ftp.xmission.com/2014.06.ftp.xmission.com.tar/ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/tpfict/archive/tpfict.9812

Internet Message Format | 1998-12-25 | 263KB

From: Caroline Fales <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Beta? Please?
Date: 01 Dec 1998 02:52:51 -0500 (EST)

Hi,

I've just finished writing a Tomorrow People/Buffy, the Vampire Slayer
crossover and could really use a beta reader.  I would like to get this
started posting as soon as possible, so if anyone out there would like to
volunteer to help me out, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.

Caroline
_____________
"Generally, when scary things get scared, it's not a good sign.
                --Xander, "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer."




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Jennifer Welk <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Disarm [Part 2 of 3--corrected]
Date: 03 Dec 1998 13:01:25 -0800 (PST)




Chapter 2: Paradox in Motives



Main offices of Worldex Securities, London, England
1:15 pm local time/8:15 am EST



    The significance of what they were about to do was still sinking
in on most of the TP strike team when they gathered that morning in a
conference room.

    Josie and Ami looked around at the three other TPs who had
arrived--Jade, Skyler, and Jaycen, who were looking over the map of their
destination.  All five of them were dressed in black BDU jackets--with
bulletproof vests underneath--and pants with Doc Martens boots.

    "Nervous?" Josie asked.

    "More like scared out of our minds," Jaycen replied.  "And that's
really not the best state to be in right now."

    Skyler said, "Right now, I, for one, would like to know where
Adam, Megabyte and Gen. Damon are.  They're kind of the masterminds of
this whole objective."

    "We're coming down the hall, Skyler," Megabyte's voice echoed into
the room from some distance away.  Skyler and the others turned and faced
the open door.

    Megabyte and his father, who was carrying a blue plastic box,
entered wearing the same clothes as the rest of the group, followed by
Adam, who was not--instead, he was wearing what appeared to be an armored
sleeveless jacket  over a close-fitting black shirt and pants.

    Megabyte held up one hand.  "Before anyone asks what on Earth Adam
is wearing, I'll tell you.  It's a project of mine--a prototype of a TP
battlesuit that houses some defensive capabilities.  Adam offered to try
it out after I told him one thing it does is scramble the psionic defenses
of the TP who wears it, making them difficult to counter.  I let him
because Van Cade already knows how some of his work, so Adam needs the
protection on this little excursion."

    Gen. Damon set the box he was carrying down on a table.  "Gather
around, everyone."  After everyone did so, he opened the box and lifted
out an object roughly resembling a handgun, but obviously made of matte
black plastic.  "Since we're going to try and avoid as much bloodshed as
possible, you guys--the TPs--will be armed with these stun guns.  These
things fire high-voltage bursts, but only high enough to stun somebody."

    Megabyte helped his dad to pass them out.  Once all the TPs had
one, Josie then spoke.

    "Out of necessity, an FBI strike team has been put at our call.
After we get there, I'm going to contact them, which will be their signal
to get into position outside the building.  We'll teleport into here--this
hidden service hall next to Docking Port 6."  She pointed to a spot on the
map.  "Our main strategy is to stop Van Cade and his assistants from even
leaving."




Research and experimentation labs of the Malloran Corporation,
between Ridgefield Park and Fort Lee, New Jersey
8:40 am EST



    "....Sonic lockpicks, in case you should need them?"

    "Check."

    "MedStar database flowcharts?"

    "Check."

    "Crash programs?"

    "Check."

    "Headset walkie-talkies--for the non-telepaths?"

    "Check."

    "And Sindel...check.  That's everything,"  Van Cade confirmed.




Main offices of Worldex Securities, London, England
1:45 pm local time/8:45 am EST



    Megabyte said, "Any last-minute preparations that need to be done
we need to do now.  We're teleporting out of here at 9:10 am."


    Adam glanced at the others.  "This is it."



[Will I wake up is it a dream I made up]
[No I guess it's reality]




Research and experimentation labs of the Malloran Corporation,
between Ridgefield Park and Fort Lee, New Jersey
9:00 am EST



    Van Cade, Sindel, and the other Malloran operatives were busy
loading their equipment into backpacks.

    "Mr. Van Cade?" asked one of the operatives.

    "Yes?"

    "There's one thing I noticed was missing from Miss Malloran's
orders.  She said to report to Docking Port 6, but we're not taking
vehicles, are we?"

    "No, we're not.  I'm teleporting all of us there.  I think she did
that because Docking Port 6 is actually one of the best places on these
premises to launch operations of any sort from, because it's partially
underground.  I'm assuming we're getting last-minute instructions before
we take off."  Van Cade looked at his watch.  "Right now, we need to head
back to Miss Malloran's office for the final briefing."

    Everyone picked up their packs and headed for the door.




The psionic plane



    [[Poor MedStar.  They don't know what's about to hit them,]]
Sindel proclaimed, not really trying to restrain herself.

    [[I don't see what you're so excited about,]] Tyrran growled from
the wall where she was chained up.  [[You are an intruder here, after all.
Consider yourself fortunate that I'm tethered to this panel right now
because you will not like how I'll eventually deal with you.]]

    Sindel didn't answer.



[You pretend you're high pretend you're bored]
[You pretend you're anything just to be adored]
[And what you need is what you get]

[Don't believe in fear don't believe in faith]
[Don't believe in anything that you can't break]




Docking Port 6, Research and experimentation labs of the Malloran
Corporation
9:40 am EST


    After their arrival, the TP strike team scattered from the service
hall to strategic points around the area, all of them storage closets.


    Josie tapped a button on her headset.  She asked the pick-up,
"Head of strike team?"

    "Speaking."

    "You have 5 minutes to organize your team and get into position."

    "Understood."



    The FBI team took up their posts outside,  and both teams stayed
in their places for the next 35 minutes.

    The TPs waited in silence.

    Now some strain began to come out.

    [[It looks like they're sticking to the minute on this,]] Megabyte
transmitted to the others from inside a closet near where they came in.

    [[Yeah.  You'd think they would have been down here earlier, ]]
Jade replied from another near the door.  [[But all I was able to read off
the door and these vans was that none of them have been touched in two
days.]]

    [[Guys, be quiet,]] Adam said suddenly from his point.  [[...I
detect six people heading  this way...One seems a little familiar....]]

    [[Get ready.  This might be it,]] Ami warned, and tapped Josie on
the shoulder.

    She nodded and whispered into her headset, "Bill, we've got
something.  All outside stand by."



    The door swung open.

    Nina-Jane Malloran swept into the docking port, followed by Van
Cade, the other operatives...and Tyrran/Sindel.  Adam narrowly managed to
avoid shouting to her.

    "Well, this is it, people," Malloran said.

    "You bet it is," Megabyte's voice came from behind them.  "Now!"

    The TP strike team burst from their hiding places, stun guns at
the ready.  One operative was taken down by a blast from Skyler before he
could even make a break for the door.

    No one succeeded in hitting any of the others, though.  Malloran
bolted for the door, switching on an alarm as she went out.  Van Cade
started after her, and Tyrran/Sindel after him.

    "Tyrran!  Wait!" Adam shouted.

    Tyrran/Sindel stopped and faced him.

    [[Listen to me.  Tyrran, I know you're in there.  You've got to
break away.]]

    She only stared at him.

    [[You've got to retake control of your body and become yourself
again...]]  Adam took a deep breath before he finished, [[...because I
love you.]]




The psionic plane



    [[And I love you, too.]]

    Tyrran's manacles suddenly disappeared--and with them, the blocks
on her powers.

    Sindel didn't seem to notice Tyrran silently advance behind her.

    Her mistake.

    A teleportive aperture closed like a vise on Sindel and propelled
her out of existence without a sound.



[You stupid girl you stupid girl]
[All you had you wasted all you had you wasted]


    But then the walls started to come down.




Docking Port 6



    Van Cade couldn't understand why she wouldn't move.  "Sindel,
we've got to get out of here!" he shouted.

    Tyrran spun and faced Van Cade.  Adam watched them with wide eyes.

    Then both Adam and Van Cade noticed the green hair streak was
missing.

    "Sindel isn't here."

    Those were the last words Tyrran managed to get out before
collapsing to the floor.













-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Kerry Blackwell" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Traces of Yesterday, Touches of Tomorrow [12/15]
Date: 05 Dec 1998 09:32:36 +1300

Earlier parts of this story, as well as its prequel _Tomorrow and Tomorrow
and Tomorrow..._ can be found at
http://www.forty-two.co.nz/kerry/fanfic.html


The Tomorrow Trilogy II:


Traces of Yesterday, Touches of Tomorrow
Kerry Blackwell

TWELVE

"The end of the tunnel?" Emma asked, looking at the blank wall in front of
her.

"Yeah," Mike agreed absently, suddenly horrified to discover he couldn't
remember exactly where the controls to open the door were.  It was a very
solid block of reinforced concrete and he didn't fancy the idea of trying
to move it with telekinesis, especially since he doubted he'd be able to
push something that heavy around with his mind anyway.

"I guess it opens like the other one," she added conversationally, just the
smallest hint on tension underlying the words.

Mike nodded, something she couldn't see in the fading torchlight, and
considered bothering Liz about it.  He closed his eyes for a moment, trying
to call up an image of the last time he had come here.  It had been so very
long ago, his last day on Earth in fact.  Everyone else had gone already,
even TIM, dismantled and taken to the Trig piece by piece.  Stephen had
come back to witness the departure and he and Elizabeth had taken Hsui Tai
and Andrew away already, jaunting directly from the abandoned Lab - with a
little assistance from the Federation.  John and Mike had sealed up the Lab
and walked down this tunnel to this door, walked through it, closed it
behind them and, from a suitably scheduled spot, left the Earth themselves,
possibly for good.

But the big question was, how had John opened the tunnel door?  Eyes, still
closed, Mike suddenly nodded.  Yes, that was how he'd done it.  Sure now,
he found the mechanism, operated it, and stepped back to let Emma slip
through ahead of him.

They found themselves in another Underground station, pretty much like the
last one, conveniently sheltered behind a newspaper kiosk.  They rounded
its corner cautiously and slipped into the streams of people.

Emma looked around, finding her bearings, and suddenly grinned.  "This is
the right place," she said in a surprised voice.  "This is where I hid it.
But this station is on a whole other line to the one we were on before."

"The tunnel links the two," Mike pointed out.  "It gave our friends two
completely different ways of getting to us.  Or us, if we needed to get in
the hard way."  He turned his head to look right at her and added
seriously, "So where is it?"

"This way."  Emma sounded unusually decisive and she marched off towards
the stairs at a determined pace.  Mike had to jog the first couple of steps
to catch up with her.

The luggage lockers were - well, they were luggage lockers.  You paid your
money, stored your luggage, took away the key.  There was a bank of them,
tucked away in a dim corner, some closed and locked, others with the doors
standing open, waiting for someone to use them.

Emma produced the key from a pocket and used it to open a door on the
second row up from the floor.  She bent down and pulled out something had
fitted easily into the palm of her hand.  She stood again and turned her
hand so that Mike could see what she held.  The vial was small, not quite
two inches long, about a quarter that wide, a tiny vessel to hold such a
powerful thing.

"So small," he said in surprise.

"What did you expect?" she asked with a smile as she slipped it into her
pocket.  "A half gallon drum?"

Mike had to laugh.  "I suppose maybe I did.  Stupid, huh?"

She shrugged.  "Come on, let's get back.  Do we take the tunnel again?"

"No, we'll go up to the street and take a cab."

"Oh, that would be a pity," a silky voice commented from behind them.
"Turn around," it added in a much harder tone.

Slowly, Mike and Emma did as they were told.  A short, stocky man with an
implacable face was standing there, another man beside him, with thick,
solid features and an equally solid expression.  There were no weapons
visible, but he had no doubts they were there.  He could jaunt away, but he
couldn't take Emma with him, which meant he was going to have to stay right
here.  It looked like they were in trouble.

"Hello, Dr Stratton," the man continued conversationally.  "It's nice to
see you again.  We were a little surprised to see you appear out of the
wall, but we're not complaining.  Especially since we weren't expecting
you.  Isn't coincidence a wonderful thing?"

Emma glared a him, an unexpected display of spirit that made him frown.  He
jerked his head in the direction of the stairs.  "Come on, we're going up.
And then we're taking you to explain yourself to the Colonel."  He held out
a hand.  "Give me the catalyst."

Reluctantly, Emma handed it over.

Yes, they were definitely in trouble.

Feeling rather reluctant himself, as if he was fifteen years old again and
admitting to his latest screw-up, Mike let his mind arrow across the city
until it found Elizabeth.  :Ah, Liz, we have a little problem.:

Her reply was swift and short.  :Not now, Mike.  We're kind of busy.:

*****

Looking through the wire fence at the buildings beyond, Kay shivered,
suddenly and uncontrollably.  Beside her, Megabyte felt it and offered her
an encouraging smile that she barely saw.  It was just the same.  Well, it
didn't look the same of course - the buildings were a different colour and
a different shape for starters - but it felt exactly the same.

It was cold, and private, and unfriendly.  The buildings were shut up, dark
and silent, guarding their secrets with miserly determination.  They looked
empty, abandoned for a better place, the answers gone with the occupants.

But the men stationed on guard duty around the perimeter gave lie to the
impression.  There were more of them than Kay had ever seen in her days at
the first Institute.  She was amazed there were that many people assigned
to Security at all.  They must have been recruiting since she escaped.  The
thought made her cringe inside.  If so, it meant they were planning
something major that perhaps Dr Stratton didn't know about, and if the
theft of the catalyst had upset those plans, they were going to be _really_
annoyed.  Kay remembered the Colonel and his cold, emotionless fury when
things went wrong and felt sick.

"You okay?" Adam asked quietly from her other side and she had to swallow
several times before she could answer.

"We have to get Alice out of there," she answered in a voice that was
surprisingly steady under the circumstances.

"We will," Elizabeth said, something in her voice making Kay feel a little
better, and slipped away to talk to General Damon.

"There's an _awful_ lot of guards," Megabyte commented.  "I heard Dad say
they're covering the whole of the fence, right around the block."

"They don't want us to get in, do they?" Adam said.

"Nope," Megabyte agreed, even though the question had been a rhetorical
one.  "We could teleport in behind them," he added.

"Bill told us not to," Kay reminded him, rather liking the idea all the
same.

"And we promised," Adam contributed.  "Sorry, Megabyte."

"That's his job," Megabyte muttered.  "Telling people not to do stuff.  And
standing around talking instead of doing something himself."  He favoured
his father, surrounded by a small group of people that included Frank
Mitchell and Elizabeth and deep in conversation, with a sour look.  "Do you
think he's got a plan?"

"Give him a chance at least."  Adam looked down at Megabyte and grinned.
"After all, we can always teleport in later."

Megabyte nodded, looking a little cheered, and Kay turned away from them to
look at the general.  He probably did have a plan, because even while he
was talking he kept glancing back along the street, as if he was waiting
for something - or someone - to put in an appearance.  Finally, he scowled
a scowl worthy of Megabyte, looked at his watch one more time, and marched
towards the main gate, trailed by Frank and a man in uniform.

One of the guards stepped forward to meet him, a grey-haired, grizzled man
Kay thought she recognised from when the Institute had been in the States.
Unconsciously, she shifted position, so Adam better hid her from him, then
she realised what she was doing and purposefully stepped back to where she
had been before.

The man didn't even notice her.  He faced off with General Damon, a
belligerent look on his face, and the two of them set about discussing
(okay, maybe arguing was a better description) what was going to happen
next.  The guard gestured at the other sentries and shook his head, Damon
pointed back along the street and said something that made the other man
frown.  Then he shook his head again and crossed his arms across his chest
and it was the general's turn to frown.

"What do you think they're saying?" Megabyte said curiously.

Having no answer, Kay shrugged.

"Disagreeing," Adam said.

General Damon looked at his watch again, and turned around to check the
street another time.  He frowned, harder this time, and was about to go
back to his argument with the gate guard when he stopped, and the tension
drained from his face as his expected backup finally put in an appearance.

Along with everyone else, Megabyte turned to see what his father was
looking at, and, impressed despite himself, he whistled softly at the
sight.

This was the modern equivalent of the cavalry coming over the hill.  Three
jeeps came roaring around the corner, closely followed by two large, canvas
covered trucks.  All five vehicles were bristling with men wearing
camouflage clothing and sporting dangerously bristling haircuts and all
carrying enough firepower to start a small war.

The Institute guard was developing a decidedly green complexion and
Megabyte whooped with enthusiasm.  "Chalk one up for the good guys!"

"But will it get us in?" Kay asked realistically.

"Look," Adam said simply, nodding his head in the direction of the gate.

The blatant show of force had had the intended effect.  The chains and
padlocks were unfastened before the new arrivals had even made it halfway
down the street, and the gate had been swung open by the time they rolled
to a stop outside.  Damon had the sense not to take too much for granted,
and he waited until three well-armed soldiers had fallen into step beside
him before he walked through the gate into the Institute.

The thing that interested Kay most was Elizabeth.  She was watching the
whole process with a strange, unreadable expression of her face and shaking
her head.  She caught Kay looking at her and smiled slightly.

:Talking to them in a language they understand,: she said into Kay's mind,
surprising her even further.  :Human beings should have learned a better
one long ago.:

:We'll teach them,: Kay assured her, suddenly sure of it.

Elizabeth's smile returned, a little bitter at the edges.  :That's what
_we_ thought.  I hope you do a better job than we did.:

"Hey Kay, come on."  Megabyte's voice at her side pulled her attention away
from the telepathic conversation, and she saw Elizabeth grin and shrug her
understanding.

She and Adam and Megabyte caught up with General Damon about three quarters
of the way across the asphalt carpark, leaving the Institute security men
behind them in groups at the gate, all being officially arrested and herded
into one of the army trucks.  He almost sighed when he saw them, but he
managed to catch it before it became anything more than a slightly heavy
outward breath.

"All right," he said before they had a chance to speak.  "I know I said you
could come, but no heroics.  The place might have been booby trapped, so
you let my men go in first."  He looked up at Elizabeth, several paces
behind.  "Can you keep an eye on this lot, Ms M'bondo?"

"I think they can look after themselves," she answered.  "But if they don't
mind, I'd like to tag along with them."  She turned to Adam.  "If that's
okay with you?"

He nodded, seeming a little startled to have his authority, which he'd felt
had grown a little shaky with the arrival of these grown-up Tomorrow
People, handed back to him on a plate.  "Sure."

Kay gave Damon a challenging stare, her tone daring him to disagree.
"We're going to look for Alice, okay Bill?"

"I thought you would," he agreed.  "Good luck."  As they started to walk
away, he called after them, "Just don't do anything stupid."

"What does he think we are?" Megabyte muttered as they neared an open door.
 "Terminal idiots?"

Adam laughed.  "He's your father, Megabyte.  He doesn't have to _think_.
He knows."

"Oh yeah?"  Megabyte stopped and looked at his friend, good humoured again.
 "And what about _you_?"

"Ah, well..." Adam began, but Kay shushed them, her expression deadly
serious.

"Not now.  We have to find Alice.  Now come on and help me."

"I think I touched Alice," Liz said calmly.  Those twenty years or so had
changed more that just dates on a calendar.  "Perhaps together we can tell
if she's here, although it'll probably depend on how many other people
there are in the buildings."

"There don't seem to be any," a new voice said, a trace of puzzlement in
the tone.  "The place is deserted.  General Damon said you could go in if
it was clear.  It's clear - no traps, no people, no nothing.  I don't know
what you'll find."  He looked as if he wanted to salute, decided none of
them was quite worth it, and strode back across the asphalt to find someone
to report to.

"No Alice?" Kay said in a quiet voice.  She couldn't have got this close,
just to have been too late.  She just couldn't have.

"We won't know until we look," Adam said firmly and led the way inside.

It all looked very similar to the corridor he and Megabyte had explored
earlier.  Clean, sterile and cold.  The same security cameras too, but now
they were still, their status lights dark, their black, mechanical eyes
blind and dead.  And for a Tomorrow Person, there was more than that.

"It feels empty," Megabyte commented.  "I think they've done a runner."

"Kay?"  The single word asked a multitude of questions.  _What do you
think?  Are they here?  Where are they?  What should we try next?  Will we
find her?_

Kay looked at Adam and shrugged.  "It feels different.  Soulless, but in a
different kind of way.  I think Megabyte's right.  I think they've gone."

He frowned.  "Then why were all the guards here if there's nothing to
guard?"

"Alice," Liz reminded them.  "Let the general deal with that one.  We need
to look for Alice."  She touched Kay lightly on the shoulder.  "If we don't
find anything like this, we can always do it the hard way, along with
General Damon and his soldiers.  But we out to try  fist.  Can you do it
yourself, or would you like me to help?"

For the first time, Kay looked dubious.  "I just look for her with my mind,
right?  Because I know what she feels like."

"Right," Elizabeth agreed.  "Do you want me to show you?"

Kay looked even more dubious, then she slowly nodded.  "Yeah, okay.  I
haven't done that before."

Elizabeth nodded seriously, and her grip on Kay's shoulder grew just a
little tighter.  Then, all of a sudden, she was there, inside Kay's mind.
Not barging in where she wasn't wanted, not peering curiously into corners
Kay didn't want strangers investigating, just waiting, politely, for Kay to
welcome her.  It felt different to the way it did when Kay touched minds
with the other Tomorrow People - Adam and Megabyte, Jade and Ami and the
others, _her_ Tomorrow People.  Not bad different, not even uncomfortable
different, just _different_, a hint that this universe had many
_differents_ to offer and maybe Kay would have to chance to meet some of
them.

And suddenly she knew exactly what it was she needed to do.  She just
needed to reach out like _that_, twist it around just like _this_, slide it
around the corner is exactly the right way and she could look out - here,
over there, in the next building - until...

Kay blinked and found herself back in the corridor, looking at Adam and
Megabyte.  "I found her," she breathed.  "I really did.  She's here."
Megabyte looked a little dubious, Adam interested, and she shook her head
at them, suddenly frustrated.  "I know where she is," she repeated.  "Come
_on_!"  And she started walking on along the hallway, her steps swift and
certain, without waiting to see if they were going to follow her or not.

They had caught up with her by the time she reached the first corridor
junction.  Adam fell into step beside her as she turned to corner, and
Megabyte and Elizabeth brought up the rear.

Kay led them deeper and deeper into the Institute, through a labyrinth of
corridors that she wouldn't dream of tackling under other circumstances.
Down stairs and around corners, doubling back and finding more corners
until she should have been completely lost, and never seeing another living
soul anywhere along the way.  But now that she had found Alice, that small
touch, tiny trace of a friend, family, sister of heart and mind if not
biology, would not go away.  Alice was hiding, but Kay could find her.

Finally she stopped outside a nondescript door with a hand-written sign not
quite at eye level that said only, 'Stock 2-17'.

"This is it?" Adam asked, taking hold of the door handle but showing no
immediate intention of opening it.

Kay nodded, and when he would have turned the handle, put her hand over
his, stopping him.  "She'll be scared, and you're all strangers.  Let me go
in."

Adam frowned, not entirely happy with the idea, but he stepped back and let
Kay open the door, walk alone into the room beyond.

It was dark, the only light coming from the open door behind her, and for a
moment Kay could see nothing but different degrees of shadow.  Gradually,
they began to resolve themselves into shelves and cupboards and drawers,
all the contents of a storage room.  Glassware - beakers and flasks and
dishes - filled a set of shelves near the door, the dim light glinting
slightly off the pyrex.  Beyond that, plastic containers bearing labels
full of tiny printing were jumbled about haphazard, some with the lids
loose while others had been sealed shut by their leaking contents.
Half-open drawers stuffed with paper took up most of the other wall,
stationery spilling onto the floor.

Kay ignored it, not interested.  In the farthest corner of the room was a
shadow, a shadow that was darker that it should be, a shadow that kept
trying to convince Kay to ignore it, to walk away and leave it - nothing in
the corner that had no reason to be noticed.  Kay bent her knees, dropping
into a crouch so that her head was level with the door handle, a million
miles back behind her.

"Alice?" she said softly.

After a long, silent moment, the shadow moved, shifting until it was almost
a shape, almost a person.  And a voice she had thought she would never hear
again said quietly, disbelievingly, "Kay?"

She smiled in the darkness, swallowing a laugh, a shout, a whoop of delight
and joy.  "It's me," she agreed quietly.  "It's Kay.  It's okay.  We're
here to get you out."

"You can't," Alice said with a matter-of-factness that made Kay's heart
break.  "They'll find us.  They'll stop us.  No-one gets away.  I hid, but
they'll come and find me soon.  No-one gets away."

"I got away," Kay said firmly.  "And I'm back, with friends to help me, to
take you away too."

"You can do that?"  Alice's voice was wistful, as if discussing some
impossible dream that always faded with the coming of the morning, leaving
you empty and aching and not quite able to remember what it was you had
wished for in your sleep.

"I can do that," Kay promised her.  "All you have to do is come with me."

She held out her hand and a long, long time later, slowly and cautiously,
Alice took it in her own, letting Kay draw her to her feet.  Kay slipped an
arm around her sister's shoulders and gently guided her out into the light.

*****

They found General Damon out on the asphalt, once more surrounded by is
men.  He looked up in a lull in the conversation and saw them coming, and
smiled broadly as he saw they hadn't returned alone.

He broke away from the group and walked over to meet them.  He hesitated
for a moment, as if unsure how to go on, then he smiled again, and said
gently, "Hello Alice.  I'm Bill.  I'm a friend of Kay's."  Getting no
response, he began to flounder a little.  His forehead creased as he tried
to think what else to say.  He finally settled for a simple, "You're safe
now."

Alice thought about that for a moment, drawing a little closer to Kay, the
one person here who was familiar, maybe even safe.  She finally looked at
Damon, only a flick of her eyes, a swift, tiny glance, before going back to
contemplating the ground.  But she did finally say something; not what
Damon had been expecting, but really the obvious question.  "Where's
Teresa?"

"She's safe," Damon said quickly.  "One of my best people is looking after
her."

"And one of us," Adam added, his 'us' obviously including Alice.

"Us?" she repeated, showing a first sign of interest.

Kay grinned and tightened her grasp on Alice's shoulder for a moment, a
one-armed hug.  "Us," she agreed.  "We're all us."  She gestured with her
free arm, encompassing all of them - herself, Alice, Adam, Megabyte,
Elizabeth.  "We're the Tomorrow People.  So are you."  Seeing the confused
denial on Alice's face, she laughed, remembering her own disbelief all
those months ago on the Island.  "Really," she insisted.  "Don't worry,
we'll explain it all later."

Seeing the confused, drowning look on Alice's face, Liz realised the poor
girl was overwhelmed.  So she joined General Damon, subtly drawing him a
step away from the younger ones, breaking them from one group into two.
"What did you find, General?" she asked.

"Nothing," he answered with a heavy frown.  "There was no-one here but the
security.  And Alice.  We found several labs, but they'd all been trashed.
All the transferable stuff gone, everything else broken except some of the
heavy equipment."  The frown got slightly heavier still and he shook his
head.  "It was all too easy.  We got into the compound too easily.  We got
into the buildings too easily.  It's like they wanted us to."

Which didn't make sense.  Liz understood that.  They had Alice now, they
had Teresa, and Mike and Emma Stratton should have the catalyst by now.
What had they missed?  This Colonel was much too clever just to give up
now.  And how was she going to find the answer.

Mike.  He'd said something about a problem, Liz recalled with a sinking
feeling.

