Disclaimer:

Most of the Characters contained in this story are not ours but are borrowed from the 1970s series The Tomorrow People. They are the property of the creators and copyright holders. Thames/ Pearson TV etc. 

Any other characters, planets and cultures are the sole creation and property of Jacqueline Newman. 

This Story is a collaborative venture between, Jacqueline Newman and Kristy Fahrenwald, with some input by Tim and Megan. No one may post this story to any web page without obtaining permission from both of us. 

The events take place on the Galactic Trig, just after Shaun Hateley's Exodus, and then follow a different path from his chronology. Thanks to Shaun for permission to use his ideas. 

We would also like to thank Ariana for beta reading this fan fic. 

Comments are very welcome. If you enjoy the story please let us know. We can be found quite often on DalNet#TomorrowPeople Chat. very welcome. If you enjoy the story please let me know.

Jacqueline Newman
jack@effdee.demon.co.uk

John inspected the small component through his micro-scenic eye piece. "Hmmmm..." 

"You will not find a better set of biotronic neural connectors in this part of the galaxy." Said Westler Topinkyn as he lent against the display cabinet. 

John looked up at the scruffily dressed trader. "How much do you want for the whole set?" 

"Ah sir," Westler could smell a deal that was almost done. "I can see that you are a man of some learning although I sense that you are new to the Trig. Before we continue with the messy business of negotiating the transfer of credits may I enquire as to your species designation?" 

"I don't see what that has to do with it but I suppose I may as well tell you. I'm human, originally from the planet Earth." 

Westler could hardly contain himself. This was one of those closed world telepaths he had heard about, naive to the unwritten rules of the Trig's lower citizens. Taking credits off this poor sucker would be all too easy. He calmed his inner excitement and spoke in a flat even tone. "And may I enquire whether you are a telepath?" 

"Yes. Why do you ask?" 

"Oh it just makes the process of negotiation much simpler if I know that my mind is to be probed." 

John gave this strange alien a long hard stare, his impatience was growing. He had told Elizabeth that he would only be a few minutes in the market and she must be wondering where he had got to by now. "Let me assure you that it is not a habit of mine to probe the mind of every creature that I meet. Your thoughts are your own. Now may we fix a price?" 

"Very well, sir. I can see that you are a creature who values a direct approach. I ask 2000 credits transferable immediately into my off world account on Dralon six." 

Westler Topinkyn was well aware that their real value was little over 700 credits, and he was asking a ridiculous price. But he always enjoyed the thrill of the negotiation, a little hard bargaining was always expected. Acquiring such items had become far too easy lately since the Trig's overly bureaucratic finance committee had relaxed the import laws. The trader's life was in jeopardy of becoming much too dull. 

John had been deep in thought as well. Timus had warned him that the traders could not be trusted and that he should always offer much less than they asked. "How about 1000?" 

"Ha!" Exclaimed Westler. "Do you take me for a fool? That would hardly cover the import taxes. Shall we say 1800?" 

This bartering went on for some time until Elizabeth's worried thoughts cut into John's concentration. (John. Where are you? I've been waiting for nearly an hour. Are you all right?) 

(Yes Liz I'll be right with you. hold on.) 

"Okay, 1500 it is then." John held his hand across the key pad that Westler produced from his vest pocket. 

"It was a pleasure doing business with you sir." He bowed as John turned to leave. "Perhaps you will seek out Westler Topinkyn next time you are in need of some high quality electronic components?" 

"Yes, maybe." Mumbled John as he placed the biotronic neural connectors into his waist bag and rapidly left to meet Elizabeth. 

As John passed out of earshot into the throng of busy shoppers another figure stepped into the trader's tent. It was a small elf like creature with dark rugged features and a large scar down the left side of his face. 

"So Westler did he go for it?" Asked Zelon. 

"Oh yes. there's a sucker born every minute." 

"What!" 

"That's an old Earth expression. I stole it from the young telepath's mind during the negotiations. He was hardly shielded at all. How gullible these humans are. We should have quite a lot of fun with them!" 

"Just you be careful not to do anything too obvious." Snarled Zelon. "That Galactic police agent that you killed last year could still be traced back to us, and I don't want to spend the rest of my life on Repos Four having my mind re-educated." 

Westler Topinkyn patted his partner on the head. "Don't worry my old friend. I have it all worked out. Our newest venture is well underway and will make us rich beyond our wildest dreams." 

"Well you better be right or you may find yourself becoming very intimate with an air lock." Snapped Zelon before he teleported away. 

The Tomorrow People's lounge in the humanoid sphere. Two weeks later. 

