DISCLAIMER:
The Tomorrow people do not belong to me. They are the property of Roger Price, Thames Television and Tetra/Nickelodeon T.V. I am making absolutely no money from this fan-fic. This is written in homage to the excellent work of the aforementioned Television Companies and Roger Price. It is also written in the hope that, by joining with the ever-growing list of fan fiction, it may inspire these people yet again to resurrect the show.
The Characters of Danny, Joe, The Order of Alterran Healers, and some of the occasional "extras" ARE mine. They are purely fictitious characters and bear no resemblance to any other people, real or imagined.
Please feel free to archive this fiction. However I do ask that it is ALWAYS kept together with this disclaimer.
PERSONAL COMMENT. I wish to thank Shaun Hately for his patience and support in beta reading this document. Any errors or inaccuracies you may find in it are due to me and not to him. Some of you may have received parts one and two a few years ago. THIS version is revised, the other parts are new.
I would welcome any comment you wish to make on this story. I can be reached at:-
David_M_Yates@email.msn.com. Thank you.
A Broken Bond #3: The Call of Duty
The Andromeda Galaxy: 1995.
Danny was tired! The last ten years working here in Andromeda had taken their toll...No, not *all* of those years, but certainly the last five since the plague had come.
"The Plague," an inaccurate and very human phrase, for something which had wiped out the populations of entire planets. Properly it was known as Shonn-Darr's syndrome, named after the Master Healer (and Danny's mentor) who had isolated it and developed the cure. The tiring work had then *really* begun; treating, immunising and caring for the three hundred affected worlds had stretched the resources of the healers, and the Federation to the limit.
Still, they *had* made some progress. The worst of the plague had passed now, there had been no new outbreaks reported in the last six months. The healers were about to be stood down to what Danny thought of as "yellow alert." Danny was even beginning to think about some holiday time. He smiled to himself... "Holidays." Where would he go? Strangely enough with three galaxies to choose from, he really couldn't decide. His work had become all-absorbing. He supposed that he would return to The Trig and check up on the others...it would be good to see them again. Especially Mike and the children, Danny was still touched that Mike had called his young son Joe after his dead brother; Danny realised that young Joe would be nearly four now...how time flies...
[Healer Daniel, there is an Intergalactic message for you from Alterra Prime ] came the telepathed message from the medical base computer.
[Put it through] Danny replied.
Danny felt the familiar tingle as the communication beam locked onto him. [Daniel, we have received an unusual request for medical help. It is unusual on two counts. Firstly it is from a deep space exploration vessel of a very ancient design; and secondly because it comes from your homeworld...Earth.]
Earth...The very mention of the name filled Danny with a unique double feeling of longing and loathing. Longing, because it *was* his homeworld, and loathing because he hadn't set foot on Earth since that terrible night fifteen years earlier when Joe had been killed. With a feeling of dread Danny asked his next question already knowing the answer.
[Why do you tell me this news?]
[Earth, as you well know is a closed world. The Federation has allowed us to respond to this call for help, but only if you are the healer who goes.]
[Earth is painful to me. Cannot another healer go?] Danny tried.
[Only you are allowed Daniel. I know of your pain, but there is a call for our help. Duty compels you to answer it. Will you go?]
Danny bowed his head. There were times, like now, when he hated having a conscience. [I'll go.]
*********************************
Earth, Talpahini, around the same time.
Adam looked up, the flash of light announcing the arrival of one or more of the Tomorrow People; he already knew that it was Jade and Kevin, their auras clouded with worry. "Adam?" Jade said, "Is Megabyte...?"
"He's still alive...for now" was Adam's grim reply.
"What happened?" Kevin asked.
Adam looked at the younger Tomorrow Person, marvelling at how much Kevin had grown in the two years since he had last been an active member of their group. It seemed that Kevin's concern over the fate of his best friend had overcome his reluctance to participate.
"We were investigating something for General Damon. We had found the base of a rogue agent who had gone into work for herself. We had just about handed her over to the General when she shot Megabyte with a strange looking gun and escaped in the confusion. Megabyte teleported as the blast hit him, and the beacon brought him here... The rest you know."
"Where's General Damon?" Jade asked.
"Right here" Damon replied coming into the chamber from the adjoining room accompanied by Ami and Lisa.
"General, why haven't we taken Megabyte to a hospital?" Jade asked.
"We can't" Adam replied.
"Can't? Is this the time to worry about secrecy?" Kevin exploded.
"It's not secrecy Kevin," Ami said gently. "There's something about Megabyte which is rejecting our powers. "We really *can't* teleport him... we've tried, believe me."
"What do we do then?" Kevin asked, appalled.
"We wait." Adam replied putting his arm around Kevin's shoulders. "The ship assures us that help is on the way.
"Help?" jade asked.
"Yes, help" Ami replied. "That's what General Damon and I have been doing, talking to the ship. All it will say is 'Help is on the way' that, and assuring us not to worry."
"Why not teleport a doctor here then?" Kevin asked suddenly.
"We've tried that too Kevin" Adam said. "Right after I teleported General Damon here the ship scanned Megabyte and then went into 'defence mode' it won't let us bring any non-TP here now."
"Even to help Megabyte?"
"It doesn't trust any non -TP's" Lisa said. "That's what we've been trying to get it to let us do! We're stuck this time Kevin, I'm sorry."
"Also, we don't know what has happened to him" Damon said savagely. "Conventional medicine probably can't help him anyway."
"Come and sit down" Adam said wearily. "We'll wait...together."
