From: sachs@knuth.mtsu.edu (Zaxxon Hunter) Subject: Days of Future and Past -- Intro Date: Sat, 13 Jul 1996 22:44:50 -0500 (CDT) Days of Future and Past by Zaxxon Intro Disclaimer: Babylon5 and it's universe of characters, setting, etc are the property of JMS and Babylonian Productions. Cable and company are the property of Marvel Comics. Both are used without permission. This is story is written and copyrighted for the solo reason for the writer's enjoyment. Reason: Paramount Studio has decided to get into the comic book industrial. Originally, they were going to do it themselves but they realized the effort would be too much. So Paramount Studio is working with Marvel Comics to produce a line of comic books based on Paramount Studio's property (Mission Impossible, Star Trek, etc). To celebrate Marvel's 35th anniversary and Star Trek's 30th anniversary, the 'Marvel Presents Paramount Comics' line will offer X-Men/Star Trek 64-paged crossover comic book this summer (Jul/Aug). So I think if there can be a X-Men/Star Trek crossover why not a X-Men/Babylon 5 crossover. This is the result. -- Zaxxon http://www.cs.mtsu.edu/~sachs -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking at the ashes and death the Phoenix said wisely, "true. There is sorrow here but rejoice, there is room for rebirth here as well." From: sachs@knuth.mtsu.edu (Zaxxon Hunter) Subject: Days of Future and Past Part 1 of ?? Date: Sat, 20 Jul 1996 21:29:25 -0500 (CDT) Days of Future and Past by Zaxxon Part 1 [Babylon 5] It was a quiet day in Command and Control. /Too quiet,/ thought Susan Ivanova, Babylon 5 second-in-command. With a start, she realized that she did not like it. She tried looking around to see if she could 'help' with some of the other people in C&C with herself but could not any. Everything for once was running smoothly. /The calm before the storm,/ she thought. After five hours of the calm, Commander Ivanova was anything but. There was not a single problem with any of the incoming or outgoing ships that came to dock with the station. /When the storm hits,/ she thought to herself, /it's going to be BIG./ "You can go, Commander," came a voice from behind and to the left of her. After calming her heart, Susan turned around to look at the speaker. It was Captain Sheridan, the station's commander. Seeing that Ivanova was not moving and appeared tensed he asked, "Anything wrong?" Ivanova simplied blinked and started for a minute. After calming herself she said, "It's been quiet. Too quiet for the last five *hours*. Somethings going to happen. And it's going to be a big mess." "Commander," Sheridan said with a laugh, "I think your paraniod." Without thinking Ivanova said, "No, I'm Russia, there's a difference." "Not much," Sheridan said under his breath. "What?" Ivanova asked sharply. "Why don't you get something to eat and go to sleep," Sheridan suggested. "You look terrible." At seeing Ivanova hestitation he added, "that's an order, Commander." "Right," Ivanova said as she headed for the door out of C&C. Sheridan shook his head. "She must be very tired if she didn't argue with me." Sheridan turned to Lieutenant Corwin and asked, "Shift report?" Lieutenant Corwin said, "Everything's quiet like the Commander said. No incidents, no injuries, and no fighting. Only five ships docked and two departed." "Thank you, Lieutenant," Sheridan said. He moved to the central console in C&C that Ivanova had manned previous. To himself, he said, "I suppose we're do for some quiet." Even as he said it, he did not believe it. /Face it John,/ Sheridan thought, /you're bored. 'Life's a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs. And this is a down. Enjoy it will it lasts./ Beep. Sheridan looked towards Corwin to see what the alert was. "What is it Lieutenant?" he asked. "Unknown energy flare in Garden, Section 12," Lieutenant Corwin stated. "Garibaldi to C'N'C," came Garibaldi's voice over the comm, "I have a Security team and enroute to Garden, Section 12. Request more information." "Sheridan here," he said, "engery type -- unknown. Affected area is spherical with a radius of 2 meters." Sheridan looked to Crowin for more information. Reading off his console Corwin said, "No radition. Area is clear of debry. No one was in the area before the flare. Scanners are demaged. No information for time after flare. Surrounding areas' intergity is uncomprised. No toxic gases reported by near by sensors." "Keep me informed Garibaldi," Sheridan said seeing that Corwin did not have any more information. "C&C out." "Okay, here's how we're playing this," Garibaldi said to his team. "Henson and Thompson. Take cover-positions, you're backup." Both acknowledged him. "Rest with me. I got point. Zack take my right. Turner take left. Let's go." The security team made its way into the Garden. They proceed slowly checking for anything odd. As they moved towards the center Zack said, "Chief, I saw something to my left." "A flash of something, right?" Garibaldi asked him. He saw something too. "Like a flash of light reflecting from some type of metal?" "Maybe," Zack said. "You saw it too?" "Yeah," Garibaldi said, "There's some kind of lump over there. Let's move people." As Zack's speed increaed Garibaldi said, "Slowly, Zack. Stay together." "Sorry, Chief." "Right." As the group got closer Garibaldi realized the lunp in the ground was a person. An unconscienious man. Garibaldi's first concern was with the Station's security. /How did this man get here?