Earth, Blundell Building, NorthEastMetro, Old New York
Paul felt power surge all around him, banishing his quiet dream like dust motes in a strong wind, and he opened his eyes to see the other Talents around him waking too. That was his first reminder that Blundell was a functioning Tower, and had more generators than any other Tower Station in the system. Most Towers used between four and eight generators, more than enough to help any Prime spin the heaviest freighters and passenger liners to their destinations, but Earth Prime had 12 generators that all ran at full power throughout the working day.
It wasn't that Earth Prime was weaker than other Primes. The thing about Earth was that all the colonies and other worlds in the League needed to send goods, diplomats, and tourists into Mother Terra. Long ago, Earth Prime had decided that he need not be the focus of every link that ran in Blundell, and had assigned certain underlings their own generator, to allow them to handle the lighter packages.
As each generator surged and peaked, Paul could feel the power pulling at him. It was as if it were calling him, begging him to use it, but as he reached for it, he remembered the rules posted on the door to their dormitory.
All Talents in Training:
These rules are to be followed at all times, and any departure from them will result in stiff penalties.
No unauthorized and unsupervised use of Talent, including, but not limited to, porting oneself, pathing one's thoughts to another student, and contacting family via path or port.
All students will be in their assigned dormitory by lights out, unless they have an official pass, signed by the head of their dormitory.
There will be no fighting in the dormitory.
Any and all physical activities must take place in either the gymnasium or the recreation field. No rough housing in the dormitory.
No food or drinks in the dormitory.
If you have any questions, please contact the head of your dormitory.
The fact that it was the very first rule stuck in Paul's mind. It was obviously important to the people in charge, and he didn't want to have to return home and face his parents knowing he had failed at this too.
Quickly dressing in his street clothes, Paul went to the cafeteria, searching for the delicious smells that were tempting his nostrils. There was bacon, eggs, waffles, and what else, he couldn't tell by smell, but it all smelled good. Once he was there, he found a buffet style food line. Grabbing a tray, he noticed a sign alerting him to the price of the different items. Shocked, he stood still he didn't have enough to live at these kind of prices. The only item he could afford was a small bowl of plain oatmeal. Depressed, he took it to a table, and mixed in a thick pad of butter and a spoonful of brown sugar. At least those didn't cost extra.
As he stirred it, two other boys walked up, one had a slight greenish tinge to his skin, eyes, and hair, the other looked about as terran as possible, with blonde hair, hazel eyes, and unremarkable skin tone. They both wore smiles, and sat down at Paul's table.
"Hey there, I'm Mark, and this Greenie here is Sefran. He's Capellan, so don't let the tint put you off." The terran said in such friendly tones, that Paul couldn't help but smile.
"I'm Paul. Are you Talents too?" He blushed when they both laughed.
"Yes, Paul. We are, and I apologize for laughing at you. We are all here to train our Talent for FT&T. I'm a T-3, with a stronger emphasis on Port." Sefran said in quiet tones that matched his soothing chuckle. Mark was still grinning ear to ear.
"I'm only a lowly T-4, but I've got an even split on Path and Port." He said with a wink, "Where do you stand on the scale?"
Paul tried to think it through, he hadn't been assigned a number rating yet… though, he remembered Gren saying he had Prime potential.
"Well, when Talent Gren tested me, he said I had Prime potential… but he never told me where I rated officially." He was blushing a deep red now, as Mark gave a low whistle.
"Wowee… You rate then. Don't think it'll be easy or anything, just cause you might be a Prime. That just means they'll work you even harder." Marks tone dropped, and he leaned in to whisper to Sefran and Paul. "But that doesn't matter. I think we're gonna be friends no matter what."
They all laughed, almost nervously, the idea of their futures had spooked them. Deciding to move on, they all began to eat, and Paul stared longingly at the bacon and eggs on Mark's plate. It didn't take long for Mark to notice.
"What? Buyer's remorse? Decide you didn't really want that ol' healthy oatmeal?"
"No, it's just… it'sallIcouldafford." He said in a rush, blushing again.
