If you think you know somebody who resembles any of the characters here, congratulations, but you're wrong - any similarity between the characters in this story and any real person is purely coincidental, since all of these characters are figments of my imagination.

This is my story, not yours. Don't sell it or put it on a pay site. You can keep it and/or give it away with all of this information intact, but if you make money off of it without my permission, you're breaking the law and pissing me off.

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Will knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he was not going to try to rule the world, but he also knew that unless the world leaders changed their outlook, things would only get worse. No matter how hard he chewed at the problem, though, no solution presented itself. Falling back on an old trick from his engineering days, he decided to take his mind completely off the problem in hopes that his subconscious would come up with a solution while he worked on other things.

He knew his power had grown, as had Nine's, but there was one thing he had yet to try. All of his explorations so far had been within the confines of Earth's atmosphere.

I wonder, he thought, as Tina slept on his shoulder, just how far I can stretch my consciousness.

With that thought, his mind went soaring into the vastness of space. To his delight, he found vast rivers and streams of energy, the closest and most energetic, of course, flowing outward from the Sun. There were also streams of energy flowing into the Sun, and the Earth, and other large bodies in nearby space. These, he surmised, must be some manifestation of gravity. To his astonishment, the mutual attraction of the massive bodies of the Solar system formed a web of reciprocal interactions that allowed him to determine the direction of all other bodies from any given one. Soon, he had built, with the help of his 'auxiliary brain' a navigational map of the sun, all it's planets, and their moons, and could recognize them by their energy signatures. Delighted with the discovery, he sent his mind beyond the boundaries of the system, and found that the same sort of network existed between star systems! The 'signature' of Earth's system was a combination of the signatures of the Sun, combined with those of every body in the system, though the further outward his mind went, the less noticeable the contribution of the smaller bodies, until, finally, he could detect only that of Sol.

Will was not aware of how long his mind floated between the stars. Time seemed meaningless, and the wonders to behold endless in the vastness of the void. The bright, strong signature of a black hole drew his attention briefly as it drew other energies into itself in a steady stream, but unlike the other bodies in space, emitted nothing except the energy of its gravitational pull. There seemed no boundaries to his ability to explore in this way. The energy his mind needed for the exploration, he drew from the very fabric of space.

As he had done with the Solar system, Will automatically catalogued and mapped 'nearby' systems with the aid of his 'auxiliary brain' and stretched his mind beyond, following almost randomly the tenuous threads of gravitic interaction between the stars, exploring the spiral arm of the galaxy that represented Sol's neighborhood.. Suddenly, his mind came upon an anomaly - a place that emitted the gravitational energy of a star system, and connected to others in the same way, but which seemed incapable of emitting any other sort of energy, though it was clearly not a black hole. When his mind attempted to probe within this region it was repulsed as though it had run into an energetic 'brick wall.'

What the hell? Will thought to himself. This can't be a natural phenomenon. What could create something like that? It seems perfectly spherical...

Gathering as much energy as he could from the the surrounding space, Will formed a probe and pushed against the barrier. He felt it begin to give, and the next instant, he and Nine were somewhere else. From the energy, he guessed they were somewhere inside the protected area, but had no idea how they got there!

Nine! Shields now! He 'shouted' at his companion as the first probes struck his own defenses.

Tina had complained often about the drills he had put them both through, especially with the shields, but Will was not one to leave much to chance. The fact that they had never encountered other minds as strong as theirs was not proof that there were none. Now he was grateful for his paranoia. He felt her shields snap into place even before she was fully awake.

"What the...?" Tina mumbled. "Jesus H. Christ, Ten! You picked a helluva night to hold shield drills!"

"This isn't a drill, Nine." He told her. "Keep those shields tight. I seem to have poked a stick into an ant hill, and the ants have dragged us home to their queen or something. Whoever I disturbed has teleported us to another star system."

Fully awake now, Tina peered around at the yellowish mist that surrounded what seemed to be a bubble of air that had been brought here with them. Worried about their air supply, Will was busy setting up a field of his own to hold the air near them in case those who brought them here decided to try to get rid of it.

