Chapter 21: Rebecca

“We’ve got a favour to ask you Cindy.”

She was sat in Dave’s office and Dave, with characteristic bluntness, was coming straight to the point about why he’d pulled her out of that morning’s training session for a one on one chat.

“Ok…” she was slightly hesitant. A favour from her? What could they want?

“Understand I wouldn’t ask you this under normal circumstances, but as you know these aren’t normal circumstances.”

She got it.

Rebecca.

Dave’s reply was heartfelt. Yes. Rebecca. I wouldn’t ask a recruit to help with something like this normally, but we’ve tried everything. We’re at a loss.

It’s ok, it’s fine, but I don’t know what I can do?

Well, we can steer you – I just think if we throw your strength into the mix we can try, well, a brute force attack if you like.

I don’t want to hurt her.

Of course not – we’ll be careful. I’m a lot more aware of the extent of your power now. As long as you do what I tell you when I tell you it will be fine.

Ok then. Cindy was a little worried, but obviously wanted to help. Rebecca had been virtually comatose for several weeks now – she couldn’t imagine what that must be like. And no matter how much they reassured her she still felt at least partly responsible – if she hadn’t followed that mindline the confrontation wouldn’t have happened. Dave and Louise kept telling her that there was no way she could have known, and that they were better off knowing they were being spied on, and that if it hadn’t have been tackled when it was the whole course, maybe even the whole GCCSC could have been compromised, but still, the lingering doubt remained. And, of course, she would have done what she could to help anyway. When do you want to do it?

Well, now’s as good a time as any. Louise is in with her as we speak – come on. And he stood to lead her out of the room.

They went down the corridor past the big training room and took a door to the left. As they walked Cindy mused over how much she didn’t know about the facility – there were plenty of rooms in this compound she hadn’t seen, she felt sure of that, and how many other workers were there? Were there other trainers than the four they’d met to date? And what about other agents? Well, now wasn’t the time to ask, but she made a mental note to speak to Dave about it later. Or maybe Selma. Yes, Selma – she liked Dave of course, but Selma was that much more … approachable.

She became aware they were in some kind of infirmary area – there was a small central desk area and with four doors in an ‘L’ shape behind it, two on each side. The desk area was unmanned. Dave took her to the second door along on the left and they went in without knocking.

“How is she?” Dave asked Louise who was sitting next to a motionless Rebecca, who in turn lay on a comfortable looking bed opposite the door; not really a ‘hospitally’ bed, Cindy thought – that was good. Louise looked run down and tired. Cindy realised this was the first time she’d seen her since the confrontation, and rightly suspected that a lot of the care, defence and monitoring was falling on her shoulders.

Rebecca on the other hand looked incongruously fine – colour in her cheeks, slim but not gaunt, dark hair neat and straight and cascading off the pillow. She looked like she’d just decided to lie down for a quick nap before heading off to a smart office somewhere for a day’s work doing, well, Cindy didn’t know what, but something important. But she didn’t move – the only signs she was even alive were her skin colour and the slight rise and fall of the linen as she breathed, slowly and steadily.

“No change, surprise surprise. Hello Cindy. How’s the training going?”

“Oh, fine thanks Louise. Learning a lot.”

“I hear there’s been a bit of trouble between some of your fellow recruits?” Louise looked probingly at her.

“Well, a little I guess, but it’s all sorted now. Selma dealt with it.”

“And you also did your bit to try and keep the peace I believe.”

“Well not really, um …”

“I’ve put you on the spot. Never mind. But you’re a welcome addition here Cindy – you have a good head on your shoulders and a willingness to help that we appreciate. And maybe you can help us here,” she said as she turned to Rebecca, “We’re at a loss.”

“What do you want me to do?”

Well, let me show you the problem. Dave?

Here.

Let’s go in – Cindy, join this …

Louise and Dave sent out a mindline from either side as the three of them descended into mindspace. As Cindy joined it she was aware that they two of them were also joining with each other. Between the three of them they formed a circle of silver light, which seemed to glow a little brighter when the circle was sealed.

Is this what you did when you …

When we stopped the attack, yes. You were a little preoccupied to notice the detail.

So what do we call this? Cindy thought back to her crib sheet.

It’s just a concentrated mindshare, really, Dave sent, it’s just a bit more joined up. In a way mindspeak is just a one on one mindshare but it’s more … concentrated … well, this is between the two.

Cindy considered the glowing ring joining the three of them. It felt like a much deeper bond somehow, but now wasn’t the time to investigate it.

Ok, began Louise, let’s go in.

And with that she started to steer the three of them towards where Rebecca lay dormant on the bed on her back. The silver ring that joined them focussed towards Rebecca’s mind, and closed in. There was a disconcerting moment of transition that almost felt like they were somehow going through her skull, and then they were somehow inside Rebecca’s mind.

It felt to Cindy like she was in a forest of silvery grey, thick hairs. It was odd, and a little frightening, but, somehow Cindy knew, normal.

Yes, this bit is normal, sent Louise. Wait …

And they seemed to pan back a little, as if rising above the forest in a balloon and looking down, and Cindy took in the curve as she saw what she realised was a representation of Rebecca’s brain.

Not a representation, sent Dave, it is her brain.

Oh.

Look, sent Louise, and she drew the focus back in from all around the brain, like closing a net around it but slipping through it as she went, going in, in, until …

It was like a wall.

Literally, like a wall. A big, cold stone, impenetrable wall encircling Rebecca’s inner mind.

All the autonomic functions, you know, breathing, reflex, controlling body temperature and so forth happen out here, but thought, consciousness, and of course the talent, it all comes from in there.

Which is why she looks so normal … realised Cindy.

Yes, exactly. She’s just trapped inside her own mind. And has been for many days.

Cindy mentally gasped at the horror of that thought. The poor thing!

Indeed.

So what do you want me to do?

Well, we need to be careful, but at the same time it will obviously take a lot of force to break this down. I thought maybe we could try to discorporate it, sent Dave.

What does that mean? Cindy asked.

A bit like the watermelon, but without the spinning, he sent. I want us to try kind of merging with the wall, and then willing it to disrupt. You see if you can encompass it in your mindspace and Louise and I will layer in with you.

Cindy dutifully let her mind spread out and around the wall in Rebecca’s brain. She imagined the silver boundary that formed the horizon of her mental view spreading across the surface of the wall like a gentle, iridescent tide. Bit by bit, it spread, until she had encompassed the whole sphere.

She felt the gentle touch of first Dave, then Louise layering their own strength on hers. It was a bit like someone taking your hand to hold it in a pitch dark room. And then, unexpectedly, another presence layered gently on top.

Who’s that? She asked in alarm, although realising the answer as she asked.

I think you know. Focus, Cindy, sent Dave.

Using her well-practiced self-discipline Cindy returned to the task at hand. Right, here was the wall. Now what?

See if you can find a weak spot to break it down … a seam, a crack, any kind of variation in the shell …

Cindy sent spurs of heightened conscious all through her mindspace, assessing the wall it surrounded, looking for a flaw; a way in. Nothing.

It’s too strong, I think, she sent. Then, after a pause, she added, but I have another idea …

What’s that? Louise asked.

I could try and, sort of, vibrate it apart. Kind of like the apple – make it no longer fit its space so it will be forced to crumble …

She felt the alarm come from Dave and Louise. Interestingly, the other presence showed no such response. If anything, she seemed to sense a hint of curiosity and encouragement for her idea.

I don’t know … remember what happened to the apple, sent Dave, very wary.

I know, but I think I can contain it. What I want to do is … look … and she sent them a mental image of gently vibrating the stone wall so the individual particles of it started slowly dissolving to dust.

Oh I see! Sent Dave, impressed.

Clever, sent Louise.

Well?

Cindy was aware of the other minds conferring, although the content of what was being exchanged was shielded.

Go on then, Dave sent, be careful, and we’ll keep check on it. And draw on our power as you need it. Can you do that?

Cindy considered. I think so yes. Ok, here we go.

Cindy let her consciousness immerse more fully into her mindspace, let her self flow out through the ring around the wall. She felt spread, thinned, like she actually was the ring around the wall in Rebecca’s brain. She let herself nestle in.

Then, slowly, gently, she willed herself to start oscillating.

Nothing happened.

She raised the intensity a little, drawing some strength from Dave and Louise. She felt the third presence adding – well, his strength as well, assuming she was right about who it was. Never mind that now, she let the intensity raise a little more.

Now the wall started to respond. It felt like it was starting to warm up. That was the way! Cindy increased the vibration once more.

Now the wall was really starting to warm up.

And now it was warming up too much.

And now it was hot. Searing hot.

Stand down! Came a voice

Yes! Added Dave, back away!

Just one more minute … Cindy gritted her mental teeth as it were and kept the vibration going against the force of heat.

The wall got hotter, but remained intact. It hurt now.

Back away! Louise. We need to get out! It’s going to …

BANG!

---

And they were back in the room. Dazed, hurt, but okay, and as Cindy shook her head back into consciousness, flashes of silvery white appeared before her eyes.

“What was that?” She asked blearily.

“The wall pushed back. It pushed us out,” said Dave, also sounding shaken.

“The wall pushed us out?”

“Yes.”

Cindy mused on that. Whatever the evil woman had done to Rebecca’s mind, she’d done one heck of a job with it.

“Yes, she has,” said Louise. Her tone was stern. “And listen, I know you’re trying to help, and that was a clever idea, but you’ve got to do what we say when we say it. You could have been hurt. We all could have.”

“Sorry, it just felt like we were close.” Cindy felt ashamed and embarrassed. Dave looked like he was conferring with someone for a moment, then his tone softened.

“It’s ok,” he said, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, “I understand. We’re just thinking of you. You have the enthusiasm of youth – I get it – but you need to listen to us folks who have the caution of age sometimes.”

“I will.”

“I know. So don’t worry.”

Cindy felt better. Then, as she glanced towards the bed, Dave …

What?

Bringing Louise into the share as well, Cindy sent: Rebecca. Look.

They turned to look.

Rebecca had moved.

She was still motionless, still breathing steady, but she was now lying on her right side, facing the door.

And a single tear was rolling down her cheek.

The three of them looked at her a moment.

You were close.

Yes. We were close.

“Ok,” continued Dave aloud, “we’re going to think on this. Plan. And soon, we’re going to try again. Are you game?”

“Yes,” said Cindy, still staring at Rebecca, intent, “Yes. I’m game.”

Chapter 22: Hide and Seek

A couple of weeks went by without trying again. Cindy was painfully aware of poor Rebecca, trapped in there, unable to release her mind, communicate, interact … but at the same time she understood the caution. They were dealing with powerful forces here, and it was clear there was only a limited understanding of what they were doing. Cindy herself also thought on the problem – she felt like the vibration technique was on the right track, but was missing something. The only thing was, she had no idea what.

Meanwhile, the training continued, along with the occasional comm. home. Just the previous night Cindy had had a long chat with both her Father and Tess, which was nice. It helped her switch off from the, well, alien-ness of what she was undertaking here on Adriá. Even her Father’s traditional “where are you most beautiful” bit, ever-so-slightly corny now she was twelve, was a welcome reminder of life outside the training.

Everyone was mainly getting along since Selma gave them a talking to. George had withdrawn a little bit after the confrontation with Natalie, but was soon back to his old new self, as it were, Jane had been right when she was saying the whole Milton/Natalie team up was worthy of a bit of caution. Although there were no more openly antagonistic situations, and they joined in with group activities and even some more social occasions like streams or off-training games, there was still an undercurrent of aloofness and hostility, particularly from Natalie.

That was the funny thing, Cindy thought; by himself, Milton was great. Open, friendly, almost a bit, well, simple, in a funny sort of way. Not stupid, just uncomplicated. But as soon as Natalie was nearby he became a different person. For one thing, it was almost painful how blatant he was about trying to please her, and it was still more painful how obvious Natalie was about using that to manipulate him.

One evening, the five of them were playing a version of hide and seek around their quarters. This was a game that had grown out of one of the team exercises – a kind of mindspace version of ‘Marco Polo’ where you had to home in on someone through their psychic presence alone. The children’s version involved one person being ‘it’ while the others hid somewhere within a four block region of the outer facility where the huts were. The person who was ‘it’ would cast a mindspace net out and look for the presence of any of the others, while the others did their best to mentally blend in with their surroundings. It was a lot of fun, and although it nagged at Cindy that they hadn’t mentioned anything to any of the adults that they were playing it, it seemed harmless enough.

On this particular evening, that would prove far from the case.

Jane was ‘it’. Cindy was hiding behind Milton’s hut. She was dimly aware that Milton and Natalie were hiding together behind Jane’s hut, and George was the other side of them about the same distance from them as Cindy was. It was funny, you put your energy into shielding yourself from the person who was ‘it’, but the others who weren’t could see where you were pretty easily. Or so she thought.

As Jane searched mentally, she was walking physically. Proximity seemed to be a powerful tool. Cindy wasn’t sure whether this was just a mental thing (well wasn’t everything in this process?) – after all the Turgs made contact across light years and still managed to pose a threat – but, at least to them as novices, being close by seemed to help focus in on things. So Jane walked slowly towards the point where Milton and Natalie were.

But they weren’t there. As Jane got to the point where she thought they were both physically and mentally she gave a little shout. Cindy zoomed in on where Jane was and gave a start as well. What she found was a cunningly constructed, artificial kind of memory of Milton and Natalie. It had Milton’s mental craftsmanship written all over it. So where were they?

A shout from George was all they needed to find them. Forgetting mindspace for a moment, Cindy started running toward the noise. She got there at the same time as Jane, and the two of them were just in time to witness George’s knees buckling under the weight of a combined psychic attack from Milton and Natalie. Cindy tried to plug in … they weren’t trying to hurt him, just dominate him. Natalie was trying to supress his power with raw mental strength while Milton applied finesse around the edges to try and form a seal to prevent him escaping. Cindy got an image of hatred and revenge from Natalie that was worryingly reminiscent of what she felt from Jacinta all those – was it weeks? Months? – ago in the classroom. The taller girl had clearly been plotting this since that day in training – Selma’s words hadn’t sunk in with her at all.

Jane was shouting at them to stop. Cindy didn’t involve herself immediately but watched George to see what he would do. As she suspected, the attempts of the older two to supress him were akin to trying to defuse a bomb by putting a blanket over it. George lashed out at both of them.

Nice try you two. Now I’ll show you how it’s done. George’s mental voice was charged with electricity, crackling with white hot force. He effortlessly brushed Milton aside, and with only slightly more effort had Natalie in check as well. Then he lashed back at them, and at this point Cindy stepped in.

No George! She silently shouted, intercepting a blow from him that may have been strong enough to damage the other two. However, George had anticipated her and as she blocked the main force, he sent two subtle spylines out and used them to take hold of each of the older two. They were rendered motionless as he started to diffuse his central, false attack and push it down the lines. Cindy saw from their faces it was hurting them. She kept a central guard against George’s now dissipating main force and started interfering with the spylines, trying to lessen them, unthread them somehow. The forces at play were becoming intense as both Cindy and George poured more strength in to combat each other.

In the instant this was happening two other things happened at once. Cindy realised they were outside the main compound, and that meant they were outside the defences. And a voice came to all of them at the same time.

Well, well, well. Isn’t this nice.

The five of them were suddenly tied together in a rock solid silver lasso of pure mental force. And at the other end of it, the woman. Behind her, Cindy was aware of several alien minds, maybe nine or ten, maybe more, adding strength. The children were trapped.

Before Cindy could do anything she felt a cold, steely grip wrap around her mind. We won’t be having any of that fireworks business this time Cindy, the voice came. Cindy tried to push back against it, but it had her completely hemmed in. She could feel the alien power threading through the immense power of the woman to form a seamless enclosure. It was like they were trying to do to her what they’d done to poor Rebecca.

Cindy started to panic. She was going to be hemmed in! Her mind was going to be trapped in a stone wall! The world around her was dimming as the mesh around her mind grew substance from the force being sent from the woman and her alien cohort. She was going to be trapped!

I don’t think so. Came a different, but familiar voice. It is yours to break. You need to see it done.

Who are you?

Never mind that now, just follow my lead.

And with that, Cindy felt herself guided to push outward, at once, at the whole shell as it rapidly built into a stone wall around her mind … what was she doing? What am I doing?

Remember. You need to see it done. Now. Hold, hold … see it …

And Cindy saw the world around her … There was George, again being pressed down, there was Milton, Natalie, Jane, all writhing … Was that the presence of Dave?, Louise?, The Controller? Each madly defending them, pressing back against the onslaught …

And now she was hemmed in once more …

You will see it done … hold … see it …

NOW!!!

And whoever, whatever was guiding her gave Cindy what felt like a sudden electric shock and at once she saw the rubble of the wall around her – but the wall was still there – then she saw it crumbling – then it was there again – gone – there – it oscillated like a low quality, antique stream, crackling, spitting, now gone, now here, now never having been, now a negative image all blacks and greys … and, at the last, it was gone.

---

A frozen moment in time.

There is George, kneeling, swaying, all but overcome. There are Milton, Natalie, Jane, different stages of suppression, being beaten down. Jane on her knees, somehow the most unbearable. Alien force rains down upon them all, pressing, overwhelming. Cindy casts her mind out, finds Dave, he sends a loop … grab this the undeniable instruction …

… she joins with Dave, Louise joins, The Controller joins. They form a loop, spin it, knit it, it starts to form a shield.

I will not be denied! The woman cries. A dozen alien minds redouble their force. The pressures are immense. They spin and knit faster, the combined power draws in. They go to George first, slip between the strands of attacking, alien power, spin a defence across his mind. He shakes, becomes aware while still not aware, joins, a new surge of power flows into the meld. They have George’s power now, although not his presence somehow. Still, press on, save them … they thread his huge force into the shield, bolstering it immensely.

A surge of evil power responds. Give me everything! Cindy hears the evil woman scream at her alien soldiers. Give me all your power! They must not escape! More pressure flows in. The knitted shield, now spread across five of them (is it six? Cindy doesn’t know) buckles and bows like an apple being squeezed from existence.

No! Cindy cries. You will not have us! And frantically, desperately, bolstered by George and the others, she pushes her will into the shield, tightens it like pulling tight a million silver knots. It holds. She pulls in Natalie, Milton, Jane, confused, shaken, they add their power to the net. It glows brighter now. The alien force starts to deflect off it, sizzling like water hitting a hot pan of oil.

Cindy senses the woman sense defeat. Senses a change of tactics.

I will meet you once more Cindy Parker. And I will destroy you. Remember that, as you deal with this …

There is a mighty FLASH as a flat plane of malignant silver light is flung at the shield net, like anti-force meeting force. Everything splinters. The shield still defends, but ragged lines of white hot silver thought fly off in all directions. It feels like a dagger of psychic force pierces Cindy’s mind, almost breaking some of it away. She cries out, holds the shield, draws the force … pushes back … pushes …

And suddenly there is nothing to push against. The onslaught is gone.

Silence.

One tiny voice.

It is yours to break. You need to see it done.

And then once more silence.

---

Cindy looked around her. Dave and Louise had joined them in person, presumably running out as soon as they detected the invasion. Milton, Natalie and Jane were in varying stages of shock and recovery, but all seemed ok. But George …

George was just lying there. Breathing, but not moving. In the same state as Rebecca. Cindy dared a quick probe …

A cold, stone wall surrounded his mind. The woman’s parting shot.