Elizabeth jaunted into the room with a tidy assortment of paperwork. She had finally accepted a teaching position at the Trig school and was busy making plans for her classes. It was a relief to feel useful again after the evacuation. She crossed over to the center table and spread her things out in front of her before sensing another figure sitting on the sofa across the room. 

"Timus! Oh, do excuse me, Your Excellency," she exclaimed. "This is an unexpected pleasure. What can I do for you?" 

"Hello, Elizabeth. It is good to see you again. However, I must correct you. I am not Timus." 

"My apologies, you must be Tikno then. Of course, its good to see you as well. I was certain you would be on a diplomatic mission to a closed world." 

"Again, you are mistaken. I am not Tikno." 

Elizabeth was very puzzled. "I cant remember meeting any of the other sixty four clone brothers? But, you act as if weve met." 

Liz turned as John materialized next to her. "I see you two are getting reaquainted." 

(What is going on John? This *is* another of Timus' clone brothers, isnt it? How does he know me?) 

John had entered with a slight, sly grin, but for John he was beaming. He was still obviously pleased with himself and her confusion as he answered. "Elizabeth, you know this person very well. It's TIM." 

She looked from one to the other. Instinctively she knew that John's words were true. "But how..." 

"I built him an android body. You know how we all hated leaving him behind. So I brought along another version of the voice amplifier we used when on the Father Ship to incorporate into this body. Haven't you wondered what has kept me so busy these past few months?" 

"Well, yes, but I never guessed..." 

Elizabeth sat down next to TIM and took his hand in hers while kissing his cheek. "Welcome TIM." 

TIM shifted a bit uncomfortably. "Thank you, Elizabeth. This is all very new to me, but I am very happy to walk amongst you at last." 

The introductions and explanations went on over the next several hours. As John introduced TIM to all the Tomorrow People, all expressed their delight at having their friend with them again. 

"What about the TIM that is back on Earth in the lab?" Asked Stephen. "Does he know about you?" 

"We are one and the same, so everything I know he also knows. I simply no longer have to wait until you see fit to lend a hand when you get yourselves in trouble. There have been so many times all I could do was to watch and hope for the best. Now, thanks to John, I have the ability to share your adventures; and, of course, be there for you when I am needed." 

"I'm not too sure about adventures." Commented Tyso, as he stuffed a piece of cake into his mouth. "Since moving to the Trig life has been so boring. I doubt that we will have any adventures for a long time." 

And that comment just shows how wrong even a Tomorrow Person can be... 

Part 2 of 4 : Suspicious Minds
The Galactic Trig: Humanoid Sphere.
15th September 1980

It was quiet in the corridor as he crept along searching for the biometrics lab. He had seen the evening shift leave earlier to return to their respective quarters. Now all he had to do was to find the proper laboratory and he would be half way to his goal. 

Coming up to a doorway he read the inscription on the name plate. 

Testing centre AQ297: Restricted area. Authorized personnel only. 

He smiled, and with a brief burst of telekinesis opened the lock. He slipped inside and scanned the neatly arranged work area. After a few minutes of thumbing through one dull, federation project after another, he spotted the one that interested him. Lifting it up to his face, he studied the glowing liquid contained in the small glass vile. 

'So, with all the fascinating papers the Federation puts out on their research, this they want to keep quiet from the Galaxy? Well, not any more. Getting this into the right hands will make us all very very rich.' he thought to himself. 

He gave a loud laugh, then the room suddenly seemed much more tense than it should have been. Surely it was just his imagination? but he hurriedly hid the vile in the lining of his tunic just the same. 

He was all ready to leave but couldn't forget Zelon's instructions. Rapidly he set the small explosive charge and left it on the work bench. The small device began to whine. "That'll keep the Fed police busy for a while." He said as he jaunted away. 

Another figure appeared in the doorway just as the thief jaunted from sight. When he slipped inside the room the noise from the explosive device was piercing. Too late! Hissed the figure and also jaunted. 

The Tomorrow People's Lounge. Three months Later... 

John used telekinesis to switch off the small screen that floated across the room from him. He looked up at Elizabeth. 

"No wonder we haven't seen much of Stephen, Tyso and Tricia these last few weeks. This crime wave has got the Galactic Police on high alert. They seem to be completely baffled by the apparent random nature of the crimes. Sometimes it's theft of goods that have no significant value. Sometimes it's just random destruction of property." 

"Well at least we are safe in here," replied Liz. "But I do worry about Mike, Hsui and Andrew when they go exploring the other areas of the sphere. Do you think you could have a word with them?" 

"I can try, but we have to remember that Mike is an adult now and I doubt whether he'll take much notice of my advice." 

