Problems of the Gifted

A plan, an apology and some advice

(Dhalia Dever pov.)

[Some explaining later:]

Ms. Volkov is stating our current situation as we all stand by the rectangular kitchen table, planning our next steps:

"So, we have TOL and AGI, both need to be neutralized.
The AGI has mind controlled students who will be forced to fight against TOL's agents. AGI still has the IGO's support, the government military won't stand a chance. TOL is controlling the city, and it won't take long for them to conquer more.
Meaning that we have to stop the fight as well as the drones."

"How can we do both?" Amaya crosses her arms.

"We have someone else on our team." Ms. Volkov reveals as she puts a phone on speaker on the table in front of them. "Meet my assistant, Josh Pilcert."

"Is he a phone?" Asks George.

Josh corrects over the speaker of the phone, his voice sounds not much older than Ms. Volkov herself:
"Firstly: Not sure if that's meant to be a compliment, thanks though.
And secondly, I'm actually not YOUR assistant, Alya, but a highly qualified hacker and informant."

"Whatever, through some borrowed files Josh and I have found out that the drones can be shut down with a code.
The problem is, we don't have it."

"Only Creed will know the code... or his most trusted agent.
What's worse is that he has the ability ejector in his possession." I ponder.

"Also, we will have to keep the people in town safe. They can't protect themselves." Valerie puts in.

Samir considers:
"We will need to stop this mind control thing as soon as we can."

Ms. Volkov elaborates:
"That's right. Thanks to Josh, we can get one person into the IGO laboratory unnoticed. That's how we will stop the Psyrenthium transition and it'll mean that it's time for our second step.
Also- Ben, are you sure you're going to do this as well?
You don't have to, you know it."

His hands turn into fists, shaking a bit as he replies:
"I want to help, sitting here won't make a difference."

At this, Valerie takes his hand in hers and gives him a supportive smile.

[After discussing the plan:]

I remain next to Ms. Volkov who is still standing by the table, apparently thinking the plan through again.

"You have something on your mind?" She questions, giving me a side glance.

I fumble with my hands.

What a question.
What DO I want?

"Did you... know about my cover?"

She pauses and exhales:
"No, I didn't. You knew what you were doing, and did it well.
But when your cover was blown, suddenly all the pieces fit together perfectly." She chuckles. "Can't believe I haven't figured it out myself."

"And yet you let me stay."

"Of course. Look, Lay- De-."

"Dhalia."

"Close enough.
Thing is, no one is capable to play pretend 24/7. The mask slips occasionally, a reminder that we aren't more than just humans."

Right as always.

There were moments where I couldn't help but let the real me take the reins.
Sometimes I got carried away.

Ms. Volkov continues:
"Also, I know how TOL... can influence people. We can try to change the plan if you decide not to fight him.
It's not an act of cowardice if you refuse."