Chapter 23: Aftermath 2

Everyone was in the common room, apart from George. Selma and Christof were there as well; Selma was in the kitchen area making tea. Jane had a blanket around her shoulders but was still shivering – Cindy recognised it as shock. Natalie had her head down, almost, in an ironic twist that somehow made Cindy massively angry, looking at her shoes a la George. Louise was lying rather than sitting, the whole experience leaving her completely exhausted and drawn, albeit ok. George had been taken off to the infirmary wing to a room that Cindy imagined would be much like Rebecca’s.

Milton spoke. “It was our fault.” He sound utterly disconsolate.

“Yes,” said Dave, “Yes, it was. It’s not your fault that the woman exists, or that the Turgs exist, but it’s your fault they found you this evening. You endangered everyone. Never mind the hide and seek game outside the defences; we knew about that and had our eye on you, which is how we were available to help so quickly. But the attack on George was what gave you away to the enemy. And, although I know this will make you feel worse, you didn’t just endanger everyone here, you endangered the whole galaxy with your childish stupidity.”

Milton burst into tears. “I didn’t mean it,” he sobbed, “we were just … just …”

“Just what, Milton?” Asked Selma, that edge back in her voice, “Just undertaking a planned attack on one of your classmates? One of the people that one day may be helping you save countless lives, including the lives of your own friends and family? May one day be saving your life? Is that what you were ‘just’ doing?” She looked at him in disgust. He couldn’t respond, and just sat there sobbing.

“It wasn’t his fault.” Natalie’s voice was quiet, flat. “It was mine. It was my idea, and I manipulated him into helping me do it.”

“We know,” said Dave, emotionless.

“I think I should leave the programme.”

“I think you should too you horrid cow!” Jane was angrier than any there could have imagined her to be. “Of all the stupid, selfish, arrogant, um, I don’t even have any more words. Of all the … just … awful, awful, awful things to do. You may be tall but you are just the lowest, lowest person I have ever met.”

Natalie didn’t respond. She also didn’t seem to disagree. Her haughty demeanour had disappeared entirely.

“You’re right,” she said eventually. “And I think I should leave the programme. Wipe my mind and send me away.”

Oh no, came a sping from Louise, too tired to articulate actual words, you don’t get off that easily. You need to live with what you have done.

And this was at last too much for Natalie, who broke down in gulping, wracking sobs. No one moved to console her.

“Dave,” Cindy asked as Natalie slowly recovered herself and sat sobbing quietly to one side.

“Yes?”

“How does it work that they find us like that? I mean, how come they don’t just attack us in our beds at night or something? They know where we are now, right? And the defences don’t extend outside the compound …”

“Ah, I see what you mean. No that’s not quite right, remember there are defences outside the compound, they’re just different. The main defences outside the training rooms hide us under normal circumstances perfectly well – once they retreat after something like that, they can’t easily find us again. But large displays of power like last night shine out like a beacon and they can home in easily – as you’ve seen. The training rooms have the extra defensive wall, the one we use that shields against any level of power so we can do the more high impact exercises. The one we can’t replicate.”

“Oh I see,” she said, and slipped back into thinking about the events. Something was nagging at her. But, after a pause, Dave continued speaking to her.

“I think we all owe you thanks yet again for your help, Cindy.”

Cindy cut in before they could all chorus in and embarrass her: “I don’t know, Dave, I lost my head too. Sure, I was trying to help the situation, but I let my power flare outside the compound and that was what made the beacon you’re talking about.”

“And it’s what protected me and Natalie from George. It’s what saved our lives.” Said Milton.

“George wouldn’t have killed you,” Cindy replied, firmly. “He just wanted to hurt you. And he had every right.”

“Yes, I know, but you saw his power and you saw he’d lost it. Who knows what might have happened? We were stupid.” A shake of his head in incredulity at his own actions. “Just so, so stupid. And you helped save us. Thanks.” And, after a pause, “poor George,” and he started crying again.

Natalie, still sobbing gently by herself, said nothing. No-one seemed inclined to offer her any comfort.

Natalie … Cindy reached out.

Leave me alone Cindy, she responded, mind-voice full of tears, Jane’s right. You’re all right. I’m a horrible person.

Cindy thought for a moment for the right thing to say.

You don’t have to be. She sent, as earnestly as she could. She saw Natalie start at that, and after a moment the sobbing stopped. Cindy left her to her thoughts and returned her attention to the group.

“Look, I don’t really like all this ‘thanks Cindy’ stuff. Really.” Cindy said. “Can’t we just focus on what we need to do? We need to stay safe against this evil woman and her alien army and we need to make sure we get along and work together, don’t we?”

“Yes,” said Selma, as Dave and Christof nodded, “that’s exactly what we need to do.”

And … Cindy sent, thoughtful once more, and accidentally reverting to mindspeak because of it.

Yes? Sent Dave.

We need to help George. And Rebecca. And I think I’m sort of getting an idea. Can we go somewhere to discuss it?

---

Leaving the others, Dave went with Cindy to his office. When they were there behind closed doors Dave asked “What is it, Cindy?”

“Well, I’m not sure or anything, but when it was all going on there was … a feeling I had. Like another voice.”

“Yes. The Controller was there helping us.”

“No. I know that. Not him. Someone else.”

“Really? I didn’t sense anyone. I was pretty preoccupied at the time, of course.”

“Well, it was really, kind of, deep in my mind. Do you know what I mean?”

“I think so, yes. What did it say?”

Cindy paused. She instinctively felt she needed to hold back on mentioning too much about the direct involvement and how the help the voice gave her manifested itself, but the sentence that was repeated she felt she could share. “It … she, I think … said “It is yours to break. You need to see it done.”

“Interesting.” Dave paused and looked thoughtful for a moment. “Um … do you have any idea what it means?”

“I think maybe a tiny idea … about the second bit anyway.”

“What is it?”

“Well, I think the vibrating thing is right, but I think we need to vibrate it in a different direction.”

“What do you mean ‘in a different direction’?”

“You won’t think I’m crazy?”

“Of course not.”

“I need to see it done. I think we need to vibrate it, sort of, in time.”

Dave stood straight up as if slapped. Say that again! He sent.

I think we … she started.

“No, no, no, out loud!” Dave exclaimed.

“I think we need to vibrate it in … time.”

Dave startled her then by throwing his arms around her and giving her a huge hug, picking her up and spinning her around in the air as he did so.

“You’re a genius!” He cried. “Of course!” He set her back down again.

“Well, I mean, I don’t know, but …”

“No, of course, of course! You’ve got it! I’m sure you have. Ok. We’ll have to wait until Louise has had a night’s rest. We’ll sort this out first thing tomorrow. Well done Cindy.”

“Well, save that until we see if it works,” she said, abashed.

“Oh it will. Come on, let’s get back and see how the others are faring. We still have a lot of mopping up to do after that …” And here he paused a minute, as if suddenly realising something.

Look, are you ok? He sent.

Me? I’m fine.

Really? You’ve just been through a hugely powerful, frightening event.

Yes. Again. I’m kind of getting used to it. She noticed Dave briefly notice and smile inwardly at the sping smiley. Then he continued more seriously:

But, jokes aside, you’re going through a lot here. This is not a normal course. And we’re leaning on you a lot.

Well, as you keep telling me, I’m not a normal trainee. I’m ok.

Dave looked at her probingly for a moment.

Promise?

Promise.

And you’d tell me if you weren’t?

Yes, of course.

Resolved, Dave was all business once more. “Right, well then let’s go see the others,” he said as he stepped purposefully toward the corridor. Then, as he reached the office door, he said over his shoulder, “You’re made of strong stuff, Cindy Parker, mighty strong stuff. Come on, let’s go.”

---

Back in the common room things were starting to level out. Louise had retired to her quarters to get the rest she desperately needed. Selma was sitting talking to Jane and Milton. Christof had helped Louise off and was now back, sitting near Natalie, looking a little awkward. Natalie had her head down and was saying nothing, her face impassive.

Cindy?

Cindy was slightly surprised. It was Natalie.

Yes Natalie?

You’re right. I don’t have to be horrible.

No, you don’t. It’s up to you.

Yes, I get that now.

Really? Cindy was slightly sceptical. After all, Natalie had fooled them before.

Yes, really. Look.

Huh?

Look. Inside me. I’ll let you. Look.

Puzzled, Cindy let her mindspace spread until it was flowing across Natalie’s. She let herself slip amongst the older girl’s thoughts. She found she got impressions, textures of what was going on … remorse … resolve … She dug a little deeper.

Commitment. A commitment to try to change. Regret over her previous behaviour. Natalie’s mindvoice came. I mean it, Cind, I really do. I only wish I hadn’t got to the point where I endangered us all before I wised up. But … how do you do it?

Do what?

You don’t seem to have a selfish or bad bone in you. How does that work?

I don’t know. I mean, I’m just me, do you know what I mean? I have, um, bad bones and stuff.

Well I haven’t seen them. But keep being you. And thanks for being the first one to speak to me.

We all deserve a second chance. Don’t worry about it.

Cindy broke the contact. She’d had enough praise for one day. She’d had enough for her whole life as far as she was concerned. She went over and joined Selma and Jane’s conversation, noticing out of the corner of her mind that Natalie was opening a one on one mindline to Milton. I think that should be just fine, she thought to herself. As far as she could tell, Natalie really had wised up.

Chapter 24: Seeing It Done

“It’s the thing we know least about,” Dave was saying to Cindy as they walked down the corridor towards the infirmary wing. It was the next day. The others were doing some gentle training with Christof in the training room – mainly light, more fun things to try and help everyone relax. Cindy hadn’t had time to talk to anyone other than a brief exchange with Jane (she was fine) before Dave and a much-refreshed looking Louise came to get her and take her to see Rebecca and George.

He continued. “We know it exists, but we’ve only ever seen snatches of it in bits and pieces. Mainly, what we’ve seen is what we call precog.”

“You mentioned that when I first came here,” Cindy remembered out loud.

“Yes, I did. You described something that sounded like a vision of the future. Is that the only time you’ve had one of those?”

Cindy paused a moment. “No.”

Dave slowed and looked thoughtfully at her. “I see. And am I right that you don’t want to tell me about the other time or times?”

Cindy felt awkward, but her instincts were strongly steering her away from mentioning the first vision she had of herself on the spaceship. Her instincts … or something. “Um, yes, kind of. Is that ok?”

Dave’s tone was slightly terse. “I guess it’s fine. It’s up to you. But I think you need to be sure you know who to trust … and when to trust them. Anyway, the thing is, we know that some degree of time interaction is possible with the talent. What we call precog, which is short for ‘precognisance’, refers to the phenomena of premonitions. Anecdotally, this sort of thing has been around for as long as mankind has, but as we’ve developed the GCCSC and studied it we have a handful of documented cases. It can happen.”

Louise joined in. “And there are other things we’ve seen. Things that are hard to describe but seem to involve kind of wiggling views in time. That’s why when Dave explained your idea to me it sounded so, well, right.”

“Which makes it the more likely that it is right,” Dave added. “We’ve discussed this at length this morning. One thing we’ve noticed about time-based talents is they draw other circumstances to themselves in a funny sort of way. It’s very hard to put into words, but, put simply, knowing that time is involved in the solution means you get a very strong sense that it will work, because the problem that is solved in the future is trying to make itself seen to you now. You see it done. Do you follow me?”

“I’m not sure …” Cindy was hesitant, puzzled.

Stop for a second. Now think about it. Think about whether this will work. Sent Louise.

Cindy thought. And, sure enough, she had a very strong sense that this approach was going to work. She could almost see the scene of Rebecca, waking up, looking around, relieved. Almost, but not quite, but the sense of it was achingly tangible.

“Oh, I get it!” She exclaimed. “We use time and time knows it is being used so it shows us what will happen afterwards!”

“Pretty much, yes. Which is why, when you said it yesterday, I just knew it was going to work.”

Cindy was getting excited, but then stopped herself short. She paused, thought a moment …

“I’m not seeing it the same with George.”

Dave and Louise exchanged a glance. “Neither are we,” Dave said, “but let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.”

---

Just relax. Whenever you’re ready. It’s probably best if you start the mindshare on this occasion. The three of them were sat around the end of Rebecca’s bed. Dave had pulled it out from the wall and sat on the seat on that side. Cindy sat between him and Louise, directly behind Rebecca’s head. Louise was the third point of the triangle from which she was spinging Cindy with these instructions.

Ok, sent Cindy, and let herself drop into mindspace. The other two quickly joined, and the formed the silver circle. Cindy let it fill out as before, and steered them into Rebecca’s mind. She let the combined consciousness flow out across the wall as before, and nestled down. She took a moment, then:

I think I’m ready. What should I do?

See if you can start a gentle thrumming first; like the last time, but very gentle and measured, sent Louise.

Ok, sent Cindy, slightly hesitant, I’ll try.

Just go with your instincts, sent Dave with a reassuring tone, we’re with you.

Cindy briefly mused on how the spinging seemed deeper, more solid, when they were joined up like this. Then she focused on the job at hand. She considered the wall, let her thoughts flow a little deeper into it, and set off a gentle but steady thrumming through it. It started to warm slightly, but was otherwise impassive.

Right, Cindy thought to herself in her innermost mind, now how did it go again? It was kind of a …

And the memory came back instantly, although, strangely, it sort of converged on her, like she was remembering it from the confrontation the previous day, but also somehow remembering it from after having done it today. It was weird.

Focus. Ok, it kicked off, or it does kick off, with a kind of …

ZZZTTT … and it was like a mild electric shock reverberating through the mindshare, and through the wall itself. The steady vibration absorbed it so no resistance came back, but suddenly Cindy felt like she had yet another dimension of perception. It was like she’d flicked an antique stream into high definition when she went into the mindspace, but this, this was like flicking it into 3D. She felt she had a whole other level of control to draw on … But how to draw on it?

I need to see it done, she thought, and thought back to a few moments earlier when she had a sense of Rebecca waking up.

And she was there, like an invisible presence flying overhead watching herself, Dave, Louise sat around Rebecca as her eyes flickered and open, relief and gratitude written large upon them, Louise reaching to take her hand …

Then it was the wall, but Cindy kept focused. Then the wall was vibrating still, but flickering, It was there, then, for an instant, it wasn’t … then there it was again, but this time almost blurry, then solid, then gone, and this instant was slightly longer and in the space a tiny voice …

Controller?

It was Rebecca. Focus. Deeper. Cindy let the essence of the three of them spread even more intrinsically through the wall. See it done. Flicker. Solid. Gone again

Controller? Is that you? Dave?

See the room outside. See Rebecca awake. See the wall gone. Flickering, now here, now not, now here … a last push – capture the future like hitting the snap button on the PCD in camera mode …

Is that … Cindy?!??

See it done … the wall is gone …

NOW!

And with that, there was a kind of silent explosion as the blockade crumbled almost instantly into nothingness. Cindy lifted the mindspace veil immediately.

They were in the room. And Rebecca was opening her eyes.

She was back.

A massive surge of relief flowed through all of them, and they all shared in it, the biggest part coming of course from Rebecca. As Cindy had seen, Louise reached over and took her hand.

“I … cough … cough …” went Rebecca as she tried to speak. Dave handed her some water – clearly the weeks of no speech had left her throat unaccustomed to it. I don’t know what to say, she continued in mindspeak to the three of them, Thank you. Thank you so much. I thought I was trapped forever. It was … horrible … And she started to cry at the memory of it.

“There, there,” said Louise, taking the younger woman in her arms in a comforting embrace, “You’re back now. You’re safe.”

After a moment gathering her wits, Rebecca sat up slowly and looked around to where Cindy sat behind her. Um, I see your training is going well then? She sent.

This broke the tension, and the four of them laughed out loud. After a moment Dave spoke up:

“We’ll fill you in on everything when you’ve had a chance to recover a little. For now though, we’ve got another job to do, and there’s someone going to be here any second who’s quite keen to see you.”

And just as Dave finished speaking the door flew open and Christof came in, almost running. Louise just had time to get out of the way as he threw his arms around Rebecca and nearly lifted her off the bed in his joy. She hugged him tightly back. “I’m so glad to see you,” he cried, “I thought we’d lost you. I was tearing my hair out!”

“I’m back, darling, I’m ok,” she said, relief and happiness in her voice.

At a sping signal from Louise, she, Cindy and Dave stood to leave the room. Louise said, “We’ll leave you two to catch up. We’ll talk to you later.” And they left.

“Right,” said Dave, clapping his hands sharply once, “George.”

---

As she stepped into the room next door Cindy involuntarily caught her breath. He just looked so helpless and … small … lying there. Poor George. Without words Dave organised the room as they had been with Rebecca and the three of them sat down. Cindy sent out her mindline and the three of them went in.

It was when Cindy had set the vibration going and was trying to fire the spark that sent the wall wavering in time that she became aware that George’s wall was somehow different. Or confirmed it in a way, as she had earlier sensed it was different from the lack of that pre-knowledge of success that she’d had with Rebecca.

So, she thought, what is it? She tried to see it done as she had with Rebecca (and indeed herself), but nothing came. She sunk in a little deeper.

What was this?

She let the three of them slide and flow around the surface of the gently pulsating wall. There was something familiar in its essence.

George! It was as if part of George himself was knitted into the wall. How had that horrible woman done this? Cindy was concerned now that breaking the wall would need a surgeon’s precision or she might somehow hurt George.

She kept the steady vibration going. Louise ‘spoke’ up: is there some kind of key to unravelling it we can find? Some way to decouple it from the poor boy?

I’m not sure. I’ll keep looking, Cindy sent back. She let their combined mental essence flow around and over the surface of the wall, probing, searching, looking for clues. The block where the wall was tied to George somehow prevented sparking the forward-in-time process, and no matter where they looked there was no way to disconnect it.

Remember what the voice told you, Dave sent, and Cindy sensed surprise from Louise. So Dave hadn’t shared that with her – that was good to know. You need to see it done.

Yes, thought Cindy in her deepest, private mind, I need to see it done. That’s what the voice said.

Wait on … What was that other thing?

“It is yours to break”

Cindy puzzled on that below the surface of the mindshare. What could it mean? It was hers to break? It was hers to break? How? The woman put it here, and tied it to George somehow, so what did Cindy have to do with it? She kept thinking. Then, even though she was already deep in mindspace, she tried to clear her inner mind to see if anything came.

Something … something bright … a spark?

An idea. The parting shot! The splinters – the dagger of force – almost felt like it was taking a splinter off Cindy’s mind …

She came back to the mindshare. I have an idea. Stay with me, stay on the wall, but focus on me as well.

Cindy started assessing the wall again as she felt the other two sending assent. She kept the thrumming up, and started trying to focus on seeing it done, seeing where she would be after. There she was in the room. As the image came into view the mindshare started to glow – it was as if it had a huge, iridescent, jigsaw-like pattern in it. She saw the wall threading through George’s mind, but in the middle, wedged like a key, was a shard of … of her somehow. The woman had taken some essence of Cindy herself and used it to tie George up in the wall. She needed to see that gone.

Well, she thought, it is mine to break, and with a surge down a spyline she knocked the shard of herself out of the jigsaw.

The spark fired. She saw the wall start to unravel – the anchors tying it to George’s mind flicking off one by one. Something was still fighting against it, but the cohesion was gone, and Cindy started seeing images of the room, George waking up, them stood around him – she started getting that sense this would work.

She didn’t get any sense of elation though.

Still, focus, vibrate, oscillate in time. See it done.