:Mike?:

His reply was swift, but cautious, as if he didn't want to show any outward
signs that he was holding a conversation.  :It's about time.  Are you
finished being busy now?: he asked with admirably little sarcasm.

:We've found Alice, but there's no-one else here.:

:No,: Mike agreed.  :That's because they're _here_.:

:What?:

With that same caution, Mike raised his mental voice, including the younger
Tomorrow People in the conversation.  :We found the catalyst.  But the
Institute found us.  They have the catalyst now and us as well.:  There was
a pause.  :They have Teresa too, and Jade.:

:Jade?: Megabyte interrupted.  :Is she all right?:

:She's unconscious,: Mike answered reluctantly.  :They want to exchange her
for Alice, whom I understand managed to hide during the departure.:  There
was a longer pause this time.  :They want Kay too.  They seem to consider
her their property.:

:Me?:  Kay sounded sick.  :Well, I won't go back.:

:I wasn't suggesting that,: Mike told her.  :Just telling you their terms.
Hang on.:  This pause was the longest one yet.  :They've figured out I'm
talking to you.  They say you'd better join us, all of you, or they're
going to start killing people.  Starting with Emma and followed by Jade.  I
think you'd better come.  Now.:

--end, part 12

Kerry

--
[e-mail]

"We shall be remembered in spite of ourselves"



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Jennifer Welk <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Megabyte Spotting
Date: 07 Dec 1998 16:15:30 -0800 (PST)


Last night, Christian Tessier made an appearance in an episode of _The
Mystery Files of Shelby Woo_, titled "The Baseball Fan Mystery."  He
played Ricky Seaver, a young man suspected of stealing rare baseball
cards.

--Jennifer




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Lauren Panepinto <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: TPFICT: Megabyte Spotting
Date: 06 Dec 1998 19:46:53 -0800

not to turn this into a discussion group or anything, but i work for a
small mag & want to do a story on lesser-known sci-fi series (tp being
my fave), and i wanted to get in touch with some of the actors
(especially christian schmidt)...any suggestions?
-lauren
[e-mail]
p.s...i am also trying to get on tape the origin story arc of the new
(nickelodeon) series...if any one is willing to trade/sell/offer a copy,
i'll love you forever :)


Jennifer Welk wrote:

> Last night, Christian Tessier made an appearance in an episode of _The
>
> Mystery Files of Shelby Woo_, titled "The Baseball Fan Mystery."  He
> played Ricky Seaver, a young man suspected of stealing rare baseball
> cards.
>
> --Jennifer






-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Beth Epstein" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Something that might be of interest to the writers on this list
Date: 08 Dec 1998 13:14:43 -0600

I've never seen the article in question, but this was forwarded to RICHFIC
yesterday, and I thought there were some good writers here that might be have
adn would want to know.
Tigger
------
> > From: Laura Picken <[e-mail]>

> > Hi all!
> >
> > For all of those who were annoyed by the Entertainment Weekly article
> > on fan fiction, the idea came up on the small fandom mailing list to
> > write EW and send them copies of your better fan fiction, in order to
> > show them that, in fact, there is a tremendous amount of good writing
> > out there.  If you would like to join us, the address is listed below.
> >
> > Good luck!
> >
> > Laura
> >
> > In a message dated 12/7/98 6:24:36 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> > [e-mail] writes:
> >
> > << I had considered that as well -- is there an address we can use?  I
> >  think it would be a fantastic idea.  >>
> >
> > Entertainment Weekly, 1675 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
> > [e-mail]
> > All correspondence must include your name, address, and daytime
> > telephone
> > number.
> >
> > I think we should all write.
> >
> > Couldn't agree more, folks.
> >
> > And for those who are on other fan fiction mailing lists, it might be
> > a good idea to forward the address to them as well.  The more mail
> > they get, the bigger the statement.




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Kerry Blackwell" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Traces of Yesterday, Touches of Tomorrow [13/15]
Date: 09 Dec 1998 20:12:06 +1300

Earlier parts of this story, as well as its prequel _Tomorrow and Tomorrow
and Tomorrow..._ can be found at
http://www.forty-two.co.nz/kerry/fanfic.html


The Tomorrow Trilogy II:


Traces of Yesterday, Touches of Tomorrow

Kerry Blackwell

THIRTEEN

Mike didn't like guns.  Stun guns, well, okay, a necessary evil in an
imperfect universe.  But the heavy, cold, metal things Saps so liked, that
took metal and gunpowder and hurled it away at great speeds, turning it
into injury and damage and death, those he didn't like at all.  He didn't
like seeing them around, he liked being forced to hold them even less.  But
he had just been reminded that there was something much worse that having
one in the immediate vicinity and that was being at the wrong end of one
that was being held by someone who was more than willing - eager even - to
pull the trigger.

He and Emma had been marched out of the Underground, guided up the stairs
each with a man and a gun at their side and a hand firmly attached to their
upper arm.  On the street again, they had been bundled into a waiting car,
white, modern, innocuous, unlikely to draw attention.  The driver had
grinned, and with a laconic 'You found 'em boss' that Mike felt really had
to count as excessively clich=E9d, he'd slipped the car into gear and
pulled away into the traffic.

They soon left the residential parts of the city behind, coming to
factories, warehouses, and finally the docklands.  Their captors made no
conversation and after a couple of abortive attempts at getting some
information about their destination, Mike gave up.  Emma huddled in her
corner of the seat and grew whiter and whiter as the drive went on.

Finally, they turned off the streets and into a riverside warehouse
compound.  The driver didn't slow, guiding the car down an alley at the
side of the building to the loading area at the rear.  Mike could see the
river beyond, smell the tang of it in the air, but of more immediate
interest was the black limousine parked between the water and towering
building now behind them.

Emma and Mike were bundled out of the car, and as they tried to catch their
balance and their bearings, a man climbed out of the limousine, shaded his
eyes against the sun and smiled to see them.  Beside him, Mike felt Emma
falter.  "The Colonel," she whispered, and there was hopelessness in her
voice.

So here they were.  Stand off.   The Colonel stood with his back to the
car, a self-satisfied look on his face, his position carefully chosen so
that Mike and Emma could see the child-seat in the back of car, holding a
disgruntled-looking Teresa, and beyond that Jade lolling against the
upholstery, unconscious.  The security man - his name appeared to be Russ,
but Mike hadn't managed to decide if that was a first name or a surname -
had joined the Colonel, and was now openly holding a gun on his prisoners.
His sidekick and the driver had spanned out across the intervening space,
covering all the near ground, leaving Mike and Emma nowhere to run.  The
Colonel's driver had stayed in the car, presumably to watch his hostages.
Beyond the car was the river, dark and grey and uninviting, as imprisoning
as a fence, behind them was the warehouse, also dark and grey and
uninviting, and while it might provide some cover, it was too far away to
reach.  To the sides were boxes and crates and containers, tumbled, fallen
and apparently forgotten.  They too were a potential source of cover,
possible hiding places, but they were also out of reach.  All in all, the
perfect setting for the climax to an action movie.  It was a pity it was
all for real.

When the silence was threatening to stretch to breaking point, Mike
couldn't stand it any longer and broke it.  "So now what?"

The Colonel turned the catalyst over in his hand and smiled a decidedly
wolfish smile.  "I seem to have recovered most of my property," he
commented in a satisfied tone.  "But there's some I'm still missing.  The
older girl managed to slip away on our departure, and there's still the one
that got away last year."  He favoured Mike with a frosty look.  "I assume
she's with you; I know she was seen at the site in the States with your
people.  I also assume your friends will be prepared to exchange you for
the pair of them, if we just tell them you're here."  He waved a hand
peremptorily in the driver's direction.  "The phone, man!"

The driver obligingly handed over a cellular phone, that the Colonel held
out to Mike.  "So call them."

Unfortunately, it was at just that moment that Liz decided she need a word.

:Mike?:

He answered quickly, hoping to get the conversation in before dealing with
the Colonel's demands.  If Elizabeth was to know what was going on before
he had to make the actual phone call, it should give them an advantage.
And besides, he was going to have to ask her for General Damon's number.
:It's about time.  Are you finished being busy now?: he asked, feeling he
done very well not to let his frustration show.

:We've found Alice, but there's no-one else here.:

:No,: Mike agreed.  :That's because they're _here_.:

:What?:

Feeling the more people that knew what was going on the better, Mike
carefully extended his mental 'voice' so that it ought to include the
younger Tomorrow People.  :We found the catalyst.  But the Institute found
us.  They have the catalyst now and us as well.:  There was a pause.  :They
have Teresa too, and Jade.:

:Jade?: Megabyte interrupted worriedly.  :Is she all right?:

:She's unconscious,: Mike answered reluctantly.  :They want to exchange her
for Alice, whom I understand managed to hide during the departure.:  He
hesitated, not wanting to upset the kids any more, but had to acknowledge
that they were more than just children, the same way that he and his
friends had been.  :They want Kay too.  They seem to consider her their
property.:

:Me?:  Kay sounded sick.  :Well, I won't go back.:

:I wasn't suggesting that,: Mike told her.  :Just telling you their terms.:

"You're one of them!"  The Colonel's voice sounded both fascinated and
furious at the same time, breaking Mike's train of thought, fracturing his
conversation.  "I don't believe it."  The fascination was winning, but it
was a sickly, possessive fascination that Mike could _feel_ radiating off
him.  No wonder Kay had broken out in order to escape him.  "You had the
same look on your face _they_ did when we did the tests.  But they always
failed, and you haven't.  Who made you?  Who...?"  Then he shook his head
and his voice went hard.  "Tell them to join us - with _both_ the girls -
or people are going to start dying."  He pointed a finger at Emma, the
simple gesture horribly threatening.  "Starting with her, swiftly followed
by the girl in the car."

Knowing he was beaten, momentarily at least, Mike did as he was told.

*****

Because he was expecting it, Mike felt the others arrive.  Liz was the
easiest - he knew her and had done for years - but he felt the new Tomorrow
People too, caught for a moment by surprise at the different taste to their
teleporting, as if they didn't do it quite the same way that he did.

They had delayed coming for as long as possible; long enough for Teresa to
wake, even if Jade hadn't yet, long enough for Mike to feel Emma, beside
him, starting to find some strength and courage she probably hadn't
realised she possessed, even if he did hope she managed to hold onto it for
the most appropriate moment.  It had been Liz's idea, to try to make it
look like they had arrived by more mundane means, and so to avoid
confirming the existence of any more psychic abilities beyond the telepathy
the Colonel had already guessed.

But the Colonel had been getting more and more edgy, to the point that he
was starting to wave a gun around now as well, and in the end Mike had told
Elizabeth it was time they showed up.  They would just have to hope they'd
stalled long enough.

They walked around the corner in a close group, as if they had left a car
just out of sight and hearing, somewhere on the other side of the
warehouse.  The Colonel smiled as he saw them come, and Russ gestured to
his two henchmen, who immediately closed in on Mike and Emma, presumably to
make sure the bargaining power stayed with their side.

Damon stopped his group about ten feet away, close enough to converse, not
close enough for anyone to reach anyone else.  Without quite realising it,
they stayed in a close huddle - Damon at the front, flanked by Adam and
Elizabeth, Megabyte behind them with Kay and Alice.  They didn't exactly
look like the cavalry, coming victorious over the hillside, and the
Colonel's smile got just a little broader and a little colder.

"So nice of you to make it...?"  The Colonel finished the comment on a
rising inflection, spreading his hands in a question.

Damon understood the question - _Who are you, trying to stop *me*?_ - he
just didn't bother to answer it.  "We're here," he agreed bluntly.  "What
now?"

"An exchange of property, of course," the Colonel answered smoothly.  "In
the accepted manner."

Damon frowned, but nodded.  "I want my people, you understand."  He felt
movement behind him, a half-born protest that died before it was begun, and
added, "And the baby."

The Colonel shook his head and made a disappointed, tut-tutting noise.  "It
seems _you_ don't understand.  "I'm the one in a position to bargain, not
you.  For starters, you can hand over any weapons you may be carrying.
Purely as a sign of good faith, of course."  He glanced at one of his men.
"Get it from him."

The man approached and, reluctantly, Damon pulled his gun from his belt and
handed it over.  "None of the others are armed."  He gave the Colonel a
steady look.  "I don't suppose you'll be doing the same.  Purely as a sign
of good faith of course."

"Definitely not," the Colonel agreed.  "I'm calling the shots here
remember, not you.  And I want those girls you're protecting.  Now."

"And I want Jade," Damon responded equally coldly.  "Now.  And Doctor
Stratton.  And Mr Bell.  _And_ the baby."

The Colonel smiled, a particularly not-nice smile.  "An initial trade then.
 The two girls you've got for the one I've got.  I'll even throw in the
adults if you like.  _Then_ we can discuss the baby."

Damon hesitated, and in that moment someone pushed past him, making the
decision for him.  Alice stopped a pace in front of him and did what had to
be one of the bravest things she would ever do in her life.  She looked the
Colonel in the eye and demanded, "Where's my baby?"

He looked at her for a long thoughtful moment, then bent his head to say
something to Russ.  The younger man leaned down into the car, and a moment
later there was a disgruntled wail from inside the vehicle.  Russ appeared,
a brief moment later, with an angry Teresa in his arms, who was most
unimpressed by this treatment and determined to let the world know about
it.

Alice walked towards her daughter, apparently unaware of anything else
around her, seeing only Teresa, hearing only Teresa.  Damon was a moment
late realising what she was doing and when he grabbed at her, she was
already beyond his reach.  When he went to go after her, Liz placed a hand
on his arm and held him back.

"You can't stop her," she said quietly.  "Let her go.  We haven't been
outmanoeuvred yet."

Alice almost made it.  But when she got as far as the Colonel, he stopped
her, catching her by the arms and preventing her from taking the last step
to her baby.  She struggled against his hold, then blinked as if only then
realising where she was.  When she saw who was holding her she froze, and
then seemed to deflate suddenly, almost going limp in the Colonel's arms.

At a word from Russ, the Colonel's driver finally got out of the car,
opened the rear door and dragged Jade out into the sun.  She was groggy,
but conscious, and she instinctively tried to shield her eyes from the
light.  The driver pulled her around to the other side of the car, and she
raised her head and blinked, trying to work out what was happening.

Adam stepped forward a pace, as if he was going to go to her, then stopped
himself and carefully stepped back again.  The Colonel nodded.  "Wise idea,
boy.  Now, shall we conclude our trade?  You can have the girl - and the
adults..."  He gestured to the two men still watching Emma and Mike, and
they pulled back, to join their employer beside the car.  Mike immediately
dragged Emma back to join Damon and his party.

"See..." the Colonel continued.  "Now we're down to one for one.  A girl
for a girl.  Fair swap."

Behind him, Adam felt Kay tense and he turned to look at her.  "You'd
better go," he said softly.  "You should be able to teleport Alice and
Teresa out like we planned.  Jade can't, she's hardly conscious."

"I..." Kay began, then grimaced.  "Yeah, I guess."

She felt Damon drop an encouraging hand on her shoulder as she passed him,
felt the other Tomorrow People, young and old, supporting her as she walked
across the concrete.  She stopped at the midpoint between the two groups -
just as the characters had in that old spy film Megabyte had talked her
into watching - and waited.  The Colonel nodded and the man holding Jade
pushed her towards Kay.  Kay caught her as she stumbled forward, helped her
upright again.

"What's going on?" she whispered, her voice confused and a little slurred.

Kay turned her around and pushed her towards the others, where they were
waiting for her.  "It's okay," she said softly.  "Just go."

Too confused to argue like she normally would, Jade went.  And the
Colonel's men closed around Kay, trapping her.  Trapped, like she had sworn
she never would be again.  Alice was on the Colonel's other side to Kay,
Russ was still holding Teresa, looking rather uncomfortable about doing it.
 Kay couldn't possibly grab them both and teleport safely.  She threw Adam
a despairing glance.  :What do I do now?:

:Wait,: he answered.

:We won't let anything happen to you,: Elizabeth added.

:Besides, you can escape anytime,: Megabyte added.  :Just like I taught
you.  Remember?:

The Colonel frowned, as if something was just dawning on him, and it was
Emma, not telepathic but surely not stupid, who figured out what it must
mean.  She was sure that in the silence there was a conversation going on
that she couldn't hear, but she didn't want the Colonel to work it out too.
 He'd be ready for traps then, more likely to do something fatal.  _So what
do I do?_ she asked herself frantically, and was surprised to find the
answer.  _Side-track him.  Stall him._

"What are you going to do now, Colonel?" she called across the concrete.
"You've been busted twice now.  You probably won't get away with it a third
time.  Besides," she added in inspiration.  "That catalyst's no good.  I
inactivated it."

He pulled it from his pocket and turned it over in his free hand and for a
moment, she thought he'd believed her.  Then he laughed.  "Oh no, you
didn't.  You're a scientist, Emma.  A real scientist, and there aren't too
many of those left in these degenerate days.  You could no more spoil what
you've made here than you could fly."

Damn.  So much for that idea.  What else?  "It's worthless anyway," she
tried again.  "You're not making telepaths, you're only helping along
something that's coming anyway.  And you can no more stop _that_ than _you_
can fly."

"Thanks," she heard Adam mutter beside her and she suddenly realised what
she'd said.  But there was no taking it back now; already she could see the
Colonel turning her words over, putting them together with everything he'd
seen here today and starting to work out what it all must mean.  She'd just
messed it up big-time, and now all the Tomorrow People would never be safe
from the Colonel and others like him.  Because if they couldn't control
something, they'd settle for destroying it.  Probably starting with
everyone here.

Damon had come to essentially the same conclusion.  The cavalry was
supposed to be coming, it was the last thing he'd arranged before they all
left the Institute, but it looked like they had all just run out of time.
The Colonel was raising his arm, sighting along the barrel of the gun,
intending to eliminate the problem in the most swift and efficient manner
possible.

"Go!" Damon yelled.  "Go Kay!  Go all of you!"  And he pushed at the
nearest Tomorrow Person - Adam he thought, but he wasn't sure - knocking
him over, before starting to turn in the other direction and do the same
thing again, amazed to find he was even moving the way time had seemed to
turn to treacle, slowing everything down so it was clear, and sharp, and
obvious, and above all, unavoidable.

The Colonel's arm shifted, moving to him, and he heard the retort of the
gun firing, could even see the puff of smoke at the muzzle's end, could
imagine he could see the bullet coming his way, but there was nothing he
could do about it.

"DAD!"

Off in the far distance he could hear a shout, the voice familiar, the word
even more so, but he couldn't do anything about that either.  Then
something crashed into his chest, knocking him sideways, and the world
turned to crackles and sparkles, orange and black.

Kay tried to knock the Colonel's arm aside, but she was too slow, and she
could only watch as Megabyte lunged towards his father, knocking him to the
ground.  Before they could hit the concrete they disappeared with a
electronic crackle and flash.

Beside her, the Colonel went stiff with fury.  "They _teleport_?!  They
teleport too.  That means..."

There was a fraction's pause and Kay knew that was all she was going to
get, just that short moment before he realised there was no way for him to
hold onto someone who could teleport away from him.  "GET TERESA!" she
shouted at Alice, using both her voice and her mind, and as Alice
sluggishly began to react, she shoved the Colonel as hard as she could,
pushing him back into the car.  His gun tumbled to the ground, the catalyst
went sailing into the air, and she reached past him to grab Alice, hoping
Alice had Teresa, and teleported them all away.

Emma saw the vial of catalyst arching into the air.  Everyone else seemed
to be otherwise occupied - running for cover, teleporting for cover if that
was an option, running after those that were running, trying to shoot them
if _that_ was an option - to be thinking of the catalyst.  But it was all
Emma could see.  That tiny little vial tumbling through the air.

She didn't even realise she gone racing to catch it until her feet left the
ground and an instant later she felt her fingers close around the metal.
She stumbled as she hit the ground again, but she caught herself before she
could fall and then she was running, running towards the water, not really
sure why.

--end, part 13

Kerry

--
[e-mail]

"We shall be remembered in spite of ourselves"



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Kerry Blackwell" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Traces of Yesterday, Touches of Tomorrow [15/15]
Date: 13 Dec 1998 08:43:45 +1300

Earlier parts of this story, as well as its prequel _Tomorrow and Tomorrow
and Tomorrow..._ can be found at
http://www.forty-two.co.nz/kerry/fanfic.html


The Tomorrow Trilogy II:


Traces of Yesterday, Touches of Tomorrow
Kerry Blackwell

EPILOGUE(S)

1.

John looked up before the door opened, knowing who was going to walk
through it.  It slid open and Liz stepped in, heading immediately for the
vacant chair opposite the one John was sitting in.  She sank into the seat,
feeling it shift slightly beneath her, adjusting to her height and weight,
and sighed heavily.

When she didn't say anything, he asked, "How did it go?"

She looked up and sighed again. "It could have been worse.  But it could
have been a lot better too."

"How's the girl?"

"She's..."  Liz hesitated, searching for the right word.  "...broken," she
settled on finally.  "Gone latent, probably from everything that happened
to her, so that she never quite managed to break out like Kay did.  I don't
know if they can help her here or not, but they're going to try."

"And you and Mike?"

"Well, we're in a lot less trouble than we could be.  The Council was
suitably horrified about what was going on and agreed - very reluctantly -
that the action we took was appropriate.  They're now trying to decide what
to do next.  I expect they'll debate it for the next several decades."

"At the very least," John agreed with an ironic smile.  "Did you get told
off for not following proper procedure?"

Elizabeth laughed, but there was an edge to the sound.  "Oh yes.  Several
times."  She was silent for several moments, her fingers tapping lightly on
the arm of the chair, and when she did speak again, her voice was serious.
"John, do you know what the Federation really needs?"

He frowned, surprised by the sudden question.  "What?" he asked cautiously.

"A really good shake-up," Liz said firmly.  "They could be doing some good
in the galaxy - without interfering unilaterally - instead of sitting
around here arguing and stagnating."

"We've known that for years," John pointed out mildly.

"Well, it's time somebody actually did something."

"So who are you electing?" he asked.  "Yourself?"

"You know," Elizabeth said slowly, seriously.  "I think I am.  Will you
help me?"

"I don't know," John admitted.  "You'll have to convince me."  Then slowly,
he began to smile.  "But yes, I think I might."


2.

It was going to be a big job.  Humanity was always afraid of something
different and had a bad habit of dealing with it by trying to destroy it.
Well not this time.

Mike stretched his legs out along the seat of the Ship's window alcove,
laced his fingers together behind his head and leaned back, remembering.

Emma, standing at the water's edge, looking defiant and completely certain
both at the same time.  "It's for the best," she had said firmly as
everyone had closed in around her.  "Now everyone will be Tomorrow People."
 She smiled at the children, calmly sure.  "It's a perfect name, you know.
Tomorrow belongs to you, just as it should."

Damon had shaken his head and asked softly, "Emma, what have you done?"

Over the next 24 hours, it had become clearer just what she had done.  The
catalyst was algal-based, it was in the biosystem now, and the (admittedly
very scanty) projections done so far suggested it was going to spread and
multiply, not quietly fad away.

There were going to be a lot more Tomorrow People.  The ones who might have
just missed out on the chance to break out were more likely to do so now.
There were going to be a lot of new parents who were going to have very
special children.  It had always been humanity's potential future, to all
be Tomorrow People, but now it had been given one heck of a kick start.

Damon had been furious at first, then he had started to think.  And now
Mike had a new job.

Despite their abilities and their potential, all those new Tomorrow People
were going to need some help, from some adults they could trust, preferably
ones with some kind of power and authority.  Damon was talking about
heading some kind of foundation to offer just that protection and
assistance, one he was sure he could build out of what was now WorldEx.
And he had a very persuasive tongue on him when he chose to put it to use,
because he'd convinced Mike to hang around and run his new Foundation with
him.

It was going to be a very interesting and challenging job.  But it ought to
be just as rewarding.


3.

They clattered off the pad in a group, talking at the tops of their voices.

"You should have seen the look on his face when I shot him," Megabyte
crowed.

"Hey, I did all right too," Jade interrupted.

"And now they're _finished_," Kay said in a satisfied tone.

"So what happens now?" asked the youngest member of the group.

Mike decided it was time to let them know he was there and stood up, making
a point of being extra noisy about it.  They all fell silent at once, and
Adam nodded in his direction.

"Oh, hello, Mike."

Mike stretched and walked around the console.  "It's okay," he said
quickly.  "I was just leaving."

"You don't have to go, just because we've arrived," Adam protested.

"I know," he agreed.  "But I was just going to see my mother."  He stepped
up onto the pad and grinned at them.  "Besides, I wouldn't want to cramp
your style."

He was gone before any of them could protest, but Megabyte chuckled.  "I
think I'm going to like him."

"So what happens now?" Kevin repeated.  He looked around his friends and
sighed.  "Our biggest adventure yet, and I missed it."

"So did Ami and me," Lisa pointed out, sounding a little disgruntled
herself.

"It all just happened so fast," Kay apologised.

"So what _does_ happen now?" Ami said.

Adam flopped down on the console ring and looked around the Ship, before
his gaze settled on his friends.  "There's going to be lots more Tomorrow
People.  And we're going to be here waiting for them as they come."

FINIS

--end, epilogue(s)

Kerry

--
[e-mail]

"We shall be remembered in spite of ourselves"



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Kerry Blackwell" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Traces of Yesterday, Touches of Tomorrow [14/15]
Date: 13 Dec 1998 08:43:39 +1300

Earlier parts of this story, as well as its prequel _Tomorrow and Tomorrow
and Tomorrow..._ can be found at
http://www.forty-two.co.nz/kerry/fanfic.html


The Tomorrow Trilogy II:


Traces of Yesterday, Touches of Tomorrow
Kerry Blackwell

FOURTEEN

Megabyte stumbled as he materialised, still lurching sideways as he had
been when he teleported.  His father lost his footing completely and
collapsed to the floor and Megabyte tumbled down on top of him.

Damon groaned, the sound full of pain, and Megabyte hurriedly rolled off
him, tipping off the low dais of the teleport pad and sitting down on the
hard, cold floor with an unceremonious bump.  He blinked, closing his eyes
for a moment and trying to get the events of the last few minutes back into
their proper sequence.

The docks.  The Colonel.  The gunshot.  Oh no, the gunshot...

Megabyte opened his eyes again, looking for his father, afraid of what he
might see.

The general was lying on his side, his body curled into a ball and his arms
pulled up against his chest, as if for protection or reassurance.  His eyes
were closed, and there was a growing red stain about his left shoulder.  It
was that last thing seemed to get Megabyte's brain functioning properly
again.

"Dad?"  He reached out a hand and touched his father lightly on the arm,
taking care not to jar the damaged shoulder.  Damon's face was pale, waxy
white and somehow almost translucent, and he didn't respond.  Really
starting to worry now, Megabyte tried again, his voice going a little
tighter, a little higher pitched.  "Dad?"

Damon groaned again, and his eyes opened at last.  It seemed to take an
exceptionally long time for them on focus on Megabyte's face, and when he
finally did answer his voice was weak and quiet.  "Marmaduke?"

Megabyte almost laughed with relief.  "That's right," he agreed.  "It's me.
 Marmaduke."  And for once the hated name sounded wonderful, music to his
ears, whole crashing symphonies and halleluia choruses.

His father struggled to sit up and Megabyte automatically helped him,
guiding him into a sitting position on the edge of the dais.  He winced as
he jolted his shoulder, drawing in his breath in an involuntary hiss.  His
right hand went up instinctively towards the injury, but he stopped it half
way there and let his hand drop back to his side.

