A couple weeks prior to the near-disaster in the alchemy lab, Ford Carpenter had found himself at something of a loss. That new headmaster was definitely up to something nasty, every adult who told him what to do was. But he just couldn’t figure out what Adrian’s scheme was.

At least Humbernot had been blatant with his awfulness, this guy put so much effort into appearing incorruptible that even Sarah and David had bought into it and stopped hanging out with him.

Making it even worse, that teleportation curse Adrian put on him was still active, so he couldn’t even go around protecting people from bullies… not that there were all that many of those still active.

Something about that last fact stuck out to Ford as rather implausible. Bullies didn’t just stop bullying people all of a sudden, there were some he’d beaten the snot out of fifty times without them getting the message.

Still, winter break was winter break. So Ford figured he might as well take advantage of that. Snowshoeing always did wonders to clear his head, and the wildlife had long since learned to avoid him if it didn’t want to get exploded.

So Ford got his snowshoes on, and trekked out into the woods. The trees were tall and numerous, and Ford wasn’t anywhere near one of the trails. But that was just how he liked it; these woods were like an old companion to him, and he knew how to get where he wanted to go.

After about three hours of trekking through snow-carpeted forest, Ford’s mood still hadn’t improved. But he had found something rather unexpected: a campsite. The tent looked to be a rugged design, intended to keep the occupants warm and safe even in a truly dire storm. A short distance away from the tent, a man was roasting a sausage over a camp stove.

No smoke; must have been one of the fancier models.

After a few minutes of trying to decide what to do, Ford figured he might as well walk up and introduce himself to the person in question.

The square-jawed man looked up from his sausage as Ford approached, his hand hovering over his pocket as if to quickly retrieve an item should it be needed.

There were a good twelve seconds of silence between the two of them, before Ford introduced himself.

“Hello, I’m Ford Carpenter, a student over at Red Point. Who’re you?”

The man seemed to be sizing him up, sending prickles down Ford’s spine. But after a while, he replied.

“You can call me Mister Valley. Now, what brings you out this far into the woods? We’re a good six miles from your school.”

“Trying to figure out what to do about the new Headmaster. He’s up to something nasty, he has to be. But no matter how hard I look I can’t find it and no-one will believe me!”

The prickling danger sensation faded. Mister Valley smiled.

“Ah, I think I might be able to help with that. I’ll get out one of my spare chairs and a sausage for you, and you can tell me all about it.”

As promised, a camp chair and a sausage on a stick were quickly provided.

“Just for your information Ford, that sausage isn’t pre-cooked. You’ll need to have it roasting over the stove for quite a while to make it safe to eat.”

Ford nodded his agreement, sat on the chair, and started cooking the sausage.

“So… what exactly have you seen going on at Red Point as of late?”

“For about two months Adrian’s been cooped up in one of the workshops. He’s making some sort of devices and everyone thinks they’re part of some new security system to keep the school safe but that can’t be right. He’s in charge, and people who are in charge are never looking out for the people they’re in charge of. That’s just not how the world works.”

Mr. Valley thought for a moment “Those aren’t contradictory. A system to provide security for the headmaster is still a security system, even if it does something troublesome for everyone else in the school.”

Ford nodded hesitantly “Like a mind control machine or something? That would explain why no-one believes me, if they’re all being brainwashed.”

A bite from his sausage before Mr. Valley spoke again.

“That’s one of the more likely possibilities, though it’s certainly not the only one. Anything else going on with regards to that new security system?”

Ford thought for a moment “Yeah they’ve been putting cameras up all over the school. They want to know where everyone is at all times and it’s really really creepy.”

The conversation went on for a solid hour or so, Mister Valley continuing to stoke Ford’s many and varied conspiracy theories while pumping him for information about the security system. Then he asked

“By the way, how did you like that sausage, Ford?”

Ford finished his last bite of the sweet, spicy, garlicky sausage. “It was nice.”

“I think you’d better get back; if you’re out much longer someone there will get worried about you and send a search party. Also I don’t have room in my tent for you.”

