5th July 2012
13:32 GMT
The White Martians of Xan'Xie waste no time in taking advantage of the Council's decision. Overloaded civilian bio-transports are already flying out of the city's surface exits, heading towards more liberal cities. Given the size of the population shift they're not going to permanent homes, just temporary residences until such time as the other cities can divvy them up. Over to my right J'emm appears to be regarding the scene impassively, though for all I know he's shouting telepathic greetings at everyone. S'yrra's still in near-human shape and she mostly just looks sad.
The Council wasn't quite willing to flat out override a Prelate on internal law at this stage, but the travel restriction was struck down almost immediately. Where things will be tomorrow, once they've had time to accept that their entire civilisation is built on a bedrock of lies, I don't know. J'emm's stock -and that of the rest of the liberal wing- has shot up, but with his argument 'won' they've still got to decide between federalist and unitarian government structures. I have no idea what his view on that is, and as long as no one's suffering who doesn't want to I don't particularly care.
The Martians on foot are visible now, and the fact that the surface is technically liveable means that they could make the trek on foot if they had to. Fortunately they don't; the cities that have agreed to receive them are sending Manhunter ships and White advocacy groups are sending civilian transports. And I'm here with a L.E.G.I.O.N. transport in the hope that-
"Heehahaha!"
-Mr. B'lanx found some volunteers.
Ring? Yes, that is him, in a humanish shape and having to gasp for breath. He lands unsteadily in front of me and claps his right hand on my pauldron.
"You exceeded my wildest expectations! Karmang was White!"
"So it appears."
"Their entire civil order is in ruins! Is this how you handle everything?!"
"N-."
…
"Not everything. And it's not usually this fast."
"The Hyperclan couldn't destroy them this fast." He backs up slightly, nodding confidently. "I and many of my brethren will join you in the service of L.E.G.I.O.N.."
"You sure? You don't want to oversee things here? The White revolution isn't over yet."
"Yes, I am sure. The shift in the world-mind is undeniable. Even the Reds don't believe their lies any longer, and we all know it." He straightens slightly, then turns back to watch as a small number of Green Martians emerge from the city and float towards the oncoming Manhunter transports. "And the Greens have their eyes opened as well."
"Not all cities are as bad as-."
"I know. But this is the purest form of what happens all across Mars, and even the Greens don't like it. Not when they're confronted with it. I wish to join L.E.G.I.O.N. for the reasons you said: to secure our future by force of arms if necessary, and to build a future by our own efforts. I still want a power ring, but I can earn that by my own efforts if no one is stopping me in the name of a fake idol."
I nod. "Alright, well, if you could lead everyone who feels the same way-."
"In that ship?"
He gestures to the crowd behind him who aren't moving towards the Manhunter ships. It's continuing to grow as more Whites leave the city behind him.
"You'll need something bigger."
"We can do shuttle runs. We'll be sending you to Earth for a little while to get used to alien thoughts before transporting you to Maltus, but our first stop is Colu."
He freezes, his eyes lighting up for a moment. Then he and about two hundred other Martians fly up towards the transport ship.
J'emm walks over to me as they leave.
"I had hoped to talk to him. I wanted him to see in my mind that I truly believe in equality."
"I.. don't.. think he's going to want to talk to Red Martians for a little while. Can I assume that you don't need me in order to keep things going here?"
"You have what you want. And I do too, if not… Not in the manner I wanted."
"Is this a problem for you?"
"Karmang was revered by-. Not all, clearly. But I held him as an example on… How I should live my life."
"What, and you can't do that because he's White? That stuff about colour not determining your life doesn't just apply to Whites, you know. You can take White, Greens… Heck, if you find a Yellow Martian you admire you can try emulating them."
"Perhaps I have a great deal to… Unthink."
"I've got a friend who's going through something similar. If you want to talk to her-."
**Why are you here?**
"Let me deal with that first and then come back to you."
I fly past the White Martians making their way into the ship via the embarkation ramps, searching for-.
Oh. Right.
Even with everything going on, J'emm was kind enough to put the word out and a small group of telepathic specialists agreed to join me in order to help the Coluans. Naturally, being allowed to rise to the top of their fields, they're Red. Well, five out of six are Red, the sixth being Green. Mr. B'lanx's posture suggests that he's less than impressed with their presence.
I land a short distance away. The posture of the specialists is studiously neutral. I doubt that they'll be joining up after this, but… Maybe they'll ask for a trip to Earth.
"Problem?"
"You were hiring Whites."
"And I want you to perform a delicate telepathic transfer. Do you have the training or experience to do that?"
"You told us that we would be taught."
"Yes? And where did you expect me to find someone intimately familiar with the capacities of Martian telepaths?"
"Anywhere else."
"Mr B'lanx, let me be clear. You have accepted my offer of employment. This means that you work for me. Since you're still in the cooling off period and since we're still on Mars, you are free to leave. But if you don't, that means that you will be working with who I tell you to work with, on the tasks to which I assign you."
He glowers with glowing eyes.
"Well?"
"I will… Stay."
**I am no happier about this than you are.** The senior specialist steps forward. **It is difficult enough to teach complete neophytes, worse when lives are at risk. But I will direct you far better than-.**
"I'm sorry, my question wasn't rhetorical. My colleague Henry King has substantial experience with Martian telepathy, and I'm making Adam Blake the project lead. I will be expecting you to defer to them. Again, if you can't agree to those terms you are of course free to leave."
No response, though Mr. B'lanx's posture is less aggressive.
"If there are no takers? Captain, please take us up."