Sefran took pity on him. "Paul, did you read the manual that was on your pillow last night?"
Paul shook his head. Sure, he'd skimmed it, but actually read it? No.
"Well, that's your problem. All new Talents are given a credit balance as a signing bonus. It's proportionate to your rating, after a required amount for food and clothing. Your Cred balance should be pretty high. Would you like me to check for you?" His politeness was a welcome breather from Mark's brusqueness. Apparently opposites really did attract.
Paul entered his ID number into Sefran's portable computer, and waited a moment, while the Capellan ran the numbers. After a heart beat, Sefran handed him the computer, and smiled.
"Press the enter button, and your balance will pop up. I didn't look, because that information is personal. Please close the window when you are done." He very carefully didn't look when Paul pressed the enter button. As the number came up, Paul's jaw dropped. He had never seen a balance that high before. He had 16,000 creds all assigned for food, clothing, and other essential needs. There was a note beside his balance, though cautioning him.
This balance was deposited by FT&T for Paul McHenry's use throughout the year. The balance will not be added to by FT&T until next fiscal year. Should Mr. McHenry exhaust this balance, he will need to borrow against his first year's wages.
Shocked, Paul closed the window.
"Are they still serving bacon?" He asked, and dashed off when Mark laughed and pointed.
"After the generator begins to shed parts, what is the first course of action…? Mr. Goslin?" The man stood at the front of the room, letting the words fall from his mouth in most monotonous voice Paul had ever heard. It took him a moment to realize the instructor had called on Sefran, who was sitting next to him. He elbowed the sleeping Cappelan, and tried to look innocent.
Jerking awake, Sefran blushed an odd shade of brown, and quietly asked the instructor to repeat the question in a mortified tone.
"I asked what one should do first when a generator begins to shed parts. Which you would have heard if you weren't sleeping in my class." His tone, though monotone, was still sharp with sarcasm.
"Turn it off sir? Then patch through a backup?" Sefran's voice quivered with shame for falling asleep, but he relaxed a little when the instructor let a smile show.
"Exactly, if you learn that well asleep, we might have to insist all students sleep through my class." He frowned, and looked at his watch. "I suppose it's time for you all to move onto your porting class. Make sure you get there by normal means."
The class emptied slowly, as more than a few students were prodded awake by their friends. Paul, Sefran and Mark walked to the porting fields, where Cargomaster Feldman waited for the nine young talents. The classes based on theory were set up like a traditional classroom, with a lecturer and approximately 30 students. The classes that were practical, applying their Talent to strengthening their 'mental muscles', were much smaller, designed to give them more one on one with an instructor.
Once all the students were there, Feldman handed out a list of the various pods and cargoes that needed to be ported today during their lesson. Each student had a short list of items they had to port on their own, and there was an even shorter list that required them to link together and port as one.
Paul found these lessons to be the most interesting. He got to link with the minds of other young Talents, feeling their skills, their weaknesses, and helping augment them. Each time they were required to link, a different Talent was chosen to lead the link. Some had more finesse, and others were more prone to 'dropping' items, but Paul did his best to help the weaker minds along. A few times, Cargomaster Feldman discretely entered Paul's mind and told him to back off, and let the other students grow into their own strengths.
Today though, was different. Two months into their Training, and Cargomaster Feldman deviated from his normal routine. He handed out the lists, but when the students looked to him for permission to begin porting, he shook his head.
"Students, today we will be doing things a little differently. We're taking a field trip." He broke into a smile. "You've all been excused from the rest of your lessons for today, and for the next three days." The students began chattering ecstatically and Feldman let them for a moment, and then coughed, to interrupt their noise.
"I want you to all reach for your clothing. You need one day's work attire fit for a proper Tower, aside from that, bring clothing for a warm, moist environment… a swim suit might be needed, if you're modest." They all started chattering again, trying to think of which Tower they would be going to. "I said get packing! Bring a carisack too."
Each of the students began bringing their clothing and bags, still talking excitedly. Paul, Mark and Sefran had each picked a different Tower in a different spot on Earth. While Blundell handled all the out of system traffic, there were 180 Sub-Stations that handled all the on-planet traffic. There were quite a few in warm weather areas, but only about 20 had clean-water beaches where swimming was allowed.
