Makoto began asking questions, but Delia couldn't focus on his words. Her attention was drawn to one of the activists she noticed standing by the door. His movements were strange, as if he was nervous, and he kept looking around as if he was looking for someone or something. Delia felt her instincts kick in:
"Could it be someone who works for Makoto?"
As Makoto continued his interrogation, she used her psi-kinetic abilities to "touch" the activist's thoughts. Images and fragments of his consciousness began to line up in her head. He was full of anxiety, and it seemed like he had secrets of his own. Delia knew she didn't have time to waste, and while Makoto was distracting her, she decided to follow this man.
"I could be playing a double game," she thought as she continued answering Makoto's questions. "It just takes a little time to figure out what he's up to."
"What do you know about the "Sun Rainbow"?" Makoto asked again, his eyes sparkling with interest.
"It's just another project you're trying to shut down. I don't know anything other than it has nothing to do with me," Delia lied, her eyes never leaving the activist as he slowly left the room.
She concentrated and created a small illusion that allowed her to temporarily disconnect from Makoto. He continued to speak, but his words did not reach her consciousness. Now she could focus on what had happened to the activist. She felt his thoughts spiraling, and then she saw images "secret meetings, whispers, looks full of betrayal.
"He knows something," Delia realized, her heart beating faster. "I need to figure out who he's connected to."
The activist headed toward the back of the building, and Delia, using her abilities, discreetly followed him. She could feel his tension as he looked around anxiously, as if expecting someone to catch him. He was entering the back door, and Delia knew that this was her chance.
"I need to get out of this room," she thought.
She took a step forward, holding her breath, and like an invisible whirlwind, she moved the objects on the table, distracting Makoto. He jumped back, raising his eyebrows in surprise, and for a moment his attention was distracted.
"What was that?" he asked, looking around warily.
"Just a trick of the light," Delia answered, trying to hide the excitement in her voice.
Using this second, she headed for the door and, unnoticed by Makoto, left the room and quietly crept along the corridors of the abandoned building, listening to the rustling and echoing of her footsteps. As she followed the activist, she used her abilities to cover her presence, and with each passing moment she realized how important this mission was.
The activist, whose name was Mark, suddenly stopped at one of the doors and began whispering to someone who remained out of her line of sight. Delia pressed herself against the wall and listened.
"This is not what we planned. The Convention needs to know that we have people inside who are ready to act," Mark said, his voice full of tension.
Delia froze, her heart beating faster as she realized that he was not just a traitor "he was part of a secret group working for the Convention. He was trying to undermine their efforts by betraying his own.
"It's up to us now. If we don't stop them, they will have their way," he continued.
Delia briefly imagined how all this could affect her team, the people she loved and fought with for freedom. Using her powers, she began to gather information from his thoughts, delving into his consciousness. Images and fragments of events surfaced: secret meetings with Convention officials, talk of undermining her team, plans to create mistrust and dissension within the witness group.
"This is all heading towards disaster," Delia thought, clenching her fists. "I have to stop him!"
As Mark continued to talk, she decided to act. Quickly and stealthily, she activated her psi-kinetic abilities, creating an aura of invisibility around herself, and headed for the door. She opened it slightly, eavesdropping on their conversation, trying not to attract attention.
"We can't let them get any further. If they find out about our plan, we'll be trapped," Mark whispered, his voice trembling with excitement.
He suddenly turned around, as if sensing her presence. Delia quickly jumped aside, but not in time. His eyes met hers, and for a moment she froze, unable to look away.
"D-d-delia?" he said with surprise and fear.
"You work for the Convention!" she said defiantly, confidently stepping out of the shadows. "You're trying to betray us!"
Mark stepped back, his face twisted in confusion and fear.
"No, you don't understand! I'm doing this for our safety. The Convention wants to destroy us!"
"Do you think betrayal is the answer? "Delia screamed, her voice echoing down the hall. "You're playing on their side and putting us all at risk! If you don't stop, I'll tell everyone!
