Computer Age
~METTALIC~
*He nods briefly to the techies as he steps of the
transpod...seems he was always jumping between the bases these
days...he supposed it was their way of keeping him busy, keeping
him in line....ever since he had that little conversation with
Warpole at the reopening of the base... patrols in France,
picking up newbies and now..somehow he managed to get on the
training schedule for the same newbie.....a techno path,
Virus......he sighs heavily as he sits down at a computer station
logging in and checking his orders yet again....*Oh great! *he
leans back in the chair throwing up his arms.... seems not much
training has been done, some but little...noone is quite sure who
to assign him to, that's why the varying training
instructors....he pushes the chair back and leaves the room to
head to the newbie quarters*
~VIRUS~
*the rookie was half-asleep.... and that could be both a good and
a bad thing.... it was when he was half-asleep that his abilities
came into play so far... he didn't know how to actively use them,
but the way his hand sort of `sunk` into the computer by his
side, the way at times he'd been transported via modem in his
sleep... these were some very good hints about exactly what he
could do... his eyes flickered open as Metallic approached his
quarters....*
*He stops before the door a sigh once more leaving him as he
straightens and attempts to take on some semblance of the
superior officer he was supposed to be...he presses the button
beside the door, and wits for a response....its not like he was
expected so the kid could even be asleep, but that's the
idea...training could be any time*
*he turned to unlock the door... his eyes widened in shock...
which was quite evident in his voice* It's open. *he was sure
he'd locked it... and that was why he needed to learn and
fast.... in his half-awake state when Metallic had been heard,
he'd unlocked it without thinking about it..... for a technopath
who knew what they were doing, the wonders of the 20th Century
modern world lay at their feet.... for the inexperienced, young
one the wonders made it even more awkward than most to
survive....*
*The door opens and he steps in, instantly noting the look of
shock on your face and in your voice....something happened, he
just wasn't quite sure what....maybe he should get authorization
to check the surveillance cameras later* You okay?*His gaze
scoots quickly around the room, taking everything in*
Yeah... yeah I'm fine. *Luckily enough he was on their side, and
he had not wanted to do so... otherwise the surveillance cameras
would tell them nothing... then he looked for once the child he
truly was* What is happening? I lock the doors... they don't stay
locked. *he shakes his head... that was just the worst.... he was
started to actually /believe/...* I don't always wake up where I
went to sleep. What the hell is happening? *the room was a tidy
room... lacking the books and papers that usually told that this
was someone from their teens to early 20s... all that he'd wanted
was a laptop... which he'd brought with him from the Netherlands
anyway...*
Ya sure? ya look like something just freaked you out *he leans
back against the door jamb, his arms crossed over his chest..so
he still doesn't believe?* that's why we have to get you some
training...teach you control...then you'll always know what is
going on...*he glances briefly to the laptop* so where do you
find yourself waking?
*he shrugs* Various places. Always in front of a computer
though.. *the last bit murmured* Train me? *he shrugs* Everyone
says that, no-one does. *no-one knew where to start...*
and no idea how you get there eh? *...maybe they should show him
the surveillance tapes...let him see first hand what was going
on...but that might be to much of a shock* Well, that's why I'm
here...I'm more into the physical end of it, but I don't think
your ready for combat training...unless you think your up to it?
No idea. Maybe I sleepwalk... *well that was /one/ way of putting
it...* No... not yet. *the truth was, he could handle shocks
quite well.... perhaps a moment or two but.... he was someone who
relied very much on the five senses.... if he /saw/ it... /saw/
that he did it himself... he'd have to believe
Sleepwalk? ,,*he glances back over at the door* but the doors are
voice activated....did you have these problems back home?...he
glances over at the laptop* how many computers did you sleep next
too back there? or wake up next too?
Not many... *just the same couple over and over.... he hadn't
known the whereabouts of that many back home... at that point,
his laptop `announced` that he had mail... and in pure annoyance*
Not now! *and the laptop... turned off* What the hell... that
shouldn't be possible... unless there's been a blackout. *he
swiveled* Has there been?
*He can't hide the smile of amusement and awe that comes to his
face as the computer obeys you...amazing a technopath..almost
scary what he would be capable of* No, no power outages *he
shakes his head* it listened to you...you have to learn to learn
to control that ability, control your emotions and harness them
...do that and i doubt much could stop you
*he noticed the amusement... but not the awe.... or he did, but
didn't truly understand /why/... computers were just a tool... he
didn't truly understand, at least not yet, how useful his `gift`
could be.... and he asked the fateful question...* And how would
I go about... controlling it, even if you are right?
