NANCY, KIM AND ASHIYA: GOING TO THE WINDY CITY

[After a lengthy telepathic gestalt, Ashiya, a "scout" from an advanced 
interstellar civilization, has had her battered psyche somewhat soothed 
by her new Earth friend, Kim Brenner, a teenager from California with 
telepathic powers herself. Kim has learned a little more about Galactic 
civilization, and now knows just how difficult it may be to bridge the gap 
between "barbarian" Earthlings and advanced, psionically adept 
Galactics.

Ashiya is now determined to locate Chad Reiter, a ten year-old with 
telepathic mind control powers who earlier caused problems for 
schoolteacher and newly manifested superhuman Nancy Hartwick. 
Nancy and Kim know Ashiya will do this with or without their help, and 
have agreed to accompany her. But Nancy and Kim still have 
reservations, while Ashiya is eager to get started.]
 



<><><><><>

[GM]

After what seems like forever, Ashiya and Kim emerge from the guest 
room. Kim looks her usual unflappable self, though thoughtful. Ashiya 
seems a little calmer than before, though she is still obviously weighed 
down by emotional burdens.

Ashiya says to Nancy, "I have analyzed your children's cell samples. I 
believe Bonnie is mind-de...not Functional. But Jeremy may be 
Functional, and I am not sure of Stephanie. Your DNA, the way Terrans 
have diverged slightly, in the thousands of years since you were 
separated from us, has caused anomolies not accounted for in my 
genetic database, so I cannot obtain readings as accurate as for a 
Galactic. Living cell tissue would give a more accurate analysis, and 
letting me test them for active Functions would be best of all, though it 
would be difficult to do this without explaining to them what I am testing 
for."

"With respect, however, it is more important for me to find Chad Reiter, 
the other Shabaali. I will do whatever you wish of me, to help your 
children, but first I must do my duty to help this poor Shabaali child."

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     Ashiya and Kim find Nancy in the sewing room, working on several 
expanses of green and white spandex.  She listens carefully to the alien 
and nods thoughtfully.  "What's the difference between 'may be 
Functional' and 'not sure'?  Is that the same thing?  In any case, maybe 
we can get some skin samples for you later, though telling them what is 
going on is out of the question.  They shouldn't have to worry about 
Functions...they're only children."
     "Agreed," she replies, standing up.  "I think it's very important for you 
to find Chad.  However, I'd like you to sit down for a moment while I 
explain a few things to you."
     [Whether Ashiya does so or not, Nancy continues as she starts 
putting her half finished costume away.]
     "I've accepted that you're an expert in the field of genetics, because 
you obviously know what you're talking about.  I'd ask you to extend me 
the same courtesy in my field...which is child psychology.  I've trained 
long and hard to know how children think and react in certain situations."
     She takes a deep breath.  "Chad has been abused, mistreated by his 
original parents.  He's come to distrust authority figures and and 
intensely dislikes being forced in directions that he doesn't want to go.  If 
you just march up to him and announce that you're a representative of 
an alien race who's going to take him away, he's going to fight you with 
everything he's got.  It doesn't matter that you have his best interests at 
heart, he'll resist because he wants to be in control."
     "What we need to do is approach him delicately.  Let me try to talk to 
him first, explain what's happening, and avoid forcing him.  If at all 
possible, we need to show this to him as an option, not inevitable 
destiny.  We have to help him to make his own decision...and you 
should be prepared for his answer to be no...at least at first.  If he 
doesn't go for it immediately, that's fine...we'll present ourselves as 
being available to help him without any conditions, and by showing him 
a better way we'll hopefully be able to lead by example."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Ashiya says "Jeremey has traces of Asgur genes. But I cannot find any 
indications of active Functions. He is just as the threshold where he 
should certainly have manifested if he was a latent Functional. But of 
course, you and Kimberly are both examples that you Terrans seem to 
be manifesting much later in life than you should. Bonnie however, has 
no indications of Functional activity at all, nor did I detect any genes 
correlating to one of our Functions. Stephanie also did not show 
identifiable genetic traces, but she is still young enough that, given how 
incomplete my genetic database is when it comes to Terrans, I cannot 
rule out the possibility she is a latent Functional. Some readings 
were....anomolous"

She seems quite frustrated at your insistence that the children not be 
told. "How do you expect them to learn how to use their Functions if you 
do not begin training them early? It is like walking, it is a natural part of 
their abilities, do you prefer them to simply manifest at random and be 
unaware of what is happening?"

She listens patiently while you tell her about Chad. "Terrible," she 
murmurs, her eyes glistening. "How can you do these things to your 
children? It is bad enough you are violent and brutal with each other, but 
to a *child*?" She shakes her head. "I am sure you are educated in child 
psychology, Nancy, but no education is equal to telepathic 
communication. I can see into his mind more deeply than you possibly 
could. If he will let me. And I will show him first that I mean him no harm." 
She smiles slightly and says "I certainly did not intend to simply walk to 
him and say 'I am a representative of an alien race who's going to take 
him away'."

<><><><><>

Nancy:

Nancy ponders the alien's words about the gene scanning, but doesn't 
have much to say.
     She does, however, respond to Ashiya's irritation with her.  "First of 
all, I don't expect them to use their Functions.  That is not a natural part 
of life on this world and I don't think they should have to bear that kind of 
responsibility, at least at this point in their lives.  Here on Earth, the 
parents make decisions for children until they're old enough to make 
their own.  To be honest, Mike isn't enthralled by any of this...and I 
refuse to make an important decision about the kid's lives without his 
approval."
     "I agree," Nancy says.  "It's awful that parents would do these things 
to a child.  However, the damage is done, so there's no use in getting 
angry about it now."
     She shakes her head.  "It's not going to work," she predicts.  "If you 
try to enter his mind and he finds out, he's going to assume that you're 
trying to hurt him.  It'd be better to try to approach him on a level he 
understands first.  You need to be patient.  After all, if you'll forgive my 
being blunt, there's no need to rush this...you're probably going to be on 
Earth for a while."

