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Mind Games, chapter 2
1.
Dan and the Kents rode in one SUV, while Conner and Max were in the other. Max expected them to do this since it ensured their cooperation. Still, he didn't like it.
"Exactly how did your organization begin?" Conner asked, hoping to get some information out of them.
The spokeswoman from before said, "I hardly think you can call us an organization. It's merely the seven of us who have banded together to make the world into a utopia. We hope that you'll join us to make it nine."
"Have you been together long?"
"Not very. I'll be going into detail once we arrive at our headquarters. I don't think your brother is paying attention; he seems distracted."
Conner knew that Max was very concerned about Dan and the Kents, but also that he was capable of splitting his attention on two different things. He focused on something else to make sure that they didn't pick up on it from his mind.
"You said that physical talents are rare. Are any of you telekinetic?"
"We do have one. As he can draw on our combined strength, he's quite formidable. If you join us, you'll be able to draw on that strength as well."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand that."
"We're all tightly linked together and can draw on each other's mental strength. If we need to, we can boost the abilities of any of our number by an exponential factor."
"That's impressive."
"We're truly greater than the sum of our parts."
2.
The SUVs arrived at a lavishly decorated house. They were escorted to a large parlor and seated.
"We wish to convince you that it's for the best that you join us," the spokeswoman said. "I hope you'll forgive any...unpleasantness that led us here."
Conner refrained from saying anything. Inciting them would serve no purpose.
"Throughout history, mankind has needed strong leaders. In this day and age, we have none. We wish to provide this leadership to the world."
"How do you plan on doing that?" Conner asked, feeling that he knew their answer.
"We'll guide them," she said. "Our judgment shall lead them to make the decisions that best guide humanity, not just their nations."
"That sounds suspiciously like you'll control their minds," Conner said.
The woman frowned. "We'll be a good influence on them. They'll work together, not against each other for their own petty goals. The world will have peace and prosperity."
"I suggest you relinquish your hold on our family's and friend's minds," Max said, speaking for the first time.
"Certainly," the woman said. "We only want you to hear us out."
The glazed look vanished from the Kents and Dan. They looked around, a bit confused.
"What's going on?" Dan asked. "Where am I?"
"It doesn't matter, because we're leaving," Conner said.
"We need your cooperation," the woman stated.
"I don't have any interest in conquering the world," he replied. "Dress it up as benefiting mankind if you want, but it's all the same thing. You're crazy."
The woman frowned, and Conner cried out in pain as his mind was attacked. He doubled over in agony.
"Conner!" Max cried out.
A crash came from the front of the house, and, a split second later, Superman was there.
"What are you doing to these people?" he demanded. "Let them go!"
Now, it was Superman's turn to be mentally assaulted. He fell to the ground.
"Clark!" Martha cried out.
A door to an adjoining room opened, thanks to Max's telekinesis.
"Get in there!" he ordered as he flipped over the seats the seven psychics were sitting in.
He grabbed Conner and Superman and shut the door after they were all in the room. Unfortunately, the only exit was back to the parlor.
"What's going on?" Dan asked. "Why'd Mrs. Kent call Superman Clark?"
"We'll discuss this later," Max said, as he faced the door. "I want you to keep everyone in here safe while I confront them. I'll get you when it's over."
"You're shaking," Dan said, as he went to him.
As Dan saw Max's face, he realized that he was not shaking with fear, but quivering with anger. He was like an entirely different person.
"I don't want you to see me this way," Max said. "Please close the door after I leave and keep it shut."
Max left the room, and Dan did as he instructed. He looked at the Kents who were trying to treat Conner and Superman. They couldn't offer answer any of his questions.
3.
"We can't go back now," one of the psychics said. "We've come into conflict with Superman! We'll have to accelerate our plans."
"We can wipe his mind," one suggested. "He doesn't need to know that he came into conflict with us at all."
"He comes into contact with the Martian Manhunter," another one reminded them. "Are we sure we can cloak our tampering from a telepath of his ability?"
"If we add the power of those two boys to our own, we will," another stated. "They are so powerful; I think we could easily do it."
Max entered the room and the door closed behind him. "You'll never add our powers to yours."
"In a moment, you'll think otherwise," the spokeswoman promised.
As the combined might of the psychics reached out to Max's mind, he threw every single object in the room at them. Max's mental defenses would take time to penetrate, so their telekinetic deflected the objects. Max did not relent and threw more objects, reaching out to the other rooms in the house.
"I need more power!" the groups telekinetic said. "He's strong!"
"There is strength in numbers," one of them said. "He is alone. We are many. We shall defeat him."
More and more of the collective's powers were devoted to protecting them from the onslaught of items that Max was throwing at them. Eventually, all of their powers were dedicated to keeping them protected. Still, Max kept his attack going, even increasing its intensity now that he no longer had to worry about defending himself.
"Arrgh!" one of the psychics screamed as he collapsed, his powers burnt out from overuse.
One by one, they collapsed, burning out their powers until it was down to the telekinetic.
"This can't be happening!" he screamed. "We were supposed to be unbeatable together!"
He, too, burnt out his powers and collapsed, under the remorseless gaze of Max. With a thought, Max returned all of the items in the house to their proper place.
Max picked up a phone and dialed a number.
"J'onn needs to come here," he said. "Please run a trace on this line for the location."
Max opened the door to where the others were. Conner and Superman looked like they had recovered a bit from the mental assault. Dan looked confused, and the Kents looked anxious. Max gave them all a reassuring smile.
"It's okay," he said. "They won't hurt us."
"I heard a lot of noise and screaming," Dan said. "What happened?"
"They won't hurt anyone again."
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