*a smile comes to his lips as you ask the question and take the
first step towards believing it all* Its a little different for
everyone *he shrugs slightly* everyone learns slightly different
tricks because we all have such different powers, but at least
for me...it was initially unconscious...then with a lot of
studying I learnt how to control it...takes a lot of patience and
concentration....I think one or two the Psis would probably be
best for helping you there...its closer to their powers than mine
*in all reality, even the Psis couldn't help him /that/ much...
much of it he'd have to learn on his own... true, he could get
various hints about how others learned to control it... but in
the end, messing with the mind, and messing with computers and
tech was actually quite different... but nevertheless... if he
turned it off..... he looked back at his laptop for a moment, and
concentrated.... and on came the laptop.. much to the young
technopaths surprise and amazement* God....
*He chuckles lightly* see, its not that hard for some of the
basics...we have to set you up with some of our computer geeks so
they can teach you about components and programming and all that
stuff
*He glances a the laptop* I can turn it on and file
reports...that's about my limit...never had much use for
them...well you've managed to turn it on, turn it off again, then
back on....and see what else you can do...maybe open the CD or
something
Oh I can do all that. *then a thought came to him...* That's what
I'm really doing isn't it? It's not sleepwalking at all...
*another thought came to him.... if he traveled via the
computers... it seemed likely, considering he always woke up near
them... that meant he was entering them... he didn't understand
how that was possible... but if he was... he could rewrite the
programs... from the inside.... a look of fear.... this world was
very much based on computers.... and he realized very suddenly,
that if Michael was right... he could bring the world to a sudden
stop... or at least parts of it.... but he could bring down a
house easily... perhaps even this place.... not that he
/would/... but if terrorist groups got their hands on him....
forced him to do it....*
and that's just a start...*he shakes his head* no its not
sleepwalking, I was letting you figure that out on your own...now
if you could control.. *his words cut off as he sees the look of
fear come over your face..maybe this was going too quick...maybe
he should have left it to am empath or something to tell him..he
can almost read your thoughts...many had the same thoughts when
they first learnt ..the "what if.." factor..scared many
*that's why we brought you hear, to train...in more ways than
one....teach you how to use and control this ...and how to
protect yourself
*he thought for a moment... they'd have to come at him with
knives... guns... the weapons of today... they wouldn't work...
not if he knew they were there.... and he suddenly /knew/ that
with some practice, he'd be able to master this.... be able to
use it....* To train. *he stated quietly* How to protect myself.
Controlling tech and protecting myself.. it's all one and the
same. I control tech... I can protect myself. At least from
standard threats.
It is..most of the time, but we will still train you in other
aspects of defense..you cannot always rely on your
powers....there are ways to counteract them....to circumvent
them...and if what if you encounter someone with your
powers?...you need to cover all areas be able to protect yourself
and others
True. *he quietly shook his head.. and then gave a look* If
there's someone with my powers... out there... *he waved a hand*
They could be causing havoc. If they can control them especially.
They could bring down the world.... *he murmured* And I thought
the worst that could happen with computers in the next few years
was the millennium...
we know....that's why we try to help everyone we find out
there...*he shifts his position on the door jamb slightly* we
find them, train them..and hopefully they will help us find
others *A sigh leaves his body* unfortunately we are not the only
ones out there..but that will be dealt with during further
training discussions...that's a difficult subject to cover in one
sitting
Yes well... it's all a bit much to take in. I have to.. think.
*what he meant was, he needed to figure out the ramifications...*
Its a lot to take in at once...I know....*he glances back a the
hallway* You met any of the other rookies yet? talk to some of
them..they've gone through the same thing...some have been with
us since before their powers hit, but a lot learnt about them
later..
I`ll keep that in mind... *he nodded slowly.. he'd kept to
himself so far... perhaps it was time to change that...*
ok *he straightens up* you'll probably find most of them down in
the coffee shop *He makes a mental note to drop a hint to a
trainer or two to get their charges to 'run-in' to him* I'll
leave ya for now..ya need anything gimme a shout *he turns and
heads out the door leaving him to mull over what he seems to have
finally accepted*