<><><><><>

Kim:

Kim looks a little shaken from what she's just gone through, but 
otherwise seems OK. She smiles at Nancy's work.

"Have you explained that part to Ashiya yet?"

As Nancy explains the situation with Chad, Kim nods.

"He's going to be as easy to handle as a flask of nitroglycerine covered 
in oil. We'd better work out a few tactics in advance, in case things go 
wrong."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Ashiya looks puzzled. "Oiled...flask of nitroglycerine?"

Dismissing the concerns of the two Earthlings, she says "I am aware it 
will not be easy to establish a rapport with the poor, abused child. But I 
have no other choice." Looking at Nancy, with a slight edge to her voice, 
she says "As this child has already manifested, without needing his 
parents' permission, I must teach him how to use his Shabaali abilities 
properly, and in a non-destructive manner." She retrieves her phony 
laptop computer and her travelling bag from the guest room, then says 
"Are you ready? My computer tells me that several Functionals continue 
to be detected in the area of the city of Chicago. Since aside from us, 
these are the only ones detected in this sub-state, I still believe this is 
the most logical place to look for Chad."

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     "No," replies Nancy with a grin of her own.  "I wasn't going to bring it 
up unless she asked me."
     "Tactics?", she asks.  The confused expression on her face would 
lead Kim to believe the older woman hadn't even considered fighting 
with Chad.
     "Nitroglycerine is a powerful explosive," she explains. "That means 
that Chad will require delicate handling or the situation will blow up in 
our faces."
     "Teaching him is fine," she responds.  "But there's no need to rush 
this.  Try getting to know him first before you start...try to be his friend.  
Trust me, he'll take it much better that way."
     "Several?"  Nancy tenatively at Ashiya when the alien consults her 
computer.  "How many is 'several'?"

<><><><><>

Kim:

"What to do if things go wrong? Where do we meet if we scatter? If 
Chad mind-controls one of us, do we concentrate on dealing with him, 
staying out of the way of his victim, or knocking out his victim?" explains 
Kim.

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Of course I will seek to be his friend," Ashiya says to Nancy. "I cannot 
establish a rapport with him without getting to know him. Do you think I 
do not know how to conduct social interactions? I am not knowledgeable 
about your customs, but I still know human nature and psychology as 
well as you do. Probably better."

"There are at least three Functionals in Chicago, although the readings 
are not precise. Probably because as I already know, our instruments 
are not exactly attuned to you odd Teran Functionals. All are at least 
third magnitude, and one may be fourth or even fifth."

Ashiya seems upset at Kim's calm discussion of tactics. "You speak as if 
we are planning a combat engagement!" she protests. "This is a child! 
And he will not be mind controlling anyone. I will make sure he does 
not."

<><><><><>

Kim:

"I have no intention of attacking Chad" Kim replies to Ashiya, "If he 
doesn't start anything, this will all go peacefully. But it's better to be 
prepared for trouble, than to run around like wet hens if things don't work 
out right, and perhaps end up hurting Chad even more."

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     Nancy sighs in frustration.  "I believe you THINK you know how to 
'conduct social interaction', but you've admitted that there's a lot you 
don't know about us.  Fine.  I'll go along with you, watch everything fall 
apart around your ears, and then try to pick up the pieces.  All in a day's 
work."
     "Though I'm not usually a pessimist, I think Kim might have a point.  
And while you'll be able to stop Chad from controlling one of us, there's 
a very good possibility that those two other Functionals with him are 
under his control already.  We can't be sure how they'll react."
     She turns back to Kim.  "I really can't give you an answer for your first 
two questions...we'll have to see what the situation looks like once we 
get there.  As for Chad controlling anybody, let's assume for the time 
being that Ashiya will be able to keep him from doing it.  I just pray that 
this thing doesn't blow up in our faces."

     [Did Nancy manage to finish the costume yet?  Or is there some 
significant game reason why she shouldn't be able to have it? <g>]

<><><><><>

[GM]

Ashiya looks at Nancy with wide, innocent eyes, obviously hurt at the 
anger in the Earth woman's speech. But although she just doesn't seem 
comfortable with casual displays of irritation, she doesn't break down 
again as you were afraid, for a moment, she might.

"So as you have so little confidence in me," she says softly, "what would 
you have me do? How do *you* wish to approach Chad?"

[Well, I'll say it's close enough for government work. Not perfectly 
tailored yet, so if I'm feeling nasty, it might tear in an inconvenient 
manner. <eg> Yeah, I know, I'm sure Nancy went for a relatively modest 
design, rather than the "almost falling out" look. More's the pity, she 
DOES have 15 points of Attractiveness.... <g>]

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     Nancy ponders Kim's words.  "Well," she finally says, "if Chad and 
whoever else is with him beomes violent, then I think we should leave 
any way that we can.  I'm not going to use these powers to hurt people.  
I suppose the easiest way of doing that would be to pick you both up 
with my gravity powers and then fly away."

     Nancy reaches out and lays her hand on Ashiya's shoulder.  "I'm 
sorry...I didn't mean to get angry with you. It's really me that I'm upset 
with."  She sighs.  "I can't help but think there must have been 
something else I could do, something I didn't say, that would have 
convinced Chad to stay and let me try to help him."
     "It's not that I don't have confidence in you, Ashiya," she continues 
softly.  "If I didn't think you could do anything for Chad, then I wouldn't 
be helping you.  In fact, I'd be trying to keep you from going...not that 
you need my permission or anything."
     "But trust is a two way street.  I have faith in your abilities, that you 
can do what you say you can...but I want you to take me at my word that 
I might know a little more about the situation than you do.  It's a 
reciprocal relationship based on mutual respect.  I don't think that's too 
much to ask."
     She pauses a moment.  "I'd like the chance to talk to Chad first.  I 
want to explain why we're there and that we don't want to hurt him.  I 
want to treat him with respect, because after what he's gone through, he 
deserves the dignity of being able to have a say in his own fate.  And if 
Chad doesn't immediately leap at the chance for Shabaali training, I 
don't think we should force it on him.  We'll let him be, allow him to think 
about his options.  After all, it's not as if there's a big hurry.  And if, when 
your people come back to our world and he still hasn't agreed, then you 
can offer him the same deal you did to me...either accept life on another 
planet or the removal of his powers."

