The story was inspired in part by the song lyrics to ‘Exit Music (for a film)’ by Radiohead from the album OK Computer and is used here without permission.

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, Michele Mason and Carolyn Foster for beta reading this fan fict. 

Comments are very welcome. If you enjoy the story please let me know.

Jack Newman 
jack@effdee.demon.co.uk

*********************************************************************

Prologue:
This story is set in my own timeline/tp universe 'The Joining', and it is recommended that you read previous stories from this timeline first. 

For those who want to read this story in isolation let me fill you in with a few background details...

The Year is 2010. Most of the tp’s are married with children. Stephen has been the joining partner (husband) of Angerianaasusilicana, the Premier of the planet Manyarner, for 27 yrs. The premier (sometimes referred to as the *one*) is both the political and religious leader of her planet. She is a shape changer and healer with highly developed telepathic and telekinetic powers. They have four children Andranovich who is married to Lara and currently lives on Manyarner, Gabkhan and Kohlarn who are identical twins and currently work on the Trig, and Susan who is studying Physics at Cambridge University, England.

John and Elizabeth, who are now in their late 40’s and early 50’s have been married for 21 years and have two children, Edward (20), and Charlotte (17). Elizabeth is the head teacher of the Jameson Academy a school founded by Jameson Industries in 2000 and based in Scotland. Also teaching at the school are Adam and Ami. The academy is a boarding school where new tp’s and the children of existing tp’s come together to be educated and trained in the use of their powers. Some have already broken out but many have been discovered and brought here for their own protection in order that telepathic help is available immediately after their powers emerge. 

The dark figure rushed towards her from out of the shadows it’s grotesque features and piercing eyes transfixed her in their gaze. Rooted to the spot she tried helplessly to move her legs but they felt so heavy, she knew it was impossible to flee from the impending pain...

This scene was all too familiar, night after night she had been held in the tortuous terror of this scene, night after night she knew the inevitability of her impending death, the searing pain as the blade pierced her chest and she faded into oblivion...

With one huge effort she struggled to free herself from the grip of the force holding her and managed to swing around away from those terrifying eyes. Amazement filled her mind as she was faced with yet another familiar figure now beckoning her to towards it! ‘Mother!’ she felt herself shout into the deathly silence.

She ran towards the figure aware all the time death just a moment behind her... She could not bare to look over her shoulder and see once again those hideous features looming down on her...with all her might she leaped forward into the outstretched arms of her mother, she smelt the safe, warm, comforting fragrance of her childhood as she was swept up. 

But almost as soon as she gave into this feeling of pleasure and release the darkness overtook her once again. The knife lunged towards them both from out of nowhere, it’s blade reflecting the light in her eyes as it plunged into her mother’s chest... She saw the moment of uncertainty on her mother’s face before she fell to the ground death stealing the warmth from her body.

‘No!’ She shouted ‘I won’t let this happen again!’ 

Turning at last to face her attacker she looked up into her father’s eyes. He laughed, a spineless, hysterical laugh as he lurched forward and placed a hand upon her shoulder...

Rebecca screamed, a more piecing scream than ever before in her life, a scream not audible to any Homo Sapiens but broadcast on all telepathic frequencies...

********************************************************************

Corroua Sta, Scotland 

Liz awoke with a start. She was immediately hit by the telepathic fear surrounding her. For a brief moment she thought the crying of every child in the school would overwhelm her. Then the strong calming mind of John, her husband, linked and gave her stability. This was soon followed by the rational and confident thoughts of Adam.

Despite the many miles between the Scottish school and the London Lab, John had also been awakened by the intense telepathic scream. Stretching awkwardly as he lifted his head from the work bench where he had slumped the previous night. (What the hell is going on?) He exclaimed. 

It was Adam who mustered the peace of mind to answer, his many years of meditation has taught him to distance himself telepathically from the emotional content of the messages passed between the younger Tomorrow People now in his charge. (I have no idea, could it have been someone breaking out?)

Liz stood and, summoning her dressing gown from a nearby chair with telekinesis, moved briskly across the room. (Well what or who ever it was can be debated later. I’m going to need as much help as I can get quieting this lot down.)

(I’ll be right with you.) Pathed Ami as she too headed rapidly towards the children's rooms. (I’ll take the girls wing and Adam you go see to the boys.)

Adam smiled as he responded to Ami’s curt instructions. “That’a girl always calm in a crisis.” He whispered to himself.
 

The Jameson Academy had been set up in the early months of the new century, funded by the success of Jameson industries. The idea had been to establish a school where new Tomorrow People could come to learn about their powers and the importance of their role in the future of all mankind on Earth. The idea had been enthusiastically received by the older Tomorrow People, especially Stephen and Tyso, who recalled how difficult they had found it to fit into the life of a ‘normal’ human child.

Shortly after the newer tp’s had joined their group it had become apparent that Adam and Ami had an interest in instructing the new breakouts and it had been simple to establish the pretense that this academy was a normal, if somewhat exclusive, boarding school.
 
 

Liz, Adam and Ami pathed calming thoughts to the distressed children. They jaunted from room to room cradling the young tp’s in their arms and placed the psionic suggestion, that they return to sleep, directly into their unconscious minds. Slowly the crying around them subsided and was replaced by the gentle glow of love and togetherness, which was a hallmark of the atmosphere of the school.

(That’s better.) Pathed Mike and Hsui Tai in unison from their East London home. (We are sure glad you didn’t need us to help that scream really screwed Hsui up.)

John’s disapproval of Mike’s language was evident in his next transmission but was soon tempered with reassurances and sympathy for his old friends. (We had better meet to discuss this. Can you all jaunt into the Lab please.)

(No John.) Replied Elizabeth. (I don’t want to leave the kids alone tonight just in case. You better meet us here. I’ll go put the coffee on. I get the feeling this will be a *very* long night)

(Very well, I’ll be with you shortly.)

(*And so will we*) Replied all the older Tomorrow People scattered throughout the world.

Liz skipped lightly along the upper corridor as she made her way through the old building towards the kitchens on the ground floor. As she passed quickly along her hand lightly stroked the oak banister of the ornately carved staircase. Since choosing this building for the school she had hardly ever jaunted when within it’s walls, preferring instead to drink in the heady, musty scent of the old wooden paneling. She hesitated momentarily on the top step before making her descent and was surprised to feel her progress stalled by some unseen force. 

In the next moment she found herself falling forward as her slipper caught upon a tear in the stair carpet and tripped her. Instinctively she stretched out her arms as she tumbled out of control towards the flag stones in the hall below. But instead of the inevitable thud and pain as she hit the ground she found herself gently lowered by telekinetic force. Looking up she saw Adam and Ami standing hand in hand at the top of the stair. She smiled warmly and nodded a ‘thank you’, then dismissing the incident from her mind headed on into the kitchen. The water in the kettle was almost heated to boiling point as she arrived and she slowed her telekinetic excitement of it’s molecules as she filled the huge coffee pots and carried them into the office. 

As the door opened before her eager minds took the steaming brew and summoned it into eager hands. 

John stood and offered her his seat as he prepared to address the gathering. They were all their she noted. Mike and Hsui, wearing matching silk kimono's. Adam and Ami now dressed in casual clothes. Megabyte, Lisa, Kevin, Jade, Andrew, Stephen, Angie and their daughter Susan. Who from the look of her dress and expression had not, like the others, been awoken from a deep sleep, but interrupted in the middle of a rather enjoyable social event.

“We are gathered here tonight...” Began John.

“God not another stupid lecture!” Whispered Megabyte into Susan’s ear, which made her giggle loudly. This was brought to an abrupt end by a rather colourfull reprimand pathed by Angie in their own language.

And so the long night of discussion and debate began, each one of them bringing their own personal fears to mind as they recalled the intensity of the scream. 

(All I can say is that someone is in pain and needs us.) Pathed Liz absentmindedly, to no one in particular. The chorus of minds surrounding her echoed her thoughts. 

***************************************************************

Derbyshire. 2.10am

“ Wake up!” Pleaded Billy as he shook his sister awake. “You are having the dream again.”

Rebecca opened her eyes and tears of relief immediately rolled down her cheeks. “ Is it time?” She asked hesitantly.

“Yes. We must get far enough away tonight before he comes round from his drunken sleep.” Bill lifted the covers from the bed. “You quickly dress and pack a few things while I keep a look out.” 

She shook herself fully awake and swung her feet to the floor. “It was different tonight.” She said into the darkness.

“What?” Bill looked puzzled. “Oh, you mean the dream. What was different?” 

Rebecca looked into the worried face of her elder brother. “I’m not sure but at the end, I thought for a moment. Just for a moment...” She trailed off as she recalled the feeling of understanding and companionship that had flowed into her mind as she woke. 

“Just for a moment, what?” Hissed Bill, anxiety showing in his voice.

“Just for a moment I felt like I was not alone.”

Bill crossed from his lookout by the bedroom door and placed a reassuring arm around his sister’s shoulder. “You are not alone. You will always have me. Now hurry up before he wakes up.”

Hurriedly she dressed and packed her favorite things into the small case hidden below her bed. At last she was ready to leave this house of horrors. Without looking back they both crept down the stairs and out of the front door. They were soon swallowed up in the chill of the night air as they picked their way across the fields and onto the footpath that would take them to the town and freedom...

****************************************************************

Corroua Sta, Scotland. 5.30am.

“So we are agreed then.” Said Adam at last. “John, Stephen and I will work from the Lab, any anomalous phenomenon picked up from the news networks by TIM will be thoroughly investigated. Liz and Ami will remain with the children to offer any assistance that they require should the incident happen again. Each of you will return to your homes and be ready to teleport to the location of any person you feel may be breaking out.”

The early morning sunshine filtered through the crack in the heavy velvet curtains and lit up the faces of the Tomorrow People. They hardly had the energy to acknowledge their individual roles in the plan but nodded agreement as they teleported away. 

