The Joining - by Jacqueline Newman
----------------------------------------------

Preface
----------
An Original Series Story: This story is written in homage to the Tomorrow
People a show which I have loved since childhood. The outline of the story
is based on a more main stream sci-fi novel written by myself called 'This
Planet Earth', which is not about The Tomorrow People at all. It has been
changed and adapted here to relate more closely to the original TP
characters.

Disclaimer: Most of the Characters contained in this story are not mine but
are borrowed from the 1970s and 1990's Series The Tomorrow People.
They are the property of the creators and copyright holders. 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.

Personal comment: This story is set after the events in Shaun Hately's
'Exodus' but then diverges to follow a very different chronology to many
other TP fan fics. I would like to thank Shaun for his input regarding some
details in the story.

I would also like to thank Shawn Lazerus, Kristy, Ariana and Beth for
beta-reading this fan fic. As well as the many other writers who have
allowed me to use references from their own work.

Warning: I feel that many of you may dislike the nature of this fan fiction. By
it's very style and content it is controversial, and breaks many of the
established TP canon. I have endeavoured, throughout the story, to move
the Tomorrow People on into a more adult world and explore situations as
diverse as relationships, religion, drugs and death.

If you hate it please be gentle on me, if you love it let me know. I hope that at
least you will find it thought provoking.

This story contains a few swear words which some readers may find
offensive.

Jack Newman
jack@effdee.demon.co.uk


                                        * * * * * * * * * *


Chapter 1 - The Joining
-----------------------------

Earth Equivalent Date: June 18th 1983

After work I walked from the infirmary to my room rather than taking the
transport. It was quite a long way around the outer ring of the Trig's
humanoid shell, but I had to clear my head of the anguish of the past few
days and get on with my life.

Behind me a siren began to wail.

The force of the explosion was terrific. It ripped through the fabric of the
station, like it was made of paper, as the antimatter generator on level two
lost it's integrity field and ruptured the power conduits throughout the sphere.

The One Mind went into emergency link and used their psionic powers to
control the blast as much as they could keeping in the atmosphere for as
long as possible so that everyone could evacuate.

I ran back towards my emergency station and as I passed the damaged
sector on walkway three I sensed some survivors trapped in the engineering
bay.

Without thinking I used the localised teleporter situated around the next
bend and got past the worst of the damage. Once there I used my medi-kit
to help the wounded. Gradually the grip of the One Mind weakened. The
structure around me began to groan as it took additional weight of the levels
above. The rupture in the outer wall gaped ominously and oxygen began to
leak out into the void of space. Knowing that I was the only one around I had
to help these people while their was still a chance.

A senior systems engineer, who introduced himself as Loftori of Paldrin,
was the least injured and once I had healed his head wound he began to
use an anti-gravity unit as a stretcher. Muttering to himself, what I guessed
to be Paldrinian profanities, he wrestled the bulk of his Lorian team leader
onto the rig. He took great care not to put stress on the temporary dressing I
had applied to the team leader's side. Meanwhile I busied myself with
regeneration of a broken limb of the next patient. Despite this
preoccupation I had time to appreciate the care that this gentle giant took
over his colleagues as he moved them off towards safety.

The radiation tag on my uniform slowly went a dark blue and I knew that we
were all close to fatal exposure.

Then, with a thunderous screeching sound, a bulkhead against which I had
leant some of the wounded folded under the seismic stress. Leaping clear
of the ensuing fireball and momentarily stunned I awoke to find myself
pinned beneath a piece of machinery. The engineer returned and together
we tried, me with telekinesis and him with brute strength, to dislodge the
heavy weight. But the radiation was taking it's toll and shortly we both knew
that our efforts were ineffectual. The teleporter remote that I had carried with
me had been completely buried beneath the rubble of the wall as it
collapsed, and was also useless.

"I'll go for help." He shouted over the increasing roar of escaping
atmosphere.

"No time. Get the others back to safety, this radiation damage is past repair
anyway."

He pulled another colleague, who had been blown clear as the bulkhead
collapsed, onto the anti grav unit. His mind was full of remorse, but following
his training he understood the logic of the situation. Without glancing back in
my direction he pushed them away towards the walkway.

So alone I lay struggling for breath in the thinning air...

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

It took many years to be convinced to take on this task but now that I have
agreed the biggest decision is where to start.

"At the beginning." The Tomorrow People had said in unison.

Yes, but where did it all begin? I could bore you with tales of my childhood
on my birth planet Manyarner, for the humans among you this is pronounced
ma¤ana much like the Spanish word for tomorrow. An apt coincidence as
Stephen once pointed out.

This time was taken up with studies for my vocation as a healer. I had to
learn to read the genetic trace of the myriad of species within the
federation. And apply my telekinetic skills at the sub atomic level to kill
disease and encourage tissue regeneration.

If you are interested, details of these techniques can be found in the galactic
medical data base accessible from any biotronic computer interface.

When I was asked to write this memoir I thought that it was rather a stupid
idea, after all what had I really achieved over the last hundred years? It was
Stephen who pointed out that if it was not for my involvement this, as he put
it, 'rather backward planet in a binary star system on the outer spiral arm of
a rather insignificant galaxy', would not have become the centre for
commerce it is today.

But for now I have to find a more suitable place to begin my story. As I look
out from the window across the Scottish loch towards the distant mountains
on the planet Earth, which I now consider my home, it seems to me that the
most important phase of my life began the day I met Stephen and trying to
overcome the temptation to turn this memoir into a love story I will begin
there.

I was 10 Earth years old, as the Manyarnern's amongst you will know this is
a full grown and mature, or so I thought at the time, adult to my own species.
I had begun a tour of duty for the federation on the galactic Trig and being a
natural healer had rapidly risen to the rank of medical technician in the
humanoid sector.

I was on duty one morning when a rather pale looking young man was
brought into my section. He regained consciousness just as I finished a
neural probe.

His large childlike eyes looked up from the couch and realising that I was
not exactly human jumped to the floor. "Where the hell am I?"

His thoughts were a crazy jumble of fear and intrigue and it took all the
psionic control I could muster to keep him rooted to the spot whilst I
completed entering his file to the medical data base and walked around to
face him.

"Hi, I'm Angerianaasusilicana." I said "Rather a mouthful I know so you can
call me Angie."

"Stephen." He whispered

"Yes I know." And I did, his mind was as open as a child's and very easy to
read.

In the first few moments of consciousness he had revealed many details
about the Tomorrow People and their role as representatives for the planet
called Earth, a developing closed world, under the protection of the
Federation.

"How do you know?"

This was going to take a while to explain. The brain damage he had
sustained had taken away most of his memories of his last few years
working for the Galactic Federation as an ambassador. Smiling warmly I led
him back to the couch and sat him down.

"Stephen, do you know where you are and how you got here?"

"I was listening to music in my quaters when I felt a sharp pain in my head
and found that I could not move or call the others. I thought that I was having
a brain seizure. Am I on the Trig?"

"Yes. You were on leave when the incident happened. The agents who took
you were from another Galaxy. They infiltrated the Trig's security systems in
order to snatch you. They used directed telepathic control, you were
unshielded at the time, and it overloaded your neuronal pathways. There is
no lasting damage done I have checked you over."

"I don't remember any of this." He said shaking his head. "When did it
happen?"

"You were taken six Earth months ago and have spent another three months
recovering."

He gave a low whistle. "That long?"

"Yes, let me explain some more."

The next few minutes were taken up with a long description about how John,
Elizabeth and the others had, at great risk to their personal safety, tracked
him down to a planet in a distant galaxy. He had been rather crudely
experimented upon and had been brought back to the Trig for extensive
medical treatment.

"You will have to stay a while longer just to make sure that you have all of
your abilities back." I said smiling.

"Where are the other Tomorrow People now?"

"John, Elizabeth, Patricia, Mike, Hsui Tai and Andrew are all outside
waiting to see you, I'm sure that they can fill you in with what has happened
since your capture. Tyso is still away on his travels. Carol, Narscissa and
Nova have returned to Adonisia."

The door silently opened to my telekinetic command and his friends
entered. They fell on him with great affection and I left them alone to talk.

Returning two hours later it was obvious how tired he had become. I settled
him into a visitors room in the humanoid sphere and told him to rest.

Standing in the doorway I felt strangely drawn to this young human, I turned.
"I'll come by tomorrow to check on you, don't overdo things for the next few
days, promise."

He nodded. "I promise. I'll get as much rest as possible." The door closed
and I returned to the infirmary.

The other Tomorrow People left, to continue their respective roles on
various Federation worlds, a few days later. I watched their goodbyes at the
transmission station from a discrete distance. As the last of them
dematerialised I was suddenly aware of Stephen's intense loneliness. I
reached out to probe his mind. It was not only his friends that he missed but
his home planet, Earth, as well.

The authorities had evacuated his people from this closed world three of
their years ago. Their survival on such a hostile planet had been in jeopardy
and it had been felt best if they live and work from the Trig. The Federation
had also arranged for the planet's atmosphere to be seeded with a
substance called R.T.E. (Retrograde Triscriptase Endonucleogen ) which
was designed to inhibit the replication of the Psi-gene in future human
populations. This it was thought would prevent further 'break outs' of their
kind.

This had been accepted by them all as necessary but, despite the obvious
logic in the decision, I felt a sense of loss in each of their minds whenever I
communicated with them telepathically. It was obvious that each Tomorrow
Person had a secret desire to go back home hidden away in the depths of
their consciousness.

I walked over to stand beside Stephen. "Why don't we go for a walk?" I
suggested. As he turned towards me I was sure that tears were forming in
the corner of his eyes.

He took a deep breath and buried his feelings deeply. Taking my hand in
his he smiled. "Okay, let's go up to the arboretum and get some fresh air,
well, as fresh as you can have in this artificial environment."

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

We fell into a daily routine of meeting after my shift in the infirmary and
standing on the observation deck watching the returning cargo ships. Soon
we were conversing on a purely subvocal level exchanging emotions as well
as words.

One day whilst explaining the history of Manyarner and that my parents
being in the Circle of Elders had taken places on the One Mind, he caught a
thought from my unconscious. "They don't approve of our relationship do
they?"

Caught up in the intimacy of the exchange, I had forgotten to shield my
thoughts. This had become an increasing event, we seemed to slip into
deep rapport so naturally. "No. They think that I could not possibly mate with
such a backward race."

My parents had in fact had many family gatherings on this topic, making it
plain that the genetic material of the species could not be watered down
with human DNA even if it was Homo Superior. Many Manyarnern
prejudices still remained in those days.

"They are worried that our paths are becoming too linked and considering
sending you to Adonisia to complete your convalescence with Carol and
Narscissa."

He gave a deep sigh and this time it was his thoughts which betrayed him.

"So you are bored with doing nothing all day, why didn't you say? I can send
you back to duty any time, if that is what you really want. I thought that you
were enjoying being here with me. It's just that we have become so close..."
I reached out and touched his cheek gently and completely opened up my
mind. The intensity of the moment nearly knocked him off his feet.

A few minutes later when we had both regained our composure we knew
that our paths were fused together.

"We will have to ask for the joining ceremony." I knew that this would cause
fireworks within my family. "They cannot keep us apart. Then we can use my
parents influence on the council to grant special dispensation so that we
can return to Earth together."

I delved deep into my cellular tissue and completed the transformation in
one subtle fluid motion.

"Didn't know I was a shape changer did you?"

Stephen stood dumbfounded my eyes were now dark brown rather than
scarlet, my hair shoulder instead of waist length and my skin a human shade
rather than it's usual gently translucent purple.

"They'll never let us leave, let alone return to Earth. It's a completely closed
world."

(Don't underestimate my parents influence.) I pathed with confidence.

But, of course, he was right. When we approached my parents office in the
administrative area they already sensed my changes. They cut Stephen off
from the telepathic argument that followed and try as I might their control
was absolute.

So it was with real human tears in my eyes that we said our farewells at the
Kalinar terminal the next day. I had felt it unwise to put Stephen's newly
repaired neuronal pathways through the rigours of the long jaunt and the
Kalinar was the best option available for getting him quickly to his friends on
Adonisia.

His shuttle left and I returned to the infirmary alone and dejected. A part of
my soul went with him that day. The telepathic link stretched to it's limits as
the Kalinar made the jump to hyperspace and then his thoughts were gone...

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

Earth equivalent date 14th Aug 1983

As many readers will now have guessed this story ends like many other true
romances with the hero returning just in the nick of time to rescue the heroin
and without disappointing you that's exactly what happened.

Stephen's Kalinar had turned around and left hyperspace as soon as they
detected the telepathic terror emanating from the Trig.

He insisted on jaunting over to the area where I was trapped despite the
warning about probable collapse and high radiation levels. I'm not sure how
he shifted that equipment. Near to unconsciousness and suffering severe
radiation poisoning he carried me back along the walkway until he met a
rescue party.

And so it ended with us both back in the infirmary being visited by my
parents. They were quite contrite as they thanked him for saving their
daughter.

(The only thing I could do for my future joining partner.) He sent on our own
secret wavelength.