/ Garibaldi asked himself. His second concern was the unconscious man and how he related to his first concern. Into his link he said, "Garibaldi to MedLab. Found an appearently unconscious humanoid male in Garden, Section 12. Condition: unknown." "MedLab here. Medic team enroute," came the reply. * * * * * * * * * * * * * "What have we got, Doc? Chief?" Sheridan asked once the command staff sat down at the commerce table. Doctor Franklin answered first after looking at Garibaldi, "I have an unconscious human male, approximately sixty years of age, height of about six and a half feet and weight of approximately three hundred fifty pounds. Muscular build." At Sheridan's sour look he added, "I get a strange reading from John Doe's left side. Slight varies in density ..." Franklin quickly added, "within the acceptable error margin. I mention it because just about everything else is normal. I can tell that he had some type of hit to the head which is the reason for him being conscious. Mister Garibaldi, you got more?" Garibaldi sighed and said, "Not much. No ID. I'm still searching the databases but so far zilch. I've tried fingerprints, DNA matching, physical description, nada. I've checked and double checked the customs records and he didn't enter the Station through them. In addition to the clothes he was wearing, we found a pack. The items in it are inert and non-dangerous as far as we can tell but we can't identify them. Five items, different shapes, purpose unknown. The only thing we can identify, we think, is an energy rifle." "How did he get an PPG rifle on board," wondered Sheridan. "It's not an PPG rifle. Neither Alliance issue nor regenage made. We have no idea what powers it. We can't even find a power source. Not even an inert possible source that we can identify. The backpack is made of a common syn-clothe you can find anywhere. The rifle, which is as long as my arm, and the items in the pack are made from some unknown quasi-metal." "Quasi-metal?" Ivanova asked. Untypically she had been quiet throughout the meeting until now. Sheridan was relieved that she finally joined in. "Well, that the best name for the stuff at the moment. It seems to have some of the properties of metal. Its appears to be malleable and ductile like a normal metal but some how it absorbs most of the heat and light we direct at it unlike a metal that who conduct them." Garibaldi signed. "As for the energy flare, we can't even find any residue to examine. It's a complete mysteryy." "And I don't like mysterty Mr. Garibaldi. I want answer," Sheridan said. "Well, there's not much more so this meeting is closed." After Garibaldi and Sheridan left, Franklin turned to Ivanova and asked, "Are you okay? You seem 'out of it' today." Ivanova just looked at him. After hestitating for a moment she said, "I don't know. I can't shake the feeling some very bad is going to happen. I don't know what." "How are you sleeping?" Franklin asked with concern. "Terribly," Ivanova replied. "How much sleep have you got?" "Not much." "What about the whole week?" Ivanova paused and hestitately said, "Not much for the entire week. With all that been happening... and the Nightmares ...." "Nightmares?" wondered Franklin. "Do you want to talk about them?" "No!" Ivanova said vemonly. Realized that Franklin was only trying to help. "Sorry ..." "I understand. About you come around to MedLab after your shift and I'll give you an exam so see if there's anything physically wrong and, or if some sleeping pills will help." "Thanks. I'll come by." "Well, I can't find anything physically wrong with you except exhaustion and that can be corrected with some good night's sleep," Franklin told Invanova as she redressed after Franklin's exam. "Here's a presciption to help you sleep," Franklin began. Upon seeing Ivanova's face he added, "without dreams." "Okay Doc. ..." Ivanova began. "Doctor Franklin! John Doe is coming too!" cried the nurse. "John Doe?" Ivanova asked. "We were talking about the strange visitor in the meeting..." Franklin began. "Doctor!" the nurse called. "Right," Ivanova said. /She more 'out of it' than I thought,/ Franklin said to himself. "I'm coming nurse." As he got close to the John Doe, Franklin notices that he was trying to sit up and said, "yeah, you should not be trying that. You'll only hurt yourself." Ivanova's curiousity had got the better part of her so she had followed Franklin over to the area John Doe was in. Upon she John Doe's face she went passed Franklin. Franklin tried to stop her but she had surprised Franklin both with the unexpected energy and happiness on her face. Ivanova appretately run into the stranger, hugged him, and cried "Nathan! Am I glad to see you!" [=== End of Part 1 ===] -- Zaxxon http://www.cs.mtsu.edu/~sachs -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking at the ashes and death the Phoenix said wisely, "true. There is sorrow here but rejoice, there is room for rebirth here as well." From: "Zaxxon" Subject: Days of Future and Past Part 02 Date: Mon, 21 Oct 1996 19:52:28 -0400 (EDT) For those who remember, here ... (I've written more but I waiting on beta readers, hint, hint...) Days of Future and Past Part 2 by Zaxxon [=== From Part 1 ===] Ivanova's curiosity had got the better part of her so she had followed Franklin over to the area to see who the John Doe was. Upon seeing John Doe's face she moved passed Franklin. Franklin tried to stop her but she had surprised Franklin both with the unexpected energy and happiness on her face. Ivanova practicably ran into the stranger, hugged him, and cried, "Nathan! Am I glad to see you!" [=== End of Part 1 ===] "How did you get