John kissed Liz tenderly on the cheek as he stood beside Stephen and Adam and prepared to leave. “You take care and call us back if things get too much around here.” He said reassuringly.

“I’m sure we women can cope...” She said, winking at Ami who stood across the room.

With a sparkle of light and a slight tingling feeling the three men were gone.

******************************************************

Derbyshire. 5.45am.

Mist swirled around the bus stop, illuminated by the early morning light. Bill and Rebecca huddled together for warmth, their breath mingling with the swirling currents of water vapor. 

“It will be all right wont it?” Whispered Rebecca. Although they were miles away from home now the fear of their escape still clung to them. 

“Yes Sis,” he replied reassuringly, “everything will be just fine. Why don’t you get some sleep the first bus doesn’t get here for another hour.”

In the pale light the girl looked younger than her fourteen years. Looking up her expression was that of a small child needing the comfort only a loving parent could give. “Sing me a song, the one mother used to sing when I was little.” She pulled her coat closer around her legs and snuggled up to him. “Please” She added.

“OK.” He smiled. “But only 'cos it’s you...” Gently he began to sing the lullaby that he had heard sung by their mother for so many years, it’s familiar lyrics bringing the feeling of calm to them both. 

Slowly the sun broke through and warmed the ground. Gently the birds began to sing around them and their spirits were lifted.

 ************************************************************************

Derbyshire, England 6am

Billy was not sure how long they had slept. Cradling his sister tightly, to keep out the cold, her body weight had almost cut the circulation to his arm and he could hardly feel his fingers. Straining he awkwardly tried to see the dial of his wrist watch. Rebecca stirred as the slight movement awakened her. “Are we there yet?” 

“No. But the bus can’t be long now.” As he said this they heard the faint rumbling of the old diesel engine. The noise reverberated around the bus shelter and they became instantly alert.

“Here it is now. Come on let’s make sure the driver sees us and stops.”

The two young people stood and stepped as close as they dared to the kerb. Holding out his arm Billy waved frantically towards the driver of the vehicle. This, they both knew, was their only hope to get away from home. It had taken them many months to save the fare to London and in this outlying district the public transport system was so poor that the bus passed through only twice a day. With a huge sigh they realised that they had been seen and the bus was slowing as it approached the stop.

Bill picked up their luggage which they had placed at the back of the small shelter. Holding it tightly with both hands, as the bus neared, he stepped forward. Rebecca’s attention was also transfixed by the image of the large vehicle as it gradually slowed to come to a stop before them. With a loud hissing noise the door slid open and a gust of warm air hit their faces. The driver smiled cheerily at the two young people standing in the half light of the cold damp morning.

“What a dismal morning for you two to be out and about.” He said as he beckoned them towards him. Then, noticing the luggage in Billy’s hands, he looked more serious. “And where would you be going with no adult to accompany you?”

“London” Said Bill with confidence. This was a lie he had practiced for many months. “We are going to stay with our aunt while our mother is in hospital.”

The driver looked them up and down, and for a brief moment Bill worried that they would be discovered and all their attempts to escape would be in vain. “Well you better hurry up and take your seats then before we all freeze to death.” He said smiling once again.

Billy turned to Rebecca and a silent comment passed between them. “Hurry up we don’t want to keep aunt Mildred waiting around. You put the luggage on the rack while I pay for the tickets.”

During the brief exchange with the driver they had both been too scared that the truth, that they were in fact run aways, would be discovered that they had had their full attention on the conversation. The low throbbing of the bus’ engine had also drowned out the background sounds of the countryside. What they failed to notice was the large Mercedes which had emerged from around the bend in the road and had accelerated past the bus. Neither did they hear the screech of it’s breaks as it pulled up immediately in the path of the stationary vehicle. All they could think of was climbing into the warm safety of the comfortable seats.

Taking the two small cases from Billy Rebecca nodded and started to climb aboard the bus she was suddenly startled as the bulk of a man stepped across her path. Looking up terror filled her face as she instantly recognized the features of the interloper. 

Grabbing at her coat the man pulled her back onto the pavement. “So sorry.” He said angrily to the driver.  “I’m sorry that these two have stopped you unnecessarily, I do hope it has not put you behind in your schedule?”

Feeling uneasy at the situation the driver tried in vain to see past the stranger and look at the two children. “What are you doing to my passengers?” He demanded with more malice than he had intended. “They were about to buy their tickets to London, they are off to stay with their aunt.”

“Aunt!” Shouted the man hysterically, then immediately regaining his composure he smiled. “Oh yes their Aunt.” He nodded. “But there is no need for them to make the journey all alone. I will gladly drive them down to London myself. After all I am their father.” With this he began to laugh. “You know kids, always so impatient to get what they want. I said I would take them myself but they just wouldn’t wait. Don’t you worry, I’ll see that they get to their aunt’s safe and sound.” 

As if there was no more to say the man lent into the bus and pressed the button which closed the door manually. Swirling around he grabbed at the collars of Rebecca and Billy’s coats and held them tight. Angrily he pulled them around so their backs were to the puzzled driver “What sort of bloody rubbish have you been telling people now?” He seethed menacingly into their ears. “We all know you have no aunt in London… I can’t believe my ears that you could betray me, your own father, with such filthy lies. You two low life don’t deserve the loving home I have given you.” 

Billy struggled wildly to free himself from his father’s grip. He hit out with his arms striking the man in the face and chest. “Let me go!” He screamed. “You can’t treat us like this!”

But his father only gripped the material tighter pulling it up under his chin until it pushed against his windpipe and made it difficult for him to breathe. “I can treat you any way I like. You and your lousy bitch of a sister will be punished for the shame you have brought me today. Now belt up before I knock the sense out of you boy!”

All this time Rebecca had been too terrified to do anything. Her body hung limply in her father’s hands, the will to live sucked out of her by the approaching horror of the punishment they would receive. This time they had made him really mad, this time he would show no mercy just like that time with their mother. But thoughts like this were too painful for her mind to cope with, she felt the fog begin to swirl around her the thick gasses burning her throat and blocking her vision. This lack of sensation held no fear for her the darkness of oblivion was a million times better than having to relive that moment over and over again for the rest of her life.

Just as she gave into the blackness and sank down in a faint she heard a voice within her mind. (Don’t give up we are hear to help you.) 

Rebecca was instantly awake again. She looked to her left and could plainly see her father still berating Bill for his treacherous lies. Could they hear the voice? She wondered. As if it had heard what she was thinking the voice came again. (We are hear to help you, only you can hear us, you must try to remain calm and think of a fist.)

Rebecca was terrified, she knew that it was wrong to hear voices in  your head. Now you have really done it, she thought. Now you have gone completely mad! But somehow she did not believe this, she was more rational than she had ever been in her life, and she knew what had to be done.

Turning once more she looked at her father. He was still ranting at Billy in his usual manner, and took no notice of her as she slipped her hand under the handle of the little case which stood beside her. Tentatively her fingers closed around the thick handle which felt cold but oddly comforting. Gently her fingers came together to form a fist clamped tightly around it’s bulk.

With a sudden movement she lifted the case from the ground, she put the full force of her body weight into it as she whirled around and freed herself from her fathers grasp. By now he had felt the movement and looked around just in time as the case was flung upwards into his face. Instinctively he let go of his hold on the children and threw his arms up to protect himself. 

In the next instant Rebecca was running full pelt away from the bus shelter. Singular of purpose her small legs found untapped strength and carried her quite some distance before her father came to his senses and set off in pursuit.

“Go Sis go!” Shouted Billy with delight as he reached out to try and grab his father’s clothing in an attempt to slow him down. “Get away from here, don’t worry about me.”

But Rebecca did worry. What would she do without Bill to look after her? How could she run all the way to London on her own? As these thoughts crossed her mind she briefly halted her forward movement to take stock of her surroundings. Looking back she was amazed to see that she had a two hundred yard head start on her father, but he was gaining fast. 

She broke into a run once again putting the full focus of her attention in front of her. In the next instant there was an unbearable screeching sound. She didn’t even notice as the bulk of the car thudded into her side and flipped her up like a rag doll into the air. Unconsciousness came instantly as her limp form crashed down once again onto the hard cold metallic body work and came to a rest crumpled against the shattered windscreen.
 

*************************
 

Corroua Sta, Scotland

Liz stood in the middle of the school hall looking up. Above her Charlotte, her daughter, was floating effortlessly in mid air as she replaced a broken light bulb. (This is more fun than using a ladder.) She pathed. 

(Please be careful, I know Susan has shown you how to levitate using TK but it’s still dangerous if you do not concentrate.)

(Oh mum,) Charlotte looked down and smiled (You are such a worry guts, I’m perfectly safe.) and with this she flipped up and looped the loop.

It was then that the wave of pain hit them. Liz grabbed her head as her legs gave way beneath her and she fell to the ground. Out of the corner of her eye she caught the glimpse of her daughter thudding to the ground on the opposite side of the room, the almost audible crack of her hip as her pelvis took the full force of the fall. 

Charlotte was not the only Tomorrow Person affected by the wave of telepathic distress emanating from Rebecca. The pain she felt, as she was hit by the car, caught them all unawares and plunged them into unconsciousness.

From his various locations around the globe; concealed beneath the Scottish loch, hidden in the tunnels of the London underground system, buried beneath the parks at Kew and deep within the sands of the island of Taphini, TIM instantly sensed something was wrong. Over the past few years he had become accustomed to the constant buzz of telepathic chatter all around him, but this had suddenly ceased as each of them passed out. He tried in vain to make contact with the older members of the group but as the minutes passed he became seriously concerned for them all and made a decision. Breaking all the rules of protocol he used the emergency codes of the Manyarnern Premier and sent out a distress call towards the Galactic Federation Trig. This was a call he knew would be answered immediately and although it’s unauthorized use may result in his being seriously punished, possibly dismantled, he never doubted for even a millisecond that it was the correct course of action.