I was not so discrete and let them pick up the thoughts about our intention to
join in the traditional way as soon as possible.

They capitulated and left two very humanoid patients to settle down and
sleep gently in subtle contact sharing their dreams.

And so I found myself standing naked before the circle of elders in the
temple of the fourth continent. Twelve units from my family estate by the lake
that borders Vanya province. The lake at that time of year was a particularly
appealing turquoise and I was longing to dive into it's cool depths to feel the
freedom of swimming without breathing apparatus as you do on Earth.
Swallowed up in the uniquely sensual qualities created by the molecular
structure of the water as it flows across the skin.

The parcelling of land on Manyarner was completed many millennium ago,
in the Age of Diffusion, each family given a particular expanse in which to
build appropriate dwellings. The family homes pass down through many
generations but are occupied rarely. The population nowadays is spread far
throughout the galaxy most people returning only for holidays and
celebrations.

Each continent has it's own temple on common land, usually beside a major
city or space port. This temple, simple in it's construction, was circular, as
are most things on that world. The pillars of stone curved in at what
appeared to be a most unnatural angle towards the centre. It seemed that
they could fall in at any moment. These arcs serve to focus the psionic
energy field that permeates the whole planet. Psionic energy is a central
aspect of all our technology and has ritualistic and symbolic importance as
well.

At this point it seems appropriate to give a concise religious, technological
and historical description of my birth planet. Manyarnerns may skip the next
few pages. Humans with an interest in the socio-political history of this world
read on.

The first point of relevance is the matriarchal nature of the society. There is
no family name only a given name appropriate to genetic specialisation.
The talents of the females are recognised at birth and indicated in the
structure of the given name but not reflected in the men's titles as their
particular talents do not show themselves until a few months of age.

My name has a literal interpretation as one who senses and brings
cohesion. This is as close an interpretation in English as I can give it, my
first born Andranovich being a linguist and specialist in human languages
may differ in his interpretations. My telekinetic speciality was interpreted as
the natural qualities of a healer and my entire schooling was geared to that
end.

Thus the females who show particular talents in focusing psionic energy
carry responsible roles in most religious ceremonies, except I may add the
joining ceremony, about which I was telling you. This is the only true
manifestation of this matriacal society men being equal in all other
circumstances.

I have never been very religious and Manyarnern belief structures do not
conform to the many human religious philosophies. They tend to be related
to what is known of the scientific structure of the dimensions and the
creation catastrophe.

It has just been pointed out by Susan that my thoughts are rambling on and
an excerpt from the historical data base will give you a far better insight into
Manyarnan society than the meanderings of an old woman.

        Federation Historical Data Base.
        English Version
        Search Parameters Manyarnern Social, political
        and religious history.

        The Age of Conflict (Earth chronology BC 15000)
        to The Age of Harmony (Earth chronology AD
        2000)

        Abridged synopsis bulleted for transmission.
        Select category for display.
        The Age of Conflict
        Overview
        Political Leaders
        Religious orders
        Ideology
        The constitutional Law
        Continental Hierarchies.

        Terminal Out of memory. Please re - code for
        smaller search parameters.


I suggest that you look up any more details yourself.

Why was I naked? Most ceremonies are performed that way. When you live
in a society where your inner consciousness is on daily display the most
naked you can feel is when a stray unprotected and derogatory thought
about someone else slips through and is detected by those around you. In
addition Manyarner has a particularly mild and temperate climate where
cloths are hardly needed.

Traders from other federation worlds have introduced some beautiful
materials in recent years which change in colour and texture to the changing
emotional states of the individual. Such materials are usually fashioned into
a long tunic bound at the waist by a band.

Anyway, in religious ceremonies no adornment is necessary as the spirit
alone is revealed to those present. Stephen on this first introduction to our
philosophies was blushing at his predicament and not knowing quite where
to look. I might add that the witnesses to any such ceremony also go naked.
Think of that next time you are at a Terran wedding. I had explained how we
would have our brain patterns scrambled, there was no better English term
for it, then reformulated in synchrony during the ceremony. A rather painful
but rewarding experience as he later commented.

He looked over at me from his side of the platform and smiled wryly. (If John
and Liz could see me now they'd die of embarrassment.) He sent.

In human years he was just turned 23 and, although he had worked as a
Federation ambasador for many years, was still not considered mature
enough for marriage by his friends.

Obeying the subvocal commands of the surrounding consciousness he knelt
lowering his head to receive the touch of my father. The details of how the
joining is performed is one of the only Manyarnern ceremonies that I cannot
explain. If such an explanation were possible without resorting to
unconscious transmission of ideas Stephen would be best to describe it as
he has performed it for Susan since.

A few months later we received the special dispensation we requested.
This gave us permission to return to Earth, as observers only, on behalf of
the Federation.

"I don't know how you managed to pull it off." Remarked a shocked John
when we told him of our iminent departure. "I've only just come to terms with
the idea that we would be spending many years stuck here."

"Where are you two going to live?" Asked Mike mischievously. "The lab has
been closed down for years and it only has single cabins."

"We are going to stay with my parents and see whether we can live a more
normal human life style."

"You mean a sap lifestyle." Snapped John. His jealousy at Stephen's
marriage and subsequent side stepping of official Federation protocols,
was only just kept in check. "Won't your powers begin to fade as you are
exposed to the chemicals in the atmosphere? Soon you'll forget all about us
and everything we stand for."

Stephen's voice rose as he became angered by John's attitude. "No. We
have been given a special antidote which will allow us to keep our powers.
You're just sore that they didn't allow you to have it."

Elizabeth, sensing their anger, and quite unused to seeing them argue in
such a way, changed the subject. "Stephen, please let all of our families
know that we are well and miss them."

"I will."

After a while we headed for the transmission station. I have to mention at
this point that, although I have very strong telepathic and telekinetic abilities,
I am not a natural teleporter and usually have to use a matter transporter
bracelet. Stephen tried at length to teach me but my physiology just could
not adapt to this remarkable ability.

We arrived in a dimly lit lab and briefly exchanged greetings with TIM. Then
we headed off to meet Stephen's parents. They were shocked, at first, to
see their son materialise in the lounge of their London home. Having come
to terms with his enforced evacuation from the planet, they had not expected
to hear from him for many years.

They were very nice people and tried hard to accept me into their family.
They were fully aware of his abilities as a Tomorrow Person but found it
difficult to accept his choice of wife as an alien from a distant world. They
seemed unable to take in the many ways in which myself, and our first child,
differed from other humans in both physiology and psychic abilities.

I recall one summers day as I lay in the back garden of their London home
with Andranovich still an infant beside me on the rug. Julia reached out and
called him to her. She had obviously expected him to crawl like most human
babies. But much to her astonishment he obeyed her command by gently
lifting himself from the ground and floating effortlessly into her outstretched
arms.

She gave a rather undignified shriek which woke me from my reverie. "My
God! How could it... I mean he, do a thing like that?"

"I've explained before that we have many unusual talents and can tap the
natural energy fields around us to move objects at will, you've surely seen
Stephen do similar things on countless occasions. I must admit though that
Andranovich has never shown this ability before and I don't want him floating
out of his pram in the middle of the supermarket. I'll have to get an inhibitor
band from the lab and fit it as soon as possible."

She did not seem to have heard anything that I said and continued to stare
at the child as he floated back to the ground and began to play with a
favourite toy.

"Yes dear, I suppose so" She glanced over the fence to see if the
neighbours were within earshot. " I do think that he may need to see a
doctor this isn't quite normal for a child his age."

What did she think? That he had some kind of disease that could be cured?
My anger rose at the possibility of another drawn out conversation about the
nature of my people and how we differed from humans. This conversation
was happening with monotonous regularity and it made me angry that such
seemingly sophisticated people could be so blind to the evidence of their
own eyes. I went within her to read the worried and confused thoughts. This
made me ashamed for getting so irate. Her mind was very orderly and
simple in it's reasoning. The world as she understood it fitted into neat little
compartments each suiting a part of her daily routine as housewife and
grandmother. There was no malevolence here just ignorance. She had no
desire to widen the scope of her limited existence and further explanations
would hit the same simplistic understanding and fall on deaf ears. I decided
to wipe the incidence from her memory and change the conversation.

Still it is down to Julia and Tom Jameson that Stephen inherited the house
in Scotland, and enough capitol to form Jameson Industries and later the
Jameson foundation. This enabled us to live undetected, well almost,
amongst the humans for the next few decades.



Chapter 2 - It's a Sap's Life
----------------------------------

Settling into my new life was not as easy as I had imagined. For the first two
years we lived with Julia and Tony in the back room of their four bedroom
house in Kingston. My favourite pass-time in those days was walking
beside the Thames on warm summer evenings. Stephen and I conversed
subvocally and I soon grew accustomed to the many unusual norms of this
rather bizarre and contradictory society. On one occasion as we stood and
looked down river towards the bridge I noticed a man jogging with a dog on
a leash.

(Why does the dog stay with him when it is so unhappy.) I sent.

(What?)

(That dog over on the other bank, it seems particularly displeased at being
forced to run along like this when it is so hungry.)

(Do you read everything around you including all the animals?)

(Yes. Don't you? I read the feelings of all creatures in the immediate
surroundings, unless they are shielded of course, it just slips into my mind.
I'd say that the range is about forty metres. If the thoughts I detect are boring
I usually filter them out but with animals they are so base, so instinctive that I
cannot help but try to understand them.)

(All those unwanted thoughts and feelings must swamp you and get very
confusing.)

(No, it seems quite natural, almost unconsciously I sort them out and either
respond or ignore them.)

I looked along the path at a couple hand in hand. (From the outside they
look pretty happy, wouldn't you say?)

He followed my gaze and stared at the couple. The man tenderly touched
the woman's face then bent and pressed his lips firmly on hers. She
reciprocated and soon they were in a deep embrace.

(Now go into them...) I took Stephen's hand and linked my mind. Then
stretched out our consciousness towards the couple.

"Stop that!" He jerked his hand away and stared at me. "That's invasion of
privacy."

Resuming the discussion in speech I snapped back. "Oh come on, you
sound just like John. Don't be so righteous. You'd love to really know what
they are feeling. You can not deny it."

"Yes, that may be true I am curious. But we don't have the right to stick our
noses into every one else's business just because we can. On your world..."
He switched back to telepathy. (You may be very open and honest and feel
that there is nothing to hide, but here we think that privacy is important. I
wouldn't want every Tom, Dick or Harry to know my inner most secrets, and I
know that you often shield, even from me, so I'm sure you feel the same.)

I looked at him disappointedly. This conversation was getting us nowhere. I
could feel his irritation rising and did not want it to end in an argument.
Turning back to the man with the dog I resumed my original line of
questioning.

(So, why does the dog stay? I'm sure that you don't mind me reading the
helpless creature?)

(I suppose it has something to do with domestication of certain species. We
live in a sort of symbiotic relationship. In return for feeding the animal it
remains with us as a companion. I've never met a dog that really minded.
Try reading it again now that he has let it run free.)

I looked across at the animal, the man had unfastened the leash and while
he gasped for breath the dog bounded around enthusiastically. I went into it.
Stephen was right, the animal did not choose to run away. Neither did it feel
compelled to stay. Rather it thought of the human as a leader of a pack who
commanded respect. As I stood concentrating on the dog it suddenly
sprang off the bank in pursuit of a stick that had been thrown for it. Caught
up in the thrill of the moment I too launched myself into the river.

With a huge splash that nearly soaked Stephen I landed head first in the
murky water. I'm not sure who was more surprised him, me or the courting
couple a few metres away. Rising to the surface I indicated that I was fine
and began to scramble up the bank. Standing there like a drowned rat
Stephen began to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"That'll teach you a lesson not to delve into other people, or unsuspecting
animals. You said that you could control the feelings but I suspect that this
time they controlled you."

(Yes, well... I did sort of get carried away.)

(I thought for a moment that you were going to retrieve the stick yourself.)

That comment elicited a good natured dig in the ribs and we started off
home chuckling to ourselves as I squelched along.

As we approached the front door of the house Stephen turned and kissed
me lightly on the cheek. He had a very mischievous expression on his face
and without asking I guessed what he wanted to know.

(He was thinking that she was not as good in bed as his wife.) I sent. Then
slipped inside and hurried upstairs to get myself dry.

One of the early problems, apart from wearing cloths which blistered my
skin and shoes which strangled my toes, was who I should be introduced
as. We had to invent a suitable background as well as the appropriate
documentation. The latter was fairly easy once we had acquired the proper
stationary. After discussing the situation with his parents we decided that I
was an old pen pal from overseas who had come to visit. Later on we
established our relationship with his friends. This was especially important
once I fell pregnant with my first child.

The pregnancy was not really planned and brought all sorts of problems into
the open. Firstly how could we explain a gestation period of just three
months to a human doctor. As well as an exponential growth rate which
doubled a child's weight in the first few hours after birth. Then there was the
problem of it's appearance. Luckily Andranovich was born with human
features and seldom showed the shape changing qualities of the later
children.

