Chapter 10
In the Lab, the group materialised on the jaunting pad. "Good to see you all back" said TIM.
"It's good to be back" said John, "and it's comforting to see the Lab at its imperfect best. I take it you know what happened?"
"Yes, John" said TIM, as he produced refreshments for the group. "Timus kept me well informed."
"I take it you've already met Francesca?" said John.
"Yes, Francesca and I have become firm friends" said TIM. "Thank you, Francesca."
"Pleasure" said Francesca.
"Which reminds me Carol, I'm going to have to have a word with you about these little side projects of yours" said John.
"It seems strange, that somewhere out there, I'll have a couple of dozen little sisters" said Janice.
"The chances are that all those clones are dead by now" said Elizabeth. "Remember, they were expecting to reach home two hundred years ago. Seran will be populated by their descendants now."
"Do you suppose they might have got it together with each other?" said Anthony.
"That's always a possibility" said Carol. "After all, that's why we did it."
"Just think, Ed" said Janice, "we could be related!"
"That just doesn't bear thinking about, does it?" replied Ed.
"Oh I was nearly forgetting" said John. "TIM, this young man here is Shaun. Without Shaun, none of this would have been possible." John turned to Shaun before speaking again. "I'm afraid I've done you a disservice. I've misjudged you and I've been unfair to you. So I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me and join us." John offered his hand to Shaun, who gladly shook it.