Patiently he waited for a reply…

 *********************************************************************************

The Lab, Corroua Sta, Scotland. 1pm the next day.

The last of the Federation medics packed up her equipment and stepped onto the jaunting pad. With a nod of acknowledgment from John she dematerialised.

Across the Lab a more formal conversation was underway.

“Thank you ambassador for dispatching the rescue teams to our aide so rapidly.” Said Stephen, with as much authority as he could muster. “Angerianaasuicilicana and myself are indebted once again to the high council for allowing such intervention on a closed world.”

Timus extended his hand. “We are always happy to help the Manyarnern Premier, even if she does choose to live in a wholly unsuitable location. I must be going now, the council will be awaiting my report.”

“I’m sure that she will thank the high council herself as soon as she is fully recovered.”

Timus shook John’s hand on his way to the jaunting pad then stepped upon the raised platform and was gone.

Stephen gave a huge sigh of relief. “Thank goodness for that. I didn’t think I could stand all that high and mighty etiquette for much longer.”

“That’s what you get when you join with one of the galaxy’s most well known figure heads…”

Stephen turned around to see Angie, Adam, and Liz descending from the study above. “Hey!” He exclaimed. “You’re back on your feet.” He stepped forward and lifted his wife’s fringe to reveal a large, dark purple bruise. “How’s the head?”

“Fine now, thanks to Adam.” She turned and patted him on the shoulder. “If you ever fancy becoming a federation doctor I’d be pleased to supervise your training, that’s quite a natural talent you have for healing.”

Adam flushed “Oh,” he mumbled. “Thanks.”

“I am relieved,” said John,  motioning for them all to sit down, “that everyone is back in one piece but I think it’s about time we considered what could have caused us all to black out simultaneously like that.”

“Or who!” Added Elizabeth.

“Yes, or who.” He conceded. “TIM do you have any information to give us?” 

“Yes John, since the incident I have been scanning all emergency radio broadcasts, telephone calls and Internet traffic. I have eliminated most as irrelevant but there is one incident, which happened at the same time as your blackouts, which I believe is of great importance.”

John looked up impatiently. “Well then, let’s have it.”

The room was suddenly illuminated as a large mosaic, which hung on the opposite wall from the couches, turned into a video screen. It displayed the front page of a newspaper. The headline read: ‘Beam me up Scotty! Driver accused in hit and run claims girl materialized in front of car!”

“Now that’s very interesting, very interesting indeed...” Said John. “Where is she now?”

“The girl, Rebecca Parinder, was admitted to the Hallamshire Hospital, sheffield shortly after the accident and is currently in a state of coma in the intensive care unit.”

“How bad is it TIM?” Asked Elizabeth, concern showing in her tone.

“I’m afraid the prognosis is not good, but there is one interesting aspect to the case.” TIM paused to gain maximum effect, although he was no longer the worlds only thinking computer he was certainly the only one who’s self esteem needed a boost now and again. “I am currently linked to the computer monitoring her vital signs and have noticed a very interesting pattern in her brain waves.” Instantly the screen changed to display an ECG trace. As the assembled Tomorrow People watched the rhythm gradually rose and fell to form the familiar wedge shaped pattern.

“That’s it!” Exclaimed Adam, jumping to his feet “She’s one of us and she needs our help.”

John also stood but instead of running towards the jaunting pad he stepped across and blocked Adam’s path. “Wait a minute, we can’t just go barging in there, we don’t know all the details of the accident.”

TIM spoke again “John is right Adam, there is another piece of information that you should all be aware of before you interfere in this situation. Rebecca’s father is a very influential person on the local town council; he heads the chamber of commerce and is currently running for mayor in the local elections. The police interviewed him shortly after the accident following an allegation made by a witness at the scene. The witness, a bus driver who had stopped to pick up Rebecca and her older brother William, told the police that the father had manhandled the children in a rather aggressive manner and they were apparently scared of him. Social workers were brought in when the boy refused to speak to the officers. He was later allowed to go home, but the reports suggest that he shows symptoms of extreme emotional stress. Opponents of councilor Parinder have started a smear campaign in the local press suggesting possible child abuse. Mr. Parinder has issued a libel rite against the papers in question. In my opinion this will have to be treated with kid gloves in case we get ourselves involved in any publicity.”

“You’re right TIM.” Replied Adam; his earlier enthusiasm was now replaced by an earnest expression. “We cannot afford to expose ourselves to the authorities or the press.”

“TIM am I right to assume that Rebecca’s condition is possibly fatal?” Asked Elizabeth.

“Yes, I’m afraid so.”

Liz stood and stepped in between John and Adam. “Then we have to do something. Publicity or no publicity, if she is a Tomorrow Person and she is about to die then we have to get involved.”

“Liz is right,” added Angie, who was still staring at the view screen, “and we have to act fast. Look at her vital signs.” They all turned around to look at the medical readouts that were still displayed on the screen. “It seems that her condition is deteriorating fast. I’d say that unless she gets treatment, and I mean the type of treatment only we could give her, within the next few minutes then she will be lost to us for good.”

John approached and looked Angie directly in the eye. “Are you sure?” he asked then noticing the unwavering confidence in her stare he added. “Of course you are. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to question your medical judgment. What do you recommend?”

“Let Adam and I go to the hospital, we can bluff our way in as neurological specialists. TIM can provide the correct ID’s. Once there we can stabilize her condition. No one need ever know we interfered.”

“And meanwhile we can do a bit of digging into her past.” John looked around at Stephen. “Ready to do some snooping around?” 

“You bet. We’ll go and rattle the skeletons in Councilor Parinder’s closet.”

“What ever you do just be careful.” Added Liz as they all prepared to leave the lab.
 

*******************
 

The Hallamshire hospital, Sheffield.

"Where are we?" Asked a confused Adam.

To outside observers it appeared that the young girl in bed five of the ITC unit was being examined by two quite ordinary doctors, what no one could tell was that the doctors in question were probing deeper into the child's mind than any ordinary physician could ever do.

"This is Rebecca's unconscious, and it's in a bad way." Replied Angie looking around her at the desolate landscape. "We should be seeing snippets of memories, images of people and places, not this." She motioned at the bleak Derbyshire hillside, dark and sullen, with rain clouds looming overhead, which stretched off into the distance.

"But how..." Before Adam could finish phrasing the question there was a piercing scream from somewhere close by.

They both saw a young girl standing on the apex of a nearby hill waving frantically at them. Angie thought it odd that this child was much younger and smaller in stature than Rebecca herself but had no time for further consideration as the girl set off away from them. "We must speak to her." She shouted and they broke into a run.

It was some time before they caught up with the image of the young girl. Panting for breath Adam bent down to where she lay prostrate on the wet grass. "Are you okay?" 

"Go away, please go away and leave me alone." Sobbed the girl.

"Who are you?" 

Adam looked around in surprise at Angie's question; he started to open his mouth to speak but was silenced by her grim expression.

"Who are you?" She demanded again.

"She is Rebecca Parinder." This reply came from another girl, who now stood beside the sobbing child. 

"And who are you?" 

"I am also Rebecca, but I think you already knew that. What are you doing here? You have no right to come into someone's mind and scare them half to death!"

"We have every right!" Angie snapped back. "Do you know where you are and what has happened to you? Do you remember the accident?"

The girl bent down and gripped the shirt collar of her younger self. "Of course we know, do you think we are stupid or something? We chose to come here to get away form interfering busybodies like you." She lifted the young Rebecca to her feet. "Isn't that right?"

Through her sobs the younger Rebecca managed to nod before she slumped down once again onto the damp ground.

"See, we don't need you here to help us so please go away and leave us alone."

Angie took a defiant step forward and bent down to cradle the younger girl in her arms. "From what I can see you need us much more than you know." She said, not raising her eyes from the younger child. "What were you running away from just now?"

The child in her arms lifted her head and looked at her with the most gentle, piercing blue eyes. "The voices." She whispered.

"Don't tell them anything, they have no right coming here asking us about the voices."

This time it was Adam who took the lead. "We can hear those voices too." He said gently.

At this the two children whirled around and stared at the bleak hillside. "Do you here that!" They said in unison. Suddenly the hillside was covered with images of people; the seething mass pushed and jostled one another, the cacophony of voices drowned out the wind. "Well!" Shouted Rebecca, above the chatter. "Do you hear that inside your head every waking minute, people calling to you, judging you, cursing you!"

In an instant Angie understood the enormity of the situation, she walked across and took Adam's hand in hers. "There is no more for us to do here, we must go now."

"But..." He saw the look of fear in Angie's eyes, a look few Tomorrow People had ever seen. "We will come back later?" He said, it was a question to Angie as much as a reassurance to the girls. 

"Yes, we will return."

In the next instant they were back at Rebecca's bedside. The familiar noises of the equipment and hustle and bustle of nursing staff once again filled their senses.

********************

The large blue door of the Victorian house opened to reveal a man in his mid fifties, his face was unshaven, and his hair unbrushed. "What can I do for you?" He asked in a clear authoritative voice.

John and Stephen held up the fake Id's for inspection. "SIS. I don't get many people from your neck of the woods calling on me everyday so I suppose you had better come in." Counselor Parinder opened the door wider and beckoned them into the hallway. "Can I offer you a drink?" He said as he crossed into the large ornately decorated lounge.

"No thanks but you go ahead and have one." They quietly followed him into the room and watched as he poured a large glass of Malt Whiskey then drunk it down in one gulp.

"I take it you are not here to ask about my family life, I've had enough social workers probing into my personal affairs to last a life time, so it must be my daughter's accident you are interested in. What department do you work for I didn't quite catch it?" 

"We work for a special investigations unit. We wanted to ask your opinion of this?" John held out the copy of the local paper.

