Flying over the city at night was a breathtaking experience. The colors and flowing lights of traffic were beautiful. Also, if I got high enough it actually felt peaceful. It was just another routine night of patrolling. I'd already stopped two muggings, returned a stolen purse, rescued a kitten, and stopped a run-away truck. Only a few more hours and I could go home. I landed on top of the GinTec building and took a moment to consider my next patrol route. An odd sound rose above the normal hum of the city. If a pack of mice were ice-skating on a blackboard in my head, it would sound something like that. As the noise got louder I swear it made my teeth ache. Was the roof getting closer?
******
A soft chiming woke me. I had to blink a couple of times to get my eyes to focus. I was lying on a cot in a strange room. Nice job girl. You are easily the third best ass kicker in the city and you were caught like a rookie. You didn't even throw a punch. I bounded to my feet, promptly wobbled, and had to put a hand out to steady myself. I was not wearing my costume! My hands flew to my face.
"It was necessary to remove your mask. I can honestly say I don't recognize you. Rest assured there are no recording devices in this facility. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that I am not wearing my usual disguise. If our paths cross in real life I will pay the heftier price of that encounter I assure you." My eyes found the source of the voice. It was the criminal, somewhat genius, Disgruntled Doctor. We'd had several encounters.
"Let me save both of us some time. I've done this simply because I can. Large jobs can take several days, but planning the usual caper takes me two hours at most. That leaves me a lot of spare time - and let's face it, daytime television isn't what it used to be."
"I must have been impacting your operations for you to go through all this," I said filling with pride.
"Dear, you interfere with one in five of my jobs. Half the time I am still able to escape with my primary objective completed." I could feel myself deflate.
"I propose we play a game. There will be five tests, if you complete any one of them I will let you go. There will be a penalty for failure. If you fail all five you will remain in my custody for an undetermined amount of time. Oh, from this point on we will be honest with each other, and you will find your powers aren't working."
I took a moment to consider his words and examine my surroundings. The walls were transparent with visible seams where they met. It was a cube. The walls had the heavy, cold feeling of metal. When I removed my fingers, I noticed they didn't leave any prints. I concentrated and my feet stayed firmly on the floor. He was right: my powers were not working. I considered several questions and dismissed them.
"How do I know you will keep your word if I win?" I asked.
"You don't. I considered this and determined there wasn't an acceptable method to prove my intent to not pursue a course of action."
"Fair enough. The tests?"
"I assure you each has an equal chance of success and failure. Where would be the fun if they weren't fair?"
"What if I choose not to participate?"
"There are benefits for your participation. I do believe a demonstration is in order. Let me direct your attention to the mirror in the corner and the collar you will find around your pretty throat."
I positioned myself so I could see my reflection in the mirror. I was wearing a simple blue jumpsuit. My fingers traced the edge of the metal collar. It was securely attached, but comfortable.
"You might want to be careful. It has anti-tamper measures. Now please watch closely." He tapped with several fingers on a large tablet held in his right hand. A chorus of chirps, beeps, and whistles emanated from it. While looking in the mirror, the edges of my collar gave off a green light and my skin tone gradually changed. It moved from my normal pallor to a light honey color. I gasped. I radiated a healthy glow.
It was an elegant and powerful demonstration. He could do whatever he wanted and I was unable to stop him.
"When do we begin?" I asked.
"Now." He tapped his tablet and section of wall near him slid upwards. As I walked towards him my eyes slid up and down considering him. "My controller is keyed to my DNA. If you are thinking of thrashing me and using my blood to issue commands you should know this device and your collar used diametrically opposed power technologies. Attempting to use both at once would create uncomfortable results."
Damn, I had been considering punching him and taking the device. As we walked away from my cell I noted was situated on a large column rising from the darkness. We proceeded over a small bridge into a separate room.
"This is the first test. For each test you have two hints. Invoking each hint incurs a perk penalty. Obviously, if you succeed no penalty is incurred. You will have four minutes to complete this task. Please begin now"
He waved towards a large pedestal. I approached it and noticed several tiles with markings. It was possible to slide them into different locations. This was a slide puzzle. "Help please," I said.
The doctor tapped some keys and on the wall in front of me an image appeared. Ah, this is what the finished picture should look like. It took me four moves to get the red dot in the upper right hand corner, where it belonged. The blue square found its proper place as if it knew the way. I was getting close. Only the two wavy lines needed to be arranged in the lower left. I heard a horn sound, and the room filled with red light.
"I'm sorry my dear, you failed. Please follow me back to your room." As we returned I noticed a pattern of three concentric circles in the floor. He directed me to step into them.
"It's now time to assess the penalties. I'm feeling generous today and will let you select. Please direct your attention to the screen. You will have five seconds to make your choice. If you are unable to in the time allotted, I will select for you."