here?" Ivanova asked joyfully. "I .... I don't know, Susan," Nathan answered. "We'll figure it out later," Susan said to dismiss the problem. It did not take along for her to realize that they had become the center of attention. Hesitantly, she asked, "how are you? Can you leave MedLab under your own power?" "Of course, I can," Nathan answered. Susan noticed that his left eye had glowed for a moment as he had risen off the examination table. Quickly looking around, she saw that no one else had see. "Now just a minute here!" Franklin began, "you are not leaving here until I'm sure you're healthy enough to do so." "Steven . . . " Susan began but Nathan cut her off with, "as you can see, Doctor Franklin, I'm fine." Looking up into Nathan's face Franklin saw the futile in trying to stop the person Ivanova called 'Nathan.' It was not the fact that Franklin made to look *up*. Passed a very muscular chest that showed that Nathan could probably press Franklin's weight easily. Nor was it the scars that Franklin saw on his body and face that were obviously could only come from a battle. It was the expression on Nathan's face itself, one he had seen a thousand time on his father, the General, something on Sheridan, and once on Sinclair. The one that said 'To Hell and High Water, I'll do what *must* be done.' Franklin could not help thinking, // what forces have forged this man. As the Dilgar War forged his father and the Earth-Minbari War forged Sheridan and Sinclair. // "Fine!" Franklin said disgusted. He knows he could not stop this man, especially with Ivanova here to help. It was obvious to both Franklin and the Staff take Commander Ivanova had sided with the stranger and not with them. Most of the staff in seeing Ivanova's face had gone back to their individual work leaving Doctor Franklin along. "If he faces on his face, don't come to me." Franklin then turned and left them alone. Susan tugged on Nathan's right arm and said, "You can stay with me in my quarters until either you leave or you decided to stay and get your own room." Nathan allowed Susan to lead him out of MedLab through the Zocalo to her quarters. Susan was ignoring the looks she was getting from the people they passed so she did not see Ambassador Kosh talking with Ambassador Delenn in the Green Sector. Delenn was listening to Kosh speak, when all of a sudden Kosh had stopped speaking in mid-sentence as he normally did when others came near. // At least, I think it's mid-sentence, // Delenn thought, // One must meditate on want a Vorlon says to understand fully. // She began to look around to see the person approach that caused Kosh to fall silent. A quick check showed no one. Puzzled she looked up at Kosh to ask what was the matter. She saw Commander Ivanova with a strange looking human male that she had not seen on the Station before. Yet, she noted that Ivanova and the stranger were very good friends. As the two passed them in their alcove, Delenn asked herself, // Did I see that Human's left eye glow for a moment? Is that normal for humans? // So lost in thought was she, she did not hear Kosh say, "Askani'son is here." She did hear Kosh say, "Good. Other time." She knows that she was being dismissed so she left. As she reviewed the conversation with Kosh in mediation and relieves Kosh had said something as Ivanova and the stranger passed. All she could match out was 'Askani' and her dismissal of 'Good. Other time.' She wondered what 'Askani' meant and what its significant it was, for all that a Vorlon said was important. Before she rose from her mediation, she said, "computer. Search all databases for the word, 'Askani.' No restrictions." The computer said, "Time for completion two days, nine hours, and twenty-five minutes. Continue with search or changer parameters?" "Continue search," Delenn said to the computer. "He's a friend, Michael. I vouch for him. Can I please have Nathan's stuff now?" Ivanova asked again. Garibaldi was nervous. Ivanova was being nice to him. // So hell has frozen over, // he thought. Up until now they had been arguing as the Chief of Security and a fellow Officer. Now Ivanova was being nice. // First comes the 'please' then comes the order, // Garibaldi thought. Other than the fact that Garibaldi and his team could not identify this Nathan's stuff, he had no real reason to withhold them. The fact that Ivanova was not telling him much about this mysterious man who literally drops out of nowhere except that his name is 'Nathan' and that he is a friend of hers. Garibaldi knew he was being stubborn but he enjoyed irritating Ivanova but he knew he was getting close to pushing it too far. "How do we know that he isn't a danger to the Station?" "Because the Station is still here, Michael," Ivanova said with a smile, "And he's a friend of mine. I trust him with my life." // What do I say to that, // Michael thought but said, "Fine. Here." Michael handed the stuff to her. The fact that the rifle was about the same size as her and yet she carried it with easy was about humorous. Handing a pad to her, Michael said, "sign here." So doing so Ivanova left Michael's office, he noted that on the rifle had some how powered up. // Where's it getting the power, // he thought, // and what did Susan do to get it powered up? // "I got your stuff back," Susan said to Nathan. "Thanks," Nathan said, "set them over there." He waves towards the coach. "I bet Mister Garibaldi didn't like having to give them back, did he?" Susan laughed. "True. But he is a friend and I know that you're no danger to the Station." "What did I tell you about assumption, Susan?" Nathan asked lightly. "Assume, you make an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me,' " came the reply. "Still who could stop you?" she asked. "The Vorlon might," Nathan said seriously, "or someone else. I'm human, you know." "Right," Susan said sarcastically, "try remembering that the next time you go up against the Feroon. I'm not going to be there to carry you home." Nathan could barely repress a smile. Susan continued, "You are very heavy. If Kane was not there to help . . . " "I know," Nathan said, "I'll try to do better next time." "There better not be a 'next time,' " Susan said. "Right," Nathan said laughing. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Welcome to Babylon Five," the Custom guard said. He looked at the id and then at the person in front of him and said, "We ll, Mister 'En Sabah Nur,' are you here for business, travel, or pleasure?" And then he looked up and up until he found En Sabah Nur's face since he was seven feet tall and the guard was only five and half feet tall. En Sabah Nur replied, "A little of all three. Now, if there are no problems, I like to continue through." Without waiting for a reply he walked out of Customs. As he walked around Babylon 5 En Sabah Nur noticed the different aliens that populated the station. // Each must be judged, // he thought, // For only the Strong can survive. // [=== End of Part 2 ===] -- "Zaxxon" http://erau.db.erau.edu/~sachss =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "Truths are like the seasons," the wise Phoenix said. "Inevitable, they heralded their arrive to those who know, and come in their proper order." From: "Zaxxon" Subject: Days of Future and Past Part 3 Date: Wed, 6 Nov 1996 17:00:26 -0500 (EST) Days of Future and Past by Zaxxon Part 3 /* Previously posted parts can be found at http://erau.db.erau.edu/~sachss/FanFic/ Only my works are there. */ [=== From Part 2 ===] As he walked around Babylon 5 En Sabah Nur noticed the different aliens that populated the station. // Each must be judged, // he thought, // For only the Strong can survive. // [=== End of Part 2 ===] For almost three days now, Delenn had been trying to get information on Commander Ivanova's new friend and the term 'Askani.' Despite the vast computer resources available to her, Babylon 5, the Rangers, and those still friendly with her on Minbar, the search had come up with nothing. The man and the word did not exist as far as Delenn's sources could find. Desperate for information, she went to Mister Garibaldi to see what he had found out. "What I've found out is . . . zilch . . . nada . . . nothing. Then again, Ivanova seems to know him and we're not exactly on EarthDome's Christmas list at the moment, not since we broke away from them," Garibaldi answered to her inquiry. What 'Christmas List' was, Delenn was not sure. She knew from talks with Ambassador Sinclair that Christmas was an important holy day to Sinclair and some of the other humans on Station, but not all the humans. Ivanova said she did not celebrate Christmas instead she observed 'Chanukah.' It was the very first the fact that Humans had different religions was driven home to her. Delenn knew she was letting her mind wander but she had nothing else to work with. It was easy to ask for the location of Commander Ivanova, so she headed to the Zocalo to find the Commander. Once in the Zocalo it was easy to spot the stranger due to his height and white hair. He stood a good head length taller than the others there. Delenn saw that Ivanova was with the stranger as she got closer. She saw that Ivanova and the stranger had sat. Delenn decided that the only way to get the information she wanted was to get it from the source. So she went to join the duo. After three days Ivanova noted that Garibaldi had stopped trying to pump her for information about Nathan and his stuff that came with him. In truth, Susan only had a little more information on the items in question. The little she knew was told in confidence, one that meant more to her than anything else in her live including Babylon 5 and those on it. Still despite, or possible because of, all that happened, things were getting back to normal. // Or whatever normal around here is, // thought Susan. As they habit, Susan and Nathan were having breakfast together in the Zocalo. Today they decided to try some Kaoti food. Susan ordered and paid for a weird vegetable // fruit in a grain-like wrapping. It was easy to hold, tasted delicious, but it smelled . . . Susan could not place the smell, the little there was. Its lack of familiar scent had made a lot of the humans on station avoid it. But Nathan had insisted and Susan never could say 'no' to him, especially in such simple matter as trying something she wanted to try anyway. They had sat since the tall Nathan was attracting attention and it had embarrassed him enough that Susan started to kid him about it. After the kidding, they relaxed into a comfortable silence. Susan noticed Nathan's head movement just before seeing Delenn approach their table. "Commander, may I join you?" Delenn asked. Susan replied, "Sure Ambassador." Nathan got up, pulled out the chair between himself and Susan, and offered it to Delenn. Once she accepted and sat, Nathan easily slid the chair back into its place at the table. Nathan then sat back into his chair with Susan giggling and she said, "Nathan, the Gentleman." Susan then processed to burst out laughing. Delenn was confused. // Obviously, the stranger's name is 'Nathan' but I do not understand the 'Gentleman' part