Cindy Psi: Spy In Training

Cindy and Selma left the apartment and started heading back towards the centre of town and the Skypark. They didn’t have far to go. Once they’d got back to the massive central intersection Cindy allowed herself to psilocate their quarry.

She’s over in that building. It looks from here like there’s a café at the bottom – the locater has her in there somewhere.

Ok, let’s head over that way. We can go in and get a coffee and wait for an opportunity to make our move.

The two of them crossed the roads using the underpasses that stood on each corner and came to the building on the north east point of the intersection. Sure enough there was a café on the western side of the building abutting the road that ran off north. They stepped down a small flight of stairs, over a water feature and through some narrow gardens and entered the café. They took a seat near the door.

“What would you like?” asked Selma, and Is she here?

“Um …” Cindy feigned uncertainty as she explored the busy café with her mind’s eye. There! “Hot chocolate please.” Yes. Over by the entrance to the toilets on one of the high stools by the window.

The woman in the purple coat?

That’s her.

Marked. “Ok, one hot chocolate coming up.”

Selma headed up to the counter while Cindy sat apparently staring at the menu. She made occasional, furtive glances towards their quarry. She was probably around forty, wearing a purple coat and sipping a complicated-looking coffee of some sort. She had shortish, brown hair and an angular profile; a bit rat-like, if Cindy was honest. Cindy wasn’t sure if she was imagining it but the woman also seemed to be very much on edge. Something in her movements. Cindy decided to have a closer look.

Slipping into mindspace she let the café fall into the heightened focus she was now used to. Returning her physical gaze to the menu she took in Ms Tarkington in greater depth. She was on edge, it was obvious. Cindy got hints of nervousness, guilt and fear. She was looking to go deeper for a bit more detail when Selma returned to the table.

That’s enough for now. “One hot chocolate, there you go. It looks great!”

Cindy lifted out of mindspace to take in the whipped cream, chocolate sprinkle and marshmallow bedecked concoction in front of her. It really did look great. “Yum!” she exclaimed, adding She’s very much on edge. Something’s worrying her, and she feels guilty about something.

Not going to work I imagine.

Well, maybe, but it feels a bit deeper than that.

Hmm, ok. Let me have a look.

There was a pause, and Cindy was aware of Selma doing her own investigating. She was impressed with her subtlety.

Yes, you’re right. Something is really eating her up, isn’t it? Well, that could be good. She might welcome the chance to vent. People often do.

Ok, so what now?

Drink your chocolate. Join me at my signal.

At that, Selma stood up and wandered over to where the woman sat.

“Excuse me,” Selma opened.

The woman looked startled. “Um, yes? Can I help you?” she replied.

“I hope you don’t think me rude, but my little sister and I are strangers here and I wondered, do you live in Brunel? I’m just looking for some advice as to the good areas because we’re thinking of moving here.”

“There’s plenty of estate agents around. They’d be the people to ask.”

“Oh I know, but you can’t beat getting the view from someone unbiased, do you know what I mean? I’m just looking for somewhere that’s a good neighbourhood with a good school for Cindy to attend.

Are you watching her? Selma sent.

Yes. She’s getting really agitated. Scared, and more than a little annoyed. Go careful.

“Well, I’m sure I couldn’t tell you anything about that. I don’t have any children so I simply wouldn’t know I’m afraid.” The woman’s voice was terse and dismissive. Selma decided to push it a bit further.

“Oh, but you must have heard something. What about inner city? I saw Brunel Central High a few blocks away from here. Do you know anything about that?” Selma gave her a pointed look.

She’s freaking out. She’s going to bolt. Cindy sent. To her surprise, she found she was getting genuinely excited.

Ms Tarkington stood up and gathered her bag and PCD. “Absolutely nothing at all,” she said coldly. “Excuse me.” And with that she stood up and started walking hurriedly toward the door.

Call her! Sent Selma.

“Ms Tarkington!” Cindy called as the woman reached the door. The woman turned, saw Cindy, her eyes widened even further, then she turned back to see Selma walking quickly towards her. Seemingly making her mind up, she flung open the door, startling a couple who were about to enter the café, stepped out onto the street, and ran.

Cindy was on her feet even as Selma was sending, Let’s go! The two of them quickly reached the door, slowed only by Selma’s instruction of Not too quickly from here, mind – don’t make a scene, and started to give chase. The woman was surprisingly quick, and already out of sight, but Cindy could still track her via the homing brand she’d placed on her. She’s heading toward the main entrance ’round the front of the building.

She’s going to go up to the Skypark. Wants to lose us in the crowds is my guess. Come on.

The two of them ran toward the entrance of the Skypark. Cindy kept a mental tab on their quarry as they ran and kept Selma informed. She’s hitting the elevator. Do we have to rush so much? I can still track her.

It’s a good point, but you don’t know how long that marker is going to last, right?

Oh yes. Right. We’d better hurry!

Yes.

They raced over to the elevator. Just as they boarded, Cindy felt that same tingle she’d felt previously in The Jukebox and also just before they caught the rollercoaster. As they were forced into immobility for a moment in the elevator she told Selma.

And it doesn’t feel like anyone you know?

No. Not even The Controller. I think I’d probably recognise him now.

Well I suppose the good news is it’s not the woman. And you’re sure this Tarkington woman doesn’t have the talent?

Yes.

Ok, well all we can do is stay focussed on the chase but be alert.

Ok.

They reached the top and quickly stepped out onto the glass plain. Cindy didn’t even think to be perturbed by the height this time – she was too excited by the chase.

She’s up here. She’s heading across to the next monorail instead of this one. There! Can you see her?

Selma looked where Cindy pointed and saw a glimpse of purple about 400 yards away half way to the next building. Yes. Darn, she’s going to hit the monorail before we can get her. We’ll have to jump on this one and catch her at the park before she gets to the ’coaster and gets away.

