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From: owner-arfic-l-digest@lists.xmission.com (arfic-l-digest) To: arfic-l-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: arfic-l-digest V1 #49 Reply-To: arfic-l-digest Sender: owner-arfic-l-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-arfic-l-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk arfic-l-digest Wednesday, October 10 2001 Volume 01 : Number 049 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2001 11:04:24 +1300 From: "Anne Olsen" <anneo@paradise.net.nz> Subject: (arfic-l) All That Glitters (18/20) This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - ------=_NextPart_000_03C2_01C1517B.52302A00 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable All That Glitters (18/20) by Anne Olsen Disclaimers in Part 0 Feedback to anneo@paradise.net.nz **** Part Eighteen Sheriff Valenti broke the silence in the room after Brooke-Smythe's = statement. He pulled his phone out, dialled, then shook it. "Damn," he = said. "No signal. Wonder why?" He glanced a couple of times at Jade and = then back at Damon, still standing over Masters' body. "You okay, Bill?" = Damon seemed to bring himself out of the world he'd retreated into since = the shooting. The angry look of mere minutes before had been replaced by = one of regret or maybe even guilt. He nodded. "Go get some help quickly = before it's too late. I'll look after things here." "You sure?" Valenti seemed hesitant. "Sure. Don't worry. I'm not going to shoot anyone else if that's what = you're worried about." He dropped the gun that was still in his hand = onto the floor beside Masters still form, as if to reinforce his intent. "Masters threatened Megabyte," pointed out Max. "Think about how you'd = feel if it had been Kyle." Max could have sworn he saw Valenti's expression change for an instant = to one almost mirroring Damon's own just before he had shot Masters. He = looked again and it was gone as the man composed himself. Where was = Kyle? Had something happened to him as well? "I'm going to find a real phone and call for an ambulance," Valenti = announced. "Do what you can for Jade, and I'll get help as soon as I = can." His voice softened. "How is she?" "She's hanging in there, but I don't know for how much longer," replied = Adam. "I think the only reason she's still with us is the telepathic = connection she has with Megabyte. Once that goes." The Australian shook = his head, his face grim. "I'll be as fast as I can," promised Valenti as he headed for the door.=20 Max stared at the departing figure and back again at the young girl = lying in Megabyte's arms. If only there was a way to remove his = headband, he'd be able to try to heal her. He gritted his teeth in = frustration. Damn these headbands, he felt so useless. He couldn't just = sit there and watch Jade fade away, not when he should be able to do = something to help her. "Jade! I heard gunshots just after she teleported." Isabel sought her = brother out as she entered the basement room, her relief that he was = okay soon turning to horror as she noticed Jade lying crumpled against = the very friend she'd been looking for. "What happened?" "She's been shot," replied Megabyte dully. "Masters tried to kill me, = and Jade.Jade took the bullet instead. This is all my fault. If only I'd = been able to shoot him, if only." "Stop that, Megabyte," admonished Adam. "It's not your fault. You = couldn't have killed him, none of us could have. You can't fight = something that you have no control over. Besides the gun was empty, = Masters was just playing a very sick game with you. If you start feeling = guilty now, he's won." Damon put an arm around his son, but Megabyte brushed it away. "It's not = your fault Megabyte. You couldn't have known that Jade would teleport in = like that." He glanced back at the body of the man he'd killed. "Even = though Masters is dead, I'm not sure I should have killed him. Maybe = that's one of the reasons why Tomorrow People can't kill, to stop this = kind of thing from happening. I should have let Masters stand trial, it = would have been better." He shrugged. "Still I can't undo what's been = done. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?" "Yeah, but it doesn't help Jade does it? At least you still had the = choice to kill. It wasn't already made for you." Megabyte still didn't = sound convinced. Isabel leant over to Max, whispering to him quietly. "Why don't you heal = her?" Max pointed to the headbands that he and Adam were still wearing. "I = can't get this off. The device to remove it has been damaged, and I = don't know what to do." Max could see his sister's mind racing, as she = tried to search for a solution, any solution. "What happens if you try to just pull it off?" she asked. "There's some kind of device attached to it that sends a feedback loop = through it. From what I've tried so far, it doesn't look good." "So we need to bypass the device somehow or." Max jumped suddenly as Alex appeared out of thin air in front of him, = with a dark girl he hadn't seen before. This must be Adam and Megabyte's = friend Ami, he reasoned as she spoke. "Jade, how's Jade? Megabyte?" "She's fading Ami. I don't know how long I can hang on to her." As the = young man spoke, Jade writhed and then lay still. Megabyte closed his = eyes in concentration and fell silent again. Obviously trying to keep the link between them open, Max thought. He put = his hand towards his head. Maybe he should just try to remove the thing = anyway. After all he couldn't just sit there and do nothing. He felt a hand come up to stop him. Adam was looking at him, a look of = pain of his face. "Don't," he said. "It's not going to help Jade if that = feedback circuit kicks in. There must be another way. I just wish I knew = what it was." "What about telekinesis?" asked Ami. "What if I tried to remove it that = way?" "Yeah, but what if you accidentally blew it up while you were looking = for the release button?" pointed out Alex. Michael came over and joined them, one eye on his friends, the other on = Damon. Obviously he wasn't as sure of the man as Valenti had been. "That = should keep them in one place for a while," he said, indicating = Brooke-Smythe and his companions. He'd just finished tying the men up = with some rope he'd found in the room next door. "I've got it!" exclaimed Isabel. "What if I changed the molecular = structure of the headband itself into something else? Then we could = remove it no problem." Alex was now standing next to Isabel, his gaze shifting between her and = Jade. He must have known that Izzy was with Jade, Max realised and had = thought the worst when Ami had picked up on the shooting. "Isabel is. like Michael," explained Ami, noticing the quizzical look = Damon was giving the tall blond girl.