Disclaimer: I do not own the Tomorrow People created by Roger Price. My story is in an alternate universe from the original 1970's series. In memory of Simon Gipps-Kent (1958-1987) who played
Paul Frazer (last name could be spelled differently) in the Doomsday Men episode.
Chapter 1 The Home Office
John's late father was a policeman killed in the line of duty when he was just seven years old; one of the family's best friends was Harold Whittling. Harold and his father were university roommates and best friends since then. John knew Harold almost like an uncle and kept in touch through the years. After Harold was appointed Home Secretary it was decided by John to tell him about the Tomorrow People, knowing that he would keep their existence a secret and could help in certain circumstances. John called the Home Secretary at home since he was still a close family friend and went to visit him. Harold could hardly believe John's incredible story, to convince him John decided to take the Home Secretary to the Lab. John telepathically asked TIM to send a matter transporter belt which surprised Harold when it appeared in front of him. His trip to the Lab was very informative there he met Stephen and Elizabeth. When he was getting ready to leave the Lab TIM gave him a special number to contact the Tomorrow People if needed. In return he gave TIM a private number directly to his private office.
Harold contacted John when the Doomsday Men investigation ran into dead ends. They suspected that General McLelland was in charge of militaristic group that thinks war is a glorious way to live. The only lead the had left was the generals grandson Douglas McLelland, who attended Glen College in Scotland, the Home Office wanted to send someone undercover to the school preferably a student. Harold knew just the people to help and contacted John. Stephen went to the school undercover met Douglas and Paul Frazer, another student who became on of Stephen's good friends at school along with Douglas. A terrible disaster was adverted after General McLelland and two other Doomsday Men took over the Damoclese space station and threatened the world with its nuclear missiles. The Tomorrow People along with the help of Douglas and Lee Wan, an astronaut rescued in space by the Tomorrow People, retook the space station adverting the disaster. Thanks to the re-education process used by TIM, Paul and Douglas who were members of the Doomsday Men, no longer thought of war as being what they had been taught at school.
The small party was going well, Chris Hardy and Paul had prepared haggis when the others returned from the space station. They were sitting around a table later when John noticed that Paul who was sitting across from him, looked worried for some reason. Getting up from the table he went around to Paul and bent down and spoke to him in a low voice.
"Paul you look worried is there something bothering you?"
"I don't want to return to school if Dr. Laird is still there."
"Lets go over to one of the central tables and talk," Paul got up from the table and followed John.
They sat in two of the bar stool type chairs surrounding one of the tables.
"So what's the problem with Dr. Laird?"
"When Stephen and me went to rescue Douglas at the windmill he and two other Doomsday Men pulled guns on us. Dr. Laird threaten to kill us and would have succeeded if Stephen had not sent me here to the Lab."
"Paul we will not force you to go back unless you feel like it," John then called out to Stephen and Douglas to join him and Paul.
"Guys can you tell me what happened at the windmill?" John asked each of then when they had walked over.
They both told what had transpired, Douglas did not want to see anyone get killed and protested while Stephen activated the matter transporter Paul had been wearing, and then managed to get one on Douglas activating that one and his own jaunting belt, bringing all three back to the Lab. Stephen also told them about when Douglas and him jaunted to the dorm so they could retrieve the bagpipes Douglas had. It was there that Dr. Laird had walked in on them and pulled the gun again this time threatening Douglas, if it had not been for the stun gun Stephen had he would have probably killed Douglas too. John unconsciously was rubbing where Paul had bitten him earlier. Chris and Elizabeth had joined the group over hearing what was being said.
"John, I am sorry for biting you earlier."
"You were scared and it was a natural reaction, don't worry about it, " he replied and start to think about what they told him.
John looked at his watch; it was still early in the evening. He asked TIM to call the Home Secretary for him. It took TIM a couple minutes to locate him first trying his office then his home.
"I have the Home Secretary on the line John."
"Mister Secretary this is John, sorry to bother you at home."
"Hello John, you know that contacting me is no problem even at home. What can I do for you?"
"Well one thing I have to do is give you a full report on the Doomsday Men, but we still have a problem that needs immediate attention."
"What is the nature of the problem may I ask?"