"Are you okay?" Megabyte asked anxiously, realising just what a stupid
question that was about half a millisecond after it had left his lips.
"You'd better let me look at that," he said more firmly, trying to sound
like he had everything under control when he was really wondering what he
could possibly do about anything.

"Would you _please_ tell me what's going on," a smooth voice interrupted.
"Then perhaps I can help.  I do have full human medical files."

Megabyte almost jumped, startled, before he remembered that the spaceship
could talk now.  "My dad's been hurt," he explained quickly, grateful for
any help he could get.  "He's been shot.  I think it's serious."

"It's a flesh wound," Damon insisted, but there was still hardly any colour
in his face and Megabyte thought there was more blood on his shirt now than
there had been before.  "I'll be fine," the general added, but the way he
winced as he spoke, then closed his eyes for a moment, his jaw set, made
the assertion less than convincing.

"I believe you should let Megabyte and me be the judge of that," the Ship
said firmly, suddenly reminding Megabyte of the school nurse at the school
before last - she'd been about fifty, almost as wide as she was tall and
nobody could get _anything_ past her.

"Yeah, like the Ship says," he agreed, looking up at the lighted column.
"So what do I do?"

There was barely anything to it, just a quiet prickling at the base of his
skull, a ghostly breath of wind across his skin, but it was enough to make
Megabyte turn his head as his instincts understood, even if the rest of him
didn't.  Then the whisper of  breeze turned into an outrushing of displaced
air as two figures materialised behind him.  They faltered for a moment,
half there and half not, before solidifying so that Megabyte could see that
there were actually three of them - Kay, holding Alice, who was holding
Teresa, who immediately began to scream at the top of her young voice.

Alice started rocking Teresa in her arms, whispering wordless reassurances,
totally oblivious to her surroundings.  After a second, Kay let her go and
stepped away a pace, looking around the spaceship.

"I know you said we landed here now," she commented to no-one in
particular, "but I'm still surprised."

"The beacon alignment has been corrected," the Ship said in a pedantic
tone.  "Default destination co-ordinates will now always be the jaunting
pad, just as they should be."

"And you really do talk."  Kay grinned, but moments later her face grew
serious again.  She started to turn back towards Alice, but stopped when
she saw Megabyte, and beyond him General Damon, who was staring at the
floor beneath his feet.  As if he felt her gaze on him, he looked up and
she was startled by the tight, set look to his face.

She opened her mouth, but closed it again a second later.

Megabyte gave her a ghost of a smile.  "Were you going to ask him if he's
okay?" he asked.  "I did.  It's a _really_ stupid question under the
circumstances, isn't it?"  He turned back to his father.  "Dad, I
should..."

"What's going on back there?" Damon interrupted.  He tried getting to his
feet, but gave up without too much of a fight when Megabyte pushed him back
again.  "I need someone to take me back," he insisted.

"Not until that wound has been treated," the Ship said in its 'school
nurse' voice.  "I was about to instruct Megabyte on how to best assess it.
Can either of you heal?  I know Adam can, but since he's not here, we'll
have to make do with what we've got."

"Ummm," Kay said intelligently.

"I don't know," Megabyte added.  "I've never tried."  He was trying to get
his father to let him get a look at his damaged shoulder and the general
was still trying to insist it was nothing.  Realising there was little she
could do at that particular instant, Kay let Megabyte and the Ship bully
Damon and turned her attention back to Alice.

Now Teresa had stopped crying, Alice was starting to look around, her eyes
widening as she took in the curved walls, the lights in the control ring
and the Ship's central column, the dark water beyond the window's glass.
Finally, her eyes came full circle, back to Kay again.  "Where are we?" she
asked, sounding more than a little confused.

Kay smiled, delighted to have the opportunity to be doing the explaining
instead of listening in disbelief.  "We're in a buried spaceship under an
island in the South Pacific."

"By the ocean?" Alice asked in a voice full of yearning.

Kay's smiled turned into a delighted laugh, and she nodded.  "Oh, yes.  The
sea is the most wonderful thing, Alice.  I'll show you later."  She gently
pulled Alice off the dais towards the alcove by the window.  "The most
important thing is that you're safe, you and Teresa, and you're going to
stay that way."

Alice sat down obediently, a dazed look still on her face.  Teresa hiccuped
and sighed, and she bent her head to her daughter.  Kay decided it was safe
to leave them there and went back to check on Megabyte and his father.

The general's shirt has been pushed back off his shoulder and Megabyte was
pressing a wad of cloth against his shoulder, trying to stop the bleeding.
He still looked drawn and white, but he was arguing with Megabyte,
insisting his son take him back to the docks as soon as possible.  Megabyte
seemed to be ignoring him.

:How's the patient?: Kay asked.

Megabyte snorted out loud.  :Patient?  He's certainly not being patient.:

:Is he going to be okay?:

:I don't know,: Megabyte admitted.  :The Ship says the bullet went right
through him, but it still looks pretty awful.  I think maybe I should take
him to a hospital, but I don't know how I'm going to explain everything.:

"Don't talk behind my back," Damon said peevishly.  "And stop fussing.  I'm
fine."

"We weren't," Megabyte lied smoothly.  "And I don't think you are fine.  In
fact, I think..."

He trailed to a halt, feeling that shift in the air again, but differently
this time.  He wasn't particularly surprised when it was Elizabeth who
materialised on the pad behind them.  She glanced around, assimilated the
situation in that short moment and stepped off the platform to join
Megabyte and Kay.

"What's going on back there?" Damon demanded as soon as he recognised her.

"I don't know," Liz admitted calmly.  "I left to check on you.  You don't
look in particularly good shape, you know," she added.

"I'm fine."

"He keeps saying that," Megabyte interrupted.

"I believe 'fine' is perhaps a little too strong," the Ship offered.

"Can you heal him?" Megabyte asked suddenly.  "Adam probably could, but
he's not here."

"I think Adam's a little busy right now," Liz answered drily.  "I'm not
much of a healer, but with the Ship's help, I expect we can manage."  She
looked at Megabyte and Kay.  "Have you done this before?"

Receiving two negative head-shakes in reply, Elizabeth shrugged, hiding his
doubts way back in her mind where no-one was going to find them and held
out her hands.  "Okay then, can you form a rapport with me?"

"Mind merge?" Kay said dubiously.

"Indeed," Liz agreed with significantly more confidence than she was
feeling.

It was a little shaky at first, three very different people, who were still
different even in the things that made them the same, and when the Ship
joined in Elizabeth thought it was all going to collapse around her.  But
she held it together somehow until that moment where everyone and
everything suddenly clicked into place with a certainly and perfection that
could never, ever be explained to anyone who hadn't been granted the
opportunity to experience it themselves.

With the Ship's knowledge, with the power provided by Kay and Megabyte, Liz
could slip inside the general's shoulder, assess the damage and do what she
could to repair it.  It was a delicate process; mending the tears, draining
the bruising, convincing the body that it really did want to heal itself,
that this was a completely sensible and logical speed to do it at.
Sluggishly at first, then faster, the tissue began to respond, knitting
itself back together, borrowing energy from LizKayMegabyteShip to do it, in
the absence of that natural healer called Time.

At last, satisfied the process could be left alone to finish the job
unaided, Liz began untangling the rapport, making everyone into a single
individual again.  Alone once more, she opened her eyes just as her legs
buckled and Kay only just managed to catch her before she collapsed
inelegantly to the floor.  She staggered back a few steps and sat down
heavily on the Ship's control circle, breathing heavily.

"Wow," Megabyte said in a tired voice and leaned backwards to lie on the
teleport pad.  "Wow."

Damon blinked and looked up, colour visibly returning to his face.  "What
happened?"

"Are you okay, Bill?" Kay asked as Megabyte pushed himself up again and
peered searchingly into his father's face.

"I think so.  I..."  Cautiously, as if he thought he shouldn't really being
doing it, he rotated his shoulder.  And winced.  But compared to before, it
was nothing at all.  "What did you do?"

"We healed it," Liz explained, still a little breathless.  "Well, not
completely, but it should be an irritation now, rather than a danger.  But
you'll still have to take it easy for a while."

"Take it easy?" Damon repeated.  "I need to know what's happening at the
docks.  I need to get back there.  Will someone _please_ take me."

"You don't give up, do you?" Megabyte said.

Kay chuckled.  "So now you know where _you_ get it from."

Megabyte glared at her, but he did ask Adam how they were doing.

*

When the gunshot sounded, the careful balance was broken and everything
swiftly dissolved into chaos.  Adam felt rather than saw Megabyte launch
himself sideways and a moment later the air cracked as he and his father
disappeared.  From there, things got confusing.

The Colonel was yelling, angry and incoherent, Kay was moving, the air
sparkling again as she disappeared, pulling Alice and Teresa with her, Emma
was running, towards not away, Mike was running too, in the other
direction, shouting at Adam and Jade with mind and voice to do the same.
All happening at once.

Adam started to follow Mike, but halfway to the inviting cover of a stack
of shipping crates he realised that Jade wasn't beside him.  Stopping,
turning his head to look back, he saw her still standing where he had left
her, a confused, dazed look on her face.

"JADE!" he bellowed, and she lifted her head to look at him.  A frown
creased her forehead as she struggled to make everything make sense and
didn't quite manage it.

Adam reversed direction, dashed back, grabbed Jade by one arm and dragged
her towards the safety of the crates.  She mumbled a protest, but she must
have felt his urgency because about halfway there she started to run with
him instead of stumbling after him.

They collapsed in a heap behind the boxes.  Jade blinked at him, her eyes
clear again, and asked, "What's going on?"  A moment later, she answered at
least part of her own question.  "They _drugged_ me," she said furiously,
indignation making her voice higher than usual, shrill and angry.  There
was a bang from the other side of the crates and she jumped.  "What was
_that_?"

Adam risked peering over the top of the nearest box to look.  "The
Colonel's shooting at Mike I think.  I can't see Dr Stratton."

"So what are we going to _do_?"

Adam could see Russ and the Colonel standing openly beside the car.  The
Colonel had reclaimed his handgun and Russ was similarly equipped.  The
driver was on the other side of the car, his position making it impossible
for Adam to see if he was armed or not.  There was no sign of the other two
men.

There was another crack as Russ fired in the direction of another stack of
crates and barrels.

Jade's head appeared cautiously over the top of the box.  "We could go back
to the Ship," she suggested hopefully.

Adam shook his head. "We can't just leave Dr Stratton."

The driver was looking around, his gaze moving in their direction and Adam
grabbed Jade's shoulder and pushed her down, ducking out of sight again
himself.  There was another spat of gunfire and this time they could hear
the bullets hitting the other side of their shelter.  Beside him, Adam felt
Jade shudder, and rather felt like doing the same himself.

:Adam?:

It took him a moment to recognise the voice.  Jade, who had never heard it
before, turned to look at him with wide eyes.

:Adam?: Mike called again.  :Where are you?:

:Behind some crates,: Adam answered.  :They've got a flag painted on them,
it's the Argentinean one I think.:

:I see them.  I'm further round towards the water.  There's a bunch of
yellow plastic barrels on the top of the pile.:

Jade was crawled to the far edge of the stack and was peering carefully
around the side.  She nodded.  :I can see it.:

:That answers my next question,: Mike said with a touch of relief in his
voice.  :You must be Jade.  Hi, I'm Mike.:

:Can you see Dr Stratton?: Adam asked.  :We can't.:

:I can.  Just.  There's a little loader, right over by the water, she's
hiding behind that.  No-one has seen her yet, but I can't get to it, not
even by jaunting, it's too exposed.  And I can't jaunt her as well as me
anyway.:

:We can do that,: Adam began hopefully, but Jade was shaking her head.

:I can see it now.  There's no extra cover at all, not even to teleport in
and then out again.: There was a moment's pause before she spoke again, her
voice rueful.  :And if _I'm_ being that cautious, it really must be
impossible.:

:Okay, so we need to stop them from finding Dr Stratton,:  Adam decided.
:And try to deal with them if we can, or at least hold the fort until the
cavalry arrives.:

Mike must have smiled, they could hear it in his voice.  :Well, they might
have the guns, but we have a lot of advantages they don't really know about
and can't counter.  Let's make use of them.:

*

It was easier said than done of course.  But when the saying is as easy as
a thought, the doing can't be all that difficult.

Jade started it, giving Adam a "Trust Me" look that made him decidedly
nervous and dematerialising with a quiet 'pop'.  Even though he knew he
wouldn't be able to see her, he couldn't stop himself from risking a look
over the top of the boxes.  The big car was still in the middle of the open
space, the Colonel and Russ standing beside it, not longer even worrying
about being behind cover, while the driver and the two gunmen were on the
other side of the vehicle.  Beyond them to one side was the river, the
loading area edged only by a low wooden rail before it dropped away to the
dark water, a little further round was a chain link fence separating this
compound from the one next door, but the row of large shipping containers
hid most of the wire and made a far more formidable barrier.

Beyond Adam, the line of containers met the iron sheeting of the warehouse
wall and a pyramid of yellow plastic barrels was neatly stacked in the
corner.  As he watched, the top barrel teetered dangerously, before
bouncing onto the concrete and rolling noisily towards the car.

There was an immediate volley of gunfire, aimed at the barrels, but when
there was no response Russ shook his head and the firing stopped.  He
jerked his head sharply and one of his strongmen started cautiously in the
direction of the disturbance.  Then Russ spoke quietly to a second man and
he began moving in the opposite direction, towards the water.

He would, Adam realised with dawning horror, most likely be able to see Dr
Stratton once he reached the riverside.  Which meant he couldn't be allowed
to get that far.  Unable to come up with any better idea on such short
notice, Adam stood up, waved his arms in the air and shouted, "Hey!
Where're you going?  We're over here."  And immediately had to duck when
they started shooting at him.

:Clever,: Mike commented caustically.  :The man heading for the river
hasn't stopped and now the last one is coming right at you.:

:Oops!: Jade said cheerfully.

:You worry about your own problem, young lady,: Mike said sternly.  :I'll
deal with the one by the river.  Adam, you'll have to find a way to
neutralise the driver.:

Adam nodded, even thought they couldn't see it.  :Okay.:

It all happened rather fast after that.

Jade waited until the last possible moment, until the man was right under
the pile, and shoved at one of the barrels with all her strength.  It was
on the bottom of the stack, two away from the edge, and she had chosen it
carefully.  For a moment she thought she wasn't going to be able to budge
it, but then it began to move, slowly at first, then more and more easily,
until the pile weakened enough to make all the other barrels tumble to the
ground.  Jade threw herself backwards, out of the way of the cascade of
plastic and liquid, and listened to the muffled curses and cries of
surprise from the other side with satisfaction.

One down, four to go.

Mike watched the man edging closer to the water, trying to decide how best
to deal with him as he had so easily promised to do.  Running across the
concrete was an exceedingly stupid idea, probably even more so than Adam's
little game of jack-in-the-box had been - although Mike had to give him
credit for being prepared to risk himself to do what needed to be done.  It
was a sign of a good leader; the real trick though was to come up with a
way to solve the problem that avoided the need for such risks in the first
place.  And that was something that Adam was sure to learn, given time.
Always assuming they got out of this safely first of course.

The man had reached the river's side now, picking his way through tangled
mooring lines.  And that gave Mike an idea.  He picked a likely coil of
cable, several metres ahead of his target and concentrated on it, seeing
first with his eyes, and then with his mind.  Getting to know it inside and
out, each strand of wire, each twist and turn and connection so that it was
part of him and he could tell it what to do almost as easily as he could
tell his arm to wave or his legs to run.

The man reached it and Mike flicked the cable, tossing and twitching it so
that it caught the man around his ankles, tripping him, sending his
crashing towards the ground.  And at the last moment, Mike 'twitched'
again, knocking him over the edge of the dock and into the water.  Mike
collapsed against the crates, exhausted, distantly hearing the man's
strangled cry, followed by a _splash_ as he crashed though the surface into
the river's cold, dark water.

Two down, three to go.

Adam was in trouble.  There was one serious problem with being the
distraction - it focused people's attention on you.  The boxes he was
hiding behind were too big and heavy for him to move, there wasn't really
anywhere to run and he didn't like to just teleport away.  And if he did
so, it still wouldn't solve the problem of the armed man on the other side
of the crates.

Oh dear.  Too late - make that the armed man on _this_ side of the boxes.

"I think I can shoot you before you do that disappearing thing," he said
conversationally.  "If you can even do it at all."

Adam hesitated, then shrugged.  "Okay, I surrender."  It would probably be
safer to teleport later anyway, when no-one was expecting it.

He felt a change in the air beside him, a quiet murmur as if in
anticipation.  Then Elizabeth was there at his side.  She raised a hand,
lifted a gun and fired it at the startled gunman.  For just an instant he
looked even more startled, then he crumpled silently to the ground.

Adam looked at Elizabeth, horrified, at the fallen man and then again at
the gun in her hand.  She followed his gaze.

"Stun gun," she said briefly.  "He's only unconscious."

Three down, two to go.

They cautiously rounded the edge of the crates, to see Russ and the Colonel
conferring hastily beside the car.  They seemed to reach a consensus and
Russ reached out to open the vehicle's nearest door for the Colonel.

"They're going to get away."

Liz shook her head.  "They shouldn't."

The air shimmered, exploded outwards and Megabyte materialised scant feet
away from the two men.  An instant later a second figure solidified into
General Damon, one arm holding tightly to his son's shoulder.
Appropriately, in the distance, Adam could hear sirens coming closer.

Megabyte had another of the stun guns (Adam couldn't quite imagine what had
possessed Elizabeth to let him loose with one), and he fired it, almost
point-blank, at Russ.  He went limp, falling back against the side of the
car and sliding to the ground.

The Colonel turned, his expression furious, and his cheek collided
forcefully with Damon's fist.  The general hit him again, just to be on the
safe side, and there was a crack as his knuckles collided with the other
man's jaw.  The Colonel grunted and dropped to join his head of security on
the dirty concrete.

A convoy of cars and military trucks roared around the corner of the
warehouse with a wail of sirens.  The lead car screeched to a halt and
disgorged Frank and Laurel, who both stumbled to a surprised stop as they
took in the scene around them.

Everybody's down, the calvary's here.

It took fifteen good, confusing minutes to sort out just what was going on.
 Frank and another man dragged the Colonel and Russ off to one the trucks,
while Laurel took a group of soldiers to find and detain the other three
men.  The one they fished out of the river looked very wet, cold and sorry
for himself and seemed to be quite happy to be arrested if it meant a
change of clothes and a chance to get warm again.  The one they dragged out
from under a pile of plastic barrels looked much less happy about the
situation and protested loudly all the way to the truck.  The third was
still unconscious, so he didn't have much say in it at all.

As the trucks drove away again, carrying their captives with them, there
was another pop and flash, and Kay appeared, bringing Alice and Teresa with
her.  She grinned at Adam, unexpectedly hugged Megabyte who was closest and
laughed.  "You did it!  We're free now."

She looked back at Alice and smiled again, the exuberance carefully toned
down.  "We're free, big sister," she said gently, seriously.  "No-one owns
us anymore."

"And no-one should," a new voice said.  "Not ever."  Emma Stratton was
standing several metres away, still beside the river, watching them
thoughtfully.

Mike gave her an apologetic grin.  "I'm afraid we forgot you in our
enthusiasm, Dr Stratton."

She smiled back.  "That's all right," she said cheerfully.  "I'm used to
being forgotten.  It can be quite useful on occasions.  I wouldn't have
survived at the Institute without it."  Her expression grew serious again,
her gaze resting on each of the Tomorrow People in turn - Adam, Megabyte,
Jade, Kay, even Alice and Teresa.  "You're the future, you know that, don't
you?  You can't let anyone control you, not for any reason.  And I won't be
party to that; I won't let people like the Colonel try to control you, to
control the future."  She raised a hand, holding something dark and
metallic.  "I won't let anyone control this."

And she held out the container of catalyst, tipped it up and calmly dropped
it into the river.  It disappeared beyond the railing at the edge of the
dock, with only a soft plop and splash to show it had sunk into the water.
She watched it for a moment, then opened her other hand.  There was a
tinkle as the vial's lid hit the ground and rolled to a stop at her feet.

She raised her eyes to meet Adam's startled gaze.  "Don't you see, it's the
only way you can be free.  The world always belongs to the children.  It
always has.  We adults should remember that more often."

--end, part 14

Kerry

--
[e-mail]

"We shall be remembered in spite of ourselves"



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Amalgamation (0/8)
Date: 14 Dec 1998 11:59:11 +1100

                           Amalgamation
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 0/8

DISCLAIMER:

Most of the characters contained within are not mine but are borrowed from
the 1970s and 1990s Tomorrow People Science Fiction TV series'. They are
the property of its creators and copyright holders.

Any other characters are the sole creation and property of Shaun Hately.

This fanfic forms part of my series of fanfics, entitled A More Perfect
Union, and takes place after the events of Second Chance in that series. In
terms of continuity with the television series' the story takes place
sometime after the events of The Living Stones (ie after the new series had
finished). Many of the events of other fanfics in A More Perfect Union are
referred to in this story and it may be helpful to have read them. They may
be found at http://www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/tpfict.html

At one stage in the story, a character quotes from the Bible - lest someone
feels the need to point it out to me, yes, I know the quote is slightly
incorrect - the character is quoting from memory.

Profound thanks are owed to Beth Epstein and Megan Freeman for their
beta-reading.

Comment and criticism (good and bad) on this story is welcome. e-mail me
with comments at [e-mail]

(end of part 0)




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Amalgamation (1/8)
Date: 14 Dec 1998 12:08:06 +1100

                           Amalgamation
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 1/8

                             Introduction

NRO Station, Oakhill, West Virginia
December 9th, 1995
Early Morning

"Thank you, Houston," The young USAF Major leaned back in his chair and
examined each of his computer monitors and status boards one last time.
"Houston, this is NRO Oakhill confirming straight board green. We are go to
accept control of satellite."

From the speaker above his workstation, came the voice of a NASA
controller. "Roger Oakhill. We have transferred control to you at this
time. Houston signing off."

On the vast monitor screen at the front of the room, a large satellite
image of Great Britain suddenly appeared. Major Green reached for his
keyboard and typed in the alphanumeric string that would activate the
United States newest and most sophisticated space based ground penetrating
radar. His hand hovered over the ENTER key. "We are go for test."

A single word of command came from the civilian at the back of the room.
"Radiate."

He pressed the key and suddenly the satellite image of Britain was covered
with hundred of pulsating blue dots and lines, as Sophocles I went into
operation. The young woman who had given the order to activate the
satellite moved next to him.

"Well, it's pretty Major. But what does it mean?"

"Well, ma'am, all those blue lines and dots indicate subterranean
structures within England - subway tunnels, mines, root cellars - virtually
anything of man made origin that lies more than ten feet below the surface.
There's a computer in San Diego which analyses the signal and is able to
determine which signatures relate to known or identified structures and
filter them from our display. Look." Already the screen was less cluttered,
as objects analysed by the supercomputers were removed from view. "We can
also set up the system to specifically show us any structures that we want
it to - for example, we can tell it to look for missile silos. This is just
a test - on Britain, for some reason, I'm not sure why."

"That's simple, Major - they are willing to let us test it on them as long
as they are able to share in any data we get from the satellite - after
all, it was their vote on the Security Council that allowed us to launch
Sophocles in the first place. It isn't dangerous of course, but since
Damoclese everyone has been a bit reluctant to allow any major military
platforms in space."

The Major looked up. "Damoclese, ma'am?"

"Damn. Forget I said that. Forget I ever used the word Damoclese. It's
strictly need to know and you do not need to know."

"Yes, ma'am. Well, the Experimental Weapons Establishment in England have
set up a test for us - they've buried a barrel somewhere in the UK with a
particular radar signature. We have to try and find it. San Diego knows the
signature, and so they've set the computer to look for it. It should take
about two or three hours for Sophocles to sort out the wheat from the
chaff."

"Call me when you've found it."

The woman left. Major Green breathed a sigh of relief. Even after working
for the National Reconnaissance Office for 8 years, he still didn't like
working under professional spooks.

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

The phone next to her desk rang. She removed her right earring and answered
it. "Yes?"

"Ma'am - it's Major Green. We've found the barrel."

"I'll be right there." She picked up her earring and glanced at the clock.
2 hours, 13 minutes - not bad.

She walked down the corridors past the armed guards and into the control
room. The view screen was once again dominated by the huge image of the
British Isles, but there were only a few small traces of blue left on it.
Blinking, somewhere near Cardiff in Wales was a red dot.

"That's the barrel, ma'am - matches Halton's specifications precisely."

"Well done, Major - inform the EWE that we have passed their little test. I
suppose this shows that Sophocles is operational." Then she saw a yellow
dot blinking on the screen in or very near London. "What's that?"

"That? Oh, it's something the computers can't identify. It could be just
about anything - an old collapsed building, a bomb site - anything."

"Can you zoom in on it?" She leaned forward as if that would give her a
close view.

"Sure, ma'am - but why?"

"Because there aren't any other yellow dots on the screen - that makes that
signature unique, doesn't it? And a unique signature near London could be
worth investigating."

"Yes, ma'am."

The large image of Britain was replaced by a large scale radar image of
London. The light still blinked and she could now see that the signature
was quite near the River Thames, west of the central part of London.

"How much can you zoom in, Major?"

"Well, we can get resolution down to about 100 metres - that's about it."

Her voice was quiet. "I want that yellow section as isolated as you can get
it?"

Major Green tapped a few more keys. The whole screen was dominated by a 100
by 100 square area of London. A wavering yellow line, added by the computer
denoted what appeared to be some sort of subterranean complex. "That's as
clear as I can get it ma'am."

"Major, I need a secure phone right now." She picked up the phone that was
indicated and dialled a number. "This is Meldrum, I need to speak to the
watch officer right now . . . Frank? It's Jennifer Meldrum - there's
something you need to look at . . ."

(end of part 1)




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Amalgamation (2/8)
Date: 14 Dec 1998 12:08:44 +1100

                           Amalgamation
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 2/8

                               Chapter 1

Tapahini,
December 13th 1995
Morning

The young man left his tent and began to walk towards the small stream in
order to fetch a drink. He had not slept well although he was not quite
certain of the reason. Sleep had been coming harder and harder and when he
slept he dreamt although he could not remember the dreams. He could have
asked one of the others to mind merge with him in an attempt to remember
but he found he didn't want to. What he did remember of the dreams was that
they were disturbing and he had no desire to experience them in his waking
hours as well as in his sleep.

He scooped up handfuls of the cool, clear water and dumped them over his
head. He did so again and again trying to clear his clouded mind.

"You know, Adam, you're always welcome to teleport to my house to have a
shower. I'm sure Dad wouldn't mind."

Adam turned and saw Megabyte walking towards him. The younger Tomorrow
Person bore his normal irrepressible grin. Nothing seemed to get to
Megabyte - at least not for any extended period of time. He seemed to have
the ability to be cheerful under any circumstances and Adam was always
happy to have him around for precisely that reason.

"Hi Megabyte. I'm surprised to see you here so early. Ami normally beats
you by a good ten minutes - what happened to get you up so early? Did you
wet the bed?"

"Nope - who do you think I am - Kevin? Actually, I've got some good news
for you. Do you have any plans for Christmas? Mom wanted to know if you
wanted to spend the day with us - if you can stand being that close to
Millie, naturally."