********************************************
The Galactic Trig:
Danny materialised at the transfer station. He hadn't seen this place in ten years, but it hadn't changed a bit. There was something eternal and unchanging about The Trig. Danny knew intellectually that it was supposed to be that way in order to inspire stability among the member worlds, however, all it seemed to do for him was to deepen his depression. "You'd think they'd have re-decorated!" he muttered to himself as he looked around.
"Hey Danny!" called a familiar voice.
"Mike?"
"Sure is" was the reply.
Mike had grown older. His hair had thinned out and was touched by grey. Danny did a quick count and realised that Mike would be at least thirty-three by now. There was something else though, something which only Danny's trained healer senses could detect; Mike was in deep long-term emotional pain. Something had happened to hurt him and he was desperately trying not to think about it. Danny's experience also told him that this was not the time to discuss it, so instead he said. "I wasn't expecting a welcome, it's good to see you Mike." "You too Danny." The two old friends gave each other a warm hug.
"How are Hsui Tai and the kids?"
A flood of distress washed over Danny and he knew that he had asked the wrong question. "We're...separated Danny. I don't see much of Pavla and Joe these days."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, it's all right, really. Hsui Tai and I are still friendly for the children's sake. We can play 'happy families' with the best of them." Mike smiled a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.... "Still, you haven't got time to worry about *my* problems now. You have a distress call to answer! I'm your back-up, we'll go in together and see what's there."
"What do *we* expect to be there?"
"That's a good question Danny. As far as Intelligence can gauge it, there are three possibilities. Firstly, that it's an abandoned wreck with an automated distress beacon. Secondly, that there are some poorly aliens who need your help..." Danny grimaced at that one. Mike grinned.
"And three?"
"And thirdly, and this is the one I hope it is, that there are some new Tomorrow People on Earth who need our help."
"Yes," Danny mused, "There ought to be some by now, have any made contact?"
"No, but we've only re-established Intergalactic contact with TIM recently; he reports some psionic activity, but, following orders, he's made no attempt to contact anyone."
"Why ever not?"
"You know the Trig...procedures *MUST* be followed!!...Even John's getting fed up with them."
"So how come I'm allowed there?"
"They can't refuse a request for a healer, it's against procedure. Even if this visit comes to nothing, we'll still get a chance to visit TIM and see what's been happening these last fifteen years."
Further discussion was cut short by the arrival of the technician. [Your transfer is ready now Agent Michael.]
[Thank you.]
Danny smiled to himself once again at the oppressive formality of the agencies of The Trig. "Healer Daniel" and "Agent Michael" were a far cry from the "Danny" and "Mike" that he knew. However, as Mike had said, the Trig *will* follow its own procedures! The two young men stepped onto the teleporter pad and dissolved into the transfer beam heading towards...Earth.
**********************************
Talpahini, a few moments later.
"What was that?" Ami asked.
"What?" said General Damon looking confused.
"In the next room..." said Adam, "It felt like one of us teleporting in, but not *quite* the same..."
The central column of the space ship suddenly glowed dazzlingly white as the ship broke into a song of welcome abated further discussion. This heralded the arrival of two figures walking through the archway. One was taller than the other. The taller one was dressed in a black one-piece jump suit which *seemed* to be made out of a sort of leather. A helmet covered his head and face. The smaller of the two was dressed in a long blue robe similar to a monastic habit. It was belted at the waist with a long blue rope; *his* head was covered by a deeply cowled hood.
"Who are you?" Kevin asked, afraid.
"The one in black spoke first. "You're human!" he said. "I *knew* it!" He then removed his helmet, revealing a very human face of a man in his mid-thirties.
"I'm..."
"Mike!" interrupted Adam, suddenly realising that he knew this. "And Danny."
Danny pulled back his hood. "Hello Adam." he said smiling gravely.
"Who are these people?" General Damon asked.
"I've never met them before" said Adam, "but they're Tomorrow People."
"Older Tomorrow people?"
"We knew that we weren't the first. Remember Tutankhamun?"
"Who's your friend?" Mike asked looking at Damon.
"This is General Damon." Jade answered.
"General???" said Danny, alarm bells going off.
"Its all right " said Adam. "He's on our side. He's Megabyte's father."
"Megabyte?"
"Over hear, that's why the ship called you."
Danny went over to the couch where the stricken Megabyte lay. "What happened?" he asked, in a businesslike manner. Adam quickly filled him in on the details. "Hmm," Danny said, "It *sounds* like synaptrol, only this rejection of other TP's powers isn't usual..."
"Maybe they've refined the drug?" Mike added. "Any ideas...General?"
"I really don't know," Damon replied quietly. "I've had no involvement with its development."
"See what you can find out Mike." Danny ordered. "The rest of you, I'm going to need your help."
"How?" Adam asked.
"I can see that your powers work slightly differently to ours, so I'm not sure exactly what you can do, do you have any healing ability?"
"I had some when I first broke out" Adam replied, "but it doesn't work much now."
"Can you link?"
"Link?"
"You know, joining minds to work together."
"You mean a mind-merge?"
"Whatever you call it, can you do it?"
"Sure." Adam replied. The younger Tomorrow people formed a circle around Danny and the unconscious Megabyte. Extending their hands, they reached out with their minds, forming a circle of joined consciousness around Danny.
Danny was awed. Using his healer senses, he could feel the quality of the merge. His own generation *could* achieve this, but only with artificial help from TIM or some other entity. These kids were doing it unaided. Danny realised that studying the differences between the generations would be a fascinating subject. Still, that wasn't the important thing at this moment. What Danny was trying to do required all his concentration. [Mike, I need you here...]
[Coming.] Pathed Mike as he inserted himself into the merge. [Wow!] he pathed as the potential of the merge struck him also.