For these and many other reasons I decided to return to Manyarner, via the
trig, for the birth. John and Elizabeth met me at the receiving station.

"Well, we wondered why you were returning alone so soon." Said Liz
smiling. "The answer is pretty obvious now." She motioned to my swollen
abdomen. "When is it due?"

"Two more months. I plan to have the baby back on Manyarner and don't
fancy a long teleport so I've arranged for a Kalinar to take me the rest of the
way."

(Stephen's lucky to marry into such an influencial family.) Pathed John to
Elizabeth. Then he blushed as he realised that I could read everything he
sent.

(Yes we feel that we are very privilaged.) I replied sarcastically.

It was two days before I was due to leave that I discussed my concerns over
John's attitude with Elizabeth. We were sitting at the table in her quarters.

"I know that Stephen and I have not been together for very long, and that he
and John have been the best of friends for years, but I sense strange
emotions from John whenever I am around. Have I done something to upset
him?"

Elizabeth, trying to avoid my gaze, looked into her coffee cup. "No, not at all
it's just..." She stopped mid sentence and immediately put up a telepathic
shield. "I mean no, we just don't see much of you both these days."

I looked at her. "That was not what you were planning to say."

"Well no. But it doesn't really matter."

"I think it does or you would not be shielding from me. If you cannot put it into
words then we can merge and share our feelings." I reached across the
table and touched her hand gently.

Suddenly we were inside each others minds. I felt her motherly instincts
towards the younger Tomorrow People and something else...

(Oh! Your in love with him. Does he love you? I see it was Carol. But she's
happy with Narscissa now. He is jealous of Stephen. We'll have to do
something about that.)

She pulled her hand away abruptly.

"Please don't say anything. John has to be strong for all our sakes. He has
spent many years suppressing his feelings in order to be our..."

We looked up as we sensed two figures jaunting in. "Hello there." Said
Mike as he came over to join us. "Why the long faces?"

Later that evening I decided that it was time to force the issue between John
and Elizabeth. I called Mike, Hsui Tai, Andrew and Tricia over to the my
room in the Manyarnern ambassadorial suite.

"I have been certain that John was keeping part of himself closed off from
the rest of us since I first came to join you." Commented Hsui Tai. "Do you
remember how upset he was after that incident with Sarah?"

Mike nodded. "It's like he never really lets himself go and enjoy life like the
rest of us. He always has to be proper and responsible. Really boring like
that."

Hsui gave him a disgusted look. "John is just trying to do what's right for all
our sakes."

"Yes, but he seems so unhappy. Can't we help him out?" Andrew added,
trying to break the tension between them.

"I have a suggestion. We could ask them to join with us in a blending
ceremony. This is a ritual used on my planet all the time, everyone opens
themselves up to each other and shares their inner most thoughts."

Mike stiffened in the chair. "You mean they share everything?"

"Yes, what's wrong with that? I can sense that it makes you feel
apprehensive."

"Who me? No. I've got nothing to hide."

"Well then, that's settled." I said before Mike could find an excuse not to
take part. "We will tell them that it is part of Manyarnern law always
performed prior to the birth of a child and then let them find out each others
feelings themselves."

The next day, back in Elizabeth's quarters, we all sat around the table and I
took the lead.

"Blending ceremonies usually have a lens to focus the thoughts." I said "I'm
not too sure how to do this but I can probably channel through my mind in
order to link each of us at a deep unconscious level. There is nothing to be
afraid of it's quite a joyous experience."

"Let's get on with it then." Remarked John gruffly.

It had taken quite some persuasion by Mike and Liz to get him to agree to
this ceremony. They had told him how important it was for me to feel part of
the Tomorrow People and reluctantly he had agreed.

At first they were all very guarded but as the blending went deeper into their
subconscious minds they each revealed parts of themselves that they
usually kept hidden. I do not intend to go into details here. The telepaths
amongst you will probably be familiar with this ceremony, but on this
occasion it had the desired effect of revealing John and Elizabeth's feelings
for one another and we all breathed a sigh of relief as John's mood
lightened.

"I think it's time I used my influence to get the council to change their ruling
and allow us all to return to Earth." I said. "I'll talk to them as soon as I return
fom Manyarner."

A few hours later I began the long Kalinar journey back to my home world.
Once there I was greeted by my parents who had also returned home to
assist in the birth. The last few days during the quickening of the child were
particularly lonely but once I felt it's consciousness within me I was relieved
that the mixing of our genetic material had been successful.

Stepping off the Jaunting pad, in the Lab, we were greeted by an elated
Stephen and TIM. At last it felt like Earth was my true home, and sleeping
gently in my arms was Stephen's baby son.

During my absence Stephen had decided to enrol at University. The others
were quite shocked by this decision as he had always hated Earth schools.
He pointed out that if he was going to get a job qualifications would be
needed. It would have been much easier for TIM to create the necessary
certificates for him, but he felt that it would do us both good to continue living
amongst the saps for a while.

"And I can also look out for more potential Tomorrow People." He said in
response to their questioning. "Even if their break out's are meant to be
supressed, there could still be some of us out their you know."

They could not disagree with this argument and resolved to support him in
his decision. Stephen also made arrangements for me to be enrolled at the
same university in the medical school, and shortly after my return to we took
up our places and moved into the married persons hall of residence.

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

Two years into my rather tedious medical training I was sitting in the lecture
theatre supposedly taking notes on social medicine. Dr. Carlstrom, a fat
balding man who seemed to dislike all students, was being particularly
pedantic about an issue raised by someone sitting at the front. I was happily
day dreaming about a glass of Tralmark, a thick syrupy drink made from the
berries of the Markless Tree. It has a heady and slightly hallucinogenic
quality and sharpens the psychic reflexes. Unlike alcohol, a component of
most drinks favoured by humans, there are no cumulative affects on the
system and no long term damage to the body.

I gradually became aware of the thoughts of another person close by.

(Stephen was that you?)

(What! Oh no, I'm in the middle of some rather fine tuning of this
oscilloscope for my next practical assessment. I'd rather be left alone for
now.) I received a quick view of the room in which he was working. Other
students busied themselves over their work and a rather attractive girl lent
close to him to ask a question. His eyes wandered down to her cleavage
and I sensed a slight tingle of excitement.

(Yes that is a rather fascinating piece of equipment.) He blushed, both
physically and mentally. Good humouredly I sent. (I'll have to have a stiff talk
with you later.)

Cutting off from him I began to scan the area for another telepath.

(Who's there?) This was on a very open frequency used by most telepathic
Federation citizens.

There was no reply at first them I received an image of the refectory. This
was obviously not a trained mind and as I guessed correctly coming from a
human. Standing abruptly I dropped my pad and paper onto the floor.

"Do you have something to add to this discussion Ms. Jameson?"

The whole room looked up and stared at me, I sensed their relief for the
interruption to his conjectural ramblings. Mumbling something about
needing the bathroom I tried to prise my way past the row of students.

Carlstrom looked at his watch. "Well it's nearly twelve o'clock, I suppose you
might as well go. The whole assembly needed no more motivation and
everyone rose to file out of the door.

Many people whispered into my ear. "Well done." As I headed rapidly for
the canteen.

Pushing my way through the door into the busy throng of people I looked
around the room. There were hundreds of babbling thoughts surrounding
me, but I was scanning for a particular consciousness.

Unfortunately there was no sign of who ever had been there earlier and after
a long while I gave up. I contacted the others, with the news that there may
be a new Tomorrow Person who had either broken out recently or was in
the process of losing their powers, then returned to the lab to discuss how to
handle the situation, over lunch.

I learnt a valuable lesson that year. Despite my overwhelming superiority as
a healer it was going to be very difficult to fit into the traditional medical
practice of a human doctor.

As a practical exercise Dr. Chris Jackson brought a patient off the ward for
us to diagnose. She was a gaunt 50 year old and must have been very
beautiful in her youth. Despite the wheel chair there was an elegance to her
movements and a lively glint in her eye.

"Now ladies and gentlemen, this is Mrs. Robson. Eliza to her friends." He
smiled at her warmly and took her hand. "She has kindly consented to have
you would be practitioners of the fine art of medicine examine her and give
me you very learned opinions on her condition. Would you like to begin
Angie our straight A's girl?"

This nick name I had barely tolerated ever since the first year exams.

It was shortly after their completion that the Dean had called me into his
office and with great ceremony announced that I had attained a perfect
score on all of the modules, an unheard of achievement in the history of the
school of medicine. He and his colleagues quizzed me for half an hour and
seemed quite convinced, although they never openly accused me, that I had
somehow cheated.

It was suggested that I sit an extra test set by them that afternoon.

"Don't agree to anything girl." This came from an unlikely advocate Dr.
Carlstrom.

I let them assume that I was thinking over my decision while I probed each
of their minds in turn. It was clear that none of them believed a student of my
inexperience capable of achieving such a grade except Carlstrom, who was
more interested in getting out of the stuffy office and down to the local pub.
To their great surprise I achieved a perfect grade on this additional paper
as well and became a bit of a celebrity within the department after that.

John later cautioned me about bringing unnecessary attention to myself. I
have to admit that I did let it go to my head for a while. From then on I made
sure that I occasionally slipped up on minor details. Despite this the first
year nick name stuck.

Stepping forward I bent down to examine Mrs Robson. "What symptoms do
you have?" I asked.

"Well dear I seem to keep falling over." The other students gave a brief
chuckle stopped abruptly by a stern look from Dr Jackson.

"How often has this happened?" This line of verbal questioning was so slow
I wondered what humans did in a real emergency. The exchange continued
at this rate for a few minutes while I gave Eliza an examination of her
reflexes.

"Chris, has she had a CAT scan and blood tests?"

"You tell me, do you think that they are necessary?"

"Yes of course." I already sensed the neurological damage in the woman's
system. She was obviously in the early stages of motor neurone disease.

"What do you think is wrong?"

"Damage to the nervous tissues in the legs which is spreading throughout
the body leading to loss of co-ordination and numbness in the peripheral
sensory systems. This is probably brought on as an auto immune response
to a viral infection sometime in the recent past." I looked up expecting him
to be happy with my response but instead he looked shocked.

"Come now we don't want to scare Eliza with tales of major diseases." I
could sense his disappointment in me. This was very difficult to understand
as I knew that I was right.

"But the damage to the tissues is obvious and would show up on a
neurological scan, I mean an X-ray or CAT scan."

He motioned for me to step over to one side. "Angie, you are worrying the
poor dear. I know that you are supremely confident in your diagnosis but on
this occasion you will have to accept that you are wrong."

He went to stand by the group of other students who had taken over the
examination of Mrs. Robson.

"She has an inner ear infection caused by severe bacterial infestation."
Announced Paul smugly.

"Yes that's right." Chris glanced across at me and could tell that I was still
seething at his denial at my own diagnosis. "Our learned friend over here
has just saved the hospital thousands of pounds in unnecessary tests. Well
done." He gave me an apologetic smile but it did not help to calm me down.

The porter who had stood calmly in the background during the exchange
came forward and wheeled Mrs. Robson towards the door.

"Don't worry dear." She said as she passed me. "We all get it wrong once
in a while."

I didn't hang around for further discussion on the subject either. Scooping
my things up off the chair I strode out of the lecture theatre.

Once outside I watched the porter wheel her back towards the ward. This
was a painful situation to accept.

"Shit! how could they be so wrong?"

"Will you stop wriggling around." Stephen turned and pulled the quilt back
over his legs. Sensing my anxiety he sat up and flicked on the bedside
lamp. "Okay what has been eating you all evening. Ever since you got back
this afternoon you have been preoccupied with something and shielding
most of the time." He wrapped his arms around me and we embraced as I
opened up my mind. "So what can we do about it?"

He did not need to ask as he knew already that I had decided to return and
heal Mrs. Robson. "This time we may get away with it, but you cannot use
your abilities on every patient that you meet without being noticed."

I slipped out of bed and dressed quickly. Entering Andranovich's room I
found him already in his dressing gown. "Are you going to take away the
ladies pain?"

I was astonished. Stephen had not known about my shielded deliberations
until just now, how could Andranocivh have picked up on my thoughts.

We now knew what his special talent would be. A strong telepath who can
read even shielded minds is usually trained as a communicator. His future
as a diplomat for the Federation was assured at that moment, but this
wasn't the time to think about my own family.

We materialised in Elizabeth's room and woke her gently. It took only a
moment to explain telepathically what we were about to do and entrust
Andranovich to her care for the rest of the night. He willingly climbed in bed
beside her and snuggled down.

As we teleported away to the hospital I felt his thoughts go with us. (Good
luck mummy...)

Entering by the back fire escape we stole along the corridor towards the
Margaret Garret ward. I sensed the night nurse sitting ahead at the duty
desk and using telekinesis made a light blink on the panel before her.

"Not again." She muttered as she got up to investigate the patient who had
supposedly called her.

Once she was gone we slipped past the desk and up to the bed where Mrs.
Robson lay. Pulling the screen around us I sent. (Stephen you monitor the
duty desk. Every time that nurse returns set off another call light so that she
goes to investigate.) He nodded silently and closed his eyes to concentrate
on the task.