Ford stood up as he returned the skewer.

“It was nice meeting you Mister Valley! Mind if I come talk to you again sometime?”

“Certainly! I look forward to your next visit. I camp here regularly, so this same spot will work well.”

And off Ford went, back to Red Point Magic Academy. He had dinner, brushed his teeth, read part of a book, then went to bed. The very next day it was off to go snowshoeing again, and sure enough Mr. Valley was there waiting for him at the campsite.

“You came back, I see.”

“You’re the first person who’s ever believed me when I told them about something bad happening.”

Mr. Valley nodded.

“Yes, it’s truly shameful how many adults refuse to believe children trying to bring a problem to their attention. Anyway, I do have some ideas about dealing with your problem.”

As Ford sat down and got his sausage cooking, he asked “You have some ideas for dealing with the mind control machine?”

“So, fundamentally that system needs some sort of central command location in order to function properly. If you get there, you can disable it.”

“Ah, so I go looking around for anything that looks like weird magical machinery and smash it up?”

Mr. Valley got out a map of Red Point.

“That’s not likely to work. First of all, there’s no guarantee you actually destroy the correct piece of equipment, and a failed attempt will definitely end badly for you. In addition, the system going down in such a manner will immediately put Mr. Adley and his goons on high alert. No, some scouting ahead of time will be necessary.”

Ford raised an eyebrow.

“Then how am I going to find the control nexus?”

Mr. Valley answered “I have some ideas, but I need another couple days to get the device working. Come back then, and I’ll have something ready for you.”

Ford wasn’t exactly pleased about this, but also trusted Mr. Valley. So back to Red Point he went, waiting for the next time he could meet the first adult who ever believed him.

Sure enough, in two days time Ford went back to the campsite. Mr. Valley was there, waiting for him.

“Ah, nice to see you again Ford. I’ve got a sausage waiting for you.”

Ford smiled as he sat down across from Mr. Valley. “It’s nice to see you too.”

The conversation went on for about half an hour, before the topic inevitably drifted back to the matter of the Red Point security system.

“So… how exactly am I supposed to figure out where the mind control system nexus is?”

Mr. Valley got out a small, cylindrical device.

“With this. It’s designed to trace the information flows from the various parts of the mind control system; point, click, and it stores the knowledge. Bring back information on enough components of the system, and I’ll be able to figure out where the control nexus is.”

Ford accepted the item from Mr. Valley, turning it over in his hands and exploring every part of its brushed metal surface.

“This thing is really neat. The narrow white end is what I point at stuff, right?”

Mr. Valley nodded. “Yes, that’s correct. Please be very careful about where and when you use it; if at all possible keep it in your pocket when you press the button. I don’t know what they’ll do to you if they find you using that to spy on them.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Right, be careful and sneaky, got it.”

There was a bit of practice on using the device, then Mr. Valley sent Ford back to Red Point. The next planned meeting was in four days, and during that time Ford needed to log as much data on the mind control machine as possible.

The next day, Ford was looking for parts of the security system with a laser-focused gaze. There were cameras everywhere, and he was certain any security guard who saw what he was doing would immediately do something horrible to him.

Click, click, click, went Mr. Valley’s logging device as Ford spied.

At lunch the next day, Sarah actually bothered to talk to him again for the first time in a week.

“Ford, are you alright? You’ve been acting really weird lately.”

Ford swallowed his current mouthful of food. “I’m fine.”

“...You’ve been stalking the halls at all hours of the day, and not even looking for bullies. You’ve been avoiding the security team and...”

That’s all Ford needed to hear: they’d got Sarah and brainwashed her. He absolutely needed to bring down that mind control machine sooner rather than later.

Three more days of scouting and logging the data on the security system passed, then it was back out into the forest to see Mr. Valley.