[All right everyone, this is what we're going to do. As you know, Megabyte's mind is blocked to us at the moment. There is something in him which is rejecting *any* application of our powers. I'll admit at this time that I don't know how that can be. However, we have to try to overcome it and reach Megabyte's consciousness. As we get closer, we will probably feel some resistance, this is where Mike comes in. HE will be our shield. Jade and Ami, will you please help him?]
[How?]
[Just "lean in" behind me and I'll do the rest.] Mike replied. The three of them withdrew a little from the main merge as Mike showed them how to link their shields to his for maximum effect. Danny then turned his attention to Adam, Kevin and Lisa.
[OK let's fully link...NOW!] The merge was deep; deeper than anything the younger Tomorrow People had ever experienced. Memories and experiences of all four of them washed around, buffeting them with their intensity. [What's happening?] cried Kevin afraid.
[It's OK Kevin] soothed Danny, [Its a result of the merge; most of the extra memories will fade after a while.]
[I'm all right now] Kevin replied. [It was a bit much at first that's all.]
[OK, Adam? Lisa?]
[[OK]] they replied in unison.
[Right, now we link up with the others.]
The two groups linked and settled into the new relationship. Danny paused for a moment to reflect on the nature of trust that their joint heritage as Tomorrow People gave them. That he and Mike had only met these youngsters an hour ago didn't seem to matter. They were "family" they were Tomorrow People. One of their own was in trouble and they were going to help.
**************************************
The merged minds of the Tomorrow People moved over towards Megabyte. Immediately, they began to be buffeted by wave after wave of intense energy pulses.
[What's happening?] Adam asked.
[I'm not sure,] Danny replied. [We expected *some* resistance, but nothing like this!...Mike, can you tighten the shields?]
[I'll try Danny, but I have a bad feeling about this.]
The unit proceeded towards Megabyte's mind. Suddenly, a blast of pure psionic destruction lanced out and smashed ruthlessly against their shields.
[[ARRGH!]] everyone cried out at the pain swept over them.
[That does it] pathed Mike. [Everyone out... NOW!]
General Damon had been watching the whole process with increasing concern. A blast of green energy pulsed out from Megabyte scattering the group to the four corners of the room. Danny and Mike were the first to recover.
"What happened?" Damon asked, rushing over towards the two older Tomorrow People.
"I'm not sure," Danny replied. "Mike?"
"I know what happened Danny, and it's not Synaptrol. Let's see to the others and then I'll explain."
************************************
The Tomorrow People and General Damon were sat in a group away from Megabyte, each of them was holding a warm drink which Mike had been able to coax out of the ageing space-ship.
"OK Mike," Damon began. "I know you don't trust me, but Marmaduke is my son. I think that gives me a right to know what's going on."
"You're quite right General, it does; I'm sorry I doubted you. In our day we had little cause to trust the military. However, I now know that this has nothing to do with you. Your son is the victim of alien technology."
Everyone looked at Mike in wonder. Danny was raising a questioning eyebrow. "What kind of technology?" "Megabyte is being held in a Medusa Web."
"Oh my God!" said Danny, going pale.
"What's a Medusa Web?" asked Adam, wrapping his arm around Lisa who had begun to tremble.
"The Medusa is an alien creature which preys on telepaths." Mike replied. "They're nearly extinct now. Possession of them is illegal in The Federation."
"The Federation?" Kevin echoed.
"We'll explain all about *that* later." Mike promised. "For now, can I just say that it's where Danny, me and the others have been living these last fifteen years?"
"Sure." Adam replied, looking sternly at Kevin. "Let him explain Kev, OK?"
"OK" Kevin replied grinning sheepishly.
"Right," Mike said crisply. "The trouble is that we have enemies out there. There is a group of planets on the rim of Andromeda known as 'The non-aligned worlds.' These worlds have used live medusas against us for centuries. However, recently, they have refined their technology. Somehow, and we don't quite know how, they have developed this 'Medusa web.' It's a machine which mimics the basic powers of the medusa, but also uses the afflicted telepath's *own* psionic energy to repel other telepathic help... as we all saw."
"So, that thing used Megabyte's powers against us?" Adam asked. "Megabyte can't do what that thing did!"
"Not his powers Adam, his energy." Mike replied. "To repel our 'attack' will have drained Megabyte considerably. That's the evil of the thing. In trying to help the victim his friends could kill him!"
"So what can we do?" Asked Damon appalled.
"Nothing here." Mike replied. "This ship's technology is too old to be of much use. We need to move him to the one place on Earth where he *might* get help."
"Where's that?" Damon asked.
Danny, guessing the answer, smiled. "Our old base General, we need to go to The Lab."
*************************************
Later: At The Lab.
The Lab was in darkness; dust lay thick everywhere, the whole place felt neglected, abandoned, lost. Nothing had moved in this complex for fifteen years. The solitude and quiet seemed eternal and unchanging.
Suddenly, a light glowed brightly on the jaunting pad as two figures materialised swirling up a cloud of dust as their solidifying bodies dispelled the air. "Whew!" cried Mike coughing, "watch out for the dust! Hey TIM, lights please."
The room brightened as a series of lights glowed dimly then quickly brightened to their accustomed levels. "Hello Mike, Hello Danny," TIM'S well-remembered voice boomed out of the speakers. "Welcome home."
"Its been a while TIM," Mike replied. "How are you?"
"I am well Mike, my auto-repair units are maintaining my systems at an acceptable level. I have, as ordered, monitored for psionic activity, I suppose that your appearance is in response to my recent report?"
"Partly that TIM, but also in response to a distress signal."
TIM'S silence spoke volumes. Mike quickly explained the situation. As he was doing that, Danny was wandering around the dusty Lab, lost in thought. "...Hey Danny, What's up?" Mike asked breaking into Danny's fugue.