"They do respect you John" Liz's expression was one of deep maternal concern. "Would you rather I spoke to them?" 

"Oh dear, Elizabeth. You have enough responsibility with the kids at the Trig school. Don't worry I'll speak to them tonight." 

She smiled warmly at him and returned to her book. "Thanks John. I'm sure they'll listen to you." 

Later that week..... 

Elizabeth could hear the tightness in their voices as the conversation in the common area again took a turn for the worst. She was tired and could not face another round of arguments between John and Mike. She tried to sound casual as she made her excuses. "I have a lot of work to do for class. Ill see you two in the morning." 

She left the lounge to head towards her own room. These past few days had been particularly stressful on all of them. The puzzling wave of violence had forced the Federation Council to take drastic actions. There was a curfew for all non-federation citizens for sixteen hours every day. This had caused a lot of problems at the school; and she was convinced, like many others, that it was the wrong approach to the growing problems. 

There wasn't any class work and she felt guilty for lying. She tried to sleep, but succeeded only in a detailed study of her ceiling. After laying awake on her bunk for what felt like many hours she decided to dress and take a brief walk in the arboretum. 

After checking that the others were all safe in their respective rooms, 'little mother hen'. Finally she crossed the lounge to head out of the door. 

But before she reached the doorway she was aware of a figure materializing in the room. She was startled at first, and reached out to grab a stun gun from the shelf. "There is no need for that." Said the familiar voice of TIM. "I didn't mean to startle you." 

Elizabeth sighed with relief and put down the stun gun. "Sorry TIM. I guess we are all a little jumpy these days." 

"That is quite understandable. I have just come back from a briefing with Stephen and Tyso. You are obviously on your way out, so I will not detain you." 

"Thanks TIM. I couldn't sleep, so I'm going for a walk. Do you want to join me?" 

"No, thank you. I am rather preoccupied with this security problem and wish to review the latest data. you enjoy yourself." 

"Well I'll certainly try." She turned towards the door which silently opened to let her through. 'That's funny.' she thought to herself as she made her way to the elevator shaft. 'He did not try to stop me or warn me about being out alone.' He must be more absorbed with these Federation problems than we realize. 

She dismissed the thoughts as the elevator doors opened to reveal the warm tropical environment of the Trig arboretum. The scent of wild flowers wafted across her nostrils and she stepped out into the refreshing scene. 

The Tomorrow People Lounge The next day. 

(Liz, are you there?) Pathed Stephen from the offices of the Galactic Police. 

(Yes Stephen. What can I do for you?) 

(We've arrested one of your students looting a shop in the traders center. He's a Paldrinian and is asking specifically for you. Can you jaunt over to see me, please.) 

Elizabeth sighed and put down her knife and fork. "There's just no peace these days." She said to herself and jaunted to Stephen's location. 

It took three hours to sort out the paper work regarding her Paldrinian student. Elizabeth contacted his parents who arrived to take their son home in disgrace. 

"That's the last I'll see of him." She commented to Stephen. "So many parents have withdrawn their kids from the school. I suspect that we will have to close soon. By the way, have the Galactic Police got any clue about who is doing all these terrible things?" 

Stephen sat down behind the desk. He looked out of place in these alien surroundings, she realized that he was no longer the young Tomorrow Person who had no cares in the world, but was suddenly a man responsible for the lives of thousands of Federation Citizens. 

"Actually, we don't have a clue. There is only just beginning to be any sort of pattern to the attacks. Some of us think that a lot of it is a smoke screen for a much wider operation. There's something big going down and I don't like the feel of it." 

"At least you have TIM's input. He must be a great help." 

"What! TIM? Oh no, I have been too busy to see him for weeks. I'm sorry that he came to join us at such a busy time. How is he getting used to having a body?" 

"But I thought he said..." She trailed off. Elizabeth was certain TIM had said he'd talked to Stephen just the other night but dismissed the idea that he could have lied to her in an instant. He was their friend and was not capable of deception. 

"He said what?" Asked a puzzled Stephen. 

"I must have been mistaken. Sorry. I better get back myself I'll see you for dinner on Sunday won't I.? Don't forget it's Mike's birthday." 

"How could I?" Laughed Stephen. "He's been hinting to Tyso and me for weeks. We'll be there, don't worry." 

Elizabeth waved warmly and jaunted back to her room. 

A week Later in John's room. Early morning. 

Elizabeth looked in through the doorway at John lying on the bed. 

(Can I come in?) She pathed 

(Well you've managed to wake me up so you might as well.) He replied sleepily. (What gets you up at this hour?) 