Something was fighting her. Fighting to hold the wall in place. She drew on the combined strength and pushed back, kept it flicking into nothingness to make the future real. Whatever was holding it back was strong, but not strong enough to overpower all three of them, and the wall started to flash more on being gone.

At the last, as the wall had one last instant of being, one, sharp, silver mindline was released, and a thought came unbidden to Cindy’s mind.

And so you release him Cindy Parker. So you find the key. As I knew you would. Know now that I will outwit you in the end. Know it when you see this boy, your friend, and how he feels.

One more time we will meet, Cindy Parker. And I will destroy you.

And then the message that had been left threaded into the wall in George’s mind was gone, and the wall was gone, and they were back in the room, and George was waking up.

---

Dave and Louise were relieved and confused. Cindy was shocked at the art of the woman’s message – how did she do that? And what did she mean?

She didn’t have long to wait.

You smashed the wall. It was George.

Yes. Don’t thank me – you’d do the same for …

Thank you?!? Thank you? I hate you!

What …? Cindy was confused, but felt the anger radiating from George.

Oh, wonderful Cindy, always doing the right thing. You don’t get it, do you?

I don’t! What don’t I get? What do you mean?

I liked it there. I was safe there. I was away from all of this. Away from Natalie and that prize idiot Milton. Away from that frightening woman and her alien friends. Away from this whole stupid place and this whole stupid … me. Away from everything. I was alone. I was safe. That’s why I was holding it in place. And you wrecked it.

But … Cindy didn’t know what to say, what to think. But you can’t just stay locked up in your own head!

Why? Why not? We’re not all you Cindy. We’re not all little miss perfect. Some of us haven’t had all the sweetness and light. So thanks for “setting me free” Cind. Thanks a bunch. Now leave me alone. Forever.

And with that he closed himself off to her, and turned over and faced the wall, ignoring the three of them.

Chapter 25: Mission

“He’s still in the infirmary,” Louise said to Dave as she entered his office, “it’s like he’s back in the wall but of his own volition this time. All we can do is watch him for now.” Half an hour had passed, and while Louise had been trying to deal with George, Dave had been joined by a young man. He was about seventeen years old, with brown, wavy hair. He was wearing a uniform similar to Dave’s and had a confident, almost cocky air about him. “Hello, Justin,” Louise added when she saw him.

“Louise.” The young man replied.

“I’ve been briefing Justin on the recent attacks. He’s off mission now, so he may be useful.”

“Oh,” said Louise, “is the Beta Sector mission completed then? Good outcome?”

“Of course,” Justin replied smugly, “what did you expect?”

Louise raised an eyebrow at him, but took it no further. “So what did you have in mind David?”

“I’m not really sure. I was going to consult with The Controller on it.”

Consult with me on what? Came the message to the three of them.

I think we need to start getting more pro-active with this threat. We’ve had to fend off two attacks from this woman and we know very little about her. I thought we could send Justin on a rec mission.

No.

Dave nodded, and Louise looked pleased. Justin was clearly not. Why? What’s the problem?

I don’t want you leading on this mission. You’re too reckless, and there’s too much at stake.

‘Reckless’?!? What do you mean, reckless? I get the job done, don’t I?

Yes, you do, but often with too much risk. We’ve spoken about this.

No, you and Dave have decided it and told me that’s how it is. That’s not speaking about it …

No, The Controller interrupted, you are correct. It’s a command. And I’m your Commander. So you will accept the orders and be silent.

Fine, Justin grumbled. So what are you going to do, send Cindy?

As a matter of fact, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

There was silence for the briefest of moments, then Dave was first to respond. Boss! Are you sure?

Yes.

Well, I guess, you’d have to be, but why? How?

Well, the how is with Selma as mission lead …

Justin started to interrupt, but The Controller cut him off before he could sping anything.

… And Justin as covert support. Stay in deep cover Justin so you can be the ace in the hole if required. Cindy will be there because she is obviously the target and will draw the woman out.

Are you sure you want to risk that boss? Cindy isn’t even trained. It was Louise.

No. No, I don’t. I don’t want to risk the mission, and of course more importantly I don’t want to risk her. But she’s not safe in the facility. Given that, our capacity to defend her will be the same wherever she is. So it seems to me that the best way to keep her safe is to flush out the threat and deal with it. I can’t think of any other way to do that but I’d love to hear any suggestions.

The three in the room looked at each other for a moment, Dave and Louise clearly thinking about what their commander had just said; Justin still looking put out by his earlier words. Again, Dave was first to respond:

No. No, I can’t think of anything else. I guess you’re right. Ok, let’s get a plan together then we’ll have a word to her.

Yes. Well, you will.

Of course, Dave sent. Then, to Louise, privately, he sent I don’t know how he does it. I marvel at how his mind works sometimes. It’s like he’s the most dispassionate man alive.

I know what you mean, she sent back, but in his defence, he kind of had the passion burned out of him.

True.

---

Cindy was sitting in an office she hadn’t been in before. It was the Junior’s office, apparently, shared by Selma, Christof and Rebecca. Rebecca was in there with her, chatting, trying to make sense of the events of that morning. A couple of hours had now passed, during which time Rebecca had been debriefed. George was apparently “under psychic observation”. Cindy had spent the time thinking through his point of view but couldn’t get a handle on it.

“He’s just confused,” Rebecca was saying, “he didn’t know what he was saying.”

“I think he knew exactly what he was saying, and I think he means it,” Cindy said, morosely. “I don’t know what else I could have done though – I couldn’t leave him there. And I wasn’t to know he wanted to be left anyway – I couldn’t get to him.”

“Oh, I know,” Rebecca’s reply was heartfelt. “Believe me, I know. But, also, I’m in a better position to understand in a way. Being trapped was horrible, but if I force myself to ignore that part then being alone, and, sort of, cocooned could be comforting to someone like George.”

“But enough to want to stay in there for ever?!?” Cindy was incredulous.

“I know. It’s hard to believe. I guess maybe we shouldn’t rule out that George’s thoughts might not be entirely his own? After what you told us about the ‘message’ that horrible woman left I just don’t know what else is possible.”

“Well, I’d thought that. But she’s not there with him now, if you know what I mean. I’d know.”

“Yes, but maybe she, kind of, changed him or something?”

Cindy considered this. “Hmm. Maybe. I don’t know.”

Can I come in? It was Dave

Sure, come on in, sent Rebecca so Cindy could also ‘hear’. Dave strode in and Rebecca filled him in on what they were talking about.

“Yes,” he said, “I guess something like that is possible. I’m not sure though. George has his own demons to deal with. Either way, we need to do what we can to support him.”

“Of course,” said Rebecca as Cindy nodded.

“And another thing …” Dave continued.

“Yes?”

“We’ve been discussing the message you got, Cindy. I think we need to be clear that this woman planned all of this. She’s sharp enough and knows enough about us all that she knew George would choose to withdraw given the right impetus. She knew that you’d be the one to save him – she said so. And she knew that George wouldn’t want to be saved. So whether she contributed to him feeling like that or not we have to make sure we don’t underestimate her.”

The other two nodded. Dave continued: “We don’t know if she knew about your mystery helper’s instructions Cindy, but let’s assume she does. She may even know better than us who that is. So for now we have to assume that she has the advantage on us at all times.

“And that makes what we’re going to ask you next so much harder. Would you two mind stepping into my office?”

Cindy and Rebecca glanced at each other briefly, puzzled, then walked with Dave next door into his office. Louise was already in there.

“Rebecca, I think you should be a part of this discussion as well because you’ve been the most affected by our adversary. I’ll get right to the point.”

Dave exchanged a glance, and possibly a thought, with Louise and turned to face Cindy. He drew a deep breath, and announced:

“Cindy, we want to do one more week of intensive training with you and then send you on a mission to find this woman.”

---

You’re crazy! It was Rebecca. What are you thinking? This woman is both evil and powerful and Cindy’s only a child! She’s talented, sure, but hardly trained and only twelve years old!

Rebecca shook her head incredulously, and continued aloud, “I mean, I can understand you and … and him coming up with this crazy idea with all your ‘galaxy first’ business, but how they managed to convince you to go along with it Louise I don’t know.” She collapsed into one of the side chairs in the office in exasperation.

“It’s not as bad as you think, dear,” said Louise gently, “We’re not talking about sending her alone.”

Rebecca turned a little pale, but visibly steadied herself. “Oh, you want me to go with her? Ok.”

“Well, actually, we were thinking of Selma.”

Rebecca tried in vain to conceal her relief. “Oh, fair enough. Well, I guess if Cindy’s being escorted by an experienced agent it’s different. And I know you would have thought through all the options. But it’s still a big ask if you ask me.” She turned to Cindy. “Ultimately I guess it’s up to you, isn’t it? What do you think, Cindy?”

Now all three of them were looking at her. Cindy thought hard.

I guess … I guess it makes sense. I’ll go.

“That’s very brave of you Cindy, but before you commit to anything I feel I owe you an explanation of how we got to this decision, what support we can offer you, and what dangers there are that we’ve thought of.”

“Ok,” Cindy replied aloud.

Much of what Dave talked through next Cindy had already guessed. Dave thankfully didn’t go on too much about her being their best chance thanks to how powerful she was and so on, but the implication was there. He also spoke about how Cindy had already kind of defeated the woman – twice. Of course, he also went through the obligatory “wouldn’t send someone so young on such a dangerous mission but the galaxy first” bit, which Cindy understood, but was already getting tired of hearing.

There were a couple of things Dave said though that particularly stood out for Cindy. Firstly, he explained a theory they had that the woman was threatened by Cindy and was trying to intimidate her away from a confrontation.

“It sounded like she was trying to provoke you,” he said, “but if you think about it, after the first time, when she came back she came in strength, and she was armed with this plan to target your friend, with a trap only you could solve, and left the message for you. It also seems a bit set up towards scaring you off in some ways.”

Cindy thought on that. It made sense. Then there was the second thing:

“Also, we’ve told you we think she may be somewhere on or near your home planet – but I think you have an idea of an avenue of investigation to go down, don’t you?”

Cindy was getting used to the idea that not much was ever really secret when you lived with a group of powerful psychics. “Yes,” she said. “I think I want to investigate the woman that ‘Nancy’ tried to turn to the Turgs’ cause all those years ago.”

Rebecca looked surprised for a moment, then something passed between her and Dave that Cindy was not privy to, and her expression became more thoughtful. Dave, on the other hand, just looked surprised.

“Really? But she was contained. She’s harmless now. We had her under close observation for years and eventually dropped her down to low risk. I mean, we know where she is, but I’m not sure what benefit you’d get pursuing her?”

“I guess it’s just a feeling, really, but when you were telling me the story something struck a bit of a chord. Particularly when you said you thought she’d become a teacher …”

A light dawned in Dave’s eyes. Ah, he sent to Cindy, I see what you’re thinking. “But no,” he continued aloud, “completely different part of the galaxy. The woman you’re talking about is over on Valentine. Alpha Sector. It couldn’t be your teacher.”

“Still,” said Cindy, “something about the story feels a bit … I don’t know … wrong in some way. I know it sounds a bit lame, but I just have a kind of hunch that there’s something worth looking into there.”

There was a moment where Cindy assumed a quick conferring was taking place between Dave and Louise, then Louise spoke: “Well, one thing we’ve learned is that in this game hunches are always worth pursuing. We can take you to the research room and you can start following that one up if you like. But two things first … firstly, let me say again what Dave just said because we have to be sure you fully understand. This is very, very risky. It’s the biggest risk we’ve ever subjected a novice to. We’re doing it because we can’t think of another option, but that’s not your problem. If you said no, no-one would think any the less of you. And we may well figure out some other way to tackle it. So, what’s your decision? Do you need time to think? You can have it if you want it.”

Cindy paused, but not for very long. “No, I don’t need any more time to think. I’ll do it. I’ll have Selma with me, and anyway, I don’t know if this is the, you know, talent or whatever, or what it is, but something inside me is telling me that it’s what I should do, do you know what I mean?”

Dave and Louise nodded, but Rebecca spoke up, “Yes, I know what you mean Cindy, but then saving me from that trap was something you felt you should do, and that’s right, but that’s your natural sense of responsibility and obligation steering that. You’re a good girl; you do the right thing. But in this case, the difference between a hunch – the talent – and just a desire to do what you think is right is important. Can you get more of a sense of why you think you should do it?”

Cindy nodded briefly, and cleared her mind, descending into mindspace for a moment.

It was like two corridors forking off from this point. She’d seen this once before when deciding whether to do the training or not. But this time, it was too murky down both of them to see anything. She tried to get a sense of the left one – just the vaguest images of more training, a glimpse of a smiling Natalie, a laughing Jane … no George; that was weird … a sense of the training room. Not much else. She focused on the right, but this one was just lights and colours – green, grey, red, and, ultimately, silver … and then a glimmer beyond that … and the faintest hint of, of something. Something strong, but immeasurably far away. Cindy sunk lower in her mindspace. What was that?

Then, for the tiniest second, it was like all hell broke loose. She had split-second images of fire and explosions, buildings, towns, planets exploding. Fire in space. Armies of green, slimy, tentacled abominations tramping across scorched and dying lands.

Then silence. Cold winds blowing. A post-apocalyptic nightmare. A tattered flag hanging over a barren, muddy field. And, in the distance, the army of Turgs, triumphant, destructive. And then a tiny little voice above her in the vision; the tiniest …

This cannot be. There is need here Cindy. There is need of you.

And she was back in the room.

“This is more than just doing the right thing,” she said, bold, assured, and looking at each of them in turn, “this is something I must do.”

There was again that sense of them conferring with each other, then Dave stood up and gave her a hug. “Well done, Cind.”

Louise spoke next: “And the second thing …”

“Yes?”

“How about a comm. home?”

---

“So I hear you’re off on a trip then?” Mr Parker was sat in their living room, dressed casually. It was the middle of the day so Cindy assumed he must be working from home. She wasn’t sure, but his brown, wavy hair seemed a little greyer around the sides than she’d noticed previously.

Dave had filled her in that her forthcoming mission (and resultant gap in communication) would be explained away as a school trip organised by her host school. Apparently they were off to Galactic Central Point to experience the administration facilities at some of the galaxy’s biggest organisations. Because of the increased costs associated with galaxy central they were on emergency-only basis for comms, hence the radio silence. It all sounded extremely plausible.

Cindy fished for an honest but misleading reply. “Yes. It should be interesting I guess.”

“Are you excited?”

“More nervous, really. But I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure it will. My only worry is that once the big firms see your potential they’ll make you an offer and you won’t come back!”

She smiled. Although it was only a half-smile. Something felt a bit wrong. “Is everything ok Daddy?”

“What, with me? Well, I’m overdosing on pizza I guess, but otherwise I’m fine. Why?”

“You seem a bit … I don’t know, flat or something.”

“Oh it’s nothing. Just a bit of trouble at work. Your friend’s mother is giving me a hard time.”

Cindy rose to that instantly: “She’s not my friend!” she began, before catching the glint in her Father’s eye and recognising the teasing for what it was. “Is that why you’re working from home?” She continued.

“Well, sort of.” Mr Parker was being cagey. Cindy was tempted to try a quick spyline, but decided against it. She still felt it was wrong to use her power on her loved ones.

“What do you mean, ‘sort of’?” she said instead.

“Well, it’s not a big deal, and you have to promise me you won’t worry or anything …”

“Well saying that makes me worry!”

“Ok, ok, the thing is, I’m sort of temporarily suspended.”

Cindy was shocked. That couldn’t be right. Her Father was a hard worker and, more importantly, a good man. “How? Why?” She asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing, really. That silly woman has been working me around the clock, and every time I get pushed to the point where I push back I get a warning notice. Three of them, and it’s a suspension. But they can’t sack me or anything, so don’t worry, it will all be fine.” His tone was reassuring, and Cindy resolved that she probably would worry a little bit, but she let it drop.

They chatted a while longer. Tess was at school, so couldn’t make the comm. of course, but she had popped around a couple of times to fill Mr Parker in on any news from school, which Mr Parker dutifully relayed. “Apparently I’m not the only one being overworked either,” he said, “According to Tess, Ms Primp has turned into some kind of evil slave driver since the A&P exam. To hear her tell it, it’s like she’s turned into a whole other woman. I don’t know how she’d tell, frankly, that woman has always been a closed book as far as I could see.”

Cindy worked to maintain a casual attitude, but this was hugely relevant. “What did she say about her? Exactly?”

Mr Parker looked a bit surprised by her directness. Cindy made a mental note to be more cautious. “Just that she hasn’t let up,” he said, “and keeps piling on the work. Apparently Tess has been practically setting achievement records with her sports science work but she’s getting no positive feedback at all – just more work. Primp keeps telling her “life wasn’t meant to be easy” if she deigns to say anything about it at all. And, and again I don’t know how she notices, but apparently she’s a bit distracted a lot of the time.”

Definitely extremely interesting, thought Cindy. But it was time to act less interested. “Oh, I imagine she’s just reading some book that’s annoying her or something. It’ll pass. So what else did Tess have to say?”

After a little more chit chat it was time to go. “Well,” said Cindy, “I guess I’ll speak to you in a couple of weeks,” she said, choking up a little but keeping it hidden.

“Sure you will,” Mr Parker said, comfortingly, trying to appear as positive as he could, “You’ll have a great time. But listen, it’s a strange world you’re going into, you be careful there.” He was momentarily quite intense as he said this last; Cindy was slightly taken aback.

“I will Daddy, I promise.”

“I know you will, but I mean it. Be careful.”

“Ok. I love you Daddy.”

“I love you too, beautiful. And where are you most beautiful?”

With an immense effort of will Cindy suppressed the tears that suddenly threatened to overwhelm her and forced a smile instead. “On the inside.”

“On the inside. You really are. Always remember. On the inside.”

“I will. I do. Bye Daddy.”

“Bye monkey.”

Chapter 26: Farewells

“Right, well, this is the research room,” said Selma. She had been taking the lead in Cindy’s intensive training over the past few days since her comm. home, during which time the two of them had bonded quite rapidly. It had been the same with Rebecca, Cindy had mused, it seemed that the age gap kind of mattered less than the common talents they shared. Both Rebecca and Selma were largely treating Cindy like an equal now – there was none of that slightly awkward condescension that most grown-ups usually had around children, at least with the younger agents. Cindy kind of liked it.

Selma led her into a room that was between the offices and the infirmary as far as Cindy could work out, pretty much on the opposite side of the building from the training and recreation rooms. It was again completely unadorned, but unlike all the other rooms this one had a lot of visible tech in it. One wall was clearly a projection backdrop able to handle 2 and 3D, and there were consoles and input screens on the left adjacent wall as you came in. The right wall had some kind of strange, wooden structure. Cindy thought back to her history classes …

“A bookshelf! Are those real books?!?” Cindy was astounded.

Selma sighed theatrically. “Yes, Dave and the boss have got some kind of thing about books. Say they’re better somehow. Seems like a grossly irresponsible use of materials to me given there’s been no need for physical transporters for like, a hundred years, but what can you do? You can’t argue with those two.”

“What’s he like?” Cindy asked.

“The Controller?” Selma was clearly a bit flustered. “Oh, I daresay you’ll find out one day.” Then, quickly changing the subject, “Oh, and sorry, it was an accident, but I couldn’t help picking up, well, the tone of what you were thinking a moment ago about how we treat you as an equal. It’s true, we sort of do, and there are two main reasons – firstly, it’s just you really. You’ve already shown us that you’ve got the same view of what we do as we do – a lot of agents take years to get to that point. Also, you’ve already done some things and helped us in ways that, well, I mean, I couldn’t do, so to be treating you like some kind of school kid novice would just feel a bit dumb to me.