"Who are these, these, beings?" She asked, suddenly realizing that they were still naked.

"I don't know." Will replied. He was catching snatches of thought from a number of different minds, and with his enhanced vision, could see through the mist that they appeared to be on the floor of an enormous indoor amphitheater. "Whoever they are, they didn't like me trying to spy on them, I guess. Let's see if we can turn the tables on them a little and see what they're thinking."

Sending out a probe of his own, Will began to catch snatches of alien imagery. At first he could make no sense of the thought patterns he picked up, then, gradually, he began to notice patterns that could be perceived as visual, audio, and thought. Once again reverting to his early days of trying to understand his gift, he began sorting through the various patterns, and with the help of his extended brain, routing them to visual, aural, and other centers of his brain, until he was pretty sure he at least had the proper inputs. Gradually, the association of the visual and aural patterns with the thought patterns began to give him a rudimentary understanding of the thought patterns. Suddenly, as if a tuner in his head had found the proper carrier frequency, the alien thought patterns clicked into place in his brain.

...too strong. They are dangerous! We must destroy them! It was difficult picking out any individual stream of thought, and he suddenly realized that there were hundreds, no, thousands of minds contributing to the maelstrom of thought that surrounded them.

Study them first. Came from another mind.

And from yet another: Strength does not mean agression. They could be allies.

Then why did they try to force their way through the shield wall?

How did they even find the shield wall?

Another reason to study them! If they can find us, so can others!

Finally, Will had had enough. Why don't you try asking us politely? He projected into the midst of the alien discussion.

A shockwave went through the amphitheater as the others realized who had interjected a thought into their discussion.

As one, they thought at him. HOW CAN ONE MIND BE SO POWERFUL? TO PENETRATE THE DEFENSES OF THE ALLMIND WITH ONLY ONE MIND SEEMS BEYOND POSSIBILITY!

Will waited for the mental din to subside somewhat, then replied. I am new to these powers, so I do not know what is possible and what is not, but from the beginning, I have taken my power from the fabric of the Universe. It is there for the taking if you know how to look.

BUT HOW DID YOU FIND OUR SANCTUARY? WE ALLOW NO THOUGHT TO ESCAPE THE SHIELD WALL, AND NONE CAN PENETRATE - AT LEAST NONE OTHER CAN PENETRATE - THE SHIELD WALL.

I was exploring the pathways between the stars, following the energy that connects all heavenly bodies to each other, when I came upon a pathway that seemed to end too soon. Will shrugged. When I explored, I found that all pathways that connect to this system seem to end at the boundary of your shield wall. I did not think this could be a natural occurrence, so I decided to investigate.

Another wave of consternation swept through the hall.

YOU CAN SEE THE PATHWAYS BETWEEN THE STARS? WE HAVE THEORIZED THEIR EXISTENCE BUT EVEN THE POWER OF THE ALLMIND CANNOT SEE THEM!

Will shrugged again. They are no harder to see than other energies. They grow faint over long distances, but can still be seen. Can you not see the energy flowing around you? This mist makes it difficult to see with my visual sensors, but your energy tells me there are thousands of you around us, and that the strongest minds among you are those nearest the center of this place - nearest to us.

An audible gasp rippled through the place then, accompanying the mental shockwave, as they realized that not only could these dangerous beings 'see' their captors, they could also single out the strongest minds if they chose to attack.

Do not fear. Will hastened to add. We mean you no harm. I apologize for intruding on your sanctuary, but it was only curiosity that caused me to do so. Perhaps we can help each other. Clearly, you have been using these powers of the mind for some time. Perhaps you can help my companion and I refine our skill. In return, I will endeavor to teach you those skills that I have that you do not yet possess.

There was general hubbub of thought, as the members of the Allmind discussed his proposal. It didn't take long. Apparently, consensus is more quickly gained in mental meetings than in those to which Will had been accustomed when he was working.