Mark, feeling the pressure mounting, gave in.
"I didn't want this. But you don't know the whole truth. The Convention has a killer robot project, and if they find out I'm with you, they'll use it against us!"
At that moment, they both heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Delia quickly turned, her thoughts racing to a plan.
"Come on, I know what to do," she said, and without waiting for an answer, she grabbed Mark's hand.
"Delia knows what to do..." Mark muttered ironically. "You know, I can't trust you," he added, but she didn't listen, because she didn't have time to think.
They headed towards the exit, and Delia concentrated on creating an illusion that would hide their presence. Raising her power level, she made the shadows thicken around them, and despite his fear, Mark felt their chances of salvation increase.
"It's up to us now," Delia said, looking ahead confidently. "Let's stop the Convention before they stop us."
Together, they left the abandoned building and went out onto the street, where it was already starting to get dark. The smell of fresh air filled their lungs, and they both tried to hide their feelings, but the tension between them was palpable. Suddenly, their attention was drawn to a street performer who stood on the street corner and juggled balls, while his assistant tried to persuade passersby to throw in coins.
"Look how skillfully he juggles!" Delia noted, pointing at the spectacle. "If you had managed the situation as skillfully, we wouldn't be running away from the Convention now!"
Mark smiled, but then added:
"Yes, because it wouldn't be so funny! And you're really good at shifting the blame!" he couldn't resist making a sarcastic remark.
Delia winked at him, but then suddenly an idea occurred to her to make fun of Mark - she paused and said with a serious face:
"And don't call me brother - the Beast can't have a brother!"
Mark froze, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"What? Why are you saying that?" he asked in surprise, not understanding why she had even said that.
"Oh, just a line from an old movie that all our fans know," Delia shrugged. "I think we can work on that line for your next performance!" Delia continued, laughing.
"Are you kidding me? I'm not going to perform with such weird lines!" he objected, but there was already a hint of humor in his voice. "It's like trampling on idols!"
Meanwhile, a street performer accidentally dropped all his balloons, and they scattered all over the sidewalk. The spectators around him burst into laughter, and the performer began to collect them, apologizing to the audience. Delia couldn't help but comment:
"Okay, someone here is definitely going to be a street theater star. Maybe I'll become his manager!"
Mark rolled his eyes, but Delia knew that time was running out. She quickly went with Mark to find her team and soon found all the guys in the warehouse. Delia immediately suggested that everyone conduct an improv session to relax and strengthen team spirit.
"Let's test how well we know each other! This will help us become a more united team!" she suggested, smiling despite her inner nervousness.
Everyone thought it was a good idea, and the team happily accepted the offer. Delia noticed that Mark was starting to act nervous, his hands shaking as he tried to hide his uncertainty. One of the activists was the first to take the stage, and watching him joke and play easily, Delia decided to use it to her advantage. When it was Mark's turn, she nudged him:
"Come on, Mark! Surprise us!" she whispered in his ear.
He forced himself to stand up, but his face was flushed with embarrassment. Delia decided that now was the time to influence his thoughts and create the illusion that they were all in a safe place, full of laughter and joy.
"I think you need to show everyone your true nature!" she said with feigned enthusiasm, encouraging him. "It's going to be great!"
As if under hypnosis, Mark began to talk about his "achievements" and "plans", but Delia noticed that there was a lie in his words. With each word, she realized more and more that he was not telling the truth.
"You know, I've always thought that true courage lies in being honest with yourself and others!" Delia said, directing his words in the right direction. "Isn't that right, Mark?"
Mark's face was filled with confusion. He tried to continue, but this time Delia actively used her powers to create an image for him: he stood in front of the Convention, betraying his friends, and her words were reflected in his mind.
"You don't want to be a traitor, do you? You are our friend, not our enemy!" she said with such sincerity that everyone present began to agree.