Eliza stirred gently and looked up at me. I held my fingers to her lips just as
she was about to speak.

(It's all right Eliza we have come to give you a present.)

I went into her and spread reassurance and calm, her eyes closed again.
Kneeling down I removed the covers from her legs and laid my hands upon
them. The damaged nerves felt like a black cloud in my mind. Then using
my training I pushed deeper into the very heart of the tissue. There the
cellular nuclei gave me the information I needed. I read the genetic code
from her chromosomes like reading a recipe book. Once I had the
information, I spread out my contact to her entire nervous system.

From the outside another person could have seen a glow of green light
coming from my hands. This rapidly covered her entire body as I
rejuvenated all the damaged tissue. Slowly replacing all of the dysfunctional
cells with new ones. Understanding the cause of her problem I also sought
out her immune system. The antibodies produced to kill the virus had also
attacked her living tissue and these had to be removed from her system to
prevent future damage.

All of this took about five minutes but I was totally unaware of the passage of
time during the process.

Suddenly Stephen cut across my thoughts. (The nurse has decided to walk
around the entire ward she's coming this way and I don't think I can stop
her.)

(Nearly finished.) I sent as the green light subsided back towards the palms
of my hands. I placed my finger on Eliza's forehead and sent a psionic
suggestion into her consciousness. (Sleep and pleasant dreams.)

We jaunted just as the nurse pulled back the curtain. For a split second she
thought she saw two ghosts fade in front of her eyes. Dismissing this as a
trick of the light she looked at the sleeping patient.

"It's all right for some." She mumbled and returned to her desk.

After we returned to the lab I realised my exhaustion. The rest of the night
was spent cocooning. This technique involves surrounding ones body with a
psionic field while regenerating your energy levels. Stephen sat on the
couch watching me. From the outside he could see my natural form return
then my body rose from the surface of the medi-bed and hovered as it was
slowly surrounded by bright purple light. By morning we were both in a deep
natural sleep.

It was two weeks later that I left the medical school. The Dean tried, at
length, to dissuade me from this decision. I stuck to my excuse about
Andranovich needing more of my time and after a while he accepted.

Chris Jackson met me outside the office."Has this sudden decision got
anything to do with me?" He enquired. "I know that we don't always see eye
to eye on things but I'd hate to think that you gave up a promising career just
because of a little disagreement."

"Of course not," I lied, " it has everything to do with my family needing me."

He shifted uneasily on the spot as he broached the next subject. "I was
going to talk to you about Mrs. Robson. You remember the lady that I
brought into the class the other day?" I sensed his unease as he struggled
in his attempts to try and not sound too patronising. "Well, she made a full
recovery the next day. All symptoms disappeared completely. I'm sorry that
you were wrong."

Not wanting to be engaged in any further discourse on the topic I turned and
walked briskly up the corridor. "Oh no I wasn't."

Stepping out into the late afternoon rain I turned and waved.

My self satisfaction at that incident was rapidly diminished by the events
later that month. It was a difficult thing to accept that although I was talented
in healing way beyond any other human I would not be free to use my
powers openly within their society. The close personal nature of the events
made this realisation all the harder to accept.

We were sitting in the lab. Stephen had just two months until his final exams
and was studying a book intently. Andranovich was playing a board game
with Andrew at one of the tables. Stephen suddenly clutched at his chest
and doubled over in pain.

Andranovich gasped and articulated the sensations we all felt. 'Nana and
grandad'

"TIM contact the others and tell them what has happened, and set
co-ordinates for my parent's house." Said Stephen as he strapped on a
stun gun. "Andrew you take care of Andranovich until we get back."

I clipped a matter transporter to my wrist and we headed for the jaunting
pad.

"Please take me with you." Pleaded Andranovich.

There was no time to argue so I swept the child up into my arms.

Materialising in the lounge of the Kingston house we scanned the area for
their thoughts. (Nothing. They aren't here.) Pathed Stephen. (I know what I
felt was intense pain and injury. They must have been in some sort of
accident.)

He rushed outside, into the front garden, and began scanning the local area
for their presence. We all joined hands and added our strength to his own.
Presently, we broke the link, it was obvious that they were not in the vicinity.

A police car pulled around the bend and stopped in front of the house.

It took no time at all to glean the information about the motorway accident
from the mind of the officer as he approached us. Without speaking we
dashed back inside the house and contacted Tim who reset the teleporter's
co-ordinates for the St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey, Surrey.

The casualty department was a hive of activity. We had thankfully arrived in
a deserted part of the corridor and made our way to the admissions desk.
Stephen's impatience showed as the receptionist looked up his parents
names.

"Sorry, but there has been no one by either of those names admitted
recently."

"There must be the police told us that following the accident they were
brought here by ambulance." He growled at the girl aggressively.

"I'll take another look." She turned back to her computer screen.

We heard a shout from behind us as a burley paramedic pushed his way
through the crowd.

It was Andranovich who noticed first, pointing in the man's direction as he
disappeared into the trauma room, he sent. (Over there. Over there!)

We dashed across the waiting area leaving the receptionist talking to
herself.

"No one is allowed in here." Said a security man as we tried to push our
way into the room.

"My parents are in there and they need me." Steven screamed almost
hysterically.

"No, what they need is the doctor right now. He will let you know when you
can see them." As if to make his comments final he stepped across the
entranceway.

(I don't have time for this.)

Steven lifted the stun gun which he had concealed in his palm up to face the
man.

"What are you going to do with that?" He gestured at the strange looking
device. "Be good and don't make a fuss please, your parents are in good
hands now."

The device spurted a stream of electrons and the guard stood ridged,
rooted to the spot with a frozen look of astonishment on his face.

As we entered the trauma room it was obvious that the situation was bad.
The tense atmosphere could have been read by any human in the
expressions of those present.

The consultant looked up from his examination of Julia and barked. "Who let
them in here? Guard! Guard!" When the guard did not appear he turned to
us. "I would expel you myself but I'm a bit tied up right now. Who the hell are
you anyway?"

"That's my mother and father."

His expression tightened as he addressed us. "I'm very sorry but there is
little I can do for them. Their injuries are just too severe."

On entering I had read the situation clearly, luckily Stephen had been
blinded by his anguish and could not sense the hopelessness of the
situation.

"We can help them..." he tried to explain, then in a sudden burst of anger he
swept the stun gun around the room freezing all of the staff.

I crossed the room and placed my hands on Tony's head. He had been
dead for many minutes and there was nothing that I could do for him now.
Stephen sensing this grabbed at my arm and demanded that I try to help.

(I can't bring him back to life, it's too late for that.)

(You must, he can't die, he just can't!)

Turning to the other trolley I rushed into Julia. Many of her bones were
broken and she suffered severe internal injuries. These I could satisfactorily
heal but the most worrying feature was the damage to her head. The skull
was completely crushed on one side and oozed with thick semi-congealed
blood.

Stephen noticed my hesitation and demanded an appraisal of the situation.

(I can heal these other injuries, but the head trauma is just too severe. Even
if she did come round from the resulting coma the brain damage would be
too great, she will be a complete vegetable for the rest of her life.)

(But you can read her cell structure, you can regenerate the damaged area.)

(I can do certain things but I cannot replace the material which was stored in
the cells. I cannot give her back her mind.)

This was not what he wanted to here. Thumping the trolley with his fist he
took his mothers hand. Reaching into her with his limited telekinetic powers
he began to rejuvenate some of the tissue.

(Don't be so stupid you cannot do that all by yourself. It won't do her any
favours in the long run.) He ignored my pleading. I gently placed my hand
over his and went into him. His pain was evident, in desperation he
maintained the stubborn hope of her recovery.

I then became aware of Andranovich's consciousness joining our own.
Comforting thoughts spread through us and Stephen's grip on his mothers
hand weakened.

"They'll be waking in a few minutes." I motioned to the transfixed medical
staff standing around us.

With reluctance he stood and lifted Andranovich up to Julia's level. The child
kissed his grandmother tenderly and we all disappeared.

Later that night, at the university halls, we received the official visit from a
local police sergeant. He was very sympathetic as he broke the news of
Stephen's parents death in a fatal car accident. I did most of the talking,
Stephen just sat staring out of the window.

"By the way." He said as he headed for the door. "Staff at the hospital
reported that a couple with a child were fussing around in the casualty
department while they were treating Mr. and Mrs. Jameson. I have to ask,
do you have any idea who this could have been?"

"Well it obviously wasn't us we have been here all day." I looked across at
Stephen but he didn't seem to have heard. "It was probably some distraught
relatives of another patient, people do tend to get very confused when they
are anxious."

After closing the door I sat beside Stephen on the sofa. I went into him but
met what felt like a brick wall, he was heavily shielding his thoughts and
shutting me out completely. The hours crept by and gradually the room was
filled with early morning light.



Chapter 3 - And Then There Was One
------------------------------------------------

12th October 1988

Six months later we were aboard a Kalinar heading towards Manyarner.
The small vessel used Hyperlight drive which phased it out of normal space
time and clipped the edge of hyperspace. The non-Euclidean mathematics
of this form of space travel is highly complex and requires a full size
biotronic unit to calculate the trajectory. In simple terms when travelling in
hyperspace you are going at right angles to the normal plane of space time
and thus the vast distances involved are cut dramatically. If the vessel had
been travelling through normal space we would have had to reach speeds
equivalent to many thousand light years per second in order to cross such
vast distances.

I preferred this form of transportation to the long teleports the Tomorrow
People were used to. Their bodies have been designed by evolution to
compensate for the constant disassembling and reassembling of their
physical form, mine had not. This time alone also gave us the opportunity to
reflect upon the events of the last few months.

>From within the ship there is no awareness of the indeterminate state of
your own existence as everything is moving within the same realm and at
equal speeds everything appears normal. We had been aboard for three
earth weeks and had decided not to slow-sleep through the trip. Stephen
used the time to examine every item of equipment available. Due to
circumstances he had not finished his degree and I was sure that he
regretted the decision.

Andranovich had grown considerably and now resembled a human child of
about eight years old. Sending a message ahead we had arranged for him
to begin his training as a communicator as soon as we arrived. My parents
were pleased that they would get the chance to see him before they left on a
long term diplomatic mission to the Preya Galaxy (Earth designation 2997)
five hundred thousand light years away from Federation territory. I had my
own worries about this trip, not at the possible dangers of long voyages
through Hyperspace to meet unknown civilisations but because, as elders,
their absence from the circle would have it's ramifications in Manyarnern
politics and I only hoped that it would not result in too many upheavals in the
smooth running of the society.

After the funeral and the reading of their will it had become apparent that we
had inherited a reasonable sum of money. In addition to this was the house
in Kingston and another property in Scotland. This, it later transpired, had
been inherited previously by Tom from an aged aunt who spent most of her
life as a recluse in the Grampian mountains.

We teleported to the station at Corrour Sta to coincide with the arrival of the
London train, and then took a taxi out to the property. It was outside a small
rural community and set in large formal grounds beside loch Ossain.

As we pulled up into the drive I was reminded of my family home on
Manyarner, a large fronted stone building with two bay windows which
looked out towards the distant mountains. The house was extremely run
down and in need of major repairs.

Andranovich, in his excitement, ran from the car and climbed up the few
steps to the large oak door. He did not wait for us to pay the driver and
meet him with the key but instead used a brief burst of telekinesis to open
the rusted lock and enter the cool interior of the hallway. (Come on.) He
pathed as he searched from room to room.

"Well what do you think?"

We stood in the lounge of the old building, dust sheets covered the
dilapidated furniture, the atmosphere was thick and smelt strangely musty.

"I think we could be happy here."

"That's exactly what I was thinking." Said Stephen. This was the first time
that he had shown interest in anything since the funeral and it was pleasant
to see him smile. "It is just far enough away from civilisation for us not to be
noticed. We can use the money from the other house to do it up."

He lifted a sheet from an old chair and the clouds of dust wafted up like
smoke."It will take a lot of work, but the old place has a happy atmosphere."

"You'll be able to wear a kilt again." I teased "Elizabeth has told me all about
it."

He smiled then we stood briefly and linked. Sensing the structure of the
building we could feel a calming influence descend into our minds.
Momentarily we caught a glimpse of our future selves standing in a temple
beside the loch.

(Yes we will be happy here.) We thought in unison.

After making arrangements with a local building firm we left John with our
power of attorney and departed for a vacation on Manyarner.

Gradually the distance between Earth and my birth planet diminished. The
Kalinar dropped out of hyperspace and for the first time the window shield
lifted. During Hyperlight travel the ship needs intense structural support and
the whirling void of hyperspace is nothing to look at anyway. As normal
space filled the observation window we glimpsed for the first time the large
planet orbiting a class one star which bathed it in light. The northern
continent had just entered it's day light phase and the glow of the
surrounding psionic field could be seen just above the upper atmosphere.

"Wow!" exclaimed Stephen. This was the first time he had actually seen this
world from space. "So that's why you glow purple."