YOUR OFFER IS GENEROUS, BUT THERE SEEMS LITTLE WE CAN TEACH YOU THAT YOU DO NOT ALREADY KNOW. THERE IS SOMETHING THAT TROUBLES YOU, HOWEVER. PERHAPS THE POWER OF MANY MINDS MAY HELP RESOLVE YOUR PROBLEM WHERE THE ONE MIND FAILS. IF WE CAN HELP YOU IN THIS MATTER, WILL YOU TEACH US THE WAY OF 'SEEING' ENERGY?

Will raised an eyebrow in silent query at Nine who still clung naked to his side as they stood before the alien congress. Tina shrugged. "Couldn't hurt." She added verbally.

I must caution you that I was modified from my original form, and it was those modifications that gave me the ability to 'see' energy. I do not know if, even with teaching, you will be able to do as I do. Let me, therefore, attempt the teaching first. I would not take your gift if I cannot give one in return

THIS IS A FAIR PROPOSITION. WE ACCEPT.

"Watch over me, Nine." Will told Tina. "I'm going to have to let some of them in, so you go with them and kick the shit out of 'em if they get out of line and start digging for shit I don't want them to have."

"Will do, Ten." She replied, the familiar grin lighting her features.

Come... Will told the Allmind ...learn.

The combined minds watched eagerly as Will showed them how he connected to the various flows of energy around them, then tried to coach them as they, too attempted to do what he did. For hours, trying this, trying that, he was unsuccessful in teaching them what they wanted to know. Finally, in frustration, he addressed the Allmind.

I watch how my mind perceives the energies. I see the places where they impinge upon my flesh and produce reactions that my mind can see. Of the five races present, it may be possible to modify one to act as my system does. Do you want me to attempt to make that modification?

WHICH OF THE RACES HAS THIS ABILITY? SURELY IT MUST BE THE WAU! THEY ARE THE STRONGEST AMONG US!

Actually, it is the weakest. Will showed the image of the segmented body of the race he thought could be a candidate for this procedure. The centipede-like creatures were permanently bent upward in the middle and three sets of forelimbs had evolved manipulators with opposable appendages. They 'saw' through a set of four sensors in each segment of their bodies - two front, two rear - which were paired with some sort of electrical sensor that allowed them, even in the mud and muck of the swamps they frequented, to find the small animals that made up the bulk of their diet. The Meli-kapsist are best suited to this procedure.

Mental and aural bedlam erupted in the hall as members of each race absorbed the news. The Wau apparently could care less. The Allmind had been their creation and it was their nature to use the abilities of each member race to best advantage. It mattered not that another race would have an ability they didn't, as long as they had access to it through that race. Other races, however, were jealous or disdainful. One race, that adored the Wau, was miffed on their behalf, feeling that their favorite other race should have had the honor. The Meli-kapsist were, in turns, shocked and delighted. They had been one of the first races to join the Allmind when the Wau began its formation, but their limited abilities had relegated them to the upper, outer reaches of the Allmind chamber. It was for them, mostly, that the yellowish mist that was thought to enhance mental abilities swirled about the hall.

If the Allmind is in agreement that we accept this gift, one of the Meli-kapsist interjected humbly, this lowly one will be the first to take the risk.

There was a bit of an uproar among the assembled races, giving further indication that the Allmind was not in total harmony. Debate raged, verbally and mentally, and finally, it was the Meli-kapsist who calmed the horde, not the Wau.

It is not the wish of the Meli-kapsist to gain from this gift. The same one who had come forward earlier told the assembly. Our desire is only to make the Allmind stronger. It is well known that the Meli-kapsist contribute little to the Allmind because of our poor ability. With this gift, we may be able to increase the value of our contribution, which would give us great satisfaction. Even with this ability, there is little that the Meli-kapsist can accomplish without the Allmind, so please, allow us the opportunity to serve in this way.

