Lessons for the team [for slayers_desire]

[fractured_agent]

Every now and again, Jack stumbles over something else about being a leader that he doesn't know, and today is one of those days. While he'd known that Torchwood One trained their operatives in psychic shielding, he wasn't qualified to teach it himself, and psychic aliens are rare enough that it didn't occur to him that it might be necessary, especially with the high turnover rate of Torchwood Three personnel.

But today has reminded him that it's a very real danger, and necessary to shield against those sorts of intrusions.

He's in a bit better mood than last time as he calls the one person he feels is best qualified to teach this skill.

Comments

[slayers_desire]

"This isn't a game. It can protect your sanity."

"Hold onto your shields. Embrace them. Do not let anything interfer with the shield. Concentrate on channeling your energy and your spirit into the shield, making it a part of you."

[fractured_agent]

Ianto has the best grasp of this part, remembering his previous lessons, although keeping the shields up all the time is quite a chore. The others, Owen especially, struggle to grasp the nuances of how to do it besides simply imagining.

Part of Jack wishes he could help them do this, but he knows that this is something you have to learn on your own. Even the Time Agency's training focused on self-discovery of your own limits and abilities, and while others can tell you how to do it, it isn't until you figure it out for yourself that you truly shine.

[slayers_desire]

"This is the hardest part for most people. Some will need to concentrate on enforcing their shield over and over again before it actually keeps in place."

"But you all have the strength and the ability. You can do it..."

[fractured_agent]

"And we have to do this constantly?" Gwen asks, a bit worried that she won't be able to do that.

"Not at first," Jack replies with a disarming smile. "But the more you practice, the more natural it seems."

[slayers_desire]

"And once you get better at creating one mental shield, creating multiple shields gets even easier."

"I want you all to concentrate on what you learned and create the best shield possible for yourself, at this moment."

Jack... I will passively attack them once they are ready

[fractured_agent]

You sure they're prepared for that? Jack is particularly worried about Owen.

[slayers_desire]

They need to feel true danger to their mind in order to fully understand the potential of a psychic shield

[fractured_agent]

Right now they think the worst that can happen is someone reads their thoughts, Jack agrees. A valid concern, to be fair, but not the only one. That's what happened with Mary and Tosh.

[slayers_desire]

But that is not the worst... I know they are worried about their secrets... but there is so much more at stake

[fractured_agent]

How far do you plan to take this today?

[slayers_desire]

You are their leader Jack. I will only test them as far as you feel they are ready

[fractured_agent]

I don't think they'll have a solid grasp on it by the end of today, that'll take practice. But we can let them get a taste of what might happen if they don't take this seriously, he decides. Push them, see how much 'pressure' it takes to crack their shields. Especially Owen.

[slayers_desire]

April gives no notice or warning to her test. She starts to concentrate as an enemy psychic would, trying to push on the shields that the four team members have created. Her first push won't be noticeable, as she is trying not to call attention on her actions, but also wants to see who will note the mental prying.

[fractured_agent]

Ianto is paying close attention, so he alerts at the feel of another mind against his, but he assumes it's another check to see how he's doing rather than an attack. No one else notices just yet.

[slayers_desire]

Since Ianto notices her presence, she moves onto the second step for him, pushing against his walls with a higher intensity. So he knows that this is not another check. She wants to see how he reacts to an attack.

The other three, she increases the inital push slightly, a little more noticeable for those who are alert enough.

[fractured_agent]

Ianto frowns a bit, and tightens up his shields as he was taught, drawing inward to protect his inner self. He's not quite sure what she's up to, but he's determined to keep her out, if he can.

Tosh notices now, and has to fight against her curiosity that wants her to reach out in kind. Gwen can tell something is up, but can't put her finger on it yet.

Owen's getting a little bored with the exercise, so he doesn't notice at all.

[slayers_desire]

Don't draw into yourself Ianto... push me out April gives him guidance. Take control of the situation

For Tosh, April enhances to the second level now too, pushing with intensity as an attack. And for Gwen, she keeps at the first level, increasing her initial push even further now.

She frowns when Owen doesn't notice out of boredom. Jack told her to concentrate especially on him, so she goes to the next level, a forceful push to his mind.

