The others see your decision as soon as it is made. You see the anxiety on Stephen's face, the fear in all their minds.
[Jay, you don't have to do this.] John says softly in your mind.
You open your minds to them all. A new resolve fills you. You may die but you can't back out now.
[Yes, John, I do.]
*****
Everyone comes to the jaunting chamber to see you off. As soon as your decision was made, Timus insisted you must leave at once. You agreed without hesitation. If, as Timus said, each second diminishes your chances then his speed makes sense. The details that Stephen and Mike picked out of your mind and passed on to the Trig's scientists were clearly enough for them to come up with this.
You step onto the jaunting pad with no more than a slight tremor of fear making your legs unsteady. Turning to face the others is difficult but you make the effort. You smile a brave smile at John and at Stephen, at Carol and Mike. They look worried and sad but you can feel their hope for you in all their minds.
[Are you ready?] The technician asks from behind his machine console. His thoughts are grave but you can feel him too wishing you luck. You smile at him, gratefully and nod.
[I'm ready.]
*****
The jaunting beam tingles at first and then the tingling builds in power. The power engulfs you, and then your own power erupts in a storm of electricity around you.
[Jay!] You can hear Stephen's alarmed thoughts in your mind but already it is too late for you to answer him. The fire lights up your mind, sweeping through you, tearing you from this world and drowning conscious thought.
*****
You let the waves of electricity flow around you and then the calm of hyperspace seeps into you even as the swirling colours transfix you. You're wearing an AE suit but without the helmet it does little good and you have no idea how to operate the thing anyway. Still entranced by the colours and patterns crossing your vision, you don't notice as that vision begins to fade.
You drift on the currents of hyperspace, getting steadily further from the voice calling you. Your misfiring powers flood hyperspace with energy around you, distorting and twisting it. Despite that, hyperspace is peaceful, soporific. Your eyes drift closed.
[Jay? Jay!] The voices slam into your mind, pulling you into sudden wakefulness. At first you think it's Stephen and Tyso and pull sleepily away but then the truth hits you.
[Adam?] You shout the name. [Kevin?]
Hyperspace coils and twists around you, manipulated by your raw power. Electricity sparks across your vision and the across your entire body. It clears slowly to reveal smoke-blackened and pale faces peering down at you.
"Jay!" Adam sweeps you into a quick hug. "We thought we'd lost you."
You stare around you in mind-numbing confusion. A moment ago you believed you'd never see this place or these people again.
"I'm home." You whisper in disbelief. "I'm a Tomorrow Person and I'm back."
"Takes a bit of getting used to, doesn't it?" Megabyte grins as he squats beside you. "Come on, Jay, let's get you back to the Island."
"You were gone for ages!" Kevin exclaims as he helps you to your feet. "Where were you?"
You hesitate, thinking about the people you've met and the sights you've seen.
"I don't think you'd believe me if I told you." You sigh.
"Hah! That's what you think." Megabyte tells you. "Did we ever mention..." Adam gives him a gentle thump to shut him up.
"Later, Megabyte." He suggests. You nod and begin to focus on the Island.
"Trust me, Megabyte," You says as you concentrate on this last teleportation for the day, too exhilerated by being home to worry about your tiredness and confusion. "We both have stories to tell. And if there's one thing we have enough of, it's time."
The confused faces around you touches the sense of the ridiculous in all of you. As you teleport, you can't help laughing!
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