Danger Room - A Different Tactic

[Melissa Castro]

"Have you ever actually gone rooting around in someone's head?" There wasn't any condemnation in her voice, just honest curiosity.

[Jennifer Newgate]

"Once with permission. I don't go digging around beyond what's flashing through their minds at the time."

[Melissa Castro]

"The truth of the matter is that some people consider that a violation as well. Akin to sticking your head in their living room and watching everything that goes on. Not as bad as the bedroom, but still disturbing for them."

[Jennifer Newgate]

"Yeah, well, they treat me like I do it no matter what so I might as well."

[Melissa Castro]

"So you're saying that if you believe I'm sneaking into your room and stealing your stuff, even though I'm not, then I might as well do that?"

[Jennifer Newgate]

"If you're being punished for it anyway, why wouldn't you."

[Melissa Castro]

Melissa considered her answer for a long moment, "Why would I want those people to be right about me?"

[Jennifer Newgate]

"They think they are and that's all that matters. I can't prove that wrong."

[Melissa Castro]

"Who gives a damn what they think? They're wrong and you get the satisfaction of knowing they're both wrong and ignorant."

[Jennifer Newgate]

Jennifer just laughs, maybe a bit bitterly. "Whatever. Let's just get this over with." she says, gesturing at the crowd of holographic people.

[Melissa Castro]

"Alright," Melissa said. "The first thing we're going to work on is shielding your own thoughts." The complexity of the thoughts from the crowds finally ramped up. "When I say go, you have 30 seconds to lose yourself in the crowd. After that, I start looking for you and I'll be using all my senses," she said, tapping her forehead. "Think of this as me seeing what you know already. Once I get a feel for where you are, then I'll know what techniques we need to start with. Make sense?"