"I was just remembering the last time we were all here, that's all."
"I must say Danny that you are looking much better than you did on that occasion." TIM remarked. "I never got the chance to offer you my condolences for the deaths of your mother and Joe. Please accept them now."
"Thanks TIM."
"I was very pleased to learn of your recovery, and your decision to join the Healers before Intergalactic contact was lost. I take it from your healer's robes that you graduated?"
"I did TIM, ten years ago. I've been working in Andromeda since then, but I can tell you all about that later, right now we've got a job to do."
"I have been processing Mike's report while we have been talking Danny, I believe he is right in his assumption that a properly calibrated matter transporter can bring Megabyte here without using his, or your jaunting abilities. As the matter transporter is mechanical and not psionic, it oughtn't to engage the Medusa Web."
"Can you neutralise the web when we get him here?" Danny asked.
"I do not know Danny, I have not encountered this technology before. However, I will try. Mike, here is the required matter transporter, you will have to set the frequency yourself using your portable sensor unit. Bring Megabyte here first, then the new Tomorrow People and General Damon can follow once it is safe to do so."
"Right-o TIMMY." Said Mike and with his usual cheeky grin, picked up the matter transporter and jaunted back to Talpahini, leaving Danny alone in the Lab.
"TIMMY?" replied the computer mildly nettled.
Danny was struggling to keep his face straight. "I think we'd better do some cleaning TIM," he said looking around ruefully. "What *WILL* the others say?"
"I will attend to the cleaning Danny, I suggest that you look to the medical facilities and ascertain that you have what you need."
*************************
The Lab: sometime later.
[O.K Danny, we're ready to bring him over.]
[Ready when you are Mike.]
Danny surveyed the now scrupulously clean Lab and his own modifications to the medical unit hoping fervently that they were indeed ready. As he was not sure himself how TIM was going to neutralise the Web he had taken the precaution of moving the med-unit to the adjacent workroom. The jaunting pad began to glow, announcing the arrival of someone. However, the glow was strained as if someone was trying to jaunt in pulling a ten-tonne truck. All the lights dimmed.
"What's happening TIM?" Danny asked concerned.
"I am encountering resistance to the transport" TIM replied, "I am attempting to compensate."
The lights dimmed further as TIM leaned into his considerable power reserves. A vague shadowy outline began to form which *slowly* began to gain depth and resolution as TIM stepped up the power. Suddenly, with a scream of protest from TIM'S power capacitors, Megabyte appeared; still unconscious. A tendril of viscous green energy lanced out from the unconscious youth that crashed harmlessly on the force field that TIM had judiciously erected across the pad threshold.
"Can we get him to the med.-unit?" Danny asked.
"I will move him there with the anti-gravity field" TIM replied.
As TIM began to move Megabyte across the Lab, Mike's thoughts came in from distant Talpahini. [Danny, TIM, is everything all right?]
[It is now Mike, you can all come over.]
A new glow on the jaunting pad announced the arrival of the Mike and General Damon. Assorted flashes of light all over the Lab heralded the arrival of the new Tomorrow People.
"Fascinating," TIM'S voice floated serenely through the Lab. "Their method of teleportation differs considerably from yours." "The hyperspatial rift signature is 0.03% higher."
"We can discuss that later TIM, right now, I have a patient to attend to" said Danny. He looked around at the assembled youngsters. "Welcome to the Lab."
*****************************
It took a very short time for Danny and Mike to set up the equipment that they needed. TIM had, by that time, reviewed Mike's technical notes on the Medusa Web and was ready to attempt to extricate the helpless Megabyte.
"The web can be set at different levels" TIM said, "Depending on what the controller wishes. Megabyte's web is set very highly rendering him comatose. The lower settings leave the victim awake, but powerless."
"Like a Psi-dampening field?" Danny asked.
"Yes Danny, exactly. However the effect is more localised, set specifically to one victim."
"You mean that they *intended* to get Megabyte?" asked Adam appalled.
"Not necessarily Adam," TIM replied. The setting is for any 'one victim'. I would surmise that they simply fired the web into the room where you all were, and Megabyte happened to be the one that got hit. It was fortunate for him that he was in the act of teleporting when the web attacked him. If that had not been the case he would not be here now. Unaided, even your exceptional teleporting abilities would not have moved him."
"We can analyse that later TIM" Danny said assertively. "Right now let's get this thing neutralised so that I can go to work."
"Very well Danny, I will attempt to neutralise the web. I would advise that you all move back into the main Lab while I place the medical facility into containment field. I will have to act quickly to overcome the Web before it drains too much of Megabyte's powers. The residual energy from the collapsing web might be dangerous."
"Will it hurt my son?" Damon asked.
"No General, he will be in the eye of the hurricane and quite safe. It is the rest of you that I am concerned about."
"TIM'S a real mother-hen sometimes" Mike added with a fond smile at the computer.
"It is as well for you that I am!" TIM replied tartly. "I am ready to proceed."
"Fire away TIM" Danny ordered.
TIM generated an intense blue light that enveloped the comatose teenager. Immediately a green tendril of energy lashed out from Megabyte as the Medusa Web turned his psionic energy onto the computer. TIM stepped up the power, as his blue light grew brighter in intensity. All the other lights in The Lab dimmed as the power was diverted to TIM'S battle. After a few heart-stopping moments it was over. TIM dropped the containment field and the assembled Tomorrow People and Damon rushed over to where Megabyte lay.
Danny extended his healer senses towards the still unconscious youth; for a few moments no one spoke. "Is he...?" jade asked, heart in mouth.
