It's probably not a good way to start by admitting that I wasn't overly keen on Tomorrow People US, as I'm calling it this week: It had potential but the people making it seemed to miss the point. So while I will be keeping in spirit with the show, I'll also be trying to bring a bit of the ethos of the original series to it. I hope you enjoy.
CHAPTER ONE
"Everyone, down on the floor!"
Most of the people in the bank had been expecting a quiet time, just carrying out simple transactions at the counter or at the machines. They hadn't expected the men with guns or the armed police officers who now held the building under siege. Nor had they expected to end up lying face down on the floor as the men with guns stormed around angrily, their robbery having gone up in smoke.
"What are we going to do?"one of the robbers asked.
The leader of the gang glared at him. "Just sit tight. We've got all these hostages, right? No-one can get in here."
It was an unfortunate pronouncement, since it was at that moment that Stephen teleported in behind him. He cleared his throat loudly, then, when the two men turned round, he punched the leader hard in the face and pushed him into the second man, sending them both clattering. He noticed one of the hostages beginning to look up, curious. "Keep down,"he snapped. The fewer people who could identify him the better.
One of the other robbers had aimed his gun at Stephen. Stephen quickly fired off a burst of telekinesis that sent him flying. He looked over at Cara, who had teleported in at the same time as him. One robber was already a groaning heap on the floor and she was currently delivering a succession of punches and kicks to another hapless victim. Stephen grabbed some rope and threw it to her. "Use this."
When the police burst into the bank a few minutes later, the robbers were all tied up together in the middle of the room…and Stephen and Cara were nowhere to be seen.
Stephen and Cara were walking down a corridor in what had once been Ultra Headquarters and was now known as the Refuge. Trailing in their wake were fellow Tomorrow People Russell, Irene, Mike and Lucy. "Did you manage it?"Cara asked.
"All the security cameras in the bank were out of action,"Irene confirmed. "No-one saw you teleport in or out."
"What about you guys?"Russell asked. "Did you manage to kick some serious butt?"
"Check out the arrest reports,"Stephen replied.
"Oh man, I wish I'd been there."
"I'm kind of glad you weren't,"Cara bit back snidely.
"So, is this our mission now then?"Mike asked. "Dealing with a few random lowlifes?"
"Can you think of anything better?"Stephen retorted.
"Good point,"Lucy observed. "We haven't exactly got Ultra on our back anymore."
"I'm all for being virtuous,"Irene agreed.
"Then keep checking the news for incidents like that,"Stephen told her.
It sounded like a dismissal and the foursome took it as one, halting and allowing Stephen and Cara to walk on alone. "Right!"Irene called after them. "I'll do that!"
"Mike's kind of got a point,"Cara observed as she and Stephen entered the office that they had seemingly adopted as their own since taking over the building. "I know you were always keen on the whole superhero gig but is this really what you want us doing?"
Stephen sat down on the desk facing her and took her hands. "Didn't it feel kind of good to be saving someone other than ourselves?"
Cara's expression softened into a reluctant smile. "Yeah, okay, it kinda did."
"I just think, if we're meant to be the future of humanity or whatever, we need to show that that future's something good. And maybe, if we're out there helping people, we can convince them that we're not a danger that needs to be wiped out."
Cara stared hard at him. "You want to wear a cape, don't you?"
Stephen blinked. "What? No."
"A cape and a mask. It's probably been your lifelong ambition."
"If you're going to suggest tights next, then…"
"I can provide you with images demonstrating how such an outfit would look on you if you wish,"a male voice intoned from the other side of the room.
Stephen grimaced slightly at the interruption before turning to the screen taking up the opposite wall. "Hey, Tim. How are you liking your new home?"
"I am learning to appreciate the view."
"Was there anything you wanted?"Cara asked cattily.
"I just wanted to be sure you were aware we have a visitor."
Stephen looked through the office window and saw someone in the communal area that formed the next room: Astrid. She was currently engrossed in conversation with Piper and Troy but kept casting occasional looks over at him. Cara came to stand at Stephen's side. "You want me to come with you?"
Stephen gave her a grateful look. "No, I think I need to handle this myself." He headed out of the office towards his old friend. Her companions saw him coming and made themselves scarce. "Hi, Astrid."
Astrid feigned a smile of surprise. "Stephen! How are you doing?"
"Good, thanks. What brings you here?"
"Oh, you know, just thought I'd pop in, check how everyone is." Stephen said nothing, waiting for her to admit the truth. Astrid sighed. "I just wanted to know if you've heard anything about John."
Stephen had known it was coming, had invited it. But it didn't make it any easier to answer. "We haven't heard anything from either him or Jedikiah since you saw them together."
John was running. Running through the corridors of a cold, sterile building, all metal and glass. He rounded the corner and there he was, like he knew he would be. Jedikiah.
"I'm sorry it has to end this way, John,"Jedikiah observed, his tone sounding genuinely regretful. Then he raised a gun and fired.
John woke up.
Jedikiah, sat beside his bed, leaned over and gently took his hand. "That nightmare again?"
John nodded. "I don't know why I'm so scared of you in it."
Jedikiah gave a comforting smile. "Well, I can be very scary at times."
"I just can't help feeling that I've forgotten something. People."
"No-one important,"Jedikiah said, his tone suddenly having a slightly sharp edge to it. "I've told you that. And you can trust me, remember?"
John nodded. "Of course."
"Good. Because we have a lot to do, you and I."