or the humor, // Delenn thought to herself. She noticed that Nathan's left eye was glowing slight, enough that she was not sure if she was truly seeing it. Delenn that Nathan casted a look at Susan that sobered her up. "Sorry, Delenn, old joke," Susan began, "It's considered a gentlemanly thing to help a Lady with her seat." "Oh," Delenn replied, // Another Earth custom I am not aware of. // "Yes," Nathan replied, "In the past, a Lady would wear a lot of heavy clothing, for either the sake of the Weather or Fashion. So it was considered good manners to help the Lady sit since the clothing would restrict a women's movement. And my parents raised to have good manners." The last statement caused Susan to chuckle again. Once again, she calmed down with Nathan looking at her. "Sorry," she said to no one in general. Braking off a piece of the food cake, Susan placed it into her mouth. "Oh," Delenn replied. Just then Garibaldi asked to join. Nathan simply nodded and pointed to the fourth and last chair at the table. Garibaldi turned the chair uaround, laid his elbows on the table, and asked, "What are we talking about?" Susan just laughed and said, "Manners." Garibaldi quickly removed his elbows on the table when Delenn started to recite for Garibaldi what Susan and Nathan had said about gentlemen and chairs. "Okay, sorry, I asked," Garibaldi replied. Turning to Nathan he said, "You know, you're a hard man to track down." "I am?" Nathan said innocently, "I guess then my credit line has not caught up to me yet." "Yeah, well, Earth Bank and other Alliance stuff have not been talking to us that much even back when the Station first came on-line. Now with the secession . . . " Garibaldi said. Garibaldi's commlink beeped. He said into it, "Garibaldi here." "Chief, we've got another one," the disembodied voice said from the commlink. "Great . . . ," Garibaldi said sarcastically. "Where," he continued, wishing he did not need to know. "Brown Six," was the reply. "Right, I'm on the way," Garibaldi said as he rose. Commander Ivanova corrected him, "*We*'re on the way." "What am I looking at," Ivanova asked Garibaldi as she pointed to the // blob // in the center of the room. The blob was a circle of mush that was all over the room. "The remains of some person. Who or what race I don't know until MedLab runs a DNA test," Garibaldi answered. "Somehow the poor shmock was reduced to the blob you see before you." "May I suggest that the victim was squashed with a circular object that had a radius of a meter. What person who could wield such an object with the force needed to crash a living person, I don't know," Nathan said. Garibaldi was so busy looking for clues that he forgot that both Nathan and Delenn had tagged along with him and Ivanova. "Oh and how do you come up with 'a circular object with a meter radius?'" Garibaldi asked heatedly. "Simple," Nathan said calmly, "See the blob (as you called it) is circular as well as the indention in the floor. The circular remains are what got suck between the object and the floor." "That possible," Garibaldi said to his number one suspect. The cartoon image of Duffy Duck being hit with a large mallet came unbinding to Garibaldi's mind. The cartoon scenario produced similar results although not the mess. Delenn gasped and said, "Mister Garibaldi, I think you will find the victim was Minbari." "How . . . Never-mind," Garibaldi said quickly. "Garibaldi, the Security officer that called you said 'We've got another one.' Who were the others?" Ivanova asked. "This is number three in the last two days," Garibaldi said with a sigh. After thinking a bit he said, "They started a little after he arrived." Garibaldi's finger pointed at Nathan. "Mister Garibaldi, I'll have you know that I can personally testify to Nathan's whereabout since he got on Babylon Five even when I was on duty. So unless you care to implicit me as well as Nathan, I suggest you look elsewhere for suspects," Commander Ivanova said in a tight voice. "Easy, Susan," Nathan said to calm Susan down, "The man's just doing his job. I'm the only abnormally that he knows of that occurred in the same time frame. It's only natural for him to think I might have some thing to do with this." Nathan waved his arms to encompass the room. "Of course, for that reason, it's logical to assume that it would be foolish for someone to attract the amount of attention I did and the do something unusual." "But what could have cause this?" Delenn asked. "A very large mallet," Garibaldi joked. "A portable gravity field," Ivanova suggested. "Telekinesis," Nathan softly. "What?" Garibaldi said, "Why didn't I think of that?" "Because, no human teek is that powerful. The most powerful telekinetic Psi Corps got, could only lift a unoccupied chair a few inches off the ground, that's about it. Besides, most telekinetics are locked up, since they're insane," Susan said. // Interesting, // Nathan thought. [=== End of Part 3 ===] -- "Zaxxon" http://erau.db.erau.edu/~sachss =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "Truths are like the seasons," the wise Phoenix said. "Inevitable, they heralded their arrive to those who know, and come in their proper order." From: "Zaxxon" Subject: Days of Future and Past Part 4 Date: Sun, 15 Dec 1996 22:12:01 -0500 (EST) I've been sitting on this for a while now... And I don't remember why... so... Days of Future and Past by Zaxxon Part 4 [Previous parts plus other works by Zaxxon are at http://erau.db.erau.edu/~sachss/FanFic ] [=== From Part 3 ===] "But what could have cause this?" Delenn