"He'll live" Danny replied gravely "His energy levels are shockingly low. I'll give him a boost from my own power, then, with a few good night's sleep, he'll be just fine."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and began talking at once. "If you don't mind?" Danny asked pointedly glancing over to the main lounge. "I *could* do with some space..."
The Tomorrow People took the hint. Only General Damon, Adam and Kevin remained by the med-lab. "Is he *really* going to be all right?" Damon asked.
"Really" Danny soothed. "General, why don't you all go and join the others? I'm sure that by now Mike is trying to find out what happened. I would imagine that your expertise would be needed? I'll call you if there is any change."
"OK Danny, come on Kevin, let's leave the doctor to his work."
****************************************
The de-briefing was going well. "What I can't understand, is how Turner got her evil little hands on alien technology anyway" Damon said aggrieved.
"Turner?" Mike asked startled. "You mean *Major* Turner?"
"Yes" Adam replied, "The General said she used to be a Major; do you know her?"
"Know who?" Danny asked coming into the room.
Mike looked sick. "Danny, the person behind the attack on Megabyte, its Major Turner." Danny looked stunned, as if Mike had struck him. He collapsed heavily into a chair. "No!" he whispered. Adam looked across at Mike, his face echoing the question everyone wanted to ask. "What's wrong?" he finally got out.
"Major Turner was one of the reasons that we had to leave earth fifteen years ago. She killed Danny's twin brother Joe and their mother. She damn well nearly killed Danny too!" Mike replied savagely. "Yes Adam, we know her."
"Perhaps it would be useful if General Damon brought us up to date on her activities." TIM ventured soothingly. Nodding Damon began to comply.
Alone with his thoughts Danny let his mind drift back to that terrible day fifteen years earlier. Somewhere out there Turner was still up to no good. How she'd managed to get her hands on a Medusa web Danny could only speculate upon. What he did know, from the bottom of his soul, was that one-day, soon, Turner was going to pay.
******************************
A groan was heard from the med-lab. "Its Megabyte!" chorused Jade and Kevin rushing through to the adjoining room. The other new Tomorrow People and General Damon followed close behind. Mike and Danny also followed at a slower pace, Danny's face still thoughtful.
The sight that greeted them was heart-warming to say the least. Megabyte lay propped up on pillows surrounded by his friends, his father was holding his hand as the older TP's entered the room. Megabyte looked up at Danny and Mike.
"Adam tells me I owe you guys my life."
"Think nothing of it Megabyte. We're Tomorrow People too. We look after our own" Said Mike.
"How are you feeling?" Danny asked professionally.
"Apart from a king-sized headache... I guess I'll live, what do you reckon Doc?"
Danny smiled. "I think you'll do just fine" he said.
"O.K, now that we know Megabyte's going to be all right, I think we need to finish our briefing" said Mike sounding, to Danny, very like John.
The group began to file out back into the main Lab, Ami and Lisa supporting the still groggy Megabyte. Danny moved over to the medical sensors and scrutinised their read-outs more carefully. Kevin and General Damon remained in the room. Damon was the first to break the silence. "Is he *really* all right Danny?"
"Yes he is, or rather he will be when he's had some rest. The Medusa Web wasted a lot of his psionic energy, but he's young and will get over it. He's very lucky, not everyone gets off so lightly."
"Thanks Danny" said Damon leaving the room to join in Mike's ongoing de-briefing. Kevin watched Danny for a few moments as he turned off the monitors.
"What's the matter Kevin?" Danny asked after a while.
"Are *you* all right Danny?" asked Kevin. "Ever since you heard about Turner you've been projecting a great sadness and anger."
"You're very perceptive Kevin" Danny replied tightening his shields.
Kevin felt the shields tighten. "I won't pry," he said. "If I can be any help...?"
"Thanks Kevin, I had a shock when I realised that we were dealing with Turner. I suppose I should have guessed this would happen if I ever came back to Earth. Its almost inevitable."
"Why did you come back if it hurts so much?"
"I'm a Healer Kevin, when we receive a cry for help we have to respond, no matter where it comes from.... No matter what the cost. It's what our leaders refer to as 'The call of duty'.
Kevin said nothing else; he simply placed a comforting hand on Danny's shoulder, smiled and left the room to join the others. Danny was left with his thoughts, amid his own pain and turmoil he was awed at the great promise that these new generation Tomorrow People represented. In his day people, even Tomorrow People had been much more repressed when it came to showing their emotions. It had taken many years living in the totally unique culture of The Trig for those inhibitions to fade. Yet these remarkable kids were there already. The level of openness and care that Danny had felt from all of them towards Megabyte and each other was inspiring. That this could also extend to him and Mike gave Danny great hope for the future of The Tomorrow People on Earth.
***************************************
Mike called the meeting to order. "OK. Let's review the facts... From the General's account Turner gave up the military some time ago and has since turned her hand to crime. What we don't know is how she got her hands on a Medusa Web....TIM, has there been any alien activity reported by the watchdog satellites?"
"Negative Mike" replied the computer. "However, it has been some time since their systems were upgraded, it is entirely feasible to conjecture that a cloaking technology now exists which could elude them."
"Well, we know that Turner hasn't gone out to the non-aligned worlds on a shopping trip; therefore somehow someone has broken the embargo and brought advanced technology here. The question is, Who and what else?"
Damon spoke up, "Looking for alien storekeepers is your area Mike, however one way of getting those answers is to get hold of Turner again. Our recent mission has left her outfit in tatters, she'll be on the run and panicking; people in that position usually make mistakes. If Adam would take me back to my office I'll get Worldex moving and see what we can find out by more prosaic means."