The big advantage of mind-talk was that the truth and sincerity of the communication was communicated with the main thought, so there was no time wasted on false accusation or skepticism about motives. Almost immediately, the assembly was once again in agreement.

IT IS AGREED. PLEASE PERFORM THE PROCEDURE UPON THIS ONE.

It is unreasonable to attempt to make this change to all Meli-kapsisti. Will replied. It is also unreasonable to modify only one being, if the change serves its purpose. If anything should happen to that being, the ability would be lost forever. I propose this: I will attempt to modify this being. If it is then able to 'see' the energies, I will modify nine more individuals. In this way, the ability will not be dependent upon one individual.

THIS IS ACCEPTABLE. PLEASE PROCEED.

Working cautiously, Will modified the Meli-kapsist volunteer so that the electrical sensors could, hopefully, pick up other kinds of energy, in addition to those they already 'saw.' Because there were a large number of the sensors, the modification took a great deal of time, but as he proceeded, he could 'see' in the patient's mind that something new was happening. He considered tying the sensors into the being's visual centers, but closer examination revealed that the portion of the creature's brain that processed the signals already had three dimensional imaging capabilities that coupled with the vision centers to give it a rich, full picture of whatever the sensors captured.

When he was finished, there was no need to train the Meli-kapsistu to use the new ability. It worked as had the electrical sensors and was very intuitive for the creature to operate. Through its new ability, the Allmind gazed in wonder at the complex world of energy that surrounded them.

THIS IS PROOF THAT YOU CAN FULFILL YOUR PART OF OUR TRADE, SO WE WILL NOW ATTEMPT TO FULFILL OUR PART. WHAT IS THIS GRAVE SITUATION THAT WEIGHS SO HEAVILY UPON YOU?

Will, as completely as he could, did a mind dump about the current situation on Earth, his own part in it, the difficulties caused by greedy, corrupt Government officials, and his own frustration at not being able to come up with a permanent solution, despite the unprecedented power that he and Nine possessed. He neglected the details of how he understood how each possible solution would play out, and didn't mention the one scenario that had seemed workable.

YOU DO INDEED FACE A GRAVE CHALLENGE. THE FIVE RACES THAT NOW COMPRISE THE ALLMIND WERE ONCE AT ODDS WITH EACH OTHER IN A SIMILAR WAY. WE ONLY AGREED TO COME TOGETHER IN THE FACE OF A COMMON ENEMY. THAT ENEMY HAS BEEN VANQUISHED, BUT ITS EXISTENCE, AND THE IMPLIED POSSIBILITY OF THE EXISTENCE OF OTHER SUCH AGGRESSIVE RACES, KEEPS THE ALLMIND UNITED. PERHAPS THAT IS THE SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM.

I agree that a common enemy would have the best chance of uniting the peoples of the planet, but where am I to find such an enemy? I do not wish to place my people in real danger, so I cannot just go in search of a race that is willing to attack us.

THEN YOU MUST BECOME THE ENEMY.

Become...? Will began, stunned. But how can I be an enemy to my own people?

ARE THEY STILL YOUR PEOPLE?

This, too, took him aback. It was true that for the last few years, he and Nine had pretty much been on their own, without much human contact, other than those they hunted, but were they still his people? The thing that had grown in his head argued that perhaps they weren't, but they were the people from whom he was born, and as such, he thought, he owed them a modicum of allegiance.

THE MATTER IS SMALL. WHETHER THEY ARE YOUR PEOPLE OR NOT, UNLESS YOU WOULD BE THEIR RULER, IF YOU WOULD TURN THEM FROM THE PATH THEY HAVE TAKEN, YOU MUST PRESENT THEM WITH A COMMON ENEMY. TO ENSURE THAT THAT ENEMY DOES NOT COME TO RULE THEM, WHO ELSE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

"They've got a point, Ten." Tina said quietly. "That's one scenario you never ran through that little computer thing you created in your head. Maybe you should."

"Do you understand what they're suggesting?" Will shook his head. "We would have no home. We already live in a damn cave and have to hide from other humans unless we're hunting them. How much worse is it going to be if we do this?"