((bed time))

[fractured_agent]

Ianto is excellent at following orders, and he immediately expands his mental sphere, trying to keep it from losing strength as it spreads out. Torchwood One's training only covered protection, not countermeasures, so this is new to him.

Gwen recognizes April's touch in her mind. Am I doing it wrong?

Tosh is surprised by the stronger assault, and begins pushing back, or trying to at least.

Owen startles at the stronger push that seems to come out of nowhere. "Oi!" His shields are weak, but he pictures himself trying to take a swing at whatever it was that just hit him.

[slayers_desire]

Good effort Ianto. Just stay calm, and concentrate on making your sphere bigger and stronger. Add your energy and determination to it.

Once Gwen recognizes the touch, April takes it to the next level where her mental touch is more of an attacking push. She doesn't answer the mental question to see if Gwen responds appropriately.

Tosh, just stay calm while you are combating the attack. If you overthink it, you won't be able to stabalize your mental shield

April is impressed that Owen immediately uses mental imaginery to fight back. Excellent tactic Owen, but don't forget to use your shield to protect yourself.

[fractured_agent]

Ianto is the very definition of calm, and he steadily expands the sphere, making sure to visualize it as the same 'thickness' at all points. He has a hidden core of willpower that rarely needs to come out, but he taps into it now, pushing against the attack.

Gwen flounders for a moment when she doesn't get an answer, trying to figure out what's going on. But it doesn't take her long to put the pieces together, and her shields snap up. She doesn't know if this is the right thing to do, but she visualizes her sphere as the metallic silver panels of the sculpture, with water flowing over it to misdirect the attack, trying to deflect it away instead of pushing it outright.

Tosh takes a few deep breaths, then turns her attention to the task at hand. Her shields take on a strange blue, oscillating sort of tint as she subconsciously begins picturing her power as coming from Mainframe, the computer that controls the Hub.

Owen scowls as he figures out what April is doing. He has a strong fight response to fight-or-flight situations, and that sometimes comes with a disregard for his immediate safety. He throws his shields up but it's slapdash, easy to crack, and he'll be the first to fall from her probes.

[slayers_desire]

April is very impressed with Ianto, as he taps into his willpower to push against the attack. He has a good handle of what to do, and how to handle the situation.

She is also impressed with Gwen's misdirection, noting that it is also a success way to prevent an mental attack. Good job Gwen, a misdirect will protect your mind. But misdirect me out of your mind

April is also impressed with Tosh, and her attempts to focus her shields stronger. And she is very patient with Owen, but frowns t his disregard for his own safety. She can sense that his shields are easy to crack.

Jack... Owen is the one who is most vulnerable right now

[fractured_agent]

Ianto's former training was a bit different, but they at least got some of the basic principles right. And his naturally ordered mind helps him stay on top of things. While he knows it wouldn't keep out a determined telepath, and that this will only help him if he's always shielding, he at least knows some of what to do.

Gwen increases the flow of the 'water,' flowing like a river around and past her mirrored shield, thinking about the rivers that flow into the sea.

I'm not surprised, Jack replies to April. He's going to need the most work out of all of them. Feel free to knock him around a bit to let him know this is serious. He knows he can trust April not to seriously hurt any of his team, and sometimes Owen in particular needs a bit of a fire lit under his ass to get him to take things more seriously.

[slayers_desire]

The other three are in good position to know what is expected of them, and are one step closer to building stronger, more effective mental shields.

For Owen, April targets one of the cracks and makes a noticeable jolt at the weak spot in his defenses. She projects dark whispers of something more sinister through the crack... trying to show Owen that this is serious. And that his very sense of self is at risk.

[fractured_agent]

Owen wouldn't admit it right now, but that scares him. He throws up a wall, thick concrete like the walls of the autopsy room, and a quick thought includes the blades of scalpels sticking out of the walls.

Jack watches through April, approving of her tactics.

[slayers_desire]

She is satifised that all four of them know the basics of protecting themselves. And she leaves their minds.

"You all know the basics now. How to create a wall. How to go on the defensive... it will up to you and your own dedication to continue to build your mental shield."