Prelude to the Graduation (ii)

Planet: Tarsonis

Year:2529

Place: Confederate ??? Academy

-- 0500 - youth department staff room --

Almost two months had passed and the graduation exam was days away. In a display of power, Popovich gathered the staff for a two am staff meeting. Before making them wait on him, for two hours!

They sat around a large rectangular wooden table with their knees shaken and hands quaking. As Popovich stepped into the room they reeled back before turning to Tom and Suki with the expectation they'd do most of the talking.

He puffed up his chest, while Suki scoffed and said nothing.

"Thomas, if you say a word I'll have you killed here and now," said Popovich. Although he tried to remain composed, there was a noticeable low rumbling undertone within his voice. "I'm going to ask everyone a series of questions. If your answer fails to meet my standard you'll be replaced. Simple...as that.

And if you're still confused. I mean that your careers are over, in every sense of the word," said Popovich. It brought him joy to see the staff squirm under his rage-fueled gaze...most of the staff.

'Tom…' thought Popovich, eyeing his increasingly arrogant scientist. "Explain to me. Why! Clark Kent's! Neuro-adjuster keeps failing!? Weren't you bragging that your device was full-proof?"

Tom rolled his eyes before standing to meet his gaze. "Let's get something straight," said Tom leaning into Popovich's face.

"Don't come talking down to me, like I'm some inbred dog. And as for the Neuro-adjuster?

We don't know! Every time we do a checkup, the results say it's fine. Every time we place said adjuster into the mind of another, it works perfectly-"

Popovich raised a hand, prompting Tom to stop "Are you saying Clark Kent might be highly resistant to your device? And if so how would that happen?"

Tom paused before pulling a file up from his datapad. "A few of my men believe it's was caused by subject August's bullying. Their working theory is that like the neuro-inhibitor. A firm and near unbreakable mind can overcome its programming. Although we began testing this theory it is still too early to tell.

Although highly improbable, our next theory is that it's being tampered with. There is still a lot to be discovered surrounding psionics..."

"...And it is possible for one of my dogs may be technopathic... interesting," said Popovich. While the rage in his voice faded, his eyes turned on Suki. Who sat there, saying nothing.

"Why do you think it's improbable Tom?" Asked Popovic. This time everyone's eyes were on Suki, she ran psionics. And was obviously the most dangerous person in the room.

"It's improbable because the only viable children have psionic grades ranging from 5-8. And with how often were reset the device they'd have to stay within constant proximity to affect the device. Meaning none of our targets could possibly be technopathic," Finished Tom.

His words caused Popovich to nod then take his seat. Popovich's eyes fell onto Kalen, Rumm, and the rest of the staff involved in executing the recruit's mental adjustment. "How is it, that you guys failed to-"

"DON'T YOU DARE PLACE THIS ON US!" Yelled Kalen. His firsts slammed against the wooden table while his veins burst along his neck. "I WARNED YOU ABOUT ALLOWING A KID LIKE TO ENDURE EXTREME BULLYING! OK!? That little shit, Clark Kent.

For all his flaws and shortcomings is one tough son of bitch! That's why we did what we did to his father, ok. Our plan was to slowly break him. But you! Wouldn't allow us to nip that bullying in the bud, which by the way. Turned that misery and depression into anger and rage."

The staff awed at Kalen's brazen attitude before turning to Popovich, who slowly spoke up. "You seem to have miss understood how we develop ghosts. We don't shatter their will, we retool their wills through years of training and biological programming.

For example, Sarah Kerrigan. There are two reasons we've enabled the kids to bully Sarah. The first is to dissuade any comradery she may build while training with the others. The second is to give those same kids an outlet for their anger.

Anger that if left unchecked will prove disastrous to their future officers. Now, at this point, you're thinking well why don't we just isolate them then? The answer to that is simple. We can't! Soldiers, black ops or not. Need to learn some level of communication.

Get it? The plan wasn't the problem, how you executed it was," said Popovich. To even his surprise, Suki chimed in. "You are both to blame--"

"Excuse me?" Said both men. They sneered at Suki, who spoke in her regular calm, soothing, yet domineering voice.

"In most situations, what you had them do to Sarah would work ok. But when a kid that charismatic is bullied by the most hated section of recruits I've seen in a while. That creates division, major division. Division, so bad it fosters unity.

And to make matters worse. Your overly emotional way of doing things fuels their unity and fosters their hate. Hate! That is now pointed towards the confederacy. Kalen, Rumm." Suki paused, when both men opened their mouths she continued.

"Quiet, I'm not done.

It is no secret Clark Kent harbors major disdain for the confederacy. In most cases, this wouldn't be an issue. However, your treatment is the reason it grew then fostered within the other recruits. Now, things are so bad we had to escalate the graduation timetable or risk further contamination.

Not to mention, high command reviews all ghost recruits before seaman promotion. Oh, and let's not forget the fact that this batch is on track to be one of the worst from a psychological standpoint," said Suki.

"T-t-things aren't that bad. Right?" Responded Kalen.

Suki paused, although she said nothing the cold rage within her eyes spoke volumes. "The psychological review or loyalty review. Is the most important part of this program. If they fail to weed out the bad ones things will get worse. Especially with the growing rebel movement.

Now. We may not see eye to eye on a lot of things. But there's a reason I've come to agree with Popovich regarding his stance on the confederacy. High command is run by lazy individuals who are prone to making mistakes.

Mistakes we have to catch. And I for one, don't need to see ghosts running off to join some rebel movement. So they may destroy what I hold dear," finished suki.

Her words left Kalen stunned. When he looked back to Popovich, he saw his life flashing before his eyes. His instinct screamed! Something was wrong with what Suki just said. However, he could tell Popovich wouldn't hear it. 'The power has gone to his head,' thought Kalen.

"Thank you, Suki. Although I've distrusted you in the past. I'm delighted to know we share common stances regarding such key issues. As for the rest of you…

… it seems yearly reviews are coming early this year.

Now, if you excuse me. I have breakfast with the Terra's."