by TJ Viola
Danny took in all the natural aromas of the wildflowers around him, awakening to a new day, and watched as the sun rose above the ridge of the valley, spreading its rays across green pastures. Relaxed, Danny nodded off and was startled by Bruno’s bark. The smell of fresh bacon drifted up from the chimney as Danny’s mom prepared his favorite breakfast—scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, and home fries. Bruno barked louder, ran in circles chasing his tail, and then tugged at Danny’s pant leg—he wanted his traditional slice of bacon. Danny grabbed Bruno and they started to wrestle, then he heard the dreaded voice again.
“Danny, can you hear me?”
Startled, he jumped up and searched around the tree and among several boulders. No one, not even in shouting distance. His mind swirled with confused thoughts, convinced he was hearing things, hallucinating.
“I know you’re scared, but I can prove to you what is happening is real if you’ll try to relax and talk with me.”
Danny’s thoughts instantly took over. “Who are you? How is this possible, we’re talking to each other when we’re not together and I’m not speaking?”
Yolan recognized this was a critical moment.
“Danny, I called out to you through your headset when you were playing a video game yesterday.”
“I thought I was nuts! Now, I’m convinced!”
“I assure you—you’re not. You were using your brain waves to control the video game. We are doing the same now, but using them to communicate. Very few people have this ability, which makes us special.”
“I don’t know about being special, but it sounds a lot like being different—different I know about, and it’s not good.”
“I think I can convince you otherwise. But first, why don’t we get to know each other? Tell me about yourself.”
“Why should I tell you anything? You’re not real, because what’s happening is not possible—what am I thinking right now?”
“You want to run down the hill, get back in bed, and hide under your covers.”
Danny pulled Bruno closer. “There’s not much to tell. I’m fifteen, I live near Cheyenne, Wyoming, on a small ranch. Somehow, you already know my name.”
“What are you doing at this moment?”
“I’m sitting with my dog, Bruno, against an oak tree overlooking the valley where I live.”
“Sounds beautiful.”
“It is, I feel calm here—when I don’t hear voices in my head.”
“I detect a sense of humor.”
“This is insane—okay, I’ll play along because at any moment I’m going to wake up from a bad dream. You want to know about me—I’m a troublemaker. I’m always in trouble at school, I can’t sit still, and I enjoy fighting. My parents tell me it’s because my brain is wired differently. That’s why I play video games with my mind—the docs are trying to rewire my brain. When I have my game helmet on and when I’m sitting here with my dog, I can concentrate.
“What about you? Where do you live—do you have a favorite place?”
“I do. It’s not far from you in the Colorado Rockies. It’s also peaceful, and I’m the only one who knows where it is. It’s in a hidden cave that overlooks a beautiful lake that comes to life during sunrise and sunset when so many animals gather by the edge of the lake to refresh themselves. It’s a place of safety; the animals sense it, and so do I.”
“Sounds great. Oh, Mom’s calling me for breakfast. Gotta go.”
“Danny, don’t mention me to your parents—they will not believe you and that could be a problem.”
“Don’t worry, the last thing I need is for my parents to think I’m hallucinating.”
Danny ran down the hill as fast as he could; again Bruno was faster. When Danny entered the kitchen, Bruno was begging for a slice of bacon. After eating, Danny became restless and confused. He didn’t know if his imagination was playing tricks or if he really was speaking to someone with his mind. He wanted to tell his parents, but was too scared. Besides, he didn’t even know the name of the person behind the voice.
Chapter 10
Titch
Y olan, Zeiss, and Mylo were discussing how best to proceed with Danny when a hologram of the transporter room appeared on the center of their conference table.
“Transport will be completed in two minutes,” announced the hologram.
Yolan pushed back from the table. “Titch is arriving. We should greet her.”
Zeiss hesitated. “I was under the impression you were still negotiating with her.”
“I didn’t want to burden you with the details—she had some conditions,” Yolan said as she opened the portal to the transporter room.
“Conditions? What conditions?”
Yolan activated the transporter’s decontamination sequence. “You’ll see when they exit the transporter.”
“They?”
Titch exited first, a tall, well-endowed blonde, followed by her companion, Eros.
Before Zeiss could react, Titch surmised the situation and addressed Zeiss without hesitation.
“It’s apparent from your aura that you are a bit dismayed. Eros is my training partner. I fully intend to return to my former life as combat champion when this mission is completed. To accomplish that goal, I need to stay in shape, which is why I also insisted that my combat facilities be duplicated.”
Zeiss looked at Yolan, who immediately turned to Mylo. “Mylo, what is the status of both facilities?”
Zeiss couldn’t contain his anger as the room glowed red.
Titch wasn’t one to back down from a conflict. “To be champion, it is essential to train both mind and body. I agreed to put my life on hold for your critical, but improbable, project. The least you can do is have respect for my wishes.”
It was obvious to all that Zeiss liked Titch’s brashness, as his aura diminished considerably. “Mylo, answer Yolan. What is the status?”
“The combat center is operational. The holographic pleasure center is near completion.”
