Earth greeting him, Earth Leader Arthur Bigges' irate face stared at him with exceptionally bulging eyeballs. Gov. Bright had to force himself not to titter at the sight. Well, he certainly got under Arthur's skin this time.

"Gov. Bright, we've been trying to reach you all day!”

“It is early here, Leader Bigges. If you have been calling me all day, you have been wasting your time, because I was asleep. You are going by Earth time. But anyway, now here I am. However, had I actually received your call, of course I would certainly have taken it, even in the middle of the night. But the sunspots must be interfering again."

Earth Leader Bigges snapped, "No, Gov. Bright, our signal transmitted just fine. We spoke with your communications officers several times, and I am sure they gave you our message. Your scheduled report is very late- by days! And so is the fuel ore shipment!"

"Oh, sorry, my comm officers must have been unable to reach me. After all, I am very busy these days. Anyway, you saw the news." His almost-smirk revealed that the Governor was not sorry in the least. "That little group of Hopers sure are a nuisance, and they are making it difficult for us to send you your ore."

Gunther Martin's face cut in on the screen. "Yes, we saw them. Quite a problem they seem to be making for you." He spoke more calmly than did Arthur Bigges.

Gov. Bright greeted Gunther Martin. "Ah, the voice of reason. The diplomatic Mr. Martin, to balance the... excitable Leader Bigges."

Bigges again. "If I am excitable, it is because the way you are doing things these days gives us here on Earth lots of reasons to get excited!"

Xavier Bright raised a brow. "Oh, really?"

"Yes," said Leader Bigges. "Let's stay on topic. I suppose that this business with the Hopers is why you formed the Civilian Defense Group then, is it?” Once more only his face featured on the screen.

“Well, of course," said the Governor. "We need the CDG to help deal with such situations just like that. You yourself know our almost-crisis situation these days; you even approved travel warnings for those who would like to visit our World of Hope. But the CDG is not only for such problems like the Hopers, but for natural disasters, and for other types of emergencies," he explained. "It’s better to be prepared. We lack much needed equipment to deal with all our troubles, of course, so we do what we can with our volunteer force. Sadly, people are about our only resource, thanks to Earth's stinginess. Fortunately for us here on the World of Hope, we do have so many, many volunteers, all demanding to join the program, faster than we can process them."

Ldr. Bigges appeared skeptical. "Gov. Bright, if you have so little resources, as you always say, then how is it possible that you can have a manufacturing plant near the farms in a converted barn? Where do you get the material for producing?"

Xavier Bright acted confused. He shook his head, as if trying to grasp Bigges' claims. "What are you talking about?”

Bigges held up some photos to the screen for Xavier to look at. They showed the inside of the barn after it had been turned into a factory. But these were early photos, only showing the conveyors and work tables caught in the process of being set up. How it looked pre-operating. "I have my sources, Gov. Bright. Do you deny this is a photo of your secret plant, as it was being designed and set up for production last month?"

"How can it be secret, if you know all about it?" Xavier Bright mocked. Then he became innocent, stating, "I most certainly do deny it. You tell me who is this source of yours, so I can confront my accuser and call him a liar to his face."

Ldr. Bigges set aside the pictures. "So, you are telling me you have not found a way to make cheap weapons, using a plastic-like substance for a weapon's body, and that the substance in some way is made of power-fuel resin, left over from ore processing-"

"Arthur- Leader Bigges, how can that be? Where would I get such a resin, since the fuel ore is processed on Earth? Think about what you are saying, and also get better sources without such a wild imagination."

Clearly unbelieving, Ldr. Bigges glared at him, open mouthed. Then, "Also, Gov. Bright, I notice your Security Agents make no real attempt to do anything at all about these so-called Hopers who have taken over the rocketport. Several Earth people- tourists, business people- are stuck there in the lounge, waiting for the Hopers to clear out from the port, so they can get a rocket back home while others from Earth need to pass through customs and leave the rocketport, to go visit or conduct business on Hope. The Hopers camp there and intimidate them, and so they are afraid to leave and go to hotels for the night, because the Hopers do not want them to go into 'their' town. Meanwhile, the Hopers heap verbal abuse on them, and even spit upon our people. Your rocketport guards do nothing. Your Security Agents cannot even take care of the matter and get our ore shipped to us! But yet you say you are working on the situation! What exactly are you doing to solve the problems?”