The man looked them up and down. "Hmm... special investigations," he chuckled. "Which one of you is Mulder and which Scully?" 

Stephen could hardly hold himself back from grinning as an image if John in a smart suit, high heels, and raincoat shot into his head. He was snapped back to reality by John's intense stare and wondered whether he had shielded the thought.

"Did you see anything unusual during the incident?" Asked John. "Anything which could have caused the driver to tell the press this story?"

"I think that my taxes would be better spent paying for schools and public transport than funding a team of people to go around taking every loony suggestion seriously. Of course I didn't see anything! And if I did I wouldn't be so stupid to believe everything I read in the press. The driver probably blacked out and that's why he didn't see my little girl run into the road. There is a perfectly sensible explanation to everything. It's people like you that stir up the public into panic with tales of extra-terrestrials and ghosts. Grown men should be ashamed of being associated with such ludicrous sensationalism."

"We'd like to see the boy." Demanded John angered by Mr. Parinder's tone. "If you cannot tell us anything maybe he can!"

"I have no intention of letting you or anyone else speak to my son. William is upstairs under sedation. He was severely traumatized by yesterday's events, and I don't think even you could make a vulnerable child relive the horror of watching his sister being almost killed by some lunatic driver."

John's tone softened once again. "You are right, we do not want to cause William any more upset. We will leave it for today and talk to you both another time."

Counselor Parinder marched back across the hall and flung open the front door. "Out! Get out of my house now! You may think you can come around here flashing your fancy credentials, throwing your weight around, but you do not intimidate me. I will not stand for any more interference in my families' personal affairs. So you can go and tell your superiors back at Whitehall that they will have to look for their spooks else where I will never, ever cooperate."

Taking John's lead Stephen followed him in silence out of the house and up the driveway. It was not until they were several yards away that they began to relax. (Did you sense the anger and hostility in that place?) Pathed Stephen, (No wonder the kids tried to run away.)

(I know what you are implying, that the papers are right and our Counselor Parinder is involved in some nasty business, but we have no real proof of that and until we do we must, at least, try to keep an open mind.) John paused and shuddered (but I do agree with you, there is far more going on here than meets the eye.)

As they rounded the bend in the drive, and the view from the house was obscured, a young boy stepped out from a nearby bush. His jeans were scuffed and dirty from his long wait in the under growth. 

"Are you two from the police?" He asked excitedly.

"Sort of," replied Stephen, "are you William Parinder?" The boy nodded. "Do you want to speak to us?"

"I can't say anything here, he'll soon realize that I am not in my room and come looking for me."

John took a business card from his pocket and handed it to the boy. "Here, take this and call us if you can."

Billy looked down at the card and read the address. "The Jameson Academy for gifted children, Corroua Sta, Scotland. What sort of a police man are you?"

Realizing the need for urgency in this case John went against his usual ethical code and plucked information directly from William's mind. "Look Billy, may I call you that? We are not from the police; we are here to investigate strange things that happen to children. You know, the kind of things that often happened to your sister."

"I don't know what you are talking about." Replied Billy belligerently.

"Yes you do, and we don't have time to explain more now. Your dad will soon find out that you are gone and will be looking for you. You have to trust us and believe us when we say that we mean you and your sister no harm. Please ring us on that number anytime that you need us. I guarantee that we will help you. Now go back before you get in any more trouble."

Billy looked at each of the men in turn; somehow he instinctively knew that he could trust them. "OK." He said at last. "I'll be in touch." He turned and without a glance back over his shoulder disappeared, once again, into the bushes that lined the gravel drive.

Stephen looked stunned. (That was a bit brave of you, giving the school address. How do we know he wont go straight inside and give that card to his father, It wont take much digging for Counselor Parinder to discover that we are not from the SIS.)

The two men had been friends for many years but what John said next took Stephen completely by surprise (I don't know why Stephen, but I get the strong feeling that we can trust the boy.) 

*************************

Adam and Angie sat together in the hospital snack bar deep in telepathic conversation.

(So you're telling me that she has irreparable brain damage.)

(I'm afraid so Adam. I know all of you think that because I'm 'the one' I can perform miracles but this time there is nothing I can do. Rebecca has been heading this way for years. It's not just the damage from the accident that needs repairing, but she has other mental problems too. I feel helpless.) Angie sighed and drank from her steaming cup of coffee.

(What about the Federation medics?) Asked Adam desperately. (With all their fancy technologies and years of experience surely they can help her.)

Angie shook her head slowly. (What makes you think that they could heal her any better than I could? The federation has had to deal with mental illness as one of the last great-unsolved afflictions of the galaxy. Telepathic races have been burdened with it for centuries.)

(Why telepathic races?) He asked. (What's so special about them?)

(Do we have time for me to give you a physiology lesson? Suffice it to say that the telepathic brain is a thousand times more complex in it's structure than any Sap brain and that leaves us all open to complications brought on by the burden of our special powers. For some the gifts that you and I take for granted are much more of a curse than a blessing. Consider the nature of teleportation, a miracle that my race has never quite accomplished which is why I'm stuck using this.) She held up her wrist to reveal the teleporter bracelet. (In order to accomplish this highly complex task you have to consider the nature of time and space in it's entwined immensity. You have to locate yourself within this part of space-time and them calculate the trajectory through hyperspace, which is non-Euclidean in its geometry, then make a minute wormhole through which to travel. Before you can do this you have to dematerialize the very fabric of your being, without loosing the essence of your true self, then reconstruct it our of the matter surrounding the predetermined coordinates of the location you have selected to be. Are you still following me?)

Adam shook his head and smiled (I think I lost you at the wormhole. To me teleporting is just something I do as second nature. It takes about as much conscious thought as...) he lifted his cup. (As drinking my coffee.)

(But what none of you, except maybe John, has ever given thought to is; how your brain accomplishes such a fantastic feat! It takes trillions of calculations a second, more than even the best Sap computers are capable of. It requires each cell of your brain to process in parallel at a multi-dimensional level, and each of you do this with as much attention paid to the process as you do to your stomach digesting it's last meal. The billions of neuronal connections, the complex nodal synaptic structures in your membranes and tissues, all of this you take for granted. But it doesn't take much for those networks to develop abnormal patterns, cross connections that hinder rather than help the processes. Rebecca has a mind capable of a level of telepathy way beyond any other tomorrow person I have ever met. But what she does not have is the control, the inhibitors that prevent the minds of all beings on this planet from flooding into her consciousness every waking moment.)

Adam's eyes widened as he, at last, grasped the nature of Rebecca's problem. (So it's like she is breaking out permanently, but the process will never complete itself. She is one of us but not one at the same time. It must be terrible for her to feel the pain and suffering of all those hundreds...)

(Millions) Corrected Angie.

Adam swallowed (Millions!) He exclaimed. (And all this is because she is a telepath. The poor girl, we have to do something to help her...)
 

The young hospital volunteer approached the table. As she cleared the dirty plates and wiped clean the surface the couple sat in total silence. 'Poor things.' She thought. 'They must have been told the most tragic news.' Quickly she walked away and left them to their silent contemplation.

Without warning the young man jumped to his feet. "I have it!" He shouted, "I know what we have to do." The gentle murmur of the other diners was suddenly halted as all heads turned to stare at the exuberant man. Gulping down the last dregs of his now cold coffee Adam pulled at Angie's sleeve. "Come on, there is no time to loose."

Reluctantly Angie let him lead her back down the corridor towards the ITC unit and the canteen returned to its usual activities.

******************
Derbyshire, England 

There was an insistent ringing from the telephone in the study. Creeping to the doorway Billy cracked it open just enough to see his father pad down the stairs in his pajamas and enter the dimly lit room. He stepped away for a moment as the light of a lamp illuminated the hall, but realizing that he could not be seen he quickly opened the door again to hear the conversation more clearly.

"What do you mean officer, where could she have gone? No I assure you she is not here."

Billy gasped as he realized it was his sister they were talking about. He looked across at the illuminated dial of the radio alarm clock, which read 12.30pm. For how long had she been on the run, he wondered. Surely she wouldn't be stupid enough to come back here!

His attention was drawn once again to the angry tones of his father as he argued with the mysterious caller. "No of course I wouldn't lie about this, yes you and your goons can come and search the place, SIS agents? What SIS Agents?" 

That last comment sent Billy into a sudden panic. It was them, the men who had come asking questions earlier that day, had they taken Becky to some secret hide out where he couldn't find her. Billy had never believed in god but at that moment he found himself praying for his sister's safety. Please, oh please let her be safe in their care and not out alone in the cold night...

He was shaken from his reverie by the thunderous footsteps as his father climbed the stairs. "William Parinder. Wake up boy! I have something to talk to you about!"

But Billy wasn't sticking around for another lecture, grabbing his coat and pulling it on over his tracksuit he ran to the window. It was a long way down to the driveway but he knew the ivy, which grew over the frontage of the building, could easily hold his body weight. Sleep no longer clung to his mind as he shimmied down and slipped into the darkness. Looking back at the house he could see his father, silhouetted now in the window of what had once been his bedroom. "Boy, I'll find you boy." Shouted Mr. Parinder. "There is no where for you to run, I'll track you and your sister down where ever you go." But Billy could no longer hear his father's voice; he was running as fast as his legs could carry him away from this house which he once thought of as home. 'Scotland,' he thought to himself, 'there will be safety in Scotland I'm sure of it...'

****************************

Corroua Sta, Scotland. 12.45pm

"What! You did what!" Demanded John.

"Shhhhhh..." Said Elizabeth closing the door to Charlotte's room where, only minutes before, she had laid Rebecca down to sleep.. "I've only just managed to get her to nod off. Can't we discuss this downstairs."

Together they jaunted down to the school office. Once there it was Adam who spoke up first. "Please don't blame Angie, it was my idea and she only went along with it at my insistence."