Adam smiled. "Yeah, thanks, Megabyte. That'd be great. Thank your mum for
me, and I'll be there."

"It wasn't just her idea. I think Dad brought it up. He said last night
that he wanted to see you more - he feels like you've been ignoring him
recently. I think there's something he wants to discuss."

Megabyte watched as Adam gave him a sick grin and then began to walk back
towards the tent without a word. He felt and heard the familiar sound of
someone popping into existence behind him.

"Gee, what did I say?"

"Pardon?" asked Ami, who was standing there carrying a towel and wearing a
swimsuit - obviously seeking refuge from the cold weather back in England.

"It's Adam. I invited him to Christmas dinner at my house - and, from his
reaction, you'd think my Dad was some sort of Grinch."

"What did you say?"

"Um - that Dad wanted to see him and discuss something. Then Adam just
walked off. I don't get it."

Ami took a deep breath. "I'll talk to him."

She dropped her towel and walked over to the tent. "Adam - are you OK for
me to come in there?"

"Sure, Ami."

She drew back the flap and entered. Adam was sitting in the farthest corner
of the tent, his knees pulled up in front of him with his arms wrapped
around his legs.

"What's wrong, Adam?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

"Come on, Adam - we're not idiots. I can tell something is going on. I want
to help you." She suddenly had an insight. "Is this about the General?
About him wanting to see you?"

Adam seemed to crumple slightly. "Yeah. Ami . . . how can I tell Megabyte
we can't afford to trust his own dad. How do I tell the General that too.
He's been good to me, good to all of us."

"I know, Adam. I know. I feel the same way." Ami sat down on Adam's
sleeping bag. "Look . . . I think, maybe, I understand. My Dad . . .  well,
he's not really much of a father at all. You've lost contact with yours.
The General has sort of taken his place, hasn't he?"

Adam shook his head. "Not really. It's not that exactly. It's just - well,
you and I, yeah, we don't really have fathers in any real sense. Megabyte
does. Do we have any right to ask him to give that up?"

"No, we don't. But we're not asking him to do that, are we? It's not his
dad we're worried about, it's the people he works with - anyone of them
could be some sort of enemy."

"It's the same thing. We're asking him not to trust his father. And, Ami,
I'm not sure . . . I'm really not sure . . . if that's the right thing to
ask him to do." Adam turned his head away. "Ami - I haven't trusted my own
Dad for years. No real reason. I just haven't. And it's wrecked things for
me. For both of us. I don't want to do that to Megabyte.

"I just don't know what the right thing to do is. And I don't know who else
to ask. I can't exactly ask the General, can I?" Adam stopped, suddenly.
"Sorry, I guess I'm laying all my problems on you."

"It's OK, Adam. I can take it - so can Megabyte. But I'm not sure what we
can do. I don't have the answers for you - I wish I did. It wouldn't
exactly be a good idea for me to base this on my idea of what a father's
like either. You need to talk to someone," she paused. "Maybe Professor
Cawston?"

Adam sighed. "I've thought about it, you know. He seems trustworthy. He
took Amanda and Helena back to England and there hasn't been anything about
what happened in the papers. And he did seem to know an awful lot about us
already. But do I have the right?"

"The right for what?"

"To go and see him. To put our safety at risk by talking to a non-TP about
us. Let alone a parapsychologist. I mean, we know so little about him. I'd
ask the General about him - but that's the whole problem isn't it? Who do
we trust?"

"I think it's you decision, Adam. You're the one who'll be doing it."
answered Ami. "I know what I think - it's worth the risk."

"Let's ask Megabyte."

They emerged from the tent, and Adam saw the look of relief on Megabyte's
face as he walked towards him. The red-headed boy spoke up. "You look a lot
better."

Adam nodded, "Thanks. Megabyte - you know Professor Cawston? How would you
feel if I went and spoke to him. If I tried to find out more about him and
. . . got his advice on some things. I'll be careful."

Megabyte shrugged, "Hey, Adam, if you think it's a good idea - sure, I'm
happy with it."

"OK. Well, I'll see you two later, then."

Adam crackled and snapped out of sight. Megabyte turned to Ami.

"Why don't you two come clean? You've been tiptoeing around the subject for
months. I'm not stupid, you know."

"What do you mean?"

"Come on! You two have decided there's something fishy about my Dad. That
he can't be trusted or something. You must really think I'm an idiot if I
don't know that."

"Megabye, I . . ."

"It's OK, Ami. It really is. I know what you're thinking - all those people
he works with, can they be trusted? I've seen it too - what about if
someone like old General BS found out about us? I know the risks of anyone
inside that spy world knowing what's going on.

"But he's my Dad, you know. He's not the best Dad in the world, sure. He
was never home, he was always busy - he's on the first vacation he's taken
ever and he can't tear himself away from London - but he's one of the good
guys. He won't hurt us."

"I know, Megabyte. But it isn't simple."

"No, it isn't. But it's going to be a lot simpler for everyone if you quit
worrying about my feelings. I know what it means to be a Tomorrow Person.
Sometimes it means hard choices - I can take that. But you've got to
include me, even if it might hurt. I know you and Adam worry I don't take
things seriously. But I can if I have to. Trust me."

                              *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Petersfield, Hampshire

Adam materialised in the cold weather of an English December, and began to
walk rapidly towards the old manor house which he knew contained Professor
Cawston's research establishment. He was freezing - the clothing worn on a
tropical island wasn't really suitable for the current conditions.

By the time he'd mounted the steps and entered the foyer of the house, he
was moving at a run. His wet shoes slipped on the marble floor and he
slipped and slided across the room almost crashing into the desk of the
receptionist.

"May I help you?"

"I'd like to see Professor Cawston."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No - do I need one?"

She opened a book on the desk in front of her. "May I have your name?"

"Adam."

"Adam, what?"

"Um, can you just tell the Professor that Adam is here to see him?"

"Very well." She pressed an intercom button on her desk. "Professor,
there's a young man to see you. He doesn't have an appointment but he says
his name is Adam."

Over the intercom came an excited voice. "Please, Leslie - send him in."

She smiled at Adam. "Go through."

(end of part 2)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Amalgamation (3/8)
Date: 14 Dec 1998 12:09:14 +1100

                           Amalgamation
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 3/8

                               Chapter 2

Lyme Regis, Dorset
December 13th, 1995
Morning

"Flippin' Dorset. I thought it was dull enough in summer - but that was
nothing compared to winter. Now it's dull AND cold."

Kevin was complaining again - and it was beginning to get on Jade's nerves.
It hadn't been her choice to come away from home and spend a week cooped up
in a small cottage with the Wilson's. It was her mother's idea - her mother
seemed to want to talk to the Wilson's about the problems of raising a
telepathic teenager. So they had all come down to the coast for a short
holiday.

And all Kevin had done was complain. Yes, the weather was not exactly the
ideal for a week at the seaside, but there were some advantages to it - at
least for those with a paleontological bent. She tried to put Kevin out of
her mind and raised her small pick again.

"Do you really think you're going to unearth a dinosaur under all that
rock?"

"Not a dinosaur - a pleiosaur. They have been found in this area, you
know."

"Not for a million years!"

"More like 65 million years actually." Jade saw Kevin roll his eyes. "I
would have thought if anyone had a reason to be interested in evolution, it
would be us, Kevin."

"You weren't interested in it until three days ago! Now suddenly you want
to dig up most of England trying to find a fishosaurous. I wish we were
inside out of the cold." The last was plaintive.

Jade jumped down from her perch on the edge of the cliff. "They're talking
about us, you know."

"Yeah - sitting around drinking tea and discussing their freakish kids
while we sit around in the cold. If they don't want us around, why don't
they let us teleport somewhere?"

"Because they don't want us doing that unless it's really necessary." Jade
answered in perfect mimicry of her mother. "They're worried about us and
want us where they can keep an eye on us. Adults - they just don't
understand our generation."

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Petersfield, Hampshire

Adam walked into the office. Behind a large wooden desk sat the Professor
who rose to greet him. Bookshelves covered every wall straining under the
weight of assorted books and ornaments, a raging fire burned in the
fireplace and Adam moved over towards it in an effort to get warm.
Professor Cawston noticed his somewhat bedraggled appearance.

"Hallo, Adam. I was wondering if you'd ever come to see me."

"Hallo, Professor." Adam looked around the room, searching for bugs of any
sort. His eyes settled on a small switch near the teapot. Professor Cawston
followed his eyes.

"It isn't on, Adam. I assure you - no one will monitor this room, and there
will be no recordings. And that's the only bug of any sort in here - the
office is swept every Monday. So what can I do for you?"

"I need to talk, Professor. I need to know what you know - and how you know
it."

The Professor looked pensive for a moment, sank down into an armchair, and
then sighed. "Please sit down, Adam." He waited for him to sit down in the
chair opposite him on the other side of the roaring fire and then began to
speak. "The first part is easy enough. I know you're a Tomorrow Person, and
I know what that is. You're a mutation of the species Homo sapiens - you're
human but you're a new type of human - Homo superior. Physically, you're
much the same as the rest of the genus - but you are capable of much, much
more. You have the ability to instantaneously transport yourself from one
location to another, you are able to communicate telepathically with other
Homo superior over substantial distances, you can telekinese - that is,
move objects with the power of your mind, and you may have other abilities
I'm not aware of.

"But you are also limited. Your primary limitation, the one that makes you
no real threat to the rest of mankind is that you have an inability to kill
- if you were able to kill, you would very easily be able to dominate the
rest of the world, and render extinct all of Homo sapiens. That's what I
know about you, Adam."

"How do you know it?"

"I can't tell you, Adam, I'm sorry. I've given my word on that."

"To who? To other Tomorrow People? To the government?"

"Not the government!" Professor Cawston spoke with some heat, and then
lowered his voice. "Never the government, Adam. I've known for 20 years
precisely how ruthless a government can be with regard to anyone with
special powers, and I will not help them to use you or anyone else. But
Adam, I honestly cannot tell you where I obtained my information about the
Tomorrow People. Not yet, at any rate. But I want to help you, Adam. I
really do."

"How?"

"In anyway I can. Adam, it's possible, for example, that you have powers
you haven't yet discovered. I may be able to help you find them and tap
them. I can provide you with money, if that's any help, or rather I can get
the money for you from someone else."

"Who?"

The Professor paused. "His name is Sir Christopher Harding. He's chairman
of Harding Holdings Incorporated. He also knows about the Tomorrow People -
knows what you are."

"How many people know about us?"

"More than you'd guess, Adam. Perhaps that will help to show you that we
can be trusted. Adam - there are people out there who have known about the
Tomorrow People for a long time. Ordinary people, just ordinary Saps who've
kept your existence a secret, and done everything we can to protect you. We
haven't told people who you are - that you even exist. We can be trusted,
Adam."

"But you won't trust me - you won't tell me how you know about us! How can
I trust you, Professor?"

"I'm sorry, Adam - but I can't tell you any more. At least not yet.
Hopefully, one day all will be made clear."

Adam looked up at the mantle above the fire, looked at the ornaments
sitting atop it. Most of them were mere curios, the type of thing you'd
find in any office. But it was the item on the end of the mantelpiece, the
end nearest to him that had caught his attention.

It was a cap - a peaked cap of the type worn by army officers. He stood up
for a closer look and noticed that sitting next to it were two epaulettes
bearing the insignia, two chevrons and a crown, of a colonel in the British
army. Professor Cawston saw him looking at it.

"They belonged to a man I knew when I was younger. A man I admired in many
ways. He taught me . . . he showed me what could happen if the military or
any group was ever allowed to exploit psychic abilities. He also showed me
what could happen to us if that was allowed to happen."

Adam touched the hat, and instantly, through his fingertips, he felt a
slight sensation - hard to describe but similar in some ways to the feeling
he'd had when he'd first healed Lisa back in the ship on the day he first
realised he was not alone.

The sensation - it was like the echoes of thoughts were flowing through his
arm into his mind. He felt fear, and guilt - the feelings of the man who
had once owned the hat he now touched, he realised in wonder.

And suddenly he realised that he shared those feelings - feelings of fear,
fear of death, and fears of failure. He bowed his head under the sudden
realisation of those fears.

Behind him, Professor Cawston had also stood. He saw the young man, saw the
boy slump and his arm began to reach out to touch Adam, to squeeze his
shoulder. But he stopped, and waited, some sixth sense, some feeling of
empathy telling him to wait.

Adam spoke quietly. "You're a psychologist. Can you help me with my dreams?
Can you help me with my feelings?"

Professor Cawston nodded. "I'll do my best."

(end of part 3)




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Amalgamation (4/8)
Date: 14 Dec 1998 12:10:18 +1100

                           Amalgamation
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 4/8

                               Chapter 3

The Royal Botanical Gardens, London
December 13th 1995
Morning

"We've broken through, sir."

Frank put on his overalls and walked out of the workman's tent and towards
the hole in the ground that Worldex employees had been digging, trying to
get down to the radar anomaly 150 feet below the surface. It had taken a
few days of digging - so long that he was glad they were close to finished.
No one could believe a gas leak could take this long to seal. And sealing
off Kew Gardens was proving to be a public relations and logistical
nightmare.

Jenny Meldrum, newly arrived from the US was waiting. She handed him a
torch and they descended the impromptu mineshaft. They moved down through
the wet soil, and Frank could feel the weight of the Thames only a few
hundred yards away from him, threatening to wash into the tunnel at any
time. It was cold and miserable in the tunnel already - he didn't need
thoughts like these as well.

Finally they arrived at the end of the tunnel and were faced with a solid
wall - a wall constructed of some sort of metal. A man was standing next to
it with a large laser cutter.

"Sir - I want your direct order to cut through. This is too weird for me -
there's no way that this could have got down here."

Frank wished, not for the first time, that General Damon hadn't gone on
vacation. He knew the General hadn't had any time off in nearly ten years,
but it meant that he was left to make the decisions. He wondered if he
should call the General but decided, once again, against it. This could
still all be something minor - although that seemed less and less likely.

"Cut through."

The heavily built man next to him, picked up the laser cutter and placed it
against the wall. He depressed the trigger and a heavy whining noise
erupted from the machine. The wall glowed and pulsed with energy as the
cutter did its work. It seemed to be trying to protect itself against the
cutter, but within ten minutes, the deed was done. The newly cut hole was
exposed, and Frank climbed through it.

Into what seemed to be a storeroom of some sort. A large variety of tools,
a card table, a ladder, racks on the walls devoid of the objects they had
one carried. A few animal cages - a newspaper. He picked up the paper and
Meldrum shone her torch on it.

"'Iran Takes US Hostages' - November 4th, 1979."

He shone his torch around and saw a set of double doors ahead of him. He
opened them and gazed into what at first glance appeared to be a living
room. Wood panelling, yellow couches, a strange multi-domed coffee table in
the middle of the room. A large screen dominated the opposite wall and as
his torch moved around, he saw a slightly raised alcove between two
corridors leading from the room.

Jenny looked past him. "Curiouser and curiouser." She walked into the room
for a closer look. Frank could feel his pulse racing. He knew that this was
big - a very important discovery.

"Frank." Jenny pointed to a folded envelope sitting on the couch. He picked
it up and opened it - a letter of some sort. He read the first couple of
lines and Jenny saw his face go quite pale. He put down the letter.

"We need to get the General here - right now."

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Petersfield, Hampshire

"Can you describe these dreams, Adam?" Professor Cawston was leaning
forward in his chair as he asked the question.

Adam shook his head. "No . . . no, I can't. I just know they frighten me.
They disturb me, but I can never remember why when I wake up. I just have
the feelings."

"What type of feelings?"

Adam closed his eyes as he tried to summon up his feelings and describe
them. "I'm unhappy - but that's not all of it. There's something else . . .
guilt."

"What do you have to be guilty about?"

Adam shook his head. "This is a mistake."

"Adam - please tell me, so I can help you. Let me help you."

"My mother," the words came almost unbidden and very fast. "I killed my
mother."

"You can't have!" Professor Cawston was adamant. "You're a Tomorrow Person.
What do you mean you killed her?"

Adam took a deep breath. "It was three years ago. We were coming back from
a short trip, me, my Dad and Mum. I'd been . . . well, I guess I'd been a
bit of a brat and Dad wasn't particularly happy about it. I was in the back
of the car and he turned around to give me another lecture, and something
happened - he lost control of the car. We hit a tree.

"Dad was knocked out, and Mum was trapped. She told me to get out of the
car and run for help. She didn't tell me how badly hurt she was - her legs
were cut, but there were internal injuries as well. She just told me to run
for help."

Tears welled in Adam's eyes. "I started to run, then . . . well, everything
changed. I teleported - I broke out and suddenly developed all my powers.
I'm fuzzy on exactly what happened. I can't remember it very well. I must
have fallen into the sea - we all seemed to do that when we broke out. I
passed out, I must have done, and I woke up on the island."

"The island?"

"Tapahini. It's where we go when we break out. It's in the South Pacific -
don't go looking for it, though, I doubt you'd find it. It's very hard to
get onto - and once you're there, it's hard to get off it."

"I didn't know what had happened, Professor. I had no idea how I'd got to
the island. It was like a nightmare. I found - well, I thought it was a
wrecked plane but it turned out to be a spaceship. I suppose that sounds
crazy."

"Not at all - please continue."

"Somehow inside it, I knew what was happening to me - at least part of it.
I realised I'd teleported to the island and I realised I could get off the
island. So I got outside and teleported so I could get back to Mum and Dad.
And I fell into the sea."

Adam's voice quivered with the effort of speech, the effort of not bursting
into tears. Professor Cawston wanted to help him - wanted to take away his
pain and spare him the ordeal of reliving it. But he suspected that Adam
had never let his pain out and he knew he had to do that before he could
fully heal. So he waited.

"Finally I got off the island - it took hours. By the time I got back, Mum
had bled out. Dad was alive but - well, he'll be in a wheelchair for the
rest of his life."

"Adam - what could you have done? You were trapped, stuck on an island. It
wasn't your fault."

"I should have been there. I could have saved her. I should have been
there."

"Adam - it wasn't your fault. You did all you can. You can't blame yourself
for what happened."

Adam shook his head and gazed at the ground. "It isn't fair. I never even
had a chance to say goodbye."

The Professor nodded. "No, it isn't fair, Adam. But sometimes life isn't
fair."

"We live and we die. Those are the rules." As he said it, Adam looked
directly at the Professor.

"If you want to put it that way. Adam, people die. It's not always anyone's
fault. On the day your mother died - well, obviously things didn't work out
the way we would have wanted. But it wasn't your fault."

"I should have done more, Professor. If I hadn't . . ." his voice trailed
off.

"Hadn't what?" asked Professor Cawston, gently prodding.

"If I hadn't been a Tomorrow Person, if I hadn't broken out, she might have
lived."

"I see. Do you regret being a Tomorrow Person, then?"

"No . . . no, I don't. At least I don't think so. But sometimes I wonder
what it would have been like - what it could have been like."

"That's natural. We all wonder things like that."

"But this is different." Adam fingered the Celtic cross that hung at his
neck. "A Communion present from my mother - I used to believe in God,
once."

"Do you still believe?"

"No - well, maybe a bit. It helps sometimes. I keep remembering something
my mother used to say - I think it was from the Bible. 'A time to live and
a time to die' - something like that."

The Professor smiled. "'To everything there is a season, and a time to
every purpose under the heaven; a time to be born and a time to die; a time
to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to love and a
time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.'"

"That's it. Well, I know Mum believed it. If it was her time, then she
would have gone happily. I just find it hard to see the purpose."

"Maybe one day you'll find it?"

"I hope so. But it does worry me, Professor. See, it's not just my Mum." He
stopped.

"Adam."

"I'm wasting your time."

"No, you're not." The professor was as adamant as he had been before. "I
want to help you, Adam. You have to let your feelings out."

"It hurts."

"I know it does, old son. But you've got to let it out to heal. Can you
remember anything else about the crash?"

"There was a man . . ."

"A man?"

"Yeah - he must have seen the crash. He was running towards us. When I
disappeared - why didn't he get help? He could have saved her - but no one
called for help for hours after I'd gone. He must have just let her die."
Adam bowed his head, his hand on the cross around his neck.

"I'm sorry, Adam. It must be hard to think about that - it must be hard to
understand how someone could let your mother die."

"But isn't, Professor. That's what worries me." Adam wiped his eyes on the
edge of his sleeve. "I do understand. I almost did the same thing.

"It was only a short while ago. Megabyte's father was almost killed - he
was lying there in hospital. And I tried to get Megabyte to leave him - to
come with me. It was important, sure." Adam got a faraway look in his eyes.
"But important enough to make him leave his father to die? I just don't
know. Do I have the right to ask someone to do that?"

"Adam." Professor Cawston now, finally, reached out and put a hand on the
young man's knee. "You are a Tomorrow Person. So is Megabyte. There aren't
many of you and you do have responsibilities.

"I can't tell you if you did the right thing in trying to persuade Megabyte
to leave his father. But I do know that what you are means you have to make
tough choices. And if you start doubting those choices - well, you may put
yourself and others at risk. A leader can be right - or a leader can be
wrong. But a leader must never, never be unsure."

"I didn't ask to lead."

"No, maybe not. But could any of the others do as well?"

"I don't know . . . I guess not."

"Then it's your job. Until someone better comes along."

(end of part 4)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Amalgamation (5/8)
Date: 15 Dec 1998 08:28:23 +1100

                           Amalgamation
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 5/8

                               Chapter 4

The Galactic Trig
Earth Date: December 13th 1995
Noon

"Ambassador!"

The young black man looked up with a start from his briefing screen as
Janis, his assistant sped into the room as fast as his six legs could carry
him. Kenny was surprised. It was very unusual to see anyone running through
the council halls of the Galactic Trig. Things normally moved at a much
more sedate pace.

"What is it, Janis? You know you shouldn't be running in here - it's almost
as bad manners as jaunting."

"Apologies, your Excellency. But you must come quickly. It's urgent!"

"What is it - I'm not late for another appointment with the Chair-President
am I?"

"No - it's Timus. He needs to see you right away!"

Kenny rose to his feet. "What about?"

"A message from Earth - the Lab has been breached."

"Find Ambassador's Smith and M'Bondo and get them to the Trig as soon as
possible! Authority of Overmind."

In contravention of all protocol, Kenny placed a hand to his wrist and
jaunted from the chamber.

                              *-*-*-*-*-*-*

London

"This had better be good, Frank. Mrs Damon is not pleased at me leaving the
hotel in the middle of our vacation. I need to get back there as quickly as
possible."

"Sorry, sir - but I thought you needed to see this."

The letter was thrust into the General's hands. He looked at his thick
gloves, struggled with the sheet of paper and finally held it under his
chin while he removed a glove. He unfolded the single sheet of paper and
read it.

"Frank - seal the area."

"It's already sealed, sir - it has been for days."

"Good man - excellent anticipation." The General pulled a mobile phone from
his pocket, and pressed a button. "Honey - it's me . . . yeah, I love you
too . . . yeah, I wish I was back at the hotel with you and Millie . . .
yeah, I know we were going to have lunch . . . yeah, I - honey, could you
do me a favour? Could you look in my filofax and find out the number of the
boarding house when the Wilson's and the Weston's are staying . . .
thanks . . . OK, I got it . . . sure, I'll be back there as soon as
possible . . . yeah, I know we're going to a concert tonight. I'll be
there. Bye."

He pressed some more buttons. "Hello, Penny. It's Bill Damon here. I need
to speak to Kevin or Jade right away. They've just come in for lunch?
Great . . . Hi Kevin, it's General Damon. Can you get the others and all
come to where I am - Kew Gardens in London."

Behind him, Frank had also dialled a number on his phone. "Hallo, Bennet's
Flowers and Gifts? I need you to make up the biggest bouquet of flowers you
can and deliver it tonight to Suite Four at the Ritz . . . the label should
say, 'Sorry, honey, something came up. Enjoy the concert' - and sign it
'Bill'."

                              *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Petersfield, Hampshire

"Thank you, Professor."

"Adam, if you need to talk - any time, please drop in on me. I do want to
help you. All of you - and I hope I have."

Adam smiled. "I think you have. At least a little."

*Adam.* Suddenly he heard Megabyte inside his mind.

*What is it, Megabyte?*

*It's my Dad - he wants us all to teleport to Kew Gardens. He didn't say
why.*

*Something to do with the stones?*

*I don't know - maybe.*

*OK, I'm on my way.* Adam broke off the telepathic communication.
"Professor - I need to go. General Damon wants to see us."

"Megabyte's father? There's a man I want to meet."

Adam paused. "Would you really like to meet him?" He thought for a moment.
"I can take you with me if you like."

"Wouldn't I be in the way?"

Adam shook his head. "No, Professor - not at all. I want you there. I'm
going to have to talk to the General and I'd . . . well, I'd appreciate
your support."

Professor Cawston raised an eyebrow. "Very well. Do I need to do anything?"

"Just hold on to me."

Adam teleported, taking the Professor with him. In a blink of an eye, they
found themselves in Kew Gardens. Megabyte and Ami were talking to General
Damon, who was holding a small piece of paper in his hands, while Jade and
Kevin were peering into a tent - next to the tent was a very large pile of
earth and rubble. There was construction equipment everywhere.

Adam walked up to the General, Professor Cawston by his side.

"Who's this?" the General was looking at Professor Cawston. "No - wait, I
know you - you're Ian Cawston, aren't you?"

"Yes - and you're Bill Damon? I'm very pleased to meet you, General."

"Hmm - likewise, I guess." The General turned to Adam and handed him the
sheet of paper. "You'd better read this."

Adam unfolded the paper and began to read.

London
1-1-1980
Dear friend,

    I call you that, although it is extremely unlikely that I have ever met
you, and I sincerely hope that you are my friend. The survival of mankind
requires that we are all friends, and that we eliminate enmity from the
face of the planet.

    I am writing this letter on the assumption, that you are like me. It seems
a reasonable supposition. This lab will not be found easily or by accident,
and so I must assume one of two things:

    1) that if it is found in the near future, that the only people who will
find it, are those rare few who have advanced to a similar level of
evolution.
    2) that if it is found in the distant future, that you will have likewise
reached that level of evolution, but that rather than being a rarity, you
are the norm.

    Whichever circumstance occurs, I leave this missive to you and to
posterity. It may seem arrogant to be writing in this way, but I believe
that the possible importance of what I am trying to say, must override any
modesty I feel at this point. And it would be false modesty. I am proud of
what I am, and what I have accomplished. I also acknowledge my failure.

    I was the first of my kind to survive on this planet, at least, I am the
first that I know of, with any degree of certainty. It is perfectly
possible, perhaps even likely, that there were others before me. But I was
the first of my 'generation' to break out. Because of this fact, and
because of my age, I have been the de facto leader of my people. I accept
full responsibility for our failures but am perfectly willing to share any
credit for our successes.

    Who are my people? We call ourselves Tomorrow People. We are human, but we
are not identical to the vast majority of the people on this planet. We
number fewer than a dozen at the time of writing this letter, we of the
species Homo Superior (a rough translation is Better Man). I did us not
give us this name, and in any case, I feel that the Homo is far more
important than the Superior. We are human, with most of the faults that
entails.

    I will not outline our powers here, those powers that set us apart from
the bulk of mankind. Part of the reason for this letter being written is
that such information is now in the wrong hands, the hands of people who
fear us, and I will not compound our error. If you are like us, you already
understand our powers and our limitations. I will however mention our
primary limitation, in the hope that it may diminish the fears of non
Tomorrow People. We cannot kill another human being. We are utterly
incapable of it. I do not say this in order to suggest that we are paragons
of virtue, for we are not, but we are not a threat to mankind in any way.
We do not seek to rule the Earth, but to cherish her, to care for her. We
are no threat to you.