The Governor sneered. "Leader Bigges, you know very well, had you sent me the supplies I had repeatedly requested, this whole thing could have been avoided. We would then have the equipment to properly deal with the Hopers problem. Also, had our rightful amount of supplies come, this bunch may not even feel so bitter, because we would have been able to help them meet their basic needs."

"Frankly, Gov. Bright, I think all the work to solve the problems you are actually willing to do, is to give excuses. I think the truth is, you have no desire to deal with the Hopers in any meaningful way to get them under control.”

“I assure you, my Security Leader has been negotiating with them for two days now, and is getting closer to a resolution. Even as we speak, she is once more heading out to the rocketport to begin day three of our talks."

Leader Bigges scoffed, "Oh, knock it off! As if these negotiations are really going anywhere. Just a stalling tactic, for some reason, that's all."

Gov. Bright sighed. "I admit, I find myself sympathetic to their cause and to their complaints. How can I not be? However, I find their methods are counterproductive. What do they hope to accomplish? They seem to abhor the idea of working out all their complaints and problems through the proper channels, within the system. Nevertheless, I cannot be too hasty in my efforts to stop them. I won't risk another Incident. In fact, I am certain the Council of Earth Leaders would not appreciate it if my Security Agents were to storm the Hopers in a grand attempt to get the situation under control, and then if innocent tourists from Earth were hurt in the action... Well, now, you see the results of Earth's oppressive ways toward us who live on the World of Hope. Now we are unable to deliver your shipments of fuel ore in a timely manner, because we have a group of Hopers tying up the rocketport, telling their fellow citizens of the World of Hope to demand that Hope's people be treated fairly, as equals with the citizens of Earth."

Ldr. Bigges slammed his fist onto his desk offscreen, momentarily shaking his cam. "Yes, Gov. Birght, you have an answer for everything, don't you. I am not surprised to hear you agree with the Hopers. You want them to stir up the people into wanting independence from Earth! You want the Hopers to make your population think about the idea of desiring to be free from us. That is how you want to prepare their minds, and you made the CDG in order to prepare their bodies, to get them in shape- All for the day when you openly challenge our authority, and declare Hope's sovereignty rights! Are you actually looking for a- a fight, one you cannot possibly win?!"

Xavier Bright remained calm. "Why, that is so far from the truth, it is paranoid. Such is not the picture. Such thoughts are most unbecoming in you, Leader Bigges."

"Oh?" Bigges nodded his head, resolved. "I am glad, then, to hear you deny my concerns, Gov. Bright. If you speak the truth, then I know you will not mind- especially in light of the way you are unable to do anything about the Hopers- you will not mind at all, then, if we send a platoon of troops who can handle them. And don't kid yourself, they will find a place to land, even if the rocketport is overrun by these Hoper goons. We shall send troops to help you maintain order, to clear out the Hopers from the rocketport, and to unhook the lines with which the Hopers have tied down the rockets, making blast off unsafe. We shall secure the ability of the freighters to launch, so that they can deliver us our ore shipments. That is what will happen once, we send the Earth Army"

Xavier Bright's eyes blazed. "You will do no such thing. The last thing we need here is some military presence to make our lives even more difficult!"

"Oh, but we will indeed send the Army," Leader Bigges insisted. "Not only will we get our ore and re-establish order, but I will see that you are thoroughly investigated, and your governorship will be revoked. You will be sent back to Earth to face criminal charges. When we uncover all your activities, which, I assure you, our investigation shall reveal, I believe we will have ample evidence of outstanding deeds against the government of Earth to take care of you."

Suddenly, Gunther Martin’s face reappeared onscreen. "Hold on a minute, Leader Bigges. Let's not get extreme so hastily-"

Gov. Bright shot back to Bigges, "None of what you propose shall happen, Leader Bigges. None of that. Because if any Army rocket comes through the wormhole, then, I promise you this, the hostage we hold here on Hope is a dead man.”

“What? What hostage?!" Bigges wanted to know. "What are you talking about, man?"

"I am talking about Mr. Martin's son," Xavier Bright replied coldly.