Mark, apparently feeling the pressure, shook his head, but Delia did not leave him alone.
"No one should be a traitor," she continued. "We must stand together, otherwise we will lose everything!"
At that moment, Mark finally realized that he could not betray his comrades. His shoulders slumped and he exhaled.
"I... I didn't mean to do this! I just..." he pulled himself together and continued. "I thought it would help me survive, but I can't do it!"
Delia smiled and began to work out a new plan with her team to use their powers and resources effectively. They discussed the information they had gathered, and everyone was enthusiastic. But suddenly, one of the activists, whom Delia did not know very well, interrupted their discussion.
"You don't understand! The Convention won't stop. They are always one step ahead!" he said nervously.
Delia was about to calm him down when she heard footsteps - the Convention agents surrounded the building where Delia's team was located.
"They're already here," Edwin said, as if sensing an approaching threat. "We need to hurry, we don't have time!"
Delia realized that it was time to test her abilities.
"Let's split up." If we work as a unit, we can avoid their attention and buy ourselves time," she suggested, full of determination.
The team members each dispersed along their pre-arranged routes, and Delia hid in the shadows of the building and watched as the Convention agents began to set up surveillance equipment. She concentrated her forces, looking for the right moment to attack the two Convention agents who were scanning the streets, listening warily to every rustle.
"Where are they? We have to find them before they have time to plan something," one of the agents was saying, his voice reflecting irritation and confusion.
"Don't worry, they can't get far," the other replied, looking around the area. "We'll have reinforcements soon. They can't outrun us!"
Delia, listening to their conversation, realized that time was indeed short. She quickly composed her thoughts and transmitted a signal to Edwin over the communicator: "We must act quickly. The Convention is intensifying its search. Prepare for a surprise attack!"
Meanwhile, Edwin, in an alley nearby, found cover behind tall boxes. He and two other activists began to formulate a plan to create a distraction.
"We can create noise across the street to distract them while Delia gets into the building," he suggested, his voice full of confidence.
However, their plan was interrupted at that moment when a Convention drone flew past, emitting an ominous hum.
"We are not alone," Edwin whispered, pointing to the sky. "We need to move!"
Delia felt her heart beat faster.
"I will distract them. Prepare for the signal. Once I act, you will have a few minutes to get into the building, she said decisively.
Focusing her energy, Delia activated her psi-kinetic abilities. She created an illusion, causing a bright light to suddenly flash at the other end of the street, as if there was an explosion. This attracted the attention of the agents, and they rushed in that direction, full of curiosity and alertness.
"Come on, now!" Edwin commanded, and the team rushed to the building where they were going to look for evidence about the Convention.
But they did not take into account that their actions were noticed. The Convention agent, who was hiding around the corner, immediately activated his tracking devices, and suddenly all the doors and windows were blocked with force fields.
"It's a trap!" one of the activists shouted when they realized that they were in trouble.
Delia did not lose her head. She used her abilities to try to break the force field, but the pressure was increasing.
"Let's do it! On the count of three!" Edwin said.
Everyone focused, and in an instant, the team's energy merged. Delia felt a powerful stream of psionic energy fill the room, and at that moment, the force field cracked and disintegrated with a loud noise.
"Run!" Edwin shouted, and they ran out of the building, but the Convention agents were already approaching, and they were surrounded from all sides.
Delia knew that they had to use everything they had to survive, but as soon as they started moving, groups of Convention agents appeared from the darkness, equipped with the latest devices, ready to catch Delia's team. They screamed and began to attack, while Delia, Edwin, and the others tried to repel the attack.
"We can't give up!" Delia screamed, focusing all her power.
It was a decisive battle, in which Delia and her team quickly realized that traditional methods of fighting the Convention would not work. Time was running out, and if they did not take emergency measures, their efforts would be in vain. So a crazy, but brilliant idea arose "to throw a "space assault party".