“A pleasure center—just what we need,” Zeiss said.
“It might do you some good,” Titch quipped.
It was just as obvious that Zeiss didn’t appreciate her comment. “Mylo, show Titch and Eros to their quarters. We will meet in the control room in half an hour to review the project status. We don’t have time for pleasure centers.”
*****
Zeiss was pleasantly surprised with the speed with which Titch and Eros understood the complexities of their effort to save Earth from a past Ammagan invasion and, in so doing, spare Grillions the same deadly fate. Upon further reflection, he realized that to be the best in any field of endeavor, a high level of intelligence, combined with a singular focus on achieving excellence, was required, as exhibited by their barrage of questions.
Titch was the more aggressive of the two, pushing Zeiss to give answers to many of the areas he himself found concerning. Her inquiry ended with the most critical question for overall success: “How advanced are Danny’s communication skills?” Titch asked.
“That’s an area we need to understand in depth,” Zeiss replied. “He just became aware of his ability to communicate telepathically, so one of our challenges is to find a way to rapidly advance his capabilities.”
“I suggest we enhance his aura visualization skills, which in turn will create a feedback loop, thus enhancing his telepathic abilities,” Titch said.
Zeiss, surprised by Titch’s insight, challenged her to test the depth of her supposition. “I don’t see where there is necessarily a strong link between the two.”
“Our minds are constantly converting images into thoughts and thoughts into images. Aura projection is a manifestation of that process—converting emotion into a physical aspect of our being. The same is true with telepathy—converting thoughts into images that are received and then converted back to thoughts.”
Eros backed up Titch’s point. “How does a blind person see?” Not expecting an answer, he continued. “Through their other sensors t
hat convert their surroundings into images in their mind. Teaching Danny to see and control his aura, which is a physical phenomenon, will enhance his telepathic ability. This will establish a continuous feedback loop, strengthening both his aura control and his ability to communicate telepathically.”
Pleased with Eros’s support for her recommendation, Titch stood and announced it was time for them to test out their new combat facility, but not before leaving Zeiss and Yolan with something to ponder. “You brought us here to save Danny’s life so he can defend Earth. Saving his life is necessary, but not sufficient enough to achieve that goal. We must also strengthen his telepathic ability so we can rapidly improve his cognitive and social skills to accelerate Earth’s development of space exploration and advanced weaponry to defeat the Ammagans.”
“What are you suggesting?” Yolan asked.
“Introduce me to Danny so I can teach him to control and manipulate his aura. When he masters that feat, he will have the ability to defend himself. Then he will be ready to begin his cognitive development and have the confidence to face the challenges ahead of him.”
As Titch and Eros were about to leave, an alert sounded in the room from the androids stationed on Earth in their subterranean base. Mylo received the communication and related its content to the team.
“While monitoring communications from the Earth base, I just learned the Ammagans have crushed a rebellion led by the planet Ar in the Gore Galaxy. In retaliation, the Ammagans are systematically annihilating the inhabitants of Ar.”
After some delay, Zeiss broke the deadly silence. “A solemn reminder that we must not fail. Titch, I’m impressed with your insights, which will serve you well as you learn the technology we’re using to actively interact with the Earthling, but it’s too soon to introduce Danny to a new contact. We need to first gain his trust and better understand under what conditions he is most receptive to our telepathic communications. Once that is accomplished, we will proceed as you recommend.”
Before Titch could react, Eros agreed with Zeiss. Titch rose to leave the meeting and beckoned for Eros to follow her to the combat center.
“You should have backed my position. What if this kid gets killed because he doesn’t have the ability to defend himself? We’ll be stuck in this tomb forever searching for another suitable subject!”
“We need to spend our energy developing a plan for improving Danny’s physical health and his ability to defend himself, not second-guessing Zeiss.”
At this point Titch was fuming. She gave Eros a sinister smile as she opened the portal to the combat center. “I need to get rid of some of my frustration.”
Normally Eros enjoyed participating in combat exercises with Titch; however, he knew he couldn’t match her aura defense capabilities when she was emotionally aroused. Titch was unique in that she had the ability to absorb her opponent’s aura and use it to strengthen her own for both defensive and offensive battle, which, when combined with her physical attributes, was a powerful combination. Eros hesitated as he entered the portal, knowing he was about to take a thrashing.
Chapter 11
Danny’s Training Begins
Y olan and Zeiss reviewed all they had learned about Danny and his telepathic ability in an attempt to devise the best way to begin his training.
“It’s apparent,” Yolan said, “that Danny can send and receive telepathically while using neurofeedback and when relaxing in a meditative state—for example, resting under the oak tree with his dog, Bruno. Given the strength of his responses, we should be able to teach him to communicate telepathically whenever he desires.”
“How?” Zeiss asked.
“By teaching him relaxation techniques he will eventually be able to transmit and receive information without consciously preparing his mind to be receptive.”
“That would certainly accelerate his development, but first you need to gain his trust.”