Mark was sure they were going to the BaCa substation, at the tip of the California peninsula, but Sefran thought the weather there was too unpredictable right now. He thought they would be going to the Oceania substation. Paul, went the opposite direction. His guess was the Greco-Italian substation. However, Feldman proved them all wrong, and as they packed into a small personnel shuttle, he announced they were being ported to the La Plata substation, near Old Argentina's capitol. It was their late summer right now, and the students would have plenty of time to enjoy the heat and sun.
They were barely in the shuttle for a heartbeat, when they felt one of Earth Prime's seconds grasp their vehicle with his augmented mind. Paul could tell, from his mind touch, that it was Talent Merril, one of Earth Prime's newer assistants. Merril had a few tertiary minds linked with him, and they were all leaning on the generator, but the port was done smoothly. Merril's pride and satisfaction in his port was obvious to Paul.
When they stepped out of the shuttle, the heat hit them like a wave. It wasn't just heat, it was moist heat. Feldman quickly lead them into the Tower, where they were met by an official looking man.
"Frank, this is my class. Is there anything you have to say before you and your team head out?" Feldman said to the official looking man, as if they'd been friends for many years.
"Only this Matthew, treat my station well, or Earth Prime will hear of every detail that is out of place." The official looking man turned on his heel and walked crisply out of the Tower.
"Well class, you heard him. Paul, you're acting Prime. Take the seat. Mark, I want you and Sefran to get Paul a cargo list and help the other students get that cargo ready to throw. All of you know how to do this, and should know the methods. Go to it. I will be watching, and grading your activities today." Feldman sat down in a comfortable looking chair, and began writing on his pad. The students quickly began moving, Paul to the Prime's station, Sefran to the station master's chair, and Mark to the Second in Command spot.
As Paul scanned his lists, he noted that most of the stuff they were handling was inanimate, and non-fragile. FT&T was obligated to tell their contracts that a student team would be handling the porting on this day. Suddenly, he felt other minds prodding at his.
Paul, we need to link. Open up. It was Mark. Blushing, Paul opened his mind, and took in Mark's, which already held the linked minds of the other seven students. The weakest mind in the group was a T-9, whose primary skill was managing electrics. Mery could find electrical shorts, generator problems, and friction in the subsystems almost before the sensors told her they existed. Once she knew they were there, she could fix them just as quickly. After Paul, came Sefran and Mark, T-3 and T-4 respectively, and after them a pair of T-5s, a T-6, and a T-8. Paul felt each mind as it moved in sync with his own. They were working as a station team.
First item, twelve pods of mercantile goods to Blundell. Sefran meant the thought to go to Mark, but Paul heard it anyway.
Let's make this good folks. Our first port is to home. We need to make sure they don't think we're a bunch of clumsy lack wits. Paul laughed, and felt the generator revving up to peak. As he reached through it, he grabbed the twelve pods, gently, and his mind leapt across the planet.
Blundell, this is La Plata. Mercantile goods to be transported. Item ID: 43-678-0945. Is there a bay waiting for it?
La Plata, feel free to send them on through. The mind that met Paul's was strong, firm, and unfamiliar to Paul. We should have met sooner Paul, I am Jeff Raven. Why don't you send me those pods.
Shocked, Paul almost lost the link, but blushingly, he corrected, and was able to make the port with no bumps or glitches.
Good job Paul, don't let my fame fluster you. I'm a normal man, and I'm sure you'll do fine.
Reassured, Paul thanked Earth Prime and moved on. The next port went to Oceania, it was only three pods of ore. The next few loads were just as boring, but after a load to LondonMetro station, they received a surprise.
A short woman, with dark hair and eyes walked in.
"May I speak with the stationmaster?" Her voice had the soft tones of someone who had studied Spanish and was almost husky. Sefran politely turned from his station and walked to speak to her.
People, we'll figure out what's happening there later. Mark, move over to Sefran's station, and tell me what's coming next.
We've got a load of sculptures and vases to be sent to Blundell.