"Even you should have thought of asking the rest of us before you went ahead and did such a thing." Snapped John, as he sat down on the other side of the large desk. "You'll have the authorities sniffing around here by day break. How will we explain our way out of this one then?"

"I'm sure Adam and Angie only did what they felt was for the best, and if you give them time to fully explain I'm sure we can sort this out." Said Liz. The strain of the past few days had taken its toll on all of them but she had never seen John quite so angry with Angie before.

There was a familiar tingling sensation as Stephen materialized beside her. "What the hell is going on? Can't a man get any sleep around here?" He said jocularly, then noticing the earnest expressions on the other's faces he quickly shut up.

"Look John, I don't need Adam to make excuses for me. What we did to Rebecca was the only possible solution. Granted it may have been a rash decision to bring her here for post surgical monitoring, but in the circumstances it was the correct course of action and I stand by my decision to perform the procedure."

"OK, okay I understand that she was in a great deal of pain and that you needed to act fast but what you did was diabolical, and totally unethical. You should have consulted us first!"

"Don't come so bloody high and mighty with me John." Shouted Angie Sarcastically. "How many times have you rushed in bull headed without consulting the others? You always think that you are the only one who can protect the Tomorrow People from the traumas of the big wide world. Well, I have news for you; while you were busy playing parent they grew up! We are all responsible for the safety of those kids up stairs in our charge, each and every one of us. Rebecca may no longer have her psi abilities, but at the time not only her sanity, but her very life, was in danger. As a healer I could no more ignore that, and give the only treatment possible, than I could deny any child in my care."
 

Taken back by her outburst Stephen looked at his wife. "What do you mean no longer have her special powers? We all saw the pattern in her brain waves, she is a Tomorrow Person isn't she?"

"No," Replied Elizabeth, trying to save Angie from the pain of a further explanation. "Adam and Angie discovered that Rebecca had serious brain damage and could never fully break out. She was suffering terribly from the incomplete telepathic voices so they decided to perform psycho-surgery and removed the psi-center from her brain. She will be OK in the end but it has returned her to the life as a Sap."

Elizabeth's matter of fact explanation took Stephen by surprise; he reached out towards his wife's mind but was met by a wall, a mental block that she had thrown up between them. "What a terrible thing for you to have to do." He said sweeping her up into his arms. "It must have been such a hard decision to make, but I know that you did the right thing."

Sensing a lull in the argument Adam stepped forward and spoke in his usual calm manner. “Don’t forget that I was there as well. All this was my suggestion. Any accusations about unethical conduct should be leveled at me too. The decision was not one we choose lightly but something we agonised about. If there had been more time we would have come back and asked for your opinions. But Rebecca needed help fast and, as Angie said, in the circumstances it was the only possible treatment available to us.”

But despite Stephen's outpouring of affection and Adam’s calm, logical tone, John was still very angry. "And to cap it all you brought the girl back here!" He exclaimed.

"We had to keep watch on her for any signs of post surgical trauma, and besides how could we send her back into that house, with the father the way he is." Replied Adam.

"There is no real evidence that her father ever abused his children." Barked John. "You lot are as bad as the press, stirring up trouble based on half truths and innuendoes. How do we explain when the authorities come here looking for the girl, and believe me they will be here sooner than you think, that we brought her here based on a load of hearsay. How will we protect the kids sleeping upstairs when they begin to investigate exactly what we teach at this school? How can we protect them when the press get hold of the most sensational story of the century and splash all our faces across the front cover of the tabloids."

Elizabeth, who had never in all her years of marriage seen John so angry, tried to reach out a hand to calm him down. "Surely John they will not be able to trace Rebecca back here that easily, and if they do we can handle the situation like we handle all the others."

"And do what? Rely on the Prime Minister to help us out of yet another fix? Times have changed Liz. The days when the government was scarred of the likes of us have long gone. We are only safe as long as out existence is kept secret. Once they trace the SIS agents back to the fake id's we were given and they realize that we are guilty of taking the girl from the hospital who do you think will protect us then? Politicians are only concerned with one thing, votes. They will wash their hands of involvement in any criminal activity, they will string us out to dry!"

Angie strode around to the other side of the desk and swung John around in the chair to face her. "Damn you John. You always see things in such black and white. We did what we thought was the best for the girl, and that cannot be undone. All this bickering amongst us will solve nothing. What is done is done."

"And you just signed each and every one of our death warrants!" He exclaimed.

Stephen had remained calm up until this moment. He was used, as were they all, to a certain amount of antagonism between his joining partner and John. Ever since he had become a Tomorrow Person it had been accepted that John was their undisputed leader. He had saved all their lives on more than one occasion, but this time he had gone too far. To lay the blame for the future safety of all of them on Angie's shoulders was un-called for and irresponsibly divisive. He wouldn't stand for it. Striding around the table he took Angie by the arm.

"I can see that our continued presence here is only causing trouble. We have always thought that The Tomorrow People would stand together in all situations but this time you have gone too far. Angie and I will pack up our things and return to her home world."

They looked around at him in amazement. "I'm sorry Liz, Adam, to have brought you into this dispute but I think it's time we moved on."

In the next instant they were gone...

***********************

Derbyshire.

As daylight broke through the thick curtains of William's room Mr. Parinder sat on the floor his head in his hands. How could he have driven his children away? What sort of a monster had he become that they no longer felt safe in his presence? Reaching out he lifted the empty glass to his lips. The stale smell of Whisky filled his nostrils but his mouth remained dry.

"Blasted children, why did she have to leave us... why did the only woman I ever loved have to go away and leave me to keep the secrets... Oh my god what have I done to my once loving family..." He slumped forward onto the pile of dirty clothes that littered the carpet. His body shook for many minutes as he wept silently. But he knew it was too late, tears would never come again, he was too far gone down this road to ever find his way back. 

Reaching out his hand he scratched his nose. Something sharp amongst the clothes had cut into his skin. Sitting upright once again he sorted through the garments searching for the item. Suddenly something white fell from a pocket and fluttered to the floor. In order to study it in the half light of morning he held the small paper object up to his face. To his surprise it was a business card. 'What was William doing with this in his pocket?' he thought as he turned the card over in his hand and began to read the lettering.

In a flash of insight everything became clear. Standing upright he stumbled forward and fell against the bed. "Too drunk to drive..." he muttered as he fled the room. Taking two steps at once he was quickly in the study. Picking up the telephone receiver he began to dial.

"Is that Helmstead taxis? I want a car to pick me up straight away to take me to Scotland... Yes you idiot, are you deaf? The Scottish highlands to be precise and I don't care how much it costs!"

Putting down the receiver for the briefest of moments he began to dial again. "Is that the police? I'd like to speak to Inspector Crampton regarding the kidnapping of my son and daughter!"

*******************
 

The Jameson Academy for gifted children, Corroua Sta, Scotland. 
 
 

Rebecca sat crossed legged on the floor of the school library, around her three other girls floated in mid air as they played Monopoly.

“So I broke out a few months ago and my parents let me come to the school this term.” Said Maria. She looked down at Rebecca’s disappointed face. “Don’t worry, you can stay here Liz will see to that, you may not be able to do the things we can, but you are still one of us.”

“But John and Liz had such a terrible row last night, I heard it from Charlie’s room. They thought I was asleep but I wasn’t.”

“We know all about that but don’t worry we’ll never let him send you back, not now, not ever!”

In the few hours sine she had met the TP children Rebecca had formed the closest friendships of her entire life. This open and honest bunch of teenagers had welcomed her unquestioningly into their world and offered her a sort of unconditional love she had never known before. Maria had been especially friendly and had spoken out on her behalf at breakfast, telling the adults how much they wanted her to stay in the school and that they didn’t mind if she was a Tomorrow Person or not. 

To Rebecca the voices that she had once heard in her head were now just a vague memory, where there had once been pain now there was joy, the years of torment had been wiped away by the surgery that Adam and Angie had performed on her. Before today she had suffered constant torment from nightmarish visions of death and destruction, now all she could feel was a light tingling of her skin as the children around her materialized and dematerialised.

(What are you thinking about?) Asked Maria, probing directly into Rebecca’s mind. (You look so upset.) Rebecca looked around her for the source of the voice.

“Is that you?” She asked. 

Maria nodded. 

“How are you able to do that? Liz told me that I can’t do telepathy any more.”

(I am doing it for you.) Maria smiled. (Do you mind? I can help you to join in our games by giving you our thoughts.  The grown ups feel sorry for you, they think that Angie took away your special powers and you can never really be part of us. But we don’t think like that. If you let us we can share our powers with you and you will be able to join in everything.)

Maria looked around her and the other girls floated down until they had all joined hands. Slowly Rebecca felt herself begin to lift, unsteady at first, she wobbled under their telekinetic grip, then as her surprise subsided she relaxed and began to enjoy the sensation. Gradually she rose until she was level with Maria. Looking down she could see the carpeted floor about ten feet below her.

(All it needs is a little trust.) 

Laughing happily Rebecca flung out her arms and whirled around in mid air. “This is the most fun I’ve had in years, what more can you help me to do?”
 
 

At the back of the library Ami and Liz stood watching the scene. “Funny how there are no barriers between kids,” commented Ami, “just uncomplicated acceptance.”

Liz realized that she had been holding her breath throughout Rebecca’s ascent, she quickly gasped and refilled her lungs. “If only it could be that simple for us grown ups…”

The two women left the room in silence and headed back to their respective classrooms. Despite the introduction of their newest guest lessons had to go on as normal and this activity would at least help to take their minds off the ever-deepening rift that had developed between Stephen, Angie, and John.

***********************

Helmstead Police Station 6.pm

Inspector Crompton tapped his fingers impatiently as he waited on the phone. Today he had meant to play golf with the head of CID but instead he had wasted his time following up this ridiculous claim that Rebecca Parinder had been kidnapped.

