“Like nothing I can describe. I’ve missed this so much. Thank you for getting me out of the psych evaluation. It’s been months! I told them all I needed was another shot, just a little higher dosage, and I’ll be fine. They won’t listen. They think I’ve gone crazy.” He wiped his hands on his pants, trying not to fidget. He needed these two men to believe that he was truly okay.
“Well, we don’t think you’re crazy, but we need your help. If you can go through the tests, we’ll recruit you into a special operations program.”
“We’re going to do this with the drug, right? Just like the program I was in, right? I have to have a shot of it.”Please.He needed to taste the power again. Remote viewing without it wasn’t the same.
“Of course. We plan to keep using it.”
“Okay, cool. There shouldn’t be a problem then.” He smiled in relief. He could do anything with a dose in his system. “I’ll do whatever’s asked of me.”
“We’re a bit concerned about your failure with the last tests before they sent you to psych. This higher dosage might have more painful aftereffects.”
Higher dosage? He looked around the room eagerly, restlessly. “I told them the headaches were nothing! They went away, didn’t they? And they’re just headaches, you know. Everyone gets migraines now and then. Migraines…my family gets them constantly. So, I’m convinced the headaches have nothing—nothing—to do with the drug. I feel great now! Don’t my stats check out? Look, I’ll do anything you ask!”
“Yes, your stats are fine. We’re ready when you are, then.”
“Yes, yes, let’s get on with this. Simple, very simple, finding out what’s in that envelope. Any remote viewer can do it. First thing we learn.” But with the drug, oh man, the things he could do when it was flowing in him. After those first few times with it, normal RV was like cheap bland coffee. No, no, nothing was the same without it. The pain afterwards was a small price. “I’m ready to bilocate.”
“Sign this first, Agent 51. It’s just a simple Human Use Agreement form. Standard procedure, as you know. Then we’ll move on to the room.”
“Oh sure, of course.” He would get a cigarette somehow. Calm himself down. A higher dosage. His stomach churned in anticipation. He would have it very soon.
“Helen, we’ve modified a new button and placed it near the wrist control pad, away from everything. If at any moment you feel you’re losing control, or you somehow lose connection with Hades, or you feel caught up or lost, press this button.”
She didn’t bother to ask what would happen if she did that. Things were going to be iffy, as it was.
“Okay, Doc. Let’s roll.”
Dr. Kirkland took off his stethoscope. “Do you have any questions? You haven’t asked many since the beginning. All right, then. We’ll see whether those breathing exercises and sleeping coordination will get the two of you to work in sync.”
Helen didn’t ask many questions because GEM training used similar methods, but she wasn’t going to reveal that. Hemi-Sync audio technology was part of NOPAIN training in gathering Intel from reluctant targets. It was one reason why she advanced so rapidly during the remote viewing part of her training; she was able to focus and project using tools of her trade.
“I’ll get the target, don’t worry. Will Hades know where it is?” She would rather he didn’t. That would contaminate any test. Remote viewers and their monitors usually worked blind. Afterwards, the real information on the target would be given to them.
Dr. Kirkland smiled. “No, the target information is in a specially sealed envelope.”
Ah, they were starting with remote viewing standard operating procedure. This would be the easy part, then. “Well, that’s simple to find out. Let’s hope being in VR won’t make any difference. If I give you the wrong coordinates, we would be at the wrong venue, and my remote session would be of no use at all.”
“Don’t worry, Helen. Your monitor is very good at what he does.”
Which was…? One day she would demand a resume.
Minutes later, Helen looked out expectantly into the white space. He appeared suddenly, a dark silhouette against the light. Still naked, of course. Obstinate man. But oh, so gorgeous. Her heart still skipped a beat, when she should be used to that incredible form by now. He halted not too far from her, standing like some regal warrior. She fancied she could hear some distant war drumbeat. She grinned. Next time, she would get him a loincloth.
She was pretty sure if he wanted, he could program some clothing at his end. His skill at NOPAIN was intriguing. By giving her control of his outer form, he was hiding his own agenda. She intended to find out what that was.
Hades watched her with an expression all his own, though, one she was beginning to recognize. It fascinated her that his personality was so strong it came through the visual effects of a program.
She flashed another quick smile. “Was that you swimming just now?” Not that she expected him to tell her the truth.
“No. Ready?”he asked.
“Shouldn’t I be the one who says that?”she countered. Remote viewing was her domain here, after all.“Or have you done this before?”
“I’m familiar with the subject of remote viewing, but I’ve never shared my mind with anyone else.”He drew nearer, his eyes a melting trust-me-brown.
Helen snorted rudely.“Nor have I.”And those chocolate-brown eyes were tempting her to share more than her mind.“But then, transcending time and space to gather Intel isn’t something I share with anyone on a regular basis.”
He didn’t say anything, just held out a hand, and repeated, “Ready?”
