Chapter Five
It had been a long -- and interesting -- debriefing session back in The Clocktower.
"Man, you should've seen her!" exclaimed Helena to Barbara. "Kid worked him over!"
"That would explain the scream", replied Barbara dryly. She was eyeing the silver cylinder that Dinah had snatched from The Director.
"Kid", said Helena to Dinah. "I never knew you had it in you! That took guts." Dinah flashed a sheepish grin.
"Judging from what Dinah has told us about this device's performance", said Barbara. "I would say that it has a … hypnotic … effect." She set the cylinder down upon her computer desk. "I'll have to dissect it later."
"There's still something I don't understand", said Dinah. "They wanted me to kill lab rats with my mind…"
Barbara suddenly froze. Her face became a mask of horror. Oh no, she thought. God, no.
"Barbara?" asked Dinah. "Is there something wrong? Why did they want me to kill the rats?"
Barbara regained her composure and let out a breath. "It's a … desensitization procedure," she said to Dinah, struggling with the words. "Standard government practice."
"A desensitization procedure? What did they need to desensitize me for?"
Barbara cast her eyes downwards, drummed her fingers once on the desk, and licked her lips. "It usually goes something like this…" she said, looking up at Dinah. "First rats … then cats … then dogs … then pigs … then finally…" She struggled to get the word out. "…People."
All the blood drained from Dinah's face. Helena's jaw dropped. "They wanted me to be an ASSASSIN?" exclaimed Dinah.
"It would seem so, yes", said Barbara. "The Russians have been trying to create psychic assassins since the 60's. They have the potential to wield an untraceable weapon … and commit the perfect murder. Apparently, this is the government's attempt to … bridge a gap."
"I'm glad THAT'S over with", said Dinah, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Yeah", said Helena. "I guess they'll think twice now about coming after you", she said with a grin.
"Yeah … it's over", said Barbara quietly.
THE END