Still, Counselor Parinder was a very influential man in the local area, and a personal friend of the Chief Inspector. If he was ever going to receive the promotion he deserved, success on a case like this could do him a lot of good.

At last the dull music was replaced by a curt female voice. “I am afraid this department has no record of any operatives assigned to investigate the motor accident you mentioned. There is no file held on the Jameson Academy or Jameson Industries. Your sources must have been wrong.”

“Now look here,” snapped Crompton, “This is a serious case, a young girl is missing from the hospital…”

The woman on the other end of the phone cut him short. “Run aways are none of our business. This department deals with issues of national security not domestic disputes. I suggest you contact the local police force.” 

Inspector Crompton could no longer contain his anger, all day he had hit this wall of silence regarding the SIS agents. “I am the local police force!” He barked and slammed down the phone.

Despite his reluctance to get involved in the case his suspicions were beginning to rise with every hour. He turned to the laptop, which looked out of place on the old battered desk, and switched it on. While it’s program loaded he pondered the facts so far…

‘First the kids run away and the girl is seen, or supposedly seen, appearing in the middle of the road. Then she makes a miraculous recovery from a near fatal accident and walks out of the hospital in broad daylight, without her clothes, and not a soul sees her leave. Not even the nurses on duty in the ITC unit! Then these two mysterious men arrive at Parinder’s. They had no car, they arrive at a house fifteen miles from the nearest town on foot and leave on foot!’ The inspector’s attention was drawn once again to the computer, as it’s happy welcome tune played. Flicking deftly through the menu he found the file he was looking for, opening it he began to read the text.

Once he had read through the other witness statements he pondered the comments made by the bus driver. “It looked as if the kids were terrified of him, then the girl got free and in the next instant she was in the middle of the street. The poor driver didn’t stand a chance, one minute she was there and the next she was in the road. I’ve never seen a kid run so fast.”

Once again the inspectors mind began to work through the facts before him. ‘So after these two men disappear as well…’ That thought lingered for quite some time ‘Hmm they disappeared…. Then the boy runs away, supposedly sedated and unable to make his statement he climbs down from his bedroom window in the middle of the night and vanishes without a trace.’

The inspector opened a dull brown file, which sat on top of a pile of papers at the edge of his desk. Lifting up various documents he found a clear plastic bag which contained a business card. Turning it over in his hand he read. “The Jameson Academy for Gifted Children…Yes, it always comes back to the children.”

At last he made a decision and once again lifted the receiver of his telephone.

“Hello George, can you please book me on the overnight sleeper to Edinburgh and ring my wife and tell her I’ll be gone for the next few days.” He paused. “Better still send her a large bunch of flowers with the message sorry darling I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Logging out of the statement files he packed the laptop into its travel case. “One day I’ll be able to talk to you and this keyboard will be redundant.” He said to himself and smiled  as he thought of police equipped with Star-Trek like communicators beaming in and out of crime scenes. A thought which was much closer to the truth than he could ever have imagined!
 

**********************
Corroua Sta, Scotland. 12.30pm The Next Day.

She could hear the music from outside the hall, opening the door and peering inside, the band was clearly visible playing on the stage. 

“Keep the tempo up!” Said Mike, he clapped his hands in rhythm with the music. “No, no, the base needs to keep the beat the rest of you follow.”

The band stopped playing and looked around at Rebecca. “I’m so sorry,” she said hesitantly, as she began to back out of the room again “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“It don’t bother us.” Replied mike. “These lot need a lot more practice, there is plenty of time for that tomorrow, I think it’s almost lunch time so that’s enough for today.”

The other TP’s began to mumble as they dutifully packed up their instruments. 

Rebecca stepped fully into the hall and walked over to Mike. “Hello I’m Rebecca.” She held out her hand.

“And I’m Mike and that…” He pointed toward a pretty oriental woman who stood watching from the back of the stage. “that’s Hsui Tai, my wife.”

The woman smiled and came forward. “Have you been put on table duties already?”
Rebecca nodded. “Well let me help you and I’m sure we can get things sorted well before lunch.”

In no time Hsui and Becky were busily laying out the knives and forks used for the mid-day meal. Rebecca held the large tray of cutlery in her outstretched arms and watched gleefully as the utensils lifted from their resting place and marched together to their required setting on the long trellis tables. Many coloured plates drifted effortlessly from their storage cupboards in the kitchen and came to rest in stacks on the ends of each table. The whole scene was reminiscent of the Disney film, Fantasia, and Rebecca could almost imagine herself as the sorcerer’s apprentice. 

“Hey!” Came a shout from nowhere. Rebecca turned around to see Loren and Ami, who had teleported into the hall unnoticed “Need a hand?” Said Loren.

Hsui spun around and in doing so lost her concentration. The cutlery and plates fell to the floor with a resounding crash. Broken china bounced all around her then came to rest in a jumbled mess on the tiled floor.

“Damn!” Said Ami running forward and shielding Rebecca from the utensils which rained down upon her head. “What a mess! We better clear it up before Liz gets here.”

The women linked both hands and minds as they lifted the pieces from the floor and restored them to their former state. Rebecca watched in awe as the plates reconstituted themselves. At last there was not even a crack on their surfaces to mark where they had once been broken.

Ami lifted her finger up to her lips as she and the others teleported  away. “We weren’t even here.” She whispered.

Rebecca found herself standing all alone in the hall. Stunned by the miracles she had just witnessed she slumped into one of the chairs. Closing her eyes she cleared her mind and drifted off into a daydream. 

A few minutes passed and her attention was drawn to a tapping sound at the window, looking around she saw Billy waving excitedly at her. Jumping up she ran from the hall, across the lobby and out of the school door. Racing around to the side of the building she almost collided into her brother who was running back towards her.

They embraced for a long time, then the questions came flooding out of them both all at once. ‘Where had he been? How had he found her?’ ‘Did she see that! How did they do that? What was this place? How did she get here?’

It took no time at all for brother and sister to catch up on all the news of the past few days. Once it was established that he was on the run from their father it became obvious that they must hide him and keep him safe. “Wait until lunch time.” Said Rebecca. “While they are all eating I’ll slip out, there is a fire escape at the back of the school, an old metal one which runs up to the roof. I’ll meet you there and we can smuggle you inside through one of the upper dormitory windows.

“Okay Sis.” Billy grinned. “And can you try to bring me some grub, I’m starving.”

“Yes. Now go and hide in the bushes before somebody else sees you.” She waved him away and he scuttled back across the lawn to be lost amongst the huge pine trees.
 

Watching from the safety of his hire car Mr. Parinder lowered the binoculars. ‘So my children you think you are safe… Well we’ll see, we’ll see. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts, I’ll be back soon enough!’ He thumped his foot on the accelerator and the Land Rover lurched forward, back down the lonely track, and around the loch heading rapidly towards the village.

*************************
 

The London Lab: 3 p.m. the next day.

John sat alone in the lab reading the Times Newspaper. Coming to the end of an article he looked up for a few minutes and sighed. Try as he might to concentrate thoughts kept creeping into his mind about the events of the past few days. Had he been too harsh? What else could Adam and Angie have done to help Rebecca? Would his opinion have been any different if Angie was not involved? 

“John.” 

“Not now TIM, can’t you see that I’m reading.” 

“If you call staring at the same article on the same page for the past hour reading then I will not comment further, but there is something important that I think you should know.”

John got up from the couch and walked around to place a hand against one of  TIM’s globes. “Sorry to be so brusque I’m a little distracted at the moment. What is it?”

“My remote sensors have detected a convoy of vehicles, some police, heading around the loch towards the school.”

John’s gave a huge sigh and his arms flopped to his sides. “Well we knew this moment would come one day, there is no putting off the inevitable. I’ll go back and make the necessary arrangements.” Stepping onto the jaunting pad he placed his hands to the band at his wrist. “Thanks TIM, for everything.” He said and vanished.

*******************

Corroua Sta, Scotland.

Inspector Crompton looked John and Liz in the eye. “…So you are telling me that this girl made her own way here from the hospital and asked for your assistance? Pull the other one.”

“What we are telling you is true, we have no intention of keeping Rebecca here against her will.” Replied Liz desperately. Despite their prior agreement on how to handle this interview things were not working out quite as John had planned.

Counselor Parinder stepped forward and leered at John menacingly. “And I suppose that coming to my house posing as an SIS agent was nothing to do with this either? I’m not sure what you people are doing here but I have friends in high places and as soon as I get to the bottom of this I’ll expose you and your little school as the frauds that you are.”

Liz could not stand it any longer, accusing them of criminal activity was one thing but insulting the integrity of her school was another. “Mr. Parinder, I assure you that this school offers kids from all backgrounds the highest form of education possible. Our results speak for themselves. Three kids have achieved the highest SATS scores in the country and two have entered university four years ahead of their peers. What we offer here is a chance for the gifted child to learn what they want at the pace they want and our methods are highly successful.”

(Your wasting your breath Liz,) pathed John sympathetically, (the likes of him have made up their minds about us and he will never change.)

“This is irrelevant to my investigation.” Snapped the inspector. “I have reason to believe that you are holding Rebecca and William Parinder here against their will and I have a Warrant here to search these premises.” To emphasize the point he held up the official document in his hand.

Suddenly the office door creaked open on its age-old hinges and a young girl stepped into the room. “Are you looking for me?” She asked innocently.

(Rebecca!) Exclaimed John, (We told you to hide in the lab, they would never find you there.)

(But they would arrest you and Liz and it would all be my fault. I can’t go on hiding from him for ever, what he did to us was wrong and he deserves to be punished not you.)

Liz smiled warmly at her newest charge. (Brave girl.) 

During their exchange Councilor Parinder had stood dumbfounded at the sight of his little girl, no longer crippled with pain, holding herself with an air of confidence he had never seen before. For the briefest of moments we considered what miracles these people had performed on his daughter, but these ideas were soon quashed as his anger returned. He lunged forward and wrapped his arms around Rebecca. “Oh my god! You are safe, what have they done to you?”