=20 Max nodded. "Could work," he confirmed, bending his head towards her. "But what if it doesn't?" pointed out Adam. "Try me first, just in = case." Max shook his head firmly. "Makes more sense, if it's me. I still have = my healing powers, you said you don't. At the moment I think I'm Jade's = only chance." Adam looked as though he was going to argue, but then after glancing = again at Jade, backed down. "Just be careful, okay." Isabel placed her hands just above Max's head and concentrated. Max felt = a strange sensation run through him and swooned as he felt the = nullifying effects of the headband dissipate. This must have been what = Megabyte felt earlier, he thought, remembering how the older boy had = reacted when his own headband had been removed. He put his hands to his = head and gingerly removed the band.=20 Jade groaned and he knelt beside her quickly, placing his hands over the = open wound. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine the damage undoing = itself, the fibres of her skin knitting back together, becoming whole = again. Max felt himself begin to shake He opened his eyes as he tried to steady = himself. "What's wrong?" asked Adam. Max frowned. "I still feel a bit weak from the headband, I think." Yeah = that must be it. That and the fact that Jade's injury was a lot more = serious than anything he'd healed before. When he'd healed Liz at the = Crashdown all those months ago it had been almost straight after she'd = been shot. Jade had been drifting in and out of consciousness for a good = ten minutes, maybe longer. Max placed his hands over Jade and tried again. Come on Jade, come on, = he thought desperately. You've got people here who care about you. You = can't just leave them. He could feel the perspiration dripping down his = face as his energy levels began to drop. Suddenly he was aware of someone placing a hand on his shoulder. Adam, = although his healing powers had deserted him, was trying to support the = young alien telepathically. Max noticed another presence alongside = Jade's faint psychic aura. Must be Megabyte, he realised. Another = presence entered the link followed closely by two more. Ami, Isabel and = Michael were all joining in to help him save Jade. It's working, he thought, relief flooding through him, as he felt the = sudden surge of energy which was the sign his healing power was kicking = in properly. Jade was becoming stronger, and slowly beginning her = journey back from the twilight place between life and death. As Jade herself connected with him, Max saw a series of images flash = through his mind. They reminded him of the flashes he'd seen when he'd = healed Liz, portions of her life replaying like a movie. Liz. Thank = goodness she hadn't come with them. Once they got out of this mess, he'd = tell her how he felt about her. Watching Megabyte and Jade had made him = realise how short life was. They had nearly lost their future in an = instant, never admitting how they felt to each other. The images from Jade came faster and faster. Max saw a younger Jade = leaning over a dog, tears streaming down her face, as an older woman = examined the animal. "Do you think I could be a Tomorrow Person?" Max could see through = Jade's eyes Megabyte's expression as that question was asked. "Megabyte! Wake up! Wake up!" The hissing from the boiler was getting = louder and louder. It wouldn't be long before the room exploded around = them. "Teleported? Me? I teleported?" Jade gazed in wonder at the alien = symbols on the walls around her.=20 "Get your hands off me. What have you done with my friends?" The large = building looked very old, in fact it almost had a gothic air about it. "Adam what's happening? Is Kevin okay?" The teenager lay on the sand, = not moving. Adam turned his face towards her, a look of panic reflected = in his brown eyes. "What if General Damon doesn't find out what's wrong with them?" Max = could see the same boy from the previous flash put his arms around Jade, = trying to comfort her. [Teleport, Jade. Go warn Adam and the others.] Jade hesitated. [Megabyte.]=20 "I've found him," exclaimed Jade triumphantly. She focused on her friend = and teleported. *********** Jade opened her eyes and her gaze met Max's and then Megabyte's. She = gave a weak smile and struggled to sit up. "Hey take it easy, kid." Megabyte had a big grin on his face as he put = his hand out to support her. Max could feel the relief flowing from the American Tomorrow Person as = the echoes of the telepathic link faded. He sat back himself against the = basement wall, feeling the cold concrete against his spine. He took deep = breaths, trying to regain his composure. He felt very drained, but the = look on Megabyte's face and the rest of those in the room mirrored his = own, he was sure. "Megabyte." Jade started to say. "Save it, okay. We'll talk later." Megabyte suddenly looked = uncomfortable and seemed very interested in a mark on the wall just past = Jade's shoulder. Max noticed the shine in Jade's eyes as she followed her friend's gaze = and grinned to himself. Yeah right, Megabyte. ********* Kevin stirred and looked around groggily. Where was he? As he tried to = fight his way back to consciousness, he was dimly aware of someone = leaning over him. "He's coming around." "I told you we should have used more of the drug. Beckett warned us that = the dose wasn't enough. The Evans kid didn't stay under as long as he = was supposed to remember?" Kevin felt a needle slide into his arm and his eyes fluttered open = again. Got to get help, he told himself. Got to get help. He looked = around the room and saw the handle of a gun coming towards him. As the darkness overtook him again he telepathed a frantic cry for help = hoping that someone, anyone would hear him. *********** End of Part 18 - ------=_NextPart_000_03C2_01C1517B.52302A00 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META content=3D"text/html; charset=3Diso-8859-1" = http-equiv=3DContent-Type> <META content=3D"MSHTML 5.00.2614.3500" name=3DGENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff> <DIV> All That Glitters (18/20) by Anne Olsen Disclaimers in Part 0 Feedback to <A=20 href=3D"mailto:anneo@paradise.net.nzPart">anneo@paradise.net.nz</A> **** Part Eighteen Sheriff Valenti broke the silence in the room after Brooke-Smythe's=20 statement. He pulled his phone out, dialled, then shook it. "Damn," he = said. "No=20 signal. Wonder why?" He glanced a couple of times at Jade and then back = at=20 Damon, still standing over Masters' body. "You