Sentimental Institution (Part Two)

Disclaimer:- The Tomorrow People and the relevant concepts are the property of Roger Price.

Chapter 1

Ovak looked up at the new arrivals as they stood in their conditioning tubes, dormant. "Nice work, Jadev" she said.

"Thank you" replied Jaydev in acknowledgement. "However, Salgado and I were a little concerned over the number."

"The number?" asked Ovak.

"We seem to have taken slightly more than we had anticipated" explained Jaydev. "Our initial survey indicated a catchment of seven individuals. We actually collected nine."

"Within our uncertainty budget, surely" said Ovak.

"It's more the way the others turned up" said Jaydev.

"The important thing is, we have them now" said Ovak. "Which ones?"

"Number three and number eight" said Jaydev. Ovak looked at the figure of Ed, then Janice in the conditioning tubes. Like the Tomorrow People who accompanied them, they had been dressed in identically in the same dark blue one - piece suits worn by Jaydev and Ovak without any apparent fastenings or pockets. All were barefoot. "Are you ready for your prep?"

"Couldn't I wait a little?" asked Ovak.

"It's not necessary" said Jaydev. "Get ready for your prep. The rest of us will join you once we're under way and we'll be back on Seran before you know it with a hero's welcome. Ovak reluctantly stood on a circular platform next to Elizabeth as a tube was gently lowered over her body. Jaydev stood behind a control panel and passed his hands over the displays. Ovak's tube started to glow with white light for a few seconds before subsiding. Ovak remained upright, with her unconscious head bowed. Jaydev took a hand held device and waved it over Ovak's body. He scrutinised the display, and with a look of satisfaction, left the room by a sliding door.