Goodman takes Ash to the Cartmel scrap market for video spares. Ash meets Luke, another 'sender', and is lured to fall in with Skylar, a Fagin-like crook who convinces young telepaths to steal for him. In return, Skylar provides them with Tags, dangerous chemical strip patches that can stimulate and enhance their telepathic abilities at the risk of serious side effects. Before he can stop using them, Ash comes perilously close to burnout and health complications.