    If you are like me, you may wonder where we are, myself and the others. We
are safe, and perhaps one day we will meet. I hope so. In the meantime the
contents of this laboratory are yours to do with as you wish. Do I have any
advice for you? All I can say, is make your decisions with your heart as
well as your mind. Value your friends. In the final analysis, they are what
is important. And remember, all mankind should be your friend.

    I close this letter, with a plea to anyone who finds it. Cherish the
Earth, or you will lose it. Mankind has a great deal to fear. But we, all
members of the genus Homo, are a people with one of the most precious gifts
in nature - Intelligence. We can use that intelligence to turn Earth into a
Utopia. Utopia means 'no place.' We should change that meaning to 'every
place.'

                       Yours in hope and friendship
                           John Smith, 1-1-1980

Adam finished reading and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes, and
sought to recover his equilibrium. Just reading the letter had made him
feel dizzy - emotions began to well to the surface and he had to fight to
keep them down, so he could think clearly.

"Where was this found? Where's this laboratory."

The General pointed to the tent. "There's a tunnel in there. I have to ask
you to be very careful with what you find down there - some of it may be
fragile . . ." He realised he was talking to empty air - Adam and the other
Tomorrow People were already heading down the tunnel. Professor Cawston
moved to follow, but at a nod by General Damon, he was grabbed and held by
Frank.

"Let me go!"

"No, Professor - not until I know what brings you here."

(end of part 5)




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Amalgamation (6/8)
Date: 15 Dec 1998 11:48:48 +1100

                           Amalgamation
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 6/8

                               Chapter 5

The Galactic Trig
Earth Date: December 13th 1995
Early Afternoon

There was a familiar high pitched tone as Elizabeth and John arrived almost
simultaneously in the luxurious private quarters occupied by Timus. John
gave Elizabeth a quick nod, as he descended from the Jaunting Pad to the
floor. Kenny and Timus were sitting at the ornate wooden construction that
served as a link table.

"What's going on, Kenny?" Elizabeth seemed annoyed. "I was within weeks of
arranging a permanent treaty between the Thargons and the Sorsons - that's
been put at risk now, they'll be most insulted I left in such a hurry."

John echoed Elizabeth. "I was in the middle of a formal reception for the
new Criton Ambassador - I had to leave my dessert."

"Sorry, John, Elizabeth - but this is more important. The Lab has been
found."

"Which Lab?" John and Liz spoke together.

"The one under Kew Gardens - the second one."

"Who found it?" John and Liz were taking seats in order to join the Link as
John asked the question.

"We're not sure. We're in communication with TIM - but it's sporadic.
Conditions for communication between Earth and the Trig are particularly
bad at the moment."

*TIM? This is John - can you hear me?*

*Hallo John. Yes, I can, but communication is difficult. I cannot send any
visual signal to the Trig. The Lab was breached at 1123 GMT today. My
defences failed just prior to this time, for reasons I cannot explain. So
far, several people have entered the Lab via a shaft dug down to the
workshop.*

*Were they Tomorrow People or Saps?* Elizabeth asked the question.

*I cannot tell - if they were Tomorrow People, their minds are not trained
to communicate with me, and so I cannot identify them. John - your letter
has been found.*

Timus interrupted. "What letter, John?"

"I left a letter behind when we left Earth. I know it wasn't authorised,
Timus - but I felt then, I still feel, that the Federations decision to
evacuate us was in error."

"We can discuss that later. What did the letter say?"

"It told people about us - about the Tomorrow People."

"I see."

Another message came through from Earth. *John - more people have just
entered the Lab. These are younger people. I cannot tell if they are Homo
superior, but they are young enough to have avoided the seeding preventing
their breakout.*

                              *-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Lab

Adam lead the way down the tunnel, and finally emerged into a room that
looked like a storeroom. He looked around at the cages, the empty racks.
Ahead of him was a set of double doors, and he headed towards them. Adam
and Megabyte entered the next room together.

A large room, dominated by a raised podium ahead of them and to their
right. Immediately in front of them was a couch, and beyond that a strange
domed table - the domes brightly lit. Another couch was beyond it and then
on the opposite wall, what looked like a large television screen. There
were also two passages leaving the room on either side of the raised dais.

"Freaky." Ami had entered the room now flanked on either side by Kevin and
Jade. The two younger Tomorrow People looked around in awe. All of them
felt the same way - a feeling they had in only one other place, on the
spaceship. A sense of profound rightness.

A sense of belonging.

Adam looked to the left and saw a large bench. It contained a large array
of scientific equipment and looked very much like the labs he had used in
school science. But it was the only thing that seemed directly familiar in
this room - even though the room itself did have a sort of familiar
feeling.

In the centre of the room, silent and watching, TIM waited. Waited for a
sign that these people belonged here.

Behind the Tomorrow People, General Damon and Professor Cawston entered the
room. The Professor looked around. It was not the room he had expected - it
was much more brightly lit for one thing - but there were some areas that
looked right. The podium was in the right position to be the jaunting pad -
and that domed contraption in the centre of the room was close enough to
be . . .

"Hallo, TIM."

"Good afternoon, Professor." The soft cultured voice came from the table in
the middle of the room, causing Megabyte who had been leaning against it
gazing at the strange light fitting on the ceiling to leap away in fright.

The Professor took a deep breath. "It's been a long time. TIM - may I
introduce to you - the Tomorrow People."

                              *-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Galactic Trig

*Professor Cawston has entered the Lab . . . I am talking to him now. John.
Elizabeth. He says that the young people are Tomorrow People.*

John and Liz leaped to their feet. Elizabeth turned to Timus.

"With your permission, Timus."

The older ambassador hesitated for a moment. John saw this and looked
straight at him. "Or without your permission, Timus. If you want to stop
me, you'll have to call Proctor Detention."

Kenny intervened before matters could escalate. "By authority of Overmind,
I appoint John Smith to be Special Ambassador to the Closed World known as
Earth. We can sort out something more formal later on."

Timus nodded. "Thank you, Your Excellency. John and Elizabeth - good luck."

John and Elizabeth stepped up onto the jaunting pad and Timus initiated a
transporter beam to Earth.

                              *-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Lab

"Do you know what this place is, Professor?" Adam had turned towards
Professor Cawston. "Does this have something to do with how you know about
us."

"Yes, it does, Adam - but I'm not sure . . ." A strange, unearthly music
began to issue from TIM, interrupting the Professor's words.

"What's that!?" asked Jade. "It sound like the music from Close Encounters
of the Third Kind."

TIM answered. "It is the theme of the Galactic Federation."

On the podium, two forms dressed in ornate robes slowly materialised. A man
and a woman stepped down, as TIM spoke. "Welcome to Earth, Your
Excellencies."

"You can skip the formality, TIM."

"In that case, John - welcome home."

Professor Cawston stepped between the two older Tomorrow People and the
five younger ones. At the back of the room, General Damon observed looking
slightly apprehensive and even a bit afraid.

"Hallo John." The Professor shook the other man's hand in a firm grasp, and
then he kissed Elizabeth on the cheek. "Hallo Elizabeth."

"Hallo, Professor," she smiled. "Are you going to introduce us?"

"Of course. John and Elizabeth - meet Kevin, Ami, Jade, Megabyte, and
Adam."

The two generations of Tomorrow People moved towards each other shaking
hands warmly. There was only one exception. Adam shook hands with
Elizabeth, and was surprised at how warm her touch was and how friendly she
seemed. But when John came to Adam, the older man suddenly seemed to
stiffen, and the camaraderie he had shown the other Tomorrow People was not
evident. He seemed to be uncomfortable around Adam.

Adam noticed this - and wondered at the cause. Suddenly the Lab which had
seemed so warm and inviting seemed to chill a bit. He looked at the others
and realised he seemed to be the only one who felt it. And he knew where it
came from. John seemed worried about something - very worried. Adam stared
at him, trying to work out why John seemed so uncomfortable in his
presence. Then the older Tomorrow Person turned away.

Suddenly all the feelings Adam had discussed with Professor Cawston - the
pain, the guilt he had felt when his mother died began to come back to
Adam. In his minds eye, he saw the car crash. He couldn't handle the
feelings - and he couldn't tell why they had suddenly come flooding back.
But he locked them down hard - he didn't want the memories. He just wanted
them to go away.

                              *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Langley, West Virginia

"Lieutenant Davis - do you have that report finished yet?" The Colonel
stood in the doorway, looking across the room at the young woman sitting as
a government issue desk in front of her computer. She didn't seem to notice
him - or to have heard him. He asked again ."Lieutenant - have you finished
that report?"

With the second question, Lisa suddenly lost her train of thought. For a
moment, she had felt something - something profound, something telepathic.
Her powers were fading - she'd known that for some time, and just as she
was on the verge of something - the Colonel had snatched it away.

"Sorry, Sir. I was somewhere else."

"Is the report finished, Lieutenant or not?"

"No, Colonel, not quite."

"Well, you'd better hurry up - they wanted that report yesterday. Do you
understand what will happen if we can't give the Committee some strategies
to prevent people teleporting into secure areas soon?"

Lisa snapped - no matter how hard she worked, no matter how much she did,
it was never enough for this loathsome man. And to make matters worse, she
was sure his interference a moment earlier had caused her to miss
something . . . something important.

"Yes, Colonel Masters, I know exactly what will happen if they don't get
the report soon. They'll pull your parole and you'll wind up back in
Leavenworth. Now just let me get on with it and I'll get the report
finished . . . Sir!"

The Colonel gave her one of his irritating smiles. "Very good, Lieutenant -
see that you do."

As he left the office, Lisa place her head in her hands and tried to
recover the threads of her telepathy that she could feel lurking just out
of reach. But while she could sense their presence, something, somewhere
was preventing her making use of them. She gave a low sob.

"I want to go home."

(end of part 6)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Amalgamation (7/8)
Date: 15 Dec 1998 11:49:25 +1100

                           Amalgamation
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 7/8

                               Chapter 6

Tapahini
December 14th 1995
Midnight

"Adam! Come on, Adam - something's bugging you. Tell me what's going on?"

Megabyte was trying to follow Adam up the cliffs behind the spaceship but
Adam was moving at a considerable pace and it was difficult to catch him -
Adam's superior physical dexterity meant that the younger Tomorrow Person
was left behind. Finally, Megabyte did the smart thing and teleported to be
right in front of Adam.

"Come on, Adam - you've got to talk about it. What's going on?"

Adam sunk down against the bole of a tree. "I don't know - it was John,
there was something weird about him."

"He seemed like a nice guy - a bit old, maybe, but he can't help that."

"Megabyte - he is a nice guy, or at least he was to you and the others. And
Elizabeth seemed really nice as well. But John seemed to not want me
around, to not want to be around me. I don't get it."

"I'm sure you're imagining it . . ."

"I'm not!" Adam's voice was sharp and brought Megabyte up short. The
redhead sighed.

"No, I guess you're not. I saw it too."

"What has he got against me?" Adam's voice was quavering and Megabyte was
shocked to realise that Adam was near tears. He put out his hand and
grabbed his friends arm in sympathy. "I just don't get it . . . why was he
like that?"

"Adam . . . geez, I don't know. But why is it upsetting you so much? Maybe
the guy has a problem. Maybe . . . maybe he's jealous. I mean, it sounds
like he was in charge around here for a long time and now he sees you.
Maybe he thinks you've taken over?"

"But I don't want to take over! Megabyte - you know, when I saw him, when I
realised he was a Tomorrow Person, I felt so relieved. We're not alone.
But . . . he hates me, and I can't work out why."

"I don't think he hates you. He just seemed uncomfortable."

"But why. What did I ever do to him?"

                              *-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Lab

John and Liz sat alone in the Lab. The younger Tomorrow People - the new
Tomorrow People - had left, promising to return the following morning.
Professor Cawston had gone off with Jade and Kevin to explain to their
parents why they were returning home at midnight, and the General had
suddenly remembered the concert he had missed, and was now back at the
hotel trying to explain things to his wife.

"John . . . what's wrong. I know something is. Is it Adam?"

"Yes, of course it's Adam . . . Liz, I didn't react well around him. Every
time I looked at him, I kept seeing that day on the island. Watching him
jaunt, time and time again, desperately trying to get back to his parents
and I could have helped him - but I didn't."

TIM spoke. "John, you had no choice. Peter prevented you from helping him.
You cannot blame yourself for Mrs Newman's death."

"TIM's right, John. What else could you do? You had to follow Peter's
instructions. You couldn't help Adam's mother."

"I could have helped Adam."

"How? His mother had to die - you understand why, don't you, John?"

"Yes, I do . . . but he doesn't. As far as he's concerned, he lost his
mother and he doesn't know the reason why. Liz . . . I need to tell him."

"John, I don't think that is a very good idea." TIM sounded alarmed.
"Telling Adam why his mother died could change history. Peter told you she
had to die in order to shape Adam's personality . . . if you tell him that,
you could disrupt that process."

"Well, what can I do? He must know how I acted around him. He needs to know
why. I need to tell him something. Maybe I can just tell him part of
it . . . I can tell him that I was there and I let her die, but not tell
her why."

Elizabeth shook her head. "That might be even worse, John. He could end up
hating you - you can't expect a boy Adam's age to understand someone
letting his mother die."

John stood up. "It's better he hates me than him thinking I hate him. I'm
going to talk to him. TIM, is he on Tapahini?" he asked as he mounted the
Jaunting pad.

"Yes, John."

"I'll be back later."

"I still think this is a mistake, John." Elizabeth made one last attempt to
dissuade John from his course.

"Maybe - but it's my mistake to make."

John jaunted away.

                              *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Tapahini

Megabyte looked up as the older man approached. "John. Hi."

"Hello, Megabyte . . . Adam, you and I, I think we need to talk."

Adam nodded. "Let's go to the ship."

John and Adam teleported together and in an instant were inside the main
room of the ship. John looked up at the strange elevated seats that formed
part of the vessels intricate communication system, and then sat on one of
the side benches. Adam sat almost opposite him. There was silence for a
moment and John spoke.

"I haven't seen a ship like this in a few years. The last time was in a
Museum on the Galactic Trig - this is one of the earliest ships the
Federation used to explore space."

"It may be old . . . but it's home to me."

"I know. Adam . . . you might have noticed, I'm sure you noticed that I was
less than ebullient around you earlier. Part of that is my nature - I'm not
a particularly warm and friendly person - but there was more to it than
that."

"Yeah, I noticed. John - why? I mean, if you're worried I want to take over
from you, forget it. You've lead the Tomorrow People for years, and I can
handle that. I'll do what you say and I'll follow you - but . . ." his
voice trailed off.

"But what?"

"But don't leave me out. Don't reject me. The others, they're the only
family I have, and I need to be part of them, I need to be one of them -
one of us. I'm a Tomorrow Person - I don't need to be in charge, but I need
to be involved."

John shook his head. "Adam - I will never reject you. I will never exclude
you. The problem isn't you - don't think that. The problem is me.

"In terms of leading - well, yes, I've lead the Tomorrow People for a long
time. But I haven't done it alone - Liz has been there, and TIM. Carol and
Stephen, and even Mike - I hope you'll meet them later. We've all worked
together - we're strongest when we do. And I haven't always lead - there
are times when I have given up and done other things. If someone else can
do a better job, I'll let them."

He smiled slightly. "Adam - you've kept the others alive, and you've kept
them safe. It's all anyone can expect you to do. It's all you can expect of
yourself."

"So why are you so cold and distant? If I've done so well, why did you
react the way you did?"

"Because I haven't been that successful. Because I haven't always got
things right . . . and that's hard. There's something you need to know
about me, Adam, and you need to know it about yourself too."

"What?"

"Do you remember the day your mother died?"

"Yeah, of course I do."

"Do you really, Adam - or are there some things you don't remember?"

Adam's eyes widened. "How did you know?"

John's eyes closed. "I lost my mother too, Adam. I know how that feels. And
I know it's hard to think about, but Adam - you have to face it to recover
from it."

"I don't want to face it."

"But you have to, Adam - you have to remember what happened and you have to
face it. We all do. I can help you face it, if you want to."

"How? I don't remember it."

"Adam - you know that isn't true. Nothing is ever forgotten, it's merely
hidden, we can always recover the memory. Linking - I suppose you know what
that means?"

The younger man nodded. "Yeah, mind merging, we've done it before. But why,
John, why is it so important we do this?"

"You'll know when we've done it. That's all I can really say."

"OK, then. Let's do it."

(end of part 7)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Amalgamation (8/8)
Date: 15 Dec 1998 11:49:55 +1100

                           Amalgamation
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 8/8

                               Chapter 7

Tapahini
December 14th 1995
Early morning

The two Tomorrow People each mounted one of the chairs - Adam with ease,
John with a great deal of reluctance. They both relaxed and both sought out
the others minds.

Adam felt himself being drawn towards John's mind. In his own mind, he
could see John's eyes, blue as steel. He felt himself drawn towards them
and he felt the gentle caresses as John stroked his brain, opening up the
locks that he had put in place. They opened . . . and he remembered:

The music was slowing as the batteries on his personal stereo began to
fade, unable to take the punishment he had inflicted on them listening
constantly, hour after hour, to the music trying to drown out the words and
voices of his parents. He had a headache now and he didn't relish the
resumption of hostilities that was bound to happen as soon as he took the
headphones off.

Out of the window, he could see the country road, boring as all such roads
with their dried grass edgings and occasional twisted gum tree. There was a
person, a man, and he seemed familiar. Adam craned his neck as they passed
trying to recognise the man. But he did not . . .

Or he had not then at any rate. Now it was clear, now he knew who the man
was. It was John. Why was he there?

John's telepathic communication came to him *It was a coincidence, Adam, I
was on Earth for my father's wedding. I happened to be walking there that
day . . . no special reason, just one of those things.*

His father's voice interrupted his reverie. "Adam . . . Adam!" He looked up
and saw his father looking over the back of his seat at him. Reluctantly he
removed the earphones to listen.

"What?" Adam remembered the tone of his voice, and he cringed. Maybe if
he'd been more polite - maybe if he hadn't tried to be so smart, his Dad
would have paid more attention to the road. And then he heard his fathers
reply.

"I wish you wouldn't listen to that thing all the time. Why don't you pay
attention to your mother and me?"

Adam remembered the answer he was going to give and even though in his
memories he now expected the lurch, it still came as a shock. He watched
his father's head spin to the front, moving rapidly even in the slow
deliberate motions his memories now took on. He watched his fathers hands
grip the wheel as he fought to control the car. His Tomorrow People's mind
saw every action and calculated the effects, taking into account every
aspect of friction, torque and speed and he marvelled at how closely his
fathers instinctive actions matched those he had calculated. But perfection
wasn't good enough - there was no way the crash could be controlled. They
hit the tree - still travelling at over 40 kilometres an hour.

Adam remembered. He heard his mother's voice full of frantic concern for
him. "Adam, Adam, are you all right? ADAM?!" and he felt the tears well up
at the sound of her voice - the voice that had imprinted on his mind at the
moment of birth and that he would never hear again.

"I'm fine, Mum, I'm fine. Are you all right? What's wrong with Dad?"

"I'm all right, Darling, but I'm stuck, my legs are stuck underneath the
dash board. I can't move them. Can you move? Can you get out of the car?"

"Yes, yes I can."

"Okay, Darling. Listen to me. You have to get help." That voice again, so
calm and analytical. He listened for the sounds of pain, any clue that
might have betrayed to him the seriousness of her injuries, but there was
none. "You've got to run back down the road and get help. We passed through
a town about a kilometre back. Run and get help. Please, Adam, can you do
that?"

He heard himself answer. "Yes, yes, of course I can. Will you be all
right?" He couldn't see her. He had to see her, but he was behind her and
he couldn't.

"I'll be fine." Certainty in her voice - a certainty he knew was false, but
still he couldn't hear any sign of it. His hands were fumbling at the seat
belt and he left the car to try and get to see her. He had to see her.

But he had never got there, and in his memory that could not change. Before
he had reached the front of the car, she had spoken in a very firm voice.
"I'm fine, Adam. Just go and get help." He realised now that she had wanted
him to go . . . that she had not wanted him to see her injuries. Her last
thoughts had been for him.

He turned and began to run towards the town. Running towards him he could
see John, concern etched on his face. Suddenly a pins and needles feeling
enveloped his body. There was a flash of light.

And the memory ended.

He was in the chair. He climbed down and moved around the central pillar to
where John stood waiting. Adam tried to speak, but his throat was dry. He
saw the glass of juice in John's hand and he took it when it was offered to
him. Then he spoke.

"You were there?"

"Yes."

"You let her die?"

John nodded. "Yes, I did."

Adam felt the rage begin to boil up inside him, the rage he had held in
check since the day his mother died, the rage he had been afraid to release
because it's only target had been himself. Now he had a new target and his
anger attempted to come out. It was cold and it was hard, and it was like
bile rising in his throat.

It came out as a sob - one single heartfelt sob of utter misery. The anger
was gone - a killing rage could not survive in the heart or mind of a
Tomorrow Person. There was a word in the sob - a single word.

"WHY!?!"

John shook his head. "I can't answer that, Adam."

"You have to - how could you walk way from her. How could you walk away
from me like that?"

"I can't answer you, Adam. I wish I could."

"If you can't answer, why did you make me remember that? Why did you put me
through it? You didn't have to make me do that. I didn't know - I might
never have known!"

"You had to know. Adam - you have to know who I am and what I have done.
You are a Tomorrow Person, and so am I. We have responsibilities for each
other and unless we are honest with one another we can't do what we have to
do. I wish I could tell you why your mother died - but I can't. And I wish
I could tell you why I did what I did, but I can't tell you that either.
All I can tell you is that I had no choice."

Adam turned away from John and stared at the wall of the spaceship. His
anger was fading. He remembered standing with Megabyte outside a hospital
room, trying to persuade him to leave his father, to leave a man who could
be dying, in order to help Adam save mankind. It had seemed the right thing
to do . . . it had been the right thing to do. The General was in danger,
but so was the planet - and Adam was responsible for the planet.

He turned again and faced John and saw the look of sorrow and anguish on
his face.

"I need to know, John . . . was there a reason? Was there a purpose to her
dying?"

John looked at Adam and tried to work out how to answer. A purpose? To the
death of a parent. How did you answer such a question. He tried to frame an
answer that would answer Adam's question without giving any information
away that Adam should not have. His diplomatic training allowed him to run
through many platitudes and formulae of words in seconds in order to arrive
at the right response for a given set of circumstances. Finally he
answered.

"Yes."

It was all he could say and he watched as Adam straightened before his eyes
as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He put forward his
hand.

"Let's try again, Adam."

The young man took his hand and the warmth as their hands met sealed their
mutual wounds. Then John clapped a hand on Adam's shoulder.

"Let's go back to the Lab. There's things we need to talk about - things
you can help me with."

"Sure. However I can."

(end of part 8 and end of story)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Amalgamation (5/8)
Date: 15 Dec 1998 11:52:25 +1100

                           Amalgamation
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 5/8

                               Chapter 4

The Galactic Trig
Earth Date: December 13th 1995
Noon

"Ambassador!"

The young black man looked up with a start from his briefing screen as
Janis, his assistant sped into the room as fast as his six legs could carry
him. Kenny was surprised. It was very unusual to see anyone running through
the council halls of the Galactic Trig. Things normally moved at a much
more sedate pace.

"What is it, Janis? You know you shouldn't be running in here - it's almost
as bad manners as jaunting."

"Apologies, your Excellency. But you must come quickly. It's urgent!"

"What is it - I'm not late for another appointment with the Chair-President
am I?"

"No - it's Timus. He needs to see you right away!"

Kenny rose to his feet. "What about?"

"A message from Earth - the Lab has been breached."

"Find Ambassador's Smith and M'Bondo and get them to the Trig as soon as
possible! Authority of Overmind."

In contravention of all protocol, Kenny placed a hand to his wrist and
jaunted from the chamber.

                              *-*-*-*-*-*-*

London

"This had better be good, Frank. Mrs Damon is not pleased at me leaving the
hotel in the middle of our vacation. I need to get back there as quickly as
possible."

"Sorry, sir - but I thought you needed to see this."

The letter was thrust into the General's hands. He looked at his thick
gloves, struggled with the sheet of paper and finally held it under his
chin while he removed a glove. He unfolded the single sheet of paper and
read it.

"Frank - seal the area."

"It's already sealed, sir - it has been for days."

"Good man - excellent anticipation." The General pulled a mobile phone from
his pocket, and pressed a button. "Honey - it's me . . . yeah, I love you
too . . . yeah, I wish I was back at the hotel with you and Millie . . .
yeah, I know we were going to have lunch . . . yeah, I - honey, could you
do me a favour? Could you look in my filofax and find out the number of the
boarding house when the Wilson's and the Weston's are staying . . .
thanks . . . OK, I got it . . . sure, I'll be back there as soon as
possible . . . yeah, I know we're going to a concert tonight. I'll be
there. Bye."

He pressed some more buttons. "Hello, Penny. It's Bill Damon here. I need
to speak to Kevin or Jade right away. They've just come in for lunch?
Great . . . Hi Kevin, it's General Damon. Can you get the others and all
come to where I am - Kew Gardens in London."

Behind him, Frank had also dialled a number on his phone. "Hallo, Bennet's
Flowers and Gifts? I need you to make up the biggest bouquet of flowers you
can and deliver it tonight to Suite Four at the Ritz . . . the label should
say, 'Sorry, honey, something came up. Enjoy the concert' - and sign it
'Bill'."

                              *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Petersfield, Hampshire

"Thank you, Professor."

"Adam, if you need to talk - any time, please drop in on me. I do want to
help you. All of you - and I hope I have."

Adam smiled. "I think you have. At least a little."

*Adam.* Suddenly he heard Megabyte inside his mind.

*What is it, Megabyte?*

*It's my Dad - he wants us all to teleport to Kew Gardens. He didn't say
why.*

*Something to do with the stones?*

*I don't know - maybe.*

*OK, I'm on my way.* Adam broke off the telepathic communication.
"Professor - I need to go. General Damon wants to see us."

"Megabyte's father? There's a man I want to meet."

Adam paused. "Would you really like to meet him?" He thought for a moment.
"I can take you with me if you like."

"Wouldn't I be in the way?"

Adam shook his head. "No, Professor - not at all. I want you there. I'm
going to have to talk to the General and I'd . . . well, I'd appreciate
your support."

Professor Cawston raised an eyebrow. "Very well. Do I need to do anything?"

"Just hold on to me."

Adam teleported, taking the Professor with him. In a blink of an eye, they
found themselves in Kew Gardens. Megabyte and Ami were talking to General
Damon, who was holding a small piece of paper in his hands, while Jade and
Kevin were peering into a tent - next to the tent was a very large pile of
earth and rubble. There was construction equipment everywhere.

Adam walked up to the General, Professor Cawston by his side.

"Who's this?" the General was looking at Professor Cawston. "No - wait, I
know you - you're Ian Cawston, aren't you?"

"Yes - and you're Bill Damon? I'm very pleased to meet you, General."

"Hmm - likewise, I guess." The General turned to Adam and handed him the
sheet of paper. "You'd better read this."

Adam unfolded the paper and began to read.