     [Well, all Nancy wants right at this moment is the mask. <g> If she 
has to be seen out in public using her abilities, she'd like to be able to 
keep her identity hidden.
     As for a slightly "racier" look, there are a couple of different tacks that 
could be taken.  One could be that she just didn't have enough spandex 
"lying around the house" <g> to make the costume she wanted.  That's 
certainly reasonable.
     The other thing I was thinking is that after she's been out a few times, 
she begins to enjoy using her Function. (You might have noticed that 
I've been playing it as having a slightly euphoric effect on her.)  She 
begins to loosen up and makes a skimpier version, though she'd 
probably keep the full bodysuit for a "winter" costume.  (Hey, it gets 
damn cold in the Windy City! <G>)

<><><><><>

[GM]

[I figured she might start getting a thrill out of her powers. But what will 
Mike think when she starts dressing in spandex? <g>]

Ashiya says "It is difficult to trust a Lemaar. Or a...someone from a 
barbaric world. If it were not that you are so kind, and your morals are 
not so different from ours...oh Nancy, if only you were a Shabaali!" She 
gives you another hug, reminding you that physical affection seems as 
natural to her as speech. "It is so unfortunate, when you Terrans seem 
able to manifest multiple Functions, that you did not manifest the one 
which would be most suited to you."

"If you think speaking to Chad first will be better, I will let you make the 
effort," she says. "But do you intend Kim and I to stay out of sight while 
you do? There is a limit to how far away I can protect you."

"Whatever our plan, we should leave soon, yes? Will Kim drive?"

<><><><><>

Kim:

Kim nods.

"That sounds OK, unless we run into him using *his* powers to hurt 
people. What if he simply runs away? Do we chase him or let him go?"

>"Whatever our plan, we should leave soon, yes? Will Kim drive?"

"Yes, let's get on with it. We can always talk on the way there."

Kim looks hopefully to Nancy - she doesn't have a license.

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     Nancy shrugs.  "I don't know about the people he's with, but I don't 
think Chad would hurt people to keep us there. Not that he's not capable 
of something like that, but that he wouldn't think that would keep us 
there.  He certainly hasn't been reluctant to kill two birds with one 
stone," she says with a shudder at her grim pun, "but I don't imagine 
he'd think that would be important to us."
     "If he runs, we let him go.  Our not forcing the issue if he decides to 
leave might help prove our sincerity."
     [Kim doesn't have a license?  What kind of 17 year old is she? <G>]

     Nancy accepts the hug, letting Ashiya hold it as long as she likes.  "It 
might have been nice," she agrees softly.
     "I'd like you to be with me," she answers.  "I'm nervous enough as it 
is without being up there all alone."
     "Yes, we can get going as soon as I take care of a few things here.  
And yes, I'll drive...though I'd prefer to take your rental car if you don't 
mind.  I've been into downtown Chicago a couple of times and there can 
be some tricky driving in a couple of spots."
     The first thing Nancy does is get Ashiya's pistol and give it back to 
her.  "Sorry about taking it away," she says, "but I thought you might hurt 
yourself with it or something. I didn't want the kids to be fooling around 
with it either, which is why I locked it away."
     She then gets out a map of Chicago and lays it out for the alien.  
"Now...can you show me about where you've detected all of these 
Functionals on this map?  I'd like to have some idea of where I'm going."
     She takes the mask from her costume and sticks it in her purse.  
"Just in case."
     Finally, she writes a couple of quick notes.  The first one, which goes 
on the kitchen table, will go like:

     Kids:

          Have taken Kim and Ashiya into Chicago for the day.
     I don't know how long we'll be, but will try to be back
     for dinner.  If we're going to be really late, I'll
     call.  Love you all,

                         Mom

The other, put on Mike's pillow under the bedcover (their usual "secret 
message" hiding place), will be:

     Mike:

          Ashiya thinks she's found Chad Reiter.  She wants
     find him to try to help him.  I can't let them go alone.
     I'm hoping that this doesn't turn into one of those
     brawls that we've been seeing on the news...the idea is
     that we'll ask him if he wants her help, and if he
     doesn't, we'll leave.  But if it does go badly and
     something happens...I just want you to know that I love
     you and that I'm sorry if the craziness of the last
     couple of days has been hard on you.  Love,

                         Nancy


     [Mike probably won't be real happy about her dressing up, but he'll 
probably like the costume once it's on her. <eg>]

<><><><><>

[GM]

Ashiya accepts her weapon back, looking abashed. "I am sorry," she 
murmurs. "This is not a lethal weapon though; I only use it to create 
mental paralysis."

She looks at the map of Chicago and shakes her head. "I am sorry, but 
my satellites are not quite that precise. If you were Galactics and your 
Functions matched established parameters, perhaps, and certainly if the 
Functionals were of a higher magnitude, or using their powers 
continuously. But the psi-sensors on our satellites are not as powerful 
and sophisticated as those we had aboard our ship. I cannot pinpoint 
exactly where in the city they are from orbit. I have already sent another 
probe down into the area. Hopefully it will give us a better approximation 
by the time we arrive." Glancing at Nancy, she adds "That is why I sent a 
probe looking for you; from orbit, I was only able to track your presence 
in this town, yours and Chad's. Even the contragravity waves you 
generated were too weak to pinpoint closer than within two miles. I hope 
they do not have powers similar to yours and can detect it. Though so 
far, no one else seems to be generating gravity waves."