“The second thing I think one of the old guard might have already mentioned – see, we get it, because we were like you when we were kids, which isn’t so long ago … what it is is that when you have our talents or powers or whatever you want to call it, you grow up quickly. Nothing like spending your early years knowing broadly how the people around you think to give you a certain maturity; a certain insight into human nature, you know?”

Cindy did. “Yes, I think it was Dave who said something about it, and I’ve thought about it since. It makes sense. I mean, I don’t think I’m, like, better than anyone or anything, but sometimes, back at school, when all the other girls were getting into fashions and fads and forming their cliques and things it just all seemed a bit, well, sort of silly to me.”

“Exactly,” said Selma, “Well, that’s why we treat you how we do. Anyway, you feel like one of us to me, Cind, so let’s keep things as they are … except for one thing –”

Cindy sensed a more serious edge in Selma’s tone. What?

When we’re on the mission, I’m in charge. You answer to me. Got it?

Oh, of course! No, I totally get that. You’re the boss. .

Good, Selma replied, and continued aloud, “That’s settled then. So. The research room. We have open comms in here, full omninet, real time galactic mapping and as much secure nebula storage as you could possibly need. Where do you want to start?”

Feeling slightly thrilled with being given the initiative, Cindy asked “What do we have on the woman from Dave’s story?”

“Not a lot. We know she became a teacher, and after they wiped her we never saw any further evidence of power, so eventually her file got closed.”

“So we can’t get to it? Can it be opened?”

“No. One of the principles of the GCCSC is that we’re committed to personal liberty – it’s what we’re trying to preserve after all. So we only keep files on people who are considered a threat or an untrained talent. Fall out of one of those categories for seven years and your file with us gets erased permanently.”

Cindy thought a moment. “That seems strange – what about, you know, the galaxy first and all that?”

“Yeah, I know,” said Selma, “It seems counterintuitive, but then think about it – if we kept every record on every person while we’re training up a bunch of psychics who could pretty much spy on them at will, what kind of freedom are we preserving?”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Not me, them. They make the rules. The old guard.”

“Yes, but you agree, right?”

“Yes, I do. But it doesn’t make it easy for us right now! So, any other ideas?”

“Yessss,” Cindy said slowly, thoughtfully, “Let’s get the Alpha Sector and Valentine up on the wall, 3D. I want to try something.”

Selma dutifully slid her fingers across one of the input screens on the left wall, manipulating icons and typing the odd word, and suddenly a black cloud of mini stars and astronomical phenomena sprung into view along the back wall. Cindy stepped into it.

Right, she thought. I’m in this space, now to go into the other one, and she dropped into mindspace.

The map around her took on the now-accustomed clarity, with the planet in question in the centre. Cindy let her mind spread around it. What to look for? She thought. What to focus on? Let’s see, we had a file on her, can I get any trace of that …?

It was frustrating. The problem Cindy had was lack of anything to start her off. The general idea was to do the search like she had done for Adriá all that time ago …

Wait on! She had nothing to fix on then, she was just working from a feeling that she was looking for a place but the one she found wasn’t right, and it was then that the right place started coming into view.

Can you get me a teacher, same planet, female, around the same age? She sent to Selma.

Sure, hold on … some tapping of keys and screens … here you go …

And the map homed in on a country in the Northern Hemisphere of the planet, with images and writing appearing above a particular region and town identifying a Theresa Chang, primary teacher at Huckleberry Primary – there was a picture of the school …

No, that’s not right, Cindy thought, and willed the map to zoom back.

The instant she took mental control of the map, things started to feel more right. She rotated the globe in her mind. There was another continent in the Southern hemisphere – looked like this was a standard two basic landmass configuration planet with equatorial archipelagos. On the Southern continent Cindy was drawn to a big city on its eastern seaboard. Letting her inner mind guide the map’s focus she zoomed in, and in, and soon was looking at a school in the inner city, all glass, steel and modernist architecture. As she called up information on the school a class and faculty member was standing out clearly.

City of Brunel … Brunel Central High … Ms Tarkington. Class 3B. That was her! Cindy was sure of it. Can you bookmark please?

Already done, Selma replied. Do we need anything else in here?

I don’t think so. We can close the map, Cindy sent as she lifted out of mindspace.

*

“Yep, it’s her alright. Inexplicable gap of three months in her work record at exactly the time it was happening, then suddenly changes career to become a teacher on a grant for people recovering from mental trauma surgery.” Selma and Cindy were looking through public records from omninet concerning the woman they’d just found.

“Yes. It seems to be, doesn’t it? So now what do we do?”

“Well, I guess we go and talk to her.”

“What, just like that? What if she is the woman? It’d be suicide!”

“Well, no, not just like that. We’ll go prepared, and we’ll be backed up, and, unlike the other two times we’ve encountered the woman, this time we’ll have the element of surprise.”

“Yes, ok. I guess that’s what this is about after all.” Cindy sounded nervous.

“Getting cold feet?” Selma asked, genuine concern in her voice.

“No, no, not cold feet as such. It’s just that every now and then you get a reminder how, sort of, real this all is, do you know what I mean?”

Selma cocked her head on one side and smiled, “Yes, I do. I know exactly what you mean. It’s easy to default to thinking this is all some kind of crazy stream or something and we’re just on the thrillride towards the happy ending, but then all of a sudden it hits you that what you’re about to do … well, it’s dangerous. Like, for real.”

“That’s it. That’s exactly it.”

“Yes, I know. Well, all I can say is that yes, it’s real, yes, it’s dangerous, but I’m a damn good agent despite the jolly hockey sticks impression I give people, we’ll be prepared, we’ll be backed up, and we’ll win the day. I guarantee it. If anything goes wrong, so help me I’ll swear off chocolate cake for the next year. Well, six months.”

Cindy laughed, comforted. “Thanks, Selma. Well, then, now what?”

“Now we get you kitted out, and then spend some time with the other kids, and then …”

“And then?”

“Then we go get the bad guy and have our happy ending!”

And with that the two of them laughed, Selma put an arm around Cindy’s shoulder, and they walked out of the research room.

---

“Wow! Cindy! You look amaaazing!” Jane had come running over when Selma and Cindy entered the training room where the rest of the children were with Rebecca and Christof working on some shielding exercises. Cindy was wearing a silvery, bodytight space suit that seemed to be made of some kind of fine mesh material. It had a purple waistband and the GCCSC logo on the upper left of her chest. Cindy had been unsurprised when Selma picked it up from the stores and it turned out to be exactly the same suit she’d seen her future self wearing in her vision so long ago. What had surprised her was what she’d found out about it next.

“That’s nothing!” She said to Jane, “Watch this!” And with that she focussed on an image of herself going to school and the logo of her suit at the same time as Selma had shown her a moment ago, and the suit blurred and changed and now … Cindy was stood there in her school uniform.

“Oh wow!” Jane exclaimed, “How did you do that?!?”

“Cool, huh? It’s called a shiftsuit. All agents get them apparently. You can make it look however you want!”

“I’ve heard about morphic fabrics before,” Natalie said, “Really expensive. But you can get them. But not ones you change by thinking about it!”

“I know, right?” Said Cindy. “Check this out,” and she thought about a man she’d seen outside a fast food restaurant back home who was there to advertise it, focussed on her suit logo and … suddenly she was dressed up as a giant chicken. The others all laughed; except George, who was conspicuous by his absence. Cindy thought back to the standard uniform and her outfit reverted to the silvery space suit. She tried an exploratory sping. George? She sent.

Nothing. He was completely closed off to her.

Oh, come on, George, don’t stay all silent treatment with me.

Still nothing. Cindy sighed.

“So can you go all high fashion with it?” Natalie asked, bringing Cindy’s attention back to the group around her.

“I guess so – I’d kind of have to know what it is first!” The three girls and Selma all laughed at that. Even Milton smiled.

“So you’re going on an actual mission?” Milton said; he looked anxious on her behalf.

“Yes, me and Selma,” Cindy replied. We’ll be fine. She added, privately. Milton smiled, but still looked a bit anxious.

“Everyone’s been briefed,” Selma said to Cindy, “The steer is to play this one with a pretty open hand within the walls of the facility – the boss thinks that’s the best way to keep lines of support open when we’re off base.”

“That makes sense,” Cindy replied. “So when are we going?”

“You just need to go and see Dave for a final briefing and then we’ll be away.”

“Ok, but I’ll be able to come back here after I see Dave, right?”

“Yes, to say goodbyes. Then straight to the transporter room.”

“Ok, back in a sec then,” Cindy said to the others general, and headed out of the rec room and up to Dave’s office. She knocked gently.

“Come in,” said Dave, and she did. “Right, Cindy, we’re as prepped as we can get, so it’s time for you to go. Selma has been fully briefed, and remember, she’s the boss,” Dave spoke this last point forcefully.

“Of course. Absolutely,” Cindy said with conviction.

“Fine. You need a codename. You’ll keep your first name – we’ve learned in espionage even before the GCCSC existed that it’s too easy to get caught out with a false first name. Someone calls you, you don’t respond straight away, questions get asked … but you need a new surname. Your agent name will be …” And Dave paused, as if seeking to give the moment some significance.

“Cindy Psi.”

As soon as Dave spoke the words it felt like a whirlpool torrent of potential futures crashed in on Cindy. Just for a second, there were images of her at different stages over the next several years all vying for attention in her mind – it was all Cindy could do to remain on her feet. It felt like on receiving her name, Cindy received all the experiences that name was going to take her to, fragmented and condensed, and overwhelming.

One thing was clear. This spy thing was going to be one heck of a ride.

This all only took an instant, hardly long enough for Dave to notice, and as the images faded, two impressions lingered slightly. One, light, airy, the Cindy from the vision she had at school turning and somehow seeming to wink at her. The second, dark, frightening – it was one woman, face obscured, but manipulative, misguided mind apparent – her current enemy; and behind her another woman, although almost not even a woman anymore – an evil, malignant force of darkness, yet somehow spewing light from its eyes. Nancy, thought Cindy. I guess our paths are set to cross.

And just as she thought this, the twisted face started to turn towards her, the tiniest hint of the rampant light just grazed across Cindy …

It felt like her frontal lobe had been hit by a train. By two trains. She shook her head, and woke up. Dave was starting to look concerned, but Cindy quickly realised all of this had taken place in the briefest of instants, and regained her composure with lightning speed. Her mind still felt like it was in a pool of glowing, red lava, but something, anything needed to be said.

“I like it,” Cindy managed, talking about her new name. “It feels … right.” The aftermath of the vision was quickly fading.

Dave raised that eyebrow of his, but said nothing, instead sticking to the briefing. “Alright. Your PCD is now unlocked, and any digital comms to us here will be secured, although not as secure as a locked down mindline so be careful. Selma’s shown you how to work the shiftsuit, and she will be managing the regular comms with us back at base. Louise and I will be monitoring you constantly – at least one of us at all times. The Controller will also be looking in when he can, but he has other things taking his attention so that won’t be regular.

“Stay safe, Cindy. I think your lead is a good one, so go in prepared. And good luck, Cindy Psi.”

Thanks Dave, she sent, and left his office and headed back to the rec room.

“All ready?” Asked Selma as she came in.

“Yep. Well, bye guys,” Cindy said, looking at the other children assembled. Jane was first to rush over and give her a hug.

“Look after yourself Cind. We need you back here in one piece. And soon, ok?!?”

I’ll be fine, she sent. Anyway, someone needs to keep Natalie on the straight and narrow, she added privately. Jane smiled, and stepped back.

I heard that, said Natalie, pretending to look indignant. She didn’t really manage it though, and she laughed and held out a hand to shake. “Good luck, Cindy,” she said aloud. “Sort this woman out. She’s caused us a lot of grief.” Natalie sent a covert image of George as she said this last, tinged slightly with guilt.

Yes, although not all of it came from her, Cindy sent back, privately and meaningfully.

Point taken, Natalie sent back, I was wrong, but I’m fixing it now. “I don’t have to be,” right? Cindy nodded approvingly.

Milton stepped up as Natalie walked away. He looked like he was going to shake her hand as well, but then at the last minute grabbed her and gave her a big bear hug. “Just … just knock her out and come back safe,” he said. He almost sounded like he was crying. Cindy was surprised at the depth of his feelings.

“I’ll be fine, Milt, don’t worry.”

“Well make sure you are,” he said, breaking off and stepping away. “Joke about it if you like, but we do need you here.”

I promise, I’ll be as careful as I can. Thanks Milton. Thanks for the concern.

Just before she left, an unexpected sping came, presumably from the infirmary.

Goodbye, Cindy.

Um, bye George.

The mindline ceased abruptly without another word.

George? She sent privately.

Come on, George, I just want to talk to you. I want to sort things out with you. Nothing. Cindy sighed.

Selma gave her a look, and Cindy responded with a brief nod. With a final chorus of good byes and good lucks from all but one of the children the two of them left the rec room and headed for the transporter. They entered the little room and stood on the transmission pad.

Shall we do this then, Cindy Psi?

Let’s, replied Cindy.

Ok then, set your shiftsuit as we discussed, and with that Selma punched in the coordinates for Brunel City Public, Planet Valentine, and the two of them disappeared.

Chapter 27: An Afternoon Off

Selma and Cindy materialised in a public transporter room and quickly stepped off to allow the next person to transport out. The payment facility here was more sophisticated than the one on Oliver County and there was no need for Selma to tap anything to process the payment; a device detected and registered their respective PCDs as they left the transporter room and deducted funds accordingly. Cindy was impressed with the inner galaxy technology.

She was dressed in what Selma had assured her was reasonably standard pre-teen fashion for the area: a white, short-sleeved top with a slight V-neck, a black ra-ra skirt with grey patterning, shiny black ankle length boots and a black pork pie hat. The only colour came from a dark purple backpack that had a designer logo on it that Cindy didn’t recognise. Selma had retrieved an image onto her PCD of a girl wearing this ensemble and shown it to Cindy, who used the shiftsuit to replicate it as they transported. Selma herself wore a very business-like, pale grey suit that was very well-tailored to make the most of her slightly large frame. ‘Well-tailored,’ thought Cindy, Well I guess it would be!

The cover story they had agreed was that Cindy was Selma’s younger sister and ward. The two were looking to temporarily locate in Brunel while Selma undertook a six month contract there and they were considering whether Cindy should attend the local school or undertake her schooling online for that period.

We’re not really just going to go straight in and talk to this woman are we? Cindy asked as they made their way out through the transporter building toward the streets of Brunel.

No, we’ll find a place to stay and observe her for a few days first. We need to get confirmation if we can that she is our target. And remember to talk out loud when not talking about the mission – two girls like us walking along silently but moving in unison looks very weird!

“I’m hungry,” said Cindy in response, and she was.

“Ok, let’s grab a bite – there’ll be a few nice places here,” Selma said as they went through a revolving door and out into the town.

Cindy looked up and down the road they were on and, for the first time, took a moment to register where they were.

Brunel was unlike anything Cindy had ever experienced on Oliver County. Her home planet was deliberately rural, comprised almost entirely of a network of villages interspersed with rolling parklands, fields, rivers and lakes. Her home village of Tenterfield was much like the next one over, and it much like the one after that, with all key amenities like shops, school and med centre for minor ailments. Of course Cindy knew about cities from school and streams, but she’d never been to one. Until now.

The first thing that struck her was the continuous movement. Monobuses and monorails were weaving hither and thither on their tracks, the former on the ground, the latter suspended in the air. People in hoversuits flew short jumps from building to building while others skittled along the roads on Segways, hoverboards, and in two person hovercarts. Wherever you looked, different sized clumps of people in one conveyance or another were busily going about being somewhere they weren’t a moment ago; it was like some kind of grand dance.

The next thing Cindy noted was just how many people were involved in the dance. More people assembled in one place than Cindy had ever seen in her life. It was a little overwhelming. As she looked up the street, the buildings grew smaller, not just from perspective, but actually. Cindy assumed this must be heading out of town. Sure enough, when she looked down it the buildings grew to massive skyscrapers, each one a unique shape, each trying to outdo its neighbour, and each full of thousands of citizens of Valentine going about their business (whatever that may be).

She and Selma began walking towards the bigger buildings, and Cindy noted the city was built on a grid. It reminded her of her idea of the Ancient City of New York back on old earth that they’d studied in history last year. She wondered for a moment if the streets were numbered or if they had names. Selma, she sent.

Yes Cind?

Are we safe to go into mindspace here?

Yes, same rules as back on Adriá – no big displays of power but something like, well this conversation, should be fine. Why do you ask?

Well, it’s just that there’s so many people, I wondered if maybe the chances of someone with the talent being nearby were greater, Cindy mused.

Ah, right, yes – good thought. That’s true, statistically it is more likely, but the talent is still very rare so it’s not a big risk. So don’t worry. “Ah, this is a good place,” she added aloud.

They had come to an eatery set back from the road in the ground floor of one of the office buildings. It had flashing fluorescent strips around the door, radiating outwards in patterns of yellow, orange then red. Cindy saw from the sign over the door that it was called “The Jukebox”. As they went in it was apparent that it was an old earth rock and roll age themed diner with booth seating and a menu of burgers and ’shakes. All facsimiles, of course, but the menu spoke of how teams of chemi-chefs had worked to craft “the most authentic 1950s dining experience it was possible to achieve”.

“Have whatever you like,” Selma said, pinging Cindy’s PCD a link to the menu, “My treat”. Cindy ordered something called a “Greasy Joe Cheeseburger & Chocolate Shake Combo”. “Good choice,” said Selma, then, after looking around briefly to make sure they couldn’t be overheard, she added: “Have you ever been to a Jukebox before?”

“Oh, is there more than one of them? No. I’ve never been to a city before.”

Selma looked surprised, but just for a moment. “Oh that’s right, I forget you’re from the outers. Well, I guess we need to figure that into our story. Let’s see, we’re both from the outers, but I travel to GC regularly for my contracts and leave you home with hired guardians. I’ve brought you this time because you’re a bit older and more independent now and because this contract is a bit longer. There we go. Have you got all that?”

Cindy marvelled at Selma’s capacity to think up a feasible back story so quickly before remembering she was an experienced spy after all. “Got it.” She said. “Here’s our food.”

The food was delivered by a woman dressed in what Cindy assumed was appropriate attire for a 1950s waitress. She was in a pink dress with a white frill at the bottom and sleeves (the dress was slightly too short to be practical for food service Cindy thought), with a small, white apron and a round, pink hat. Her over-large name tag proclaimed her to be Gloria.

“There we are, girls,” she said with an odd drawl to her speech as she deposited the plates in front of them. Then, noting the small travel satchels Cindy and Selma had with them she added “Just in town for the day?”

“A few days,” Selma replied as Cindy thanked the server for the food. “Going to see a few sights.”

“Well make sure you take in the Skypark while you’re here. It’s quite something. Enjoy your food!” She said as she moved away to serve other customers.

Cindy leaned in conspiratorially to Selma. “I love the ‘accent’,” she whispered, “They must get that from streams or something!”

“I’ve heard they train them up for days to get them to sound right. Cool, huh?”

“I guess,” said Cindy, who thought maybe it was a little bit over the top. “They sure haven’t missed a trick. Look at this food!” she finished, motioning at the oversized, sumptuous looking hamburger on her plate, dripping with cheese, pickles and relish and accompanied by a massive portion of golden, crisp French fries.