okay, Bill?" Damon seemed to bring himself out of the world he'd retreated into = since the=20 shooting. The angry look of mere minutes before had been replaced by one = of=20 regret or maybe even guilt. He nodded. "Go get some help quickly before = it's too=20 late. I'll look after things here." "You sure?" Valenti seemed hesitant. "Sure. Don't worry. I'm not going to shoot anyone else if that's what = you're=20 worried about." He dropped the gun that was still in his hand onto the = floor=20 beside Masters still form, as if to reinforce his intent. "Masters threatened Megabyte," pointed out Max. "Think about how = you'd feel=20 if it had been Kyle." Max could have sworn he saw Valenti's expression change for an = instant to one=20 almost mirroring Damon's own just before he had shot Masters. He looked = again=20 and it was gone as the man composed himself. Where was Kyle? Had = something=20 happened to him as well? "I'm going to find a real phone and call for an ambulance," Valenti=20 announced. "Do what you can for Jade, and I'll get help as soon as I = can." His=20 voice softened. "How is she?" "She's hanging in there, but I don't know for how much longer," = replied Adam.=20 "I think the only reason she's still with us is the telepathic = connection she=20 has with Megabyte. Once that goes…" The Australian shook his head, = his face=20 grim. "I'll be as fast as I can," promised Valenti as he headed for the = door. Max stared at the departing figure and back again at the young girl = lying in=20 Megabyte's arms. If only there was a way to remove his headband, he'd be = able to=20 try to heal her. He gritted his teeth in frustration. Damn these = headbands, he=20 felt so useless. He couldn't just sit there and watch Jade fade away, = not when=20 he should be able to do something to help her. "Jade! I heard gunshots just after she teleported." Isabel sought her = brother=20 out as she entered the basement room, her relief that he was okay soon = turning=20 to horror as she noticed Jade lying crumpled against the very friend = she'd been=20 looking for. "What happened?" "She's been shot," replied Megabyte dully. "Masters tried to kill me, = and=20 Jade…Jade took the bullet instead. This is all my fault. If only = I'd been able=20 to shoot him, if only…" "Stop that, Megabyte," admonished Adam. "It's not your fault. You = couldn't=20 have killed him, none of us could have. You can't fight something that = you have=20 no control over. Besides the gun was empty, Masters was just playing a = very sick=20 game with you. If you start feeling guilty now, he's won." Damon put an arm around his son, but Megabyte brushed it away. "It's = not your=20 fault Megabyte. You couldn't have known that Jade would teleport in like = that."=20 He glanced back at the body of the man he'd killed. "Even though Masters = is=20 dead, I'm not sure I should have killed him. Maybe that's one of the = reasons why=20 Tomorrow People can't kill, to stop this kind of thing from happening. I = should=20 have let Masters stand trial, it would have been better." He shrugged. = "Still I=20 can't undo what's been done. Do you understand what I'm trying to = say?" "Yeah, but it doesn't help Jade does it? At least you still had the = choice to=20 kill. It wasn't already made for you." Megabyte still didn't sound=20 convinced. Isabel leant over to Max, whispering to him quietly. "Why don't you = heal=20 her?" Max pointed to the headbands that he and Adam were still wearing. "I = can't=20 get this off. The device to remove it has been damaged, and I don't know = what to=20 do." Max could see his sister's mind racing, as she tried to search for = a=20 solution, any solution. "What happens if you try to just pull it off?" she asked. "There's some kind of device attached to it that sends a feedback = loop=20 through it. From what I've tried so far, it doesn't look good." "So we need to bypass the device somehow or…" Max jumped suddenly as Alex appeared out of thin air in front of him, = with a=20 dark girl he hadn't seen before. This must be Adam and Megabyte's friend = Ami, he=20 reasoned as she spoke. "Jade, how's Jade? Megabyte?" "She's fading Ami. I don't know how long I can hang on to her." As = the young=20 man spoke, Jade writhed and then lay still. Megabyte closed his eyes in=20 concentration and fell silent again. Obviously trying to keep the link between them open, Max thought. He = put his=20 hand towards his head. Maybe he should just try to remove the thing = anyway.=20 After all he couldn't just sit there and do nothing. He felt a hand come up to stop him. Adam was looking at him, a look = of pain=20 of his face. "Don't," he said. "It's not going to help Jade if that = feedback=20 circuit kicks in. There must be another way. I just wish I knew what it=20 was." "What about telekinesis?" asked Ami. "What if I tried to remove it = that=20 way?" "Yeah, but what if you accidentally blew it up while you were looking = for the=20 release button?" pointed out Alex. Michael came over and joined them, one eye on his friends, the other = on=20 Damon. Obviously he wasn't as sure of the man as Valenti had been. "That = should=20 keep them in one place for a while," he said, indicating Brooke-Smythe = and his=20 companions. He'd just finished tying the men up with some rope he'd = found in the=20 room next door. "I've got it!" exclaimed Isabel. "What if I changed the molecular = structure=20 of the headband itself into something else? Then we could remove it no=20 problem." Alex was now standing next to Isabel, his gaze shifting between her = and Jade.=20 He must have known that Izzy was with Jade, Max realised and had thought = the=20 worst when Ami had picked up on the shooting. "Isabel is… like Michael," explained Ami, noticing the = quizzical look Damon=20 was giving the tall blond girl. Max nodded. "Could work," he confirmed, bending his head towards = her. "But what if it doesn't?" pointed out Adam. "Try me first, just in = case." Max shook his head firmly. "Makes more sense, if it's me. I still = have my=20 healing powers, you said you don't. At the moment I think I'm Jade's = only=20 chance." Adam looked as though he was going to argue, but then after glancing = again at=20 Jade, backed down. "Just be careful, okay." Isabel placed her hands just above Max's head and concentrated. Max = felt a=20 strange sensation run through him and swooned as he felt the nullifying = effects=20 of the headband dissipate. This must have been what Megabyte felt = earlier, he=20 thought, remembering how the older boy had reacted when his own headband = had=20 been removed. He put his hands to his head and gingerly removed the = band. Jade groaned and he knelt beside her quickly, placing his hands over = the open=20 wound. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine the damage undoing = itself, the=20 fibres of her skin knitting back together, becoming whole again. Max felt himself begin to shake He opened his eyes as he tried to = steady=20 himself. "What's wrong?" asked Adam. Max frowned. "I still feel a bit weak from the headband, I think." = Yeah that=20 must be it. That and the fact that Jade's injury was a lot more serious = than=20 anything he'd healed before. When he'd healed Liz at the Crashdown all = those=20 months ago it had been almost straight after she'd been shot. Jade had = been=20 drifting in and out of consciousness for a good ten minutes, maybe = longer. Max placed his hands over Jade and tried again. Come on Jade, come = on, he=20 thought desperately. You've got people here who care about you. You = can't just=20 leave them. He could feel the perspiration dripping down his face as his = energy=20 levels began to drop. Suddenly he was aware of someone placing a hand on his shoulder. = Adam,=20 although his healing powers had deserted him, was trying to support the = young=20 alien telepathically. Max noticed another presence alongside Jade's = faint=20 psychic aura. Must be Megabyte, he realised. Another presence entered = the link=20 followed closely by two more. Ami, Isabel and Michael were all joining = in to=20 help him save Jade. It's working, he thought, relief flooding through him, as he felt the = sudden=20 surge of energy which was the sign his healing power was kicking in = properly.=20 Jade was becoming stronger, and slowly beginning her journey back from = the=20 twilight place between life and death. As Jade herself connected with him, Max saw a series of images flash = through=20 his mind. They reminded him of the flashes he'd seen when he'd healed = Liz,=20 portions of her life replaying like a movie. Liz. Thank goodness she = hadn't come=20 with them. Once they got out of this mess, he'd tell her how he felt = about her.=20 Watching Megabyte and Jade had made him realise how short life was. They = had=20 nearly lost their future in an instant, never admitting how they felt to = each=20 other. The images from Jade came faster and faster. Max saw a younger Jade = leaning=20 over a dog, tears streaming down her face, as an older woman examined = the=20 animal. "Do you think I could be a Tomorrow Person?" Max could see through = Jade's=20 eyes Megabyte's expression as that question was asked. "Megabyte! Wake up! Wake up!" The hissing from the boiler was getting = louder=20 and louder. It wouldn't be long before the room exploded around = them… "Teleported? Me? I teleported?" Jade gazed in wonder at the alien = symbols on=20 the walls around her. "Get your hands off me. What have you done with my friends?" The = large=20 building looked very old, in fact it almost had a gothic air about = it. "Adam what's happening? Is Kevin okay?" The teenager lay on the sand, = not=20 moving. Adam turned his face towards her, a look of panic reflected in = his brown=20 eyes. "What if General Damon doesn't find out what's wrong with them?" Max = could=20 see the same boy from the previous flash put his arms around Jade, = trying to=20 comfort her. [Teleport, Jade. Go warn Adam and the others.] Jade hesitated. = [Megabyte…] "I've found him," exclaimed Jade triumphantly. She focused on her = friend and=20 teleported… *********** Jade opened her eyes and her gaze met Max's and then Megabyte's. She = gave a=20 weak smile and struggled to sit up. "Hey take it easy, kid." Megabyte had a big grin on his face as he = put his=20 hand out to support her. Max could feel the relief flowing from the American Tomorrow Person = as the=20 echoes of the telepathic link faded. He sat back himself against the = basement=20 wall, feeling the cold concrete against his spine. He took deep breaths, = trying=20 to regain his composure. He felt very drained, but the look on = Megabyte's face=20 and the rest of those in the room mirrored his own, he was sure. "Megabyte…" Jade started to say. "Save it, okay. We'll talk later." Megabyte suddenly looked = uncomfortable and=20 seemed very interested in a mark on the wall just past Jade's = shoulder. Max noticed the shine in Jade's eyes as she followed her friend's = gaze and=20 grinned to himself. Yeah right, Megabyte. ********* Kevin stirred and looked around groggily. Where was he? As he tried = to fight=20 his way back to consciousness, he was dimly aware of someone leaning = over=20 him. "He's coming around." "I told you we should have used more of the drug. Beckett warned us = that the=20 dose wasn't enough. The Evans kid didn't stay under as long as he was = supposed=20 to remember?" Kevin felt a needle slide into his arm and his eyes fluttered open = again. Got=20 to get help, he told himself. Got to get help. He looked around the room = and saw=20 the handle of a gun coming towards him. As the darkness overtook him again he telepathed a frantic cry for = help=20 hoping that someone, anyone would hear him. *********** End of Part 18</DIV></BODY></HTML> - ------=_NextPart_000_03C2_01C1517B.52302A00-- - - To unsubscribe to arfic-l, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe arfic-l" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 09:06:12 +1300 From: "Anne Olsen" <anneo@paradise.net.nz> Subject: (arfic-l) All That Glitters (19/20) This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - ------=_NextPart_000_000F_01C15233.F959B4A0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable All That Glitters (19/20) by Anne Olsen Disclaimers in Part 0 Feedback to anneo@paradise.net.nz **** Part Nineteen Adam put his hand out to steady himself as the flash hit him. He leaned = against the cold concrete wall, trying to shake the woozy feeling = creeping up on him. He shook his head, hoping it would clear but still = felt as though he was navigating through a forest of cotton wool. He was aware dimly of someone speaking to him, but tried instead to = reach out with his mind, or at least the part of it that was still = functioning, to find the source of the telepathic transmission.=20 "What was that?" Ami sounded shaky. In fact she sounded much as Adam = himself felt. He opened his eyes and straightened up as he started to regain his = composure. Looking around he noticed that both Ami and Megabyte looked = deathly pale. Jade had gone to sleep on one of the cots in the room, = though she twitched in her sleep, almost as though she were having a bad = dream. Must be picking up on what we are, the Australian reasoned. = Whatever it was, he was thankful that Jade was asleep. She'd already = gone through more than enough for one day. "Yeah what was that?" Megabyte echoed Ami's question. "Did you guys get = that image of a gun?" Adam nodded, worry creeping up on him as he realised something. "Where's = Kevin?" he asked Ami. It had suddenly dawned on him that he hadn't seen = the British boy since leaving him and Ami at the ship earlier that day. Ami put her hand to her mouth. "Kevin. We've got to help Kevin. Adam = he's."