I had returned to my normal appearance shortly after starting the trip. It felt
good to save the energy needed to maintain the constant transformation
and to feel the smooth sheen of my usual skin. Andranovich had rarely seen
this form and during the early days of our voyage had spent some time just
stroking my arm watching the skin's subtle changes at his touch.

We disembarked at the forth continent space port and were met by my
parents. Bowing slowly they welcomed us with a glass of Tralmark.

(May your senses be enlightened and your dreams be fulfilled.)

I took the large container offered by my mother and drank deeply of the
sweet liquid. Handing it to Andranocivh he sipped at the drink hesitantly.
Once he realised that it's taste was pleasant he gulped down more.

It was Steven who seemed reluctant to join in this traditional greeting. (Do I
have to? It's an hallucinogen and I want my mind kept clear at the moment.)

Picking up his thoughts and seeming very disappointed my father took back
the container to drink himself.

Catching my look of disapproval Stephen held out his hand to drink as well.
(Hey it's quite nice.) He sent with surprise. We all smiled at his unnecessary
anxiety.

We stepped aboard a waiting hover vehicle and headed off towards our
family home. During the short journey the Tralmark, began to work it's
effects.

Stephen's eyes widened as his sense for the consciousness around him
heightened. (There are thousands of other beings here, I can feel them.)

(Have you forgotten the wonders of the joining.) Said my mother. (Everyone
on the planet took part in the celebrations that day.)

Turning towards me his expression was of disbelief.

(Yes, she speaks the truth. It was so alien to you that you probably felt only
the edge of the Manyarnern group consciousness.)

(I can feel it all,) this was Andranovich, he had been looking over the edge of
the vehicle at the country side flashing by below us, (I know that I will never
be alone again, as long as I stay here.)

Stephen began to send his disapproval of the suggestion that the child
remain on this planet but I cut his message short.

(We can discuss these things later after the family blending.)

The house was built into the side of a hill overlooking the lake of Qualmarth,
which roughly translated into English means tranquillity. I had forgotten the
natural beauty of the place since moving to Earth. Large Fructa bushes
rustled in the breeze and the scent of wild flowers filled the air. I bent down
and picked a small blue flower from a nearby plant. It made a gentle tinkling
sound, like distant bells, as I handed it to Andranovich to smell. He took the
little blossom from me and tucked it into my hair.

(And she shall have music wherever she goes.) Pathed Stephen.

The house itself had three levels built by successive generations of our
family. My parents lived, when their commitments to the Federation allowed,
on the second level. The ground floor had an open courtyard which led into a
large brightly lit living space. The layout was predictably circular with a small
sunken area in the centre where many cushions lay.

Around the edge the walls shifted with moving patterns of light. Mother had
prepared rooms for us above on the third floor and we carried our
belongings over to the back of the circular space.

"Where are the stairs?" Asked Andranovich, looking around him.

"There is no need for them here." I lifted myself, and the bundle I carried, up
into the air.

In no time at all we were settled in and the familiarity of my childhood home
surrounded me with pleasant memories.

Later that evening Stephen and I walked down the steep cliff pass and
through the rock overhang to the viewing platform. From here the sun could
be seen sinking below the horizon in a glory of deep reds and mauves
which spread out across the lake turning the water into a wondrous mass of
colour.

(This is my favourite spot in our whole land.) I sent absent-mindedley.

(I can see why, I never realised it was so beautiful when I was here before. I
guess I was preoccupied with the strange ceremony involving this gorgeous
young alien friend of mine.) We stood looking out across the lake at the
brilliance below.

Overtaken by the intensity of the moment I stepped forward over the edge.
Stephen grabbed at my robe frantically trying to prevent me from falling. But
I knew that I would not fall. The psionic field around me supported my body
weight and I floated effortlessly in mid air.

(God! You nearly gave me a heart attack.)

(Sorry, I thought that you would read my intentions and join me.)

Stephen took a step back from the edge and I became aware for the first
time of the intense feelings of dread which had arisen within him.

(You have vertigo? Please don't be afraid.) I reached into his
consciousness and found the root of his anxiety. Dismissing the little knot of
fear he began to relax. (Come on join me.)

Slowly he shuffled forward. Then without looking down he reached for my out
stretched hand and stepped from the ledge. Bobbing about in mid air we
laughed together.

(What shall we do now?)

(Watch.) I lent backwards until nearly horizontal then shot out from the cliff
edge. Lifting myself vertical again I gave him a wink then looped the loop.

Presently we were swooping over the water below dipping and diving like
birds on thermal currents. Our joyful laughter filled the air. Looking down we
saw a small craft drifting across he lake.

(Hello down there.) I sent.

The thoughts of the couple in the boat swam in our minds.

(Greetings Angerianaasusilicana, nice to feel you amongst us again.)

(Trilliafortunecta! Is that really you it's been so long?)

We quickly descended into the bottom of the vessel. After many hugs and
kisses introductions were hardly necessary. Although Trilliafortunecta, Trilly
to her friends, gave a verbal greeting out of respect to Stephen's ancestry. "I
am pleased to meet you Stephen this is my joining partner Faltron."

"I am happy to meet any of Angie's relatives." They shook hands. "We left
this planet straight after our joining and it is only now that I am becoming fully
aware of the splendour of the place."

(In that case we will have to show you more.) Sent Faltron.

We sat beside them and began to trade stories of old times at the academy
and my new life on Earth. Trilly was the first born of my fathers brother, being
of about the same age, we had trained together until my posting to the Trig.
She was taller than I remembered and her hair was plaited into a long braid
which reached nearly to the ground. She carried herself with an air of
authority which called for immediate respect.

Trilly's specialisation was as a lens, that is one who focuses psionic energy
in religious ceremonies. The training for such a vocation was more intensive
than I had endured and was only just complete.

(I am going to command the family blending tomorrow as one of my first
duties as a novice.) She pathed proudly. (I'm a bit worried about dealing
with so many minds at once especially as elders of the circle will be there.)

Faltron wrapped his arm around her shoulders reassuringly. (You will be
fine, they would not have given you the responsibility unless they thought you
could handle it.)

(What exactly does a lens do during these ceremonies?) Asked Stephen. (I
know a little about psionic energy and how you use it, like just now when we
flew from the cliff. I knew I could do it but if you asked me how I would not be
able to explain it.)

(Psionic energy flows through our bodies, if you know how to sense on the
right wavelength then you can feel the vibrations it makes in your living
tissue. As a lens I can not only feel this energy but harness and focus it.)

She held her hand palm upwards above her head. With a sharp crack a bolt
of brilliant white lightning forked across the sky towards us. Suddenly it
seemed to stop in mid air and roll into a flaming ball. This sank down until it
rested in her hand.

She brought it down level with Stephen's face, it's glory filled the boat and lit
up the surrounding water, he was aghast with amazement. Nodding
approval at his silent question he took the glowing sphere from her and
studied it more closely.

(This energy not only moves through us but we also generate a limited field
around us. Flying like you did was a result of localised fields generated by
the plants, animals and people of the planet. Your body took advantage of
the energy field to give you buoyancy then you used telekinesis to move
around within it. During ceremonies the energy of individuals is entwined to
enhance the group consciousness. The commander is the main link and
flows the group mind through her own. It will be my duty to see that everyone
joins but also that they keep a thread of their individuality. We will all share
visions with one another but also experience personal insights into our life.

Training in this specialisation has taken most of my life. The energy is
unpredictable and controlling it needs a very precise form of divided
concentration. You are not aware of the constant control I have to place over
that lightening in order to prevent it from burning your hand.)

(Oh!) Stephen returned the glowing ball to her and it slowly dimmed to leave
us sitting in complete darkness.

(One day when I have much more experience I may become an elder of the
circle myself, but not for many centuries.)

Noticing how late it had become and realising how far the little boat had
drifted we bade farewell and flew back towards the welcoming lights of the
house, now just a speck on the distant hill side.

It was a glorious morning, the atmosphere at home was charged with
excitement at the imminent family gathering. We ate breakfast quickly then
made our way to the temple. As we stepped from the hover vehicle I looked
around me. There was already a small crowd milling about in the warm
sunshine. It surprised me how many relatives were present on the home
world at this time, but I soon recalled that they had probably come to say
goodbye to mother and father before their long trip. Apart from our
immediate group there were father's two brothers their joining partners and
children, one of which was Trilly, my mothers sister and her joined children
and grand children, about thirty people in all.

We stood around the rim of the structure. I smiled across at Stephen and
Andranovich who had become quickly accustomed to their lack of bodily
covering. They stood together almost opposite me in the large throng. Trilly
walked to the centre of the temple and stepped onto a raised platform. She
looked up above her and a stream of pinkish light emanating from the stone
arches surrounded her body. One by one we took each others hands until
the circle was complete then walked forward a few paces and knelt down.
For a fleeting moment I was aware of the thoughts of all those present. I saw
the circle of people from many different viewpoints which gradually melted
into one image of us all as if we were looking out from the centre.

My mind filled with pictures of distant planets and civilisations, one of which
was the streets of London filled with people busily going about their
business. Another seemed to be the peaceful hills of the Scottish highlands.
This cacophony of individual feelings swirled around my consciousness
then solidified into images from my childhood.

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

(Look at me Angie?) Trilly skipped up and over the fructa bushes. Her feet
just touched their feathery softness as she passed. (I can fly like a bird.)

I had not mastered the art of lifting yet and ran along through the
undergrowth trying to keep up with her. (Wait for me Trilly, please let me
catch up with you.)

She grounded in a clearing beside a rock outcrop. The sun had warmed the
stone and ground and it seemed as good a place as any for us to relax.
Many small animals scurried away in fright as we approached. I sat down
and opened a large leaf I had been carrying. Inside was a handful of
Markless berries.

"If you had not scooted off like that we could have picked more." I said
angrily.

(I'm very sorry, can I still share them with you?)

We laid on our backs and watched the birds circle above us as we ate the
fruit. After a while I became aware of it's effects. Sharing ourselves, we
drifted off into a dream.

Eventually I sat up and looked at her. (What have they taught you at the
academy recently, apart from lifting?)

(Nothing much.) She replied (They say it will take many months before I can
even begin to channel energy. It's really frustrating, I saw a novice the other
day practising in the gardens behind the hall.) She sent me an image of a
teenage girl her hair blowing in the wind as she lifted her hands and caught
a shaft of sunlight as if it had substance. (I bet I could do things like that.
They said I mustn't but it's not fair. You already practice your art but I spend
most of my time in meditation and schooling.)

Feeling that she was about to do something very stupid I tried to change the
subject. (I only get to heal little surface wounds like this.) I picked up a stick
and snapped it in two. Then with all my concentration I reached into the
plants tissues and rejoined the damages ends.

(See... You can do things, I'm not allowed any fun.) At that she jumped up
and raised her hands above her head. "Watch me." She said gleefully.

Lightning cracked across the sky towards us. It passed over our heads and I
felt the static charge tingle my skin. Sensing danger I leapt out of the way as
it struck the rock outcrop. Trilly had been too preoccupied with her
summoning of the light to notice it's trajectory. Splinters of stone spewed out
and begin to rain down on her. She started to scream.

"Stop!" I shouted, and much to my surprise the rock fragments froze in mid
air just above her head. I was suddenly aware of an eerie silence and
looking around me I realised that they were not the only thing that had
stopped. There was no breeze on my face, no bird song and even Trilly
stood absolutely motionless.

I was very afraid now. I rushed to her side and saw that she was transfixed
her mouth open in a silent scream. The rocks loomed ominously overhead
and pulling at her arm with all my might I managed to move her a few steps
to the left out of their path. Almost as soon as I had accomplished this the
whole world started up again.

"Aaaah." The rocks crashed down where she had just been standing. (What
happened?) She looked at me like a scared animal (I was sure that they
would fall on me.)

I couldn't explain what had happened and thought it best not to mention it to
any one.

"You were so scared I pulled you out of the way" I said lamely shielding so
that she could not read my inner turmoil. "Anyway, now you know that you
cannot control the power and why they told you not to use it yet."

We trudged our way back to the academy, she was obviously shaken by the
events but also angered by my constant shielding. My mind was trying to
figure out whether to tell her about what had happened but as we
approached the outer buildings we were swept up in the hubbub of daily
routine. That night I made it up to her by bringing a small gift to her room we
were soon on good terms again but to this day had not mentioned the
incident.

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

Stretching I noticed the circle begin to wake. Stephen trotted over to my
side and eagerly shared his visions. He had also relived moments in his
childhood and it gave him the opportunity to say goodbye, for the last time,
to his parents. The blending is good for helping those in need deal with their
grief. I was pleased that he gained so much from the experience.

Andranovich by contrast never told me exactly what he saw that day but
afterwards there was little debate about his decision to remain on
Manyarner.

The sun had lost it's heat and I estimated that we had been there well into
the afternoon. People around us began to bring food from their vehicles
parked a short distance away. The rest of the day was spent picnicking and
sharing tales of our visions.