* * * * *

After all preparations have been made, the three of you set out for 
Chicago, in the car that was rented by Ashiya and driven by Kim, both 
illegally. <g>

Along the way, Ashiya continues monitoring the information her satellites 
are giving her.

"There are now at least one hundred active Functionals on your planet," 
she says. "Some of them as high as eighth magnitude! Not only are you 
Terrans manifesting with multiple Functions, but your power level is 
unusually high, at least as an average among those who are Functional 
at all."

Some miles later, her eyes widen and she begins concentrating intently 
on her computer display (you have learned that the keyboard is nothing 
more than a prop; she seems to give it commands telepathically. She 
also told you that the real computer is about the size of her little finger; 
she uses the phony casing because the bulkier equipment is necessary 
to connect with primitive Terran devices.) "In New York City!" she 
exclaims, "Where that terrible battle was fought last night. There is a 
Functional who is displaying- shailus hainukashi! Magnitude...over one 
hundred!" She looks pale. "Shilus aiyesh, what *are* you people?"

<><><><><>

Kim:

>Ashiya accepts her weapon back, looking abashed. "I am sorry," she
>murmurs. "This is not a lethal weapon though; I only use it to create
>mental paralysis."

"We use Game Shows for that" quips Kim.

>"There are now at least one hundred active Functionals on your 
planet,"
>...
There is a Functional who is displaying- shailus hainukashi!
>Magnitude...over one hundred!" She looks pale. "Shilus aiyesh, what 
*are*
>you people?"

"How powerful is that, relatively? What sort of magnitude are we? And is 
the scale linear or logarithmic?"

Kim's interest in Mathematics is betrayed <g>

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     "It wasn't a problem," answers Nancy, waving the apology off.  "The 
kids saw you bring it out, I thought it might be too tempting to leave 
around, especially since we didn't know how to activate it or what it did, 
so we put it out of reach. I wouldn't worry about it."
     She gives Kim a scathing look as she makes her little quip.  "Don't 
ask, Ashiya...it would take too long to explain...."
     "I still need to know the general area we're heading towards," the 
older woman says.  "So I suppose we'll go for the next best thing...where 
would you like to rendezvous with your probe?  Can't you contact it from 
here and make sure it hasn't been detected?"
     [It's okay if you don't want to be specific on where they're going, as 
long as Nancy knows. <g>]

* * * * *

     Being a conscientious driver (of course! <g>), Nancy isn't paying a 
whole lot of attention to Ashiya's words as they travel down the highway.  
"Maybe that's because once the 'repressed' genes come into play, 
they're making up for lost time," she postulates.
     "I don't know," answers Nancy as the alien announces the incredibly 
powerful entity on the East Coast, "but I'm glad we didn't go there...."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Ashiya shakes her head. "Functional genetics do not work that way." 
She sighs. "I don't think. It is hard to make any informed statements 
about your people now."

"Magnitude is a logarithmic measurement," she says to Kim. She still 
looks shaken by the readings she's getting on her display. "I am third 
magnitude, which is where about eighty percent of all Galactics fall. You 
are also third magnitude, at least in your Shabaali Function. I do not 
know about your...Sebth or Atla Functions. And Nancy has not given me 
the opportunity to measure her yet. Each higher magnitude is 
geometrically rarer. About one in a million have a magnitude of ten or 
higher." Staring at her displays, she adds "Every once in a while, 
someone will be born with a phenominally powerful Function, either an 
evolutionary leap forward or a genetic throwback, depending on which of 
many theories you believe. Every generation, each race produces a 
handful of individuals with double-digit magnitudes. But....there has not 
been any Galactic with a magnitude of a hundred in two centuries. Dadv 
Earth-Shaker, a Lemaar, was said to have a magnitude in the 
thousands, but our instruments really cannot measure that high, and 
Dadv has become so much a legend that-" she sighs. "Anyway. The 
power of someone with a magnitude this high is tremendous. According 
to my readings, this one in New York City seems to be a Lemaar, which 
would mean someone capable of telekinetically moving hundreds of 
tons!"

"If this is not a genetic aberration, a freak occurence on your planet, I 
believe now more than ever that the galaxy will go to war over your 
people. If you can actually transmit such power through genetic 
inheritance, your genes will be the most valuable resource in the 
galaxy."

<><><><><>

Kim:

Kim whistles.

"Whew! I hope it isn't someone who wants to juggle skyscrapers for a 
hobby. If they want to push people around, there could be a lot of 
trouble."

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     "Going to war over us?", Nancy says.  "It seems like that would hardly 
be worth their time...I mean, there's only 100 of these New-Type [<g>] 
Functionals.  That's one person out of about 5 million.  Not really a 
significant percentage of the population.  And our Functional population 
is too small to tell whether or not the Galactic norms as far as power 
levels holds true or not."
     "And as far as we know, those power levels AREN'T transmissible, 
since the only Terran Functional we know who has kids is me...and we 
don't know what sort of powers Jeremy and Stephanie have.  Bonnie 
doesn't have any that you can detect."
     She thinks for a minute.  "I still can't help but think that all of these 
Functionals must have been triggered by some environmental factor.  
These weird powers and wildly fluctuating levels of ability manifesting all 
at the same time is just too coincidental."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Something about your planet is unusual, Nancy," Ashiya agrees. "But 
you are still humans, and your powers are still psionic in nature, even if 
not exactly like ours. Our Functions are heritable traits, and so have 
yours been, though more random. In a predominantly mind-dead 
population, active Functions are a recessive trait. A Functional Terran 
has a chance of passing that ability on to their children, but only 
marginally so. When we were monitoring Earth, we did pay particular 
attention to the immediate descendants of the few Functionals we 
collected, when this was possible. It was slightly more probable that new 
Functionals would manifest from within the same bloodline. The Sebth 
should have been doing the same thing, though it would not surprise me 
if they did not bother."