Sounds good. He grabbed the pod and lifted it, sending it to Blundell. Before he could ask for another load, Sefran interrupted.
Paul, Ms. De La Venta would like us to transport her to the Lunar station. She says there isn't time to go to Blundell.
Paul looked to Feldman, trying to decide if it was acceptable to break with protocol for this. The cargomaster shook his head.
You're Prime Paul, decide what to do.
Looking back to Sefran, Paul nodded. Put her in the single carrier Sefran.
He turned to his info screen, and looked up the Lunar Station's details, finding the name of its highest Talent… Talent Filips.
Lunar Station, this is LaPlata Station. We've got a last minute addition to the schedule. A Ms. De la Venta, who needs to be transported to your station, is there a bay clear for her?
There was a pause. What did you say her name was… this isn't Frank. Who are you, and why does she want to come here?
Shocked, Paul hadn't even thought about that.
Lunar, I'll be getting back to you in a moment. He turned his mind to Sefran. Did she say why she wanted to go to Lunar?
Yes, she said her Father was ill up there, and needed her immediately.
Thanks, Sefran. Back to Lunar, Paul spoke apologetically. Lunar, I apologize for not having those details at hand. My name is Paul McHenry, I am in training right now. However, to business at hand. Ms. De la Venta said she needs to see her father, who is on your station, and ill.
That can't be correct. We don't have any De la Ventas on Lunar. Hold her where she is.
Shocked, Paul wrapped his mind around the woman in the pod, and suddenly felt another mind pressing against his. Drawing deeper on the link with his team, and the generator, he clenched onto the mind in the pod. Opening the door with his mind, he spoke to the woman inside.
"Ms. De la Venta, please step outside so we can speak." Paul's voice was firm, and he was proud that his voice didn't shake. Her mind was strong, and pressing against his as she stepped out of the pod.
"Well, young man. It's nice to meet such a strong, young mind. If you'd let my mind go, I'll be glad to explain myself to you." There was a quiet menace in her voice that Paul didn't like.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry. I was asked to detain you. I'll need to speak to my superior before I can release your mind." Her said as politely as he could. Her mind was still pressing against his in a steady effort.
Earth Prime, do you have a moment for something urgent?
Yes, Paul, but make it quick.
Quickly explaining the situation, Paul tried to give as much detail as he could, until Earth Prime stopped him.
Just take me into your link, and we'll go into her mind. Ask her first.
"Ma'am, may I have permission to scan your mind? If that scan finds nothing of note, we'll have you at Lunar within moments." He said and pathed his message, making sure Earth Prime was involved in the Link.
"If you must." Her voice had lost all veneer of kindness.
We have permission, Earth Prime. Paul spoke to Earth Prime and led their minds into hers.
It was a maze. Most people's minds were chaotic and a jumble, but hers was rigid and ordered. The thoughts she made were linear, yet smoky. Paul and Jeff could barely see the thought processes that made her mind work.
Well, you seem to have found an odd one Paul… You aren't seeing any more than I am are you?
No, Earth Prime, he's not. I don't want you to see my thoughts, or why I have them. Her mind dripped with venom, and it was as if she had become some vengeful lioness, and sank her mental claws and teeth into the invading minds.
Shocked, Paul and Jeff struggled, trying to escape, but it was futile. They were well and trapped.
Why are you doing this? Jeff kept struggling, straining against her mind.
Because. I have my orders. I will be going to the Lunar base, and I will get there today.
Just then, it was as if their world went dark around them.
"And that is the primary weakness of Talents, students. If you ever stop paying attention to your surroundings a man with a club can come up behind you." Feldman said as he hefted his clipboard. "Paul, are you OK?"
Shaken, Paul turned to him and nodded, then thought again, his mind leaping back to Earth Prime. Are you OK, sir?
Yes, Paul. I'm none the worse for wear. Please thank Talent Feldman, and take Ms. De la Venta into custody. Put her into a shielded carrier, and port her here to Blundell. Make sure she doesn't wake before she gets into the carrier.