asked. "A very large mallet," Garibaldi joked. "A portable gravity field," Ivanova suggested. "Telekinesis," Nathan softly. "What?" Garibaldi said, "Why didn't I think of that?" "Because, no human teek is that powerful. The most powerful telekinetic Psi Corps got, could only lift a unoccupied chair a few inches off the ground, that's about it. Besides, most telekinetics are locked up, since they're insane," Susan said. // Interesting, // Nathan thought. [=== End of Part 3 ===] "So what you're telling me is that *five* aliens have been flatten into pancakes," Captain Sheridan asked. "Basically," Garibaldi answered. "Any suspects or an idea as to how this was done?" Sheridan replied. "No. My first suspect was Nathan but Commander Ivanova saids that they can account for each other," Garibaldi said. "Oh? Just how close is our Commander to this stranger?" Sheridan asked. "They're friends, at least, I doubt there's more but . . . " Garibaldi trailed off. "Any information on this Nathan?" Sheridan inquiried. "As a matter of fact, yes, I got some information out of EarthDome this morning," Garibaldi said. He looked around and continued, " I'd cashed in some favors, used some Rangers, and hacked a few systems. His full name is Nathan Dayspring, EarthForce Captain. He didn't re-enlist after the Dilgar War and been freelance ever since. The last entry in his record involved the Feroon in Jeriko Sector." "Jeriko Sector?" Sheridan asked, more to himself than to Garibaldi, "That sounds fimiliar. . . " "It might, if you knew that Susan's first posting was to Jeriko Sector," Garibaldi answered. Sheridan nodded and said, "Right. Susan was transfered from Jeriko Sector to Io. Didn't talk much about it." "Considering the amount of red tape I've had to go through that understandable," Garibaldi replied, "Susan's unit 'assisted' Captain Daysprings' merc squad in freeing the hostages that the Feroon took and 'helped' the Feroon out of Earth Alliance space. The Senate, for a reward, commissioned the mercs back into Earth Force, with Susan and someone named 'Elisabeth Towers' rounding out the new team. Susan remained with the newly formed One Five Special Operations team until some incident involving a PsiCop and other round with the Feroon." "What happen?" Sheridan asked. "I don't know," Garibaldi answered. He sighed and continued, "What I do know is that afterwards, Psi Corps wants to talk to Captain Dayspring, Ivanova was transfered to Io, and the Unit's members disappeared to various degrees." "So, let's make sure I understand. . . We have a former Earth Force Captain, Nathan Dayspring. . ." Sheridan began. "Actually, Dayspring's commission is still valid," Garibaldi interuptted, "Special Operations have used him a couple of times since he was in Jeriko Sector." "Fine. Captain Dayspring's wanted by Psi Corps for reasons unknown," Sheridan continued, "Which Susan may or may not know why and he's involved in covert operations. So he may or may not be here on official Earth Force business, except for his method of arrival. Last time I checked, matter displacement is outside of Alliance science. Hell, even the Minbari and the Vorlons don't seem to have that technology, if it's at all possible. So that's about it?" "Basically," Garibaldi said. "Right," Sheridan answered. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * En Sabah Nur sat down. The place was crowded with humans and aliens. En Sabah Nur's attention was on the aliens in the place. He looked at each individual and as a group. With but a single look, no one got in is way. // My work is never done, // he thought. He sighed and said, "What do you want Worm?" Morden was surprised. His associates had concealed him and themselves from the view of those around them, yet this *human* seemed to see them easily. Quickly recovering, he joked, "That's what I would like to know. What do *you* want?" "Ha ha," En Sabur Nur laughed. His laughter, like the man, seemed larger than life, yet had little humor in it. "Still up to those old tricks?" En Sabur Nur asked sarcastically. His eyes' seems pierce Morden's soul. En Sabur Nur turned slightly, looking directly at Morden's associate on his right, and said "Will you do it?" The associated said something to fast for Morden to understand yet he saw its head nod. En Sabah Nur handed a data crystal to Morden, who took it as he left En Sabah Nur to himself. Before Morden passed through the exit, En Sabah Nur heard, "Do we really *need* him?" He merely smiled and looked around, spotted a Centuri, and followed him. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Hello, Commander, Captain Dayspring," Garibaldi said to Ivanova and Nathan. "I was wondering how long it would take." Ivanova laughed. "Well, you know how our relationship with EarthDome is now," Garibaldi said defensively. Ivanova just nodded and said, "Out of all the questions you asked, you never ask about Nathan himself, only about his gun. Wonder what that says about you..." "That he thinking about his job," Nathan Dayspring answered. "So I take it my credit line is active now?" "Huh? Oh, yes, it is," Garibaldi said while thinking that Ivanova was right. He didn't ask for Nathan's name or history, just about his stuff. "So what was 'Ensign' Ivanova like?" "Well...." Nathan began. "You better not," Ivanova laughed. Nathan looked at Ivanova, then at Garibaldi, and then back at Ivanova, seeming to weight the two and said, mimicking Ivanova, "I better not." "Better not what..." Captain Sheridan asked joining the conversion. "Tell how wet-behind-the-ear, young Ensign Susan Ivanova was straight out of the EarthForce Academy," Nathan said to Sheridan. "I don't believe we've met," Sheridan said. "Captain John Sheridan, Babylon Five's commander. And we met for about five seconds at the Mars riots. I had to leave early to deal with some aliens that took advantage of the riots to acquire some thing they shouldn't have," Nathan answered. "That was you?" Sheridan asked surprised. "Yep. So what can we do for you, Captain?" Nathan asked. "Well.... Have you figured out *how* you came to be here?" Sheridan asked. "No," Nathan answer sourly. "At this moment, I don't care. 