Free The Ninth by Benjamin Schramm

Weaver abilities to manipulate the guard?”
    “None.  I was observing him closely, not that I expected him to.  It seems that, along with his other memories from six years ago, Brent has forgotten all about his abilities.”
    “Could Zimmer’s guards have been responding to Brent as if he were manipulating them?”
    “Not possible.  The room is equipped with special sensors and observed by trained Weavers.  They’d know if anyone was or wasn’t using Weaver abilities.”
    “All right, but couldn’t it be dumb luck?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Well, as I understand it, when you get past the fancy details all a Sim boils down to are sets of if/then statements.  What looks like a guard talking to recruits is a specter responding to the actions of the recruits with predetermined responses.”
    “More or less.  Your point?”
    “Is it possible that Brent just happened to pick the course of action that would get the best reaction out of the guard?”
    “I hadn’t thought of that.”  Jack scratched his chin in thought.  “Zimmer prides himself on what he calls “complete” Sims.”
    “So he caught you and monologued over how amazing his work is, I take it?” Nathan asked with a grin.
    “I wouldn’t say caught.  I had a couple suggestions for his exam and he took the opportunity to explain his process, in detail .  According to him, his Sims are loaded with unique responses for every possible situation.  It is possible for Brent to have simply stumbled over the right one.  Improbable but not impossible.”
    “Good enough for me, and it looks like the groups have reached their next exams.”
    “So they have.  There won’t be any Sims this time.  I wonder how Brent will fare against a flesh and blood opponent.”
    “I certainly hope he passes – I’ve got a lot riding on the boy.”
     
     
     
    Zimmer had not been happy to see them.  His congratulations had been halfhearted.  As the recruits left him for their next exam, Brent could hear Zimmer muttering angrily to himself.  Waiting for them in the hallway was Humphrey, with a smile that didn’t quite belong on the otherwise glowering face.  Humphrey didn’t say a word as he led them down the corridors of the station to the next examination.  Brent paid careful attention, noting every indentation in the walls that was really a doorway.  Brent wondered if the other groups were behind those doorways, already taking the next exam as they wandered the halls.
    “Here we are.”  Humphrey’s mumble almost sounded encouraging.  “This time they will test your stealth skills.  Keep up the good work.”
    Entering the room, the recruits found it empty.  There was no waiting instructor, no laid out instructions, just an empty room.  The recruits spread out, investigating the room.
    “Pretty smooth talking back there,” Hiroko said with a proud smile.  “Guess you’re not a lost cause after all.  And certainly not a mute,” she added, sticking her tongue out at Erin.
    “You really saved my hide.”  Owen was emphatic as he shook Brent’s hand.  “If there is ever anything I can do for you, just say so and it’s yours.”
    “You should have let him fail,” Erin said matter-of-factly.  “The exams are to test a person’s ability.  Intervening and saving someone from failing could put us all at risk later.”
    “I see,” Hiroko snapped at Erin.  “So, silently following Brent and slipping your card effortlessly through the scanner without incident was a fair test of your abilities?  Good to know we’ve got a master of “do nothing” on our side.  If we are ever faced by an army of ravenous card scanners, we’ll leave it to you.”
    The recruits in earshot chuckled to themselves.
    “You are one to talk!” Erin shouted in frustration and embarrassment.  “Your performance was no greater than mine was!  I’ve spent years training for this.  I studied the standard exams in detail.  It shouldn’t be like