Gunther Martin's face popped out again. He paled. He gasped out, incredulous, "What?! You can't mean that, Gov. Bright!”

"I do!"

"But- but you can't do that!" sputtered Gunther Martin. "You can't threaten Osmo! You cannot make him a hostage! He is an innocent. He is not involved with your dispute with Earth. He- he looks up to you, Gov. Bright. We- we can certainly work out things, our differences, without resorting to unnecessary threats-"

Xavier Bright answered, "Mr. Martin, don't be so naive. Why do you think I invited Osmo here in the first place? Why did I encourage my niece to befriend him? Why did I give him a position in the Security Agency? To keep him close to me, in case I needed leverage with the Council, if we ever got to this point. Well, now that we are at this point, I have no choice but to make Osmo my hostage, to guarantee Earth's cooperation."

Gunther Martin pointed an accusing finger. "You- you--! If you dare harm a hair of his head-"

"I dare, Mr. Martin. I dare. So, if you value young Osmo's life, I suggest you convince Ldr. Bigges to cool down, and I advise that you convince the Council to not send any soldiers here to our World of Hope, contrary to Ldr. Bigges' desire. And, Mr. Martin, I know your skills of negotiating in difficult situations between parties. Please do not come here to the World of Hope to try that with me. It would be a waste of your time. My mind is already set, and the hour of negotiating anything has passed."

While both Gunther Martin and Ldr. Arthur Bigges shouted at him, he flicked off the screen.

Xavier Bright took out his communications device and made a call.

"Sec. Ldr. Morgan, I have an important thing for you to do. No, no need to apologize; this does not involve the CDG and their training. I know they are not very good, but do not worry about them. They are only a backup plan, and a misdirection. No, this is something much more important. Is Osmo Martin with you at this moment? Then, I want you to arrest him immediately, and bring him to the Governor's House without delay."

He put his comm unit away before Sec. Ldr. Morgan had time to ask him any questions about his order.

(c) drk 2012

00104

Young Sheila huffed and puffed as she and her team raced around the track. Although in good shape, she still found the CDG Fitness Leader's workouts taxing. What more those other volunteers who were in poor physical condition?

She pretended to like the workout uniforms, but the truth was, she found them as ugly and as brown as their regular CDG outfits. The CDG recruits trained at the Security Agency's facilities.

So far, her Uncle Xavier had not offered her any position of leadership in the Civilian Defense Group. Certainly not that he frowned on cronyism, but first, he said, he wanted to be sure Sheila could handle the job of just being a volunteer. She knew he was trying to gauge her level of maturity. In times past, she had assisted him in some of his duties, the duller type, because she loved and admired and wanted to help her Uncle, not because of any desire to actually do any of the necessary administration work involved in running the World of Hope. Sheila Bright had never really showed any true initiative and self-discipline for working on a long-term, committed basis to doing what needed to be done. She preferred to simply enjoy good times, like shopping here and there and everywhere- with an occasional trip to the Tourist Trap.

As a CDG volunteer, she pushed herself hard to make her Uncle proud of her.

Jogging toward the end of the last lap, she caught sight of Osmo Martin and Mita Morgan, in their Security Agent garb, leading a line of late adolescents and young adults across the lawns and into the Security Administration building. At least the official Security Agents uniforms looked nice.

One of those youths led by sec. Ldr. Morgan and Agent Martin, dirty and stained, gave off a terrible odor; the bad smell floated all the way over to the track field. Sheila and the others wrinkled their noses.

Fitness Leader Whitmoore looked at his watch read off their running times. "Good, Bright. Once again, you beat everybody in the group."

"Of course," wheezed a heavy-set, middle aged man, a true volunteer, and not a draftee. He smiled and pointed out, "As anyone with decent vision can see, she certainly is in good shape."

She forced a smile at Drummond. He had been trying to capture her attention all day long. Not likely.

Whitmoore told the tired runners, "You all did well. The CDG will be so much the better for having volunteers in such a league as yours." He called for a break because, upon seeing the Security Leader and Security Agent Martin coming with the new "volunteers", he knew he must hurry over to the building to help with their medicals and processing.