"How can we know if other Functionals have children? You and Kim are 
the only ones I have met so far. Among a hundred others, surely some 
are probably also adults, since so many of you are manifesting late, so 
probably some of the others have children also. The fact that two of your 
three children are possible Functionals suggests a higher inheritance 
than has been the case among your population. Galactics pass along 
their Functions over ninety-nine point nine percent of the time. For you 
Terrans, it has been less than ten percent for immediate descendants, 
then dropping to under one percent with the next generation and then 
virtually the same as the rest of the population after that. If even one of 
your children is Functional, you may be simply one of the fortunate ones, 
but if two are Functional, you probably have achieved an inheritance 
factor approaching ours. If we learn that more of these Terran 
Functionals have children who are also Functional, it will surely mean a 
drastic evolution in your gene pool." Ashiya speaks confidently, 
obviously discussing a subject she is knowledgeable in, and possibly as 
a distraction from the shocks that she has endured lately. She hesitates 
now and then over a word or a phrase, reminding you that English is still 
a foreign language to her, though her idiomatic grasp is noticeably 
improving even in the short time since you met her.

"So the heritability of your Functions is increasing. And even if you 
stabilize at one active Functional in five million, it would represent a 
large jump. Previously, about one in ten million Terrans was probably 
latent, and perhaps ten percent of those might manifest in their lifetime. 
And of course, never as you are manifesting now."

"There may indeed be an environmental factor, and if so, it is vital we 
learn what it is."

"It WILL be worth their...our, time," she finishes softly. "Even the chance 
that your genes could mix with ours would represent a radical alteration 
in the balance of power. And there are other issues that...you may not 
be prepared for." She glances at Kim. Then looking back at Nancy; "You 
must abandon the hope that you will simply be left alone, that Galactic 
civilization will not bother with you. You are not going to be left alone. 
There is absolutely no chance of that."

<><><><><>

Kim:

Kim shrugs.

"Like I said to Nancy, the genie won't go back into the bottle. We *have* 
Functionals now, for better or worse. Our best hope might be for the 
various groups to get in each other's way squabbling over us."

<><><><><>

Nancy:


     [The bit about other Functionals having kids that Ashiya is objecting 
to was my fault.  I said "...since the only Terran Functional we know who 
has kids is me...." when I meant "...we know of who...".  Sorry.]

     Nancy shakes her head.  "This just doesn't add up for me.  The Sebth 
have only been taking other Sebth for the last few hundred years, right?  
So where have all the other Functionals been?  I mean, even if only one 
in 100 million have manifested before now, the Earth's population has 
been in the billion range for a long time.  There should have been 
dozens of Functionals wandering around...but we haven't heard about 
anything like that."
     "Well, the best guess that I can make is that the people around Chad 
began having problems starting around a year ago. Were your people or 
the Sebth doing anything about that time as far as you know?  I don't 
know of any earthly event that could account for a change like this."
     "Given what you've told us about Galactic culture, most of its races 
are interested in maintaining the status quo. What would be best for 
both us and you would be to declare the Earth off limits, set up an 
observation platform of some kind, and make sure nobody gets to exploit 
us."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"The Sebth scanned for all Functionals, but only Sebth were given 
proper consideration. The rest they most likely arbitrarily removed their 
Functions, possibly offering them a choice in terms that made their 
decision unavoidable. Suppose 'space aliens', particular large, warlike 
aliens resembling a race that most of your planet holds in contempt, 
teleported you into their ship and simply told you that either they could 
take you off into space or they could remove an unnatural power you 
possessed and return you home with no memory of the incident? That is 
what they would do with non-Sebth, most likely."

Ashiya shakes her head. "It is difficult for me to convey information only 
verbally. It would be so much easier if I could gestalt with you as I did 
with Kim. But I have surely given you some mistaken impressions of 
Galactic civilization."

"What your people might desire is to be placed off limits, but this will not 
happen. Nancy, I see your hope that somehow things will work out to 
maintain *your* status quo, but it will not! You have no special status, 
you are part of the human race and your genetic heritage is part of the 
Compact even if you are not aware of it. Your people *are* subject to 
Galactic law. The fact you have an uninformed presumption of autonomy 
is meaningless. Just as we have a responsibility to you, one we have 
probably neglected for far too long, you also have a responsibility to us. 
The human race must evolve, and your people may be the key! If you 
have somehow unlocked the ability to manifest the entire spectrum of 
psionic Functions, and at such unprecedented power, you have a 
*responsibility* to allow that genetic potential to be shared with the rest 
of humanity. And you will not be permitted to remain isolated, without 
interference from Galactic civilization."

She senses Nancy's apprehension, and looks hesitant, afraid she'll 
offend her again. "You are thinking of us as aliens, outsiders who will 
come and conquer you. From our point of view, you are an isolated 
pocket of humanity that was somehow allowed to become disconnected 
from the rest of civilization. That does not mean you are now immune to 
the rules of that civilization. We will have to take your ignorance into 
account when we reassimilate you, but you will not be permitted to claim 
the special privelege of administering your entire planet and all the 
people on it as a Galactic Council unto yourselves. If a group of people 
was found living in isolation in the...United States of America, in one of 
your wildernesses, even if they had never heard of the United States of 
America, would they be immune to your laws? If I understand your 
territorial customs correctly, I do not think so. This is a similar situation. 
Please Nancy, reconcile yourself to this. And if you cannot, then please 
forgive me, because I wish you no harm and no distress, but it will be 
this way. Regardless of what you think and regardless of what I think."

<><><><><>

Kim:

"I think there's going to be trouble", says Kim simply, "If a bunch of 
isolated wilderness dwellers were approached by a group of cops and 
told that they were now under police control, there'd be a fight. And they 
might continue to fight, until they *were* given autonomy - that's 
happened often enough on Earth. This is what worries me about your 
Galactic Council - I think it'll come wandering in, all arrogance and 
ignorance, and screw everything up for both us and itself."

