Shaky Foundations

“Of course.” Aaron looked at James, curious. Something was off, but now was no time to ask questions. Aaron shook his head, stood up, and proclaimed, “Let’s do this!” He immediately began to run toward Golem.

“James, you—“ He stopped in his tracks.

“Aaron, what are you doing?!” Campbell yelled from the distance.

“I can’t… I can’t read him! No messages in or out!” Aaron sent a distraught message to Campbell.

“What? How is that possible?” Campbell looked to James.

“I’m not sure, but…” Aaron chose his next words wisely. “Do not tell him. Keep this a secret. I’ll tell Miche, but, unless I think it’s okay, don’t say a word.” Aaron could feel a protest coming from Campbell. “Now isn’t the time to argue. Just trust me on this.”

“Okay, but watch out for that big stone creature,” Campbell pointed.

“Fuck.” Aaron sighed as he moved to protect himself. The creature moved to punch him, but he quickly threw up his arms and held his defense. It took more energy and effort than he thought it might, but he ended up better than after his previous hit.

“Thanks…” he said to Campbell before launching himself on the creature’s shoulders. “James!” he yelled, loud as he could. “You and Jane have the capabilities to take these things down. Make them your target! Miche, lend me a hand!” He could see James and Jane nod in agreement in the distance. He breathed a quick sigh of relief before he went to work. He synced himself with Miche to prepare their assault.

“Get ready!” Aaron yelled as he flew off the stone creature, thrusting it to the ground. “Miche, I want you to try this for me –“ he sent a mental image of his strategy to her.

“Okay,” she shrugged and did as he asked. Using an immense amount of will, Miche created as many copies as she could to come down on top of the creature. As they dogpiled onto the it, Aaron flew down to Golem and engaged him in hand to hand. His landing kick missed, but he immediately followed up with swift attacks to Golem.

“Try harder!” Golem smirked as he used nearby stones as a defense. Aaron managed to kick through many of them, but found himself unable to completely penetrate Golem’s defenses. Suddenly, a boom resounded nearby. Aaron smiled, looking back to find a heap of rubble, evidence that his plan worked.

“Nice try,” Aaron said, dodging a stone flying in his direction. “I can still read your mind on a basic level.” Golem apparently didn’t like his comment and responded with a scowl. Aaron could sense a coming attack, until he noticed a familiar form tap Golem on the shoulder. As Golem turned around, a Miche copy smiled, then promptly punched him in the face.

“Thanks Miche,” Aaron responded, kicking Golem to face the copy.

“Always. I’m a bit low on energy now, though so the copy may be weak,” she said as the copy roundhoused Golem in the face.

“Do as much as you can, just help me overwhelm him. Are Jane and James done?” Aaron telekinetically pushed Golem into the copy, which smiled and exploded with energy.

“Just about. Should I send them over?” Another copy appeared and kneed Golem in the stomach.

“Put them on standby. This is working so far. I’m almost done,” Aaron lifted Golem in the air and slammed him back down, while the copy jumped on him, landed a couple of punches to his face, and exploded.

“Now,” Aaron said, resolve in his voice, as he lifted Golem to face him. “I know you don’t have psychic abilities and I’ve hit you enough to weaken your mind,” he said, sending a couple of weak psychic waves at Golem, “So now is the time to talk before I get more pissed.” Golem responded with a sly smile.

“What the fuck…” Aaron said, shaking his head. He quickly stopped, noticing a slight change in the psychic energy in Golem’s mind. He narrowed his eyes and said, “What did you do?”

“This isn’t going to be so easy.”

“It already is.”

“That isn’t what I’m talking about,” Golem let out a small laugh. “I don’t think you can prepare for what’s coming.”

Aaron tilted his head to the side, confused, as the rest of the crew approached.

“Destroy him,” James said.

“That’s not how we do things,” Miche stepped to face him.

“Exactly.” Aaron added. “So, Golem, what’s the deal?” He began probing his mind, but all he saw was a giant, bright blanket of purple and pink. The energy in the image made Aaron stop breathing. His eyes grew wide. He was unable to fully grasp what was going on in Golem’s head. Suddenly, Golem threw his head back and his eyes rolled up into his head. Aaron responded by letting him crumple to the ground.

Without turning to face anyone, Aaron sent a message to Miche and Campbell, “We need to talk.”

Golem’s body suddenly disappeared in a familiar blue light. Aaron looked in the distance and saw a form walking away before it disappeared.

“Did you see that?” Campbell said in Miche and Aaron’s minds.

“Yeah.” Miche nodded.

“Future Blink is back.” Aaron said to them. Shaking his head, he turned to James and Jane. “Thanks for helping us out,” he put on the best smile he could.

“Of course.” James shook his hand.

“We saw that you needed help,” Jane smiled.

Aaron nodded and tried a quick probe of them both, with came up with nothing. He didn’t trust anyone he couldn’t read, even though he didn’t regularly probe the minds of other people. Yet, he noticed a different energy from Jane, much softer than James’.

“I think it’s time for us to get back,” Campbell spoke.

“I agree,” Miche said. “I hope we see you again, especially if anything like this happens.”

“I have a feeling you will,” James smiled. As they began to walk away, Aaron shot a look and a telepathic probe to James one last time. James, responded by turning around and smiling. Aaron tried to hide a scowl, but couldn’t. He had caught a glimpse of the same blanket of energy from Golem’s head.