Episode XLVI

Darkness cloaked the small settlement built in a small clearing on the outskirts of Daze Springs. It had been a few weeks since Acidity's last encounter with the general public, though this had not excluded him from stealing people away to join his forces. Though his forces had more or less doubled he realized that they could not continue growing indefinitly as he had to give them all injections periodically. He had made some builders build him a home base and was currently working on an acid spa for his feeding periods. Lately he had to resort to only using a tank; he'd had an employee of another lab buy it for him and set it up in the camp. As of yet the camp had not been seen, nor any suspicion thrown on any of his workers.

* * *

The next day near noon he crawled out of his tank with renewed vigor.

Where are my minions?!!

He wondered, about to work up a good fit of rage.
Suddenly a builder emerged out of a newly finish building and rushed over, stumbling in his haste.

"You called, master?"

What's going on? I didn't say a word, Acidity wondered again to himself.

"We finished installing the space heaters in the new barracks, master," the worker blurted out. "That's what you ordered, wasn't it?"

Yes, but..... Acidity still confused as to how the worker had come when he hadn't even spoke.

"Well, that's good. I don't need anything further, thank you. Please continue with your work."

The worker left and Acidity sank amazed and bewildered into his tank again. Breathing the water slowly, he thought to himself about what had just happened. Quieter thoughts this time.

I didn't even speak a word but he came running and answered my thoughts....

I must be getting more powerful.

Well, telepathy is certainly going to help me out. I will be able to plant thoughts in people's minds, if I'm careful.

I'd better watch what I think about to myself

Carefully he opened a mind link to his van driver and summoned him using his thoughts. Then he thought something to himself again at without letting anyone hear it. It was difficult but with practice his skills could be used without the world hearing his every thought.