She sighs, then smiles.

"On the other hand, perhaps I'm just being pessimistic. If the Galactic 
Council uses subtley and a bit of tact, it could probably get the result it 
wants without turning the Earth into an enemy. Arranging things so that 
everyone *wants* the Earth to become part of Galactic civilization would 
work wonders."

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     Nancy's jaw clenches as Ashiya talks, but by the time the alien has 
finished her face is a stony mask.  "I am not going to argue about this," 
she says in a controlled voice. "If that's the way you say it's going to be, 
then I'm sure nothing I say or do will be able to change things.  So why 
don't we just drop the subject and talk about something else?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Yes Nancy," Ashiya says docilely, lowering her eyes and obviously 
upset again at the Earth woman's displeasure.

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     Ashiya (and perhaps Kim) can feel Nancy's rage go white hot as the 
alien meekly turns away.  Suddenly, the human at the wheel takes the 
nearest exit, pulls into the closest parking lot, and gets out of the car. 
"I...need...to...powder...my...nose," she says between clenched teeth.  
"Be back...in a while...stay...here...."
     Trembling with the effort of keeping control, she closes the door with 
exaggerated care, turns, and walks off, disappearing behind some 
nearby buildings.
     [Assuming nothing happens to her while she's gone <g>:]
     She comes back about 10 minutes later, her eyes red and her voice a 
bit hoarse.  "All right," she says softly, "let's get this over with."  She 
seems somewhat calmer than before.

     [Basically, Nancy would like to find a place where she can sit alone, 
away from anyone else and especially the others, and vent her 
frustration by crying and a little judicious screaming.  <g>]

     [Nancy's upset because Ashiya doesn't "argue fair". Nancy has some 
very strong feelings on this issue and would love to discuss them with 
Ashiya to make her understand the Terran perspective.  However, the 
alien's viewpoint doesn't seem very malleable.  And what's worse, when 
things get hot and heavy, Ashiya gets upset...and Nancy, who has 
become rather fond of her, doesn't want to upset Ashiya since she 
doesn't seem to deal with it well.  This means she internalizes her anger, 
which, of course, does no good whatsoever for the psychic, which 
makes her more upset, which makes Nancy feel worse....
     It's basically a big vicious circle.]

<><><><><>

[GM to Kim]

She speaks to you telepathically: **I am only trying to prepare her for the 
inevitability that your world is going to change. Why is she angry at me? 
I do not mean to upset her, I keep telling you that it is not I who will make 
any of these decisions!**

In response to your comments, she sighs sadly. **Kim, I am afraid that, 
in all honesty, most Galactics are not likely to be 'tactful' with you. You 
are not in a position to dictate terms, and few will be willing to have 
barbarians tell them how you want your mismanaged planet to be 
brought under proper administration.** Knowing as you do how little 
respect Ashiya has for Terran civilization, if she's right about the 
Shabaali being the *most* benevolent and tolerant of the Galactic races, 
you have little doubt that what she says is true; the Galactic Council is 
not likely to care much whether or not Earthlings are happy with their 
new status. Her eyes fill with tears as your skeptical and pessimistic 
thoughts fill your head. **I do not want any of you to suffer,** she adds. 
**No Shabaali does! But, I really do not think all your people would 
embrace us no matter how we approach them. Nancy is angry at me and 
I have tried to reassure her every way I can. I cannot lie and tell you 
everything will be as you wish it to be!**

<><><><><>

Kim:

**It sounds like your Galactic Council still has a lot to learn. We learned 
the hard way that you can't force a solution onto people, no matter how 
`good' it may be. We don't like being told what to do - even if it is in our 
best interests. I'll put it bluntly, Ashiya: the Galactic Council is going to 
end up at *war* with the Earth, if it just wanders in and takes over. Earth 
can never win, but that won't stop it. Wars don't stop just because one 
side finds it hopeless. There will be many deaths, and a great deal of 
suffering. And it will be the fault of the Galactic Council, since they could 
have achieved their aims peacefully if they'd tried. You may think that 
the people who get food and medicine will support the Galactic Council, 
that only a `spoilt' minority will resist them: the support will only last until 
farmers discover they can't choose what they grow and who they sell it 
to, until workmen find they no longer have a say in where they work. 
They'll look enviously on the Galactic Council that they're excluded from. 
It'll start with a few small grumbles, and escalate. And any sort of blatant 
mind-control to `correct' people will accelerate this process**

[After Nancy has gone to "powder her nose", Kim switches to speech, 
but tries to maintain a friendly tone]

"Now can you see what will happen? We are pretty tolerant, as humans 
go, but you've already got Nancy fuming off in rage. Effectively saying 
`this is what is going to happen, whether you like it or not' makes us 
react `Like hell it is', and become determined to fight it. And the way you 
calmly accept that whatever the Galactic Council does must be right, 
because it is the Galactic Council doing it and nothing can change it, 
brings up some of the worst nightmares of our history."

"Suppose the Shabaali are put in charge of the Earth. You are an 
`adventurous' Shabaali, interested in going beyond your society, and 
you've had special training to observe the Earth. Yet you are still badly 
hurt by any criticism or dislike - what we call being thin-skinned. What 
would happen to an *untrained* Shabaali in the same circumstances? I 
think they would find it hard to take."

"When the Galactic Council decides to do something about the Earth, 
they will send someone to ask you about it. At least, assuming that they 
have at least one brain cell between them, and realise that talking with 
an observer on the spot would be a good idea whatever they planned to 
do. So you will probably have a say, albeit a very small one, in what 
happens. I'm hoping that you can persuade someone higher up that a 
softer approach will reap the greatest reward. That is why Nancy is 
upset at you - she feels that you aren't interested in finding a good 
solution, you just want to do the Galactic Council's bidding."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"'Untrained' Shabaali would not come here," Ashiya says quietly. "You 
are right, they could not bear it."