London
1-1-1980
Dear friend,

    I call you that, although it is extremely unlikely that I have ever met
you, and I sincerely hope that you are my friend. The survival of mankind
requires that we are all friends, and that we eliminate enmity from the
face of the planet.

    I am writing this letter on the assumption, that you are like me. It seems
a reasonable supposition. This lab will not be found easily or by accident,
and so I must assume one of two things:

    1) that if it is found in the near future, that the only people who will
find it, are those rare few who have advanced to a similar level of
evolution.
    2) that if it is found in the distant future, that you will have likewise
reached that level of evolution, but that rather than being a rarity, you
are the norm.

    Whichever circumstance occurs, I leave this missive to you and to
posterity. It may seem arrogant to be writing in this way, but I believe
that the possible importance of what I am trying to say, must override any
modesty I feel at this point. And it would be false modesty. I am proud of
what I am, and what I have accomplished. I also acknowledge my failure.

    I was the first of my kind to survive on this planet, at least, I am the
first that I know of, with any degree of certainty. It is perfectly
possible, perhaps even likely, that there were others before me. But I was
the first of my 'generation' to break out. Because of this fact, and
because of my age, I have been the de facto leader of my people. I accept
full responsibility for our failures but am perfectly willing to share any
credit for our successes.

    Who are my people? We call ourselves Tomorrow People. We are human, but we
are not identical to the vast majority of the people on this planet. We
number fewer than a dozen at the time of writing this letter, we of the
species Homo Superior (a rough translation is Better Man). I did us not
give us this name, and in any case, I feel that the Homo is far more
important than the Superior. We are human, with most of the faults that
entails.

    I will not outline our powers here, those powers that set us apart from
the bulk of mankind. Part of the reason for this letter being written is
that such information is now in the wrong hands, the hands of people who
fear us, and I will not compound our error. If you are like us, you already
understand our powers and our limitations. I will however mention our
primary limitation, in the hope that it may diminish the fears of non
Tomorrow People. We cannot kill another human being. We are utterly
incapable of it. I do not say this in order to suggest that we are paragons
of virtue, for we are not, but we are not a threat to mankind in any way.
We do not seek to rule the Earth, but to cherish her, to care for her. We
are no threat to you.

    If you are like me, you may wonder where we are, myself and the others. We
are safe, and perhaps one day we will meet. I hope so. In the meantime the
contents of this laboratory are yours to do with as you wish. Do I have any
advice for you? All I can say, is make your decisions with your heart as
well as your mind. Value your friends. In the final analysis, they are what
is important. And remember, all mankind should be your friend.

    I close this letter, with a plea to anyone who finds it. Cherish the
Earth, or you will lose it. Mankind has a great deal to fear. But we, all
members of the genus Homo, are a people with one of the most precious gifts
in nature - Intelligence. We can use that intelligence to turn Earth into a
Utopia. Utopia means 'no place.' We should change that meaning to 'every
place.'

                       Yours in hope and friendship
                           John Smith, 1-1-1980

Adam finished reading and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes, and
sought to recover his equilibrium. Just reading the letter had made him
feel dizzy - emotions began to well to the surface and he had to fight to
keep them down, so he could think clearly.

"Where was this found? Where's this laboratory."

The General pointed to the tent. "There's a tunnel in there. I have to ask
you to be very careful with what you find down there - some of it may be
fragile . . ." He realised he was talking to empty air - Adam and the other
Tomorrow People were already heading down the tunnel. Professor Cawston
moved to follow, but at a nod by General Damon, he was grabbed and held by
Frank.

"Let me go!"

"No, Professor - not until I know what brings you here."

(end of part 5)




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Jack Newman <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: The Night Before Christmas Part 0 of 0
Date: 22 Dec 1998 20:29:46 +0000

The Night Before Christmas.
An original series short story.
By Jacqueline Newman
Part 0 of 0

Dedication:
This story is dedicated to Shawn Lazerus..... Keep believing :)

*********************************************************************

Disclaimer:
Most of the Characters contained in this story are not mine but are
borrowed from the 1970s series The Tomorrow People. They are the
property of the creators and copyright holders. The characters Professor
McDrew, Stewart, and Sayian are taken from the TP  books 'Three in
Three' and 'Four in Three' by Roger Price.

Any other characters, planets and cultures are the sole creation and
property of Jacqueline Newman. No one may post this story to any web
page without my permission other than the tpfict archives.

Personal comment:
I would like to thank Megan Freeman and Ariana Brill for betareading
this fan fict.

Comments are very welcome. If you enjoy the story please let me know.

Jack Newman
[e-mail]

**********************************************************************
Prologue:
This story is set in the timeline/tp world created in my novel 'The
Joining', and  it is
recommend that you read that story first.

For those who want to read this story in isolation let me fill you in
with a few
background details...

The year is 1998... Stephen has been the joining partner (husband) of
Angerianaasusilicana, the Premier of the planet Manyarner, for 14 yr.
The premier
(sometimes referred to as the *one*) is both the political and religious
leader of her
planet. She is a shape changer and temporal being with highly developed
telepathic and
telekinetic powers. They have four children who, due to their Manyaynern
accelerated
growth rates, are fully grown and do not feature in this story.

John and Elizabeth have been married for 9 years and have two children,
Edward  (8)
and Charlotte (5).

The Tomorrow People have been granted much closer ties to the galactic
federation
since Angie became so influential to the One Mind. This group is the
closest thing the
Galactic Trig has to government. Various Tomorrow People have held
ambassadorial
and diplomatic roles within the federation for many years and they are
frequently
invited to attend committees and conferences held on the Trig.  On this
occasion they
have been requested to take part at the 'Twentieth Closed World'
convention, to
discuss the progress of their respective world towards open status. This
convention was held on the Earth equivalent date of 22-23 December.

We pick up the story when unforeseen circumstances are affecting the
TP's return
journey to Earth....







-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Jack Newman <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: The night Before Christmas Part 1 of 2
Date: 22 Dec 1998 20:30:02 +0000

The Night Before Christmas.
An original series short story.
By Jacqueline Newman
Part 1 of 2

Dedication:
This story is dedicated to Shawn Lazerus..... Keep believing :)

*******************************************************************
Part one
December 23rd 1998

The Galactic Trig humanoid teleporation receiving station.

"What do you mean our return journey has been cancelled!" Barked John
gruffly.

The technician seated by the teleporter's control systems shifted
uneasily in his seat. "I
am sorry ambassador but the orders of the high council are quite
precise, no one may
leave the Trig for the next few rotations. There is just too much
hyperspace
interference since the Jamplaythese star system went nova, it is far too
dangerous to
risk long distance teleports with that much radiation in the vicinity!"
To make his
argument more final he stood and stepped away form the console. "I know
you and
your party were requested to attend the 'Twentieth Closed World
Convention' and that
your return transporter beam has been scheduled for many cycles,  but
that star was
not predicted to flare up for another two years... I am sorry there is
nothing more I can
do." With that the technician touched his arm gently, and against all
accepted Trig
protocol, vanished.

Stephen, who had stood silently all this time, watching John's rage
grow, tried to think
of something appropriate to say. "Don't worry John, TIM can take care of
the lab and
we'll be back in a few days..."

"It's not the lab I'm worried about." Replied John turning to look
across the huge hall
towards Liz and the others standing patiently waiting, anxious
expressions on their
faces. "It's the kids... I promised Eddy and Charlotte that we would be
home for
Christmas. I also promised my parents that we would spend it with them!"
He let out a
long deep sigh. "Oh well, no use putting it off any more" He grinned at
Stephen.
"Looks like we are stuck here for Christmas after all, let's go and
break the news."

The two men strode side by side towards the waiting group of Tomorrow
People.

*******************************************************************
Upper level public refectory , two hours later...

Mike was busy watching the passing aliens... a rather odd looking lump
of jelly with
long tentacles and huge eyes slowly moved towards them...

'I wonder if it is male or female?' Mused Mike, grinning to himself.

The creature lifted a large sticky appendage and slapped Mike on the
head. (my race
does not have specific gender as you know of it...) pathed the creature.
Then turning to
address the others it continued. (Admissions and relocation assistant
Rolant at your
service.)

Mike suddenly felt the sharp gaze of John as he realised that the
assistant was in fact a
telepath and had read his unshielded thoughts... He also yelped as the
toe of Hsui Tai's
shoe jabbed into his leg beneath the table...

Rolant continued. (But that is of no consequence here.... I regret to
inform you that
there is no available accommodation for your party at this time... Due
to the nature of
the recent emergency the Trig is full to capacity!)

"What are we going to do?" Said Liz turning to John. "We can't stay here
for much
longer." She looked around at the multitude of alien creatures filling
every available
table in the refectory.

Charlotte, was playing with Bron, a telepathic creature rescued from the
planet
Barran six by Stephen many years earlier, on the floor at her mother's
feet. She was
apparently oblivious to the telepathic conversation with the Trig's
relocation assistant.
Suddenly she lifted herself up and floated at eye level with Liz... "But
mummy Santa
won't find us all this way from Earth..." It was obvious that the little
girl was close to
tears.

Elizabeth plucked her daughter from the air and cradled her in her
arms..." Don't worry
Charlie. Santa Clause will find you no matter where you are."

She looked across at John and her eyes asked the unspoken question...
What would
they do now?

There was suddenly a murmur in the crowd, and the throng of beings which

surrounded them parted to reveal Angie and Stephen resplendent in the
official
ceremonial robes of the Manyarnern people... The other Tomorrow People
looked on
in amazement as Stephen ushered Rolant aside with an air of natural
authority...

"May your senses be enlightened and your dreams be fulfilled." He said
smiling and
winking to each of them in turn.

Rolant was obviously in awe of this very public spectacle... and placed
his many
tentacles on his head and over his eyes... He then made a grovelling
gesture that Liz
could only interpret as a bow.

(I beg the humble forgiveness of the Manyarnern Premier and her joining
partner.) It
pathed hesitantly. (I was not aware that the *One* was part of this
party.)

Angie stared at the quivering lump before her and smiled. (For obvious
security
reasons the precise movements of the *Premier* of one of the
Federation's founding
worlds is not made public. I forgive you for the oversight and request
that you find
myself and my companions accommodation right away.)

Rolant uncovered his eyes and using his tentacles ushered the Tomorrow
People to
stand. (Follow me please the Manyarnern Ambassadorial suite will be made
available
immediately.)

The aliens around them, kept a respectful distance, but looked on
enviously as John,
Liz, Edward and Charlotte, Mike, Hsui Tai and Andrew were led through
the crowd
towards the nearest moving walkway. Angie and Stephen held hands as they
fell into
step behind them, as they walked their shimmering attire slowly melted
back into the
form of jeans and T shirts...

*********************************************************************

The Manyarnern Ambassadorial suite.
4 Hours Later.

Liz slowly closed the door on the room where the children slept. They
were quite
exhausted after the excitement of the day and had quickly fallen into a
deep sleep.

Sitting beside John on the couch she looked around her. "It's so
disappointing to be
here and not back home for Christmas." She said, to no one in
particular.

Andrew looked up from the key pad upon which he had been sketching.
"Yes, and I
had such wonderful presents picked out for you all too. I guess they
will have to wait
until we get back."

"Presents!" Exclaimed Liz, then turning to face her husband. "John. What
are we going
to do about presents for the kids... you know how much Christmas means
to them."

Mike and Hsui Tai entered arm in arm from the busy corridor. "Wow!" said
Mike.
"This place is really jumping tonight. You should see the arguments
going on at the off
world traders market,  the price of a seat on a transport ship has
tripled in the past
hour!"

"Thank you Mike," replied John jumping to his feet, "that may just be
the answer to all
our problems."

"Your not going to pay their inflated prices just for seats on a ship?"
Asked Stephen "I
thought you were more sensible than that!"

John lifted a cushion and threw it good naturdly at his friend. "Of
course not... But if
the market is still open maybe they can sell us more than just tickets
out of here."

Stephen looked puzzled. "What else do we need?"

It was Liz who threw the cushion this time. "If you haven't noticed we
have two young
children in there expecting Santa Claus to visit them and tomorrow is
Christmas day!"

Liz and John headed rapidly for the door.

"Can we come too?" Asked Hsui Tai. "We need to get things a well." Mike
and
Andrew stood and followed the older TP's out of the door.

"But what about me?" Said Stephen to a now empty room.

(You can stay and baby-sit.) Pathed Liz (You do remember what it's like
to be a
parent?)

Stephen slumped down onto the couch and put his feet up on the coffee
table. (Of
course I do!) he responded then to himself he mumbled. "But Angie and I
had plans..."


*********************************************************************

One hour Later....

Angie bent down and kissed her partner tenderly on the cheek. 'He looks
so peaceful
sleeping there on the couch.' She thought. 'Seems a shame to wake him.'

With a faint groan Stephen opened his eyes and looked up into her
smiling face.

"Wake up sleepy head." She said "I need to speak to you."

Stephen slowly lifted himself up and swung his feet back onto the floor.
"I must have
dozed off... How long? What is the time now?" He said with a yarn.

Straightening his mop of tangled hair with her fingers she explained to
him that John
and Liz had called her to apologise for ruining their evening over an
hour ago... when
she had failed to get any telepathic response to her calls she had
teleported over to find
him sound asleep.

"Oh! Sorry," he said apologetically. "I was more tired than I thought
after sitting on
that damned committee all day."

"It's OK, you were very patient. I know how much you hate all those
official
engagements and adherence to protocol. I'll be glad to get back home
too."

Stephen stood and walked across to the food dispenser. He ordered coffee
and cake
then returned to sit beside her on the sofa. "I got lumbered with
baby-siting."

"I know." Said Angie, grabing the cake from his plate and taking a huge
bite, before he
could stop her. She grinned. "What amazes me is how much importance John
and Liz
place on this silly Earth tradition of giving and receiving presents."

"It's not silly!" Said  Stephen. "Christmas is a magical time where
everyone is happy
and they give gifts to express their affection for one another. The
tradition of Father
Christmas dates back into biblical times when a wealthy man gave alms to
the poor to
relieve their suffering. Of course no one really believes in Father
Christmas these days
but all kids have that hope."

Stephen looked at his wife. She was developing a familiar expression on
her face, one
that he had seen many times whenever she was plotting something. He
tried to reach
out to touch her consciousness but was met with heavy shielding.

(Oh no you don't.) She pathed sensing his presence in her mind. (This is
a special
secret and I don't want to spoil the surprise. Can you wait here until
the others get
back? I need to go and do something.)

Stephen nodded his head reluctantly. He knew that once his joining
partner's mind was
made-up their was no swaying her from her actions. (You go and do
whatever it is that
is so important and make sure mine is a good one!)

(Your what ?) Asked Angie innocently

(Just make sure you are back in time for the Christmas party in the
morning) He said as
she headed out the door. (I love you...)

( I love you too.)

Once outside in the corridor Angie concentrated hard, a brilliant blue
light appeared a
few metres in front of her and began to grow in intensity as the
barriers between space
and hyper-space were blurred.

Since she had been told that she was the *One*, a special kind of being
born amongst
her people once every millennium, and capable of summoning great amounts
of psionic
energy in order to manipulate both matter and time, she had hardly used
the powers at
her disposal. Instead she preferred to live a simple life amongst the
Tomorrow People.
'But there are certain privileges that come with this power,' she
thought to herself... as
the vortex of the worm hole opened before her, and her consciousness
left the
familiarity of her own space-time and slipped into a different
dimension.

End part one.
********************






-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Jack Newman <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: The night Before Christmas Part 2 of 2
Date: 22 Dec 1998 20:30:15 +0000

The Night Before Christmas.
An original series short story.
By Jacqueline Newman
Part 2 of 2


*******************************************************************
Somewhere, somewhen...

Angie landed on the hard wooden floor with a bump. Standing she rubbed
her sore
buttocks. The room she had slid  into appeared to be constructed of
wood. It was
brightly decorated with materials of every colour which hung like
garlands from the
ceiling. In the centre of the room was a wooden work bench upon which
were strange
looking shapes which were familiar yet...

"Can I help you?" The booming voice made her jump. "Well, I haven't got
all day... I
am a very busy person. What is your wish?"

The voice came from a large wooden seat across the room, which was
silhouetted
against the glow of a roaring log fire. The person who had spoken to her
could not be
seen over it's tall ornately carved back.

"I am Angerianaasusilicana of Manyarner." She said stepping forward.

"I know who you are, although how a mortal being like yourself can exist
out of your
usual space-time dimension does puzzle me. Please my child come and sit
with me a
while I get little company from the mortal realms these days."

Angie walked across to the seat. "Are you the time guardian they call
S.C.?"

The figure turned to face her, and she was surprised to see an old man
with thick white
beard, his chubby features were warm and welcoming and his complexion
had a red
glow from sitting too close to the heat of the fire.

"Now that's a name I haven't heard in years... I haven't been to the
hall of the time
guardians in.... oh so many centuries I can hardly remember..."

"I know." Replied Angie settling herself down on the remarkably
comfortable wooden
seat. "Peter once told me how you disobeyed the direct orders of the
guardians and
interfered in the future of a developing world, and how you were
stripped of your time
matrix and banished here to this in-between place."

S.C. sighed and shrugged. "Well you seem to know a lot about me, so you
also know
that I no longer have any dealings with sentient, mortals... I suggest
you go back
where you came from."

"Come now, I don't believe that an immortal like yourself could resist
meddling in the
affairs of man, especially the planet you were responsible for changing.
>From the fables
and legends of the Earth I think you have been tinkering in the lives of
the sentient
mortals much more than you admit to."

For a moment the time guardian's face showed a flash of anger but this
soon melted
away into a broad happy smile. "Well, girl. You have me at a
disadvantage. Peter seems
to have told you a great deal, but I am still puzzled how you can exist
here with me are
you also a time guardian?"

"The answer to your question" She began, feeling strangely at home in
this unfamiliar
place. "Is that I am the Manyarnern Premier... *The One*, and I am a
temporal being
like yourself, or so people keep telling me, I can manipulate time and
space if I choose
to." She smiled and snuggled closer to the fat jolly man. "I have come
here today to
ask you a favour... a very big favour."

"Well, my child, you psionic credentials do you credit... I will do all
I can to help.
What exactly is this *big favour*?"

*********************************************************************

Galactric Trig
Manyarnern Ambassadorial suite
25th December 1998

9.30 am.


Charlie and Eddy could hardly contain themselves. They pulled on their
clothing as
they raced across the living area and into their parents bedroom. "He's
been... He's
been." They shouted in unison as they jumped onto the bed and pulled at
their parents
arms to wake them.

"What...Who?" Said John sleepily. "Can't you kids give us a little peace
it's Christmas
morning."

Charlie poked her fathers face mischievously and sat upon his legs. "But
Daddy, he's
been here... Santa has been here."

John pulled himself up into a sitting position and lifted the little
girl, placing her back
on the coverlet beside him. His legs had already begun to ache as the
circulation was
stopped by the child's weight. 'You are growing up fast my girl' he
thought to himself.

Liz had also sat up and Eddy eagerly handed her a silk robe. "Please
Mummy come
and see. Father Christmas has been here, really, truly. You've just got
to see."

Liz looked at John and they smiled. "Well it is Christmas morning we
might as well get
up."

******************************************************************

Walking into the living area the scene was amazing. Mike, Hsui and
Andrew were
already standing aghast at the spectacle before them. There was a huge
spruce pine
Christmas tree in the centre of the room, it was ornately decorated with
coloured
baubles of gold and silver. The room was bathed in twinkling fairy
lights of every
shade and hue imaginable.

On one side was a large circular table laid with eighteen place settings
... Steaming
Christmas food filled the centre and the air was pungent with the smell
of spices and
candy.

Eddy and Charlotte pulled at Elizabeth and John's hands as they eagerly
led them
forward towards a huge pile of brightly wrapped presents sitting at the
base of the tree.

"Where the hell did all this lot come from!" Said John for once almost
lost for words.

They all looked around as the main door opened and in piled a throng of
people all
laughing and singing together. Familiar faces and thoughts filled the
room.

"Carol!" Exclaimed John. "What the..."

Leaving her husband, Narscissa, and her son Nova, to greet the others,
Carol crossed
the room and held a bunch of mistletoe above John's head. She turned to
Liz "With
your permission?" She said.

Liz nodded  and Carol kissed John quickly on the cheek. "Merry
Christmas." She
smiled. "Now hadn't you better get dressed the other's will be here
shortly."

"Others?" Asked Liz, but there was no time to explain, the door opened
again and
Professor McDrew and his son Stewart entered the room. The Tomorrow
People had
not seen the their old friends since they had rescued them from the
hands of various
military groups back on Earth and dispatched them to the Trig via
Kallinar.

They were followed into the room by Tricia, hand in hand, with Professor
Cawston,
and immediately behind them was Tyso and his close friend the ruler of
the planet
Saiyonara.

Hurrying back to the bedroom John and Liz dressed in stunned silence.

******************************************************************


Later...

The food had been eaten, the egg nog drunk, the presents opened and lots
of
merriment had by all.

Taking Angie aside Stephen whispered into her ear. "This was all your
doing wasn't
it?"

"No actually it was not... It was Father Christmas." She replied flatly.

Stephen burst out laughing and the rest of the room fell silent. Looking
around him he
spoke to all present. "Come on Angie.. own up, stop kidding us around.
You must
have pulled some very official strings to get this lot transported here
from Earth."

"Why wont you believe me? Santa Clause did all this for you..."

John looked up from where he sat on the sofa engrossed in the study of
the
archaeological artefact that he had received as a gift. "Come on now
Angie, you are
old enough to know there is no Father Christmas." He said jokingly.

"There is too!" Stated Eddy looking angrily at his father. "He is a Time
Guardian who
lives in another part of the universe that's all."

"What nonsense have you been filling my children's heads with now?"
Demanded John.

"If you would lighten up sometimes and think with your heart instead of
your head
you could appreciate the magic and wonder in the universe." Said Angie.
"S.C. better
known as Santa Clause, is a time guardian who was banished to another
dimension for
interfering in the development of a closed world! His metabolic rate is
much faster than
ours and there fore he can slip into our realm each Christmas Eve
deliver presents and
slip out again while to each of us only a few seconds have passed. My
only interference
in this matter is that I told him about how you were all stuck here
through no fault of
your own. He obviously felt that you had all been good enough to deserve
these gifts."

John didn't know whether to believe Angie's far fetched tale but looked
around at the
expressions on the faces of his friends and family. "Not all of you as
well? Don't tell me
you believe this nonsense? " The happy gathering nodded in unison.

Liz placed her hand gently on John's arm. "It's not nonsense to those
who want to
believe." She said.

Laughing together the conversation slowly resumed and the room was once
again filled
with chatter.

Angie noticed John rise from the sofa to stand by the large tree and
took this
opportunity to speak privately to him. Holding a piece of mistletoe
above his head she
teasingly puckered her lips... "Can I have my Christmas kiss now?"

"Angeriana." Began John. "You never cease to amaze me!" And with this he
cheerfully
kissed her. As he did so his gaze was caught by something silvery
flashing from within
the branches of the tree. Reaching into the dense, ticklish, spines he
retrieved a small
thin metallic card,  about four inches square. It was made of an alloy
unfamiliar to him
and had  a three dimensional inscription etched into one side.

"What is it?" Asked Liz who now stood beside them both. "It looks like a
holographic
greetings card, I've seen them being sold in the Off World Market."

John turned it over in his hand and read the lettering. "Merry Christmas
to TPDIS...
What's tpdis?"

In a sudden movement Angie pulled the card from his grasp. "That was a
mistake it
shouldn't be here." She said defensively.

"What shouldn't be here?" Asked Stephen who had also joined them
gathered around
the tree.

Angie showed him the inscription on the card, and he gave a low whistle.
"Oh that! but
how?"

John did not look at all happy at being left out of some secret
information. "Would you
please tell me what's going on and what is tpdis?"

"Not what, who..." Said Angie "They are friends of mine from a parallel
Earth in
another dimension from us."

"Friends of yours from another dimension... ?" Asked John his eyebrows
rising in
disbelief.

Angie turned the silvery object over in her hands while she decided what
to say next,
then replacing the card into it's hiding place amongst the branches she
continued.
"John. You find everything that doesn't have concrete evidence hard to
believe, like the
existence of Santa Clause!" To make her point she motioned around the
room. "All of
this looks pretty real to me... Tpdis are a group of potential Tomorrow
People waiting
to break out on another Earth not so far from our own and what's more
they *all*
want to believe."

"Well if they are potential Tomorrow People then I for one wish them all
a very Merry
Christmas." Said Liz.

"Me too." This came from Mike.

Hsui looked up from the carpet where she played with Eddy and Charlotte
and smiled
warmly at John. "And me."

"And a Merry Christmas from me as well" Added Carol.

John cleared his throat. "Well I seem to be out numbered as usual." He
said, a weak
smile lighting up his face. "I wish all the people on tpdis, wherever
they may, be a
*Very Merry Christmas.*


The End.







-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present (2/7)
Date: 25 Dec 1998 00:16:04 +1100

               Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 2/7

                               Chapter 1

The Lab
14th December 1995
Morning

Elizabeth looked up as she heard the sound of people arriving on the
jaunting pad. John faded slowly into view, while Adam flashed and arrived
in a blaze of light and colour.

"Hello, you two. John, I think we need to give the others jaunting bands."

"Why? They're not needed for navigation. The beacon on the spaceship seems
to handle that - pulls people out of hyperspace to their expected location,
and if they can't jaunt well enough to arrive where they want to, it draws
them out of hyperspace to itself."

Liz shuddered. "I wish it had been working when I broke out; that first
jaunt was very unpleasant. I know the navigation works, John, but the
lights and colours are pretty conspicuous as they pass through the
hyperspatial zones, at least they need the suppressor the bands carry."

"You're right, Liz. I'll get onto it later. For the moment, we need to
discuss some things with Adam, sort out some things."

"All right." Liz motioned Adam into one of the couches. "Are you two all
right?"

Adam answered. "Yes, Elizabeth, I think we are. John explained what
happened; some of it anyway. I understand he had his reasons and I can live
with that."

"Good. We're Tomorrow People, we need to get along."

Liz and John sat down in the couch opposite Adam looking at him over TIM.
They glanced at each other in silent communication and then John spoke.

"OK, Adam, it's pretty clear that you're in charge down here now. The
others look to you for leadership and that means we need to sort out how
things are going to work now we've come back to Earth. We can't afford to
have any sort of power struggle and I'm sure we can work out the details."

Adam nodded. "Yeah, so am I. It's pretty simple really. If you want to take
charge John, then that's OK with me. I'm not after power; I just want
what's best for the others."

"Well, I'm gratified you have such confidence in me, Adam, but let's not be
hasty. Liz and I haven't come back to Earth to take over."

Liz chimed in. "That's right, Adam. We're quite willing to advise you, to
help you any way we can, but we're not trying to usurp you. You've lead the
Tomorrow People for three years, with the help of Megabyte and Ami, I
suppose, but you seem to have done a good job."

"You've lead for longer," pointed out the younger Tomorrow Person, looking
at John.

"That's true, but while age and experience are valuable, they're not the
prime determinants of leadership skill. Besides there are other concerns.
The first is that both Elizabeth and myself, indeed all of our generation,
have commitments on the Galactic Trig and throughout the Federation.
Important commitments that we cannot abandon lightly. And it's been a long
time since we've been on Earth; a lot of things have changed. We simply
don't know this place as well as you do. Adam, we honestly feel you are the
best choice to lead the others. Especially when you have the help of Ami
and Megabyte."

