Part 0
You expected the energy field to tear through you. You expected agony to race up every nerve. You were wrong.
You feel a tingling numbing sensation flowing through you, eroding your self awareness like waves washing gently against a sandy beach. You're drifting away, no longer caring about your hopes or fears or friends.
But that thought stops you. Your friends, they were in danger! you battle against the tide, trying to pull yourself together as the dreamy lassitude that has swept over you tries to pull you apart.
I have to get away from here, you think. I have to get back to the Lab!
A moment passes as your powers struggle against and are interfered with by the energy field engulfing you. Then you feel the familiar transition into hyperspace and break free, pulling streamers of energy with you.
You focus on the Lab, reaching out for the place that has so quickly become a second home for you. You've never jaunted so far without using your belt but just now you don't have the strength to reach out your arms and adjust it. You focus on the image in your mind. If every part of hyperspace touches every part of space as Tim told you then logically the Lab need only be a small step away. You close your eyes, take a deep breath and take that step.
*
You know that you've left hyperspace even without opening your eyes. The slight smell of metal and plastic, the touch of a light draft against your skin, feeling has returned while before there was only nothingness.
You open your eyes, knowing before you do what you will see: The open space of the Lab's main room, the soft chairs and harsh, almost angular, tables and reassuringly above all the shiny hemispheres of TIM. At first these things are all you see but then you blink, frowning. There are posters covering the bare white walls, bright jarring posters, and the furniture has been rearranged. You hesitate, unable to believe your eyes. With all that's been going on TIM's been redecorating?
Then you begin to notice the other things. A young man and woman, both a few years older than you, are playing a game of chess near the outside door. Both are strangely dressed but as they begin to turn and stare at you, you notice the jaunting belts around their waists. They've noticed yours too and for a moment there's silence as you all try to understand.
"Who...?" The woman begins. But her voice fades to silence as a door opens and a middle-aged man steps hurriedly through. His mouth drops open and the blood drains from his face as he sees you.
You've gone pale too. The man's features are familiar and for a moment you wonder if he could be John's father but then his mind reaches for yours and you know in an instant who is standing in front of you. John's impossible old features crease in confusion and surprise and his voice almost drowns out TIM's deep, rich tones as they find their voices simultaneously.
"Jay?"
*
You don't quite know how to react. You take a step forward towards the edge of the jaunting pad but then your legs give way and you fold down to the ground. The younger man, the one you don?t recognise, jumps forward to grab your shoulders and stop you collapsing completely.
"Steady there, kid." He tells you anxiously. John is on his knees at your side.
"Jay! Jay, what happened to you? We thought you were dead!"
You don't know how to answer and the woman steps in.
"I don't think he's in any condition to answer questions, John."
"John?" You ask, stunned. "You're so old!"
The young man holding your shoulders begins to smirk and opens his mouth but a glare from the woman stops whatever comment he was about to make.
"Well, Jay." TIM's voice rolls over you, reassuringly unchanged but puzzled. "It has been over twenty years."
*
Do you:
a) Panic
b) Try to find out more.
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