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It isn’t often that S011 is brought beyond the bounds of his personal chambers for a reason that isn’t to be tested. He’s taken by someone he’s never met before, but their armband designates them as R048. They smile at S011 and hold his hand as they make their way across the facility. S011 decides that he likes them more than some of the other researchers around here.
They approach a door in one of the buildings where tests are done, and then enter into a room labeled with the omega symbol. It’s not one that S011 thinks he’s been in before. And he’s also not usually on the hidden side of the two-way mirror. One researcher that he does recognize, R009, hands him a file. It’s small, at least compared to the one they’ve made for him. There’s a single page with a picture of a young boy with blond hair looking rather bored. They’ve designated him to be T002. He’s also eight years old, and his Gift is something that S011 hasn’t learned the characters for yet. S011’s eyes gloss over most of the information, but one part is highlighted for him.
“Understands Japanese. Only speaks English.”
“Which is why we need you.”
S011 approaches the two-way mirror. On the other side is the boy, sitting on the ground with his eyes closed. The testing chamber they’ve placed him in has equipment that S011 hasn’t seen before. They’ve connected T002 to it with wires.
“I don’t know English.”
“We assume you don’t need to.”
She’s right, sort of. If S011 can pinpoint his focus onto a single target, he can hear what they’re going to say a split-second before the words leave their mouth. If being the key word. It’s not like it’s real telepathy. Besides, he doesn’t even know if it works beyond language barriers like that. Still, he nods anyway, feigning confidence. They like him better when he’s sure of himself. There’s a click, the sound of static as the intercom switches on.
“All right, Toya,” R009 says into her microphone, “We’re going to begin the test now.”
Toya. He has a real name.
“...Does it really have to be right now?” T002 sounds annoyed. S011 doesn’t convey the same emotion when he translates. “My show is on today.”
“I’m sorry, Toya. I don’t control the scheduling. But if you promise to cooperate, we’ll go as quickly as we can.”
T002 opens his eyes. Annoyance flickers within them. S011 has a feeling that this won’t end well, but he keeps that to himself.
“Of course we end up with some spoiled brat that can’t handle being told what to do,” one of the other researchers sighs, and then is quickly reprimanded by their colleague.
“You should be careful,” he scolds, “You know who his grandfather is.”
“Now,” R009 instructs, “I’d like for you to begin output. Slowly, if you’d please. We’d like to see how well you can control it.”
S011 isn’t quite sure what T002 does. He sees some of the dials flicker and, after a few moments, a light bulb on top of the machine turns on. There are several more. Out of the corner of his eye, S011 can see information being recorded on one of the monitors. It means nothing to him. Some of the researchers have shifted their focus towards it.
“Very good. Now, please increase your discharge rate. Try to push it up to level two. We want to see the next bulb light up.” The dials flicker again, showing higher numbers, and the next bulb lights up almost immediately. “Okay, Toya. Ramp it up to level three. A bit slower this time.”
There’s a spark. It’s almost imperceptible. S011 sees it crackle in the air when T002 narrows his eyes. “What time is it?” the boy asks, clearly becoming impatient, “You’ve kept me here for hours. This is, like, the fifth thing I’ve had to do today? When can I go home?”
“It’s only been a few minutes since we started,” R009 says, “If you continue to follow instructions, it shouldn’t take much longer. Then you can go.”
“Fine. When did we start, then?”
“16:00.”
T002’s jaw clenches, but he continues to obey. By 16:15, he’s pushed the machine up to level three, and is halfway to level four. The sparks continue to fly. Even the researchers have noticed them, and have begun taking note.
“It seems as though his emotional state affects his control,” one of them remarks.
“That makes sense. We’ve seen it with some of the others as well.”
S011 wonders how many other espers there are. So far, aside from T002, he’s only seen one other. And, as far as he knows, X012 is like him, and has been in the facility for years.
“What’s the plan? Do we continue, or do we want to see how far we can push him?”
“It’s at your discretion, R009.”
Her finger presses the button again. “You’re doing great, Toya,” she says, “Just keep going. What time did you say your show starts?”
The fifth and sixth lights go on. “4:30. How much longer do I have to do this?” T002 is good at putting on a calm facade, but S011 can see that he’s begun to tremble. R009 has noticed it, too.
“Don’t worry, you still have plenty of time. It’ll go a lot faster if you just calm down.”
There’s a visible surge, arcs of electricity traveling up the wires and into the machine. One of the light bulbs pops. “I am calm,” he spits, “Don’t act like you know me. Just tell me the fucking time!”
“Don’t worry about the time. If we finish quickly, I promise you can go watch your show.”
“No.”
S011 backs away from the mirror. Some of the researchers follow his lead. R048 grabs his shoulder. “What did you see?” they ask.
T002 tears the wires off of his body. Even without them, the machine is still reading something. The numbers drop sharply, and then begin rising again. He raises his hand towards the device, and S011 sees blue streaks of electricity crackle at his palm.
“You want to finish this test in time? Well, I say it’s over now.”