Liz noted the anxiety on Adam's face - too subtle for John to see, but
still there. "What's wrong, Adam? Do you disagree that you're the best
choice?"

"I don't know, Elizabeth. I really don't. I mean - well, look, I'll be
honest with you. I'm still pretty young. I must seem like a kid to you."

"You do." Liz smiled.

"Yeah, well I know that and you know it. I'm just not sure I'm can handle
leading the others. I'm worried I'll get it wrong. I'm terrified I'll make
the wrong choice."

John leaned forward. "Adam, how old were you when you broke out?"

"I was seventeen."

"I was fourteen, Adam. I was a kid. And for three years, until Liz broke
out, I was leading the other Tomorrow People, with no one my own age to
help me. Carol, who was the second Tomorrow Person of my lot - I hope
you'll get to meet her soon - was a year younger. Pretty close I suppose,
but she was a follower not a leader. That isn't a criticism, it's just a
simple fact.

"I was younger than you were and I took charge. I had to, I suppose you did
as well. We got the job simply because we were the best choice around. And
let me tell you, as the only other person who probably fully understands
what you feel like and has the same type of experience of having to lead:
you've done a good job. The others are alive. The Earth's still here.
That's all anyone can really expect.

"I'd probably be happier if you were older; I think experience is a good
thing, but you can do what is necessary. You've proven that."

"And Adam," Liz interrupted. "Just because John and I may be away at the
Trig doesn't mean you have to do things alone and without help. That screen
over there will allow you to call us or any of the others at any time.
We're both confident you can handle things here on Earth, but help will be
available when it's needed."

John stood up. "It's your choice, Adam. If you really feel you can't handle
this we can try and work something else out - maybe bring Andrew down to
Earth, Liz? But we think you can handle this."

Adam stood and walked around to John and Liz. "Well, if you both think I
can handle things then I guess I can. But I may come asking for that help
at any time."

"Good. I'm glad that's settled. Now there's a couple of questions we need
to ask you."

"Sure."

"All right. Megabyte's father, General Damon? Can we trust him?"

Adam pursed his lips. "I honestly don't know. He's a nice guy, he really
is, but well, I'm concerned about his military connections - he worked with
Colonel Masters and . . ."

"Hang on, Adam." Liz broke in. "You know about Colonel Masters? How?"

"Well, he tried to kidnap us just after we broke out. He managed to get
hold of Megabyte to begin with . . ."

"But that's impossible! Colonel Masters is dead, surely - he died back in
1975, you'd have barely been born then, yet alone have broken out."

Adam shook his head. "No . . . I think we may be talking about different
Colonel Masters. Ours was a US Army Colonel. A really evil man, working for
the SIA."

"Ah all right. Ours was British Army, not an evil man, just extremely
narrow minded. He was killed back in 1975 in an attempt to frame us for
murder. Interesting that his name has resurfaced, though. We may need to
look into that."

"Did Professor Cawston know this Colonel?"

"Yes, he did. Why?"

"Oh, no real reason. It's just he has a Colonel's brass in his office; he
obviously admired the man a great deal. Shows a big difference there. No
one could admire our Colonel Masters for anything. When I think about what
he wanted to do to Lisa's mother . . . well, it doesn't bear repeating."

"Who's Lisa?" asked Elizabeth.

"Oh, yeah, right; you wouldn't know. Lisa's a Tomorrow Person. She broke
out a bit after I did."

"Why haven't we met her?"

"She decided she didn't want to have anything to do with us after Masters
threatened to kill her Mum. I haven't heard from her in . . . well, pretty
close to three years."

John and Liz looked at each other. "Adam, we have to meet her."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. She really made it clear she wanted out;
wanted no contact with other Tomorrow People."

John shrugged. "Well, wanting and getting are too different things. We need
to talk to her, Adam, for her sake as well as our own. Tomorrow People,
everywhere, have responsibilities to the rest of the species and to
mankind; we don't have the luxury of abandoning those responsibilities."

"But what about Lisa's rights?" Adam asked.

John replied. "Lisa has no rights. Well, no rights that allow her to break
off contact with us. She's too important."

Elizabeth could see that Adam didn't think much of that statement at all,
so she interrupted. "There's also the simple fact, Adam, that if a Tomorrow
Person is cut off from other Tomorrow People, they'll nearly always be
miserable. We need each other, need contact with each other. No one is
going to force Lisa to do anything she doesn't want to. She doesn't have to
get involved, but she does need to talk to us, so we can lay down some
ground rules to keep her safe and to keep us safe."

"All right. I'll try and contact her."

He summoned up his strength and sent out a strong telepathic call. *Lisa*

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Langley, West Virginia

Lisa sat bolt upright in the middle of the meeting as she detected the
faint telepathic signal. Next to her, she felt Colonel Masters stiffen. It
was her report that the committee was reading but it had his name on it and
having his aide de camp suddenly go rigid while being questioned but his
superiors did not make him look particularly good.

"Lieutenant, are you all right?" The naval officer sitting directly
opposite her looked suddenly concerned.

"No Ma'am. Someone just walked over my grave, I guess."

*ADAM!* She sent out her telepathic cry with all her might. *Adam, help
me.*

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Lab

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Either she isn't replying or maybe she isn't
receiving."

*Hey Adam!* This telepathic message came from Megabyte. *What's up? Why are
you calling Lisa all of a sudden?*

*John and Liz want to talk to her.*

John 'pathed *Actually Megabyte, it might be useful if you and the others
could jaunt - sorry, I mean teleport - in here as well.*

*Sure, I'm on my way - the others are with me. We'll all teleport - sorry,
I mean jaunt - in now!*

A few seconds later, the other Tomorrow People all teleported into the Lab.
John winced as the bright lights faded from his eyes.

"You're right, Liz, either they need jaunting bands or I need sunglasses."

(end of part 2)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present (0/7)
Date: 25 Dec 1998 00:12:08 +1100

               Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 0/7

DISCLAIMER:

Most of the characters contained within are not mine but are borrowed from
the 1970s and 1990s Tomorrow People Science Fiction TV series'. They are
the property of its creators and copyright holders.

Any other characters are the sole creation and property of Shaun Hately.

This fanfic forms part of my series of fanfics, entitled A More Perfect
Union, and the bulk of the story takes place immediately after the events
of Amalgamation in that series. The exception is the Prologue which takes
place shortly after the events of A Sense of Belonging. In terms of
continuity with the television series' the story takes place sometime after
the events of The Living Stones (ie after the new series had finished), but
the prologue occurs very shortly after the events of The Origin Story. Many
of the events of other fanfics in A More Perfect Union are referred to in
this story and it may be helpful to have read them

Thanks to Ariana Brill and Megan Freeman for helping to answer some
questions about the new series and thus saving me some time.

Profound thanks to Beth Epstein and Ariana Brill for betareading this so
quickly so I could get it out for Christmas.

Comment and criticism (good and bad) on this story is welcome. e-mail me
with comments at [e-mail].

Like all my fics this one can be found on my webpage at
http://www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/tpfict.html

Merry Christmas to those who observe it - good wishes to all, regardless.

(end of part 0)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present (3/7)
Date: 25 Dec 1998 00:18:27 +1100

               Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 3/7

                               Chapter 2

Langley, West Virginia
13th December 1995 (14th December, London Time)
Afternoon

"I've just about had it with you, Lieutenant! This is the most important
report we've submitted to the Committee this year, and you were late
completing it. Then when I'm presenting it in front of three Generals, an
Admiral, a Senator and two Congressmen, you embarrass me by doing a rigor
mortis impression.

"'Someone walked over my grave'" He mimicked, "Come outside, I want to show
you something." Colonel Masters grabbed Lisa's arm and pulled on it hard,
forcing her out of a door and out of the building.

"Listen, Davis, you see that parade ground over there? Well, if you keep up
this attitude, people'll be walking over your grave all right - they'll be
marching over it. Because I'll bury you and your mother right in the middle
of that patch of grass; if you're lucky I might even shoot you first.

"I'm sorry, Colonel." Lisa was frightened now. Masters had often been angry
and always paranoid but his rage now seemed to be moving towards the
psychopathic.

"Damn it, we have an agreement, Lieutenant. You make me look good and I let
your mother enjoy her life. AND I WILL NOT TOLERATE YOU MAKING ME LOOK
BAD." Across the parade ground, one of the numerous armed guards, a burly
sergeant heard the yelling and turned around. Seeing what looked like a
colonel assaulting a younger officer -  a younger _female_ officer, he
began to move towards them.

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Lab

John was explaining the situation to the new arrivals. "We need to talk to
Lisa, just to know she's OK and check out some things, but we can't seem to
contact her telepathically. We want to try a link - the more people the
better - TIM can boost our power and range, but you can all help too."

"All right," Adam spoke. "Megabyte and Ami, you go around that side of TIM
with Elizabeth, Jade and Kevin stay with me. John, you're in the middle."

All the Tomorrow People placed their hands on TIM and joined their minds
into a gestalt.

*Lisa. Can you hear us? Lisa.*

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Langley

The signal was much stronger this time; not just Adam, but Kevin and
Megabyte as well, and others. Several others.

*ADAM! MEGABYTE! KEVIN! ANYONE! CAN YOU HEAR ME?*

An answer came back from Adam. *Yes, we can.*

A new mind. *Lisa, this is John, you don't know me yet. We need to talk.*

*Just help me! Please help me!*

*Are you in danger, Lisa?* Another new voice; this one seemed female
and . . . older somehow. *Talk to us, Lisa, tell us what is going on?*

Colonel Masters looked down at Lisa, realising she had gone quiet and rigid
in the middle of his tirade. She seemed to be communicating with
someone . . .

"Lieutenant, stop that. Stop that at once!" He pulled her fully upright and
raised his hand back to slap her face.

"STOP!"

The word came from behind and he saw a large Military Policeman standing
there when he looked around.

"Stay out of this, Sergeant!"

"I can't sir. Let the lady go."

"Damn it, Sergeant."

The Sergeant drew his pistol. "Sir, let her go."

Colonel Masters almost threw Lisa to the ground. She lay there, trying to
stay in communication with the others - her abilities seemed increasingly
erratic and only adrenaline had allowed her cry for help to travel to the
others. In her efforts, in her attempts to force the telepathic messages,
she neglected to guard her words. Colonel Masters could hear everything she
was trying to send.

"*I'm being held against my will. Please help me. I don't know exactly
where I am, they won't tell . . . *"

Colonel Masters took a step towards her to try and stop her. The Sergeant
spoke. "Back off, Sir, NOW!"

The Colonel turned to him. "Shoot her!"

"What?"

"I said shoot her! That is an order, Sergeant. National Security."

"Sir, I can't . . ."

"SHOOT HER NOW!"

The Sergeant could see the Colonel's wild eyed expression and there was no
way he was going to shoot an officer even with direct orders to do so. But
National Security was a Holy Grail at SIA Headquarters and needed to be
taken seriously. His hand dropped to his belt and drew forth a taser. An
instant later, the two electrodes thudded into Lisa and rendered her
unconscious.

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Lab

"We've lost her."

"What happened? Why did she stop telepathing?"

Adam leaned back, tears welling in his eyes. "She was shot. I'm sure she
was shot! They killed her."

John stood and began to walk to the view screen. "They didn't kill her.
They stunned her somehow; you can always tell when a Tomorrow Person dies."

Adam turned his face towards John. "How do you know?"

"You can feel the emptiness."

"No, I mean - how do you know what a Tomorrow Person dying feels like?"

Liz gripped Adam's arm and shook her head. "Not now, Adam," she whispered.
"But we really do know."

John had managed to raise the person he was trying to contact over the
video screen. "Hello, Mike. It's John."

"John, hi." He could tell Mike had been woken by his call. "How are
things?" Suddenly he saw Mike's eyes go wide. "Hey! What are you doing in
the Lab? On Earth?"

"Never mind that. Can you get here quickly? We have a problem and I need
someone with your expertise."

"Sure. I'll be there in a few minutes. I'll bring Hsui Tai too."

Less than two minutes later, two AE suit clad figures arrived on the
jaunting pads. They removed their helmets to reveal a Caucasian man and an
Asian woman.

"Adam, Megabyte, Ami, Jade, Kevin - meet Mike and Hsui Tai."

Mike looked at the younger Tomorrow People and then at John and Liz. "Well,
either these are new Tomorrow People or you and Liz have been keeping a lot
of secrets for a long time."

Hsui Tai slapped his arm. "Stop it, Mike. John, why did you want Mike to
come here so quickly?"

John motioned towards the couches and they all sat down - almost, but not
quite filling them to capacity.

"It's pretty simple, Mike. These are new Tomorrow People, new being a
relative term as they've been breaking out for the past three years. One of
them, Lisa, has been missing for a while now. She decided to cut herself
off from the others and they haven't heard from her since. Until today,
that is, when we managed to contact her telepathically. She seemed in great
distress, her telepathy was very poor. Either she's losing her abilities,
or she's physically ill. She couldn't tell us where she was only that she
was being held prisoner. Then she somehow got stunned - I can't be sure how
- and we lost contact."

"You want me to try and find her, obviously?" asked Mike.

"That's right. It's more in your line than mine nowadays. Diplomats don't
sneak around searching for people and neither do archaeologists. Not live
people anyway."

"OK. Do we have any leads at all?"

"Possibly, yes. The SIA was interested in the kids just after they broke
out. They tried to capture one of them then, and Lisa broke off contact
fairly soon after that. I don't suppose you know precisely when, Adam?"

"Yeah I do. Christmas Day, '92."

"She could have been missing that long? Gee, not an easy task. You'd think
someone would have noticed she was gone."

Adam felt the need to defend himself. "She didn't want any contact with us.
We left her alone like she asked us to. I can't see . . ."

"Steady on, Adam," came Mike's reply. "I'm not criticising you. Heaven
knows I haven't always handled this type of situation very well. You never
know how it's going to work out until it happens." He looked at John. "So,
the SIA seems possible. Well, I'll try and see what I can do; it might help
if we knew someone inside it."

"My Dad!" Megabyte spoke up. "He used to be in the SIA - very senior. He's
a private contractor now, but he still has contacts."

"OK, Megabyte - you and I will go have a word with your father, then." Mike
stood up and began to walk towards the jaunting pad.

"Mike?" said John.

"Yeah?"

"You haven't once asked about Earth's status and what Liz and I are doing
on a world that, as far as most people would know, is still closed, helping
Tomorrow People that we were forbidden to assist by order of Overmind."

"I don't need to, John. Either you have permission in which case this is
all above board or you don't in which case you're breaking the rules and
the Universe is going to end anyway. Bye."

Megabyte and Mike jaunted away.

(end of part 3)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present (1/7)
Date: 25 Dec 1998 00:13:34 +1100

               Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 1/7

                               Prologue

Clearwater, Virginia
25th December 1992
Afternoon

"Great meal, Mrs Davis. Really terrific." Adam was completely sincere. He
had just eaten only his second home cooked meal in several months, and it
was a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. It was his second one of
those too; being a teleporter had distinct advantages.

"I like to see a boy with a healthy appetite." Mrs Davis frowned. "Lisa,
why aren't you eating, honey? You have to eat if you want to be healthy and
on Christmas day! well, normally you'd have finished by now, and you
wouldn't have left half the food on the plate."

"I'm OK, Mom."

"But Lisa . . ."

"I said I'm OK!" Lisa leaped to her feet. "Honestly, Mother, when someone
says they are OK, it normally means they are OK. And I'm OK, OK?" She saw
the looks Adam and her mother exchanged and fixed Adam in her gaze. "OK?"

"OK, OK, you're OK, I'm OK, everyone's OK!"

*Lisa, are you sure you're OK?* He sent the thought telepathically, at the
same time as he spoke.

Lisa answered. "I'm glad that's settled." but at the same time, *No, Adam.
We need to talk alone.*

Adam stood up. "Well, Mrs Davis, you've cooked such a great meal. Least we
can do is the washing up for you."

"We have a dishwasher, Adam."

"Even better. I'll just help Lisa stack it."

"All right. Well, I'll just go and watch TV then." She stood and left the
room. Adam approached Lisa.

"What's going on, Lisa? What's up with you?"

"It's hard to explain, Adam . . . "

"Just try."

"OK." Lisa looked down at the floor. "I want you all to stay away from me."

"What?"

"Adam - I'm not like you guys. I'm not strong enough for this. I never
wanted to be a Tomorrow Person and I sure as hell didn't want to see my Mom
tied up and people threatening to kill her."

"But it's OK, Lisa; we got away, your mum's OK. You don't have anything to
worry about."

"Oh, yes I do. Do you think that's it? Do you think we're safe and no one
is going to come after us?"

"Megabyte's dad said . . ."

"Megabyte's dad is one of them! OK, he's not as bad as Masters, sure. But
he's still one of them. You can't trust anything he says."

"That isn't fair, Lisa."

"It isn't? Maybe it isn't, but it's how I feel. We can't trust them, Adam,
we can't trust them to leave us alone and we can't trust their word on
anything. I've made a choice and it's the best choice for my mom and me.
I'm just going to opt out, not have anything to do with being a Tomorrow
Person from now on. Maybe I'll do something else: study medicine or
something. But I don't want any part of being a Tomorrow Person anymore."

"Lisa, you are a Tomorrow Person. This isn't something you can pick and
choose, it isn't a club you can quit."

"Want a bet? Adam, I'm out of it, I'm quitting. I'm no longer a Tomorrow
Person. I just want to be normal."

"But, Lisa . . ."

"Butt out, Adam." She paused. "Look, it's my Mom. I can't put her through
that. I can't run the risk of losing her. They threatened to kill her."

Adam closed his eyes for a long moment, then he nodded. "OK, Lisa. I guess
I understand. You've got to think of her safety. But you're still a
Tomorrow Person - nothing can ever change that. You're one of us." He
turned away. "I'll respect your choice. But if you ever need us, just call.
I'll come."

"You'd better go, Adam."

"OK. See you."

"No. This is goodbye."

Lisa watched as Adam flashed out of existence, out of her life. She felt
the bile well up inside her, and she just barely made the bathroom in time
to avoid vomiting all over the carpet. As she raised her head from above
the toilet, someone handed her a towel.

"Thanks, Mom."

"You're welcome." It wasn't her mother's voice. She looked up to see
Colonel Masters standing to her side. "I let myself in."

"Keep away from me! We had a deal."

"Oh, I know the deal and your mother will be safe and happy for as long as
you keep working for us. You have my word. You have the word of the United
States Government. I just had to check you kept the first part of our
bargain and didn't drop Adam any hints about what was happening."

"How would you know if I did? I could have used telepathy."

"Sure, but I hope for your dear Mommy's sake you didn't." He grabbed her
wrist and hauled her to her feet. "You didn't, did you?"

"No! I swear I didn't tell."

"Good . . . good. Anyway I'll leave now; we'll get back to you on details
of your first assignment later on, Lieutenant."

He turned and walked to the door. "Oh and by the way, Lisa, have a very
Merry Christmas."

(end of part 1)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present (4/7)
Date: 25 Dec 1998 00:20:17 +1100

               Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 4/7

                               Chapter 3

Langley, West Virginia
13th December 1995 (14th December, London Time)
Evening

"Put her on that couch and leave us." Colonel Masters stood in the middle
of his office watching as the two Military Policemen gently lowered the
unconscious Lisa into the couch opposite his desk. "OK, you can leave us
now."

"Sir, she's been shocked. Shouldn't she see a doctor?"

"I didn't ask for your opinion, Corporal. I gave you an order. Please leave
the Lieutenant with me."

"Yes, sir."

As the two military policeman left, the Colonel moved over to a wall of his
office and removed a picture. Behind it was a safe. He turned the
combination dial and from it extracted a small container which he placed on
the corner of the desk nearest Lisa and opened. He removed a bracelet from
it which he snapped around her wrist. Then he walked over to a small
refrigerator and pulled out a can of soda.

"Lieutenant Davis? Lisa?" He knelt down next to her and gave her a shake.
She stirred and her eyes opened. Colonel Masters handed her the soft drink.
"Here, your throat must be very dry."

He stood and looked down at her, at the fear and the contempt in her eyes.
He smiled. "I trust we won't have a repeat of that little incident we just
had. It's no use trying to use telepathy, that bracelet locked onto your
wrist contains a strange substance we dug up in Scotland; it seems to stop
people using psychic talents."

Lisa took a sip of the drink. "You told that man to shoot me."

"Yes, I did, Lisa. I wish I could say I was sorry but I'm not. What you
were doing was a gross breach of security and it had to be stopped. I am
very glad that the sergeant had the good sense to use a non-lethal means to
stop you, but if necessary, I am prepared to use lethal means."

"Great, so either I do what you say, all the time, or I die."

"That's the deal you signed on for, Lisa. That was the agreement. You do
what I say and you'll be fine and so will your mother for that matter. But
break the rules and I'm afraid you'll have to face the consequences of
that."

"Why do you hate me so much?"

"Hate you?" Colonel Masters looked surprised. "Lisa, I don't hate you. I'm
just doing my job, doing my duty. And I intend to do it no matter what."

"OK, so you don't hate me? Then why do you treat me the way you do?"

Masters shrugged. "Because I'm concerned about you. No, I won't mince
words. You frighten me. All of you Tomorrow People frighten me. You have
powers we can't protect ourselves from. We need to know how to oppose you.
How to resist you if necessary. Lisa, have I ever asked you to do anything
to harm the other teleporters? No, all we've asked is that you tell us how
to secure our facilities against you, so we have the ability to defend
ourselves."

"But we're peaceful, you don't need to defend yourselves at all. We won't
harm you."

The Colonel sighed. "I didn't want to have to tell you this. Because, Lisa,
I believe that you are peaceful, totally so. It's one reason we selected
you for our project and not one of the others. But I think you've been
duped into believing all Tomorrow People are as peaceful as yourself."

"What do you mean?" asked Lisa.

"Lisa, we have records on teleporters, on Tomorrow People, going back a
long way, back to the 1970s. And there are three cases we know of where
Tomorrow People have killed others - sometimes with good reason, sometimes
with no reason at all.

"I don't believe you . . ." whispered Lisa.

The Colonel removed a file from his desk.

"March, 1977. London. Pavla Vlasova, believed to be a Tomorrow Person
killed while in the hands of the SIS when other Tomorrow People attempted
to prevent her from revealing information to the SIS.

"December, 1979. London. Dr Frank Meadowes, General Practitioner, found
shot dead after the Tomorrow People rescued one of their own being held a
prisoner.

"February, 1994, Dr Aliza Jefferies, Geneticist killed, in an attempt by
the Tomorrow People to recover an antidote needed to save the life of one
of their number.

He threw the file over to Lisa. "Read it. There's plenty of statements
there, from police, intelligence operatives and the like. It's pretty
unequivocal, Tomorrow People were involved in all of the deaths."

Lisa looked at the first photograph in the file, a burned and blackened
corpse lying on a cobbled path and turned away.

"They can't have done that. Tomorrow People cannot kill. I know that."

"No, Lisa. Think about it logically. All you know with any real certainty
is that you can't kill. It's not the same thing. Other Tomorrow People may
well be able to do so. In fact, it appears they have."

He knelt down next to her and gently removed the file from her hands.
"Lisa, we need you, we need your help to protect us. Maybe we'll never need
to use the knowledge you give us; if the Tomorrow People leave us alone, we
can let them be as long as we know we can defend ourselves if we have to.
But if you won't help us, if you won't honour our little arrangement, then
we'll have to consider all Tomorrow People a threat and deal with them
accordingly. Work with us and you can stop any more deaths, either of
normal people or Tomorrow People. Don't help us and I'll have no choice to
recommend to the committee that the Tomorrow People be . . . rendered
harmless."

Lisa looked up at him and realised she had no choice. For her own sake, and
for that of her mother and indeed for Adam and Kevin and Megabyte, she had
to cooperate.

"Yes, sir."

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Worldex Headquarters, London

General Damon looked up as the familiar flash of light and sound signalled
the arrival of a Tomorrow Person, uninvited and without warning, in his
office. It was his son, accompanied by an older man wearing what seemed to
be a spacesuit.

"Hi Dad. This is Mike, he's one of the older TP. Mike, this is my Dad."

"Sir." Both men spoke together.

The Tomorrow Person smiled. "I think Mike works better."

"Bill."

"Thank you, Bill. We need your help."

The General pointed to a chair. "What can I do?"

"It's Lisa, Dad. She's missing." Megabyte got right to the point.

"Missing? For how long?"

"We don't know, Bill. It could have been as long as three years; that's how
long it's been since the others had contact with her until today. We tried
to speak to her telepathically, and contact was made, but all she could say
was that she was a prisoner . . ."

"She said she was being held against her will, Dad, but before we could
find out where something happened to her and we lost contact."

"Right . . . OK, Mike, what do you want from me?"

"Well, Bill, if we can find out where she is, we can probably rescue her
but we don't know where she is. It seems possible that scientific
intelligence may be involved and we thought you might be able to track her
down. We'll be trying as well but you might have a better chance."

"So you just want to know where she is?"

"Well, that to start with. Anything else you can find out would also be
useful, of course, but if we know we're she is then we can probably rescue
her without too many problems."

"OK, I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you."

The two Tomorrow People jaunted away as General Damon picked up the phone
on his desk. "Jim, I need you to fly to Virginia . . ."

(end of part 4)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present (5/7)
Date: 26 Dec 1998 12:06:07 +1100

               Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 5/7

                               Chapter 4

Clearwater, Virginia
18th December, 1995
Morning

Jim slowly drove away from the apartment building that was the last known
address of the Davis family. He knew they no longer lived there, inquiries
had revealed the Davis's had left their apartment just after Christmas in
1992 without any warning to their neighbours at all. Many people had put
the sudden disappearance down to Mrs Davis dragging Lisa off to Hollywood
in excitement after her daughter's "amazing magical performance" at the
school talent show, and Jim was beginning to feel that he might have to
follow that lead, unlikely as it seemed; he had nothing else. There was one
more chance: he could try talking to some of his former colleagues at
Langley just in case they had any ideas.

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Langley, West Virginia

"Colonel Masters; I've completed the final draft of my report."

The Colonel looked up as Lisa entered his office, a large manilla folder
marked top secret in her hands.

"Well done, Lieutenant." He took the report and glanced at the title page.
"Look, Lisa, about the other day. I hope you don't hold what happened
against me. I know I was hard on you, but you are very important to us, and
we can't afford to take any risks that might jeopardise the integrity of
our mission."

Lisa tried to hide the revulsion she felt. In many ways she felt it was
worse when the Colonel tried to be nice to her than when he showed his
natural streak of cruelty. At first, she'd wanted to assume the best of
him; she'd wanted to assume that he genuinely did like her even while he
was using her. But she'd lost that naivete well over a year ago. Lost her
trusting nature.

"I understand that, Colonel."

"Well, I have something for you, partly a reward and partly a Christmas
present." The Colonel drew a small jewellery box, the kind rings or
cufflinks are sold in and handed it over. Lisa took it trying to avoid
touching his hand as she did so but she wasn't that lucky. Their fingers
touched and she was sure it hadn't been entirely accidental. She opened the
box.

Inside were a pair of silver double bars nestled in a black lining.
"Captain's bars, Sir?"

"Yes - you've been promoted. Congratulations Captain Davis."

"Thank you, Sir." She snapped the box shut and turned to leave.

"You sound disappointed, Lisa. What's wrong? Don't you want a promotion.
You've earned it - this report could give me general's stars. I see no
reason not to share the good fortune."

