In those countries which had banned the broadcasts, these effects were mostly indirect. In those countries where the broadcasts were common - the children who manifested abilities were grouped into several categories, all of which fell under the category of Talents or called by a term that could have negative or positive (depending on who was talking and the point being made) connotations - Espers.
Some were Psimechanics - those whose skills allowed them a form of telemechanics. Making or tweaking gadgetry was their specialty. They were also called Sparks or Gearheads, and those in military (or paramilitary) service had a badge which showed an electrical spark eclipsed by a gear. Some few of these were especially good at coming up with new technology almost "out of thin air" and were Whispered - though many considered Whispered a separate category that also had a form of telepathic ability.
Slightly more common than Sparks were the Anipaths, or in the slang term 'Beasties' - those who could communicate in a fashion with animals they associated with regularly. Dogs were the most common animal for them to work with - canines having been work animals for a long period and more likely to actually follow directions than many. Those in military or police or similar work often wore a badge with the silhouette of a dog's head.
The most common Talent was the Intuitive and Las Vegas had people watching for those with that gift. It was often described as a "little voice" or a "feeling" or something similar, but the effect was all the same. People slowing their cars and avoiding a wreck that occurred a moment later. People who ducked or moved aside, just before the stray bullet would have hit. It didn't work all the time, and it certainly wasn't infallible. It WAS an edge.
As rare as Sparks were the Paths. Telepaths.
Then came the Operators, a more common and less powerful variation of the Sparks. People who just seemed especially gifted with operating machines, whereas Sparks could build and repair them.
There were others, more rare and sometimes not as useful.
It was mainly the Sparks and Operators who were hustled through basic training and recruited for the Babylon project. Working in space with technology they were developing "on the fly" as it were.
The massive cylinder was turning, the outer hull and engineering section complete.
"Cadet Chidori, please report to Docking Bay 7. Cadet Chidori, please report to Docking Bay 7."
Various areas completed, or nearly so, included the massive loading bays and dock areas. Warehouses and similar areas that were of use to the construction process had likewise been thrown together into functionality.
"Sergeant Sagara, you are needed at Docking Ring Alpha."
There were no businesses yet, unless you counted the cafeteria staffed by members of various armed services taking a rotation. This week the Canadians were working.
"Cargoship Vinogradov this is Babylon Control. Laser guides are active, just follow the beam in. Transport Mozhaiski, maintain current position until docking of Vinogradov is complete."
One of the uses of Babylon was a relay for various other locations in system.
"Babylon Control, this is Selene on encoded channel. Can I speak to Captain Tessarossa?"
One of which was Deep Space Observatory Selene - a set of powerful telescopes set above Earth's orbital plane that had been looking for one thing and found something else.
"Acknowledged Selene. This is Tessarossa. Status?"
One of the things that the observatory had going for it, and why it wasn't a robotic probe, was that there were Intuitive who specialized in specific things and had correspondingly greater ability within that focus. Such as psychometry, or in one case - a form of mechanical empathy.
"Confirmation. Bogey is threat."
There was a pause before Tessa responded. "Nature?"
"My visions only last three seconds, and they're not exactly detailed, all I can say for sure is that the inbound derelict is-"
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(Posted Thu, 27 Jul 2006 09:39)
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