"John, I'm worried about something and I need to speak to you alone." She sat down on the edge of his bed and sensing her anxiety he sat up to listen. 

"Well, what is it?" 

There was a long silence while she gathered her thoughts. "It's TIM. I know he has been lying to me and I'm sure that he's mixed up in this Federation business, and how could he do a thing like that, it's not in his nature. Or is it?" 

John put his arm around her shoulders. "Hold on there. Slow down and explain what you are talking about." 

She looked him straight in the eye and began. "I think that TIM is responsible for all the violent crime that has been going on around the Trig lately. He has been going out alone at night and lied to me about where he gets to. It seems strange that all this trouble started just after you built him. Have you ever considered it?" 

John swung his feet to the floor and reached for his dressing gown. "I cannot believe that you can possibly think that TIM is mixed up in any of this. But I can see how upset you are so let's go through for a coffee while you explain exactly what you mean." 

He led her into the lounge and collected two mugs of steaming coffee from the food dispenser. 

Elizabeth watched him as he came to sit beside her at the table. "I know you don't believe me, John. I don't want to believe it either. But there are too many details adding up to just the one conclusion." 

She told John how TIM had claimed to be with Stephen when Stephen hadn't seen him. "After I spoke to Stephen I tried to pretend I had misunderstood one of them or the other, but I had to know for sure." She stirred her coffee for a second. "I followed him, John. I followed him half the night till he went to the administrative centre. When he left his clothes were a mess." 

John sighed, "The same night I suppose?" 

"That the council member was murdered? Yes!" 

"I cant believe you followed him. You know TIM didn't always tell us what he was up planning even before he had a body. He likes to wait till he has the full answer, come up looking good. Did you ask him what he was doing there? He could have been there by coincidence and ran into the killer." 

"And said nothing to the Galactic Police?" 

"You don't know he didn't go to them. You just know he hadn't talked to them earlier. And as far as his lying about that, I'm sure you misunderstood him." 

"Oh of course, I couldn't possibly be trusted to get such a clear statement straight. As emotional as I am and all." 

"Now, I didn't say that, but look at you now! We're all upset about this, you're just finding beasts around every corner. Look, let me get dressed. We can go and talk to Stephen. See if TIM did talk to him about the night of the murder." 

"Fine." Came Liz's short reply. 

John went on to his quarters leaving Elizabeth alone with her own feelings. Could she be imagining all this? Was she in some way jealous of the bond John had formed with their old friend? 

The authoritative thoughts of Tricia suddenly filled her mind. (Liz) 

(Yes Tricia.) 

(Can I jaunt over to see you I think it's time we had a serious talk.) 

(Of course Tricia, I'm in the lounge waiting for John to dress.) 

(Good. What I have to say concerns him as well.) 

A figure materialized beside her and she smiled at the familiar face of Tricia. 

"Happy new year Patricia." She said half heartedly. "He'll be here in a minute. Have a coffee while you are waiting." 

"No thanks. I'm avoiding caffeine at the moment. You have another if you wish." 

The door slid open and John, his face carrying a very earnest expression, walked over to join them. "Have you come to tell me about TIM as well?" He asked. 

"Yes John. I'm afraid the situation is graver than any of us imagined. We really need to talk." 

Part 3 of 4 : The Good, The bad and The Ugly. 
The Galactic Trig: Humanoid Sphere.
January 1981 

They sat around the link table in the lounge. Hsui Tai wiped her eyes sleepily. Mike was fidgeting beside Andrew, both young men eager to return to their beds. Stephen and Tyso appeared and took their places at the table on either side of Tricia. 

She cleared her throat and began. "I have asked you all here today to discuss the matter of the violence which has been occurring on the Trig over the past few months." 

"Lovely, another lecture! At least with you three we tend to get visual aids. A little vid clip of the destruction here or there. My last ten safety speaches were all talk," Mike interupted, glaring at John. 

Hsui Tai gave him a swift kick under the table to shut him up. He switched his glare to her momentarily then his expression turned into a gentle grin. 

"Anyway, I take it this has something to do with us? I mean, aren't the generalized lectures usually at a more civilized hour?" 

"Actually this matter has everything to do with you as it is your biotronic android who is the cause of all the violent crime. What we have to figure out is what we are going to do about it." 

At this Mikes expression changed to one of disbelief. "Oh, not TIM!" 

"I'm afraid so, Mike," said Stephen. "We have enough evidence against him to implicate him in much of the theft and destruction, as well as several murders. The situation is very grave indeed." 

"But how could TIM be capable of any of this?" Asked John, his disbelief still evident. 

Tricia took a key pad from her pocket and handed it to him. "John, is this your palm print?" 