'What is... is.' I'm more interesting in the murders that have been happening." "I'd suppose actually turning someone into a pancake is a type of murder," Sheridan said. "Nothing ever easy here." "Got that right," Ivanova said. "Well, I'm due in C'n'C soon. So... What?!?" "Huh?" Garibaldi and Sheridan both began. "That was... Morden," Ivanova said. "Seven o'clock." "Who?" Nathan asked. "How the hell did he get on board?" Sheridan asked angerly. "Don't know," Garibaldi answered. "But who ever did let him on is fired." "Nathan.... Walk with me to C'n'C, please?" Susan begged. "Okay," Nathan said only slight more confused than Sheridan and Garibaldi was. "So, who's Morden?" Nathan asked causally. "He is .... We're not sure, really, except he's working for the Enemy," Susan answered. "What enemy? Earth Alliance is not at war with anyone..." Nathan said. "You've heard of 'Nightwatch' or 'Home Guard?' The Shadows are behind them, Psi Corps, and the Chaos that surrounds us," Susan replied. "The Shadows?" Nathan asked. "That what the Minbari call them. They say that the Shadows are the oldest of the old races. They say that if we don't stop them then the Galaxy will suffer. Ten *thousand* years ago, the First Ones had a battle between the Vorlons and the Shadows. One *thousand* years ago, the Shadows returned and the Minbari, the Vorlons, and some of the others fought them again. To a standstill. The Shadows withdrew and now they're back," Susan answered. "Shadows...." Nathan said. "Interesting." [=== End of Part 4 ===] -- "Zaxxon" http://erau.db.erau.edu/~sachss =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= When asked why he continues on after the others have quit, the wise phoenix replies, "It is always to be the darkest before coming of the dawn." From: Sachs Subject: XOVER: Days of Future and Past Part 5 Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 22:57:33 -0500 (EST) I'm posting this to make room in my account... I have other parts ready... but I'm not getting an Comments And Constructive Criticism (C&C)... so I don't know when I'll post more... (hint, hint, hint) As always... you can find previous parts at my website at http://erau.db.erau.edu/~sachss/FanFic/ or at the B5-Creative List archives. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Days of Future and Past by Zaxxon Part 5 See Intro for copyright info [=== From Part 4 ===] "The Shadows?" Nathan asked. "That what the Minbari call them. They say that the Shadows are the oldest of the old races. They say that if we don't stop them then the Galaxy will suffer. Ten *thousand* years ago, the First Ones had a battle between the Vorlons and the Shadows. One *thousand* years ago, the Shadows returned and the Minbari, the Vorlons, and some of the others fought them again. To a standstill. The Shadows withdrew and now they're back," Susan answered. "Shadows...." Nathan said. "Interesting." [=== End of Part 4 ===] "What have you got, Garibaldi?" Captain Sheridan asked. "We've got him on one of the secur-cams," Michael Garibaldi answer. "The attacker seems to be a mutant." "A mutant? Why?" Nathan asked. "What other type of person do you know who can turn their hand into a mallet that's got a radius of a meter? The actual person had a cam-jammer since we couldn't get a good look," Garibaldi said. "So now what?" Nathan asked. "Normal operating procedure would be to call EarthDome and request an X.S.E. team out here to deal with the suspect, but since we're no longer with EarthDome..." Sheridan began. Garibaldi thought a moment and said, "I might have a solution, Captain." "What?" Sheridan asked. "First, I have to check some things, then..." Garibaldi replied. "Well, get to it," Sheridan said, "I've got a meeting to attend." After Sheridan left, Michael turned to Nathan, and said, "Could you come with me to my quarters. I need to get something." "Sure," Nathan said. "Nice place," Nathan said as he looked around Michael's outer room. He smiled at the Daffy Duck posters, models, and other related stuff. "There's a hot pot of water on the stove, you could make yourself some tea or coffee, if you want," Michael said from the inner room. "There's tea and coffee bags to the right of the stove." "Thanks," Nathan said as he took a tea bag and a cup of hot water. "So what's the plan?" "Simple," Michael said as he entered the outer room. Michael had changed out of his black independent-Babylon 5 uniform and into something else. The new uniform was a dark blue with a yellow line coming out of his left boot in the front and running all the way straight up into the yellow collar. The shoulders had yellow lining that Nathan noted held four small packets. Around Michael's waist was a yellow ulitility belt with various sized compartments in it. Where the belt and the yellow meet there was a circle patch of an 'X' in black on red background. It was obvious to anyone to saw that the uniform also doubled as body armor and that it was skin-tight. A