Andranovich ran off with the children to play in the surrounding countryside.
He seemed very much at home in the company of other Manyarnerns and
his very human appearance began to take on a light purple psionic glow.

Trilly sensing my feelings, at the realisation that I had lost my little boy for
good, approached and sat on the grass beside me. (What did you see?)
She enquired.

(I don't think that you need to ask, how long have you known about what
happened that day?)

(Well it was just after you left that my meditations became full of you, I spoke
with the elders about it and they said that I should try to summon the
memories from our past. Do you realise what you did that day?)

Stephen had joined us and looked at our earnest expressions. Feeling his
curiosity I shared with him the events of many years ago. (So, what did she
do?)

Trilly took a large gulp of air. We waited. (You stopped time.)

As soon as the words came into my mind I new the truth in them, the whole
sequence suddenly made complete sense.

She continued. (I am now convinced, as are the elders, that your calling was
misinterpreted as a child. Although you are a good healer we believe...) The
whole party around us fell silent as they perceived the importance of our
exchange. (That you are the One, the first Premier to be born for millennia.)

I laughed at the very idea until I noticed that no one else was laughing.
Mother and father's thoughts filled my mind, in unison they sent. (Yes our
daughter you are the One, we are humbled in your presence.)

"That's crap!" I exclaimed and stomped off into the undergrowth.

Still their thoughts followed me. (You can deny your heritage all you want but
there is no doubt, the group consciousness already understands the
importance of this moment. Our people have not had a leader for many
centuries and now is the time for you to take us into a new phase of our
planets history.)

Wanting no more of their fanciful ideas I blocked them out and lifted off into
the afternoon sky.

"She'll come round eventually." Trilly spent the rest of the gathering time
explaining things to an astonished Stephen.

It was the middle of the night when I returned to the house. I crept across the
living space and up to our room. Stephen was thankfully in a deep sleep
brought on by the rigours of the blending. At least I would not have to
discuss the ridiculous idea until tomorrow.

I also slept soundly and it was well into the morning when I dropped down to
the ground floor of the building. No one was around, helping myself to some
warm Durun loaf from the food dispenser, I wandered out to sit on the patio
thankful for the peace and quiet.

After a long while the others absence began to worry me. (Andranovich, are
you all right?)

(Of course mum. I'm up in the hills hunting lafta cats with Holly and Mantron,
please don't make me come back, this is the best fun I've had in ages.)

(Okay but remember not to let yourself get sunburned it's a hot day and your
skin is not as tough as the others.)

(I won't.) He sent with obvious excitement at being able to play freely. (I'll be
back in time for supper I promise.)

"Well then, what are we going to do for the rest of the day in our son's
absence?" Stephen walked over and sat on the chair beside me. "Have you
calmed down now? I've never seen you so angry especially at the family. I'm
sorry that Trilly's little announcement spoilt what had up till then been such a
lovely day."

"I still don't accept what she says you know."

I stuffed a piece of the bread into my mouth in an attempt to stop the
conversation from progressing further.

"After you left Trilly explained things to me. She said..." he held up his hand
to stop me interrupting, "and I accept that she could be wrong, she said that
whether or not you are the Premier they cannot keep you here and make
you join in the Manyarnern life style usually undertaken by the One. You are
free to decide what is best for you and they will accept that this is what is
meant to be. I also got your parents to agree that they will not discuss it with
you unless you mention it first. After all we came here for a holiday away
from any hassle and that is exactly what I intend to have."

I could not believe that this naive young man that I had joined with such a
short time ago had matured into the assertive adult who could handle my
very pushy family.

"How on Earth can I thank you." We hugged for a long while and I wept
gently on his shoulder.

Suddenly he jumped up and lifted me to my feet. "Well firstly you can come
for a swim in that very inviting lake of yours then you can give me a back
massage. After that... well I'm sure that I can think of something." He
squeezed my left buttock impudently and we headed off towards the lake.

The months on Manyarner flew by and were some of the happiest times of
my life. No one in the immediate family mentioned the circles beliefs about
my calling as the Premier and after a while I almost completely forgot it
myself. That was until we took a trip to the second continent to attend an arts
festival. The people there kept giving me funny looks and I often caught their
desire to bow as I approached, until they sensed my obvious irritation at
their intended actions.

Shortly before mother and father left for their trip we exchanged words
briefly on the subject.

"My child you have a difficult path ahead. Be assured that the circle will
support you in all that you do. We are not happy at your decision to remain
amongst the human's but if that is your wish then we hope all goes well for
you."

"Thank you mother and father for being so understanding." Was all I could
think of saying. "I'll miss you."

(We will miss all of our grand children as well.) Sent mother.

(What?)

(Don't you feel them within you child?) She placed her hand on my belly and
went inside to feel the growing embryos. (Twin boys, there have not been
any twins in the family in a long time.)

Stephen came close and also placed his hand against me. (Hey! how did
that happen?) Our laughter took away the feelings of gloom which hung over
the parting.

They walked up into the waiting transport ship which was to take them the
first leg of their journey. This was much larger than the Kalinar we had
travelled in and was designed to be self sustaining on trips that would last
many years. Stephen had longed to get a glimpse at the Hyperlight
generators but the ship was out of bounds to all non Federation personnel.

The circle of elders reached out their minds in a joint wish for success. (Our
thoughts go with you on your voyage.) They sent as the ship rose into the air.
As it made the jump out of space-time we all felt the sense of loss.

I was heavily pregnant as I too stepped aboard a Kalinar for the return trip to
Earth. Andranovich stood beside Trilly, who was to supervise his time at the
academy, at the foot of the entrance ramp. Feeling tears well up inside me I
waved quickly and went in to join Stephen. He was busy at the controls
checking the trajectory on the biotronic unit. We had decided to slow-sleep
the rather tedious return journey. As I had pointed out, on our way here we
had Andranovich to keep us occupied and it was a new experience for him
and Stephen. Now that this technology was all familiar there would be little
to do but get on each others nerves. In fact I was finding it hard to leave and
I could not face endless weeks dwelling on the fact that I might not see my
home world again for many years. Stephen's ability to sense my moods had
improved much during our stay and without sharing my thoughts directly with
him he knew how upset I really was.

(Ready then?) He asked holding open the lid of the sleep chamber. (What
about these two little fellas?)

I lifted myself into position and fastened the harness over my swollen
abdomen. (We are all fine, now lets get going before I change my mind.)

(Your wish is my command Premier.)



Chapter 4 - A Fatal Error
--------------------------------

04 September 1989

The Kalinar sank slowly to the bottom of the loch. Waking from slow sleep I
looked around me.

"Welcome Home."

"How on Earth did you get in here Elizabeth?"

It was Steven who responded from the other side of the cabin." I asked TIM
to wake me as we entered the solar system then sent a message for them
to meet us."

He was unloading the items we had brought back with us from their storage
compartment. John was there too busily placing it onto the teleporter pad.

"Well, you seem to have things under control here so if someone would
please help me to my feet I'll go and take a look around the house."

Elizabeth helped me extricate myself from the harness which had tangled
itself around my left arm. She placed her hand against my very swollen belly.
"How long?"

"Just a few more days now, they are getting impatient to join us."

She took my hand and placed it against her abdomen."Well we are going to
have quite a full nursery in a few months time."

I went inside to feel the growing foetus nestling peacefully in her womb.
"That's great!" I looked across at John. "You'll have to make an honest
woman of her now!"

"Already have." He positively glowed with pride. "You are looking at the new
Mrs Phillips."

Stephen stopped what he was doing and we all embraced, congratulating
them and sharing memories of their wedding day a few months earlier. After
a while we continued our conversation while we worked.

"My parents came over from Zaire for the week and it was a lovely summers
day. Hsui was my bridesmaid, Andrew was best man and Mike even
scrubbed up nicely. The only sad thing was that you two were not there, but
it doesn't seem to matter now it's just great to have you back."

I walked across to the food dispenser and requested some Tralmark. Then
returning to face her I offered the traditional Manyarnern greeting. (May your
senses be enlightened and your dreams be fulfilled.)

Hesitantly she accepted the beaker and drank. The others stepped over
and very solemnly joined in the ceremony.

"Now then, let's go and see our new home."

"Sorry, you'll have to wait until we finish unloading." Said Stephen.

Looking up at the window I noticed for the first time that we were under
water.

"Where on earth are we?"

"At the bottom of the loch. John and I decided it was the best place to hide
the Kalinar from prying eyes."

"But surely the Kalinar is going back?"

"Not this time the circle of elders gave it to us."

I was dumbfounded at first then realised why they had made such a gesture.

Stephen saw the angry look come over my face. "Don't blame them, they
only want their Premier to have the means to return whenever she wants.
Besides, it will be great to have our own flying saucer to use around the
localised area."

"What's all this about you becoming the Premier?" Asked John innocently.

(Damn you Stephen.) I sent on our personal wavelength. (Did you have to
tell them every thing!)

(Actually I did not tell them, Elizabeth just picked it up from my subconscious
mind.)

I apologised for my quick temper and explained to them both what had
happened during the family blending. It was John who broke the
atmosphere.

"If my liege will permit her humble servant to continue with his duties she can
enter her castle and inspect the throne room." With this he gave a huge
bow. Liz joined in and curtsied. Laughing at the absurdity of the situation for
the first time my mood lifted.

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

After a few hours we were ready for a tour of the house. The builders had
made a good job with their renovations and the decoration was clean and
simple. Liz explained that I could order any additional furnishings that I
wanted from a local store where she had set up an account.

"It's just perfect, thank you both for taking such care over the place."

"We think there is something that we ought to tell you." Said Elizabeth as we
sat on the sofa in the large comfortable lounge. "We have decided to live
here too, that is, if you don't mind. It's not that the Lab is uncomfortable,
quite the contrary but we have been thinking about what sort of a life we can
offer the baby. If we all move in here then we can try to give it as normal an
upbringing as possible."

"I take it that by all you mean Hsui Tai, Mike and Andrew as well." Replied
Stephen.

I immediately realised the importance of this decision. The vision that
Stephen and I had shared a year ago when we first visited this place had
had a sense of community. He seemed to have realised this as well and we
smiled at each other in the knowledge that it had been the future that we had
seen that day. Choking up with emotion he spoke for us both.

"You are as much a part of our family now as those unborn children. It will be
an honour to share our house and the rest of our lives with you."

"No need to be so formal," interrupted John, "a simple yes will suffice."

"Yes." He said emphatically.

The house had many surprises in store for us. John explained how the
builders had discovered a secret stairway leading from the study down to
the cellar below. He had instructed them to run power down there and
between them they had fitted it out as a small replica of the Lab. An
extension of TIM had also been installed in order that he could monitor the
surroundings and keep prying eyes away from our activities.

Elizabeth had another surprise for me. She had engaged a nanny who
would also act as house keeper.

"We don't want strangers sniffing around especially after the twins are
born." I protested.

"Mrs. Henderson is not a stranger, she was my old nanny when I was a
child."

"I didn't know that you moved in such exclusive circles." Said John.

"When my father came over to England as ambassador my mother had to
attend many official engagements with him. They employed this Scottish
nanny to look after me. It was not until we came up here to sort out the place
that I remembered that she lived nearby and looked her up. Anyway Angie,
have you ever kept house? Do you know how to use a Terran oven or a
vacuum cleaner?"

I had to admit that on Manyarner such things were not needed. Food
dispensers provided us with most of our sustenance and dirt and dust
particles were just reabsorbed into the fabric of our buildings. So cleaning
was never the chore that it was on Earth.

"I for one do not want to get lumbered with doing everything around the
house as well as looking after my child. Mrs. Henderson is a very nice lady.
She will live, in the village, in a cottage that I have rented for her. Tim can
monitor the drive so that we will know when she is coming our way. Why
don't we give it a try and see how things work out? She'll be arriving on
Wednesday on the train from Edinburgh."

"You seem to have figured out everything." Said Stephen. "Before we talk
further I'm dying for a proper cup of coffee. My body has nearly forgotten
what a real caffeine hit feels like."

Liz and I left them alone and went to make the coffee. We returned to the
lounge a short while later, trailing a tray with a pot of coffee, chocolate cake
and four mugs behind us. This settled down on the table and the pot began
to pour out the steaming brown liquid by itself.

"That will have to stop when Mrs Henderson arrives!" Snapped John.

"Only when she is around, although we will have to fit the children with
inhibitor bands as soon as they are born, as well as changing the
appearance of the twins."

"I never thought of that." Elizabeth seemed very worried. "Andranovich
looked so human that I forgot... oh dear she'll have a heart attack if she sees
them with red eyes. You were right Angie. I'll have to phone and tell her not
to come."

"You'll do no such thing, I manage to maintain a human appearance and
with a little effort I can change the boys shapes as well. At least until they are
old enough to do it themselves." At this she relaxed a little. "Don't be so
hard on your self for not thinking about such things it will all work out for the
best I'm sure."

Over the next few hours we formulated plans for our future. Stephen had
decided a while ago that his engineering skills would not go to waste and
slowly the idea for Jameson industries took shape. We were all to become
directors of the company with John as managing director. John had been
very inventive in his youth and had accrued large sums of money through
patenting his gadgets. This company would take things one step further and
manufacture items itself.