"And when did you expect to go home, Will?" She asked without irony. "Did you think you'd be able to just go back to your little house in the suburbs and start another family? Let's face it, unless we decide to rule the damn Earth, which will pretty much make us everybody's enemy anyway, we aren't going to be able to live openly on the planet for a very long time, no matter what course of action we take, or don't take. You wanted a way to turn things around without becoming a dictator, so here it is. Even without that simulation thing you've got going, I can see that it's got a good chance of working."

"And you're willing to go along with me on this?"

"You can be pretty dense, sometimes, you know that Ten?" Tina smiled. "I'm into whatever you're into, because I'm into you."

"Yeah." He said, giving her a hug. "I guess I knew that, but sometimes I still need to hear it from you to make sure I'm not completely off my nut."

Your suggestion has merit, but it is a difficult thing to contemplate. He told the Allmind. I must think on it long before deciding.

IMPORTANT DECISIONS MUST NOT BE MADE LIGHTLY. IF THE ALLMIND CAN AID YOU IN YOUR THINKING, YOU HAVE ONLY TO ASK.

The Allmind has fulfilled its part of our bargain. Will replied. Now I must complete mine.

It took hours to complete the changes to the other nine Meli-kapsisti, but after the first, the procedure was mostly rote. While the Allmind played with its new ability, Will's mind roiled over the suggestion made by the group mind. Almost as as afterthought, he teleported clothing for them from the cave to remove one source of discomfort, and Nine spent the time exploring the minds of the members of the Allmind.

The chamber, she discovered, was near the center of a large city on one of three inhabited planets of this star's system. The membership of the Allmind was constantly in flux. Beings came and went, going on about their daily lives as if working a shift in a factory or doing nine-to-five at the office. The Allmind served as the primary defense of the system as well as its government. In a system where there was no privacy - the Allmind was all-pervasive - there was little need for a judicial system. If someone stepped out of line, it was known to the Allmind in seconds, and punishment was swift and decisive.

As Will finished modifying the last Meli-kapsistu, he once more addressed the assembly.

The Allmind has dealt fairly with us, and we would be your ally. We are too accustomed to independent thought to become part of the Allmind, but if you ever have need of us and we can help, we shall.

FAR BETTER AN ALLY THAN AN ENEMY! Will thought he detected some humor in that thought.THE ALLMIND IS SWORN NOT TO INTERFERE IN THE AFFAIRS OF OTHER BEINGS, BUT FOR SUCH AN ALLY, PERHAPS WE CAN OFFER SOME HELP IN FULFILLING YOUR QUEST. LONG AGO, WHEN THE ALLMIND WAS IN ITS INFANCY, AND THIS SYSTEM WAS UNDER ATTACK, WE CAPTURED SOME OF THE ALIEN TECHNOLOGY. PERHAPS YOU WILL FIND IT USEFUL IN BECOMING YOUR PEOPLE'S ENEMY.

But what of the defense of this system? Tina broke in for the first time. Will you not use this technology for your own purposes?

WE HAVE LEARNED WHAT WE NEED FROM THEIR TECHNOLOGY. WE HAVE LESS DESTRUCTIVE WAYS OF DEFENDING OURSELVES NOW.

Since most of the things that would have needed discussing were included as background thought, the discussion ended rather abrubtly, and Will and Tina found themselves in large, enclosed space, surrounded by electronics with labels written in an alien script. At first, they were at a loss as to how to proceed, until they realized that part of the background material supplied by the Allmind included language lessons and everything their scientists and engineers had learned about these spacecraft.

"We're going to need crew..." Will said thoughtfully, as he found the holographic display that showed the entire alien fleet.

YOUR MIND IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO MOVE THESE SHIPS TO YOUR SYSTEM. The Allmind told him. THERE YOU CAN RECRUIT OTHERS TO JOIN YOU, AND MODIFY THESE SHIPS TO SUIT YOUR PURPOSES.