He nodded. 

"We acquired it from a Trader by the name of Westler Topinkyn. Do you know him?" 

John shook his head. 

"That is the man you bought the components from, that you used to build TIM." She showed him a small holographic image. "Do you recall him now?" 

"Yes, the trader I met at the off world market. But what has he got to do with all this?" 

Tricia continued. "We have had this trader, Westler Topinkyn, under surveillance for some time. He is a smuggler who deals in all sorts of very nasty contraband. He's been doing a bit of branching out, developed a sudden interest in selling information and getting rid of people with certain political agendas. He's certainly not working alone, but we don't know his associate. We believe that when he sold you the biotronic neural connectors, that you used in TIM's biotronic brain, you were unaware that they had pre-programmed these components to respond to coded signals transmitted by them. In effect TIM has been working for them all along." 

"But I cannot believe it!" Exclaimed John. "I tested the components myself, and when I transferred TIM's personality into the android brain there was no evidence of any tampering. Are you sure about all this?" 

Stephen spoke up for the first time. "The galactic police are have clear evidence that TIM has been helping Topinkyn. Of course we cannot yet prove that he is following pre-programmed instrucions." 

"If TIM was not follow such instructions, then he would be choosing to help. That cannot be." Hsui Tai said, in defense of their friend. 

"I'm afraid that however unlikely it seems that TIM could be working for this man. In either case, he is the perpetrator of the crimes and as such has to face the consequences of his actions." Added Tricia. 

"Just what do you mean by that, Tricia?" Said Elizabeth, concern showing in her voice. 

"We have no way to prove the tampering unless we dismantle and examine him in detail. And without such proof, we would be unable to implicate Topinkyn and his accomplice. TIM would still be dismantled or destroyed as the only one who we can be certain was involved in the crimes." Tricia replied flatly. 

Elizabeth stood and strode across the room. Folding her arms across her chest, she looked angry enough to explode. "Dismantled or destroyed? If I understand any of John's chatterings about it, dismantling would destroy him. How could you suggest such a thing? TIM is our friend and always has been. Destroying him is just like killing one of us. I won't let you do it." 

"Dismantling him would destroy the connection to the body. Our TIM back home would still be there." John corrected her. 

"Yes, there. But we would lose *our* TIM here, and he would lose his body. And he would lose us. How could you do that to him?" 

John stood and crossed the room extending his hand. "Dear Elizabeth, you always speak from your heart; but Tricia's solution is the only sensible one. TIM doesn't need us." 

Elizabeth ignored his hand and turned towards Stephen. "What do you think Stephen? You know that TIM is incapable of such things. If we could get him to testify against the others..." 

Stephen shrugged. "Sorry Elizabeth, but I'm staying out of this. I have my duty to the Federation now." 

"Use your head, Liz," added Tyso. "If he is under their control, they ain't gonna to let him testify. TIM has all our powers and is capable of nearly anything. It may not be his fault; but there is no doubt that he has committed these crimes. What can we do but deactivate him?" 

Their angry exchange was interrupted by a bleeping noise from the communicator on Tricia's wrist. She lifted it to her face and spoke briefly to the operator. 

"There's been another incident. The police have TIM cornered in the entertainment centre in section 78B. We are recalled to attend. Stephen, you and Tyso go over to the traders market and arrest Topinkyn then meet us there. Maybe he can do something to prevent any further violence." 

Stephen and Tyso nodded and disappeared. 

"If you are going to destroy TIM at least give us a chance to speak to him first. Maybe John can figure out an alternative solution to this mess," pleaded Elizabeth. 

"Very well, but remember that you are both civilians and I'm in charge." 

"What's the charge?" TIM heard Topinkyn sneer. 

"Oh, I'm just the messenger. They didn't give me details on this one." Said Stephen trying to sound nonchalant. "But we've been through this before Topinkyn, why don't you just take your pick?" 

In the Shadows at the back of the tent TIM struggled to free the bonds holding him. But try as he might the inhibitor band around his head prevented him from pathing and the crude gag stuffed in his mouth stopped him calling out. 

"Or maybe I'll take mine. Why don't we just look into where, say, this came from." Stephen picked up one of the scattered parts from Topikyn's wares. "Got the paperwork on this one?" 

"You will never make this stick." Snarled Topikyn. 

Stephen Grinned. "We just want to chat with you, friend. We'll worry about your long term plans latter." 

As Stephen and Tyso led the smuggler out, the cord around TIM's wrists and feet was beginning to be weakened by the constant rubbing against the corner of a nearby storage crate. Eventually with one huge effort he managed to pull it apart and stand to inspect the small room. He pulled the gag from his mouth, but by then his friends were long gone. Spying the doorway, he rushed out into the aisle which ran at the back of the market stalls. 