The grateful runners went over to the grass to sit down or lay down. Drummond- was that his first name or last? Sheila Bright had no idea. He stayed close to Sheila as she also went to sit for a few minutes."Whoo," he said, "that sure was invigorating. I feel like doing another lap. Care to join me, Miss Bright?"

"Eh, no thanks," she sweetly answered. "I'm a little tired. You go 'head without me." Silently she worried, Maybe I ought not encourage him, before he falls over with a heart attack.

Osmo Martin soon came back out the Security Agency building, passing by CDG Fitness Leader Whitmoore, who now entered through the door Osmo came out of.

Agent Osmo Martin came over to Sheila, since she had a few free minutes. "Mita and I just hunted up several more guys and gals who 'forgot' to volunteer. We found one hiding in a trash pile, and he actually cried when we found him. Pretty sad. I mean, sure, I wouldn't want to be drafted against my will if I didn't want to serve, but to blubber about it..."

Sheila Bright wiped her sweaty face in her shirt. "I'm sure Mita will appoint someone to help him grow up fast."

"Yeah, poor guy. Mita's very mean at times. Sometimes I think she's meaner than Clyden."

"Those were the days, when good ol' Mr. Clyden ran the Security Agency," Sheila kidded. "Seriously, Mita and I just went shopping last night. She seemed okay to me. Maybe blunt and matter-of-fact. Not mean."

"Sheila, you know she's smart enough not to treat you badly. But if Gov. Bright were not you Uncle, who knows then how she would behave toward you. I tried to be patient with her, like you said, until she got used to handling authority- but she's not getting any better. In fact, she's getting worse. You should've seen the way she yanked the crybaby into the van, 'accidentally' banging his head on the door-"

Sheila decided to change from that tired old subject to the other tired old subject. "Well, Osmo, once more I questioned Uncle Xavier about all this CDG stuff. What's it all about? I asked, and he said, It's about the security of the World of Hope. That's all he ever tells me. I trust him, but you can't convince me that he is only worrying about wild animals and outlaws hiding outside Sparkle City."

"Me neither. Something big's coming, and I bet your suspicions are the same as mine."

Meanwhile, after Sec. Ldr. Morgan had handed over the new volunteers to the CDG staff for processing, she went out for some fresh air, with special instructions to the staff to make sure the crybaby got a clean shower before putting on the CDG uniform.

Outside, she joined Sheila and Osmo. "Sheila, how's the training going?"

"Not bad, Mita- excuse me, Sec. Ldr. Morgan."

Mita's Security communications device called. She gave Sheila a pleasant grin. "Sorry. Now it's my turn to ask you to excuse me." She took the call. Her face went from relaxed to serious. "I see. Just what we need- another situation!”

She put away the device and turned back to her friend and to Osmo. "The Hopers, those people that were at the CDG Center before, they are causing problems at the rocketport. I'm heading to the office to watch it on the big screen. Want to come along?"

Not really, thought Osmo Martin, but since Sheila accepted the invitation, he went with the ladies to the office as well.

The cry-baby's stench lingered in the halls of the Security Agency building. Sheila held her nose and waved hurriedly to Mita Morgan’s office and away the smell.

Mita remarked, "I think one of that guy's first duties will be to fumigate this place!"

She took them to Tretl Clyden's former office. Sheila observed how much Mita had improved and tidied up the place. No coffee stains on the floor. A brand new water cooler. And the wall screen gleamed. Not a speck of dust on it.

Sparkle News broadcast the scene at the rocketport live on the screen. A large crowd waved signs and shouted slogans. They ran onto the landing fields. A half dozen split from the main group to dash in front of a rocket ready to blast off, a freight transport full of fuel ore. These six daredevils danced around the rocket, knowing that now, the rocket captain could not order take-off because the people would be hurt from the exhaust.

And there were more malcontents at the rocketport than there had been carrying on at the CDG Center/Tourist Trap when Sheila had signed up. Several close-ups showed the face of the Hopers' leader, that man Struber.

Osmo Martin pointed to the screen. "Hey, that's the guy who picked a fight with me at the Tourist Trap when I first got here. Figures, he's still making trouble. And I can't believe they are copying the tactics used by the illegal house church, making it difficult for the freighters to leave with their loads of ore to take back to Earth."

