GALAXY AT WAR - Book 2 - Probing Anthera

CHAPTER TEN - September 2172 - Anthera - 9 days to go

Rebecca looked up from her microscope. "Tell Marcus his team did a brilliant job collecting that last batch of soil samples."

"Will do, Miss Chambers," said Colin Pilcher. He was twenty and on a work placement from his university. He was proud to be Rebecca's assistant and was always eager to please, especially as he had a crush on his mentor. He ran off to find Marcus.

"I didn't... mean... now," said Rebecca as he disappeared out of the room. She shrugged and resumed her work.

I need to talk to you, Rebecca.

She bumped her head on the lamp she'd pulled over to see her work better. Rebecca rubbed her head and looked around. No one seemed to have noticed.

I'm working, Rebecca had bent back over her microscope, pretending to carry on.

There is important information I need to give you.

Okay, just give me a minute, she thought. Rebecca hurried to the toilet and sat in a cubicle.

Keith Turnball was on guard duty for the research section and saw her looking quite pale as she rushed to the toilet. He weaved his way through the workstations to see how she was.

There is a tranchillion named Lieutenant Mourneer. He recently returned after being missing for several months. Colonel Dowdneer has forced him to spy on Home Base.

Do you want me to do something about him?

No. Tell someone you trust about it. That is why I have contacted you. But there is something else we have decided to give you.

What's that?

You have an untapped ability that we think will be beneficial to you.

Go on.

Telekinesis. Do you want to learn it?

What... no, I'm not telekinetic.

You are, Rebecca. Do you want to learn it?

Rebecca paused and placed her head in her hands with her elbows planted firmly on her knees. Yes, I would like that, thank you.

She started to feel a warm glow inside her as her mind opened out and she started to understand how to use an ability that she'd always had.

I feel somehow, different, she thought.

Practice whenever you can, Rebecca but remember, this power that you now have must be treated with respect. Never use it for gain or for attack.

Can I defend myself with it?

You will find multiple uses for it. Defence is just one.

Can you teach me how to use it?

The Watcher had gone. Rebecca reached out for the toilet paper; concentrating with her mind. At first, nothing happened. Then the paper lifted and moved towards her fingers. Rebecca got up and unlocked the cubicle door. She stepped out and walked over to the sink. She imagined touching the sensor and, after a few seconds, water started flowing out of the tap.

Oh, this is too much, I can't work anymore today, she thought.

Rebecca walked to the exit and turned back to look at the tap. The water stopped flowing and she smiled. She left the toilet and walked straight into Keith.

"Oh, sorry, Rebecca. I, err, saw you come in and thought you didn't look well," said Keith.

"I'm not feeling my best, Keith. I'm going back to my room."