Ford was halfway there when he realized he was being followed. Turning around, he spotted a peek of Sarah hiding behind a tree. Possibilities whirled through his mind. If he introduced Sarah to Mr. Valley, she might ruin everything. If he scared her off she’d definitely report it to the security team. Telling her to go away wouldn’t work.

So… “Sarah, why are you following me?”

She stepped out from behind the tree, “I’m worried abou-”

Then the stunner hit her. Ford trekked over to where she’d fallen, used that muscle-enhancer charm he’d got from David, and hauled her over his shoulder.

Upon seeing Ford arriving with Sarah in tow, Mr. Valley’s jaw dropped for just a moment, before he regained his composure.

“Ford, who is this?”

“This is Sarah, one of my friends from school. She’s been brainwashed and I need you to fix her.”

Thoughts were clearly racing through Mr. Valley’s head for a good five seconds, then he nodded. “Right, I’ll get on with that in my tent. In the meantime, you can roast up your sausage.”

Roughly an hour passed, before Sarah and Mr. Valley exited the tent. There was still ink on her forehead from Mancia script, but it seemed to have been partially erased with an alcohol wipe or something.

Ford asked, “Sarah, are you alright?”

His friend nodded.

“Yes. Mr. Valley looked in my mind and undid what Adrian did to me. I… I’m thinking more clearly than I have in months.”

If Ford had been paying attention that would have sounded somewhat forced to him, but he was too busy being overjoyed.

Ford looked to Mr. Valley.

“Thank you so much for saving my friend. Here’s the logging device, I managed to get lots of information on the brainwashing machine.”

Mr. Valley accepted the tool.

“Thank you so much for this, Ford. I’ll be able to make excellent use of this information to sabotage the mind control machine.”

“When should I come see you again?”

Mr. Valley thought for a moment. “The last day of winter break. It will take me some time to go through all the information and determine an appropriate countermeasure for the mind control machine’s nexus, along with its location. I’ll see you then.”

Ford and Sarah nodded.

“Got it, we’ll be back to see you again then.”

Then the two of them hiked back to Red Point. When they arrived it was just in time for supper; mashed potatoes, sausage, and baked beans.

A bit more than a week passed, as Ford and Sarah started hanging out together again. David seemed a bit uneasy, but ultimately joined in again too.

It was just like old times. Still, Mr. Valley was a secret, so they didn’t bring David with them when they went to see him.

After hours of hiking through the snow, it was a relief to feel the warmth of his camp stove and

“Ah, welcome back you two. I have excellent news about the mind control machine at Red Point.”

Ford perked up immediately, “Have you located its nexus?”

Mr. Valley smiled, “Not only that, but I was able to determine exactly what type of device they’re using, along with a way to sabotage it.”

Ford tilted his head slightly “Huh? Just go in there and blow it up. It’s not all that complicated.”

That’s when Sarah interjected, “If you do that, Adrian will know something is wrong immediately. Breaking the brainwashing on people takes time you won’t have if you do that.”

Mr. Valley gestured to the little girl, “She’s right.”

Thoughts whirled through Ford’s head. After a few moments, he asked

“Well, how do we sabotage the mind control machine then?”

Mr. Valley got out a dark blue blanket, carefully embroidered with stitched-on Mancia script.

“With this. The control crystal for the machine is in the boiler room on the basement level. That blanket will interfere with its signals, preventing the system from functioning properly while also not alerting the security team. For best effect, you should apply it bright and early tomorrow morning.”

Ford and Sarah both nodded seriously as they accepted the blanket.

“Understood, Mr. Valley. We’ll do it.”

The two children hung around at camp for the next forty minutes or so, enjoying the obligatory sausage.

Still, it was eventually time to leave. As the two children stood up to begin the hike back to Red Point, Ford said

“Thank you for everything Mr. Valley. You’re the first person who’s ever believed me and it’s helped a lot having someone to talk to about it.”

Sarah also contributed

“And thank you for freeing me from Adrian’s mind control.”

And so the two of them turned away and began snowshoeing back towards Red Point.

As they went, Lord Vallium answered

“It’s been wonderful talking to you!”