Sheila Bright stared at Struber’s face when the screen did another closeup. "Ah, I knew I saw the jerk somewhere before!"

“Of course, Sheila. He often does maintenance on Security Agency vehicles.”

The news cameras followed the main body of the mob. They ran over to the few tourists standing in line at customs, having come from an Earth passenger rocket only minutes ago. In times past, there would usually be a lot more tourists coming for a stay on the World of Hope, but lately, with the tensions between Earth and Hope being in the news, and frequent new and updated travel advisories, people were more cautious about coming to this small planet. The tourists gasped as the thugs came over to them, standing across from their line at the customs booth, yelling and spitting at the Earthers.

Rocketport Security Agent guards sprinted across the grounds and stood there on the opposite side of the line of tourists, across from the Hopers, with the line of tourists between their sides. One of the guards shouted orders to the Hopers’ group.

"Disperse! Leave! Go home!"

Struber shouted back, "No, let the Earthers go home!"

Mita Morgan shook her head, watching the screen. She waved her hand at the scenes. "See, Sheila? I know you wonder why we started the Civilian Defense Group. Now you know. It's been created for dealing with just such emergencies as the Hopers might create. The CDG can complement the Security Agency's crowd control, and help in other ways as well."

"What crowd control?" asked Sheila Bright. "Nobody's doing anything to stop the Hopers from acting like they own the rocketport."

The fact of the rocketport guards' passivity amazed Osmo Martin as well. "I can't believe the rocketport guards just hang back and do nothing. Before, we Security Agents chased Al and his friends all over, trying to arrest them-"

The Security Leader nodded, acknowledging their bewilderment. "Yes, that was when ex-Security Leader Clyden ran things. He would think nothing of putting innocent tourists in harm's way. We do things differently now."

This concern for innocent tourists coming from Mita seemed to be not quite genuine. Osmo wished she had shown such compassion when it came to squealing about where the illegal church had been hiding. "I guess it is better to be careful so as to not have anything like another Incident, like what happened to Al's friends, including our old schoolmate, Jane." He hoped the subtle dig found its mark.

Mita Morgan turned off the screen. "Speaking of Al- What ever became of your friend? Did he return to Earth?"

Osmo shrugged. "Beats me. I didn't see or hear from him since that night he escaped from the incarceration van."

"Yes, I know you didn't. I already checked that out," said Mita.

He glared at her. "What do you mean, you already checked it out? Did you spy on me or something like that?”

Unembarrassed, Mita freely admitted, "Of course I do. If it concerns the security of Hope, why wouldn't I? But you check out okay."

"Oh, that's a relief," Osmo Martin sarcastically answered.

Stunned and indignant, Sheila demanded, "And did you spy on me, too, when Osmo and I were together?"

Mita casually shook her head. "Oh, no, Sheila, that wouldn't be right. You are Gov. Bright's niece, for crying out loud. Besides that, you are also my friend. No, I trust you, Sheila."

Osmo gave Mita a dirty look. "It's okay to spy on me, though, is it?"

Mita checked her watch. "Break's over, guys. Sheila, you better get back with the other CDG members who are in training. I don't want to be the reason for you setting a bad example for the other volunteers. Fitness Leader Whitmoore must be done helping process the newbies by now."

As Sheila left the office, Mita said to Osmo, "Agent Martin, we also should be going.”

“We just got back from a whole morning of hunting down those recruits who neglected to volunteer," Osmo pointed out. "I missed both breakfast and now lunch!"

Mita Morgan pulled a box of candy chews from a pocket and tossed it to him."Bon Apetit. Now let's get going. You saw the news. We should be there at the rocketport, in case the guards need help. We can help them keep the situation under control so the Hopers don't become nasty."

Tired, hungry, and disgusted, Osmo Martin sighed with resignation and followed Sec. Ldr. Mita Morgan out, shoving a handful of chews in his mouth as he closed the door behind them.

(c) drk 2012

00103

Sheila Bright put on a bright, happy face for the inevitable news reporters and propagandists who would be covering the Governor's niece signing up for the Civilian Defense Group. She tried not to complain inwardly; after all, her Uncle had taken her in and given her a home after her mother's accident on an Earth visit. Sheila owed him, and besides that, she respected him as a great leader. So, if he thought it necessary for her age group- all of them, including herself- to sign up for the CDG, then she would dutifully volunteer.

