Dreams of Tomorrow

Part 20

"I have to stay." Your voice is hoarse and the words taste bad in your mouth. "I have a duty to Earth to argue my point."

John's eyes are angry and the others look unhappy.

"I can't leave this, not now."

*****

Oddly, it is John who appears to accept your decision most completely. The eldest Tomorrow Person remains angry but he doesn't press you to change your mind or to leave the Earth quarters on the Trig. The others are frosty over mealtimes or if they run into you during the day. John, once his initial fury subsides, shows you no hostility. Either that or he hides it better than anyone else.

John tutors you in your telepathy and telekinesis over the next day or two. He tells you that you'll need considerably better mental control before you encounter Overmind and after all you've done and seen recently you believe him. As he trains you you realise that, despite being a hard task master, the oldest Tomorrow Person pushes you no harder than you need to be pushed and helps you as much as you can. John is arguing for Earth's continued membership of the Federation because he cares not only for every Tomorrow Person but for each and every human on the planet. He's not throwing you out simply because he knows that you feel the same and are acting on those feelings. He knows that you're doing what you believe is right and despite his opposition to you he can't despise you for that.

You have a day and a half to think about what to say before you have to appear in front of Overmind. The waiting is a nightmare. Carol, of course, spends much of her time with her husband and children but the tension levels amongst the other Tomorrow People only magnifies your own anxieties about the situation. The discussions between the seven of you cover the same ground over and over again. What it comes down to is that Earth will have to stand on its own merits and there is little any of you can do to change how it is going to be judged. All you can do is lay out the situation on Earth as best you see it. At John's request, Ginge and Professor Cawston are already aboard the Sophostrian Kalinar that was sent for them. The ship has been carefully sealed and the two men are apparently closely confined. At first you asked the others why, trying to imagine how the rough biker you've met would react to captivity, particularly with a professor of parapsychology.

"They're our friends, Jay." Stephen explains. "But they're still Saps. There are things on the kalinar, and on the Trig too for that matter, that could destroy their minds. We're going to have to be very careful about what they see and don't see while they're up here. They'll be no use to us as quivering nervous wrecks."

You realise the truth of that but it just adds to your conviction that membership of the Federation benefits almost nobody. After all, the Saps can't even look at the Trig without risking their sanity.

*****

Finally it is time for you to appear before Overmind. Timus and Timon arrive side by side at the door to your quarters and all eight of you Tomorrow People are waiting for them. You step towards the two identical men boldly as Timon's eyes fix on yours. John is frowning and he puts out a hand to stop you.

"You don't have to do this, you know, Jay." He says quietly.

"Yes. Yes, I do." You tell him.

The oldest Tomorrow Person gives you a sad look but nods simply and lets you go.

"I know. Good luck, Jay. Call if you need us."

"Good luck, Jay." Stephen and Mike echo as you leave.

It's unsettling that Timus has asked the other Tomorrow People to stay away. You understand the explanation that the presence of other minds attuned to yours could distort your perceptions and viewpoints. Nonetheless a familiar face would be welcome as Timus and Timon connect you to a variety of exotic pieces of equipment. The mind probe will apparently project your true feelings for Overmind to hear. The prospect scares you a little. Are you really that sure of what your true feelings are?

The two clones move around and behind you until you become too busy and disorientated to have any real sense of which man is which. Much of the equipment seems to be woven into swathes of fabric, one of which you wear as a cloak, another of which falls across your face like a veil.

"I look like an idiot!" You complain nervously.

"Few of the races which comprise Overmind have any sense of physical appearance, young Jay." Timon, or possible Timus, tells you as if that is some form of consolation.

"Alright, Jay." The other goes on, and now you're sure that this man is the more approachable Timon. "The mind probe will not activate until you are addressing Overmind. It will make the first few levels of your mind audible to the gestalt. Including several of which you are not conscious. Just remain calm and say what you really feel about the status of your world."

Taking a deep breath you step forward into the dimly lit room beyond.

You jump as the door slides shut behind you and it takes several seconds for your eyes to adjust to the dimness of the lighting. When they do, you almost wish they hadn't. Row after row of still forms stretched into the distance. Some are stretched out on beds, others are standing or sitting in place. As you look from face to face, you realise that some appear more alert than others. Some fix their eyes on your face, studying you, others are lost in the absorbing mental gestalt. Around and above you, you feel the pressing weight of a million minds. And of one, enormous mind that absorbs them all.

[Welcome, Jay.] There are no words in the thought and yet you know with startling clarity what the unspoken words would be. Overmind brushes your mind, as gently as a butterfly stroking a flower's petals with its wings. [You have come to speak to us of Earth. Speak, Jay, and we will hear you. We will hear all of you.]

"I ... I want to speak of Earth, my planet. Earth is a young planet by your
[Earth is my home, I love it and I can't fail it now. We are the only hope the
[What if I say something wrong. I can't do this. I can't take this kind of
[What if I'm wrong? What if Earth really is ready for this? Life is so dangerous

"standards. We are a young race. I've only been a Tomorrow Person for a very
[world has. We are the next stage of human evolution. All of humankind is our
[responsibility. No, I have to try and say what I really believe. Earth is too
[for us. Always we have to hide from those who would use us for war or for harm

"short time. My parents and most of my friends are Homo sapiens but I
[responsibility. If we leave Earth now, if you declare it fully Closed and
[dangerous for us now. The world we live in is frightening sometimes but we
[But I don't want to leave. Something hurts. All this frightens. Pain. Pain

"know that I can't trust them with what I am. The world is not ready for us.
[ take us away, who will be there to guide new Tomorrow People? That has to be
[cant abandon it just because of a few ... My head is aching rather. I
[Pain. Something's burning! Pain .... Pain .... Pain .... Pain ... Pain

"I don't want to abandon my world. People will die if we do but we are a threat to
[a chance we must take. I don't want to leave but ... Ouch! Something's ... wrong.
[wonder if something's wrong? It hurts! Pain .... Pain .... Pain ....
[... Pain .... Burning .... Pain .... Pain .... Pain .... Pain .... Pain

"them. This is hard. Would any of you willingly leave your own planets behind?
[I have to go on. But it hurts! Please? Jo...John? Anyone? Pain .... Pain]
[Pain .... Pain .... Pain .... Pain ... Pain .... Pain ... Pain....]
[Pain .... Pain .... Pain .... Pain ... Pain .... Pain ... Pain....]

*****

You stumble, only now aware of the deeper thoughts you're projecting. You begin to tear at the fabric swathing you.

"Wh...what's happening? Please, it hurts!"

[Jay?] Overmind sounds alarmed and you fall to your knees as the huge weight of its power is suddenly focused on you.

Then the other Tomorrow People are there, pulling the swathing fabric of the mind probe from around you. The pressure fades from your minds as they soothe and reassure you. Timus and his clone brother appear by your side and John turns on them angrily.

[I thought you said this mind probe thing was safe for humans!] John snaps angrily.

Timon flaps his hands anxiously.

[We believed that to be the case!]

[I'm alright.] You stagger to your feet, reassuring everyone. [I'm not hurt.] You look up at the stacked tiers of bodies that represents Overmind. [Have you heard enough from me?]

[We believe so.] Again, the weight of Overmind almost pushes you to your knees. [Thank you, Jay. John? We would speak to you next.]

John nods simply and his eyes glaze as he concentrates on Overmind. By your side Stephen sighs.

"Come on, Jay." He says. "Let's get you back to the embassy"

Do you:
a) Return to Earth to wait for news?
b) Stay and listen to the others?


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