As soon as his pawns were out of sight, Vallium started packing up his camp site. It had served its purpose, no matter how unexpected that purpose had been.

When Ford and Sarah both got back to Red Point, the absolute first thing they did was hide the blanket. Wouldn’t do to get found with it.

Now it was a matter of finding a way into the basement that wouldn’t get them caught. All four staircases went to that level, but the tricky bit was avoiding detection while gaining access.

The northeast staircase was right out; there were cameras there that would immediately reveal his presence. The northwest staircase had a similar problem. While the southeast staircase didn’t have a camera pointing at the basement door, said door also turned out to be locked in a manner Ford couldn’t open.

But the southwest staircase didn’t have any cameras below the first floor landing. On top of that, the door’s lock seemed to have broken at some point and not yet been repaired.

Scouting done, Ford went to bed.

The next morning Sarah came over to talk to him, with the blanket tucked under her arm.

“So, are you ready Ford?”

Ford nodded as he accepted the blanket. “Yes. Come on let’s go, we’ve got a mind control machine to sabotage.”

Sarah nodded as if to agree, then her face scrunched up like she was in pain.

“Sorry but I have to go to the bathroom right now!”

Immediately she dashed off. Ford stood there confused for a moment. He’d wanted to do this together with Sarah, but his partner wouldn’t be available for quite a while. And he was holding an incredibly suspicious blanket in clear view of everyone.

Figuring he had no other option, Ford trotted down the southeast staircase and opened the basement door.

Thinking back to what Mr. Valley had told him, he needed to find the boiler room in order to put a stop to the machine, but he also didn’t know his way around the basement all that well. So it took a few minutes of wandering around to find the correct door.

Still, he found the boiler room. Upon entering, the massive boiler that heated the school was immediately apparent, but that wasn’t what Ford was here for. No, he was here to find the control nexus.

Ford turned to the left, and there it was. A cylindrical somewhat cloudy crystal, firmly clamped inside a metallic stand and plugged into a power socket.

“I’d honestly expected this to look more impressive somehow. It’s not even glowing or weirdly shaped.”

Disappointed or not, Ford tossed the blanket over the crystal. The slight hum in the school’s air he’d been feeling for months changed subtly, as the machine’s functions were disrupted.

Mission accomplished, Ford left the basement and went to go get breakfast with a triumphant smile on his face. He’d done it, the mind control machine was no longer functioning properly.

Sarah was there at the cafeteria table waiting for him, and they both made eye contact as he sat down. She knew he’d gotten it done.

“So now what do we do?”

Sarah thought for a bit.

“We just wait for a bit, I think. The mind control should come undone in about twelve hours, if nothing goes wrong.”

Ford nodded, and started digging into his pile of waffles with considerable enthusiasm.

It took about four hours for everything to start going wrong. The first sign of trouble was the teams of people dashing back and forth from the Alchemy lab, something about needing to defuse a bomb, apparently? Then three hours later a team of armed goons invaded the school. They were running around for a good twenty minutes before they were eventually caught.

Ford was getting really nervous by the afternoon. The events of the day had been utterly bizarre, and no-one seemed to be snapping out of it. He was strongly considering going back to the campsite, when he noticed the two NMCU officers assigned to the school approaching him in full combat armor.

Ford tried to run, obviously. He didn’t get very far before he was unceremoniously blasted with a stunner. The next thing he knew he was sitting handcuffed at the train station, a NMCU aircraft descending to pick him up.

For some reason he heard Adrian’s voice nearby.

“Look, if you send him to prison he’s never going to get out of that toxic mindset! He’s not to blame!”

One of the NMCU officers replied, “Even aside from this being outside your remit to decide, do you honestly want to keep him here after the sabotage he performed?”

Adrian stepped into view as he answered, “No! But prison wouldn’t be any good for him either! Send him to a mental hospital!”

“We’ll take it under advisement.”

Then the flying machine touched down. The doors opened, and Ford found himself frog-marched aboard.

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