"It concerns the Headmaster of Glen College and that he tried to kill three of his students, one of them being Douglas McLelland. The three students are here at the Lab now so they are in no danger."
"That is a very serious problem can you come to my office in the morning? Lets say 9 A.M.?"
"John excuse me," Douglas interrupted, " do you think this is a good idea?"
"I have known the secretary since birth, we can trust him," Douglas gave John an affirmative nod.
"John let me assure that young man that no harm will become of him or anyone with you tomorrow."
"We will be there at nine, you might want to bring in someone from the Crown Prosecutors Office also, this problem has to do with attempted murder on the three students."
"Okay I will be awaiting your arrival in the morning, have a good evening," and the call was disconnected on the secretary's end.
"Elizabeth can you take Paul and Douglas shopping for some clothes? They might be here in London a few days and it might be too dangerous return back to school for any of their belongings."
"Sure John, you know how a girl likes to shop, how will we pay for the items?"
John pulled out his wallet and gave her a credit card to use; TIM materialized a letter that gave her permission to use his credit card. John signed the letter and gave it to her. Elizabeth and the two boys went on the jaunting pad and TIM sent them to a local department store. Chris said he needed to head home and to call him if they needed anything; he left using the door that led into the abandoned Underground station where the Lab was located since he could not jaunt.
"Stephen I think it would be best that Douglas and Paul stay here at the Lab for awhile, also you need to jaunt home and gather some extra clothes it would be best if you stayed with them here."
"I thought you might say that."
"I mean TIM could look after them while they are here, but it would make them more comfortable if someone they can trust was with them."
"Okay, I'll head to my house be back in a few minutes," He said as he walked over to the jaunting pad and vanished.
"TIM do you think Paul will be okay, with what he went through at the windmill?"
"I think Paul will be fine once Dr. Laird is in custody, and having Stephen stay here with them was a good decision also John."
"TIM, I need to write a report to give to Harold on the Doomsday Men, can you record it then give me a printed copy?"
"Yes John that would be a pleasure, you can begin when you are ready."
John recalled all of the details of the past couple weeks about the Doomsday Men. Elizabeth contacted John letting him know they were almost finished shopping and would be returning soon. She asked if he needed anything while they were out. Not needing anything he told her to get everything they will need and then come back to the Lab. Stephen in the mean time had returned from home with a small suitcase, he had some clothes at the Lab as did John and Elizabeth, but the extra clothes would be useful until things returned to normal. TIM was materializing John's report when the three shoppers returned it looked like they had bought out the store with all the bags they had. John did not say anything he knew Elizabeth would be frugal with the credit card and if anything else was needed they could go out again another day.
"Did you get everything you both will need?" John asked as they stepped down off the jaunting pad.
"Yes we did, John I don't know how we can ever repay you for all this?" Douglas told him.
"It is no problem, just a small way of saying thank you for the help earlier with your grandfather."
"John, I didn't help at all, except staying here at the Lab while you went up to the space station," Paul said feeling a little embarrassed for the new clothes they had purchased.
"Paul, you and Stephen went to rescue Douglas because you thought he was kidnapped. The thought of you being killed started to make him think that the Doomsday Men were not so great as he was led to believe."
"I guess you were looking out for my safety too making me stay here with Chris."
"Yes Paul, Stephen will show you two where to put things."
"Come on guys follow me," Stephen said as he went to a corridor that took them to a dressing area equipped with bathroom facilities and storage for clothes.
"TIM could we have some hot chocolate before Elizabeth and I head home, when the boys come back in here?"
"Certainly John, would you like some marshmallows?"
"Stephen, ask Douglas and Paul if they would like hot chocolate with marshmallows?"
"They said that would be good, we'll be out in a couple minutes."
TIM materialized five cups of steaming hot chocolate topped with miniature white marshmallows. The three boys came from the dressing room area and they all enjoyed the hot drinks. John and Elizabeth soon left to head home, the three changed into pajamas and got ready for bed. There were three beds located in the Lab once they were in bed TIM dimmed the Lab lights so they could sleep. During the night Paul started to toss and turn in his bed, he was making small moaning sounds. This woke up the other two and they got out of bed and went over to Paul.