Drawing on the link, Paul ported the woman's limp body into a special carrier designed to transport unwieldy Talents. Once she was inside, he sighed, relieved, and turned back to his team.
OK, folks, let's go back to work. The rest of the day's labor went quickly. The team sent the packages and pods spinning out quickly, and as the sun set they let the generators idle and eventually die. Smiling, Paul turned to his team.
"Thanks folks. You all did wonderfully, no matter what Feldman or Earth Prime say, I know you did a great job." He spoke loudly, and smiled broadly. Noticing Cargomaster Feldman standing at the rear of the group, he gestured to the older man.
"Well, Paul, I agree with you. Your team did well, even under unusual circumstances. Good job. Now, tonight, we're all going to the Tower quarters for visiting Talents. Tomorrow, we'll be taking some time to see the beaches of this side of South America." With a wave of his hand, the young Talents wearily passed him, heading for the Talent Quarters, where their gear had been delivered at their arrival.
As Paul passed the older Talent, Feldman reached out and grabbed his arm.
"A moment with you Paul." Once the other young talents were outside, Feldman walked back to the chair he had occupied through most of the day. "You performed very well Paul, admirably even. You've been in Training for less than two months now, and while it's not unheard of for Talent to finish Training that quickly, it is unheard of for Primes to finish their Training that rapidly. The closest thing we have is Earth Prime, who emerged as a Prime and was immediately contracted and brought in to work. The main difference between you and he, is he was an adult at the time, and he proved himself in a very dramatic manner. One you don't have access to."
Paul held himself tense, waiting for a boot to fall, for something to go wrong, but Feldman just sighed.
"You've learned all you can here. Sure, you could take up a position as a second to Earth Prime, but that would be a waste of your strength. Earth Prime asked me to watch you today and think on how ready you are to be assigned to another Planet. I think you're ready. Of course, you wouldn't be running your own Tower yet, but you would be working with the Prime whose Tower you were assigned to, and after that, pending their report, you might be assigned to your own Tower." He couldn't help himself, and broke into a smile, and Paul leapt with joy.
"You mean it? I'll get to leave this old rock?" His smile crept from ear to ear, and he couldn't hold back laughter anymore.
"Yes, yes you will. Just remember, the others don't, and shouldn't, know anything about this. Do not leak it to them."
The next days went by in a blur. There were sandy beaches, fast waves, and hours of sunning and playing. The nine students and their instructor all relaxed, and became a group of friends, though one more senior than the others. All the while, Paul kept one mental wall up, locking the conversation he had had with Feldman away from prying minds. He was sure Mark and Sefran knew there was something there, but he managed to keep them out without hurting their bond.
When their break came to an end, all the returning Talents were brown or red from hours in the sun, and all were refreshed and ready to get back to Training. When their personnel carrier popped into its cradle at Blundell, the first Face Paul saw was Gollee Gren's.
"I hear your short tour of duty went well students. Report back to your dorm, and check your info screens for orders. Paul, you will be coming with me." His characteristic smile didn't miss a beat, but Paul felt the tension floating in his public mind.
"Sir, may I ask why I am to go with you?" He said as he walked beside Gollee.
"Of course you can ask… I might not answer you, though." Gollee's sense of humor was still working. "No, Paul. I'll answer you. You're coming with me because Earth Prime interviews all T-3s and above who are about to be stationed. You get to have a face to face with him, thought maybe I should say, you have to have a face to face with him."
Gollee led him down a maze of halls and tunnels, similar to where Paul had been brought for his test, but still in an entirely different region of the building. At an official looking, yet unmarked, door, Gollee stopped. Paul could sense the tight mental shaft he sent inside, but didn't try to listen in. That would be the worst thing he could do in this interview.
"Now, Paul, do your best. That's all we can ask. Don't lie to him, not even to make yourself look better, or to hide a fault. He'll figure it out. You've got a good mind in your head, I'm sure you'll do well." Gollee's voice was low and meant just for Paul, and as he finished speaking, the door slid open, and there was Jeff Raven.
"Come in Paul."
A/N: As always, feel free to criticize as harshly as you feel the need to. I want to improve. :)