=20 Adam felt his body go rigid as waves of darkness washed over him in = rapid succession. He leant back onto the wall of the small basement = room, waiting for the feeling to pass. "You guys okay?" Michael looked worried.=20 "Yeah we're fine. I think Kevin needs help though, and fast." Megabyte = was sitting at the end of the cot where Jade was sleeping, holding his = head in his hands. "That was weird, Adam. What do you think happened?" "I'm not sure. Whatever it is though, I think we'd better get to him as = soon as possible." Adam had a nasty suspicion at the back of his mind as = to what could be happening to Kevin, but didn't want to share it until = he was sure. Damon stepped forward, helping Adam to his feet. "Masters' men have him = in London," he explained. A frown creased his features as he turned to = Megabyte. "Were you and Max drugged at any stage?" Megabyte nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, we were." He slapped himself on = the head and then winced. "That feeling from Kev, it's the same way I = felt as I was coming to after the drugs wore off. Fuzzy head, the whole = nine yards. Not as bad as that though." Max interrupted. "I remember starting to come around while you were = still out cold. Maybe the drugs didn't work as well on me because of my = different physiology." Adam felt a cold feeling hit him in the pit of his stomach, as he = realised that Max was beginning to put his fears into words, "You mean = they could have upped the dosage for Kevin, not realising that for a = human, it might be." Damon finished the sentence for him. "Fatal. Yes that's what I was = afraid of, and why I asked about the drugs. I know the connection = Tomorrow People have with one another and saw your reaction. I really = hoped I was wrong." Adam came to a decision. "We need to go to London. If Kevin is having a = reaction to these drugs, we'll need to get him out and to a hospital." Michael stepped forward. "I'm coming with you. If these guys have Kevin = and your other friends, you're going to need help." "What other friends?" Megabyte turned a shade paler as he obviously put = two and two together. "Dad? Is Millie is trouble?"=20 "Yes they have Millie..and Geoff. " Damon confirmed his son's = suspicions. "And Kyle," Isabel added, glancing up from where she was kneeling next = to her brother. Even though Max sounded a lot better, it was still = obvious that the whole healing thing had drained him a great deal. Adam = remembered how he had felt the few times he had used his own healing = powers before they had deserted him. There would be no way Max would be = up to a trip to London just yet. "I'm coming, too." Ami offered. You'll need help to teleport Kevin and = the others out. You can't do it all on your own, Adam." Michael shot Ami = a filthy look, and she continued hurriedly, directing her next comment = at him. "I meant teleport. Last time I looked I didn't think you guys = could do that." Jade stirred, and opened her eyes. "Megabyte?" she asked, looking = around. She looked so small, curled up in a ball with the grey blankets = on the cot pulled around her. "It's okay, kid, I'm here." Megabyte ran his hand gently through her = hair as he moved further up the cot to comfort her.=20 Jade's eyes grew wide. "I saw Kevin!" she exclaimed. "He's in trouble." "Yeah, I know. Don't worry. The Cavalry is gonna be there in a minute." = Megabyte glanced at Adam for a moment, coming to a decision. "You guys = go. I'm gonna stay here in case Dad needs a hand. You know, in case some = more of the bad guys show up. Look out for Millie okay?" You're only staying in case your dad needs a hand? Yeah right, Megabyte, = thought Adam looking at the way his friend was watching Jade. He knew = how hard it was for the American not to go after his sister. They were = close, even though he knew neither Millie nor her brother would ever = admit it. "Don't worry, Megabyte, Millie will be okay. It's us they = want, not her remember." He straightened himself and spoke to Ami. "We = go in, you grab Kevin and teleport him out. Michael and I will look = after the others. Okay?" Adam put his hand on Michael's shoulder and concentrated, focusing on = where Kevin's last telepathic transmission had originated. Behind him he = felt Ami do the same and within moments the three of them disappeared in = a white light, enroute to London. ********** Michael opened his eyes as soon as the strange tingling sensation = stopped. He, Adam and Ami were standing in front of a sofa in the living = room of an old house. He heard a noise and spun round, just as he began = to get his bearings. "Hit the ground," he yelled, as a white light fanned over the spot they = had just been standing. Michael poked his head around the side of the sofa the three of them had = dived behind and took in the situation in a glance. Kevin was out cold = on the sofa, while Kyle and two teenagers were sitting tied to wooden = chairs on the other side of the room. The red headed girl must be = Megabyte's sister, he observed noticing the family resemblance. The = other boy must be Geoff. "Come out from behind there with your hands in the air," ordered the = tall dark haired slim man who had just fired on them. [Kevin doesn't look too good, Adam] commented Ami. [I can barely sense = his presence, and he's fading fast] Michael noticed her lips weren't moving as she 'spoke'. Must be using = telepathy again. "You've got to get him to a hospital. Can you reach him = from here?" he whispered. Ami nodded. [I need a distraction though.] Michael looked over at the large flower pot on the small round table by = the doorway. He raised his hand and concentrated. A few seconds later = there was a loud bang as the pot exploded, sending pieces of the pot and = what was the left of the plant across the room. "That do?" he asked Ami. "What the hell?" The other commando, a shorter well built man with brown = hair, spun around, and fired almost on instinct. Ami slipped around the couch, and disappeared in a flash of white light, = taking Kevin with her. Why do I get the feeling that was the easy part? Michael didn't like the = look of the guns the two men carried. Must be more of those taser = weapons like he'd seen before in the flash at the UFO centre.