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Authors: Pamela Foland
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to further the conversation. Annette felt like she was holding something back, like Niri.
“So, have you heard anything about what this test will be like, other than what she just told us?” Annette asked.
Becky’s eyes lit up, “No, have you?” Suddenly, Annette felt as though she were being interrogated. She couldn’t tell the source of the suddenly intense interest.
“No, I just thought maybe she said something before we came in,” Annette answered.
Becky’s eyes dimmed, “Oh! So what took you so long in getting here?”
“Niri didn’t mention I had to be up at any specific time this morning, and then the room didn’t tell me she’d come looking for me, and then we waited a little while for Sinclair in the waiting room,” Annette paused, perhaps she shouldn’t have mentioned that, Niri hadn’t, “but that was barely long enough to sit.”
“Hmm,” was Becky’s only response.
“So, you didn’t get a fair shake the first time?” Annette prompted.
“I guess not. No, not really.”
“So you want to be a factor pretty bad to try this?” Annette asked.
Becky shrugged and stared off into space. Annette thought she heard a whisper, “It would make mom happy.” Annette suspected the whisper was telepathic. Then a moment later, Becky actually spoke, “I want to make my mom proud of me.”
Annette’s mind itched. She was hearing people’s thoughts, maybe running into that pole had turned on her telepathy. She shoved those thoughts aside, and thought of what tawny would say, “Are you sure that’s the only way to make her proud?”
“I,” Becky stopped short and glanced around, then she blushed, “Never mind.”
Annette thought about pressing the question, again she got the feeling that something was going on that she wasn’t aware of. She glanced at the clock. What was the big hurry if only to end up waiting? She stiffened, Annette knew there was more to the test. Niri’s strange behavior first brought up the feeling. Becky’s behavior confirmed it, or at least that Becky thought the same way. This was part of the test, that’s why Niri and Sinclair left. Heck, everything from the moment she walked through the door was probably part of it.
Annette fought not to allow herself to think of the mistakes she had made. Now wasn’t the time. Should she have sat in the chair? Should she have introduced herself? Should she have spoken with Becky? Should she? ? ? Annette’s mind froze. She couldn’t do this. How could she have ever thought she could make it as a factor?
“Well ladies, the gentlemen have completed their run,” Angela said appearing abruptly in front of Annette.
Annette leapt to her feet, more out of startlement than out of preparedness. Though standing she couldn’t get her feet to move. Tony and Rupert must have finished the next part in record time if Angela was already back. Annette knew she couldn’t manage whatever it was anywhere near as quickly.
Angela gestured towards the transport pod in the corner of the conference room. Becky followed her, and sluggishly Annette managed to follow Becky. Numbly she watched as Angela activated the controls. Then they arrived in a locker room. Angela pointed, “There are a couple of jumpsuits over there, I’d suggest you change into them, the course is a little muddy. When you’re both ready, step into the pod and activate it then follow the arrows to the end of the course, good luck.”
Annette picked up a jumpsuit and mechanically began changing.
“I take it you’re really into this,” Becky said, “You really want to be a factor don’t you.”
Annette paused, now Becky wanted to talk? As if suddenly no one was watching, maybe there wasn’t. After all they were changing clothes. It wouldn’t be right to have cameras in here.
“Yeah, I’m into this,” Annette answered, “but I don’t think I’ll make the cut.”
Becky smiled, “I know what you mean there. People say Angela can be even
“So, have you heard anything about what this test will be like, other than what she just told us?” Annette asked.
Becky’s eyes lit up, “No, have you?” Suddenly, Annette felt as though she were being interrogated. She couldn’t tell the source of the suddenly intense interest.
“No, I just thought maybe she said something before we came in,” Annette answered.
Becky’s eyes dimmed, “Oh! So what took you so long in getting here?”
“Niri didn’t mention I had to be up at any specific time this morning, and then the room didn’t tell me she’d come looking for me, and then we waited a little while for Sinclair in the waiting room,” Annette paused, perhaps she shouldn’t have mentioned that, Niri hadn’t, “but that was barely long enough to sit.”
“Hmm,” was Becky’s only response.
“So, you didn’t get a fair shake the first time?” Annette prompted.
“I guess not. No, not really.”
“So you want to be a factor pretty bad to try this?” Annette asked.
Becky shrugged and stared off into space. Annette thought she heard a whisper, “It would make mom happy.” Annette suspected the whisper was telepathic. Then a moment later, Becky actually spoke, “I want to make my mom proud of me.”
Annette’s mind itched. She was hearing people’s thoughts, maybe running into that pole had turned on her telepathy. She shoved those thoughts aside, and thought of what tawny would say, “Are you sure that’s the only way to make her proud?”
“I,” Becky stopped short and glanced around, then she blushed, “Never mind.”
Annette thought about pressing the question, again she got the feeling that something was going on that she wasn’t aware of. She glanced at the clock. What was the big hurry if only to end up waiting? She stiffened, Annette knew there was more to the test. Niri’s strange behavior first brought up the feeling. Becky’s behavior confirmed it, or at least that Becky thought the same way. This was part of the test, that’s why Niri and Sinclair left. Heck, everything from the moment she walked through the door was probably part of it.
Annette fought not to allow herself to think of the mistakes she had made. Now wasn’t the time. Should she have sat in the chair? Should she have introduced herself? Should she have spoken with Becky? Should she? ? ? Annette’s mind froze. She couldn’t do this. How could she have ever thought she could make it as a factor?
“Well ladies, the gentlemen have completed their run,” Angela said appearing abruptly in front of Annette.
Annette leapt to her feet, more out of startlement than out of preparedness. Though standing she couldn’t get her feet to move. Tony and Rupert must have finished the next part in record time if Angela was already back. Annette knew she couldn’t manage whatever it was anywhere near as quickly.
Angela gestured towards the transport pod in the corner of the conference room. Becky followed her, and sluggishly Annette managed to follow Becky. Numbly she watched as Angela activated the controls. Then they arrived in a locker room. Angela pointed, “There are a couple of jumpsuits over there, I’d suggest you change into them, the course is a little muddy. When you’re both ready, step into the pod and activate it then follow the arrows to the end of the course, good luck.”
Annette picked up a jumpsuit and mechanically began changing.
“I take it you’re really into this,” Becky said, “You really want to be a factor don’t you.”
Annette paused, now Becky wanted to talk? As if suddenly no one was watching, maybe there wasn’t. After all they were changing clothes. It wouldn’t be right to have cameras in here.
“Yeah, I’m into this,” Annette answered, “but I don’t think I’ll make the cut.”
Becky smiled, “I know what you mean there. People say Angela can be even
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