"We'll have to put the pressure on Graeme Truscott to release funds from
the Tomorrow Foundation." Remarked John. "He's not going to like it. I've
left him alone to look after our finances for too long."

During the weekend we made arrangements for all of the Tomorrow people
to move into the house. Andrew was especially pleased to be returning to
Scotland although seemed a little sad each time he thought of his happy
childhood spent on the shores of Loch Ness.

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

On Monday morning John and Stephen left for London. Liz and I were
pleased to get them out from under our feet for a while as their incessant
talk, about their plans, all weekend had started to become very annoying.
Feeling at ease in each others company we busied ourselves around the
house putting finishing touches to the decorations.

It began shortly after lunch, a sharp stab of pain in my lower abdomen as the
birth neared. Elizabeth was in the kitchen at the time, sensing what was
happening she shot up the stairs to find me laying on the bed in our room.

"Should I call a doctor?"

"No, he or she would guess in an instant that I am not human, you will have
to deliver it yourself."

At this suggestion she went quite pale despite her colouring. "But I cant, I
don't know how."

"I will give you the knowledge you need come over here." She sat on the
floor beside the bed and I transferred the information directly into her long
term memory system.

"So it is that quick, okay I know what to do now you just relax."

Hsui Tai, Andrew and Mike appeared in the room. They had been exploring
the far side of the loch when they felt the quickening of the twins.

"Is there anything we can do?" Asked Hsui Tai.

"No, it would be better if you go down stairs and wait with Tim." Replied
Elizabeth.

(I do not mind if you wish to share in the birth.) Reaching out my mind I
sensed both Andrew's curiosity and Mike's embarrassment.

(No thanks.) Remarked Mike a little too quickly. (We'll wait down stairs as
Liz suggests.) With this he led the others from the room.

Elizabeth and I smiled at one another as we prepared for the imminent birth.
Since then I have delivered many human babies, including Elizabeth's two
children, it always amazes me the amount of pain that the woman suffers
due to the bodies contractions as they force the child out into the world.
Manyarnern women do not have the muscles for this kind of delivery instead
the birth is assisted by telekinesis from the midwife who carefully pulls the
child out along the birth canal.

Half an hour later Gabkhan was born, quickly followed by Kohlarn. Stephen
and I had chosen these names whilst still on Manyarner. Gabkhan was my
fathers given name and Kohlarn means he who follows. These names we
decided could also be changed into Gary and Colin when registering their
birth with the human authorities.

Wrapping the infants in towels I went to the bathroom to clean myself up. I
sensed our husbands jaunting into the room behind me.

"Not again!" Exclaimed Stephen. "I never seem to be around when Angie
gives birth."

"You did not miss much, you would probably have fainted anyway." Said
Elizabeth.

"Oh no I would not." He protested.

I returned and taking the children from Elizabeth placed them down on the
bed. John pushed past the others, as they continued to argue, he lent down
to look at the two infants. "They have the most amazing eyes, and their skin
is glowing. Can I hold one please?"

"I would like to introduce our son Gabkhan." I placed the child in his
outstretched arms. "The glow is residual psionic energy. They will be
surrounded with it for the next few days while they grow."

He looked puzzled so I reminded him of how the Manyarnern accelerated
development differed to that of a human child. He nodded as he recalled
Andranovich's rapid changes from small infant to boy in just a few months.

"The problem will be how we explain this to Mrs. Henderson when she
arrives tomorrow." Said Mike from the door way.

It was Elizabeth and John Who met Mrs. Henderson from the train. They
explained that she would not be required up at the house for a few days and
to take this time to settle into her new home. It took a lot of effort to
persuade her that she was not needed immediately and in the end Liz used
a psionic suggestion to bring the discussion to a more rapid conclusion.
They agreed that she should come at nine o'clock the following Monday
morning. This at least gave us some breathing space while I perfected a
way of controlling the boys appearance from a distance and attuned to their
telepathic band.

(I have just detected a woman approaching the house.) TIM's voice echoed
around my mind.

(Right on time.) Sent Stephen from the nursery as he laid Kohlarn down for
a nap. (At least the old battle-axe is punctual.)

(I heard that!) This was Elizabeth from the back garden. (She's not an old
battle axe and if you come down to meet her you'll see what I mean.)

Looking up from the chair where I was feeding Gabkhan I whispered, "I think
you hurt Liz's feelings."

We all met in the hallway just as she approached the front door.

"Why do I feel nervous?" I said as I opened it to welcome her inside.

She was a small woman no taller than five feet, I estimated her age at about
fifty five. Her hair was cut into a neat bob and she wore a nannies uniform.

(See, I was right.) Pathed Stephen.

Elizabeth stepped forward and introduced her to us all in turn.

"Please stop calling me Mrs. Henderson. My name is Clara and I know that
you are Stephen and Angie, Mike, Hsui Tai and Andrew. As we shook
hands I noticed that she had a firm and authoritative grip. "Now why don't I
make us all a nice cup of tea in that fancy new kitchen of yours and we can
get better acquainted before I meet the two bairns upstairs." At this she
marched off in the direction of the kitchen as if she had lived in the house all
her life.

(Well, she seems to have the run of the place already.) Her familiarity
astonished me.

(While you were away she came up for a look around to see if she would
like working here. She claims to be a psychic and says the house has a
good feel.) Explained Elizabeth. (When I was a child her intuition always
astounded me.)

"Are you sure that she is not telepathic and picking up every word that you
send now." Warned John.

Stretching out our minds we could feel her busy in the kitchen. She had the
most wonderful sense of purpose about her and an extraordinary feeling of
curiosity.

(No, she is not telepathic of that I am sure. I can feel her mind as she makes
the tea, it is normal for a human although she is highly intelligent. I wonder
how a woman of her intellect came to be a nanny?) I replied.

There was no more time for conversation, she returned carrying a tray with
tea and biscuits. "Come, come. Have you not yet settled yourselves down.
This will not do at all, nursing mothers need all the rest they can get."

We let her lead us into the lounge.

Life settled into a fairly ordered routine after that. Clara arrived at seven
a.m. on the dot each morning and prepared breakfast while Stephen and I
dressed the twins. After our meal John and Stephen left by car for their
office. They in fact drove just out of sight down the drive and then used the
teleporter to take them to London. Here they had established the head
office of Jameson industries and a factory to manufacture the first gadget
that Steven was to 'invent'.

Liz was appointed as head teacher at the local school much to the
everyone's surprise. Clara told us that she was the talk of the village, they
could not explain how a city girl would choose to work in a small rural school
which was under funded and in jeopardy of closing down. Little did they
know that we had doctored some official documents at the nearest
education department and the schools future was assured. Mike and Hsui
Tai were free to amuse themselves, and usually returned to the main lab
together leaving Andrew to explore the Scottish countryside.

I spent most days with the twins who grew rapidly into toddlers. We told
Clara that they had a rare hereditary disease which accelerated their growth
rate. She accepted this readily and never questioned me about it further.
Thankfully she also failed to ask about their apparent quietness and how I
new exactly when they needed the bathroom or were hungry.

It was in late autumn as I was playing with them, out under the large oak
trees that grew at the bottom of the lawn, that I forgot for a moment where I
was. Gabkhan had thrown a ball onto the air and it had lodged in the
branches of the largest tree. He began to cry at the loss of this toy and
Kohlarn sensing his brothers feelings joined in the wailing.

(Don't be upset.) I pathed. (I'll get it back for you.) Although the inhibitor
bands prevented them from using telekinesis their telepathy had grown
stronger as the months progressed.

(Yes, mummy get the ball, get the ball.) They replied in unison.

I looked up into the branches and felt for the toy, loosening the surrounding
foliage I freed it from it's perch and it began to gently float down towards us.
Just as it reached my eye level I was suddenly aware of someone behind
me. I swung around to be confronted by Clara.

"What are you doing out here?"

Her eyes were transfixed by the ball which now hung in mid air between us.
"Oh, I was watching from the house and thought that you would like another
pair of hands to get the ball down, but I can see that you have managed
quite well without me." She stepped forward and took the ball from the air
then handed it to Gabkhan."There dear you run along and play with your
brother."

He obligingly threw the ball along the ground and both boys ran after it, their
feet rustling the dried leaves as they went. She turned to look at me her face
had an expression of deadly earnest. "I think that it's time we had a little talk,
don't you?"

It took the rest of the afternoon for me to explain everything to her. I even
removed the twins inhibitor bands so that they could use their powers freely.
This was met by many whoops for joy and lifting around the garden while we
tried to persuade them to come back down.

When John and Stephen returned, later that evening, we met them in the
hall, each one of us surrounded by a gentle psionic glow. Clara beamed
with pride as the two little boys lifted to kiss them hello.

"What the hell is going on around here?" Demanded John gruffly.

Liz and I linked with them and described the events of the afternoon.

"And now I understand why they call the village the UFO capitol of Scotland."
Said Clara ."There have been so many sightings of your...what did you call
it?"

"Kalinar." Said Stephen.

She continued. "So many sightings of the flying saucer thing that UFO
spotters from all over Britain have started to flock into the area. Bill
McGregor in the village pub has rented out all of his rooms even this far out
of season." She paused and smiled. "I think that you had better be more
discrete with your pleasure flights from now on."

It was true that our favourite pastime of late was to fly around the solar
system admiring the splendours of the planets and asteroids. Occasionally
we had even left the ship in A.E. suits. The twins each had a little collection
of rocks from the moon and Mars hidden away in the cellar.

It was John who mentioned it first, as we settled ourselves down at the
dinner table. "How do you know about our flights?"

"Well, my hobby is hill walking, I go out most evenings and climb as far as
an old woman's legs will carry me up the mountain path. For the last few
weeks I have repeatedly seen this long metallic blue object coming over the
hill towards me then turning to sink beneath the surface of the loch. When
the UFO hunters started to arrive I thought that I would tell them what I had
seen, then I realised that none of you had ever mentioned anything, so I
dismissed it as a fantasy. When Angie revealed herself this afternoon
everything suddenly made sense. It was obvious from the moment that I
arrived here that there was something very fishy going on. Even Liz had
changed from the shy little girl that I looked after at the embassy all those
years ago. I put two and two together, the craft that I saw must have been
yours."

Going into her I picked up her thoughts, sharing these with the others, I
posed the question she was longing to hear. "Would you like us to take you
for a ride tonight?"

"My dear, I thought you would never ask."

Clara Henderson was a remarkable woman and remained with us for the
next ten years until she retired. She was instrumental in the upbringing of all
our children and assisted in the birth of Elizabeth's first born son, Edward,
his sister Charlotte (Charlie) and finally our daughter Sussialificalasa
(Susan). The children's special abilities never phased her and I am sure that
even the Manyarnern academy could not have taught them the directed
control she instilled.

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

15th December 1999

The new century neared and Jameson Industries flourished giving us all a
sense of purpose. At first it developed small electronic items, components
used in computers and telecommunications equipment. Then we branched
out into pharmaceuticals, and fuel cell car design.

During this time we accumulated rather a lot of personal wealth. Apart from
the daily living expenses and the kids university fees there was little else to
spend it on. It was Clara who made the suggestion that we establish the
Jameson Foundation. We were all swimming in the loch at the time.

Gabkhan, now resembling a young adult, had developed the speciality, like
his father, for mathematics and engineering. His first project was to design
a force field to divide the shore line of the loch from the rest of the water and
gently heat it to a comfortable swimming temperature. This had been a
great hit with all of us, especially Susan who returning to her natural form
revelled in the water just as I had done as a child. Everyone noticed how
alike we were and once she had matured into a very beautiful young woman
we resembled sisters rather than mother and daughter.

Paddling across to tread water beside John and Elizabeth Clara asked.
"Are you the only Tomorrow People on Earth?"

"Many years ago," began John, "we thought that there would be hundreds
even thousands of us breaking out all over the world. But as the years
passed we realised that this was too much to hope for and gave up
looking." He shrugged his shoulders and Elizabeth felt his disappointment.

"There is no doubt that one day there will be many more of us but it will
probably be many thousands of years before that happens." She said.

Surfacing, I joined in the conversation. "Well we have been so preoccupied
lately that we have not given much thought to finding other Tomorrow
People."

"I think that you should try to find them." Remarked Clara motioning towards
Gabkhan, Kohlarn and Susan as they splashed each other noisily. "Look at
your children, fully grown now and in need of a partner. Did you know how
disappointed Kohlarn was with that girl he was dating recently. He showed
her a little telekinesis and she ran a mile. They need creatures like
themselves if they are ever going to be happy."

This suggestion took me by surprise, I had been so wrapped up in the
running of the chemical-development site that I had not thought of the
children's futures. It was Liz who spent most time with them these days. She
still ran the local school, funded now as a centre for academic excellence by
Jameson Industries.

"Why don't we try to send out a telepathic beacon, a message, calling
others like us to come here and meet." Suggested Hsui Tai.