“IKR!” agreed Selma, surveying her own plate which was laden with a steaming hot dog that was, frankly, ridiculously long, and dripping with onions. “Well,” she added, “Tuck in!”

As the girls started eating their lunch, which Cindy had to admit was absolutely delicious – if this was how people ate in the fifties but using real food with real saturated fats it gave some idea how the tragic obesity revolt came about eighty years later – Cindy thought she noticed something tickling the back of her mind. She was about to sping Selma to tell her, but her train of thought was interrupted when the older girl spoke.

“So we have this afternoon free,” Selma was saying as she continued munching away on her hot dog and flicked through pages on her PCD, “I’ve booked us a short term apartment in a nice block near Brunel Central and the lock will be keyed to us from 6pm. Shall we go and see this Skypark the server mentioned? It does look quite impressive.”

“Sure,” said Cindy, finishing off her mountain of a hamburger, “Lets.”

Selma had a quick check on her PCD to make sure the gratuity level on her auto-payment app was set appropriately for the meal and planet (it was), and the two of them made their way back out on to the street.

Selma? Cindy sent as they headed off towards the centre of town.

What’s up?

Just before we left I thought I felt a slight tickle in the back of my mind.

What sort of thing? Selma’s tone was concerned. Like a spyline?

Maybe. I couldn’t really tell. It might have been nothing. The more I think, the more I think maybe it was nothing.

Hmm, or maybe it could be Dave of one of the others checking up on you. Well, I won’t check back with them because we have to stay covert but be vigilant and let me know if it happens again. “So have you ever heard of the Skypark?” She added aloud.

“No, I don’t think so,” Cindy replied. “What is it?”

“That.” Selma said, and pointed along the street they were walking down. Several hundred metres in front of them Cindy could see the street, already quite wide, widened out to form a huge intersection. On each corner of the intersection were four, identical buildings, amongst the tallest Cindy had so far seen in Brunel (or indeed, ever). Each building rose up maybe 150 floors, and tapered backwards as it climbed, like someone leaning backwards to look up at the sky. Then, at the top, there was a shimmering, glass-like plane connecting the four, and in its centre there was something Cindy couldn’t discern from this distance – some kind of huge, solid shape seemingly suspended in thin air, around a kilometre above the ground.

As they drew closer the shape came into focus and the scale of the construction became clearer – and Cindy was astonished. The shape she had been unsure of in the centre resolved itself into what looked like a giant theme park, ringed by several hovercoaster rides and other towers, turrets and lights. The shimmering pane seemed to be a flat, square pyramid of glass. On the diagonals were monorail tracks with carriages running from each of the four buildings to the centre construction. The glass dome was speckled with what Cindy soon realised were people. Right in the centre, under the floating theme park, Cindy saw there was actually a single pillar running all the way down to the ground, and it was interlaced with what turned out to be two hovercoaster tracks that spiralled crazily down the shaft to disappear below the intersection at the bottom, presumably to surface in one or two of the buildings. As Cindy and Selma watched, carriages carrying screaming people rocketed down the tracks, occasionally seeming to nearly fly off out of control, then re-gripping their respective curves as they darted and wove down the shaft.

The girls were now on the corner beside one of the buildings. They stood there staring for fully a minute and a half before either of them spoke. Selma broke the silence.

“Well that looks like fun!” She said.

Cindy was still drinking it in. It was like nothing she’d ever seen before. She knew of the major theme parks from streams of course, but when you saw something like this in person, well, that was something else. “It sure does …” she said, dreamily. Then, snapping herself out of it, “It’s a shame we can’t go and see what it’s like.”

“Well, why in the galaxy not?”

Cindy was flabbergasted. Can we? … she began, before catching herself. “Sorry, can we??” She exclaimed. “Can we really?!?”

“Well, I don’t see why not,” Selma laughed. “Like I said, we’ve got the afternoon free, and I’ll tell you something …”

“What’s that?”

“I bet I want to check it out even more than you do! Come on!”

And with that the two girls ran laughing towards the nearest building entrance.

---

The rest of the afternoon passed in a happy blur for Cindy. It felt like she’d spent the last few months being buffeted by unexpected changes and extraordinary events – not to mention a number of new, often very difficult, relationships – and the opportunity to just switch off and enjoy something like the Skypark was more welcome than she could have guessed. Simple, uncomplicated fun like she used to enjoy back home with her Father or Tess what seemed like an age ago.

And what fun this was. The Skypark was an endless wonder. When the girls first entered the building Cindy realised the spectacle wasn’t confined to the outside. The entranceway was a sweeping foyer spanning fully the bottom thirty floors of the building. It was surrounded on three sides by balconies that followed the backward tilt of the construction, looking a bit like a gigantic theatre where each row of seats was in fact a whole other floor. People walked along the balconies, going in and out of the shops that lined them. The lower floors had the big name departments stores, Cindy noticed, many taking up several frontages and floors. One particularly well-known chain had nearly half of the left side.

In the centre of the foyer a bank of about twenty glass elevators were constantly zipping up and down, ferrying people to different points in the shopping plaza and to the floors above. The need for the elevators reinforced for Cindy the scale of the place. She was aware that hoversuits could manage short hops up to a few floors, certainly enough for any building Cindy had ever seen them in (which was precious few – the library and the museum on Oliver County and she couldn’t think of any others), so the elevators were another novelty and an indicator of just how big the place was.

It was to the elevators they headed, and Selma pushed the button marked “Skypark”. Cindy noticed that the intervening floors had colour coded sections indicating some were hotel accommodation, some were apartments, and some were other entertainments like bowling alleys and various generations of cinema.

Once they got up to the Skypark level they exited the building through a scanner that checked them for weapons and deducted payment from Selma’s PCD, and they stepped out on to the transparent pyramid. From this side, it was even more spectacular. They looked down through the glass upon which they stood and took in the view of the city, so far below.

“It makes your knees wobble, doesn’t it?” Selma asked.

“It sure does. It is, um, safe and everything?” Cindy was more than a little concerned.

“Yes. I had a quick glance on the PCD when I looked it up earlier. It’s actually pretty clever.”

“It just seems that that single hovercoaster shaft in the middle isn’t anywhere near enough to support the weight of that massive – thing – in the centre …”

“Well, that’s where it’s clever you see. It doesn’t. It doesn’t need to.”

“This must be incredibly strong glass then.”

“It is,” Selma replied, “But that’s not it either. Have a look at the park. See those four towers in each corner …”

Cindy nodded.

“Can you see a very thin cable running out of them?” Selma was pointing at the top of the closest tower. Cindy stared and, sure enough, she saw a very faint line that looked like it was stretching off into the unseeable distance straight up from the top of the tower.

“I can. What’s that? Wait, are they somehow … anchored? In space?”

Selma looked at her approvingly. “Very clever. Exactly that. Each tower has an orbiting anchor that holds the whole thing up called a skyhook. It’s as safe as can be. Doesn’t feel it when you look down though, does it?”

“No! Can we go to the centre on the monorail please? The glass is freaking me out a bit.”

“Ok, let’s go.”

The two girls boarded the monorail that ran from the top of their building to the complex in the middle. Cindy was impressed by how efficiently everything ran – there was no waiting, and elevators, rails and hover transports of all kinds were frequent. There were also plenty of people walking along by the monorail tracks or further out on the glass surface. Some were sat having picnics with the city buzzing away below them. It was all quite surreal.

When they got to the park proper Cindy was still more overwhelmed by the scope of the construction. The centre buildings were bigger than she had thought, and contained every ride, amusement, game and diversion Cindy could imagine and plenty more that she never would have. The whole place was a thrilling confusion of sound, lights, movement and colour. Cindy noticed a boy who looked about 17 in a booth that she thought Jane would like – you chose your favourite pop star and a hologram of the star would sing a line to you that you had to copy. After a couple of lines, the machine knew enough about your singing voice and it would generate a 3D stream of you doing a duet with that star. You could even choose which song you wanted to sing with them. From what Cindy saw of the teenager’s duet with some teen pop sensation that Cindy didn’t recognise the results were extremely convincing. When it finished he tapped his PCD on the booth’s save pad so presumably you got to take it home as well. Cindy could just imagine Jane swooning over her own duet with Jason Radler and filed this as somewhere to tell her about when she got back to Adriá.

The two girls spent a couple of hours going on various rides and trying various games of chance and skill before Selma said it was time to head back to the booked apartment. Cindy asked if they could leave via the central hovercoaster, to which Selma just gave her a look as if to say “Well of course we can” and they made their way towards it. The two of them buckled in to the ride called “HC1 – The Hurricane” and looked excitedly at each other. Cindy just had time to notice that the same boy who’d been using the pop star booth was boarding a few carriages behind them before the ’coaster started moving. Cindy felt a slight tingle in her mindspace.

Remember to scream out loud! Selma sent.

Yes, of course. Good reminder! I will.

And before the girls could say anything else, all access to rational thought was cut off by nearly fifteen minutes of terrifying hurtling, turning, inverting and spinning down a kilometre-high pole. Cindy lost all track of whether she was screaming or not, but at some level she made sure she didn’t go into mindspace at all to prevent any accidental transmitting. Other than that, she just enjoyed the ride.

When they got off they were chattering excitedly to each other about how incredible the ride, and indeed the whole park was. Cindy was on such as high she barely noticed the walk to their temporary apartment, or the ready-meal they had the kitchen produce for them when they got in, or indeed anything much else before she collapsed into bed. She said goodnight to Selma, who said she wouldn’t be long off bed herself, and she was asleep before she knew it.

Chapter 28: Curiouser and Curiouser

Cindy walked cautiously along a corridor. She couldn’t quite remember how she’d got here – she was on Brunel, she remembered that, and she and Selma were supposed to be heading off to the school to find this teacher; and yet, here she was, walking down a corridor somewhere, and it felt like somewhere very far away.

She looked up and down. The corridor was dim and grey, stretching unforeseeably into the distance in both directions. She wasn’t sure what the walls were made of – it looked like somewhere between normal polymer wall covering and cold, slate-grey stone. She looked to the top of the walls – they glistened slightly as if damp, a bit like she was in a cave, albeit a cave with neatly cut, right-angled walls.

Cindy continued to walk along. She wondered briefly where Selma was. Then she remembered that right now she was looking for her fellow students – where had George gone? She had to find George. She kept walking down the corridor.

The corridor started to expand as she was walking along, and the lighting got better. Soon it was a much more normal looking corridor, almost like the corridor to the medical centre on Adriá. In fact, was that where she was? There was a door – she thought perhaps she’d pop in and see Rebecca.

“Hi Cindy,” said the girl in the bed.

“Oh, hi Tess. I was looking for Rebecca.”

“Rebecca?” Tess propped herself up on one elbow and smiled indulgently at Cindy. “You’re confused. She’s not here. She’s fine now, remember?”

“Oh. Are you ok?” Cindy said.

“Me? Oh I’m fine. I’m fine, Jacinta’s fine. Everyone’s fine. Except Ms Primp. Horrible woman. All that work. And so cold. Just so cold. I mean, what’s wrong with her? She’s giving me a headache just being near her these days. She needs to lighten up a bit. Just let go. You know? Just let go …”

Cindy left the room, leaving Tess to continue her rambling about Ms Primp.

She felt a strong, ominous pull and turned, alert and wary, to her right. There, standing in the middle of the nurses station (so was this the infirmary after all? She thought), was George. He was staring at her intensely.

“George?”

Nothing, although his stare intensified further.

George??

Still nothing, but now she noticed with alarm that his intense stare almost seemed to glow. Wait: it was glowing. And it was getting brighter. His expression was turning into a twisted snarl as his eyes began to glow with an incandescence that, although hard to watch, Cindy couldn’t turn away from. She felt drawn in somehow. It felt like the walls were flowing back around her as she was being pulled toward the pool of powerful, red-tinged, malevolent light flowing from George.

Just before it enveloped her Cindy heard “Cindy?”

She snapped out of it, and turned toward the room where Tess had been. “Cindy?” Came the voice again, this time seemingly from right behind her. She quickly turned back toward the nurses’ station – George was gone, and in his place was the boy from the Skypark, who quickly turned and scurried off. That was odd.

Shaken, Cindy carried on down the corridor.

---

As Cindy continued along she felt increasingly uneasy. The air hung with an ominous sense of threat. The spectral form of George was gone (what was that about?!?), but a continuing sense of wrongness remained. Her progress along the corridor had slowed, unwittingly, to a snail’s pace. She became aware that somewhere along the way the lighting had dimmed once more and now she walked through a dusky gloom. She glanced behind, but was unsurprised to find the corridor stretched into the distance with no sign of the lighter section or the nurse’s station.

Cindy stopped for a moment and touched the wall. It was the kind of cold that almost felt wet although her hand came away dry. Also, surprisingly, the wall seemed to be vibrating slightly. Acting on instinct, Cindy tried to let her mind slide into the wall like she had when freeing Rebecca and George. However this wall resisted any incursion.

Wait, thought Cindy, is this wall around my mind?

No. No, that wasn’t right. This was a corridor, and she could move along it. Just to reassure herself of this truth, Cindy started walking again.

After what seemed like an age, she saw a door in the distant gloom. She quickened her pace a bit and made towards it.

She reached the door and extended a hand toward the old-fashioned knob. Grasping it, she gasped slightly as the vibration from the wall flowed into her body like so much electricity. It brought with it a deep, subsonic thrum that set Cindy’s teeth on edge and sent a shiver across the back of her neck and shoulders. But turning back wasn’t an option – Cindy felt the darkness of the endless corridor closing in towards her, like a panther stalking prey in a pitch black cave.

As this thought struck her, the sense of something approaching grew stronger. It wasn’t quite that something was creeping toward her in the darkness; it was more like the darkness itself was breathing, and that breathing was malignant, threatening … and very, very close.

Panicked, Cindy quickly opened and went through the door.

She stood on a tiny ledge above a bottomless drop. She had no time to register the slamming and click of the door behind her closing as her mind reeled with the vastness of the cavern, the chasm, in front of her. The drop made her giddy. She could only just make out the other side – more dark grey stone; an inconceivably vast cliff face. On it, she thought she could see movement.

There you are little human

There you are little human

There you are little human

The voices came into her mind in unison, each filled with threat, each terrifying in its own way.

We have you now

We have you now

They have you now

Herself motionless with terror, Cindy saw motion on the opposite side of the abyss. A section of wall seemed to be starting to protrude out from the face of the cliff, and on it was … what was that??

It looked like some kind of human form, only barely distinguishable within an incandescent red glow. Next to it was a larger, green-tinged mass – a Turg, Cindy thought. Behind it, worst of all, a coruscating, massive ball of pure energy, now silver, now green, now red, now orange. As the vision came closer it lifted above the other two forms and starting floating upward across the cavern toward Cindy.

I will take her

I will take it

There will be silence.

This last came from the ball of light with a force that pressed so hard against Cindy’s mind she had to close her eyes for a moment. When she opened them the ball of light was looming, massive above her. As Cindy squinted upwards towards it, shading her eyes, she began to see wisps of hair forming, framing the sphere. Sections began to darken and take slight definition, forming glowing rings for eyes, nose; a darker glow forming a mouth.

It was from this mouth that the voice next came. It was a voice with no tone, no resonance, but with a kind of mass; a weight, heavy and dense, with each word pressing down upon Cindy as she looked up from the ledge.

There … is … more … to … this … than … it … seems.

The voice was so intense it hurt. Was it in her head? Outside? It felt more like a line of force ploughing straight through her whole existence. She felt weighed down with the pressure of it. What do you mean? She sent, but somehow knew the massive, face-shaped light was outputting, not receiving.

There … is … more. You … must … see it all. You … must wake up.

I don’t understand! Cindy cried. “I don’t understand!!”

You must wake up.

Cindy cried out in frustration and confusion, but silently. The force pressing down on her was becoming hard to bear, even as the voice seemed to draw away.

You must wake up.

Now she heard Dave’s voice in her mind. Wake up, Cindy. Wait, was that Dave?

You must wake up.

“Cindy! You must WAKE UP!!”

---

Cindy was cold, wet, drenched. She looked at Selma, who loomed above her, holding an empty glass, staring intently at her.

“Thank goodness!” Selma exclaimed. “I didn’t think I’d ever wake you!”

Cindy shook off her sleepy befuddlement. “A dream. Right. It was a dream.”

“Yes, it was a dream. But it was an incredibly noisy one.”

“Noisy?” Cindy was confused again. “Did I cry out?”

“No, not noisy like that,” Selma said, adding: noisy like this.

Realisation dawned. “Oh.” Cindy was chagrined. “I see. What damage have I done?”

“I’m not sure. Probably none. I didn’t sense any interlopers. Although it was weird as all heck. I had a look at what you were dreaming. Couldn’t get in there to help at all, but I think I saw a bit of what you were seeing.”

“The infirmary?”

“No, I didn’t see that – was that earlier?”

“Yes.” Cindy was still a bit fuzzy, but slowly remembering what she’d seen. “The cavern then? The lights?”

“Yes, I think so. There was a big chasm and a huge ball of light.”

“Did you hear what it said?”

“Said? Well I don’t know,” Selma sounded puzzled, “It was all a bit surreal. You know how dreams are. Did it talk to you?”

“Yes. It kind of turned into a face and it told me there was more to things than what it seemed and I had to wake up”

“Yeah, then I woke you up. Dreams can do that sometimes; tie in with what happens outside if you know what I mean.”

“I do, but it worries me that I’m not in control in there and can be broadcasting in my sleep.”

“Don’t be worried. It’s extremely rare that that happens – I think you must be reacting to having a bit of downtime and your brain is taking the opportunity to catch up. That said, psychic dreams can carry a little more weight than regular ones. I suggest you spend some time thinking about what you saw, who was there, what they did, what was said. There may be more to it.”

“I’m also … I’m also scared. It felt like they could get to me. In my dream!”

“Well, I understand you being scared of that, but I’ve never heard of it happening.” Selma’s tone was reassuring, but Cindy sensed she shared her concern. Before she could pursue it though Selma continued: “And one other thing … Cind?”

“Yes?”

“Would you mind putting me down?”

Cindy looked at where Selma was with the glass for the first time and realised her feet were about 10cm off the ground. Cindy had reacted instinctively to the water, and without realising it had Selma pinned there against the wall, in a silver ring, unable to move. She caught herself and pulled back the mindline immediately; Selma dropped to the floor, landing lightly for a girl of her build.

“Sorry! I didn’t realise.”

Selma laughed. “I know, I know. You don’t know your own strength. Don’t worry about it.”

Cindy gave a half-smile back, relieved to hear Selma laugh, but still shaken from her dream. “What time is it anyway?” she asked.

“About 8:15. Time to get up and get ready for our appointment I think.”

“Ok. I guess I’ll go shower then.”

“Do that. And Cindy …?”

“Yes?”

“Try not to worry.”

Cindy gave the older girl as good a smile as she could manage. “I’ll try.”

Chapter 29: Closing the Net

A little over an hour later the two girls were sat outside the Principals office at Brunel Central High. The nameplate on his door revealed him to be Mr Werner. Selma had gone through the planned approach as they travelled from their apartment a short walk away and she was running over the instructions with Cindy one last time while they waited.

So, like I said, I’ll do most of the talking but every now and then I may nudge you to say something so it looks normal.

Got it, sent Cindy, and I’m to monitor him while you talk to make sure he’s not getting suspicious that anything’s not as it seems.

Yep. Keep it low-key, although I’m pretty sure there’s no-one nearby with the talent so we’re pretty safe. The main thing is we get you into Ms Tarkington’s class and see if we can arrange a meeting with her ASAP.