It was Mylo who came up with a proposal. “I have been monitoring Danny, and he is concerned about an upcoming algebra math test. When Danny accesses his neurofeedback console, we can use the neuro-computer in the Rocky Mountain base to download information directly into his long-term memory, which should give him astounding new abilities.”
“Such as mastering algebra! What better way to convince him I’m real!” Yolan’s aura glowed a bright blue.
Zeiss smiled. “And begin his training.”
*****
Danny prepared to play a more challenging game of Invasion Earth. As he electronically lowered the shades in the room, the holographic image came to life with a huge armada of invading alien spaceships. After playing for an hour, he began thinking about his upcoming algebra test and decided he had better study. Algebra was his worst subject, and if he failed this test, he would need to repeat it next semester.
“Danny, this is Yolan. Sorry I didn’t tell you my name before now. I’m sensing you’re worried. Is anything wrong? Are you still wondering if I’m a hallucination?”
His mind responded without hesitation. “Yes, but right now I’m more concerned about my algebra test tomorrow. I just know I’m going to fail. It never matters how hard I study; the results are the same. I just don’t get math!”
“I think we can solve both problems at the same time. I can teach you everything you need to know to pass your test, and when you do, you will know I am not a hallucination.”
“There’s no time! The test is tomorrow.”
“That’s more than enough, Danny. The nice thing about telepathy is that we use the part of our brain that allows for rapid learning. So, if you keep your neurofeedback system active for an hour and just relax, I will teach you all there is to know about algebra.”
Desperate, Danny agreed—setting aside his concerns about hearing a strange voice.
Mylo, using the hidden base’s neuro-computer system, placed Danny into a meditative hypnotic state via a wireless connection to his neurofeedback game console, then transmitted basic mathematics as a foundation for lessons in advanced algebra and calculus concepts.
When his mother walked into the room, she was surprised to find Danny fast asleep. Normally he’d be whirling around saving Earth from alien invaders.
“Danny, wake up. Are you feeling okay? Don’t you have an algebra test tomorrow?”
“Oh! Hi, Mom. I’ve studied a lot today. I just took a break before going to bed and must have fallen asleep. If I don’t pass, I’ll have to repeat next year.”
“Not everyone is good at math. Don’t tell your father that I said this, but he was terrible at math when he was young. He repeated algebra three times—so there is hope. We all develop at different rates.”
“Why do I have so much trouble?”
“I don’t know, Danny. The key is to learn how to use your strengths and never stop trying to improve.”
*****
Danny, late for breakfast, wolfed down his egg sandwich then ran to catch the school bus. As he stepped aboard, some of his classmates teased him more aggressively than usual.
“Here comes the math whiz. Hey, Danny, are you ready to flunk algebra?” Tony Cooper shouted.
Tony was the ringleader of a small group of bullies. Over the years, Danny had become their favorite target because he was fast to react and, as a result, often perceived by the teachers to be the antagonist. Tony, who could easily pulverize Danny in a fight, got great pleasure out of causing him to get detention when he himself had been the instigator.
Danny sat next to his friend, Crystal Brown, who encouraged him to ignore Tony. Crystal, who had quite a temper herself, was a tall girl with long red hair and emerald green eyes that looked more pronounced whenever her temper flared. Excellent at math, Crystal often tried to tutor Danny, but it was hopeless.
“Danny, don’t let Tony and his gang get you into trouble again.”
“I won’t. I’m more concerned about the test. I have the lowest grades in the class and everyone knows it.”
Tony shouted again.
“Hey, Danny, are you going to cheat off the She-Devil? Is that your plan?”
The bus arrived at school just as Danny stood to face Tony. Crystal grabbed his arm and yanked him off the bus.
The school Danny attended had all the latest educational technologies. Several years ago, the standard smart boards were replaced with plasma display panels that were centrally controlled by the teacher. Each student had a slate computer docking station integrated into their desk, and the contents of each computer could be displayed on the plasma panels or onto the teacher’s slate computer console. The classroom environment was paperless, including the textbooks that were downloaded into students’ computers on the first day of each semester.
Danny sat in the back of all his classes, because he was so disruptive whenever he lost focus. Even though he had improved since starting neurofeedback, his teachers continued to pressure his parents to put Danny on medication to control his hyperactivity. His parents vigorously resisted, convinced his current treatment was working.
Mrs. Fitzgerald, a tall, slender woman with short graying hair, thick eyebrows, and beady black eyes that could pierce into a student’s soul, reminded everyone that this was the final exam for the semester and would determine who would move to the next level of math instruction. As she said this, she glared at Danny.
This was a monster algebra test, and Mrs. Fitzgerald took great pride in the fact that no student had ever finished on time. The test was two hours long and contained some advanced questions based on next semester’s lessons—to ensure no one ever received a perfect score.
As Danny’s computer displayed the first page of questions, his brain felt like it was running at hyper-speed. Mathematical formulas and calculations flashed through his mind; he was stunned to realize he knew every answer. He completed all three pages of questions in less than ten minutes, just giving the answers without showing detailed calculations.