Wait … Cindy was worried. She checked something. It’s fading. I can only just fix on her.

We’ll lose her in the park. Can you mark her again?

I don’t know. Hold on …

Cindy dropped into mindspace. She tried to send out a mindline to the woman and daub her again but her surroundings were too chaotic for the fine touch she needed. And there was something else …

No, I don’t think I can – it’s too fiddly while she’s running and we’re up here. And I think there’s someone else up here with the talent.

The woman? The bad woman?

No. Someone else. Someone new. Darn it! What are we going to do?

Hold on, let me in.

Cindy felt Selma merge into her mindspace. She noticed at the same time that the woman was closing on the monorail terminal. Selma was spinning a thread out through Cindy’s mindspace using a technique Cindy hadn’t seen before. She seemed to be cutting it into smaller sections and looking for something … or someone.

Oh. Justin.

Justin? Cindy wasn’t sure what was happening.

Hi Selma, came a voice Cindy didn’t recognise, although she realised that whoever it was must have been the source of the tingles she’d sensed previously. I’ll explain in a minute. I’m just coming off the monorail your target is heading to and I’ll catch her for you. If she runs inward use a standard flanking manoeuvre.

Ok. Cindy, Justin’s ok. He’s an agent. Follow my lead.

Hi Cindy. Here she comes. I’ll mindshare.

Um, hi Justin, Cindy just had time to say before the conversation was replaced with an image of a young man leaving the monorail and heading out, passing by the queue waiting to board. She was unsurprised to see that it was indeed the same boy she’d spotted twice in the Skypark and again in her odd dream. About 17 years old, wavy brown hair, and a cheeky half-smile on his face even during this chase situation. Nice to meet you, she sent.

I’d withhold my judgment on that, Selma sent with uncharacteristic bitterness.

Come on Selm, not still sore about Roux are you? I was only following orders.

Yes, I’m sure that’s what you think you were doing. Anyway, not now, focus on the job at hand. Can you see our target?

Hold on. The image panned out and Cindy and Selma could see a row of people. Cindy let her inner mind take over and quick as a flash it homed in on Ms Tarkington, trying to blend in with the throngs of people, eyes nervously darting left and right.

Nice homing for a newb there Cindy! Justin sent, mind voice sounding impressed.

Cindy’s not your average newb.

So I’ve heard.

Anyway, you’ve marked the target, right? See if you can stall her until we get there.

Well, that doesn’t sound like fun. I think I might just send her over to you instead. Be ready.

Justin! No! Selma sent, but the boy ignored her. The next thing Cindy saw he was heading straight over to the anxious teacher.

“Ms Tarkington!” Cindy heard across the mindshare. “Is that you? Sure it is. Brunel Central High, right? You had me for grade 8, special studies.” Cindy had the image of Justin looking cocksure and confident, sauntering up to their quarry as bold as brass.

“Um, I’m sorry young man, I have a lot of students, I don’t remember you.”

“Ms T! I’m hurt. How could you forget me? Justin Gamma. You taught me advanced computing.”

“No, I’m sorry young man, I don’t recall … wait, I’ve never taught AC on special ed. …”

“Well, that’s odd isn’t it. Just like the fact that today is a school day and you’re up here and not in class. Very odd, I’d say.” Justin’s voice had lowered, and his tone had taken on a hard edge. He was within a few feet of her now. Ms Tarkington, panicked, stepped out of the queue on the other side to him and scurried out of the terminal as fast as she could.

She’s on the move!

We saw, Selma sent back, annoyance evident in her voice. See if you can manoeuvre her to here – Selma sent a location in the centre of their shared glass plane – it’s reasonably out of the way and inconspicuous.

Already on it, Justin sent as he pursued the woman out of the terminal. “Hey, Ms T!” He shouted. “Hold on, I just want to talk to you!”

The woman glanced behind, fear and apprehension clear on her face. She continued running, now heading out into the glass plain between the two monorail lines. Selma and Cindy were running inward and upward, aiming to head her off. She was clearly desperate, but the three pursuers had youth on their side and they started to close on her.

Ms Tarkington! Stop running! We just want to talk to you. Cindy sent.

She can’t hear you – she hasn’t got the talent. Norms can’t hear mindspeak, Justin sent.

Oh. I didn’t know that.

Really?!? What have they been teaching you this term? Baking? Justin’s tone was sarcastic.

Look, it’s been an unusual term Justin. Things have got out of order. There’s a lot of backfill Cindy needs that we haven’t had time to provide.

Clearly. Well, for a start Cindy, only people with the talent can receive mindspeak, just like only they can send it. You can’t talk to a norm like this. Hold on, I think I can get ahead of her. You two split.

Do what he says, Selma sent to Cindy. While this exchange had been taking place the three of them had nearly caught up to their now frantic quarry, and she was desperately looking about for a direction to bolt off and escape. There was nowhere, and Justin put on an impressive surge of speed and came around the front of her while Cindy and Selma split apart, forming the other two points of a flanking triangle. Ms Tarkington was trapped.

With a slump of her shoulders it became clear that Ms Tarkington had realised the inevitability of her capture. “We’re not going to hurt you,” Selma said as they walked slowly toward her. “We just want to ask you some questions.”

“Yes, ok,” Ms Tarkington said, now standing still in an area of the middle of the glass plain. “I’ll cooperate. But do you mind if I sit down first? I haven’t run like that in a long time; I need to catch my breath.”

“That’s fine. We’ll join you.” Selma said with a comforting tone, and with that the four of them sat down where they were – to the casual observer just a mother with her three children, an older girl, a middle boy, and a younger girl, all enjoying a day at the Skypark.