Telepath Blues
A Babylon 5 story by Jesse Shearer
Chapter 5: First Tests
Once the vids were complete, Larry was directed to a room similar to the one in which he'd had his initial meeting with Josephs. After a few moments of waiting, Bill Reiner entered with an attaché case and sat down across the table from Larry.
"Hope you weren't waiting too long," Reiner commented.
"Hardly," Larry replied. "The vids were certainly interesting. What's next?"
"Well, we're going to start with some tests to help pin down your talent level a little better," Reiner explained. "Normally, this would have come before the material you just watched, but given your circumstances, things are being sped along."
"This should be interesting," Larry said. "The vids did seem to rely on this having come beforehand."
"Speaking of vids," Reiner said as he remotely activated a system of hovering video recorders, "I'm required to inform you that this proceeding will be recorded for legal purposes and other Corps-specific reasons. Do you consent?"
"By all means," Larry agreed.
For a little more than thirty minutes, Reiner and Larry worked to determine the newcomer's initial level. After all the basic tests were completed, Reiner suggested one that was just for fun.
"Well, it looks like Miss Josephs was pretty close when she said P-2, tops," Reiner said. "You seem to rate right in the middle of range 2."
"What does that mean?" Larry asked.
"Basically, your talents are sufficient for low-level commercial and investigation work," Reiner explained. "It's always interesting work, especially if you wind up assisting the Psi Cops."
"That sounds like it would be," Larry agreed. "Are there any other things we should work on here?"
"Well, there is a simple telekinetics test we do," Reiner suggested, "and it would seem to make sense in your case."
"Okay," Larry agreed.
"Move the coin across the table without using your hands," Reiner instructed his subject as he put a small copper coin on the table. Larry looked at the piece and thought about moving it to his left, which happened easily and smoothly.
"How was that?" Larry asked when the coin had stopped.
"Very probably the best I've ever seen," Reiner replied. "Certainly one of the rarer outcomes."
"Let me guess," Larry commented. "This means I have to quit my factory job, doesn't it?"
"I'm afraid so, Larry, but we'll handle that," Reiner replied. "Now, let's expand on what you've shown me with the coin."
For another half-hour, Larry tested his newfound talent on various objects around the room, with help from Reiner. At one point, the table the men were sitting at was very nearly broken against the ceiling.
"Well, Mr. Solen, it looks like you've got some serious psycho-kinetic talent on your hands here," Reiner commented once the table had been returned to its proper position on the floor. "I'm going to go see if I can find our local telekinetics expert to give us a hand. Promise you won't smash the place up while I'm gone."
"You got it, man," Larry agreed with a chuckle. Reiner had been gone for barely a moment when another man entered with a pitcher of water and a glass on a tray.
"Mr. Reiner suggested that we bring you something to drink while he's out," the man said, pouring a glass for Larry.
"Well thank you," Larry replied. "I quite appreciate it."
"You're quite welcome," the man said as he turned and left.
"Must have one hell of a filter system around here," Larry thought as he finished off the water that had been poured for him and put some more in the glass. A moment later, he reached up to scratch his nose.
"Why do I have a nosebleed now?" Larry wondered, staring at the blood on his hand. As he contemplated the situation, the bleeding suddenly became worse.
"Shit," Larry cursed out loud, trying to control the situation. "Never a damned tissue around when you need one."
As Larry frantically searched for something to control the bleeding with, he passed out and landed face first on the floor.
Author's Note:
I apologize to anyone who has been waiting for additional chapters to this or any of my other stories. It turns out that the past two years or so have kept me busier than I thought.