Things began to move swiftly after that. Damon and Adam teleported to Worldex to begin the General's "prosaic" investigations, Mike jaunted back to The Trig to collect some information and equipment that he decided he needed. "We need to up-grade TIMMY'S valves and diodes!" he had quipped as he jaunted out; much to TIM'S annoyance. "Valves and diodes indeed!" TIM was heard to mutter to himself over the next few hours.
Lisa, Jade and Ami returned to their respective homes to assuage their worried mothers leaving Danny and Kevin to look after the now peacefully sleeping Megabyte. "We'll put him in this cabin" said Danny floating him over to the old 'boys corridor'. "This used to be Mike's cabin when we all lived here."
"Which one was yours?" Kevin asked.
"The end one on the left" was the reply. It was then that Kevin realised what Danny was doing. "Wow! You can make people float!" he exclaimed.
"Yes we can, can't you?" Danny asked.
"I don't know, I've never tried," said Kevin thoughtfully.
"Time enough to look at the differences in our powers later," said Danny briskly. "I want to get Megabyte safely secured for now." With that Danny lowered Megabyte onto the bed and attached a strange looking device onto his arm.
"What's that for? I thought you said he was all right?" asked Kevin alarmed.
"He is all right Kevin, this is just to monitor his vital signs; as a precaution."
The next few days passed swiftly. Megabyte quickly made a full recovery from his brush with death. General Damon, while pleased by his son's recovery, declared that he would be a lot happier if the perpetrators were safely in custody. With that in mind Worldex stepped into high gear in their efforts to locate the elusive Major Turner.
Once Megabyte had returned home Danny found himself at a loss as to his next move. The medical emergency that had called him from Andromeda was over, therefore he really ought to set about making preparations for his return. However, when it came to the moment of decision, Danny found that he was reluctant to go. He could rationalise this with the excuse that he hadn't been on earth for a long time and was curious to see what had changed, but if he was honest the truth was that he wanted to see the Turner case through. His psychological training told him that some sort of closure would be good for him. But the truth was even more primitive than that. Pure and simple, he wanted revenge.
The breakthrough came a few days later. Danny was in The Lab with Adam, Lisa and Megabyte. They had been discussing all that had happened in the fifteen years since Danny had left the earth and the three younger TPs were attempting to educate Danny about their taste in music. At that moment Danny was "saved" by the arrival of three people on the jaunting pad. Mike had returned to earth with some back up. The "back-up" came in the form of two Federation Police officers. They were humanoid in appearance, their faces covered by identical helmets to Mike's. As they removed their helmets, Danny jumped up with a smile on his face.
"Stephen, Tyso!" How the hell are you?"
"Hey, Danny!" replied Stephen giving Danny an affectionate punch on the arm.
"How are you mate?" asked Tyso.
"I'm OK." Danny replied. "It's been a while."
"Ten years" said the big gypsy. "I last saw you at your graduation on Alterra Prime."
"What have you been doing?"
"We can catch-up later" Mike interrupted in a business-like manner. "Right now, let's get the equipment up and running."
The next few hours passed swiftly as Adam and Megabyte were pressed into service to help the three Galactic Policemen set up their highly specialised monitoring equipment. Soon the Lab began to resemble the flight deck of a Star-Ship. Danny and Lisa busied themselves rounding up the other TP's and bringing in General Damon and his assistant the redoubtable Frank. Finally Mike declared himself happy with the work.
"That's as good as we can get it TIM" he said. "Are you ready to link in?"
"I am" TIM replied.
"Let's do it then" Mike ordered.
General Damon moved across the strangely altered Lab towards Stephen who was watching the proceeding on a monitor screen.
"What's happening?" he asked.
If Stephen was at all reticent about discussing Federation technology with a military General, he didn't show it. Mike had briefed Stephen and Tyso thoroughly. Stephen knew that Damon was to be trusted within limits.
"This equipment we're using is very new. Most of its components are still untested in he field, however it's the only chance we have of tracing the Medusa Web energy signature. TIM's own sensors are a bit obsolete now; but he knows the local geography better than the scanner's on-board computer, therefore they've linked up. If it all works, we should have some results soon".
"I'm glad I asked..." Damon said quietly to himself. He suddenly felt very old. Megabyte, seeing his father's look, grinned sympathetically. "Don't sweat it Dad" he said brightly "As soon as we have the co-ordinates you can go get the bad guys."
"No. You won't" Mike said sternly. "Turner and her gang have been compromised by alien technology. In accepting Rim technology, they've broken Federation Law and are subject to OUR jurisdiction. We'll get them."
"Now just a minute" Damon began hotly.
"No General, YOU listen for a minute." Tyso interjected. The big gypsy moved over to where the smaller Damon stood. "Do you really want Turner to have her day in an earth court? Telling everyone about us; about your son?"
"I guess not; I hadn't thought about that." Damon replied quietly; lost in thought.
Further discussion was interrupted by an announcement from TIM. "I am detecting the residual energy signature from the Medusa Web. Major Turner has returned to her old haunts in Manhattan. Exact co-ordinates are following."
Manhattan! Danny's mind flashed back, as it often did, to that day fifteen years earlier when Turner had effectively ended his life on earth and killed his only living family. Even though he had been very ill from the effects of his bond with Joe being severed, his TP memory was clear enough to remember the smell of that dark, dank warehouse which Turner had used at that time. The thought of returning there or to somewhere like it was not appealing. Danny was not by nature a violent man; but when he thought of what Turner had done to his brother, a cold rage threatened to engulf him. He would go to meet her, and then see what was to be seen.