It amazed her that the Tourist Trap had become a CDG Center. She would not have guessed that the proprietor had such trouble paying the taxes, especially since every time she and Osmo had come here, business seemed pretty good, in a modest sort of way. Not only the tourists came here, but many of the natives liked to frequent the night club. However, to help alleviate the overdue tax bill, and to help support the CDG, the establishment had negotiated setting aside half of the place to be used as a center for the CDG. Her Uncle Xavier had graciously accepted the offer, allowing the other half of the building to conduct business as usual.

Sheila Bright wondered about the ugly-looking, angry, small crowd that seemed to be gathering there, right outside in front of the Tourist Trap around the same time she arrived to sign up. They waved signs and shouted, usually all at the same time, but different things, so no one knew what they said. Now what? she wondered. These people were not the news people, but must have come here to be seen by them. So what was their beef? The young woman shook her head, hoping it wasn't another Incident in the making. And one of them, in the forefront, looked awfully familiar. He dressed shabbily and waved a sign, and she could not help but notice his right hand had a large, crude bandage wrapped about it. Ha, probably injured himself while making his sign, she chuckled to herself. She glanced at the sign he waved about, practically in her face- She could barely read the quick scrawl, something about Hope for Hopers. Whatever.

The reporters, of course, were waiting there also, as planned. They snapped her pic over and over when she showed up and as she exited her truck. Ex-Security Leader Clyden's old parking spot had been saved just for her arrival to the CDG Center, because it made good photos as she left the truck on her way to volunteer.

The newsfolk followed her inside. The other crowd, whoever they were, they moved aside and let her through, only shaking signs and shouting, but not obstructing the way. One of the news reporters briefly focused on them, mistakenly reporting that this crowd was here to cheer on those volunteering to serve the community.

Sheila Bright discovered several youths had beaten her to the front of the line of volunteers. Even several middle-aged citizens, probably unemployable, she guessed, were already lined up to join the Civilian Defense Group. It shamed her a little to realize she was not the first in line.

A man in a CDG uniform stood at the door, checking everyone who came in. He greeted Sheila and ushered in the news group. The man directed Sheila over to a newly set up desk near the back of the night club. The line of volunteers stood there, and behind the desk sat a woman in a brown uniform. Other staff in those same dreary outfits went hither and thither, some filing the paperwork of the volunteers, some leading some of the volunteers to back rooms for physicals.

More pics were snapped of Sheila as she stood in the line, waiting her turn. Her eyes roamed nostalgically around the room. Some of the changes the CDG's semi-take over produced included much better lighting than when the Tourist Trap was strictly a night club. And now, there was not nearly as much of a roomy dance floor. Too bad.

She recognized some of the Tourist Trap regulars, sitting there at the tables on the night club side despite the early morning hours. Some had come to drink, of course, but many came during the day hours because the Tourist Trap ran a respectable restaurant in the sunlight. Some came from curiosity, to see what new changes this new arrangement with the CDG had brought about- and which had been hastily set up the previous night, after the announcement of the forming of the CDG-, and some came to see the Governor's own niece also volunteer.

And there were new faces here, too- probably tourists from Earth, if their cleaner, nicer clothes were any indication. In fact, she did recognize one tourist- Veg Hoyle. The young, attractive doctor sat by herself, drinking a coffee while reading a book, another blockbuster novel by the famous drk.

Dr. Veg Hoyle stretched in her chair. She noticed Sheila and gave her a quick smile, remembering meeting her at the park. Sheila returned a smile and a nod. Veg Hoyle went back to her reading, while Sheila Bright remained standing in line.

"Next, please."

The kid in front of Sheila walked off with an escort, who took him to one of the back rooms. Now Sheila stood before the matron in the brown outfit.

“Name?"

As if she didn't know. But Sheila played a good sport and answered all the questions.

The older woman told her, "Go follow that woman into the back for your medical and, if qualified, to take your oath of service. After that, you will be suited up, Miss Bright."

"Yes, Ma'm."

A lot happened in the quarter hour inside the club's portion of the Tourist Trap while Sheila went in the backrooms to undergo the process of becoming a member of the CDG...