Ashiya seems to have nothing else to say. She just sighs and shakes 
her head, and seems to be trying to hold back tears.

When Nancy returns, Ashiya looks down at her hands, and remains 
silent until Nancy speaks again, asking for guidance.

As you approach Chicago, Ashiya begins giving Nancy more specific 
directions, as she tells you her probe is definitely picking up active 
readings, and getting a more precise fix on at least two Functionals. You 
realize that Ashiya is directing you towards one of Chicago's worst 
areas.

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     As they start zeroing in on the Functionals, Nancy starts looking 
worried.  "Are you sure at least one of the Functionals you've found is 
Shabaali?", she asks.  "I'd hate to come into a neighborhood like this 
and not find the right person."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"No, I am not sure," Ashiya says gently. "If you wish to stop and let me 
out, I will proceed on my own."

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     Nancy sighs when Ashiya offers to continue by herself. "I meant what 
I said and I said what I meant," she quotes, "An elephant's faithful...100 
percent."  She looks to the baffled alien.  "Sorry, it's a quote from Dr. 
Suess...a children's book.  Anyway, I agreed to help you and I'll live up 
to my promise.  I was just wondering if you had any idea if we were on 
the right track."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Nancy is beginning to sense those gravity pulses again, the ones she 
felt when Ashiya's probe came for her the first time. And- Ashiya's 
"laptop" is emanating gravity pulses in response now!

"We are...on the right track, yes," says Ashiya. "There is a Functional 
nearby, very close! Go east- southeast-"

She continues giving directions which unfortunately don't correlate to the 
streets you happen to be traveling. Nancy navigates as best she can, 
and you continue heading into one of the worst housing projects in 
Chicago; Cabrini Green.

Kim has been in downtown Oakland now and then, and this place looks 
much the same. A place where gang warfare erupts in the streets and 
children dodge bullets on their way to school. Drug dealers and drug 
users make up a significant percentage of all the people you see on the 
street. The majority of the residents, of course, are just ordinary, law 
abiding people too scared to come out of their houses and disintegrating 
apartment buildings, but too many of those who don't stay home are the 
reason for those who do.

Nancy, who's spent most of her life in mostly white suburbs, has always 
prided herself on being non-racist, but the unfriendly looks you get in 
this predominantly black neighborhood make her extremely 
uncomfortable. She's not been in neighborhoods like this very often.

"To me, all of Earth evokes the feelings you get here, Nancy," Ashiya 
murmurs softly. "To me, this place is just a slightly hotter part of hell."

And suddenly she looks up and says "Very close, almost-"

A fireball shoots overhead, blazes down the street, flying about ten feet 
off the ground, then makes a ninety degree turn at the next corner 
directly ahead of you, and flies off to the right, blocked from sight by a 
liquor store.

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     "That's interesting," Nancy says.  "Why is your computer sending out 
gravity waves?"
     When Ashiya comments about the emotional environment of Earth, 
Nancy replies dryly, "When you go looking for the worst in people, you 
generally find it.  It's easy to find fault."
     "That must be him!", the older woman says.  She starts following him 
at the best speed the terrain will allow, though she won't go more than 
about 10 mph over the speed limit (safety first! <G>).  As they round the 
corner, she tells them, "Whoever it is, he's been in the news up here. He 
wrecked a crackhouse...and I think he did something else. I can't 
remember off the top of my head."

<><><><><>

Kim:

"Flashy" murmurs Kim, "Is that fireball a Functional, or was it something 
created by a Functional? I don't think it's Chad, unless he's suddenly 
developed a taste for self-immolation."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"This unit is too small to individually track and maintain narrowbeam 
communications with all my satellites and probes, especially while we 
are moving," Ashiya says in answer to Nancy's question. "I had been 
using widebeam transmissions to communicate with them, and set the 
unit to use radio waves after you told me you could sense gravity waves, 
as I did not wish to disturb you. But radio reception just became poor 
suddenly, for some reason, and the computer automatically switched to 
gravity waves, which are more efficient. If it causes you discomfort," she 
adds apologetically, "I will switch to narrowbeam with the nearest probe 
and suspend widebeam communications, which means unfortunately I 
will lose touch with my satellites for the moment."

When Kim asks about the fireball, Ashiya gazes after it in the direction it 
flews, and says, as if she does not quite believe it, "According to my 
probe, that WAS the Functional." She shakes her head and says "A 
person who can...transform into energy, that would require...I do not 
know. Asgur Functions, certainly, and probably some measure of Atla 
and Lemaar abilities as well. It defies..." she sighs. "Why do I bother 
trying to make sense of this world?"

Nancy pursues the fireball, realizing that it is leading you all straight into 
the infamous Cabrini Green housing projects. If Ashiya was deliberately 
looking for a place in Chicago where the three of you are likely to run 
into trouble, she couldn't have found a better one. But Nancy is quite 
sure that Ashiya is not going to be deterred, and would undoubtedly 
insist again that she be allowed to continue on her own if the 
Earthwomen balk, and that would surely lead to worse trouble, at least 
for her, and maybe for Earth....

Coming around a corner and heading up a narrow street that runs 
between two large apartment complexes, Nancy suddenly slams on the 
brakes as three men step into the street in front of her.

A number of young black men in obvious gang colors are coming out of 
alleyways and shops and from parked cars along the sides of the street, 
gathering in two groups, facing each other across a distance of about 
thirty feet. Knives, chains, and here and there, pistols, sawed-off 
shotguns and even a couple of Uzis are evident. The blood drains from 
Nancy's face as she realizes that you've suddenly become witnesses to 
a gang shootout about to begin. The group nearest you has had its 
attention diverted by the sudden appearance of a car filled with middle-
class white women (well, Ashiya isn't white but she still obviously doesn't 
belong in this neighborhood.) Several of them glance back and forth 
between the opposing gang and the car, as if to decide which way to 
point their weapons.

