By the time I'd come to my senses, or at least what I'd hoped were my own senses and not those of some alien hive mind, it was early evening. We had little more than 24 hours before the launch of Tech Specs, an event that had drawn international crowds into the city of Cork. Well-off gadget geeks and lovers of innovation were gathered to queue for the chance to get their hands on this latest piece of hardware. Nobody really knew what to expect from the technology which promised so much, but this mystery only added to the appeal. But even the most cynical of minds wouldn't have guessed the true purpose of the glasses: a delivery system for living plastic, and an instrument of mind control. Time was running out, and we knew whatever we decided to do, we'd have to act urgently.
"OK people, any ideas on how to proceed here?" I asked Dave and Ashley, as we paced around the Hub.
"If Devlin is working with the Nestene, then we need to confront him. No more traipsing around blindfolded." Dave said, forcefully.
"We have to delay the launch of the glasses first. No point blundering into a trap, getting captured or worse, all the while Devlin gains an army." Ash retorted.
"So we take him out before he has a chance to take control of everyone. End it before it begins!" exclaimed Dave.
I raised a hand to my temple as another pang of pain stung me. Dissension in the ranks would just add to my headache, so I stepped into the tiff.
"Settle down, both of you." I said, through gritted teeth. Suppressing my pain, I continued. "Whichever we prioritise, we still need a way into Devlin's base of operations. Which would be a tough enough ask in normal circumstances. Breaking into the very public headquarters of a tech giant on the day of a flagship product launch is nobody's idea of subtle."
"There must be something we can do though. Nothing's impossible. Not for us." Ash smiled a frankly infectious smile of dangerous optimism. Having someone like her by my side made me feel like anything could indeed happen.
"Actually, I do have a suggestion." Dave announced, turning towards the computer and opening a browser tab. "There's a gala event in the Metropole tomorrow morning, a sort of pre-launch party for journalists and 'figures of influence'. It'd get us close to Devlin, if nothing else."
"It's a start." I said, thoughtfully. "Good work Dave. We might even be able to confront him. Best way to take down villains like him is to give them enough rope. Use their own powers against them, if possible. At worst, we could just ask him politely to stop."
"If we could even find out exactly what he wants to use his brainwashed army for, it'd be something." Sue agreed. "Now, how do we get invited?"
I've always been a bit of a "given an inch" kind of guy, to be honest. Given a problem with multiple solutions, I'd struggle. But given the smallest start, any clue at all, and the way forward would just click. I had a talent for improvisation, at least, as long as I had a running start, so to speak.
"I already have an idea about that, actually." I said, taking over the keyboard. "It's an event for the press, so let's be press."
"It's still a fairly exclusive event. We can't pose for a major outlet as they'll all be there anyway, while 'Parish Tech News' won't get in the door." Dave warned.
"Parish Tech News?" asked Ash, smirking.
"Or whatever name Arven cones up with." Dave explained, sheepishly.
"Thankfully we don't have to rely on your naming conventions." I replied. "Dave's right. Most small outlets won't be invited, but a local, tech savvy man like Devlin? He's bound to have a soft spot when it comes to a request from his former Alma Mater's newspaper."
"That's your plan? Pretend to be from the UCC Express?" Ash asked, incredulously.
"Not at all. We ARE from the Express. Dave's going to have to write an article when we get back."
"Why me?" sighed Dave.
"It's your brainchild. Besides, even if he doesn't go for the local angle, Devlin won't underestimate the PR boost he'll get from young geeks and tech nerds."
After a bit of light forgery and mild fraud, we'd submitted our request to the office of Mr. Devlin. Surprisingly, we heard back within the hour. Even more surprising, he'd taken the bait. We had an in, and the game was on! All that was left now was waiting for the morning. We left the Hub together before going our separate ways for the night. Dave left first to head across town, while Ash and I lived in the same direction. We walked in silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts, trying to piece together the events of the day. Eventually, I broke the silence, asking:
"Ash, can I be trusted?"
She stopped and turned to me, looking concerned. She feigned ignorance, but I could see the truth in her eyes.
"What do you mean?" She asked, almost innocently.
"You know what I mean. The living plastic in my skull. What if Devlin is watching everything through my eyes? What if he controls me during the gala? What if he makes me hurt you, or Dave? Maybe I should just stay behind. Sit this one out, so I don't put anyone in jeopardy?" The questions and doubts that I'd been mulling over all evening came tumbling out all at once. All my fears burst forth, a deluge of doubts, that Ash weathered resolutely. When I paused for a much needed breath, she hushed me, held my shoulders and spoke tenderly.
"Arven. Don't worry. You're the one who introduced me to this life, to all of this. Even compromised, there's still nobody I'd rather have beside me when facing down extraterrestrial evildoers. And I promise you, if Devlin tries anything with you, I'll force him to relinquish control. I guarantee it."
I looked into her warm, determined eyes, and couldn't help but feel buoyed by her optimism, though even that sight was tinged by sadness. I didn't deserve to be friends with someone so stubbornly decent, much less share a relationship with her. She seemed so convinced of our heroism, I vowed there and then I would never let her down.
"Thanks Ash. I needed that. It's just, when something's gets into your mind, you start doubting yourself. You know?"
"Sweetie, I don't need alien brainwashing to know what that's like." For a moment, her eyes drifted to the side, tinged with grief, before Ash returned to her usual self. "Now cone on, let's get home. Bit day tomorrow." Hand in hand, we continued onwards into the night.