The crowd of protestors, who had stood outside before, decided to come now inside, to gain the attention of the news crews. By this time they had organized themselves a bit better, and chanted in unison (somewhat): "Hope is for Hopers! Hope is for Hopers!"

This caught everybody who heard them off-guard. But the rooms in the back, where the new volunteers had gone, were sound-proofed to keep out the distractions during oath-taking, so Sheila Bright and the others didn't hear a thing.

But the CDG man who stood by the door of the Tourist Trap/CDG Center found the intrusion completely unwelcome. He tried to push the first few rowdies back out the door.

"Here, now, what do you think you are doing?!" he demanded. Some of the other CDG staff hurried over to assist the doorman.

The noisy gang pushed past them and forced their way into the CDG Center/restaurant.

“Hope for Hopers! Hope for Hopers!”

The media people began to video them and take photos.

These chanting people, carrying their signs with them, gave off an air of unruliness that seemed about to burst forth. They moseyed over to the night club section and stood about, surrounding certain of the patrons- not the locals, but the new, unfamiliar faces of those who were not regulars, and most likely were tourists from Earth. They gathered about the tourists as the tourists ate, making a very uncomfortable mood for the Earthlings. Veg Hoyle tried to ignore them and continued reading her book.

"Go back to Earth where you belong! Go home, Earthers!" spouted the leader with the bandaged hand, and the rest took up the chant.

The owner of the club growled in annoyance. "Struber, what do you think you're doing this time? Don’t ya got a car to fix or somethin’? Get outta here! I'm tired of you always causing trouble!”

The protestors' leader ignored him. He continued to lead his gang in chanting the slogan, and trying not to be so obvious about enjoying and loving being the focus of the attention of the news people.

A man pushed his mic into Struber's face. "Exactly why is your group protesting today, Sir?"

Struber waved his sign about- Dr. Veg Hoyle had to duck because he nearly whacked her with it- "We're tired of being thralls to the people of Earth! We are tired of being exploited, like we are second-class citizens- and on our own world, yet! We want Earth to respect us! We want the Earthers to get out of here, to get out of our business, and let us run our planet our own way! If Earth wants our fuel ore, then let Earth treat us fairly to get it!"

"Yeah, you tell 'em, Struber," one of his co-horts shouted in agreement.

Meanwhile, in the back rooms, Sheila Bright realized the medics breezed her through the tests. The Governor's niece smiled to herself. It pays to have relatives with high positions. She knew they would rush her processing, so they could put her in a CDG uniform and present her to the waiting news folk out there before they became tired of waiting and left without getting any pics of her in the brown outfit.

When she emerged for the public debut of her official CDG uniform, the commotion happening in the other half of the Tourist Trap surprised her.

She watched in bafflement as the crowd that had stood outside before was now inside the place, circling the tourists, yelling, "Go home, Earthers! Go home, Earthers!”

The busboy and the bouncer both asked the rowdies to leave, but they shouted all the more. "Go home, Earthers! Go home, Earthers! Hope for Hopers!"

Concerned for Veg, who had helped Osmo Martin and she chase away the buffalo attack in the park, Sheila scanned the tables, looking for the Earth Doctor to see if she was still here eating, and if the protestors were pesting her and the other tourists. Whether she lived on Hope or on Earth, this was no way to treat Dr. Hoyle! There- there she was. Sheila had spied her through the throng, and it appeared Veg wanted to get up and leave, but the protestors had her hemmed in. Veg Hoyle was unable to follow the protestors' own suggestion for her to "go."

The news agents had been so caught up with Struber and his gang, they completely missed Sheila's entrance as a CDG volunteer. Sheila Bright did not care so much about that, but she did care that Veg had done nothing wrong to deserve being treated like this. Back at the park, she had shown herself to be more than willing to help those in need, whether from Earth or from Hope. And this is the way these clods show their thanks to her for helping their fellow Hope citizens?

Sheila decided to do something about it. She steeled up her nerve and tromped up to the gang surrounding Veg Hoyle and the other tourists. "Move aside. Move aside, I say! Let me pass!"