Becky wriggled free of his grasp and took a step closer to John. Instinctively he reached out and took her hand. “As you can see the girl is not harmed in any way and if you take time to question her you will find that she came here of her own accord and willingly chose to stay.”
 

“We’ll see about that once we question the girl further,” commented Crompton, “As she seems quite safe and well, we’ll forgo the search and take her back to the station with us. But don’t think this gets any of you off the hook! There is still the question of impersonating an SIS agent to be settled and explanations of how the girl got here in the first place.”

Counselor Parinder looked towards the inspector and sensed that things were not quite going as he had planned. “What about William!” He said “He’s missing too, maybe they were able to brain wash my little girl, but they may still be holding my son captive.”

John let go of Rebecca’s hand and sat at the large desk. It was a move calculated to command authority over the whole room and almost worked. “You can take the girl with you and question her about our involvement but I can give you my oath that the boy is not here and we have never seen him. I promise you that if he arrives at our doorstep we will return him to his family as soon as possible.”

 Inspector Crompton shrugged. He had come here with strong suspicions that something was going on but all he had found was a dedicated bunch of teachers running a highly respectable boarding school. The girl had been found and the boy was somewhere still on the run. He saw no need to take this matter further until they had fully questioned Rebecca. Having made up his mind he turned and beckoned to the officer who stood impassively at the back of the room. “Let’s go Sergeant, we can always come back tomorrow if need be.” Returning the search warrant to the inside pocket of his jacket he prepared to leave. “One more thing, and I’m sure I don’t need to say this, please don’t go leaving the school for the next few days. I’ve not finished my investigations yet!”

“We wont.” Replied John, relief showing visibly in his face.

But Counselor Parinder was not satisfied he marched over to block the inspectors exit. “You can’t let them get away with it! What about my son, at least you could do your job properly and look for him!”

“I do not need someone to tell me how to do my job. I’m satisfied that William is not here and trust these people to hand him over if he arrives.”

“But they cannot be trusted!” Shouted Parinder almost hysterically. “If you won’t search then I’ll have to speak to the Chief Constable and report you for neglect of duty.”

Liz looked at John and a silent comment passed between them. “Inspector. We can all see how distraught Mr. Parinder is over the safety of his son. We would be quite happy for you to search the school if it serves to reassure him.”

Counselor Parinder needed no more bidding, he almost ran through the office door and out into the hallway. The others rapidly filed out after him. 

“OK then,” said the inspector, “We’ll try to disrupt you as little as possible.” Motioning to the group of waiting police they began to spread out and search the ground floor rooms.

Minutes passed in silence as one by one the officers returned and shook their heads. Gradually the inspector relaxed, as he became more convinced that William Parinder was not here. As time passed the police gradually moved up into the children’s dormitories, small groups of TP’s came out to wait silently on the upper landings.

Without warning there was a shout and all eyes turned to see a burley police man dragging a boy kicking and screaming down the small staircase that lead to the roof.

“Well, well,” remarked Counselor Parinder. “What have we here?”

Rebecca could hardly bear it as all eyes, adult and child turned towards her. For they knew instinctively what she had done. Without realizing it she had sealed all their fates and the fate of their beloved school.

As the policeman descended the stairs towards them the inspector turned to John and Liz. “I am arresting you both for kidnapping, You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defense if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in  evidence do you understand?”

****************************
 

Fort William Police Station 3.30 a.m.

Despite the thickness if the stone wall between them Elizabeth could sense John’s breathing. The past few hours had been an ordeal for them both whilst they were searched, questioned and finally locked up to ‘await further inquiries’. During this time they had kept a constant telepathic channel open until, finally, they were too tired to bother communicating directly. Shut in their respective cells for the night they had tried to relax. John immediately turned his thoughts inwards, his mind going round in circles searching for some way out of this mess, until he had, at last, fallen into a fitful sleep.

(John, can you hear me?)

(Hmmm,) was the only response he could think of as he shook himself fully awake.

(I do hope Adam and Ami are coping OK, the kids must be getting worried.)

(Oh Liz,) Pathed John reassuringly, (Always thinking of others and never yourself.)

(Why should we worry? There is nothing to stop us leaving any time we want.)

John was taken aback by her comment. (Are you proposing that we jaunt out of here?)

(No, but unlike other prisoners before us, we know that we can leave if we want to. Of course if we did it would cause a terrible stink and probably result in all of us having to leave the Earth for good.)

(Maybe not for good,) he replied. (But for a while, until the heat is off.)

Liz chuckled (You sound like Mike, he’s been spending a lot of time at the school lately. I never knew you two had become so close!)

John’s mood was momentarily lightened; he sat more upright on the small wooden bed and lent against the cold, stone, wall. 

Liz suddenly changed the subject. (Do they have enough evidence to charge us? After all it is the father’s word against ours and once Rebecca and William tell their side of the story they wont have a case… will they?) She asked with uncertainty.

(Dearest Elizabeth, my father may have been a policeman but I do not really understand the workings of the law you know. The fact that we denied William’s presence in the school was enough to get us arrested. Once the police start snooping around in our affairs god only knows what they’ll find. Did they ask you about Stephen?)

(No, why should they?)

(Because he was with me when we first interviewed Mr. Parinder and as far as they can tell he has disappeared. As the Head of Jameson Industries this does seem very suspicious, not to say the least, news worthy to the press.)

(That has been bothering me all day too. Once the tabloids find out that there is some scandal surrounding one of the worlds most innovative technology companies they’ll start digging into all the company affairs. What if they discover that we fund a lot of Psychical research at universities worldwide as well as the school being totally charitable?)

(That is the least of our worries. We can always convince them that Stephen is an eccentric who puts his private fortune into hair brained schemes, like Richard Branson did back in the 90’s but it’s his absence that will intrigue the police.)

(Maybe we should check in with TIM?)

(Good Idea… TIM is there any response from Stephen’s Kallinar yet?)

(No John, I’m afraid not. The Federation informed me that their flight plan to Manyarner was taking, what they called, ‘the scenic route’. They are not due to drop out of hyperspace for days I’m afraid.)

(Is there any other news?) Asked Elizabeth.

(If you are inquiring about the welfare of the other Tomorrow People, then there is nothing further to report. They are all working at keeping things under control as best they can. Now I suggest that you two at least try to get some sleep, you have a big day ahead tomorrow.)

(Thanks TIM. We will.)

But sleep was still the last thing on their minds. The events of the past few days had brought the Tomorrow People closer to total exposure than they had been for years. The dilemma they had to face was whether to come clean with the authorities, an option John was firmly against, or take their chances through the courts and hope to get off with the least publicity possible. After all, they still had friends in high places, including General Damon. Who, although now retired from office, still had enough clout to get those fake SIS ids. He could put in a good word with the powers that be!

Of course there was one further problem that neither of them wanted to face, if they were indeed found guilty of William Parinder’s kidnapping this could end in being sentenced to a long spell in prison. The others had been very vocal on this point. They would rather leave the Earth than sit by while John and Liz lived a terrible existence in prison. But as he had pointed out many times during the day, if they left Earth who would look after the new TP’s who broke out? Would the younger TP’s have to return to their respective homes and live life as Saps? Always looking over their shoulder, trying not to give away that they were, in fact, different from other children? Or would they have to make the ultimate sacrifice and give up the chance of seeing their own families ever again? 

John and Liz’ minds were already made up. It was up to them to face the music; life for the other TP’s and their children must go on as usual. 

Liz shuddered and pulled the totally inadequate blanket up over her shoulders (This reminds me of the day when Tyso broke out.)

(I was thinking of that as well, it seemed so easy back then to take on Colonel Masters and his military thugs, to jaunt into their top-secret military establishment and snatch the kids back from them. There were so few of us that we could just hide ourselves away.)

(Not any longer,) she replied, (Forty Tomorrow People are harder to hide than four and being associated with a high powered company, despite having it’s advantages over the years, also has its drawbacks.)

(TIM is right Liz. There is nothing more for us to do tonight but sleep.) She sensed him lay down once again. (I know I don’t say it very often but I do love you.)

(I know you do John. That is something that I have never doubted. I love you too.)

What passed between them next cannot be expressed in words. The unquestioning, feelings of oneness that was part of being a Tomorrow Person wrapped them in it’s warmth, and comforted their very being. Gently they slipped into a light sleep…

************************************
 

Fort William Police Station 11 a.m. the next day.

Journalists and TV personnel jostled for position outside the building, each one trying to get the best view of the action about to unfold. It had not taken long for the scandal surrounding Jameson Industries to spread amongst the media and many different newspapers and TV companies were represented in the crowd, each hoping to get that exclusive interview with the companies Managing Director and his wife. Kidnapping of children and scandal surrounding a private boarding school were very controversial issues and guaranteed to create headlines and increased readership.

As the morning wore on the crowd became impatient for some action, their deadlines were approaching fast, and if they were to get this juicy story to press in time for the evening papers something just had to happen soon.

Finally there was movement inside, a small group of people could be seen, through the glass paneling, standing in the foyer. The assembled journalists raised up their cameras and microphones straining to get the best shot. At last two men came through the doors and stood atop the stone steps, one was tall and red headed wearing a smart business suit. The other, short and stocky, looked oddly out of place dressed in a kilt. Silence fell as the first man cleared his throat…

“Ladies and gentleman,” he began in an unmistakable northeast American accent. “As the lawyer representing Mr. & Mrs. Phillips and spokesman for Jameson Industries I would like to give you a brief statement.”

The crowd pushed forward and there were moans of disappointment from the back. “We want to speak to them in person,” grumbled a scruffy young man at the front of the throng. “Tell them to come out here and face the press themselves.”