Yes, ok, Cindy sent, then added “Where shall we go for lunch today?” out loud.

Selma smiled. Nice touch, she sent as she noticed the receptionist who’d been glancing at the two girls sitting quietly. “Lunch!” Selma exclaimed, “We only just had breakfast! Honestly, I don’t know where you put it all.” The receptionist smiled knowingly at Selma then, with the silent camaraderie of grown-ups who know all about young people and their constant quest for food.

A buzzer sounded and the receptionist glanced at her desk. “Ah,” she said, “Mr Werner will see you now.” As the two girls stood to enter his office she added to Cindy “Hopefully he won’t keep you too long and you’ll be able to find yourself something to eat,” finishing with a knowing wink to Selma. Selma gave a little laugh and they went into the office.

Mr Werner was sat behind an old style desk of imitation wood. He was a trim, middle-aged man with short-cropped black hair and an easy smile. He stood as they entered and came around the desk to great them, shaking hands with each in turn. “Good morning,” he said. “Ms Gutman is it? Did I pronounce that correctly? And you must be Cindy.”

“Yes, that’s spot on, well done. A lot of people mispronounce the ‘u’.”

“I imagine they do. Germanic origin, yes? I think it derives from “Good man”.

“You’re exactly right Mr Werner.” Selma sounded genuinely impressed.

“Do take a seat,” he said, smiling briefly and motioning them to two chairs in front of his desk as he went back around to his own chair. The girls sat.

“So, I understand you are looking for a school for Cindy for the next few months, is that right?”

“Possibly. My work has me moving around and Cindy is usually homeschooled – we have a very good Omniweb provider – but I thought as we have a little longer here it might be nice for her to have the more social aspects a school can provide.”

“Well, I think you’re absolutely right,” enthused Mr Werner, “And I’m very proud to say that here at BCH we pride ourselves on the breadth of our program. We focus on developing the whole child, not just the academic elements. As a result there are any number of social activities and so forth that you could join in with, Cindy,” he said, turning briefly to Cindy as he spoke, then back to Selma, “So I think that could very much fit the bill if this is the way to go. And, if I may, don’t think me presumptuous but I would commend to you that this very much is the way to go. You can’t beat the socialisation elements of the classroom and indeed school environment in my view.”

“Yes I’m sure you’re right,” said Selma. “So can you tell me who her teacher would be if she did come here for a term? Year 8.”

“Year 8? That would be Ms Tarkington.”

There’s something there. He got a bit twitchy then. Cindy sent.

“Ok. I wonder, could we perhaps meet with her?” Selma asked?

Even more so now, Cindy sent.

“Well, not at the moment. She’s unavailable right now.”

There’s something he’s holding back.

“I understand,” said Selma, “she must be in class. Do you think she might have a moment at recess or lunchtime?”

“No, you see I’m afraid she’s off today. She’s … unwell.”

That hesitation – there’s more to this. Push him.

I’m on it, Selma sent back.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Nothing serious I hope?”

“No, no, nothing like that.”

“So perhaps we could make a time to meet her tomorrow?”

“Well, perhaps,” Mr Werner was clearly flustered now. “Could you contact us tomorrow to arrange it?”

“Well, I need to fit this in with my work so it would be helpful if I could get something organised now, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Well, it’s a bit difficult, so if you wouldn’t mind contacting us tomorrow when we know where she … I mean how she is, I’m sure we’ll be able to arrange something.”

He’s on the ropes. Push one more time.

“I’m sorry Mr Werner, but I really would like to get something organised. Is there a reason you can’t arrange something for me now?”

He’s starting to get a bit suspicious as well as anxious. I don’t think he knows where she is, and he’s not liking being pushed on it.

“… It’s just that I’m quite keen to meet her,” Selma continued without missing a beat. “And I’m also keen to know why she’s off, if you don’t mind my saying. Cindy has had a lot of upheaval in her life, and if she is to come to this school then stability would be a prime factor. Is Ms – Tarkington is it? – likely to be back tomorrow? Is she likely to be off again next week? I’m somewhat concerned by how vague things are …”

You’ve got him. He’s going to come clean. Cindy sent.

“Yes. Yes, of course I understand Ms Gutman.” The tiniest slump of his shoulders. “I’ll be honest with you. I hope this doesn’t taint your view of our school, but I’m afraid I’m not entirely sure where Ms Tarkington is. She didn’t come to work today, and we haven’t been able to contact her.”

“Oh. I see.”

“I can assure you, this is the first time something like this has ever happened. We’re actually a little concerned. I’ve contacted the authorities, but they tell me it needs to be a 24 hour absence before they can do anything.”

He’s genuinely worried.

“But,” he added, seeming to catch himself, “We do have an excellent supply teacher facility here, and the children are being well catered for in her absence. Did you want to meet the supply teacher who has the 8th grade today?”

“No, I don’t think so Mr Werner, thank you all the same. Perhaps you could contact me when you’ve found your missing teacher.” Cindy was impressed with the perfectly-toned dissatisfaction Selma was conveying.

Nice one, she sent.

Thanks. I am an experienced spy, you know

“Of course, of course Ms Gutman. I completely understand. We’ll be sure to let you know as soon as we know anything ourselves, and, if this little issue hasn’t soured you on us completely,” and he broke off for a half-hearted laugh, “ha-ha, then of course we can arrange a meeting for you.”

“Thank you Mr Werner. A pleasure to meet you,” Selma finished as she stood to leave, nodding to Cindy to do the same.

“And you Ms Gutman. And you Cindy. And whatever you end up doing, I wish you well in your continued studies,” he said, shaking their hands in turn across the desk.

Aw, he’s actually quite nice, Cindy sent.

I know. But stay focussed.

The two girls left his office, Selma maintaining her air of frustrated haughtiness all the while.

---

“So now what?”

They were back at the apartment. Cindy was sat on a kitchen chair, swinging her legs as Selma stood at the bench having a glass of orange juice.

“It’s a bit odd that she’s just not shown up for work. It seems too much of a coincidence us being here and her being gone like that. But there’s no way she could have got wind of us being here, could she?”

“I don’t know, if she’s who we think she is she’s pretty much capable of anything.”

“Yes. Good point. Well, then I guess we only have one option.”

“What’s that?”

“You’ve found her once already, right?”

Oh. That. Ok, you think it’s worth the risk – you know, transmission or whatever?

Yes, I think so. It’s about weighing up the odds.

Ok. Well, let’s have a go.

I’ll get the map.

Selma set her PCD on the kitchen table and activated the map function. A street view of Brunel sprung into existence around them. Cindy allowed herself to drop into mindspace.

Ok, zoom to the classroom where she should be … That’s it …

Cindy felt the tug of locating the person she was actually looking for very quickly this time.

Pull back! Ok, follow down that road … towards the Skypark. That’s it. Now closer … just past that Starbucks … closer … that’s her! Right, I want to try something. Can you hold focus on that point right there?

Where, here? Selma asked, centring on one location.

Slightly – um – north I think.

Here?

Yes! There! Hold it there.

It was a very odd sensation. The map was a static set of 3D pictures, Cindy knew, but her psi-location ability gave her a sense of the woman they were seeking being there in real time. It was like Ms Tarkington was superimposed over the top of the map in an odd sort of way.

Still, no time to think too much on that. Cindy could see her now, and she had an idea. She focussed intently on the woman, taking in every detail, trying to get a very clear picture of her. When she felt like she had a very clear image of Ms Tarkington she sent out a tiny, very well shielded spyline. At the end of it, she just brushed very gently against the woman’s back, focussing as she did on placing a mark of silver across her. Then she pulled back the spyline.

Cindy raised herself from mindspace.

Can you pull back a bit?

Ok … I’m not sure what you’re doing here, Cindy … Selma’s tone was becoming slightly stern.

It’s fine, just pull back to city view.

Selma did, and Cindy dropped back into mindspace. Now, if this has worked, she’s …

And there it was, shining like a tiny little beacon.

There! Right. Got her. She came out of mindspace again. “You can close the map now,” she said aloud.

Selma did. “Right, what was that all about?”

“I put a marker on her. We’ll be able to track her now.”

Selma was impressed and annoyed in equal measure. “You need to tell me before you do something like that! She might have detected it! And how did you do it anyway?”

“I kind of, daubed her with a bit of my – um – psi signature if you like. I can see it, but no-one else can. I don’t think it will last very long, but long enough for us to find her.”

“How did you know you could do that? I’ve never even heard of that being done!”

“I don’t know. It just, sort of, felt right.”

“Yes, somehow I knew you were going to say that. It doesn’t change the risk factor though. This woman is immensely powerful and dangerous and you could have …”

“It’s not her.” Cindy interrupted.

Selma was stopped in her tracks. “What?”

“It’s not her.”

“How do you know?”

“I could tell. This woman doesn’t have the talent. I would have been able to see it.”

“She could have been shielding.”

“After the two confrontations I’ve had I would have recognised her … her mind.”

Selma looked thoughtfully at her. “Yes. Yes, I suppose you would. So it’s a false trail then.”

Now it was Cindy’s turn to look thoughtful. “Well, I don’t know. I can’t shake the feeling there’s some connection. And like you said, it’s a bit of a coincidence her not showing up to work like that. She’s clearly not unwell.”

“Hmm, so maybe we should have a talk with her.”

“I think maybe we should.”

“Ok. You can find her anytime now?”

“Yep.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Don’t we need a plan? How are we going to start a conversation with her?”

“Good point.” Selma looked thoughtful for a moment. “Ok, we find her, but stay out of sight until an opportunity presents itself for me to strike up a conversation with her. I’ll work it around to ask whether she’s on vacation, or working shifts or similar – stuff designed to make her think about the fact that she should be at school teaching. You monitor like you did with Werner back at the school – good job there, by the way – and I’ll wing it to see if I can get more out of her. There’ll be an element of ad-libbing. There always is with field work. Are you up to it?”

“Sure.”

“Good. Well, then, let’s go.”

Chapter 30: Chase

Cindy and Selma left the apartment and started heading back towards the centre of town and the Skypark. They didn’t have far to go. Once they’d got back to the massive central intersection Cindy allowed herself to psilocate their quarry.

She’s over in that building. It looks from here like there’s a café at the bottom – the locater has her in there somewhere.

Ok, let’s head over that way. We can go in and get a coffee and wait for an opportunity to make our move.

The two of them crossed the roads using the underpasses that stood on each corner and came to the building on the north east point of the intersection. Sure enough there was a café on the western side of the building abutting the road that ran off north. They stepped down a small flight of stairs, over a water feature and through some narrow gardens and entered the café. They took a seat near the door.

“What would you like?” asked Selma, and Is she here?

“Um …” Cindy feigned uncertainty as she explored the busy café with her mind’s eye. There! “Hot chocolate please.” Yes. Over by the entrance to the toilets on one of the high stools by the window.

The woman in the purple coat?

That’s her.

Marked. “Ok, one hot chocolate coming up.”

Selma headed up to the counter while Cindy sat apparently staring at the menu. She made occasional, furtive glances towards their quarry. She was probably around forty, wearing a purple coat and sipping a complicated-looking coffee of some sort. She had shortish, brown hair and an angular profile; a bit rat-like, if Cindy was honest. Cindy wasn’t sure if she was imagining it but the woman also seemed to be very much on edge. Something in her movements. Cindy decided to have a closer look.

Slipping into mindspace she let the café fall into the heightened focus she was now used to. Returning her physical gaze to the menu she took in Ms Tarkington in greater depth. She was on edge, it was obvious. Cindy got hints of nervousness, guilt and fear. She was looking to go deeper for a bit more detail when Selma returned to the table.

That’s enough for now. “One hot chocolate, there you go. It looks great!”

Cindy lifted out of mindspace to take in the whipped cream, chocolate sprinkle and marshmallow bedecked concoction in front of her. It really did look great. “Yum!” she exclaimed, adding She’s very much on edge. Something’s worrying her, and she feels guilty about something.

Not going to work I imagine.

Well, maybe, but it feels a bit deeper than that.

Hmm, ok. Let me have a look.

There was a pause, and Cindy was aware of Selma doing her own investigating. She was impressed with her subtlety.

Yes, you’re right. Something is really eating her up, isn’t it? Well, that could be good. She might welcome the chance to vent. People often do.

Ok, so what now?

Drink your chocolate. Join me at my signal.

At that, Selma stood up and wandered over to where the woman sat.

“Excuse me,” Selma opened.

The woman looked startled. “Um, yes? Can I help you?” she replied.

“I hope you don’t think me rude, but my little sister and I are strangers here and I wondered, do you live in Brunel? I’m just looking for some advice as to the good areas because we’re thinking of moving here.”

“There’s plenty of estate agents around. They’d be the people to ask.”

“Oh I know, but you can’t beat getting the view from someone unbiased, do you know what I mean? I’m just looking for somewhere that’s a good neighbourhood with a good school for Cindy to attend.

Are you watching her? Selma sent.

Yes. She’s getting really agitated. Scared, and more than a little annoyed. Go careful.

“Well, I’m sure I couldn’t tell you anything about that. I don’t have any children so I simply wouldn’t know I’m afraid.” The woman’s voice was terse and dismissive. Selma decided to push it a bit further.

“Oh, but you must have heard something. What about inner city? I saw Brunel Central High a few blocks away from here. Do you know anything about that?” Selma gave her a pointed look.

She’s freaking out. She’s going to bolt. Cindy sent. To her surprise, she found she was getting genuinely excited.

Ms Tarkington stood up and gathered her bag and PCD. “Absolutely nothing at all,” she said coldly. “Excuse me.” And with that she stood up and started walking hurriedly toward the door.

Call her! Sent Selma.

“Ms Tarkington!” Cindy called as the woman reached the door. The woman turned, saw Cindy, her eyes widened even further, then she turned back to see Selma walking quickly towards her. Seemingly making her mind up, she flung open the door, startling a couple who were about to enter the café, stepped out onto the street, and ran.

---

Cindy was on her feet even as Selma was sending, Let’s go! The two of them quickly reached the door, slowed only by Selma’s instruction of Not too quickly from here, mind – don’t make a scene, and started to give chase. The woman was surprisingly quick, and already out of sight, but Cindy could still track her via the homing brand she’d placed on her. She’s heading toward the main entrance ’round the front of the building.

She’s going to go up to the Skypark. Wants to lose us in the crowds is my guess. Come on.

The two of them ran toward the entrance of the Skypark. Cindy kept a mental tab on their quarry as they ran and kept Selma informed. She’s hitting the elevator. Do we have to rush so much? I can still track her.

It’s a good point, but you don’t know how long that marker is going to last, right?

Oh yes. Right. We’d better hurry!

Yes.

They raced over to the elevator. Just as they boarded, Cindy felt that same tingle she’d felt previously in The Jukebox and also just before they caught the rollercoaster. As they were forced into immobility for a moment in the elevator she told Selma.

And it doesn’t feel like anyone you know?

No. Not even The Controller. I think I’d probably recognise him now.

Well I suppose the good news is it’s not the woman. And you’re sure this Tarkington woman doesn’t have the talent?

Yes.

Ok, well all we can do is stay focussed on the chase but be alert.

Ok.

They reached the top and quickly stepped out onto the glass plain. Cindy didn’t even think to be perturbed by the height this time – she was too excited by the chase.

She’s up here. She’s heading across to the next monorail instead of this one. There! Can you see her?

Selma looked where Cindy pointed and saw a glimpse of purple about 400 yards away half way to the next building. Yes. Darn, she’s going to hit the monorail before we can get her. We’ll have to jump on this one and catch her at the park before she gets to the ’coaster and gets away.

Wait … Cindy was worried. She checked something. It’s fading. I can only just fix on her.

We’ll lose her in the park. Can you mark her again?

I don’t know. Hold on …

Cindy dropped into mindspace. She tried to send out a mindline to the woman and daub her again but her surroundings were too chaotic for the fine touch she needed. And there was something else …

No, I don’t think I can – it’s too fiddly while she’s running and we’re up here. And I think there’s someone else up here with the talent.

The woman? The bad woman?

No. Someone else. Someone new. Darn it! What are we going to do?

Hold on, let me in.

Cindy felt Selma merge into her mindspace. She noticed at the same time that the woman was closing on the monorail terminal. Selma was spinning a thread out through Cindy’s mindspace using a technique Cindy hadn’t seen before. She seemed to be cutting it into smaller sections and looking for something … or someone.

Oh. Justin.

Justin? Cindy wasn’t sure what was happening.

Hi Selma, came a voice Cindy didn’t recognise, although she realised that whoever it was must have been the source of the tingles she’d sensed previously. I’ll explain in a minute. I’m just coming off the monorail your target is heading to and I’ll catch her for you. If she runs inward use a standard flanking manoeuvre.

Ok. Cindy, Justin’s ok. He’s an agent. Follow my lead.

Hi Cindy. Here she comes. I’ll mindshare.

Um, hi Justin, Cindy just had time to say before the conversation was replaced with an image of a young man leaving the monorail and heading out, passing by the queue waiting to board. She was unsurprised to see that it was indeed the same boy she’d spotted twice in the Skypark and again in her odd dream. About 17 years old, wavy brown hair, and a cheeky half-smile on his face even during this chase situation. Nice to meet you, she sent.

I’d withhold my judgment on that, Selma sent with uncharacteristic bitterness.

Come on Selm, not still sore about Roux are you? I was only following orders.

Yes, I’m sure that’s what you think you were doing. Anyway, not now, focus on the job at hand. Can you see our target?

Hold on. The image panned out and Cindy and Selma could see a row of people. Cindy let her inner mind take over and quick as a flash it homed in on Ms Tarkington, trying to blend in with the throngs of people, eyes nervously darting left and right.

Nice homing for a newb there Cindy! Justin sent, mind voice sounding impressed.

Cindy’s not your average newb.

So I’ve heard.

Anyway, you’ve marked the target, right? See if you can stall her until we get there.

Well, that doesn’t sound like fun. I think I might just send her over to you instead. Be ready.

Justin! No! Selma sent, but the boy ignored her. The next thing Cindy saw he was heading straight over to the anxious teacher.

“Ms Tarkington!” Cindy heard across the mindshare. “Is that you? Sure it is. Brunel Central High, right? You had me for grade 8, special studies.” Cindy had the image of Justin looking cocksure and confident, sauntering up to their quarry as bold as brass.

“Um, I’m sorry young man, I have a lot of students, I don’t remember you.”

“Ms T! I’m hurt. How could you forget me? Justin Gamma. You taught me advanced computing.”

“No, I’m sorry young man, I don’t recall … wait, I’ve never taught AC on special ed. …”

“Well, that’s odd isn’t it. Just like the fact that today is a school day and you’re up here and not in class. Very odd, I’d say.” Justin’s voice had lowered, and his tone had taken on a hard edge. He was within a few feet of her now. Ms Tarkington, panicked, stepped out of the queue on the other side to him and scurried out of the terminal as fast as she could.

She’s on the move!

We saw, Selma sent back, annoyance evident in her voice. See if you can manoeuvre her to here – Selma sent a location in the centre of their shared glass plane – it’s reasonably out of the way and inconspicuous.

Already on it, Justin sent as he pursued the woman out of the terminal. “Hey, Ms T!” He shouted. “Hold on, I just want to talk to you!”

The woman glanced behind, fear and apprehension clear on her face. She continued running, now heading out into the glass plain between the two monorail lines. Selma and Cindy were running inward and upward, aiming to head her off. She was clearly desperate, but the three pursuers had youth on their side and they started to close on her.