Sheila didn’t forget she now wore a uniform. Secretly, she really hated the uniform- although she had made up a speech for the news folks about how proud she was to wear it. Now, she saw that she would not have needed to waste her time rehearsing her speech. However, she hoped the uniform would intimidate the rabble-rousing trouble-makers.

Earlier, she recalled, they had parted for her when she had come to sign up. Certainly, they should still be so obliging, unless they had become more brave, even willing now to oppose the CDG and Gov. Bright's own niece, a member of the CDG! “Move it, I said!”

A tough-looking character amongst the group shot back, "Says who? We'll move aside when we wanna!"

Struber, on the left of the tough-guy, ordered, "Hey, cool it around the niece. You know that will cause trouble if you give her grief. Besides, she's CDG now. Have some proper respect!”

It worked! thought Sheila Bright.

“Okay, Struber, you're the boss," answered the other. He then stepped out of Sheila's way. "There ya go."

Sheila gave the rude guy an evil look. She worked her way over to Veg Hoyle's table. "C'mon, Doc, let's ditch this place."

Veg again smiled at her. "You don't need to ask me twice. I am beginning to think my clinic in the high crime area back home is a lot more relaxing than this planet is turning out to be. No offense meant against your world, of course, Miss Bright.”

Sheila led the tourist doctor out of the meelee- and the other tourists quickly followed in their tracks. Recorddrs and cameras took it all in. What a story! No sooner than Sheila Bright is a CDG volunteer, then she goes and rescues a bunch of tourists from Earth from unhappy rowdies of the World of Hope.

Naturally, as soon as Struber and his gang had barged into the Tourist Trap, somebody on the CDG staff had summoned the Security Agents for help, having expected these loud protestors to become a nuisance problem. And they did. And now, a half dozen Security Agents arrived, led by Security Leader Mita Morgan.

"Break it up!" Mita Morgan ordered. "Disperse, or be cited!" she demanded. She added, "Or, maybe the lot of you want to spend some time in jail for disturbing the peace!"

Struber looked from her to the faces of his disgruntled fellow protestors. Clearly, his crew did not want to give in.

Struber waved his bandaged hand toward the exit. "Okay, guys, let's go. The tourists slunk away already, hanging onto the Governor's niece's skirts. We got our point across, and we got no beef with the Security Agents, so we're done here for now."

Grumbling, the others followed Struber as he retreated out the door. They quietly disbanded, splitting up and going their separate ways. The Security Agents went outside with them, watching them go, making sure they kept out of mischief as they departed, but not chasing them.

Struber also walked away. He went down one street, then turned into a secluded alleyway. He leaned upon an old stone building, and waited. As if he had an appointment with someone.

Fifteen minutes later, Security Leader Morgan entered that same alley. She greeted him cordially. "What did you do to your hand, Mr. Struber? Why the bandage?"

He reflexively held his wounded hand up. With a chuckle, he replied, "Oh, one of those buffalo at the farm did that to me. Even though they were farm raised didn't mean they couldn't be vicious when being gathered up. Speaking of that, how'd you like my work at the park the other day?”

“Very convincing. If I didn't know better, I would have thought it was actually a wild buffalo stampede from the wilds beyond Sparkle City."

Struber nodded. "Good. So, tell me, are there really so many wild animals and outlaws lurking out there in the wilderness like Gov. Bright says? Or, is it just some excuse for something?"

The Security Leader’s mouth upturned a slight bit, but she gave a less-than-straightforward answer. "Gov. Bright has it under control. No need to worry, Mr. Struber.”

Struber nodded. "Okay, fair enough. As long as I get my pay."

"You will. I will also have someone deliver that stupid robot doll I promised you for your little girl. Tonight, in fact, right to your door. I warn you, though, that doll is a whiner. It's name is Boo Boo. It should be Boo Hoo."

"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Sec. Ldr. Morgan. You let me know when and where you need me and the gang to show up again, Ma'm.”

“Okay. What about the rocketport? You think you and your guys can tie it up with your rabble-rousing for the next few days? Delay Earth from getting its precious fuel ore delivery on schedule. That should get their attention on Earth. And teach them a lesson, too," sneered the young Security Leader.

"You got it. We can do it, Sec. Ldr. Morgan," Struber assured her.”

(c) drk 2012