Pep Squad Read Free Page A

empty apart from an attractive woman with dark hair swept back into a ponytail.
    â€˜Hello, Marianna,’ said Mr Parry.
    â€˜Nice to see you, Wayne,’ said the woman, clasping his hand in both of hers before turning her attention to Jess. ‘You must be Jessica. I’m Marianna Enigmistica,’ she continued, rolling the r in her name the way Italians do.
    â€˜But all the students call her Signora Enigmistica,’ prompted Mr Parry.
    â€˜Nice to meet you, Signora Enigmistica,’ said Jess.
    â€˜Welcome to P.E.P. Squad’s Dublin branch office,’ said Signora Enigmistica. ‘As well as our regular duties and research and development, we also do the final testing phase of enrolment here.’
    â€˜Testing phase?’ said Jess.
    â€˜Well, we need to see if you really have what it takes. Lieutenant Parry’s been known to get it wrong occasionally. Think of this as a practical exam for a language. Only this practical will be somewhat more energetic,’ said Signora Enigmistica, winking at Lieutenant Parry.
    â€˜Lieutenant?’ said Jess.
    â€˜I spent a little time in military intelligence,’ said Lieutenant Parry vaguely.
    â€˜And if he’s wrong about me?’ asked Jess, turning back to Signora Enigmistica.
    â€˜Then we give you a glass of Memory Wipe, tell your parents that you have not been accepted for admission and all of this goes away.’
    â€˜What’s Memory Wipe?’
    â€˜A special cocktail that erases a select portion of memory, depending on the concentration,’ said Signora Enigmistica, matter-of-factly.
    â€˜Don’t worry, I hear it tastes quite fruity,’ said Lieutenant Parry, noticing the look of alarm on Jess’s face. ‘Besides, I know a good candidate when I see one.’
    Jess didn’t like the idea of ingesting a drink that could mess with her brain, especially in the middle of exams. She hoped she wouldn’t need it.
    â€˜Come with me now, Jess. You’ll see Lieutenant Parry again after the test.’ Signora Enigmistica strode through a doorway that had magically appeared in the foyer, and along a corridor. Jess hurried after her. They ended up in a room with a black cylindrical booth in the centre. The cylinder was about three metres high and four metres in diameter. To the side of the room was a single desk with a computer console and a Chinese room divider.
    â€˜Take everything off – and by everything I also mean underwear – and put this on,’ said Signora Enigmistica, pointing Jess in the direction of the room divider and passing her a black body suit, complete with gloves and little booties to cover her feet. It was made of an extremely lightweight fabric Jess had never come across before, which somehow seemed to feel both hot and cold at the same time.
    First looking around for hidden cameras or secret doors that might slide open, Jess slid her shoes and socks and knickers off and pulled the bottom half of the jumpsuit up under her school uniform. She slid the bodice up under her dress so that it covered her chest, before pulling off her uniform. Then it was a simple matter of undoing her bra and slipping her arms into the sleeves of the suit. There was also a hood, which she pulled over her head, leaving the skin on her face the only part of her body that was exposed. The suit was very, very tight.
    â€˜Um, excuse me,’ said Jess, poking her head around the Chinese screen. ‘I think I might need the next size up.’
    Signora Enigmistica walked over and gave Jess a once-over, saying, ‘Looks like it fits perfectly. Put these on.’
    She tossed Jess a pair of trainers. The second the laces were tied, the teacher said, ‘Ready?’
    Jess followed her towards the booth.
    â€˜This is state of the art in virtual reality. No need for clumsy helmets and handsets,’ said Signora Enigmistica, pressing a button on the outside of the booth to make a