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

[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."

[fractured_agent]

"Wait, that's it?" Owen asks, a bit wary that she might be saying that to make them let their guards down.

Jack rather likes that that's Owen's response. If he's expecting another attack, that means he'll actually be trying. "For now, yes. This isn't a skill you can get the hang of in a half an hour. You have to work at it."

[slayers_desire]

"You all performed wonderfully... and your shields were definitely stronger by the end of today, then they were at the beginning of this exercise. And after more practice, you will have even stronger shields."

[fractured_agent]

"How are we supposed to know if we're improving the right way?" Gwen wants to know.

Jack looks at April questioningly. "Would you be willing to come back and test everyone once in a while?"

[slayers_desire]

"Sure. I don't mind."

[fractured_agent]

Jack nods. "I expect you all to practice for at least half an hour every day," he tells his team. "The more you do it, the easier it gets. We'll test you every few months to see what progress you're making and how to improve."

[slayers_desire]

"The best thing is to make your practice part of your schedule. Find a moment where you can concentrate on the task, without interruptions."

[fractured_agent]

"Not very likely to find that sort of time in our line of work," Tosh says.

"We'll make time," Jack replies. "Before bed, during meal breaks, whenever you find the opportunity."

[slayers_desire]

"I am a mother. A fashion designer. An artist. And a member of my own team that protects innocents. But I still find time."

[fractured_agent]

"We never know when the Rift is going to be active, so it's hard to set time aside," Tosh explains. "Will it hurt us any if it's interrupted?"

[slayers_desire]

"It won't hurt you, as long as you can reclaim your practice time at a later time, once the Rift situation is resolved."

[fractured_agent]

"We can stagger it if the Rift's acting up," Gwen suggests. "Someone usually needs to stay behind in the Hub anyway to monitor things."

[slayers_desire]

"You don't have to do it as a group either..."

[fractured_agent]

"We'll figure something out," Ianto agrees.

[slayers_desire]

"I know you will... you are all strong people, and you did well today."

[fractured_agent]

Though they don't all necessarily show it, they're pleased by the compliment. "Right then, I'm starving," Owen says. "Speaking of meal breaks. Anyone up for pizza?"

There are voices of agreement, and Jack looks over at April. "Want to stay for lunch? It's the least I can do to thank you for your help."

[slayers_desire]

"I would be honored." April smiles in return. She is glad that the others were happy due to her praise. She is also happier that they took the first steps to protecting their own minds.

[fractured_agent]

Ianto nods a little as he makes note of her answer, and heads up to the tourist office to call in the order to the local pizza place.

"Should be here in twenty minutes," Jack tells her. "We order in a lot."

[slayers_desire]

"How do the delivery food get down here, without revealing your location?"

[fractured_agent]

"There's a tourism information centre along the waterfront that serves as an alternate entrance," Jack says. "Ianto usually mans the desk, so he'll pick it up. I bet they're wondering how he can eat four pizzas on the regular and still keep that fine body he's got."

[slayers_desire]

April smiles softly when Jack makes that flirty comment about Ianto. "We usually have one of our members get the take-out order. It usually gets to us faster that way..."

[fractured_agent]

"Yeah, well, we're stuck to only human speeds here," Jack says with a grin. The others have gone to their desks to work on projects while waiting for the pizza to arrive.