"It is a good sugestion. But when we attempted that before it caused all
sorts of problems for the potential Tomorrow People." Said John
emphatically. "And besides the Federation said that the R.T.E. in the
atmosphere will not wear off for many more years. We have to assume that
none have broken out recently."

"Yes. But Angie sensed another telepath back at University who we never
managed to trace. How can we be so sure that the Federation is right and
this stuff is working the way they planned." Added Stephen. "Perhaps new
Tomorrow People have broken out and we just haven't discovered them yet.
I think it's worth the risk." He turned to John who was obviously deep in
thought on the matter.

"So do I." He said at last.

Later that day we were seated, in a circle, cross legged on the floor of the
lounge linking our consciousness and formulating the message we were to
send. (This is just like the family blending.) Commented Stephen, and I had
to admit that even though we did not have a lens to channel the energy there
was a similar feeling to the gathering.

Clara had pulled the furniture over by the window and watched our silent
communications. "Sometimes I wish I could feel a true part of all this." She
said, turning away to look at the view of the snow covered mountains.

(You are and always will be a part of all of us.) Charlotte responded much to
her surprise.

It was three hours before we made contact with anyone. Gradually the
thoughts of a young man living in London entered our minds, although I
received the idea that he was not native to this country. He said that he had
come across telepaths in many other countries as well. There was an
Australian and an American as well as those living in England.

When we asked how he had come to meet them he seemed reluctant to tell
us at first. He seemed to believe that we were part of some covert
government operation to expose him and his friends. Much to our delight he
reluctantly began to describe how he could teleport and we poured out to
him our knowledge of this ability. Relief flooded into our minds at his
realisation that he was no longer alone and we made an agreement not to
rush things but that he and his friends could come to Scotland to visit us
whenever they wished.

John was uneasey at these new contacts and had TIM place a trace on the
source. Personally I felt sure that the boy guessed what had been done. I
considered expressing my anxiety, after all it did seem as though we were
being friendly with one hand and all the while hiding things from him. Still,
John usually knew best in these matters and I deferred to his better
judgement.

As we came round from the trance we were all in a celebrateory mood.

"New Tomorrow People at last." Remarked an excited Mike. "I wonder if
they are the same as us?"

"Of course they are." Replied Elizabeth. "They just broke out in a different
way. Perhaps nature has corrected itself to make things less traumatic for
our kind."

"Well, whoever they are, I for one am very pleased to know that there are
more of us out there in the world." Added John. "Once TIM has a firm fix on
them we can jaunt over and investigate further."

"Don't go scaring them away." Andrew sounded quite worried.

"No. Of course not." Remarked John. "We'll take a few precautions then
introduce ourselves properly."

These new telepaths were not the only cause for excitement that day. As we
came round from the trance like state we became aware of a familiar
presence in the room with us. We all swung around to see Andranovich
standing in the doorway.

"What the hell are you doing here?" blurted out a shocked Steven.

(I thought that you were calling all telepaths here to join your little
community,) he replied sarcastically, (I was in the area and felt the call, I'll go
if I'm not welcome.) At that he brought a teleporter control out from his
pocket and began to reprogram it.

I glared at Stephen for his stupidity. "Andranovich you are our first born and
a part of this 'community' you are always welcome. You just caught your
father off guard." I was suddenly aware of another Manyarnern mind close
by. The others felt it as well and we looked questioningly at Andranovich as
he came further into the room.

(This is Larafortunecta my joining partner.)

The pretty young girl stepped out from behind him and I could see at once
where her ancestry lay. She was the image of her mother, Trilly, and also
bore the mark of a lens on her upper arm. We quickly recovered from our
shock to this news and welcomed her to our family in the traditional manner.

"Premier." She bowed slightly. "My mother sends her greetings to the One
and asks your forgiveness that we carried out the joining ceremony in your
absence. Andranovich and I wanted to join quickly after completing our
training at the academy and it seemed most opportune to carry it out before
we took up our respective posts on the Trig. Mother believed that you would
not object to our joining as it was within the family."

"No of course not, we do not mind at all. In fact we are very happy for you
both. Your rapport is strong and with strength comes happiness. Will you
stay, please? At least join us for dinner." They nodded. "Great! Who's turn is
it to cook tonight? Or shall we ask TIM to provide something? "

Reluctantly Charlie and Susan stood up and headed out of the room. (We'll
prepare something special.) They sent as the door closed behind them.

What none of us realised that night was that our telepathic call had reached
further than Andranovich. The open frequency we used alerted many other
telepathic races in the area to our presence on this under developed,
unprotected planet...



Chapter 5 - A Battle of Wills
-----------------------------------

3rd May 2000

A few months later Andranovich and Lara returned to the Trig and took up
their new jobs with the Galactic Federation. We all felt empty as their minds
left the group's consciousness, but the house soon resumed it's previous
routine. One bright Spring morning I walked into the conservatory, which had
been built at the back of the house, in order to give us all additional living
space. My thoughts were preoccupied with the latest data from the clinical
trials of a new anti-cancer drug we were developing. It's chemical
formulation was proving particularly difficult to adapt to human physiology
and this problem had been on my mind for many days. The computer
remote pad which displayed the latest figures floated into the room before
me and my eyes were riveted to the screen.

Looking up I became aware of Susan and Gabkhan sitting on the couch.
"Why don't you two get some fresh air. Andrew says that the heather is in full
flower up on the mountain." They pathed to each other privately and stood to
head for the door. As they did so I felt a searing pain in my temples.

They felt it as well and returned to see what was the matter. Helping me to
my feet we were suddenly engulfed in a huge energy discharge. It both
surrounded us and passed through us wrenching the fabric of our bodies
into millions of pieces. We tried to call for help but it was useless, the alien
teleporter had us in it's grip and slowly pulled us out of the space time
continuum and into the void of hyperspace...

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

I regained consciousness some time later to find myself in a large dome.
The walls shimmered with light and a strange jelly like creature lay across
from me. Trying to call the others telepathically brought on severe pain in my
head so I gave up and concentrated on figuring out where I was.

The walls were translucent and through them I could see a large room
containing various pieces of equipment, this totally unfamiliar technology
was obviously from a non Federation race.

(That is correct.) The blob of jelly had now risen to take on a roughly
humanoid form.

There were no surface features discernible and it seemed likely that
telepathy rather than verbal speech was their usual mode of communication.

(Where am I? What have you done with the others? We are Federation
citizens you have no right to kidnap us like this.)

(We have every right.) Replied the alien. (We are the Valcrumny, your
Federation disallowed our application for entrance and so we make it our
job to discuss this lack of insight on their part with every other Federation
species we encounter.)

The realisation began to dawn on me as it spoke. The Valcrumny were a
race of scavengers who moved around the galaxy stealing technology and
living off the neural energy of telepathic races. They were a parasite who
had refused to change their ways and so had been denied entry to the
Federation and banned from access to any Federation world.

(Yes.) It continued. (But this planet called Earth that you so unwisely chose
to settle on is not a federation member. Closed worlds and every telepath
on them are accessible to us quite legally.)

My mind flew into a turmoil, it was going to drain my neural energy and use
the information it acquired to destroy all of us on Earth. I had to find a way
out of here. The creature, sensing my plans for escape, oozed back into it's
globular form and began to slide across the floor towards me. In a complete
panic I tried to use telekinesis to force open the wall before me. This
resulted in unbearable pain and being momentarily stunned it approached
quite close to me. As it oozed across my foot the shoe I was wearing
dissolved at it's acid like touch. I screamed and with all my strength leaped
over it to land on the other side of the dome.

(Don't fight it, our inhibitor will prevent you from using your abilities to
escape. Your fate and the fate of all those like you on this backward planet
is assured. Just let it be over with as soon as possible and your discomfort
will be much less.)

"Never!" I screamed and summoning all the psionic energy that I could, to
break through the intense pain in my head, I directed a stream of energy at
the wall of the dome. The translucent material began to give way and a
small opening appeared. The creature neared me again and just as it was
lifting itself up for one final pounce I dove through the opening.

As I landed I jumped up and scanned the room for a door. Then I noticed
five more of the creatures approaching from around the other side of the
dome. They held Gabkhan and Susan motionless in their grasp.

(It would be unwise of you to try anything like that again.) This came from a
creature slightly larger than the others, I assumed that it was their leader.

(I am...Angerianaasusilicana of Manyarner.)

(We know exactly who you are Premier,) it seethed, (it surprises us that
such an advanced creature as yourself would choose to live amongst such a
fragile species as this.) It threw Susan and Gabkhan to the floor and I
rushed over to assess their condition.

(Are they dead?)

(No not quite, but if you do not co-operate with us it can be arranged.)

(What exactly do you want with us?)

(That's better, a little compliance on your part will make this whole business
much easier for you.) It turned to a piece of equipment nearby and a lighted
panel increased in intensity. (Now that we are sure that you are the One, we
will have to increase our inhibitors strength so that you cannot try and
escape again. That containment dome was meant to be our strongest but
we obviously underestimated the psionic energy at your disposal.)

I sank to my knees as the pain in my head became intolerable again and
blacked out beside Susan and Gabkhan's limp bodies.

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

Not understanding where I was, all that I knew was that it was very dark. I
tried to open my eyes but could not feel them. Then I realised that I could not
feel the presence of my physical body at all. This did not worry me, at least
the pain was gone. Somewhere in the distance there was another being
caught in the black void with me. I stretched out my awareness and although
I am sure that distance was an illusion in this no-where place it seemed that
a long way off someone was calling for help.

Reaching out I knew that the other beings were in fact Susan and Gabkhan,
as soon as this fact reached my perception they too new of my presence.
Their relief flooded into my mind, or at least I think it was my mind. Followed
by hundreds of questions. What had happened? Where were we? Why was
it so dark? Calming them both I relayed the encounter with the Valcrumny
and how our physical bodies were probably still lying unconscious on the
floor of the compartment in their ship.

(So why are we able to communicate?) Asked Gabkhan.

(The only possible explanation is that our biological link goes way beyond
the usual form of telepathy. This is more than subvocal but subatomic, or
inter-dimensional as well.)

(Let's assume for a moment that the Valcrumny are not aware that we can
converse in this way that at least gives us breathing space while we figure
out how to contact the others and get out of here.)

(Yes but they will not wait for long. There is no way that the Federation will
strike a bargain with this race of parasites. You know how they are sticklers
for rules and regulations about closed worlds.)

(So where does that leave us? I don't fancy having my neural energy
devoured by a bunch of slime balls and I'm sure the others aren't close
enough to rescue us.) Susan began to sound very alarmed.

(I've got an idea. Mother, you said that they lived off this energy as their
major food supply. What if we had no neural energy left for them to take they
would leave us alone.)

(Or more likely incinerate our bodies.) Added Susan.

(The idea has merit, if they thought that we were dead then they might just
dump our bodies in space and go after more promising targets.)

(The only problem is, if our physical bodies are dead where do we go?)

                                        * * * * * * * * * *

The next part of this story is best told by Stephen himself as he can recall
the details of the following few days better than I can.

We sensed Angie, Susan and Gabkhan being torn apart by the alien
transporter beam from many miles away. When we materialised in the
conservatory, there was nothing left of them, other than a scorch mark on the
tiled floor, to register where they had stood. The most uncanny thing was the
complete absence of their consciousness. I found this particularly difficult to
deal with as Angie had been a part of myself for so many years that we
almost thought as one single mind. The emptiness was overwhelming.

John, seeing how debilitated we were in the others absence, took charge of
the situation and soon we were all standing in the lab looking at the view
screen. Our message was relayed, straight into the chambers of the
Federation Council.

"So they have demanded acceptance into the federation in return for her
release." John was saying.

"That is correct and, as you are aware, the Manyarnern Premier is an
important person to her own people but the authorities here do not
recognise a religious leader as a significant enough position to warrant
giving in to their demands or mounting a rescue mission. Our policies are
very strict on this matter. Although she is a Federation operative she chose
a life amongst the people of a closed world and must face the
consequences of this decision. You may take this up with the Manyarnern
Circle of Elders directly if you wish, we will happily boost you communicator
signal to reach their home world." Replied Timus appologetically.

Cutting in on the exchange I let rip with some very colourful metaphors for
what they could do with their policies of non interference in the matters of
closed worlds.

John pulled me away from the viewer and calmed me down. (That won't help
us to gain their co-operation will it!)

(Sorry.) I looked around at their worried faces, then turning back to the
viewer. "Sorry Timus. I hope you can forgive my outburst."

"That is all right Stephen, we of the High Council will meditate until
Angerianaasusilicana and her family are returned." At this the transmission
was terminated from their end.

"So, it looks like we are on our own." Remarked Elizabeth with a shrug.

A quick discussion ensued and it was decided that our first course of action
should be to take the Kalinar out of the atmosphere and scan for residual
traces of the Valcrumny ship. Elizabeth left Eddy and Charlie in the care of
Mike and the others with strict instuctions to protect themselves againt
further Valcrumny incursions in any way they felt necessary. They were to
hide themselves amongst the saps if they did not hear anything from us in a
few days.