=20 The taller commando seemed to pull himself together faster than his = companion. He levelled his gun at the two boys and spoke again, his = English accent sounding even more clipped, as the annoyance in his voice = became obvious. "Don't think that vase is going anywhere in a hurry, = Dickon," he commented to his associate. Guy doesn't sound to overjoyed to see us. Wonder why? Michael grinned to = himself despite of the situation. "But Captain Colby." The shorter man glanced at Adam and Michael and = back at his superior. "Come on you two, out from behind the sofa." Colby levelled his gun = again, this time at Millie. "No flying vases this time, okay?" Adam raised his hands and slowly came out from behind the sofa. Michael = wondered why he was giving up so easily and stayed where he was, trying = to think of an alternative plan. [Michael?] Adam's telepathic voice sounded urgent. [Michael, he'll shoot = Millie.] "Hey come on, I'm on your side," Michael followed Adam out from behind = the sofa, his hands in the air. "Masters sent me to deliver him to you." "Really?" Colby sounded suspicious. Michael lowered his arms, and spoke slowly trying to ignore Adam's voice = inside his mind. "Really." He glanced at the empty sofa where Kevin had = laid only moments before. "Masters wasn't too concerned about the other = one." Michael gestured towards Adam. "This is the one you want." Dickon lowered his gun, confusion evident in his eyes. At the same = moment Michael heard a movement and spun around, just in time to see = Kyle dive out of his chair and head butt the man to the floor. Stupid = idiot, he thought. He's going to ruin everything. Unless. Michael raised his hand, and concentrated. Hopefully Kyle was too busy = to notice what was about to happen. Colby flew through the air and = crashed against the far wall, his rifle falling from his grasp.=20 "Grab the rifle," Michael yelled at Adam. He headed over to Millie and = Geoff and used his powers to untie them from the chairs they were = restrained to. Kyle's ropes lay empty over his, Michael noticed. = Obviously he'd managed to loosen them previously and had been waiting = for an opportunity to take action. "Could use those ropes over here," called Kyle. He had subdued Dickon = and was turning the man onto his stomach, his arms pinned behind him. = "Coach would be proud." Good, thought Michael. Looked as though Kyle = hadn't noticed him using his powers, or maybe he'd thought the bad guy's = trip had been courtesy of Adam. "Yeah, whatever," Michael looked around for Adam, wondering what was = taking the Tomorrow Person so long. To his amazement the Australian was = looking at the rifle in his hands with an expression of disgust. What = was wrong with him?=20 Colby pulled himself to his feet and lunged at Adam, who disappeared. = Michael grabbed the weapon Dickon had dropped and aimed it at the man. = "Stop right there," the young alien ordered as Adam reappeared by his = side, dropping the rifle to the floor. Geoff picked up the downed weapon and levelled it at Dickon. "Give me = one good reason why I shouldn't shoot you now!" "Geoff, no!" Adam sounded upset. "Go phone the authorities, let them = sort things out. Put the gun down." "You must admit Geoff has a point," pointed out Michael. "These guys = were going to shoot us. Why shouldn't we give them a taste of their own = medicine? They're only taser guns, it's not as though it's going to kill = them." "No!" exclaimed Adam again. "Oh I get it," Kyle sounded almost amused. "It's that no kill thing. You = guys don't like violence either." Michael glanced at the two commandos in front of him as a thought struck = him. He spoke to Adam, a tone of respect in his voice. It was a feeling = that was new to him, a feeling that was quite.alien. He laughed to = himself at the ironic phrase. The conversation he'd heard before between = Megabyte, Adam and Damon suddenly made sense. Sure he'd been listening = to what they had been saying but the whole non-killing concept hadn't = really sunk in, until now. "You and Ami came here to take on these guys = knowing that you couldn't really defend yourselves, didn't you?" Adam nodded, running his hand through his dark hair. "Part of the joy of = being a Tomorrow Person, as Megabyte would say," he confirmed. "Come on, = let's get back to Roswell." Adam suddenly seemed almost embarrassed by = the attention. "Geoff, Millie will you guys be okay once the police = arrive?" "Yeah, sure," Geoff suddenly seemed a bit subdued. Michael wondered if = it had been what Adam had just said. "We'll be fine," Millie added. "Just tell Megabyte and Dad to get home. = They are okay aren't they, Adam?" Adam seemed miles away for an instant and then seemed to become aware of = his surroundings again as he replied. "Yeah, they're fine, Millie. = Sorry, just talking to Ami. Kevin is stable, but the hospital says it = will take a few days before he's feeling right again. She's going to = stay with him for a bit." He reached his hands out to Kyle and Michael. Kyle backed away. "I'm not doing that teleporting thing again. Once was = enough, thanks." "It's either that or you're stuck here," grinned Adam. "It gets better = each time, trust me on that." "Jock like you scared of a little teleport?" Michael laughed. "Wonder = what the girls would think of that one?" Kyle reached out and put his hand on Adam's shoulder. "I'm not scared! = Seriously wigged yes, scared no. See!" Michael was still laughing to himself as Adam initiated the teleport. *********** End of Part 19 - ------=_NextPart_000_000F_01C15233.F959B4A0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META content=3D"text/html; charset=3Diso-8859-1" = http-equiv=3DContent-Type> <META content=3D"MSHTML 5.00.2614.3500" name=3DGENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff> <DIV> All That Glitters (19/20) by Anne Olsen Disclaimers in Part 0 Feedback to <A=20 href=3D"mailto:anneo@paradise.net.nzPart">anneo@paradise.net.nz</A> **** Part Nineteen Adam put his hand out to steady himself as the flash hit him. He = leaned=20 against the cold concrete wall, trying to shake the woozy feeling = creeping up on=20 him. He shook his head, hoping it would clear but still felt as though = he was=20 navigating through a forest of cotton wool. He was aware dimly of someone speaking to him, but tried instead to = reach out=20 with his mind, or at least the part of it that was still functioning, to = find=20 the source of the telepathic transmission. "What was that?" Ami sounded shaky. In fact she sounded much as Adam = himself=20 felt. He opened his eyes and straightened up as he started to regain his = composure.