Anne vs the Volcano

As Anne Onymous walked in the service entrance of the Washington University Medical Center, she flashed a security pass at the guard. With a flick of her wrist, her normal pink and purple outfit was replaced by a white lab coat. She strode down a humming white corridor - “Sonic decontamination complete!” A friendly voice chirped – and into a circular dark room where she place both hands on a silver podium – “Bioscan complete – Inoculations Up to Date.”

The next room was hexagonal with 3 doors and a black and grey vertical display. “Neurology!” Anne snapped at the wall. As the AI driven lift brought her to the appropriate ward, she mused. The medical, construction, and transportation sciences had all greatly benefited from the technologies available from the Galactic Federation. Sad would be the day that losses could incur. Monitor not in the mind the least. Been cycle the herstory fully restorative as spring follows winter. Confident that her loyally obedient mentalic gymnastics had boosted her mental immunity against the telepathic brain virus scan… “Hi, TZ. Hi, Amber. Hello, Dawn.”  The Wotch waved at the unseen telepaths of Homeland Security and blanked her mind in preparation for what might come next… week… strong… Newton’s laws… Equal and…

“Hi, Anne!” Dr. Victoria VonStein’s expression brightened as the red haired teen strode into the room. “How’s our resident Wotch-Doctor? Ready for your performance?” The pale woman with jet black hair was fiddling with a widget while walking around the ward. “The telepathic screens are up to protect our patients so if you feel a little oppressed, pay it no mind.”

“The honoring ceremony at the Women’s Liberation Museum isn’t until next week. And I’m not performing; I’m giving a speech as the representative of the United Nations of Tandy!”

“Tssk, tssk. Our spoonbenders say that you are planning to present our noble Liberators with an orchestra. We had a MindWarden drop from pre-scanning the performance.” Both eyebrows raised. “Haven’t they warned you that Magic and Pscience don’t mix?”

“It’s a very loosely kept secret, but each member of the Liberation Force will be presented with the musical instrument belonging to one of my predecessors. They may not be able to USE magic but they will be able to UNDERSTAND the principles of Magic.” Anne’s voice dropped to a murmur. “Yes they will understand principles…” She looked up suddenly: “So how is the Governor?”

“Alice is fine. She was in excellent shape physically, but was one of our most frequent sufferers before her collapse. Maria checks in on her every day hoping that ‘She’ll be back’”