<So you could check to see if your targets are bad people before making them like you. If we can get you near a few Controllers, will that be enough to get started? Controllers is what we call people who are infested.>

"Well, like, malicious right this moment, 'good' and 'bad' - okay this isn't a philosophy time... And the thing requires interacting with people some, but usually I get that information faster than the passive mind control, so me having a chance to like chat up a Controller would work?"

<Okay.>

To the others: <He wants to meet some Controllers so that he can use his power on them. I don't think we should let him talk to anyone, but if we get him near Stiles' house, that should be enough. I know we were talking about getting you out of there, Stiles, but maybe now we won't need to.>

"We thinking about doing that - soonish?"

<Do you have to be talking to them, or do recordings work? The easiest thing might be getting you a Sharing recruitment pitch.>

"Recruitment pitch would kind of work if I was intending really hard to contact them, but being able to observe people works better. It's like magical cold reading, everything that helps getting a sense of someone helps me."

<So, does anyone want to bite the bullet on introducing the mind-controlling stranger to the Controllers that we know of?>

To Nereus, he says <I think I know someone you can talk to. How long should the conversation last?>

"A minute at least, which should be enough for me to at least get a sense, but might need, like, five or ten if they're being really reticent or if my power doesn't work well with their species. If it takes longer than ten minutes it's definitely not working."

To the others: <There's an easier way that we haven't talked about. I know it's a risk to let that information get out, but if he's telling the truth, he needs to know eventually.>

To Nereus: <I might need some time to put together something everyone can agree on. Is that okay?>

Callie sighs.

"The Chee are too big of an advantage. Scott is being reckless."

"I'm fine waiting a bit."

"It'd get tedious repeating how many times I don't trust him."

"The real question is whether we need Scott-handling protocols. We have to assume we're safe for now, and that anything we do could make us less safe."

"We might need to consider Scott compromised. That doesn't give us any leads about what to do next. We can make all kinds of assumptions about the limits of this power, but it might be too late. I say that we leave Scott with this person and find a new, safer meeting place. If we are safe, then we can plan around them."

"...As much as I hate to say this we should keep - some kind of coordination."

Sigh.

"Neither of us are risking contact. We can keep lines of communication open with Scott if need be, but I don't want to put this alien into a situation we can't salvage."

"Which alien? The Yeerk or the - superhero or whatever?"

"The superhero. The day when I give a Yeerk any consideration will be a long time coming."

<I'm guessing you need regular human food? If you have any allergies or preferences just let me know.>

"No allergies, human food, I like noodle dishes? But that's not really a strong preference. I'll eat just about anything."

Callie leaves.

Stiles follows momentarily.

Jessica leaves with the others.

Silver elects to stay.