Ms Tarkington! Stop running! We just want to talk to you. Cindy sent.

She can’t hear you – she hasn’t got the talent. Norms can’t hear mindspeak, Justin sent.

Oh. I didn’t know that.

Really?!? What have they been teaching you this term? Baking? Justin’s tone was sarcastic.

Look, it’s been an unusual term Justin. Things have got out of order. There’s a lot of backfill Cindy needs that we haven’t had time to provide.

Clearly. Well, for a start Cindy, only people with the talent can receive mindspeak, just like only they can send it. You can’t talk to a norm like this. Hold on, I think I can get ahead of her. You two split.

Do what he says, Selma sent to Cindy. While this exchange had been taking place the three of them had nearly caught up to their now frantic quarry, and she was desperately looking about for a direction to bolt off and escape. There was nowhere, and Justin put on an impressive surge of speed and came around the front of her while Cindy and Selma split apart, forming the other two points of a flanking triangle. Ms Tarkington was trapped.

With a slump of her shoulders it became clear that Ms Tarkington had realised the inevitability of her capture. “We’re not going to hurt you,” Selma said as they walked slowly toward her. “We just want to ask you some questions.”

“Yes, ok,” Ms Tarkington said, now standing still in an area of the middle of the glass plain. “I’ll cooperate. But do you mind if I sit down first? I haven’t run like that in a long time; I need to catch my breath.”

“That’s fine. We’ll join you.” Selma said with a comforting tone, and with that the four of them sat down where they were – to the casual observer just a mother with her three children, an older girl, a middle boy, and a younger girl, all enjoying a day at the Skypark.

Chapter 31: Home Again

“Well, I suppose you must be Cindy,” Ms Tarkington surprised all three of them by saying.

“Yes, yes I am. How do you know?”

“Well, I think maybe the best thing is if I tell the three of you my story – I think it will contain the answers I think you want to know, and will save all of us some time.”

“Please.” Said Selma.

“Ok. Well, I wasn’t born Emelia Tarkington. As far as I know, that’s a made up cover name. My name was Deirdre Roberts a long time ago. I was from old Earth, working as a waitress, no hope, no future, and certainly no chance of getting off planet. My days were spent ferrying plates around a lousy café in a lousy part of town, dreaming of something more.

“One day, this woman shows up. She’s got some fantastical story about needing to take on a different identity to do some undercover work for the GCC. She says she’s been watching me, she knows I want a different life, and she’s got an offer for me.

“She said, and I quote, ‘I want you to become me.’”

“Of course, I was taken aback, and part of me wanted to laugh in her face and show her the door. But another part of me, a much deeper part, was curious. If this was a chance of something, anything other than what I was doing, I felt I just had to hear her out.”

I hope this is going somewhere, Justin sent to the other two, impatience in his tone.

Shhh, sent Selma, annoyance in hers.

“She explained that she’d been assigned an identity to keep her safe after an operation she’d just completed. She said she’d helped uncover a galaxy-wide black market stream operation, but that she’d upset a lot of people in the process. She said her superiors thought she was in danger and wanted to bury her in a false identity indefinitely.

“However, she went on to tell me that she suspected her superiors themselves were dirty, and she wanted to keep working the case. But to get them off her scent she had to make her superiors think she’d assumed the deep cover – and that meant someone had to become Emelia Tarkington.

“As you can probably guess, that’s where I was to come in.”

It’s not far from the truth in a funny sort of way, Cindy sent to the other two, if you think of her superiors as being the GCCSC.

Yes, the best lies are always the ones closest to the truth. Selma sent back.

Do you think whoever it was kind of – you know – influenced her to listen? When she said she had to hear her out?

Hmm. Maybe. It’s tough to use the talent to influence, but not impossible. Anyway, keep listening.

“Of course,” Ms Tarkington as was continued, “I needed more than just the chance of a different life to convince me to do this. I needed something tangible. And I got it.”

“Money?” Selma asked.

“Money.” She replied. “Quite a bit of it. G20,000 up front and an annual stipend of G5,000 on top of my annual salary. Not to be sneezed at. And on top of that I got to travel to another planet, a nice one, and have a good job as a high school teacher. It was like a whole new life. I mean, sure all the spy business sounded a bit scary, but not as scary as staying back on earth, working as a drudge until I died alone somewhere in a bedsit wishing I’d done more with my life.

“I jumped at the chance. And I tell you what, for the past ten or fifteen years it’s been the best thing I ever did. Until this morning.”

“What happened this morning?” Selma asked.

About time we got to something interesting, Justin added. Selma just replied with a mental tsk.

“I got a message on my PCD. It was from a contact I didn’t recognise – it wasn’t in my list, but she identified herself by knowing all about my deception in years gone by. She claimed to be the woman who approached me all those years ago. She said her cover was under threat, and they might be coming after me as Emelia Tarkington as well. She said she’d heard that a special agency that GCC ran that trained people from childhood to be assassins were after her. She said that she’d heard that one of their crack new recruits was a young girl of around 12 called Cindy.”

“So that’s how you knew my name,” Cindy said aloud, adding to the others, Kind of close to the truth again. Whoever she is orchestrating this, she seems pretty sharp.

Yes, Selma replied. Cindy detected a kind of mental nod from Justin.

“Yes. I panicked,” Ms Tarkington continued, “that’s why I ran. But I’m sorry, I don’t believe the GCC would train children to be assassins.” And now she looked frightened again as she added, “You’re not, are you?”

“No. We’re not.” Selma said, “But she’s partly right. We do work for the GCC.”

“Spies?” The woman asked, somewhat incredulously.

“What, a twenty-three year old and a couple of teenagers? Don’t be silly. No, we work for a special corp. It’s probably best we don’t tell you about it though. But we do need to know about the woman who set all this up all those years ago.”

She’s never going to settle for just that, Justin sent. But Ms Tarkington surprised him by replying:

“Yes, I think you’re right. I’d rather not know any more. All it would do is make trouble for me. But I’m sorry, there’s very little I can tell you about the woman …”

I’m going to ask for a description. See if you can get a mental image, Selma sent to Cindy, then said aloud “Can you describe her at least?”

“It was so long ago. I guess she was medium height, slim build, my age. She had dark, almost black hair. It was tied back …”

As she spoke, searching her memory for details, Cindy dropped into mindspace to see if she could get a picture of the woman being described. What she saw made her gasp out loud. She quickly covered it with a cough as the others glanced at her. “S-sorry,” she choked out. “Need a drink of water I think. I’ll be fine.”

As Ms Tarkington continued her description Cindy looked again to confirm what she had seen.

Yes. It was by no means clear, the mental picture being drawn made hazy and indistinct by time, but Cindy could swear it was an image of her own teacher, Ms Primp. She waited for the woman to taper off before asking: “Did she give you a name, or any contact information?”

“No. I never knew her name. All she ever referred to herself as, and all that came through on the PCD message was her initial.”

“Which was?”

“She called herself Ms P.”

---

After this Selma asked a few more questions, and then she said to the woman, “Ok, I think we’ve learnt all we can from you, and it’s been a help. We’re not going to take this further, and we can probably help smooth things over with Mr Werner. But can we trust you to not breathe a word about us to anyone?”

“Yes! Oh yes, you can. I promise,” Ms Tarkington formerly Roberts said earnestly. “I won’t mention it to anyone. But look … am I safe?”

She means it. Justin sent. She’s planning to keep shtum.

“As safe as anyone ever is in this galaxy,” Selma said. “Alright, well, you should probably head home and be ready to head back in to work tomorrow. A doctor will be in touch with your principal explaining the 24hour sleeping virus you’ve had that left you dead to the world and deaf to the sound of your PCD. Everything in your assumed world will be back to normal before you know it.”

“And what about you three?”

“Well, we’re off to find this ‘Ms P’.”

“Good luck.”

“Thanks. Something tells me we’ll need it.” And with that, the three of them set off toward the tower they came up, leaving a bemused and relieved looking Ms Tarkington behind them.

I think I know who our real target is, Cindy opened with.

Yes, I thought you might. Selma sent. It’s your teacher, right?

Yes. Ms Primp. I can’t believe it. But in some ways I can. I tried to read her once, not long ago, and I got pushed back. It wasn’t like reading anyone else. And then Tess mentioned her in my dream, which was weird. And, wait, Justin …

Yes?

Were you actually in my dream? When I was in the infirmary?

Yep. I pushed off that weird little kid with the glowing eyes.

George.

Is that his name? He’s a bit of a weirdo.

He’s been through a lot. Don’t judge him too harshly.

Hmm. I think it’s more that you shouldn’t cut him too much slack. You be careful of him. That eye thing is not a good sign. And as Justin sent this Cindy was aware of a sideline exchange between him and Selma.

Whatever. Well, anyway, if you were helping me, then thanks.

Think nothing of it. There was a slight edge of sarcasm in Justin’s tone. Cindy ignored it.

What are you doing here anyway? Selma sent.

Haven’t you guessed? He sent me. Wanted you to have some covert cover in case things went south.

Yes, I suspected as much.

Well, he’s got a special interest in this case.

Enough. Ok. Cindy, Justin is one of our agents. He’s been in the field for over a year now. Evidently The Controller wanted him to give us some backup but didn’t see fit to tell us.

Yes, I heard. Well, three is better than two when we’re tackling something like this I guess.

There, you see? She wants me here, Justin sent to Selma, his tone smug.

Yes, well, she hasn’t done any field work with you before.

Look, I got the target on Roux didn’t I?!?

Yes, but you nearly exposed the whole GCCSC!!

But I didn’t!

But you might have!

But I didn’t! Acceptable risk.

When you’ve done five years in the field you can talk to me about acceptable risk, but not before.

Cindy thought she’d best step in.

Um, you two?

Furthermore … Selma was sending before Cindy’s sping stopped her in her tracks. And, with a mental sigh, she continued, Yes. Ok. Sorry Cind. Justin and I have – um – history. You probably guessed.

Yes. But maybe we need to stay focussed on the job at hand.

Justin laughed out loud. Just say what you think, kid! He sent. You’re the boss! Definite sarcasm in the tone this time.

She’s got more common sense in her little finger than you’ve got in your entire body, Selma sent, and then, following quickly before Justin could respond, added You’re right, Cind. And the next step is pretty clear.

What’s that?

We need to go see your teacher. We need to take you home.

---

As the three of them walked out of the apartment where the girls had popped by to pick up their things Cindy asked a few silent questions of the older two.

So normal people – did you call them ‘norms’ Justin

Yep.

But don’t use that term Cindy, Selma added, it’s rude. Justin just made a face.

Oh, ok. Well anyway, normal people can’t hear mindspeak then?

No. Nor send it.

But I can sort of ‘hear’ what they’re thinking.

Yes, we can get impressions. Think of it like watching a stream – you can hear what the actors say, but you can’t speak to them, and they can’t speak to you.

Good analogy, Justin sent. Cindy looked for sarcasm in his tone but he sounded serious.

Thanks. Anyway, it’s a bit like that.

Yes, I get it, Cindy sent.

That said, like you were asking Selma earlier, we can influence them in some ways …

Justin … Selma sent, her tone cautionary.

Oh, ok. But we can.

Yes, which I’m sure Cindy will learn about in her own time. This isn’t that time.

Ok, ok. I said ok. Anyway, here we are.

The three of them had reached the public transporter station. “Well,” Selma said aloud to Cindy, “Ready to head home again?”

“Home again,” Cindy said, full of emotion she hadn’t had a second to try and interpret, “I guess so. I guess I am. Will I be seeing my Dad? Or Tess?”

“Not if we can help it. It would be kind of tough to explain away.”

“Oh. Yes.”

It’s never easy, kid, Justin sent with surprising compassion when he saw the look on Cindy’s face, believe me, I know. And then he added, with a wry tone, But remember what they say, ‘the galaxy first’

Cindy smiled at the reference. The galaxy first.

So home again? Selma added.

Home again. Cindy replied, and the three of them climbed onto the transporter platform.

Chapter 32: Showdown

The three of them arrived at the transporter room in Tenterfield on Oliver County. Cindy felt her breath catch as they stepped out into the idyllic rural setting – home! She thought. It felt like it had been years since she was last here, when in fact everything that had happened had taken place in less than two months. It was difficult to believe, and Cindy found herself faltering a little.

Hold it together Cind. We’ve got a job to do. Selma’s tone was not unkind.

I know. Well, it’s past let out time – shall we just go straight to the school?

I guess so.

The three of them headed off down the road towards the red-roofed building they could see in the distance.

Hold on, I’m just going to check … And Cindy was aware of Selma dropping into mindspace. Yes, she’s in there alright. I can feel her. Immense power. We’re going to have to be careful.

Have you called in the olds? Justin sent.

Just on it, replied Selma, and soon another voice joined them.

Hello you three. We’ve been keeping an eye as best we can. Interesting dream the other night Cindy!

Hi Dave! Cindy felt relieved to hear his voice. Then, more sheepishly she added, sorry about that.

She felt the comforting tone spanning across the vast distance from Adriá. Don’t worry about it. You couldn’t help it and I don’t think anyone heard the – um – broadcast that shouldn’t have. As you’ll be aware we have Louise in here as well, and The Controller.

Hi you three – good work so far. That was Louise; The Controller remained resolutely silent, but Cindy was aware of his presence – and again she was aware of that odd familiarity about him – even stronger this time.

Right, Dave sent before she had time to dwell any further on that, we need a strong merge and then we’ll go in. We’ve recon’ed the building as well. As far as we can tell, it’s only our quarry in there. I’m sorry it turned out to be your teacher by the way Cindy but I must confess I had my suspicions.

Cindy had been thinking about this when she’d had time – for her, the more she thought about it, the harder it was to reconcile. Did you? She sent. I don’t know, it seems kind of … wrong … to me.

Well, it’s always hard to come to terms with someone you know well living a double life. Cindy detected some kind of subtext when Louise sent this, but let it lie.

Will you link us up please Cindy?

Ok. She sent out a silver cord to each of them – the two with her, the two on Adriá, and she had no idea where The Controller was, but it didn’t seem to matter. She felt each of them join in much like when they had linked to release Rebecca and George. It was as if they were sharing a common mindspace.

Being in mindspace meant Cindy was aware of the powerful force emanating from the school in front of her. It was daunting in the extreme, but, supported as they were by the experienced and powerful psychics in the mindshare, they stepped through the gate and approached the school.

Are we just going to walk in and confront her?

Yes. It was Dave.

Another showdown like when we were playing hide and seek on Adriá?

Exactly that, but with you in the room with her you should have access to a lot more force.

But, came another thought, carefully neutral in tone (The Controller, thought Cindy) we have to assume she knows we’re coming. She will have her Turgs behind her – possibly even more of them than she had then. We must be cautious. And united.

You’ve got it boss, sent Justin, with what Cindy was quickly finding to be slightly tedious irreverence.

Ok, well we might get more of an element of surprise if we don’t use the front door, sent Cindy.

What’s the option? Selma asked.

There’s a door around the side – it leads straight into the west corridor. My classroom is just along from it.

Good idea, sent Dave. Lead on.

Cindy led the other two around the side of the school, keeping the mindshare active as she walked. She came to the fire escape door she had referred to. Mentally checking the latch, she found it was open. As she walked up towards the door, she felt a thought stirring in Louise.

Wait, why is it open?

Cindy had the door in her hand and was just stepping through as this thought came. Selma was behind her, with Justin third.

Cindy! Wai …

And all contact was cut off. The door slammed behind Cindy. The others were trapped outside, and the mindshare was severed. She looked helplessly out through the glass panel of the door at where Selma and Justin were frantically trying to open it. It was clearly closed with more than just hinges and latches. Cindy tried to push against it, but it pushed her back. She was locked in.

She looked out at Selma, who stood looking through the glass at her. Selma pointed a finger at her head and mouthed the word “blocked”. She mimed her hands hitting an invisible wall around the building. Cindy understood – it was like a protection zone such as they had around the training room on Adriá.

She was aware of Justin and Selma talking in mindspeak, presumably with the others as well, so they were still able to do that outside – they just couldn’t get in to her.

Cindy thought a moment.

Eventually she reached an inevitable conclusion. There was nothing for it – she was going to have to go and confront her nemesis alone.

---

Cindy walked down the corridor. She saw her room ahead on the left. She found she could still drop into mindspace, and in doing so she was instantly aware of an immense aura of power emanating from the room – glowing outwards with a malignant silver light. A silver light tinged with green. Cindy crept toward the glass panel of the classroom door.

There she was. Ms Primp was sitting at her desk, staring straight ahead. The look on her face was completely impassive.

Cindy was a raging torrent of emotions. This was all overwhelming. She dropped herself deeper into her mindspace and tried to find some calm within. She found a little, and, with great self-control, figured it would have to do. She stepped into the room.

Good afternoon, Ms Primp, she sent. It sounded trite, but as an opener it would have to do.

Nothing.

The force was thrumming now, beating against her. She dug deep and focussed in on the woman in the chair.

We know who you really are, she sent. We know you were led astray by the woman years ago. We know you’re siding with the Turgs. We know you set up a decoy to throw us off the scent on Valentine. It’s over.

Still nothing. Cindy took a step closer.

Something was wrong, but it was hard to determine what in the turmoil of psychic power flowing around her. Ms Primp? She sent, but with no response. She sent out a probe, trying to engage, and quickly discovered the shocking truth: Ms Primp’s mind was blocked off like Rebecca’s!

Just as Cindy realised this the side door in the back of the classroom opened.

And out stepped Ms Pembroke. Jacinta’s mother.

She was radiating force – overwhelming power. Cindy recognised it from the two confrontations she’d had previously. It was pushing her down, and in her shock she wasn’t prepared to defend herself.

Everything was falling into place. It wasn’t Ms Primp – wrong Ms P! It had been Ms Pembroke all along. It explained so much. When she had tried to read Ms Primp’s mind at the parent teacher night and got pushed back Ms Pembroke was already there. She’d been laying this false trail all along.

Yes. Came the cold, malicious, and triumphant thought. I have. And all leading up to this. I told you I would meet you again Cindy Parker, and I told you I would destroy you, and destroy you I shall.

Every word was like a blow, and this last one was devastating. Cindy sent out a line and realised the woman was being backed up by hundreds … thousands of Turgs. They were channelling into her like lines of green infection, swelling her with immeasurable, insurmountable strength.

So funny, hearing you tell this teacher woman what you know, when there is so much you don’t. Including the one big thing that will be your undoing.

Cindy finally found some courage. She started to push back. It was hopeless, but she had to try.

What … are you talking … about? Cindy managed to send, all the while struggling to withstand the onslaught of pure psionic force that was cascading against her.

About your Father.

What about my Father?

This is priceless. Foolish girl – I told you she doesn’t know. Cindy was aware of Ms Pembroke sending a message to her Turg army. This seemed to generate much humour among Turgs, or what passed as humour for them.

[It doesn’t know] [It is greatly foolish] [It is no threat] [It is not worthy of time]

An instant later, nudged by Mrs Pembroke, she realised the truth.

Her Father …

Her Father was the Controller.

And that meant her mother must be …

Yes, Cindy, your Mother is the monster who made me. And your father is the monster who made your mother. And you … you are the deceived little insect who I will crush as easily as I could swat a fly.

Cindy’s world collapsed around her. She could no longer withstand the staggering, evil force pushing against her mind from Ms Pembroke and the Turgs. She collapsed to her knees.