Mike took charge of the arrangements. General Damon and Frank were to be issued with Matter Transporters, then Mike, Danny, Lisa, Kevin and General Damon were to go to the front of the warehouse; Tyso, Megabyte, Adam and Frank to the rear. Stephen, Ami, and Jade were to be held in reserve just in case. Jade understood the reasons for having a reserve force, and even though she wished that she wasn't a part of it, she had no intention of rushing in on her own. Her experiences with the TPs so far had taught her the folly of that course of action. Also, if she was honest, the three TP galactic policemen intimidated her somewhat.
The plan worked. Mike's strike team appeared at the pre-set co-ordinates.
[Spread out, keep in telepathic contact at all times.] Mike ordered as he and Tyso deployed the Federation scanners that they had brought with them.
[Hey, just like a Tricorder on Star Trek, cool!]
[Let's keep focussed here Megabyte.]
[Sorry Adam]
[Let's try essential communication only shall we?] 'pathed Tyso testily.
Mike smiled grimly. Tyso's sense of humour, never very great, was obviously not working today. Years of specialist training gave the three policemen an advantage over the kids. Mike hoped that Tyso remembered that they were untrained civilians.
[I've got a reading] pathed Tyso. [Upper level, south west quadrant.]
Mike realigned his own scanner. [Got it, jaunting in now.]
The four TP's and general Damon appeared in the upper room. Immediately lights flashed and a familiar green energy spiked over the invaders, effectively neutralising their powers, and holding them in place."
Mike smiled grimly again, The Medusa Web. Well, they had been expecting that. It was time that Turner realised that even without their special powers they were far from helpless.
As if on cue, Turner herself appeared, accompanied by one of the strangest aliens Damon and the younger Tomorrow People had ever seen. "Spidron!" Mike snarled, "I ought to have suspected that this sort of grubby scam had your mark all over it"
"Do not sssssspeak to me like that Bell" Spidron replied. "Your pathetic attemptssss to capture me are over."
"What is that?" Kevin asked. "That, is the Spidron." Mike answered. "Twenty years ago he and another small time hood called Sandor came very close to destroying the earth. The original Tomorrow People and my boss Steen managed to defeat him."
"Yess, and I have long planned my revenge on thisss primitive world for that impertanance!" Spidron boomed.
"Where do you fit in to all of this Turner?" Damon asked suddenly: no response.
"Turner??"
"Ssshe cannot hearr you earthling. I have herr completely under my power." Spidron gloated, brandishing a small crystal.
"A soul-eater!" Danny cried appalled.
"Yesss, a ssssoullll-eater!" Spidron confirmed. "Not a very powerful one, but enough to control her primitive mind."
"What's a 'soul eater?' Kevin asked, not really knowing if he wanted the answer.
Mike took up the response. "Its more outlawed Rim technology. That little crystal generates a dampening field in the brain of the victm. The centres of the brain that house the conscious mind are neutralised. If it's used for too long, the mind doesn't recover. That's why they call it a 'soul-eater'."
Danny was lost in thought, the irony of Turner, after what she had tried to do to Joe, being herself trapped by a soul-eater was not lost on him. However, his instincts and training as a Healer were beginning to assert themselves. Even slime like Turner didn't deserve this fate!
"How long have you been using that thing?" he asked Spidron.
"Enough quesssstionssss" Spidron snarled. "Behold your fate, and the fate of your primitive little planet."
Spidron activated a control and the darkened room was flooded in light revealing a complex array of extra-terrestrial machinery.
"Behold the planetary Medusa converter." Spidron hissed. "Coupled with thissss," he gestured towards a large dark crystalline structure, "I ssshall render thisss entire world'sss sssentient life-form mindlessss."
"I've heard enough. Damon, Now!" Mike ordered. Immediately Damon activated the Matter Transporter on his belt and vanished, re-appearing next to the startled Spidron.
"Not possssible!" Spidron gasped as Damon trained a high powered stun-gun on him.
"Ssssstop him" Spidron shouted frantically at Turner and her erstwhile hench-men. Damon grabbed a radio from his pocket. "Team two, now!" he barked. Immediately Tyso's team appeared safely outside of the Medusa effect, and began a pitched battle with Turner's gang.
"This'll sort you Mike" Tyso called activating a jamming field next to the paralysed Tomorrow People, freeing them from the stultifying effects of the Medusa Web.
"Thanks mate" Mike gasped as his special powers returned in a rush. "That's a bit like mental pins and needles!"
"Where did Spidron go?" Tyso asked looking wildly round at the melee.
"Over there!" Adam called spotting the fleeing alien. But before anyone could do anything there was a bright flash and a loud booming noise as the Medusa converter blew up in a shower of sparks; discharging a wave of neutralising energy which sent the assembled Tomorrow People reeling.
For a moment there was utter silence, then the air was rent by a high pitched scream as Turner, clutching at her head, crashed to the floor, unconscious.
Turner lay trembling on the floor. The Soul-eater and Medusa converter had caused terrible damage before imploding in on itself when Spidron had activated the self-destruct. Even those who had no healing training could see that she was near the end.
"Is she...?" Lisa asked timidly.
"She's alive" Damon replied. "But not for long if I'm any judge" he said. "Let's see to the others."
Slowly the other Tomorrow People revived from the after effects of the Web's discharged energy. Mike took charge of the situation. " Tyso, let's get Stephen and lock this down before the authorities get here." The two Police agents jaunted out to secure the area and remove the alien technology.
Adam moved over to the stricken Turner with a worried look on his face. "I know she tried to kill us, " he said. "Is there nothing we can do?"
"We could ask Danny;" said Lisa looking over to where Megabyte and Kevin were giving the semiconscious Healer some water from Damon's flask.