"It's not that, sir. I don't mind being a captain - it's just that . . .
well, I never planned to have a military career and yet I find myself stuck
in here all the time. Do you know, I haven't left headquarters in fourteen
months? I think I'm going stir crazy. If you really want to reward me, do
you know what I'd like? Just to get out of here for a while."

"Captain Davis, you know I just can't do that. I can't let you just walk
out of the base. Sorry, not possible."

"Oh come on, Colonel. I'm not going to be of any use to you if I burn out;
it's not going to look very good if I wind up in hospital just as you need
to start presenting that report to the Committee. Can you answer all their
questions without me?"

"Is that a threat, Lisa?" He looked straight at her.

"No, sir. It's a fact. I can't keep this up. I need some time off. I want
to go shopping. I want to go to the mall. I want to do something normal for
a change. I'm going to be twenty soon, sir, I'm running out of time to be a
normal teenager. Can't you give me a few days off?"

The Colonel stood up and walked around his desk. "Will you agree to some
restrictions?"

"Like what?"

"You wear that bracelet that blocks your powers, I can't have you trying to
teleport away, and you'll need to be guarded. Gloria has to go with you."

Lisa nodded. "OK, sir. That's fair, I guess."

"OK, you can go out this afternoon to start with. Maybe even later in the
week as well. You should be able to buy a lot of presents. I don't think
you've drawn any of your army pay yet."

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Lab

Ami and Megabyte teleported into the Lab. Once again, the walls flashed
with the energy discharged as they travelled through the hyperspatial
zones. Liz looked up.

"You two look like the cat that found the cream."

"Nope, but we've found Mrs Davis."

"What? How did you do that?"

Ami sat down on the couch next to Liz, while Megabyte took up an opposite
position. He began to explain.

"Dad's just had this great new computer system installed at home, it lets
me access newsgroups, e-mail, the world wide web - everything. It's really
cool. Anyway, I was trying all the new software out searching when I
discovered a whole bunch of conspiracy newsgroups. Some of the stuff on
there makes us look totally normal. Anyway I generated a few fake e-mail
addresses and started asking questions trying to find out where the SIA
might have taken the Davis's if they wanted to keep them hidden. Some of
the people online came up with a few addresses, towns in the US where they
like to put protected witnesses, and people like that." Megabyte saw the
expression on Liz's face. "Are you with us?"

"Well, I understood about one word in three after 'newsgroups' but I think
I have the basic idea, yes."

"Oh, yeah, I guess any computer you worked with on Earth must have been
very primitive."

"Excuse me?" said TIM.

"Oh sorry, present company excluded. Anyway, after I'd found out the town
names, Ami started helping me to look further."

Ami interrupted. "I started checking out newspapers, local newspapers for
the towns involved. You can find out a lot of useful information from old
newspapers if you know how to look. Anyway, one of the towns, Bethlehem,
Nevada, seemed to work. It's only a small place but it does have a local
paper and in it we found a little piece about a new arrival back in early
1993, Mrs Esme Collins, who started winning all the local baking
competitions baking chocolate brownies. Megabyte did some checking on the
name on the 'net and found out that Mrs Collins didn't exist anywhere prior
to 1993, she seems to have just popped up then. So we went and checked her
out."

"What? You jaunted into a small town used to hide witnesses without telling
anyone? Didn't it occur to you it might be dangerous?"

Megabyte looked sheepish. "Uh, no, I guess it didn't."

"But it wouldn't have mattered, Elizabeth," interjected Ami. "Can you
imagine how many visitors a town named Bethlehem has just before Christmas?
Lots of people drive there just to post their cards for the postmark.
Anyway, we checked the phone book and found Mrs Collins house and Megabyte
says it's definitely really Lisa's mum."

"OK. Well done, both of you. Now we just need to find Lisa as well. No sign
of her, I suppose?"

"Nope, and she didn't answer any of our telepathic calls either. I don't
think she could have been there."

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Langley, West Virginia

Jim was getting tired. The drive from Clearwater to Langley had been fairly
long and all he wanted to do was get out of the car. The streets were
crowded with people doing their Christmas shopping and every corner seemed
to hold a red-clad Santa Claus ringing a bell and collecting money for one
worthy cause or another.

He pulled up at a set of traffic lights and waited for them to change. Then
he noticed, just opposite him, near one of the ubiquitous Santas was a tall
blonde woman who seemed to be staring right at him. He would have known her
anywhere but she certainly stood out in a crowd. It was Gloria, one of the
SIAs top operatives who, as far as he was aware, was currently meant to be
serving a long priso
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present (6/7)
Date: 26 Dec 1998 12:09:35 +1100

               Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 6/7

                               Chapter 5

Langley, West Virginia
21st December, 1995
Morning

Mike and Hsui Tai sat in the rental car waiting for Lisa and Gloria to
emerge from the building. In the back seat sat Kevin; he was there so that
there would be a familiar face to convince Lisa that the other two were
Tomorrow People. Provided they kept to the same routine they had since
Monday they were due to appear within the next five minutes.

"There they are." Hsui Tai pointed.

"That's one advantage to the military mindset, Darling." Mike said as they
climbed out of the car. "Always punctual."

*John? We're on the move. If Gloria leaves Lisa's side for even a moment,
we'll move in.*

*OK, Mike. We're about to approach Mrs Davis's house right now.*

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Bethlehem, Nevada

John, Elizabeth, and Adam walked out of their room at the Bethlehem Inn
just opposite "Mrs Collins" home. They walked under the hotel's sign - in
place of the traditional No Vacancy sign, this one said "No Room At The
Inn" and towards the house.

They walked up the steps and Adam rang the doorbell. It was opened and he
found himself facing Mrs Davis.

"Adam? Oh, Adam? How did you find me?"

He opened his mouth to reply, but she continued speaking. "Never mind. You
have to help Lisa. They took her away from me and I haven't seen her since.
I don't know what's happened to her! You need to help . . ."

Adam looked over her shoulder and noticed a burly man, a guard of some
kind, coming down the hallway. The guard spoke.

"Mrs C - who's that at the door?"

"Oh no one, Reggie - just carol singers." She looked imploringly at the
three Tomorrow People. They broke into song. John singing "Hark the Herald
Angels Sing", Liz "Joy to the World" and Adam launching into a spirited
rendition of "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer." The guard took a step back
and his hand moved into his jacket. Adam pushed Mrs Davis to the ground
shielding her body and John and Liz drew and fired their stun guns.

Adam looked up in horror at seeing the guard collapse. "YOU KILLED HIM!"

John snapped. "They're stun guns, Adam. Quick, jaunt - get Mrs Davis out of
here."

The three Tomorrow People accompanied by Mrs Davis jaunted away to the Lab
and safety.

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Clearwater, Virginia

*Mike? We have Mrs Davis. She's safe.*

*Great, John, we're hoping to rescue Lisa in a few minutes.*

They were in a department store watching as Lisa examined a rack of charms
and bracelets. Hsui Tai nudged Mike. "She needs a new bracelet, that one
she's wearing must have sentimental value, it's so ugly." Hsui Tai smiled.
"A bit like you, actually."

Kevin, not wanting to be so near them, Mike and Hsui Tai's constant teasing
may have been a sign they loved each other but it was certainly
embarrassing to be near, stepped away to give the married couple some
space.

Gloria moved away from Lisa to look at a rack of handbags, not a huge
difference but enough that Mike and Hsui Tai saw their chance to approach.
They began to walk towards Lisa, but as they approached they suddenly felt
very weak and faint.

Mike turned to his wife. "Volumin. Run," before crashing to the ground
twitching. Hsui Tai tried to run towards Lisa but only took one step before
she too crashed into the ground.

Twenty yards away, Kevin watched on in horror as the two older Tomorrow
People fell. He sent out an urgent telepathic message.

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

The Lab

*JOHN! ADAM! ELIZABETH! HELP ME! HELP ME!*

John, Elizabeth, and Adam leapt to TIM placing their hands on his domes.
Adam was the first to answer Kevin's cries.

*What's happening, Kevin? Talk to me!*

In a blaze of light and colour Megabyte, Jade, and Ami all arrived on the
jaunting pad in a jumbled mess and ran to join the link.

*Mike and Hsui Tai have collapsed. They're twitching. I think it's some
sort of fit.*

John took over. *Stay away from them, Kevin! What were they doing when they
collapsed?*

*Walking towards Lisa.*

*Then stay away from her too! Hang on!*

John looked over at Liz. "Volumin?"

"It certainly sounds like it."

"Damn. We should have anticipated this."

"What's volumin?" asked Ami and Adam together.

"It's a chemical compound, actually a type of ore. It robs us of our powers
whenever we're near it. It can cause us to collapse; once you've been a
Tomorrow Person for any length of time, you can find it hard to even
function like a normal person if you lose your TP faculties," answered
John. "Mike and Hsui Tai couldn't fight it."

He grabbed his stun gun from the couch and began to walk to the jaunting
pad. Adam stepped in front of him. "Can you fight it, John?"

"I have to try. We have to get her out now. As soon as the SIA finds out
what has happened in Nevada, they'll increase security around Lisa - if not
worse."

"But can you fight it?" Adam grabbed John's arm.

John couldn't lie to the younger man. "Probably not. I've been a Tomorrow
Person far too long."

Next to the couch, Jade spoke up. "Let me go."

They all looked at her.

"Jade, it's dangerous," said Megabyte.

Jade nodded. "I know. But it sounds like I have the best chance of success.
I've been a Tomorrow Person the shortest time."

John handed her the stun gun, and then stripped the jaunting band off his
wrist. "Give me yours, Liz. Jade," he said, handing them to her. "These
devices on the side are matter transporters. They'll allow you to jaunt
even under the effects of volumin. There's one for you and one for Lisa.
Get one on her and then teleport to the island, not to here. We can't have
volumin in the Lab. Once you're both clear, we can move in and get Mike,
Hsui Tai, and Kevin."

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Clearwater, Virginia

Kevin waited for John to reestablish contact. He looked down at the
quivering bodies of Mike and Hsui Tai and felt so helpless. Then he looked
up - straight into the eyes of Lisa. She'd obviously seen him.

The two Tomorrow People stood staring at each other over the shaking bodies
of the older TP. More people, including Gloria, were now surrounding Hsui
Tai and Mike, apparently assuming this was a case of dual epileptic fits.

Lisa watched as a young girl teleported in, arriving next to Kevin. The
girl began to move towards her, stumbling and almost falling as she passed
the mass of people surrounding Mike and Hsui Tai. The girl arrived at her
side.

"I'm Jade."

"I'm Lisa."

"Here put this on. We have to go now."

"I'm not sure whether . . . "

Jade grabbed Lisa's wrist and snapped on the jaunting band. The two of them
vanished from sight.

An instant later, Kevin realised Adam and Ami were next to him and running
towards the mass of people. He didn't see precisely what happened because
John and Liz grabbed him from behind and teleported with him back to the
Lab. A second or so later, Adam and Liz arrived on the jaunting pad each
with their arms wrapped around either Mike or Hsui Tai.

Kevin asked the obvious questions. "What happened? Where are Jade and
Lisa?"

Liz looked up. "They're on the island and we'll explain what happened to
them later. Adam - could you jaunt out and get Professor Cawston? We're
going to need a sap to go to Tapahini and cut off Lisa's bracelet."

"Sure." Adam flashed out of sight.

                             *-*-*-*-*-*-*

Tapahini

Professor Cawston arrived on the beach and looked across the sand to where
Jade and Lisa both lay. Jade seemed unconscious and he examined her first
for injury before approaching Lisa.

"Hallo Lisa."

"Who are you?!?"

"I'm a friend. My name is Ian and I have to cut that bracelet off as it's
blocking your powers and it's making Jade ill. Now hold your arm still or
you may lose it!"

He cut away the bracelet and then spoke. "I have to take this to the other
side of the island until we can work out how to dispose of it. Please wait
here and look after Jade. The others will arrive here in a moment."

He began to walk away leaving Lisa feeling tired and scared but also,
paradoxically safer than she had in a long, long time. She sat there,
stroking Jade's hair until Adam appeared in front of her.

"Hi Adam."

"Hi Lisa." He moved to hug her but she pulled away. He backed off and just
looked at her. "Are you OK?"

"I'm not sure . . . My Mom!"

"Safe and we'll bring her here in a minute."

"OK . . . Adam, I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"For walking away. For rejecting you all. Rejecting what I am, what we
are."

Adam shrugged. "No problem. We all make mistakes. You're here now. You're
safe. It's all that matters."

"Who are those other people, those older people I saw?"

Adam took a breath. "Well, I suppose I'd better start from the beginning."

(end of part 6)


n sentence.

As he stared at her, he suddenly realised that standing just behind her was
a younger woman in the process of placing a wad of notes in the collection
basket of a small boy dressed as an elf. He fumbled for the folder on the
seat next to him and drew out the photo he had of Lisa Davis. It was a
match.

Jim hit the speed dial button on his car phone. "Boss, it's Jim. I've found
Lisa - she's in Langley of all places and she's with Gloria."

(end of part 5)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Shaun Hately" <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present (7/7)
Date: 26 Dec 1998 12:11:59 +1100

               Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present
                          by Shaun Hately
                   Original/New Series Crossover

                   Part Of 'A More Perfect Union'

                               Part 7/7

                               Chapter 6

The Lab
25th December 1995

Lisa sat back on the couch looking around at the large numbers of people
crammed into the Lab. Every single living Tomorrow Person was there,
including many she had met only today, people who hadn't been back to Earth
for many years. Kenny, Carol, Stephen, Prince Tyso, Tricia, Andrew, Annie.
Some with children of their own; Mike and Hsui Tai had a lovely little girl
and Mike obviously doted on her.

Her own mother was there too, so were Megabyte's parents, he'd even deigned
to invite his sister and Lisa really couldn't see why he was so hard on
Millie, and Kevin's parents, and Ami's mother. A few other people she'd
been introduced to by Ian Cawston - Sir Christopher Harding, and his older
brother Ginge, and Lefty Wright. All people she wanted to get to know. All
people who seemed genuinely close to each other, like a family.

And she still found it hard to fit in. She felt like she had rejected them,
like she had failed them. No one had said anything, but it didn't make her
feel any better. She saw John speak to one of the older woman, it took a
moment to work out it was Tricia and not Carol, and then Tricia walked over
to her.

"John suggested I try and talk to you about what's bothering you." The
woman was very blunt, and Lisa was surprised she was that way. Tricia sank
down next to her.

"Yes, I know I'm not subtle, but sometimes being subtle and skirting around
the issue doesn't help. I learned that from John. He knows how to be very
blunt at times, if he hadn't been with me, I doubt I would have broken
out."

Lisa nodded and looked into her drink. "Why do you think something's
bothering me?"

"It's pretty obvious, Lisa. Look, why don't you talk to me about it. I'm
leaving tonight and it's unlikely we'll see each other for a long time. And
I won't tell anyone what you tell me, I'm a Federation Agent and I can keep
secrets. But talking about it might help."

Lisa nodded. "OK. What do you know about what happened to me?"

"A little bit. Scientific Intelligence got their claws into you and tried
to make you work against your own. They came close to succeeding and you
almost lost what you were born to be: a Tomorrow Person. I'm guessing
you're feeling a little guilty and also a little worried that you've let
the others down?"

"How do you know?" asked Lisa. "You're right. But how do you know?"

"The same thing happened to me. I worked for British Intelligence back in
the '70s. I worked against the Tomorrow People and I did some things I'm
not proud of."

"But that's the past, Lisa. It is for me and it is for you. And no one here
will ever hold it against you. We're Tomorrow People. We're family. We
forgive and look after our own. Not once in twenty years have any of the
others ever held what I did against me. And as far as they're concerned
what you did is over and forgotten. You can put those ghosts to rest."

Lisa gave a small smile. "Thanks. I needed to hear that. Can I ask you a
question though? How did they get you to do it - the Intelligence people I
mean?"

"They got at me while my defences were down and filled my head with a lot
of notions about duty and the need to protect democracy. Actually, I do
believe a lot of what they said, but my duty is to something higher than
petty politics now. What did they do to you? You must have had a reason to
ask me."

"They scared me. They threatened my life and my mother's. They threatened
the others and said if I didn't help to plan against them, then they'd just
have to wipe out all Tomorrow People. I guess the fear was the worst. The
fear of dying. I don't want to die, Tricia, I really don't. And I look at
being a Tomorrow Person and it is so dangerous. I didn't want to face the
fact I might die."

Tricia nodded. "Fear of death is normal; it's healthy, it helps to keep us
alive. But Lisa, we are Tomorrow People and I'm afraid that isn't easy."
She picked up a slice of Christmas cake from the top of TIM. "We evolved
for a reason, at least I think we did. We were born to save the world. We
have to live our lives to save mankind. And sometimes, maybe, we might have
to give our lives for the good of mankind. It's a fact of our lives and it
doesn't pay to dwell on it.

"If it makes you feel better, the odds seem in our favour. In 25 years only
one Tomorrow Person we knew of has ever been killed - and while Pavla's
death was a tragedy, it is the only one so far."

"Pavla? Pavla Vlasova? They told me about her. They said she was killed by
us. By Tomorrow People."

"Well, that's a lie."

"I thought it was . . . I hoped it was."

Tricia stood. "If you want to know about Pavla talk to Mike. He was there.
He knew her best. Are you OK?"

"Yeah."

"Merry Christmas, Lisa."

Lisa waited a moment and then she walked over to where Mike was sitting
down playing with his little daughter.

"Mike?"

"Yeah, Lisa. Here - have a mince tart?"

"No thanks. There was something Tricia said I should ask you - about Pavla
Vlasova."

Lisa saw the flash of pain in Mike's eyes. "Ask away."

"I don't want to upset . . ."

"You haven't. That was done years ago and if Tricia told you to ask, she
must have had a reason. What is it?"

"The SIA told me that she was killed by Tomorrow People. What really
happened?"

"Well not that, I can tell you!" Mike raised his voice slightly and then
quieted down. "Sorry. I should be used to their lies by now. It's their
stock in trade. Pavla was a Russian girl, a Russian Tomorrow Person. We
didn't know about her. Not until she came to London and escaped from the
KGB. British Intelligence captured her and tried to get information from
her. The KGB killed her to stop it happening. It wasn't us. The worst thing
we did was fail to save her; bad enough but we cannot kill." He looked down
at his daughter. "Pavla was the first girl I ever really cared for. I named
this little one after her. I love Hsui Tai, more than anything in the
Universe, but Pavla, though a lesser love, was my first." He smiled in
memory. "You don't need to worry Lisa. No Tomorrow Person has ever killed
someone else. No matter what the SIA told you."

The party continued on into the night. Finally all the Tomorrow People and
their families and their friends circled around the large tree at the front
of the Lab and exchanged gifts. Most of the gifts were small, mere tokens
that spoke of the powerful love and affection they felt for each other, but
at the end, John and Liz stood in front of the newer Tomorrow People and
handed them each a small package. John spoke.

"In this package, in these parcels, is an item that, while practical also
became a symbol for us when we were here on Earth. All of us have one and
now we give them to you."

Adam, Lisa, Kevin, Megabyte, Ami, and Jade all strapped the jaunting bands
around their wrists. They were silent for a moment and then Megabyte picked
up a small package.

"This is for you, John. We felt it was appropriate."

John unwrapped the parcel and drew forth a pair of expensive sunglasses. He
opened the arms and put them on.

"Thank you for such a thoughtful gift . . . Marmaduke. Now, please charge
your glasses for a toast."

He waited and then raised his glass. "The Tomorrow People. Now and
forever."

All in the room drank deeply and then Lisa raised her glass again and her
eyes met Mike's across the room. She gave a toast.

"To absent friends."

All murmured the words.

Adam moved up next to Lisa and put his arm around her. And she knew,
looking around the room that she once again belonged.

(end of part 7 and end of story)



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Michele Bumbarger <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: Posting Stories
Date: 26 Dec 1998 15:52:38 -0500

I am delurking for a moment, and posting this question to both lists
because it pertains to both.

Here's my dilemma...I am currently working on two TP/Buffy crossovers, one
of which is a sequel to the first one. I'm hitting stumbling blocks with
the first original story, but the sequel is nearly finished.

Now, my question to the fan fic fandom is would you absolutely hate if the
sequel was posted first? It has a few spoilers/questions that are answered
in the first story, but nothing major. The sequel is definitely more of an
adventure/find and destroy the bad guy story than the first one which is
intended to blend the two universes, establish characters, etc.

Just a little bit of curiosity on my part. . .

Michele
________________________________________________________________
"1500 years ago, people knew the earth was the center of the universe. 500
years ago, people knew the earth was flat. And five minutes ago, you knew
that you were alone on this planet. Think of what you'll know tomorrow."
        -- Agent K, "Men In Black"



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Michele Bumbarger <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: The Light In the Tunnel (0/1)
Date: 26 Dec 1998 17:13:24 -0500

The Coming Storm: The Light In the Tunnel (0/1)
A Tapestry Story
by Michele Mason Bumbarger

Author's Notes and Disclaimer:

Yep, it's been a while. A long while, but I am still writing TP stories.
I'm just not cranking them out as quickly as I used to. This is yet another
installment in my Tomorrow People serial (New Series) Tapestry. It's part
of a smaller serial of stories called 'The Coming Storm' which deals with
Adam's history as I see it.

This story is the third in that serial, and it is necessary to have read
the other two 'A Gathering of Clouds' and 'As Long as We Have Each Other'
to fully understand what is going on in this particular story.

For those who like this story, more of my writing can be found here:
http://www.mindspring.com/~chelesedai/fanfic.html

Unfortunately, this story has not yet been archived at the site, because
the site will be moving very soon. The story will be posted at the new
site, following the move.

As always, remember, Tapestry is an open playground. I'd welcome stories
about the other TP and input is always sought!

Now for the legalese:

Disclaimer: The character of Adam Newman does not belong to me. He is the
property of Roger Damon Price, Nickelodeon, Thames and ITV television. I am
merely borrowing him for fun, and not for profit. Sheila, Wendy, Paul,
Danielle, Lauren and Brett are my own creations and not based on any
persons, real or imagined, living or dead.

Enjoy, and please, please, please, please send feedback!
Michele Mason Bumbarger
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Jagged Edge: An Archive of Fiction & Fan Fiction
http://www.mindspring.com/~chelesedai/index.html







-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Michele Bumbarger <[e-mail]>
Subject: TPFICT: The Light in the Tunnel (1/1)
Date: 26 Dec 1998 17:13:37 -0500

The Coming Storm: The Light In The Tunnel (1/1)
A Tapestry Story
By Michele Mason Bumbarger

October, 1989

"He's different."

"She means that he's strange. Well, he used to be normal, but then his
sister sliced herself in the bathtub --- "

"--- And he found her ---"

"With all that money his family has, you'd have to expect it."

Adam took a deep breath, steadying himself against a tree.  He knew that
people talked behind his back. He still received odd and pitying stares
when he walked through the hallways at school. Even Martin Newman's money
couldn't erase the stigmata of Tara's suicide.  He was branded and there
was no changing it. But the part that hurt so much, the part of it that
caused the deep, ripping ache in his stomach was that these were people he
considered to be his friends.

Adam had grown up with most of them.  Sheila and Wendy, the twins with
bright red hair and laughing green eyes, had sat beside him at lunch
through primary school --- at least until the day that girls became
"gross."  He and Paul played soccer together.  The only one he didn't know
was Danielle---Danielle whose smile made him melt --- and now, she would
hear the story and the rumors.

He'd been foolish to think that it could be otherwise. Another blow to his
less than perfect life.

"I heard that she killed herself because her father was --- "

He chose that moment to step out from the shadow of the trees.  This
camping trip had already gone horribly awry -- he might as well finish the
weekend off.

Adam felt their eyes on him. He felt their embarrassment and humiliation.
The calm of his voice surprised him. "I'll just get my things and be going.
I don't feel much like camping anymore."

Sheila averted her eyes, long painted nails toying with the crucifix around
her neck.  She would not utter a word unless her twin did, and Wendy had
suddenly found a great deal of fascination in her sandals. Nolan pushed a
few branches around in the fire, keeping his face carefully guarded. Only
Paul and Danielle looked at him, but he refused to look at them. He didn't
have any desire to see the pity in her eyes.

Paul jumped up, brushing his hands on his jeans.  "Adam we were just
talking -- "

"I know, about me. Adam Newman, the freak." Adam didn't pause as he crossed
the camp to gather up his sleeping bag and backpack.

"Nobody said that."

Adam slung the pack over his shoulder. "No one had to."

He gathered the remainder of his gear in an uncomfortable silence.  At
least he knew who his real friends were.

"Well, you have been weird since Tara died." The whisper was so soft that
Adam was certain that he hadn't been meant to hear it.

He couldn't take anymore. He whirled back to his group of so-called
friends, determined to have the last word.  His gaze narrowed in on Sheila
who continued to stare into the fire as though she had not uttered a word.

"And how much do you think you would like it if you found Wendy dead in a
bathtub?"

He was halfway down the trail, ignoring the shouts behind him when he ran
into Brett.

"Hey, Adam, where are you off to?" The other boy's words were slurred a
bit, and Adam could smell the beer on his breath.

He couldn't decide which was worse --- the smell of beer or liquor.

"Home." The one word answer suited him just fine.

"Why?" Lauren clung to Brett's side, her hair in disarray, her too tight
sweater dishelved and askew.  It didn't require much imagination for Adam
to figure out what his friend had been up to and he shook his head in disgust.

Brett had all the self-control of --- well, of Adam's mother. The image of
the woman clutching a martini and stumbling room to dinner sprang to his
mind and he banished it immediately.

"Ask your friends," Adam elbowed past them with a snarl.

He had just finished loading his gear on his bike when she caught up with him.

"Adam, wait." The familiar and delicate American accent stopped his leg in
mid air as he prepared to swing it over the motorcycle. "Or at least take
me with you."

"You want to go with me?" Adam turned, his voice nearly cracking at the
sight of her. His height, with long, dark curls that spilled over her
shoulders and doe eyes deep enough to drown in.  The dark skinned American
beauty had stolen his heart the moment he had caught a glimpse of her in
the hallways.

Danielle dragged her gear to the bike. "Adam, I'm only here because you
invited me."

He glanced back toward the wood. "After what they said?"

"I heard all that stuff my first week here. I just never expected to hear
it from your friends." Her emphasis on the last two words told him
precisely how she felt about that sentiment. "I take friendship a lot more
seriously than that. They should be supporting you, not saying those things."

She paused, leaning over the bike, the moonlight reflecting off her black
hair. "We move so much.  I'm real careful about making friends."

Adam helped her secure her gear, keeping his eyes carefully averted. "Then
why me?"

She was an angel --- she was smart, and she was incredibly beautiful. He
was --- well, he was Martin Newman's son with the drunk mother and the dead
sister.

"Because, you're a nice guy. And I really like you." She said the last
shyly, slipping her hand into his. "I really want us to be friends."

Something in her eyes told him that she spoke with sincerity from the
depths of her soul.

Friends. It had a pleasant sound to it.

A friend who didn't judge him; a friend who didn't tip toe around him. A
friend who accepted him as he was.

It was precisely what he needed.

"Friends," Adam whispered shyly, enjoying the feel of her hand in his.

For the first time since Tara's death there was a light at the end of the
tunnel.

And it was called friendship.

--- End ---

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Jagged Edge: An Archive of Fiction & Fan Fiction
http://www.mindspring.com/~chelesedai/index.html