You can't see the fireball anywhere.

"There are two Functionals very close," Ashiya says, as if unaware of 
the deadly situation ahead of you. Then she looks up, and sees all the 
armed men ready to shed blood, and her dark skin seems to turn a 
shade paler. "They....they want to kill each other!" she gasps. 
"And....Nancy, Kim, why would they be so hostile to *us*?"

<><><><><>

Nancy:

     "It doesn't really bother me," Nancy replies with a shrug.  "They're 
just kind of...there...it's not as if sensing gravity waves is painful or 
anything.  In fact, I'd rather you did use gravity waves...that way you 
won't have some Terran radio operator finding your satellites.  As far as 
I know, there's no Earthly device that communicates on that frequency."

     Nancy pointedly ignores Kim's remark.  To Ashiya, she gives a grim 
smile and answers, "Probably because you're a glutton for punishment."

     The blonde's blood runs cold as she suddenly realizes what Ashiya 
has led them into.  She almost succumbs to the urge to throw the car 
into reverse and flee for their lives, but that might encourage some of the 
gang members to shoot...and Ashiya would just insist on coming back....
     And thus, out of sheer panic, inspiration is born.
     Nancy reaches down and fumbles in her purse.  "I'm going to try 
something," Nancy says in a voice that is surreally calm for the 
dangerous situation they're in.  "If this doesn't work and they start 
shooting, do whatever the two of you have to save yourselves.  Kim, I 
hope you can take Ashiya with you if you have to vanish.  Ashiya, I don't 
have the time to explain this to you...I'll do what I can to protect you.  Try 
to be brave."
     With that, she pulls on the mask and slowly steps out of the car.  Her 
hands are in plain sight and she is obviously carrying no weapons.  She 
looks more than a little silly...she is rather short and quite cute, wearing 
a green and white sun dress that matches her mask...which makes her 
bold stance even more outrageous.
     "I'm looking for two paranormals...superpowered types," she says in a 
stentorian voice from years of practice in the classroom.  "We're not 
here to fight...all we want is to talk to them."
     [She now awaits the hails of laughter from the crowd. <G>]

<><><><><>

Kim:

Kim telepaths to Ashiya.

**This could turn very ugly. They're hostile to us because we're different, 
we're not part of their gangs. They also assume we have more money 
than them**

Ashiya catches a rueful thought as Kim briefly contrasts the money 
made by drug dealers with her own bank balance!

When Nancy gets out, Kim adds:

**I think Nancy is planning on scaring them if necessary, maybe by 
suddenly flying. That might work, but it's just as likely to produce a hail 
of bullets.**

[All the gang members conveniently die of laughter <g>]

Kim cautiously shuffles over to the driver's seat, in case she and Ashiya 
have to try for a getaway. She wishes she could fly like Nancy!

<><><><><>

[GM]

[to Kim]

Ashiya telesends back to you, her words tinged with horror; **We cannot 
leave her here! I will not!**

[GM]

The gangsters, all thirty or so, are deathly quiet as Nancy makes her 
speech. Stunned by her sheer audacity, they just stare for a moment.

"Superpowered types?" one asks. "You for real, lady? You f***in' crazy!"

"She a friend of Falling Star?" someone asks quietly, from the edge of 
the mob. "Blow the bitch's f***** head off!"

The nearest one, a tall youngster wearing a red bandana and torn denim 
jacket, points a pistol at Nancy's face. To Nancy, it suddenly looks as if 
she could drive her car down the barrel of that gun. "I do you a favor, 
bitch, get in your car and drive away 'less you wanna get wasted 'fore 
we waste these motherf*****s!"

The opposing gang, yards away, murmur to themselves and call threats 
back in reply. Guns raise....

And a fireball suddenly descends from the top of the apartment building 
behind Nancy and to her left. Nancy (and Kim and Ashiya) hear a 
crackling noise, before the ball of light suddenly whizzes by, just over 
Nancy's head and then plunging right into the midst of the nearest gang 
of hoodlums. They are thrown violently about, and one man howls as the 
arm of his shirt catches fire.

Close up, "fireball" seems to be not quite accurate, as the glowing 
sphere is not flaming, and seems to be more like ball lightning, but 
pulsing in every color in the visible spectrum. It's about twice the size of 
a basketball, and moving FAST. In the blink of an eye, it's past the 
nearest group and zeroing in on the gang down the street. They throw 
themselves to the side and scatter as the ball of energy roars past them, 
then swings up and soars into the sky, turns around and comes back for 
another pass, blazing over the street at about waist level and causing 
those still standing to jump over cars or roll under them as it buzzes 
them a second time. Nancy herself can't help ducking, although it pulls 
up well before reaching her.

As the gangsters pick themselves up off the ground, the ball of light 
floats up to a fourth floor fire escape landing, on the nearest building. It 
shimmers, and becomes a person....

A child! She's a small black girl, about Bonnie's age, very skinny 
(Nancy's first thought is that she looks undernourished), with a rather 
large head, her hair pulled against her scalp in tight cornrows. She's 
wearing a "costume" even sillier than Nancy's; it seems to be a pair of 
pajamas dyed bright red, complemented by a small square of cloth 
hanging down to the middle of her back, making a miniature cape. Her 
face is concealed behind a glittering pink domino mask that looks like 
what the Good Fairy Godmother would wear to a Halloween ball.

"Ain't gonna be no fightin' today!" the little girl yells from the fire escape, 
in a demanding tone of voice that would be much more impressive if she 
didn't sound like someone who should be out on the playground playing 
hopscotch. "Y'all go home now or I'll whup all y'all's butts!!"

Surprisingly, some of the armed men seem to be taking her seriously; 
they look at each other nervously, and glance at the other gangsters. 
Someone mutters "Don't wanna shoot no girl", while another one says 
"Bitch is bulletproof when she's all glowin', 'member last week?"