Chapter 1: Contact
University of Metropolis. 50-year-old Professor Milton Fine dismisses his class about the unknown potential of the human barin and goes to his lab at his room in the University. His project is finally ready to work. It's a silver high-tech chair, with blue lines along it a helmet on the top of it, designed for mind-enhancement, based on similar projects developed by Steve Dayton and Clifford deVoe.
Fine is enthusiastic to test his invention. It has been years since he designed the early drafts. He turns the machine on, sets the control regulation buttons to the right configuration, then sits on the chair and puts the helmet on.
It really works. The machine makes a buzzing sound and the blue lines glow. The device expands his mental abilities, making him solve complicated math equations in seconds. Changing the settings a bit, he's able to read the thoughts of the people on the University campus, focusing on superficial thoughts in order to avoid being too invasive. Some students are too worried about the exams, while others think about their romantic lives. Many think about food. Usually fast food. Cheeseburger and french fries are the top favorites.
His telepathy expands a bit more. It reaches the passengers and crew of a Boeing 747 flight from Keystone City to Gotham. And the pilot of a fighter jet from a military base nearby. And some astronauts leaving the atmosphere.
And someone who seems much different from the others, having thoughts he can't understand. The only one who notices him back.