Much to his surprise, the area was very quiet. Strange', he thought, this is usually such a busy place at any time of day.' Just then, a shout caught his attention and a group of aliens came running around the bend nearly knocking him to the ground. 

A large ape like creature stopped just in front of him. "Sorry stranger. We are all getting out of here, and I suggest you do the same while you can. The Fed police are sealing off the area trying to capture that robot." 

"What robot?" 

The alien looked over his shoulder nervously. "Where have you been man? You should get out of here like the rest of us," and with this he rushed on down the aisle calling to his friends to wait for him. 

Some mixture of biotronic pride and confusion from his ordeal kept TIM from identifing himself as a possible candidate for that robot'. He wasn't quite sure what was going on between his friends and his captors; and with the inhibitor band still working he could not call the Tomorrow People to find out. "I'll have to make my way back to their rooms on foot," he mumbled to himself as he headed towards the nearest exit. 

As he walked along he didn't notice a small elf like creature creep from under the nearest tent and fall into step behind him... 

The Tomorrow People rendezvoused in the corridor outside the entertainment area. They were met by a squad of galactic police carrying stun guns. 

"And just what do you expect? It's only one android," snapped Liz. "You promised that you would give us the chance to find another solution to all this." 

"I promised nothing of the sort," retorted Tricia as she pushed her way through the group and into area 78B. The other Tomorrow People followed closely behind her. 

They were confronted by a scene of severe destruction. There was wreckage strewn over a wide area as well as the mangled corpses of many entertainment hosts and their guests. 

Quickly assessing the situation Tricia barked an order into her wrist communicator and the assembled police fanned out to search the area. 

From across the huge hall came a blood curdling scream and they turned to see TIM with a young girl held by telekinesis high in the air above his head. "Don't come any closer or she dies." Shouted the maniacal android. 

Before anyone could stop her, Elizabeth rushed forward towards her old friend. John and Tricia tried to grab her; but it was too late. She jaunted across the hall to stand facing the android. 

With an insane laugh, TIM released the girl from his grip and she fell lifeless to the ground at Liz' feet. Then he looked up and used telekinesis to bring a huge piece of ceiling thundering down between himself and the pursuing federation police. 

"TIM what has got into you?" Pleaded Elizabeth. "This is not like you. How could you hurt all these people? John and I think that you may have faulty programming and have come to help you." 

But the android simply ignored her and fled across the room at some speed. Liz bent down to examine the girl. Thankfully, she was only knocked unconscious and the medical technicians would be able to revive her. Sighing deeply, she rushed after TIM. 

"Stop right there!" Commanded an authoritarian voice as a familiar figure stepped into the androids path. 

Elizabeth could hardly believe her eyes. "TIM! Is that really you?" 

"Yes, Elizabeth. It would seen this impostor has been responsible for all these terrible things while I was held captive. But now I'm free and about to put a stop to all this." 

There was a loud noise from behind her and she swung around just in time to see a piece of equipment wrenched from the floor and rapidly move in her direction. 

"Jaunt, get yourself away from here." Shouted TIM, but it was too late, the console hit her on the temple and she fell unconscious to the floor. 

"So, It's between me and you know." Said TIM turning to face the android copy of himself. "There is no point in prolonging the inevitable. Soon the Galactic Police will break through that barricade of yours and then they will deactivate you." 

"I wouldn't be too sure of that." 

TIM swung around to see a small elf like alien who's hideous face wore an expression of complete insanity. Raising a blaster pistol to face him, he barked an order to the android copy. "Pick her up and carry her to my shuttle. I think we have outstayed our welcome on the Galactic Trig." 

The android obeyed his masters bidding and lifted Elizabeth over his shoulder. 

Zelon waved the blaster menacingly as he stepped forward to remove the inhibitor band from TIM's head. "We won't be needing this anymore." He said as he threw it away. "We have a much stronger inducement to make you cooperate with us, and lovely she is too." He grinned wickedly as his eyes wandered across the limp figure now held by the android. "Don't even consider using your telepathy to call for help. It will take just one short command and my creation will kill your friend in an instant.... Now move along towards that exit." 

There will be only one moment to save her,' thought TIM, as he passed between the alien and the android. With all his might he leapt at the alien and wrestled him to the ground. The blaster fell from Zelon's hand and slid across the floor to rest between them and the other android. The android dropped Elizabeth and grabbed for the discarded blaster pistol. 