handle of some type was clearly visible over his left shoulder and well as his station-PPG at left hip. Each of the outfit's pockets were filled. "I figure you and me could catch the murder." "Oh?" Nathan raised his eyebrow. "Since you're wearing a X.S.E. uniform and they're calibrated to be worn only by their owners, that makes you a mutant with X.S.E. training. So why do you need me?" "Noy too many people know that a X.S.E. uniform is genetically coded to the wear like the Station's commlinks. That and the fact that my mutant ability is enhanced sensory perception. I can smell a fellow mutant, if they're in the same room as me. So I know you're a mutant. That was one of the ways I found information on you. Now, I don't know if you're an alpha-class mutant or an beta-class mutant like me. But you're differently not a gamma-class since I can't sense them. Gammas are just latent mutants. So which are you?" Michael said as he check himself in the mirror. "Alpha-class. And it's metalkinetics," Nathan answered. "Control over metal? Not bad," Michael said. "It's what I was born with," Nathan said simply. "So how are a beta-class and an alpha-class, going to take an alpha-class mutant who's killing aliens?" "With these," Michael said. In his right hand was the rifle from his back and his left he had a silver box. Nathan pointed at the silver box and asked, "A mini-Cerebro?" "And I bet you know how to use it too," Michael suggested. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Omega Black Five to Babylon Five Control," came a voice over the comm system in Command and Control. "Wonderful! Just who we don't need," Commander Susan Ivanova said to no one. She activated the comm-system and said, "What are you doing here, Bester?" "Now, Commander, is that proper communication protocol?" Bester joked. "Fine," Ivanova said, "Babylon Five Control to Omega Black Five. State your purpose for being here.... Before I blow you up as a hostile." "And here I thought we are friends," Bester said in a mock-hurt tone. "Whatever," Ivanova replied. "Why are you here?" "Tell the Captain I have important information for him. Matters of life and death," Bester said. "Right," Ivanova said saracatistic. "That's what he said, 'Matters of life and death.' He didn't say whos. But if he came out here in person and he did sound serious... He's docking in Bay Eight and he'll arrive in the War room in about fifteen minutes. I've informed Delenn of Bester's arrival so three Minbari telepaths should be there in five minutes," Ivanova told Sheridan over his commlink. "Right," Sheridan replied into the commlink. To his guests he said, "We'll adjorn this meeting for now and continue at the same time tomorrow." After the diplomats left, the three Minbari telepaths arrived and prepared for Bester. Five minutes later after the Minbari telepaths were ready, Bester showed up and said, "One would think you didn't like me, Captain." "I don't. But we're on the same side," Sheridan replied. "Now, what's so important that you had to come out here unanounced and uninvited?" "My sources have discovered that the Shadows up to something," Bester replied. "What?" Sheridan asked, now fully listening. "A rift in the space/time continuum was detected and ignored by EarthForce in the Sol System. At the present time, the rift is not near anything but the computers place the rift in orbital position for the Earth back in the 1990's. The theory is that is *might* be possible to enter this rift at this end and leave it into Earth's atmosphere. It's also believed that a mere shuttle could safely travel from somewhere in system, through the rift, and onto the 1990 Earth," Bester said. "But why would ..." Sheridan asked. "I also know that the historical records on Doctor Charles Xavier, Scott Summers, Forge, and Jonathan Sinclair have been accessed with a very detailed accounts of those four activities between 1990 and 2010," Bester said smugly. "The names sound familiar but why would..." Sheridan began. "What's become of our education system these days? Those four are concerned by most historians to be in the top twenty most influential people of the twenth century as well as in the top ten in the twenty-first century," Bester said. "Imganine what our *world* would be like without them?" "I can't," Sheridan said. "You look tired, why don't you go into the room next door and lie down for a minute or two." "I am tired," Bester said while yawning. "As soon as I received this information, I did rush it out here as fast as I could. I figure you got the resources to do something about it." Bester headed into the next room and laid down on the coach. Sheridan closed the door gently, turned, and said, "That was a very dangerous thing to do." "Necessary," came the reply. The Vorlon Ambassador Kosh came into the room. "Why?" Sheridan asked. "To save the Future, you must protect the Past," Kosh answered. "How? We don't have any time travelling capability. To move babylon Four we need Draal's help and that was an already open rift," Sheridan began. Kosh interrupt him by saying, "Taken care of." "What?" Sheridan said to Kosh's retreating form. "Come back here!" Sheridan's commlink beeped. He tapped it and said, "Sheridan. Go." "You have got to see this, Captain," Ivanova's voice said excitedly. [=== End of Prt 5 ===] -- "Zaxxon" http://erau.db.erau.edu/~sachss =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= When asked why he continues on after the others have quit, the wise phoenix replies, "It is always to be the darkest before coming of the dawn."