"Paul wake up, " Douglas said as he gently shook him by his shoulders.
It took a few seconds before Paul woke up startled. Stephen asked him if he was having a nightmare, he told them he was dreaming about the windmill. TIM suggested that Stephen put him under calm sleep, a method that would be like a sedative for the brain. Paul lay back down, Stephen put one of his hands a few inches from his face and a green glow appeared between his hand and Paul's face. Paul was fast asleep; Douglas along with Stephen went back to bed and slept until morning.
Stephen woke up at 7A.M. took a shower and got dressed for the meeting with the Home Secretary, after getting out of the shower he woke up Douglas so he too could get ready. They decided to let Paul sleep just a little bit longer, John had jaunted in about 7:45 and Stephen told him about what happened during the night. John went over to where Paul was still asleep and proceeded to wake reversing what Stephen had done earlier. He was told to get up and get ready for the meeting at the Home Office. Paul took a shower and found some clothes laid out for him to wear. He was just tying the laces on his trainers when John called out to him that breakfast was now ready.
"I'll be right out John," he said as he was tying the last shoe, he got up from the bench he was sitting on and went out to the main part of the Lab, "good morning everyone."
"Good morning Paul, I hear you had a nightmare last night, how are you feeling this morning?" John asked him as he sat down at the table.
"I feel okay right now, the nightmare was about what could have happened to us in the windmill had Dr. Laird succeeded in his plans."
"Well we will worry about that later, "just then TIM materialized four plates of eggs, bacon, biscuits with something to drink.
"No matter what happens this morning I want you three to relax and tell the truth. Stephen has met the Home Secretary before under different circumstances, but I know he will be fair to each of you."
"John do you think I will be in trouble considering how much more involved I was?" asked Douglas as he taking a fork full of eggs from his plate.
"That is hard to say, but in my personal opinion the only thing you are guilty of was the false kidnapping and maybe some knowledge of what the Doomsday Men were planning. Just tell them the truth Douglas and you will be fine, and that goes for you two also," he replied looking over at Stephen and Paul who were eating like they were starved.
After eating breakfast and brushing their teeth, John gave two matter transporter belts back to Paul and Douglas to wear, TIM had programed the coordinates they would need to jaunt to the Home Office along with John and Stephen. TIM contacted the Home Secretary to find let him know the four would be coming shortly. The four went onto the jaunting pad they had put on coats just to look like they had walked in from the outside, which was quite chilly. Touching the appropriate places on the matter transporters Paul and Douglas disappeared from the Lab along with John and Stephen. They materialized two seconds later inside a large wooden paneled office, with a red carpet on the floor. There were two large windows that let in the morning sunlight; a large desk was located between the windows. There were three people in the office waiting for John and his friends; one of them both John and Stephen recognized he was the Home Secretary.
"John, Stephen good to see you again I wish it was under happier times, " the Home Secretary said shaking their hands.
"Mister Secretary may I introduce to you Paul Frazer and Douglas McLelland," John said as the Home Secretary shook hands with both boys.
"Let me begin by saying last night we had Dr. Laird taken into custody for questioning," he said; " The other two here are Lois Redding my confidential secretary and Michael Wilson from the Crown Prosecutors Office. John it has been agreed that when we question the boys it will be individually also I personally know Mr. Wilson has very top secret clearance and has been briefed on the Tomorrow People by myself. Questions will be asked on the Doomsday Men and your involvement with the group, Douglas yours will be more intense please do not worry we will be very fair with you."
"Okay sir, I will be satisfied with that all I want to do is to protect them," John knew he could trust the Home Secretary.
They decided that Paul would be the first one to be questioned, so the other boys were escorted to a waiting room adjacent to the office. The Home Secretary could sense that Paul was nervous so he went to a small refrigerator to retrieve a soft drink for him. The questions they asked were not harsh at all, Paul gave his account of what happened. Paul had relaxed as the session progressed so he gave answers without hesitation. When they had finished with Paul he was escorted to the waiting room, Stephen was asked in next. Stephen was asked about his involvement since he went undercover at the school. It took about the same amount of time to question Stephen as it did Paul, when they finished he was sent to the waiting room. Douglas was called in to the office, he was nervous and had every right to be, considering his grandfather was leader of the Doomsday Men.
