I broke my contact and slowly walked away. The Shades followed. I felt an immense sense of relief coming from that man. I still find him a disgusting piece of slime but I’ve got to admit – he did his part exactly how I told him to.

Next – the teens laying on the ground. I walked up to a girl (all humanoids have similar features so I’ll assume this slender gentle-featured creature is a girl) who was laying with her eyes closed, knelt next to her and touched her forehead. One if the things I’ve learned from her is that she’s awake, another – her left elbow hurts. I said in a low voice, “When you decide to show that you’re awake, walk over to Dr. Nectar and ask her to treat your elbow.” Then I couldn’t resist a chuckle because my “unconscious” patient actually nodded. Next, next, next… One boy decided to be rebellious and asked me what do I think I’m doing and do I know who his Father is. I told him that I need to touch his forehead and it doesn’t hurt. He asked me if I’m a Doctor or anyone else authorized to handle Patients. I told him that I am definitely authorized to touch-scan anyone. By WHOM? By the Leader of this World. No, this won’t do! The Patient sat up, then got up with my help and started to walk around angrily. No, no, no! This is not how the things work! There must be a proper licensing procedure in-place. Anyone authorized to handle Patients must stand before the Board and prove his competence by passing an exam. Only then one can possibly do even something as simple as touch another person even for something trivial. How do I know what I’m about to do is actually trivial? Who certified me? This will not do! And I should be aware that a detailed report will be submitted to all the agencies with the powers of oversight. I looked around at the Shades and the Val’s Assassins. I’ve got to give them credit – they are spread out around the area and even though they are listening in on this diatribe and quietly chuckling, they are still looking over the field.

Dr. Nectar briskly walked over probably meaning to save her patient from whatever horrible thing that he’s being put through. She stopped a few steps away, listened to the speech and then suggested a bit more laying down would be good for this one. I asked if all of his classmates who are now sitting up getting free entertainment are OK to do so. She said, yes but this one needs to lie down. Since the Patient totally ignored her advice, I reached out through Zombie-controls, stopped his Public Speaking exercise, touched his forehead getting all the data I need and commanded him to lie down and be silent for the next 3 minutes. Then I moved to the next person who asked me if I pacified that talker through hypnosis. Yes, something like that. The next patient asked me if the talker will be OK. Yes – he’ll be up and about by the time I reach the last of you.

And so it was. The kids got up soon enough and I suggested we start getting to the Camp. Doctor said they aren’t strong enough for a walk so the Assassins offered to transport them via a Shadow-Jump. I told the kids that it’s a rather unique experience as they move literally within a time it takes to blink and most have agreed. I offered a ride on a Monster to the rest and when they saw our Phil they somehow preferred a Shadow-Jump. The Doctor with her staff and 2 of the patients still rode our Phil-ed up bus.

The Camp was still just getting to their morning routines so when the entire Assassin Force showed up with a bunch of strangers and then Phil rode in with the Doctor, everybody assembled. As the newcomers looked at us in wonder, I sent an invitation to the Lab Chiefs to come out and, if possible, take their assistants. I promised a talk on the Other Worlds today – I deliver. Not the way I’ve intended but still.