=20 Looking around he noticed that both Ami and Megabyte looked deathly = pale. Jade=20 had gone to sleep on one of the cots in the room, though she twitched in = her=20 sleep, almost as though she were having a bad dream. Must be picking up = on what=20 we are, the Australian reasoned. Whatever it was, he was thankful that = Jade was=20 asleep. She'd already gone through more than enough for one day. "Yeah what was that?" Megabyte echoed Ami's question. "Did you guys = get that=20 image of a gun?" Adam nodded, worry creeping up on him as he realised something. = "Where's=20 Kevin?" he asked Ami. It had suddenly dawned on him that he hadn't seen = the=20 British boy since leaving him and Ami at the ship earlier that day. Ami put her hand to her mouth. "Kevin. We've got to help Kevin. Adam = he's…"=20 Adam felt his body go rigid as waves of darkness washed over him in = rapid=20 succession. He leant back onto the wall of the small basement room, = waiting for=20 the feeling to pass. "You guys okay?" Michael looked worried. "Yeah we're fine. I think Kevin needs help though, and fast." = Megabyte was=20 sitting at the end of the cot where Jade was sleeping, holding his head = in his=20 hands. "That was weird, Adam. What do you think happened?" "I'm not sure. Whatever it is though, I think we'd better get to him = as soon=20 as possible." Adam had a nasty suspicion at the back of his mind as to = what=20 could be happening to Kevin, but didn't want to share it until he was = sure. Damon stepped forward, helping Adam to his feet. "Masters' men have = him in=20 London," he explained. A frown creased his features as he turned to = Megabyte.=20 "Were you and Max drugged at any stage?" Megabyte nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, we were." He slapped himself = on the=20 head and then winced. "That feeling from Kev, it's the same way I felt = as I was=20 coming to after the drugs wore off. Fuzzy head, the whole nine yards. = Not as bad=20 as that though." Max interrupted. "I remember starting to come around while you were = still out=20 cold. Maybe the drugs didn't work as well on me because of my different=20 physiology." Adam felt a cold feeling hit him in the pit of his stomach, as he = realised=20 that Max was beginning to put his fears into words, "You mean they could = have=20 upped the dosage for Kevin, not realising that for a human, it might = be…" Damon finished the sentence for him. "Fatal. Yes that's what I was = afraid of,=20 and why I asked about the drugs. I know the connection Tomorrow People = have with=20 one another and saw your reaction. I really hoped I was wrong." Adam came to a decision. "We need to go to London. If Kevin is having = a=20 reaction to these drugs, we'll need to get him out and to a = hospital." Michael stepped forward. "I'm coming with you. If these guys have = Kevin and=20 your other friends, you're going to need help." "What other friends?" Megabyte turned a shade paler as he obviously = put two=20 and two together. "Dad? Is Millie is trouble?" "Yes they have Millie….and Geoff. " Damon confirmed his son's = suspicions. "And Kyle," Isabel added, glancing up from where she was kneeling = next to her=20 brother. Even though Max sounded a lot better, it was still obvious that = the=20 whole healing thing had drained him a great deal. Adam remembered how he = had=20 felt the few times he had used his own healing powers before they had = deserted=20 him. There would be no way Max would be up to a trip to London just = yet. "I'm coming, too." Ami offered. You'll need help to teleport Kevin = and the=20 others out. You can't do it all on your own, Adam." Michael shot Ami a = filthy=20 look, and she continued hurriedly, directing her next comment at him. "I = meant=20 teleport. Last time I looked I didn't think you guys could do that." Jade stirred, and opened her eyes. "Megabyte?" she asked, looking = around. She=20 looked so small, curled up in a ball with the grey blankets on the cot = pulled=20 around her. "It's okay, kid, I'm here." Megabyte ran his hand gently through her = hair as=20 he moved further up the cot to comfort her. Jade's eyes grew wide. "I saw Kevin!" she exclaimed. "He's in = trouble." "Yeah, I know. Don't worry. The Cavalry is gonna be there in a = minute."=20 Megabyte glanced at Adam for a moment, coming to a decision. "You guys = go. I'm=20 gonna stay here in case Dad needs a hand. You know, in case some more of = the bad=20 guys show up. Look out for Millie okay?" You're only staying in case your dad needs a hand? Yeah right, = Megabyte,=20 thought Adam looking at the way his friend was watching Jade. He knew = how hard=20 it was for the American not to go after his sister. They were close, = even though=20 he knew neither Millie nor her brother would ever admit it. "Don't = worry,=20 Megabyte, Millie will be okay. It's us they want, not her remember." He=20 straightened himself and spoke to Ami. "We go in, you grab Kevin and = teleport=20 him out. Michael and I will look after the others. Okay?" Adam put his hand on Michael's shoulder and concentrated, focusing on = where=20 Kevin's last telepathic transmission had originated. Behind him he felt = Ami do=20 the same and within moments the three of them disappeared in a white = light,=20 enroute to London. ********** Michael opened his eyes as soon as the strange tingling sensation = stopped.=20 He, Adam and Ami were standing in front of a sofa in the living room of = an old=20 house. He heard a noise and spun round, just as he began to get his=20 bearings. "Hit the ground," he yelled, as a white light fanned over the spot = they had=20 just been standing. Michael poked his head around the side of the sofa the three of them = had=20 dived behind and took in the situation in a glance. Kevin was out cold = on the=20 sofa, while Kyle and two teenagers were sitting tied to wooden chairs on = the=20 other side of the room. The red headed girl must be Megabyte's sister, = he=20 observed noticing the family resemblance. The other boy must be = Geoff. "Come out from behind there with your hands in the air," ordered the = tall=20 dark haired slim man who had just fired on them. [Kevin doesn't look too good, Adam] commented Ami. [I can barely = sense his=20 presence, and he's fading fast] Michael noticed her lips weren't moving as she 'spoke'. Must be using = telepathy again. "You've got to get him to a hospital. Can you reach him = from=20 here?" he whispered. Ami nodded. [I need a distraction though.] Michael looked over at the large flower pot on the small round table = by the=20 doorway. He raised his hand and concentrated. A few seconds later there = was a=20 loud bang as the pot exploded, sending pieces of the pot and what was = the left=20 of the plant across the room. "That do?" he asked Ami. "What the hell?" The other commando, a shorter well built man with = brown=20 hair, spun around, and fired almost on instinct. Ami slipped around the couch, and disappeared in a flash of white = light,=20 taking Kevin with her. Why do I get the feeling that was the easy part? Michael didn't like = the look=20 of the guns the two men carried. Must be more of those taser weapons = like he'd=20 seen before in the flash at the UFO centre. The taller commando seemed to pull himself together faster than his=20 companion. He levelled his gun at the two boys and spoke again, his = English=20 accent sounding even more clipped, as the annoyance in his voice became = obvious.