Everything was blurring and swimming as the force beat her down, and down some more. Wave upon wave of mind-crushing power. All the while she was thinking – her Father! Her Father! How could it be? Cindy kept striving to block the incoming force, to sustain herself, but her mind was in turmoil. Her Father. Founder of the spy corp, and the man who damaged her mother.

Daddy.

And her mother! On the side of the Turgs! And some kind of hate-filled monster, all locked away for the sake of the galaxy. It couldn’t be.

But it was. She knew the truth of it: she knew her mother was the giant face in the dream, and somehow, nonsensically, Cindy knew this was proof. And as Ms Pembroke advanced towards her, smiling evilly like a Halloween pumpkin, with silvery, psychic force streaming out of her, beating Cindy down, Cindy’s mind started to falter, and her defences started to slip.

But he can’t be …

* Wham! * A blast of psionic force knocked her thoughts off track

But wouldn’t she …

* WHAM!! * Bigger, more relentless, more devastating this time. Cindy started to feel like she was losing her mind. Losing her self.

I …

* WHAM!! *

It’s …

* WHAM!! *

They …

I …

Help me …

Cindy stopped moving. She was collapsed on the floor. Defeated, motionless, alone. Her last essence was draining away, and soon she would not be able to maintain anything. She would be lost.

* WHAM!! *

Cindy’s frame shuddered on the ground. A vague notion of the now distorted, monstrous woman closing in.

* WHAM!! *

A pause …

Then at the last, she felt something. A presence. Again, the mind she recognised, but didn’t know, there, with her. This is what it said:

Cindy.

Succumb.

Let the force in. You need to surrender before you can win.

Surrender? Succumb? To this? It would end her. It nearly had ended her.

I … What … I can’t …

Trust me. The voice came again, and with it, a hint of power flowed in. Just a tiny bit, but maybe enough.

I know how this plays out. Your Father is a good man. Surrender.

Cindy tried to comprehend this, but her mind was all but lost, and what wasn’t lost was chaos – alien hate hitting from all sides like lava landing on a lake. Heat, steam, turmoil, pain. Within this the massive, thudding, surging of corrupted and awesome power. Cindy was dazed. Trust? Surrender? How? She hardly even knew who – or what – she was anymore. It would be so much easier to just give in. To let it go …

And yet …

Her Father was a good man.

Surrender.

He was a good man.

Trust.

…

And, an instant from final defeat, Cindy felt a primal instinct that whoever this presence trying to help her was, it was the one thing in this universe she could trust. She didn’t know how, but she knew it to be true.

She let her final defences drop. She let the attacking force flow into her.

Waves of malevolent silver light beat against her inner mind like waves crashing against her soul, pummelling her with spite, greed and hatred. Her whole essence, her very being, was torn, rent, split asunder. Fragments of what was Cindy split apart, splintered, silver shards, shooting off in all directions. Her mind was being peeled. Yet, at the same time, at some level, it was being cleansed.

And as the shell fell away, shredded off by silver light, there remained her inner essence.

A core of pure, shining gold.

---

She is Cindy Parker.

Beautiful on the inside.

---

Slowly, surely, Cindy stands. A golden, glowing form; bright as twenty suns.

Now the onslaught continues to rage against her, but she feels nothing, just the tiniest buzz. Her mind feels clean, clear, vivid.

She stretches out a hand, bemused by its shining, golden surface. The alien mindlines continue to beat against her with growing frustration as, oblivious to them, Cindy splays and clenches her golden fingers in fascination, first one hand, then the other. She twists a wrist, notes with bemusement the shimmering trail of golden light her fingers leave behind as they move in the air. She begins to step slowly through the chaos, towards Ms Pembroke, who is visibly growing in both rage and desperation.

And fear.

The lines of silver force, so powerful and overwhelming a moment ago, continue to beat against her as she walks, but she hardly feels them. She stops for a moment and takes hold of them, gathering them up in a glowing golden bundle. Keeping the one, strongest, human strand aside that connects her to her primary quarry, she becomes aware of the Turgs at the other ends of the other lines, all spread across a distant galaxy, thrashing against her, now captive, now trying to escape. She smiles. She sends them a message, drawn from when she first confronted one of them, so long ago:

I have come.

Using her core of seemingly boundless power she sends a surge of fierce, gleaming, golden life essence down each line. The mindlines flare into non-existence as this force flows through them, obliterating them, following them to their sources. She is dimly aware of thousands of Turgs flying backwards across thousands of alien rooms as the connections sever in explosions of golden light, and they are beaten. She pays it no mind. Walking towards her primary enemy, holding her fast with her mind, she is once more in the place of control, that place of power that she was last in all that time ago.

You have lost.

“I surrender,” Mrs Pembroke stammers, forgetting she can even mindspeak in her fear.

There is no need, comes the all-encompassing thought, as Cindy looks into Mrs Pembroke’s mind and finds the small, silver source of tainted power that sits within it; the source of her talent. She muses on it a moment. Faint, fragile; what had so recently been a mighty, destructive force she now sees as a tiny flame.

And with one, brief burst, she snuffs it out.

---

And that will do, came the voice from earlier. Cindy became aware of her physical surroundings. Mrs Pembroke was on her knees, sobbing before her. Mrs Primp was still frozen in the chair – Cindy would have to deal with that. But before she did …

Who are you?

Another time. You need to go and sort things out, and I think maybe a chat with your Father is in order.

Yes.

And be gentle on Mrs Pembroke. She’s evil, but she’s harmless now, and losing her power could well be considered punishment enough.

You are right. Well … thank you.

There is no need, the voice comes back.

And then it was gone.

Chapter 33: Aftermath 3

Cindy shook herself gently as her form returned to normal. The golden light dimmed swiftly and steadily as her regular skin tone returned; she felt the power ebb. She let herself carefully and slowly lift out of mindspace. She was shaken and drained, but she seemed ok.

Cindy was still processing everything that had just taken place when, after a few seconds, Selma and Justin burst into the classroom.

The wall just disappeared … Selma began, then took in the scene around her. Oh … wrong quarry … She looked at Cindy then Cindy was aware of an exchange between her and Justin and possibly someone else. Justin spoke aloud.

“I’ll tidy up here. You go with Selma, Cindy. There’s someone you need to talk to. Cindy let herself be led from the room.

“Wait … Ms Primp …” She managed just as they reached the door.

“It’s under control Cindy. Go.”

Selma said nothing as she held Cindy by the arm and walked her out of the school building. Just as they left, Cindy saw her Father come walking up the main entranceway path. The look on his face was one of massive relief. He came running up to Cindy and threw his arms around her in a fierce bear hug.

Cindy didn’t hug him back.

He broke off after a moment, ignoring her lack of response, seeming to understand.

Well, monkey, I guess I have some explaining to do …

Cindy flinched at the mental contact from her Father – it was too much too soon.

“Please, Dad, don’t. Not yet. And yes, you do. You really, really do.”

“Ok. And I will. Let’s go home and we’ll talk.” And with that the two of them headed up the road towards Cindy’s house.

---

“The first thing I have to say is I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t open with you. I haven’t lied to you, but I’ve misled you, and deception is deception. So I’m sorry.” Mr Parker was sat on the armchair in their living room, leaning forward and occasionally twiddling his fingers as he spoke. His look and tone was very earnest, and he was clearly finding this difficult.

Cindy was sat opposite him on the couch. She was still washed out from her experience, but when her Father had checked if she wanted time to recover before they spoke she had said no – she needed answers. She had a steaming hot cup of tea in her hands. The smell of it was reviving her a little.

“So why weren’t you open with me? Why the deception?”

Mr Parker stood up and walked over to the fireplace. He was clearly thinking about his response.

“For a lot of reasons. I could have spoken to Dave and Louise and excluded you from training in the first instance, but that didn’t feel right. I knew – or certainly had strong suspicions – that you were going to be incredibly powerful, and I honestly believe the best way to manage that is with the training we do.”

“We. Right.” Cindy’s tone was flat.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but you know the truth now and GCCSC is my outfit, and my real job. It is ‘we’ – I mean, after all, I put most of the course together. Anyway, I thought the training would be the best thing for you, but I wanted you to make the choice yourself. I didn’t want the fact that I’m involved to be an influence.

“Also, and I’m not sure how you’ll take this, because I know how you reacted when Dave told you my story, but I also thought we needed you at the agency.”

“Let me guess … ‘the galaxy first’, right?” Cindy’s tone was flat, her face impassive.

Mr Parker looked slightly hurt. “Yes. You’ve no idea how much soul-searching I do on this every single day, but that’s how it has to be. It doesn’t mean I would put my duties before you – you’ll always be my biggest priority – but it is something I will always consider whenever I make a choice. You’re going to be a massive asset to the agency Cindy. You’ve already saved the galaxy and you’re only half way through training. You have to admit that does kind of justify my view a little.”

Cindy said nothing.

“I also didn’t tell you yet because I didn’t want to give you half a story,” Mr Parker continued. “I knew when the time came for you to know you’d have to know it all.” He turned away a moment and looked towards the fireplace thoughtfully. “I wish it hadn’t happened so soon is all. But that can’t be helped now.” He turned back to look at her, staring intently into her eyes. “I know you’ve always understood that when the time came that you wanted to speak to me about your Mother you only had to ask, and that’s true.”

Cindy snapped. “What, so if I’d asked a year ago before all of this happened you’d have said ’Oh actually, Cindy, your Mum’s some kind of dangerous psychic monster because I broke her brain when I kicked her out of the secret psychic spy agency I really work for. Now finish your porridge.” Cindy couldn’t help the catch forming in her voice. “I mean, give me a b-break, Dad,” and with that, the dam broke, everything crashed on top of her, and Cindy started to sob uncontrollably.

Mr Parker went over to console her, but when he tried to put his arm around her she smacked it away. Instead she sat on the couch sobbing with her head in her hands, as memories of the day, the training, the realisation of who her Father was, and all the confrontations, trials and issues of the past three months came crashing down upon her. She was dimly aware of Mr Parker sitting gently down next to her, but only just. It took a full five minutes for her to start to regain control.

Then, as she slowly got her tears reigned in, the voice from earlier that had helped her win the day came back – not in a mind message, but in a memory. “Your Father,” the voice had said, “is a good man.” The voice that she had earlier realised she could absolutely trust even though she didn’t know who it was.

For the first time since leaving the school, Cindy remembered she was psychic. She looked at her Father, sniffed, and said “Can I just check something?”

“Anything.”

Ok, she sent, hold still, and Cindy went into her Father’s mind as she had done with Natalie a few days previously.

Love, concern and guilt were at the fore. But, underpinning these, Cindy found a steely resolve – a passionate concern about humanity, and a sincere belief in the threat that faced it and that what they did was the only way to face that threat. And, even deeper still, she found …

… A broken heart. What he had done with her mother had broken his heart. And yet, here he was, still fighting to protect the galaxy, still striving to protect her, still doing his best to be a Father.

And no matter where she looked, she found no bad intentions at all.

Whoever it was was right. He was a good man. Cindy resurfaced.

Daddy, she sent, after a moment’s thought.

Yes monkey?

I’ll take that hug now, if that’s ok.

Oh sweetheart, of course! He said as he threw his arms around her. The hug went on even longer than the crying had.

Do you forgive me? He sent as she finally sat up from where she was cuddled in his arms.

“Yes, I do.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” he said. “I couldn’t have lived with it if this caused any kind of rift between us. I guess this whole psychic thing is handy sometimes after all, isn’t it?” He added, giving her a knowing look.

“Yes, I guess it is. Right, your tea is getting cold and I’ve got lots of questions.”

Mr Parker got the message. He moved back over to his armchair, leaned forward again, looked Cindy square in the eye and said, “Shoot.”

---

“Do you actually work for GCC?” Cindy thought about that. “As a JA I mean. Obviously you work for them as a … well … spy …” Cindy tapered off. Mr Parker smiled.

“I know, it will take a bit of getting used to. Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I do. I show up every day and do my thing. The whole spy business I manage around that.”

“So that Pembroke woman was really your boss?”

“Boss’s boss’s boss. Yes.”

“Didn’t you know she was crooked?”

“No. I had no idea until the wall came down at the school. I was convinced it was your teacher like the rest of them.”

Questions were clamouring for prevalence in Cindy’s mind. “Oh yes, Ms Primp – what will happen to her?”

“She’s fine. Justin and Selma used your breakdown technique with support from Dave and Louise and released her mind. It was easier because she doesn’t have the talent. She came out of it unaware that anything had taken place. Justin has already reported in. He’ll be staying here for a little while just to keep an eye.”

“Oh that’s good,” said Cindy, genuinely relieved. Then, remembering her earlier train of thought she added: “So how could you work with her for months and not notice anything?”

Mr Parker thought a moment. “It’s a good question. She’s – she was pretty powerful, but also pretty skilled with the finesse of it all. But even so, as you rightly say, over that long period you would think I’d spot something.” He thought a moment more. “Ok, I can think of two possible explanations for it. Firstly, she was extremely good at the finer aspects of the talent – I mean, she put that wall around the school and we haven’t been able to replicate that since … since …”

Cindy remembered what she had found when she looked in her Father’s heart and jumped in to save his feelings.

“Since the big event ages ago. Yes, Dave told me. So she was just clever at hiding you think?”

Her Father looked at her with relief. “Yes. She had an extremely competent teacher. And the other thing that may have stopped me sensing her was that she was at my work.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, people have a tendency to put things into contexts. Like, remember when you saw Tess in your dream and it seemed sort of … wrong?”

Cindy was startled. “Oh, you saw that?” He nodded. “Well, yes, I remember.”

“Well, that’s because it was a conflict of contexts in a way. What I’m trying to say is that when I’m at work I’m normal Bob Parker, it’s my cover, and to make sure I keep it I do my best to really live it. So as a result I don’t expect any psychic shenanigans. Do you see?”

“Yes,” said Cindy, thinking. “Clever.” She added.

Now it was Mr Parker’s turn to look startled. “Of course! And that’s why she was there! The whole thing was planned. She took the job in my office for the very reason that she knew it would help her hide from us. From me.”

“It makes sense. She was that clever with me with the whole George thing.”

“Yes. We’ll have to sort things out there. I worry a bit about that lad.”

“Oh I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Cindy said, “what will be done about Ms Pembroke?”

“She’ll go into a counselling programme. Hopefully she’ll be rehabilitated. I’m afraid if that happens you can expect that both her and her demon offspring will be staying right here on Oliver County. The Mother is no threat anymore after all, thanks to you.”

Cindy thought of Jacinta for a moment – once the bane of her existence, she now seemed little more than a petty annoyance from a time gone by. Cindy returned to her questions. “So will you be showing up on Adriá now to help with the training?”

“No. I’m not just covert because of you. I stay covert. You’ll have to carry my secret as well. It’s for the best.”

“But they obviously know where you are …”

“Well, the Pembroke woman did, and we can assume from that that … she does as well, but it’s too thin an assumption for me to break cover just yet. We don’t know if the Turgs know anything about me, and there are … other factors. I’ll be staying right here for the foreseeable. Bob Parker. Junior Admin.”

“And secret head of a psychic spy agency that secretly protects the galaxy all the time.”

“And the secret head of that, yes.” Mr Parker grinned.

“Oh, Daddy,” Cindy exclaimed, and spontaneously jumped up and threw her arms around him in a big hug.

After a moment they broke away and Mr Parker said: “Well, I guess we better think about what we want to do next. I think you should go back to Adriá and finish your training. What do you think?”

Cindy was surprised to find how certain she was about this. “Yes. Definitely.”

That is, unless there’s anything else you want to ask me about?

Cindy knew exactly what he meant.

No. I’m not ready to talk about her yet. I will, and I know there’s things to know, but I want time to process first.

Mr Parker looked equal parts proud and relieved. “You’re a wise girl, beautiful.” And then, after a pause and a smile, “And where are you most beautiful?”

Cindy laughed, and cried a little at the same time. “On the inside, Daddy, on the inside.”

“Damn straight. And now you know it.”

And before Cindy had time to react – What did he know about the showdown with Ms Pembroke? The whole golden thing? Had the whole ‘beautiful on the inside’ bit she’d heard her whole life always been about that? – Mr Parker stood, swept her up in his arms and carried her out of the living room saying, “Come on then, let’s get you back to the facility. Who knows when we’ll need you to save the galaxy again?”

And with that the two of them left the house, her wrestling against her Father playfully as he carried her off toward the transporter station.

---

Cindy stepped into the common room in the training facility on Adriá. Her goodbye to her Father had somehow been both easier and harder than the last time around. They had agreed that a visit with Tess was not a good idea, all things considered, and Cindy had transported back that very afternoon.

“Cindy!” Jane cried as soon as Cindy appeared, running towards her and throwing her arms around her.

“Welcome back, Cind!” Milton beamed as he walked over and put his hand on her shoulder (having to manoeuvre around the still frantically hugging Jane in order to do so.

Natalie sent a thought: Well done Cindy. They’ve told us what happened.

They sure have! Sent Milton. Then, aloud, “You only went and saved the blooming galaxy is all! That’s just amazing!!! Were you scared?”

Jane had broken off by now and looked at Cindy expectantly. “Well, yes, yes I really was,” Cindy replied. “But, you know, you just have to deal I guess.” She looked around the common room. “Where’s George?”

“He’s still under observation in the infirmary,” Dave replied as he strode into the room behind her. “We’ve got some serious issues to work through with him, but I’m sure we’ll get there. Welcome back, Cindy. And, can I say on behalf of all of us, well done, and thank you.”

“It was nothing,” said Cindy, embarrassed.

Dave laughed. “I think we all know how much of a ‘nothing’ it was, but I know how humble you are so I’ll just leave it at that. But before we stop talking about it and start back on our training schedule, let me say one thing:

“Good work, agent Cindy Psi. A job well done.”

“Thanks Dave.”

At that point, Selma came into the room. “Right, who’s up for some psychic basketball?”

With a chorus of “Me!”s and a secret exchange of a conspiratorial wink and a smile between Selma and Cindy, the group headed next door to the training room.

THE END

Epilogue: The Trouble With Turgs

In the prow of a massive spaceship, light years away from the happy union on Adriá, two tentacled, green forms were conferring in front of a huge window that looked out over the stars and a fleet of countless other ships.

“The asset has failed us, oh supreme commander.”

“One is aware. A minor setback, this is all. We still have the primary alliance.”

“The one that glows? Yes. But do we trust it? It is … reckless.”

“You are correct. But one can manage the recklessness. One already has another asset in mind to act as the … Conduit. All that needs to be done is to orchestrate a connection between the glowing one and this creature …”

And an image formed in the second Turg’s mind. An image of a young boy, sat in a chair, looking at his shoes.

Turgs are not known for positive emotions by any stretch, but something approaching admiration formed in the mind of the second Turg.

“This is most … fitting, Oh Supreme Commander.”

“One knows. This is why one is Supreme Commander. We shall strike again, and this time we shall prevail. This troublesome new barrier will be as nothing and their galaxy will be ours. Go now. Be about one’s duties.”

The second Turg inclined its head, or the top of its cone-shaped body that passed as a head, slightly.

“As you wish, oh Supreme Commander.”

As the second alien left the Supreme Commander turned to the window and seemingly mused to itself.

“You are coming, are you Cindy Psi? Well, one thinks you may not like what you find when you get here.”

There followed a sound like the gurgle of something unmentionable being flushed down a drain.

The Turg Supreme Commander was laughing.Cindy Psi will return in Cindy Psi: Triple Cross…