The questions they asked were very intense and Douglas told them the truth. Asked about the space station and his involvement he told them he knew his grandfather was planning on taking over to stop the signing of the peace treaty. He told about the events all the way through to retaking of the Damoclese. It took longer for Douglas to be questioned then he was sent to the others and John was finally asked in, the same procedure was followed, John gave them a written report that TIM had made to look like it was by a typewriter. While they were with John the Home Secretary received a very important phone call.
"Are you sure Prime Minister? I see yes, that will be very good news for him. He happens to be here in my waiting room with the special undercover team we sent to Glen College," Harold gave John the thumbs up sign as the Prime Minister finished on the phone.
Douglas was asked back into the office, he was sure that he would be spending time in prison when he heard his name called again. Harold could tell he was very nervous, he had Douglas sit in the seat next to John.
"Douglas I have just gotten off the phone with the PM. After the shuttle returned from the Damoclese early this morning they interrogated your grandfather. He said he would sign a complete confession under one condition. That no action be taken against you or any of the other boys at the school, the PM agreed to the terms just ten minutes ago."
Douglas did not know what to say except thank you, he was in a trance like state. John helped him back to the waiting room. The Home Secretary came out to talk with them briefly after about ten minutes in his office.
"Douglas your grandfather will be sent to prison here in England and will never be released. We will arrange visits with him if you would like. We will be closing down Glen College for three weeks so a team from the Education Department can assess what changes need to be made. We also have to locate the two men that were with you in the windmill. Give me about ten minutes and I will take everyone to lunch."
Going back into the office he made a couple phone calls. Outside in the waiting room everyone was looking at Douglas and his reaction to what the secretary has told him. Douglas was silent his breathing was returning to normal, he looked up and saw his friends looking in his direction.
"Douglas are you going to alright?" John asked him moving over to sit next to where he was sitting.
"Yes John, I had a feeling that grandfather would be in serious trouble before we went to the space station yesterday."
"Douglas I know you have been rough on us at school," Paul spoke from the other side of the room sitting with Stephen, " ever since the windmill I have thought of you as my big brother."
Those words had an effect on Douglas he got up and asked Paul to stand also; he went over to Paul and gave him a hug like brothers would give each other.
"Thanks Paul that meant a lot to me," he felt at peace with himself, something he has not felt in a long time.
Harold Whittling came out of his office and asked if they were ready to eat, he noticed that Douglas had a difference about him. They went to restaurant near the office and were joined shortly by the Crown Prosecutor. He apologized for all the hard questions especially towards Douglas, but they had to know what went on. He asked that everyone stay in London until the two men that were with Dr. Laird could be arrested. A team from the Department of Education had arrived at Glen College and began to assess the school policies and interview students and staff, it would take almost a month to get the school ready for the students to return.
"What about our personal belongings?" Paul asked.
"They are being collected as we speak the other boys in your dorm have shown us where your suitcases are kept. Your personal belongings are being packed and shipped to the Home Office they will arrive here tomorrow," Michael Wilson told them.
"Paul your parents will be notified what has happen, certain details will not be given to them concerning the Tomorrow People," the Home Secretary said, "but, until we can assure your safety you will need to stay in London."
"Where at sir?" Douglas asked taking a bite of food.
"John, I want you to find a hotel of your choice, a suite with three bedrooms for them until we give you the clearance to go home. Just don't tear up any rooms please, " Harold said jokingly, " I will send someone to talk with the hotel management so when you check in there will be no problem with the staff, and make payment arrangements with them."
When they finished eating John and the boys returned back to the Lab. John located a suitable hotel near the Lab then notified Harold of his choice. TIM received word that they could check in anytime that was convenient to them. After dinner John took them to the motel, the motel manager was on duty and showed them to the suite, it was very nice inside, a stocked refrigerator of sodas and bottled water, there was snacks for them to eat. They each chose a bedroom and put their clothes away. John said goodnight to them then he jaunted back to the Lab. For the rest of the night they watched the telly and then got ready for bed.