=20 "Don't think that vase is going anywhere in a hurry, Dickon," he = commented to=20 his associate. Guy doesn't sound to overjoyed to see us. Wonder why? Michael grinned = to=20 himself despite of the situation. "But Captain Colby…" The shorter man glanced at Adam and = Michael and back at=20 his superior. "Come on you two, out from behind the sofa." Colby levelled his gun = again,=20 this time at Millie. "No flying vases this time, okay?" Adam raised his hands and slowly came out from behind the sofa. = Michael=20 wondered why he was giving up so easily and stayed where he was, trying = to think=20 of an alternative plan. [Michael?] Adam's telepathic voice sounded urgent. [Michael, he'll = shoot=20 Millie.] "Hey come on, I'm on your side," Michael followed Adam out from = behind the=20 sofa, his hands in the air. "Masters sent me to deliver him to you." "Really?" Colby sounded suspicious. Michael lowered his arms, and spoke slowly trying to ignore Adam's = voice=20 inside his mind. "Really." He glanced at the empty sofa where Kevin had = laid=20 only moments before. "Masters wasn't too concerned about the other one." = Michael=20 gestured towards Adam. "This is the one you want." Dickon lowered his gun, confusion evident in his eyes. At the same = moment=20 Michael heard a movement and spun around, just in time to see Kyle dive = out of=20 his chair and head butt the man to the floor. Stupid idiot, he thought. = He's=20 going to ruin everything. Unless… Michael raised his hand, and concentrated. Hopefully Kyle was too = busy to=20 notice what was about to happen. Colby flew through the air and crashed = against=20 the far wall, his rifle falling from his grasp. "Grab the rifle," Michael yelled at Adam. He headed over to Millie = and Geoff=20 and used his powers to untie them from the chairs they were restrained = to.=20 Kyle's ropes lay empty over his, Michael noticed. Obviously he'd managed = to=20 loosen them previously and had been waiting for an opportunity to take=20 action. "Could use those ropes over here," called Kyle. He had subdued Dickon = and was=20 turning the man onto his stomach, his arms pinned behind him. "Coach = would be=20 proud." Good, thought Michael. Looked as though Kyle hadn't noticed him = using=20 his powers, or maybe he'd thought the bad guy's trip had been courtesy = of=20 Adam. "Yeah, whatever," Michael looked around for Adam, wondering what was = taking=20 the Tomorrow Person so long. To his amazement the Australian was looking = at the=20 rifle in his hands with an expression of disgust. What was wrong with = him? Colby pulled himself to his feet and lunged at Adam, who disappeared. = Michael=20 grabbed the weapon Dickon had dropped and aimed it at the man. "Stop = right=20 there," the young alien ordered as Adam reappeared by his side, dropping = the=20 rifle to the floor. Geoff picked up the downed weapon and levelled it at Dickon. "Give me = one=20 good reason why I shouldn't shoot you now!" "Geoff, no!" Adam sounded upset. "Go phone the authorities, let them = sort=20 things out. Put the gun down." "You must admit Geoff has a point," pointed out Michael. "These guys = were=20 going to shoot us. Why shouldn't we give them a taste of their own = medicine?=20 They're only taser guns, it's not as though it's going to kill = them." "No!" exclaimed Adam again. "Oh I get it," Kyle sounded almost amused. "It's that no kill thing. = You guys=20 don't like violence either." Michael glanced at the two commandos in front of him as a thought = struck him.=20 He spoke to Adam, a tone of respect in his voice. It was a feeling that = was new=20 to him, a feeling that was quite…alien. He laughed to himself at = the ironic=20 phrase. The conversation he'd heard before between Megabyte, Adam and = Damon=20 suddenly made sense. Sure he'd been listening to what they had been = saying but=20 the whole non-killing concept hadn't really sunk in, until now. "You and = Ami=20 came here to take on these guys knowing that you couldn't really defend=20 yourselves, didn't you?" Adam nodded, running his hand through his dark hair. "Part of the joy = of=20 being a Tomorrow Person, as Megabyte would say," he confirmed. "Come on, = let's=20 get back to Roswell." Adam suddenly seemed almost embarrassed by the = attention.=20 "Geoff, Millie will you guys be okay once the police arrive?" "Yeah, sure," Geoff suddenly seemed a bit subdued. Michael wondered = if it had=20 been what Adam had just said. "We'll be fine," Millie added. "Just tell Megabyte and Dad to get = home. They=20 are okay aren't they, Adam?" Adam seemed miles away for an instant and then seemed to become aware = of his=20 surroundings again as he replied. "Yeah, they're fine, Millie. Sorry, = just=20 talking to Ami. Kevin is stable, but the hospital says it will take a = few days=20 before he's feeling right again. She's going to stay with him for a = bit." He=20 reached his hands out to Kyle and Michael. Kyle backed away. "I'm not doing that teleporting thing again. Once = was=20 enough, thanks." "It's either that or you're stuck here," grinned Adam. "It gets = better each=20 time, trust me on that." "Jock like you scared of a little teleport?" Michael laughed. "Wonder = what=20 the girls would think of that one?" Kyle reached out and put his hand on Adam's shoulder. "I'm not = scared!=20 Seriously wigged yes, scared no. See!" Michael was still laughing to himself as Adam initiated the = teleport. ***********End of Part 19</DIV></BODY></HTML> - ------=_NextPart_000_000F_01C15233.F959B4A0-- - - To unsubscribe to arfic-l, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe arfic-l" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ End of arfic-l-digest V1 #49 **************************** - To unsubscribe to $LIST, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe $LIST" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message.