Chapter Text
“Oh, this is fascinating,” Jenkins’ drawled slowly as he stared at Jake. “I haven’t seen a true example of this phenomenon in years.”
“This phenomenon being…?” Ezekiel asked, with a ‘continue please’ hand motion.
“Mr. Stone appears to be exhibiting the classic markers of a Sentinel. Sentinels were first brought to the attention of the modern world by Sir Richard Burton; the explorer who translatedThe Arabian Nights, not the actor married to Elizabeth Taylor.”
“And a Sentinel is?” Asked Eve when Jenkins trailed off again to simply stare at Jake.
“My apologies. A Sentinel is simply an individual with heightened senses. In the case of a full Sentinel, as it appears to be with Mr. Stone, this means all five - sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. It is also believed that some full Sentinels are Alpha Sentinels who have that mystical awareness known colloquially as the Sixth Sense.” He took a breath before continuing. “But I must admit that I am not aware of any artifact that would cause this effect in Mr. Stone. It’s usually hereditary, although these days the gene is fairly recessive. Still…”
“Family myth,” Jake croaked, still curled into a ball.
“Oh, well, yes, that would certainly make it far more understandable. Although, there is still the question of why now to consider. I mean, it’s usually….”
“Jenkins,” Eve cut in, “how about we worry about the why later, and focus on the ‘how we fix it’ now.”
“Ah, well, Colonel, as to that, we don’t exactly ‘fix it’… at least, not in the way I suspect you mean. But” he held up a hand to forestall her next comment, “I do believe the Library is already on the problem.”
“Guide?” Jake’s whisper was barely audible, but Jenkins caught it.
“Yes, Mr. Stone, I believe that the Library has indeed sent for a Guide.” He touched Jake’s shoulder gently, then smiled up at the others. “You see, whenever the Library sends an Envelope, a copy is created and filed, and a notification is triggered so everyone knows to expect someone new. This morning, such a notification came across my desk. And in light of Mr. Stone’s unexpected condition, the conclusion is inescapable. The Library has sent for a Guide.”
“So what’s a Guide, and why does Jake need one?” Cassandra asked quietly.
“And what do we know about this person the Library has sent for?” Ezekiel chimed in.
“A Guide, Ms. Killian,” Jenkins said soberly, “is the other half of the Sentinel equation. The Guide helps the Sentinel develop and control the senses, grounds him or her when using them, etc. While partial Sentinels can usually function without one, a full Sentinel always requires a Guide.”
“And without one?” Cassandra’s question was the faintest whisper, as though she’d already worked out the answer.
Jenkins sighed. “Those unfortunate enough to not find theirs, or who, for whatever reason, lose them, end up insane, catatonic… or dead. So, we are very fortunate that the Library has already taken action in Mr. Stone’s case.”
“And again, I ask, what do we know about the person in question?” Ezekiel said.
“Ah, as to that, I did take a moment this morning after seeing the notification, although at the time I didn’t realize exactly why the Envelope had been sent. I really should have though, given what I learned….”
“Well?” Eve prompted.
“Right, yes, well, while I realize you are all concerned for Mr. Stone’s welfare, I would really rather wait until our Guide arrives, and let him….”
“Jenkins… What. Do. We. Know….?”
“Very well, Colonel. The Guide’s name is….”