"Don't you dare!" Barked Tricia as she materialised a few metres away. She ran across and kicked the pistol well out of reach, then raised her stun gun up to cover the alien and two identical androids. "Stand exactly where you are!" 

John materialised a few moments later and looked at the scene. "One of them is the real TIM and one of them a facsimile." He said "But which one?" 

Part 4 of 4 : Devil's Due
The Galactic Trig: Humanoid Sphere.
January 1981 

Entertainment section 78B A few minutes later... 

Elizabeth moaned as she regained consciousness. Bending down, John helped her to her feet. "Are you OK?" he asked. 

"Yes fine," she smiled. "What is going on?" 

Tricia came over to stand beside her. "Liz, you were the last person to be alone with these two. Do you know which is the real TIM?" 

Elizabeth looked from one android to the other and shook her head. "No. Sorry." 

"Well, there is only one solution. They will both have to be deactivated, just to make sure." 

"No, you can't do that. Our TIM cannot be punished for crimes he did not commit." Said John. 

"It's all right, John." Said one of the androids. "Tricia is correct, destroying us both is the only was to make sure that this violence stops." 

"You would say that," replied the other android, "trying to pursued them that you are their friend by making some grand gesture of self sacrifice. A very logical ploy." 

The Tomorrow People felt Stephen and Tyso materialise beside them. "We've taken Topinkyn into custody." Said Stephen, then noticing the two identical androids he gave a low whistle. "Wow, two TIM's. How on Earth?" 

Tricia strode across to face Zelon, who had remained quiet during their discussion. "I suppose you know which one is which?" She demanded. 

The small alien spat at the floor and looked menacingly into her face. "Naturally I know the true identity of my creation and your pathetic peace loving automaton. And I would be very willing to exchange the information with you for a price." 

"And I can just guess what that price would be." Snapped John. "We do not make bargains with criminals like you." 

"No, wait John." Said Liz placing her hand on his arm. "If he tells us the true identity of the android who committed the crimes we will not have to deactivate our TIM." 

"I know that Elizabeth, and I also feel your concern for our old friend; but we cannot give in to blackmail. And besides how will we know that what he tells us is the truth? For all we know it may be our TIM that is destroyed leaving his TIM to continue this reign of terror in the galaxy." 

"But we have to do something." This was Stephen. "We cannot stand here all day. How about a mind merge? That way we could probe each androids biotronic brain and discover which is which." 

"I wouldn't recommend it." Said one of the TIMs. "Merging your mind with another that is so deranged and full of evil could have serious psychological consequences upon you." 

"I have been considering the idea and it does have some merit. What do you think Tricia?" Asked John.

"It does seem to be a possible solution; but it is a very dangerous proposition." 

"I know, and that is why I volunteer." John stepped forward and faced one of the androids. Placing his hands against it's forehead, he began to reach out his mind to merge with the biotronic brain. 

"No!" Shouted TIM. He rushed forward to push John out of the way. "This is up to me." 

TIM clamped his hands firmly around his facsimiles upper arms and pushed his mind into the depths of the androids consciousness. 

The others stood dumbfounded as blue electrical charge ran along the arms of the two Tims and they became lifeless and ridged before collapsing together on the floor. 

***************************** 

The Lab 

Tim felt himself swell as his biotronic pathways overloaded. The pulse of energy swept around his tubing and flashed across the globes. Defiantly he pushed on into the androids brain. Wave after wave of dread and despair swept through him. Torture and pain filled his mind but his purpose was clear. He had to reach the heart of the programming. He had to hold on long enough to purge the evil from his facsimile's mind... 

TIM slowly became aware that his surroundings had changed. He no longer lay on the floor of the Trig's entertainment section, locked in combat with his evil double, but stood before an endless plain which swirled with patterns of intense light and was swept by gale force winds which nearly knocked him off his feet. This he surmised was the inner depths of his opponents mind. 

The plain swept on into infinity. Invisible creatures writhed and slithered all around him. Tortuous heat began to melt the dermo-plastic covering from his exo-skeleton. Then he became aware of the presence of another, he looked up to see himself, hard eyes transfixed in an evil stare. 

The two TIMs were motionless for many seconds. 

Gradually the face of his double melted in the heat to reveal the features of another creature. "So," snarled Zelon, "we face one another in the bottomless abyss of Hades." 

"I thought as much. You programmed the android with your own personality." 

"Yes. And he has performed his tasks so well, don't you think? I am now one of the richest men in the galaxy and with my new found wealth comes power. Why even now a band of my closest associates are nearing the entertainment section to destroy your pacifist friends." 

TIM felt extreme concern for The Tomorrow People. They were all standing around defenceless too worried for his safety to notice the approaching danger. 

