Part 27
Your unfocused jaunt stutters as you reach the psychedelic sanctuary of hyperspace but you've been a Tomorrow Person too long now not to know the dangers of lingering in this tranquil but ultimately deadly realm. With your AE suit not completely sealed, it takes you several minutes to focus on the Lab. Home, you think, only now completely aware of how this place and the people who live here has insinuated itself into your mind. You can't imagine being without this place you share with the others who are like you and you can't imagine not having TIM there to mother and protect you.
You emerge from hyperspace on the familiar vantage point of the jaunting pad. The other four Tomorrow People are in the main room of the Lab, still in smoke darkened clothes and AE suits. They look shocked and pale below the dirt as if facing some horror beyond their ability to grasp. For a moment you are speechless with relief at seeing all four safe and sound after the catastrophic blast that must have occurred.
"Jay!" TIM is the first to notice you and he calls your name joyfully. Within moments you are engulfed in a tight embrace from Elizabeth and then Andrew and Hsui Tai and even John are hugging you and laughing in relief.
"Jay, we thought...." John's voice trails off.
Andrew aims a punch that is only half playful at your shoulder.
"Where have you been?" He exclaims with anger in his tone for how badly you scared him. "You didn't teleport back here with the rest of us when the volcano went off and TIM couldn't find your jaunting belt."
"Then you obviously weren't looking in hyperspace, TIM." You point out with a smile and another hug for Andrew.
"Indeed." TIM too sounds relieved. "I am very glad you were able to make your way back here, Jay."
You all find seats, pleased to take the weight off your feet after the last few exhausting hours. For a change TIM doesn't complain at you for dirtying his clean Lab.
"What about the people we've been trying to save?" John asks after a few moments. "Did they get clear, TIM?"
"It is difficult to assess the size of the explosion, John, since the atmosphere is obscured by dust and the watchdog satellite cannot obtain clear pictures. I believe, however, that the groups of villagers you have been assisting were sufficiently distant from the volcano to be outside the initial blast radius. If the promised help arrives from the nearby towns they should suffer no long term health problems."
"You mean they're alright, TIM?" Elizabeth laughs.
"I believe that is what I just said." TIM says with dignity.
"We ought to go and check that the rescue is on its way." John says worriedly but you nudge his arm and indicate the sofa where Andrew is already curled up asleep, his head cushioned in Hsui Tai's lap as she begins to nod off. You can feel yourself yawning too and John sighs. "I suppose you're right, we could all do with some rest. Besides if we stay there until the real authorities show up now we might have rather a lot of explaining to do."
"I believe in this case, John," TIM tells him, "The Tomorrow People can consider this a job well done."
"Thanks, TIM." John looks blearily at you. "Well, Jay. Now you see the kind of mess we get ourselves into. Ready for some more?" But you don't hear him.
You're already asleep!
Are you ready to:
a) Continue?
b) Stop here?
c) Begin a new adventure on the Trig?
To return to the start click here.
To skip this storyline and start another click here.
You are currently on Path 4.
Click here to return to my homepage.
Email me on tiylaya@yahoo.com with coments or suggestions.