Megabyte fixed the journalist with a stare and the edges of his mouth cracked momentarily as he probed into the camera held in the man’s hand. Gently he applied telekinetic pressure to the mechanism until it snapped then he smiled more openly as he scrambled the digital information held within it’s memory. “I have been authorized to make this statement on behalf of the company and I’m sure you will all appreciate, once you hear the facts, that the Philip’s have suffered enough trauma in the past twenty four hours not to relive it by speaking to you directly. They are most distressed by the false accusations made against them and wish to return to their home in peace.”

There was a further murmur of disappointment as the assembled journalists felt the scandal of a good story slip away from them, false accusations were not as much fun to report as truth but could still be manipulated by skillful writers into tantalizing stories. Eventually hush fell upon the group as they waited to record the pre-prepared statement.

Megabyte took the paper from his pocket; it had not taken much for him to convince the police that he was the Jameson Company lawyer. Embroidering his earlier discussions with legal jargon pathed to him by TIM they had accepted that the prisoners in their cells had to be released without charge. It had taken more for him to convince John that giving the press an official sounding statement was the next action to take. John had wanted to leave by a back door to avoid publicity as much as possible, but had agreed, in the end, that appearing more open would quash the suspicions faster than slipping away secretly. Eventually the compromise, that Megabyte would address the press,  had been agreed upon.

“Jameson Industries has always been a company with high visions for the future,” he began. “We strongly believe that through innovations in technology we can make this planet a safer, cleaner and more pleasurable place in which to live. This is a goal shared by all of our employees.” He paused momentarily for his words to sink in. “We are convinced that the future success of any company lies in its workforce and seek to employ only the best. To this end we have funded the Jameson Academy as a center for academic excellence for 10 years. Stephen Jameson’s own children were educated there and he has the highest regard for it’s principal and teaching staff. 

Due to an unfortunate misunderstanding two of our most trusted personnel have been falsely accused of the diabolical crime of kidnapping two children. I am now at liberty to explain to you all the circumstances which surrounded this unfortunate episode.”  

The crowd murmured once again as they began to sense something news worthy in what was being said. Megabyte continued. “The children in question had run away from home and having heard about the school had taken refuge there. They have now made statements to the police completely exonerating my clients in any criminal activity. They entered the school voluntarily and the staff had no knowledge that this was against the parents permission. The children’s father is, at present, being questioned by police regarding the suspicious death of his wife and the children have been released by social services back into the care of the school. All charges have been dropped against my clients and the school has been fully reopened. I trust that you will respect the privacy of my clients as well as the other children at the school who have been upset by the events which took place there yesterday. I ask you on behalf of Mr. & Mrs. Phillips to leave the school in peace so that it can return to its usual activities.” He paused once again and looked over his shoulder at Andrew. “Jameson Industries has never at any time doubted the honesty of it’s staff and has always had complete faith in the dedication of all personnel to live by the ideals which it expects of them. We will not be seeking compensation in this matter and wish to put this unfortunate episode behind us and move forward to achieve our goals as a company.”

(I think this is going to your head.) Pathed Andrew impatiently. (Let’s just get out of here before they ask any awkward questions.)

Megabyte gave his friend a nod of acceptance and put the paper back into his pocket. “Ladies and gentlemen that is all, if you would mind moving away my clients will now return to the school.” Perfectly on cue a mini-bus marked with the school’s emblem pulled up the driveway, the journalists stepped back out of the way as they watched John and Liz emerge from the police station and climb aboard. Why none of then thought of taking pictures at that moment, was a mystery they would later attempt to explain to their various editors and producers. Andrew’s projected telepathic image was convincing enough for all assembled to believe they were seeing the real John and Liz leaving to return home.
 

*****************************

The Lab, London. Five hours later…

“Well done Andrew.” Said John patting him on the shoulder. “You did an excellent job of distracting them while we got out of there.”

“It was nothing, I’m used to projecting images that large quite frequently these days.”

“Still, it was a great idea. They have no evidence of what we actually look like, which makes me feel quite relieved.” Added Liz before she drank deeply from her mug of tea.

“I am also relieved that the story has only received minor mentions in the local press and a few by-lines in the Evening Standard. It seems that without suitable images most news networks dropped the story fast.” Commented TIM. “There is, of course, the matter of the father. Once the police charge him, if they charge him, there is still some danger that you or John may be needed to give evidence in court.”

John stood up. “We’ll just have to face that when and if it happens. For now I’m just happy that they believe William and Rebecca and that we managed to persuade them to give us custody, I am usually against the use of psionic suggestion but on this occasion it seems to have worked out for the best. Now that all the fuss is over I think I’d like to take a long shower and have an early night.” He looked across the linking table at his wife. “Neither of us has had much sleep.” He said with a smile.

Elizabeth smiled back at her husband but did not rise from her seat. “Before we settle back into our old routines I think we should discuss exactly what happened here over the past few days. Things have been said and done which I find quite distressing.” She looked directly at John. “It’s not our arrest that has upset me most but the fact that we are not all here facing the consequences together.”

John stiffened and sat down angrily on a nearby couch. “I know what you all think, that if Stephen had been here things would have been easier to handle. But what would he have done any differently? It’s not my fault that Rebecca hid William at the school without telling us. You cannot blame me for the father’s actions in driving his kids away from home. I can’t take responsibility for everything that happens around here!” He crossed his arms in the familiar gesture which meant subject closed.

Liz looked at Adam and they both spoke at once. “Exactly!”

Liz continued alone. “Look John, I know you were in charge of things for a long time before Adam and the others made contact but you must have realized,  over the years, that we are all responsible adults.” She wondered if she was about to push him too far but continued anyway. “They had taken care of themselves for years and although they made mistakes once in a while they survived together as a unit. I think that things got more out of hand than they should have done because Stephen is not here. We all know Stephen is a joker, and annoying at times, but it was his name that was given to the company. He’s one of your oldest and closest friends and I think you need him here more than you will admit to.”

John opened his mouth to comment but Adam began to speak. “We are ‘The Tomorrow people’, we are taking care of this planet together and that includes our wives and kids. When you accused Angie of being irresponsible Stephen could do nothing but take her away. She has the right to make mistakes like the rest of us, she may not be human but she is a being with feelings. What you said was cruel and uncalled for, I’m not surprised that Stephen felt he had to leave with her. What you must do now is apologize, for all our sakes. Ask them to come home, for despite her origins Angie has chosen this place as her home, and we all miss her. Stop taking responsibility for everything, admit that you were wrong and bring our family back together again.”

When Adam finished there was a long period of silence. The atmosphere in the lab was thick with the tension between him and John. Looking from one to another John realized that Adam had spoken for them all in his request that Stephen and Angie return home. But to John apologizing was almost alien to his nature, for so many years his views had hardly been questioned, once his mind was made up the others so often complied that he seldom stopped to question whether it was the correct cause of action. Now in just a few days his entire relationship with them was being challenged, his unwavering confidence in his own ability to lead The Tomorrow People was being questioned. Without saying a word he stood purposely and left the lab, maybe the hot cleansing of a shower could straighten out his thoughts.

Watching him leave in silence Adam turned to Liz. “Did I say too much?”

She shook her head. “It had to be said one day. He’s a good man, give him time to think, and he’ll come around. It’s just difficult for someone who has never made a mistake to admit that he was wrong.”

She tipped the last dregs of her tea into her mouth and offered the empty mug to TIM for re-absorption. “I think that it would be best if we gave John a wide birth for a day or two.” She placed her hand against the nearest of TIM’s glowing globes. “But just to be prepared. TIM, could you please advise the Trig that we will be needing a transporter beam to relay us to Manyarner as soon as possible.”

“I’ll contact them straight away and make the necessary arrangements.” Replied TIM emphatically.

“One thing that John was right about,” she added standing and crossing towards the cabins, “I definitely need some sleep.”

**************************
 

The Jameson Academy for gifted children, Corroua Sta, Scotland. Three days later.
 

Ami put down her equipment sighed, and left the science room; the insistent ringing of the office phone had interrupted her biology lesson yet again. It had been two days since John and Liz left for Manyarner, and the school had almost returned to normal. Apart, that is, from the canceling of Liz’ art classes and there being no one to answer the phone. Still, she thought, it was a great relief when John had, at last, agreed to travel to Angie’s home world and request her return. A little discomfort, and interruptions, to normal routine could easily be dealt with.

Eventually she entered the office and picked up the receiver. “Hello. Can I help you?”

Inspector Crompton’s voice was unmistakable on the other end of the line, his thick Derbyshire accent making it difficult for her to follow what he was saying. “Can I please speak to the Principal, Mrs. Phillips. I have some important news for her regarding Rebecca and William Parinder who I believe are staying with you at the moment.”

Ami thought quickly. “I’m afraid both Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are away for a short holiday at present. I am the senior member of staff available may I help you?”

“Why girl you don’t sound old enough to be a member of staff, but if you’re the only one there I’ll have to tell you. This morning at 8am, while being transferred from Fort William station back down to Derbyshire for psychiatric assessment, Mr. Parinder escaped from police custody. A thorough investigation has led us to believe that he may make his way Corroua Sta and attempt to take back his children. During his questioning, regarding the recent unfortunate incident, he seemed quite convinced that they were being brainwashed in some way and that the school was some kind of cover for a secret organization. It was these accusations which led us to seek a second opinion about his mental state, but I am sorry, to say we underestimated his resourcefulness. He slipped past one of  my best officers totally unseen. How he managed it is something for our internal inquiry but I thought you should be warned that he is at large and probably heading your way.”

Shocked by what she had been told Ami put down the receiver. (Adam,) she pathed (Can you come to the office at once please?)

(TIM, did you monitor that call?) She asked. 

(Of course.) 

(Have you detected any Sap activity in the vicinity? I know that it is difficult to slip past your sensor grid but it’s better to be cautious.)

(You can be assured that if anyone comes within half a mile of the school grounds I will alert you immediately. There is nothing to worry about.) Replied the biotronic computer.