"Are you kidding?" Megabyte said hotly. "She killed his mom and brother and tried to kill him twice!.. I wouldn't help her if I was him."
"I'll see what I can do," said Adam. Slowly he tried to reach for his faded healing powers.
"Stop!" Danny's voice rang out. "You've can't use those powers for now, if you try this you'll hurt yourself...help me over to her."
Danny slowly made his way over to where Turner lay supported by Lisa and Adam. "Hey Man, are you cool about this?" Megabyte asked. Danny nodded as he reached Turner and began to deploy his healing talents.
"I'm fine Megabyte, really. You see, I'm not just that boy who lost his family anymore. I've grown beyond that now. I'm a Healer, of the Order of Alterran Healers. Our only task is to heal: to heal EVERYONE who needs us: even Turner."
The Tomorrow People, General Damon and Frank watched in awe as a bright white glow spread over Danny and Turner. Faintly, the Tomorrow People heard a noise, like an orchestra tuning up, raucous and discordant; then gradually the noise changed, growing in depth and volume, until the dissonance was resolved into an infinitely beautiful chord, which seemed to promise an opening into the very heart of infinity... and was gone. The light faded and everyone could see Danny holding the peacefully sleeping Turner in his arms.
Epilogue: A few days later, on The Island.
It was a perfect tropical evening; the Sun, warm and low, painting the horizon a brilliant deep red as its last rays began to fade. Near the Spaceship the Tomorrow People were gathered around a small campfire as their party began to close. Watching the scene, Adam tried to smile as he saw Megabyte pour a handful of ice-cubes all over a spluttering Jade. Everyone was there, Megabyte, Jade, Ami, Kevin and Lisa. The older TP's were there too. Mike, Stephen, fresh form his successful capture of the escaping Spidron, Tyso...and, standing somewhat apart from them, Danny.
It was, Adam realised, Danny that was the cause of his unrest. HAD he lost his healing powers? Were they gone for ever? What did Danny, with all his alien learning know? Well, there was only one way to find out. "Danny?"
"Adam."
"Can we talk?"
"Sure." With that word Danny indicated towards the Sea.
"Walk?" The two TP's walked along the coast-line for a while. "What's on your mind Adam?"
Adam paused for a while, wondering what to say. He'd approached Danny on impulse, and now he couldn't just blurt out his question. He reached down, picked up a pebble and threw it into the Sea. A different question formed in his mind. "The other day, when you healed Turner, what happened?"
"You saw what happened."
"Yeah, but I don't understand it. That music..."
Danny sighed. "The music was the final chord of a special type of symphony that began years ago." Danny paused, looking at the slowly appearing stars.
"Symphony?" prompted Adam.
"I don't really understand it all myself as yet Adam. I've been consulting with TIM and the Healers to try and make sense of it. This is my best working theory."
Danny paused, gathering up his thoughts, "Joe and I shared a joint mind. That gave us many advantages over the other TP's we were able to harness great psychic energies and utilise them as we wished. Teleportation, telekinesis and healing. Our breakout nearly killed us. It took the Healers months to train us not to blow a mental fuse and to learn how to regain some sort of privacy." Danny paused again, looking at the stars, and into the past.
"Our bond was also our greatest weakness. When Turner captured Joe and broke our linkage I was severely incapacitated. John and Elizabeth were here then and were able to help me to find Joe, and the rest you know. When Joe died, in a very real sense a part of me died too. If Elizabeth hadn't sent her mind into mine to find what was left of me, we wouldn't be having this conversation today."
"Was that the start of the symphony?" Adam asked, mystified at what he was listening to.
Danny smiled. "Yes, and no."
"Huh?"
"'Yes' in as much as the symphony started with Joe's death, but 'No' in as much as the music was an echo of my Empowerment as a Healer." Adam had heard about the Empowerment ceremony before; but still didn't understand, and said so.
"There are levels of empowerment." Danny explained. "The healing power is the most fragile of the powers we have. Many things in life can open those powers to us... and block them off forever. My reaction to Joe's death had placed a kind of partial block in me that I hadn't been aware of. Healing Turner removed that block and completed my Empowerment."
"Is Turner going to be all right?" Adam asked.
"She'll live, if that's what you mean; when the soul-eater imploded it wiped out large parts of her mind. In a very real sense she's an infant again. Stephen has taken her to The Trig where she will be re-educated by Elizabeth. She'll get a second chance at life, I just hope she makes a better go of it this time."
Danny regarded Adam sombrely, "But I suspect that this wasn't what you really wanted to ask about was it?" Adam laughed nervously; it was now or never. "Have I really lost my healing powers?" he asked, looking at Danny anxiously.
"No Adam, not forever, just for now." Danny replied. "I've just said that many things can block healing powers; I believe yours are being blocked by your sense of duty as the leader of the TP's on Earth."
Adam's eyes widened. "But I..."
"Think about it Adam, when you broke out you had no problem using your gift; even bringing someone back from the edge of the grave. Then you became the leader, and the healing faded."
Adam paused, knowing that Danny spoke the truth. "Then I'll never be a healer?"
"Never say never Adam." Danny said with a grin. "At the moment, you have a more pressing calling here on Earth. Shepherding in a new species of the Human Race is no mean feat... Ask John when you meet him."
"But he's the leader surely?"
"No Adam, that torch has passed on. John's path lies in a different direction now. He wouldn't want that job again. This is your time now Adam; we're here to help and advise, but the call is yours."
The two men turned and looked out at the Sea, the stars and the night sky. In the far distance they could just make out the glow of their distant campfire. With a look and a smile, they both jaunted from sight, to answer their respective calls of duty.
END
Well, it took long enough, but its finished. Comments please.