| Life Goes On |
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Disclaimer: The Tomorrow People are not mine but are the copywrite of Roger Price, Thames/Pearson TV, Big Finish etc… Personal comment: I haven't had a lucid dream about the TP in years but following my interview with Nick Young (was it only yesterday?) it seems that instead of reality breaking the magic of the fantasy it has enhanced it. So here is the conversation that went on in my dream I know I was there with them… This is a stand-alone story not linked to my 'Joining universe.' Part one of one 20th April 2001 Stephen lay on the bunk in what had once been Mike's cabin. How long had it been since he last slept at the lab? Twenty. Maybe thirty years? It seemed like only yesterday that he had received the request from the Galactic Federation to join in a summit on closed worlds. 'I remember the day Tyso and me left,' he thought, 'We were busy repairing the watchdog satellite and I jaunted back to collect some tools… but that was the old lab, the old days, my old life… ' Sensing her approach Stephen sat up on his elbows "Come in." He called simultaneously as Liz knocked on the door. "Sorry to disturb you but I wasn't here when you jaunted in and wanted to say hi." Stephen beamed at his old friend. "I wasn't asleep anyway…" His voice trailed off as memories of his first visit to the lab crept into his mind. "I was just thinking…" "We've all got lots to think about tonight." She smiled warmly and Stephen was immediately transported back to those days in secondary school when Elizabeth had been his new teacher. 'And you're still a smasher!' He chuckled to himself 'Even after all this time.' Motioning for her to come further into the room Stephen sat up allowing the bed coverings to fall away from his bare chest. Feeling suddenly self-conscious he yanked them up again a gesture, which by its absurdity, broke the tension and they both began to laugh. "What's John up to?" He asked as his embarrassment subsided. "Busy as usual checking over TIM's systems, although I'm sure it could wait until morning." "You know John, never one to put of until tomorrow what you can cram into today…He's not changed a bit." Liz nodded. "Still the same old John. Life may go on but some things never change." Stephen immediately looked very earnest. "But things have changed. We've all gone our separate ways, done our own things… And now we're back. And for what?" "You know why TIM called us back. Can't you feel them?" Now it was Stephen's turn to nod in agreement. "Yes like a murmur in the back of my mind. Tens, no maybe hundreds of them." "John says perhaps even thousands." "Wow…" Stephen gave a gentle whistle. "So why leave them to fend for themselves all these years? Didn't they need someone here to help with the breakout?" "It wasn't an easy decision for us to leave you know. John took it hardest of all. But things were just too dangerous for us around here. In some ways any new Tomorrow People that did break out, in our absence, were protected by their anonymity. The SIS can't keep track of everyone. I suspect that many of them are out there frightened and alone at this very moment. Wondering what has become of them and terrified to tell their family or friends of the things they can do." "But that's all changed now. We're back!" He grinned and Elizabeth's mood lightened. "Yes back where we belong. Now I suggest you get some sleep it's gonna be a big day tomorrow and you need to recover from the rigors of that intergalactic jaunt." "That's the old Liz I remember, always putting others before herself. You cared for each and everyone of us like we were your family." "We are family." She turned and prepared to leave. "But sometimes I think we care too much and that's our greatest weakness." "Strength or weakness doesn't matter. Life goes on… evolution goes on… and that's something we can't do anything about." As Liz closed the door gently behind her Stephen snuggled down into the pillow and let his brain empty of thoughts. There in the background of his mind he could feel their strength. Hundreds, no maybe thousands, of Tomorrow People who were waiting for an answer... But were they ready to hear the truth? The End. Jackie Clark |