"If we can't get to them openly, let's make it so that they invite us themselves!" Edwin suggested, his eyes lighting up as he thought about the idea.
He quickly gathered his team and began to formulate a plan.
"We need to create an atmosphere so that the Convention agents think that we have everything under control," he said, smiling. "We will look like ordinary partygoers, but at the same time we will set up an ambush!"
The team began organizing a space party with a pre-planned "entertainment program" to distract the Convention agents. They found old designs and decorations from the Moon Base to create an impressive "space" setting: bright lights, neon signs and even some old star posters with funny slogans.
"This is going to be our 'journey into ignorance,'" Delia added playfully, breaking the tension with a laugh. "We're all actors, so let's play our parts!"
Each of the activists chose a character for the party. Edwin chose to be a Starfleet Captain, perched on a high chair as if he were commanding a spaceship. Delia chose the image of an alien princess with sparkly accessories, ready to entertain the "guests". Meanwhile, her team prepared a small pseudo-disco to lure the Convention agents. They set up a makeshift light screen that broadcast bright images, merging with the music, creating aural and visual chaos. When they were done, Delia looked at her friends, her eyes sparkling with determination and confidence.
"Everyone ready? This is our chance!"
The signal was given, and soon the Convention agents, attracted by the noise, began to flock to the site, full of curiosity and perhaps discontent. Little did they know that it was actually a trap.
As the agents entered the "space party", Delia, using her powers, created colorful illusions - dancing starships and galaxies, which only enhanced the atmosphere.
"What kind of fun is this?" one of the agents asked, looking around in confusion.
At this point, Edwin and his team sprang into action. They activated devices to create energy fields to block the exits and began to expose the Convention agents. The trapped agents began to panic when they realized that they had been ambushed.
"We are storming space!" Edwin shouted as the team began to fight.
Delia, using her psi-kinetic abilities, channeled her energy, creating protective fields and diverting dangerous attacks from the agents. As the "space assault party" progressed, unexpected moments occurred: dancing to synthesizer melodies alternated with combat, and the snacks and drinks that the team had prepared became unexpected weapons "they threw them at the agents, confusing them.
After their "space assault party" went according to plan, Delia suddenly realized that she had missed an important meeting where they were supposed to explain how to properly assault the Convention headquarters.
"How could I forget?!" she exclaimed when the team found themselves in a tangled tunnel leading to the main hall.
Chaos reigned all around: the team ran along narrow corridors, desperately trying to figure out where to go next. Finally, they encountered an unexpected obstacle "instead of guards in the tunnels, they were met by "Sad Doggies" "robots with shiny bodies and big, sad eyes, who performed fiery dances to a melody that was playing from hidden speakers.
"What is this madness?" Edwin chuckled, looking closely at the dancing machines. "We are clearly not where we thought!
The robots moving to the rhythm of the music looked so cute that the team could not hold back their laughter. However, Delia knew that they could not afford to relax.
"They could be part of the Convention's defense, so be careful!"
However, instead of attacking, the dancing robots continued to dance, ignoring the team. Delia, looking at this spectacle, decided that she needed to seize the moment.
"Hey, team! If these robots are just here for fun, maybe they are not so dangerous. Let's try to get around them!"
At this time, one of the robots, noticing them, came closer and, leaning down, said with a synthesized voice:
"Hello, dear dancers! Do you want to join us?"
This proposal caused confusion in Delia and the others. They looked at each other, and one of the activists, Anne, said with a smile:
"Well, if dancing with them is our chance, then why not?"
Thinking that this was the perfect opportunity to distract attention, Delia pulled out some of the colorful gloves they had used for the party from her backpack and offered them to the team.
"Let's pretend we're robots too!" she said, putting one on.
The team enthusiastically agreed. Delia showed them some simple moves, and soon they were dancing along with the robots. To their surprise, the robots responded even more energetically, turning and adjusting to the team's movements. This allowed the guys to get further into the tunnels without attracting the attention of the living guards.