Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, except Jonas, and Kyle. All the characters belong to Roger Price, darnit.

Although, the story is mine. Enjoy! (Takes place after "Elemental Connection")

Telepathic thoughts/conversation are in italics

Elemental Connection: "Ocean's Call" - Part 3

"My WHAT?", shouted a distressed boy, dressed in damp casual clothes, jeans, and a t-shirt. He slowly stood up, and gazed around in awe. I was surprised that I could feel his awe mingled with caution, and wrapped up in nervousness. I reached toward Kyle with an outstretched hand, to reassure him in an obvious way.

"Uh, yeah. 'bout that... I've got an element too.", were the words I finally spoke. I spoke gingerly, so to not startle Kyle too much, but something in the back of my mind whispered that it was too late anyways.

Kyle gazed at me, skepticism written in his features, and his emotions. He stood up slowly to stare at me, as if waiting.

I simply held my hand up, and demonstrated by summoning a wind that swirled around the Chamber gently.

His mouth fell open, as the wind died away. "Is that for real?"

I nodded with a small smile. "It's a whole new world here." Now I had to prepare him for his next shock. Little did I know I was going to get one myself. I looked up at the Ship's glowing pillar.

"This is the Ship, where all of us Tomorrow People tend to come, after breaking out. Or at least nearby..."

My arms swept out to encompass the entire room. I smiled as Kyle stared at the Central Pillar.

I spoke quietly, but continued, "And The Ship really helped me to adjust. Megabyte, um, tried to touch your mind, telepathically, to welcome you, and um, that triggered the earthquake."

I went on, as Kyle's attention became focused on me, with curiousity etched on his face. "Apparently...We Elementals are more sensitive to telepathic conversations, that seem to fade in and out. The Ship can help adjust it, so you can talk with the others."

He glanced at me with puzzlement. "Others? Oh. Megabyte...and...Jade? They're not like us?"

I forstalled his questions with a look, and smiled. "Yes. They are like us, with one difference. They cannot handle Elements. We can."

He continued, after a moment's silence. A thought seemed to occur to him.

"How can the Ship help me adjust? Wait? You're saying that as if the Ship's alive?"

A dry metallic tone, emanated from the Ship's Core, to touch each person's mind.

Not exactly, but yes, I do have self-awareness. Hello Kyle. Welcome.

Kyle's head snapped up toward the Pulsating Core, and gaped with shock. "The.. The.. Ship talks?"

A slight chuckle emanated into their minds, as the Ship continued.

Yes. I converse. Although I only recently acquired enough language from the other Tomorrow People.

After a moment's pause, the Ship spoke again.

I can help you adjust, Kyle.

Kyle nodded slightly, after considering the choices. The Ship promptly then reached for Kyle's mind, subtly attempting to alter the sensitivity thresholds to accomodate natural telepathic conversations, and drew Kyle into a merge more intimate than any of the Tomorrow People and I could ever achieve. As the Ship inlaid the adjustments, Kyle smiled brightly as he suddenly perceived us all in a constant link, rather than sporadically. The look on his face made me chuckle for a moment because I knew exactly what he was going through.

A thought sobered me to seriousness. My solemn gaze encompassed everyone in the Ship.

"Also...how did you break out so far from the Ship?"

Kyle looked at me with a tinge of interest in his voice. "What do you mean?"

Megabyte stepped forward, with a not-so-Megabyte expression, scratching his head. "We don't know. Normally...when we fully realize our abilities, or 'break out' as we call it, we normally land in the water outside here. Not some unknown ocean."

Kyle stared at Megabyte, the strangeness penetrating his awareness, for the first time.

There were a few moments of tense silence, that awkwardness seemed to pervade the Ship's interior.

An unexpected source broke the silence with a speculative thought.

I believe I have a partial answer. After digging through my database, I have discovered that, despite gaps within my files, one answer lies there. Elemental Tomorrow People seem to not answer my beacon at times.

I gazed at the Ship in puzzled wonder. "What do you mean, answer your beacon?"

The Ship seemed to hesitate for a moment before voicing its thoughts. I never could figure out what gender the Ship was, or assumed, when it spoke. It sounded as if it had mingled female and male voices, to blend it into one unique voice, neither masculine, nor feminine.

When any Tomorrow Person 'breaks out', I can register their psionic signature, and attempt to bring them close to the Ship, which is usually why everyone lands here. However, my beacon files, after diagnosing them closely, are slightly flawed. I can bring them here, but only into the Ocean.

Jade interrupted with a small outburst, "But I teleported into the chamber the first time!"

The Ship emitted a musical tone that seemed to translate to amusement wafting through my mind.

Yes. You have remarkable will, Jade. This will of yours was what helped you teleport here the first time. Most of the Tomorrow People...in the past, and recently, do end up near the shore, only because of an uncontrolled teleport. Yours was a deliberate attempt.

The Ship continued, after taking a moment, seemingly to pause for breath, although I knew that was impossible.

...And Elemental Tomorrow People seem to have an unique brain wave pattern, even different than a Tomorrow Person's. So I don't always catch them when they initially break out.

Megabyte was the first to speak up, and in a hushed voice.

"You mean there could be more by now and we don't know it?"

The Ship's voice transitioned from lecturing to soothing.

No, Megabyte. I can tell if there are other Elementals, if they are fully broken out, but in the process of their breaking out, sometimes they are blocked to my sensors.

Megabyte ran his hand through his reddish-blonde hair, and sighed softly.

Jade stepped into the foreground, and laid a hand on Kyle's shoulder, who had a somber expression on his face, and seemed to be struggling inwardly, with his newfound life.

Jade's smile curved softly. "We all cope, Kyle. In our own way. I remember how hard it was for some." Jade's eyes seemed to reflect some personal issues about a certain TP or two, with sadness, and loneliness.

Kyle glanced at each of us, with an intense expression.

Are you sure you are OK with this, Kyle, Jade 'pathed to Kyle, with slight worry tinging her thoughts.

"I think so." Kyle said, looking around with uncertainity, and a slight shadow in his eyes, unnoticed by us.

"Yes, I will be fine." He smiled again, as if thinking about the future.

Megabyte did not miss the clouded expression, but pasted on a smile. Keeping his thoughts tightly shielded, he clapped his hand on Kyle's shoulder.

"Good. We have a lot to tell you!"

TBC