"Yes, Yes. You would like to reach out and warn them wouldn't you. But if you do I will take your pathetic mind from you and make it my own. There is only one way out. Let me go and I will leave your friends unharmed. Is this the one you are most concerned about?" The androids form melted to take on the familiar form of Elizabeth. "Or this one?" In an instant it was a perfect likeness of John. 

"Don't play games with me Zelon. You now that I will never let you harm them and neither will I let you escape. We will remain locked here together forever if that is what it takes." 

Zelon laughed loudly and threw back his head. "I am not scared of you. I have all the psionic energy I need to destroy you in an instant." 

"If that were the case you would have done it long ago." Said Timus who had appeared beside TIM. "Admit it you have no influence here." 

"That's right." Added Tikno who now stood at TIM's other shoulder. "We are not one but many." As the words left his lips another of the clone brothers appeared beside him, followed by another and another until they stretched into the distance of this endless plain that was Zelon's mind. TIM took one pace forward to address the evil alien but when he spoke it was with the voice of many. "You, Zelon you are defeated, your evil ways are useless." 

Zelon stumbled and fell to his knees. "No please. I beg you let me live. Let me live......" The android's form slowly melted into the floor and was gone. 

"Do something John." Begged Elizabeth. "We can't let him die for us." 

"I don't see anything we can do but wait and hope that they resolve the internal battle themselves." 

"Don't worry Liz." Said Tyso taking her hand. "TIM is good, and good always wins over evil." 

There was a shout from the nearest Galactic police agent and the flash of a blaster pistol ripped across the room towards them. Tyso pushed Liz to the ground and Stephen ran for cover behind the nearest piece of equipment. Raising up his stun gun he fired in the direction from which the fire had come. 

Tricia led the other Tomorrow People across to the relative safety of a nearby information booth. "Wait here and let my men deal with this." She hissed and jaunted away. 

John, Liz, Mike and Hsui Tai watched on in horror at the flashes of stun gun and blaster pistol which filled the area where they had just stood. 

"But what about TIM?" Cried Elizabeth. "We cannot just leave him out there. He'll be destroyed in the cross fire." 

"We have little choice for now." Replied John hugging her gently. "TIM will be all right I'm sure." 

It took what felt like an eternity for the Federation police to capture all of Zelon's gang. They rounded them up and teleported them back to the detention centre. 

The Tomorrow People stood up and stepped from their hiding place. 

"Well now that's over with what do we do about TIM?" Asked Mike motioning to the two androids still prostrate on the ground at his feet. 

"There is no need to worry about me. Everything is fine now." Said TIM and TIM together as they stood and released one another. 

"What the! ..." 

A sparkle of light slowly solidified beside the two TIM's to take on the form of Timus and Tikno. 

"Everything is all right now. The evil personality of Zelon the criminal has been eradicated form TIM's biotronic brain. They are both whole again." 

John walked across and slapped each of them on the shoulder. "So we have two of you know." He said and looked across at Mike and Hsui Tai "You'll be able to keep an even closer eye on some of us from now on." 

The Tomorrow People all laughed except for Mike who looked like he was about to explode with embarrassment. 

"But wait a minute!" Exclaimed Stephen. "Where did Zelon go?" 

Thier jollity suddenly subsided as they realised that in all the confusion they had forgotten to guard the evil alien. 

"He couldn't have just disappeared." Said John looking about him. 

"No. You are quite right!" 

They swung around just in time to see Zelon fire the blaster pistol in their direction. John and Stephen instinctively jaunted to safety. Mike pulled Hsui to the ground and Tyso also dived for the floor. This left Elizabeth transfixed directly in the path of the beam of light. 

"No!" Shouted TIM and dived into the path of the oncoming ray. His android body was outlined in brilliance for an instant them disappeared. 

Hsui Tai screamed... 

Back in the Tomorrow People's lounge. 

Tyso handed each of them a glass of orange juice that he had collected from the food dispenser. "Well that won't be a day I'll forget in a hurry. Next time I say it is boring around here somebody hit me." 

Liz sipped her drink and turned towards TIM. "Well we may not have any more new Tomorrow People to celebrate but I think that this occasion calls for a small toast." 

"You're quite right Liz." John stood and lifted his glass. "TIM is always welcoming new Tomorrow People. Now it is our turn to thank and welcome him." 

The others also stood and raised their glasses in a salute. "To TIM, our dearest friend. Welcome." Said John. 

TIM felt a surge of power through his biotronic neural connectors. 'This was what happiness and love feels like.' He thought. But he kept these feelings to himself. After all he wouldn't want to spoil his position of authority would he?