Date: Tue, 29 Nov 94 03:12:00 UTC From: t.fretwell2@genie.geis.com Subject: 'HEART AND SOUL' #1 Here's the beginning of a story that I hope to post completely here....the prelude, if you will. I will be mailing it out in segments. Hope you like it.... HEART AND SOUL ______________ Prelude Delenn paused before the door leading into the garden. She often came here before major meetings to calm herself. The garden was the best place to do that and she found herself once again blessing Sinclair for insisting that it be included in Babylon 5's design. With a brief smile and a deep breath, she keyed the door and stepped inside. Two steps inside and she paused, blinking in surprise. Someone was already in the garden. No...two someones. Normally she wouldn't mind. She would just take her place on the bench and contemplate the Japanese rock garden. Unfortunately, one of the two strangers was sprawled carelessly in the rock garden. It barely fit, even with its wings folded tightly to its sides. A man stood next to the shuttle-sized creature, watching her with a bemused expression. He was dressed in what appeared to be a uniform; sleeveless black tunic with a golden emblem on the right breast, loose- sleeved black shirt, wide belt, a nd loose-legged black trousers tucked into short boots. It was a uniform she did not recognize and that caused her some alarm, since she thought she knew all of the human military uniforms. But that didn't alarm her half as much as the man's features did...all too familiar features. She had seen them not seven minutes ago in the hallway, hurrying to a meeting that he could not possibly be out of yet. So how could he be here... ? The odd creature lowered its head slightly and shook it vigorously, fluffing out the ruff around its neck then letting it smooth down. Its beak parted. "We've company, dearest heart." The creature trilled in a musical voice. "I've noticed, sweetlove." His voice seemed deeper then she remembered, eyes glinting with amusement. "I believe we need to talk, Ambassadress." ********************* Well, how about some reader opinions? Who do you think the 'mysteryman' is...? Date: Sun, 4 Dec 94 19:36:00 UTC From: t.fretwell2@genie.geis.com Subject: HEART AND SOUL #1 Note: the previous mailing should have been HEART AND SOUL Prelude. I hope to send a segment of this story at least every Sunday. HEART AND SOUL -------------- ONE "Why the Garden?" Commander Ivonava asked, eyeing the door into the Garden with a puzzled air. Captain Sheridan shrugged. "That's what Lennier said. That there was a special envoy who wished to meet with us in the Garden." He glanced up as Garibaldi hurried up to them. "Well?" The security chief shook his head. "Nothing in the customs records about an envoy coming through. Or even anyone that unusual." Both Ivonava and Sheridan looked at him and he scowled. "You know what I mean!" "Yeah, right." Sheridan gestured toward the door. "Shall we?" The door slid open and the he stepped inside, the other two on his heels. Three steps in, Sheridan stopped abruptly, realizing suddenly that the massive shape resting in the Japanese rock garden was not natural and in fact, being made of metal, was severely out of place in the Garden. "What the hell...?" Garibaldi dropped a hand to rest on his PPG. The Garden's newest acquisition turned its head to peer at them warily. Its eyes were that of a bird's, as was the head. A raptor's, to be exact, with the sharply curved beak of an eagle. Metal feathers covered the head and formed a ruff around the neck before easing into metallic fur. The body was vaguely feline, with a broad chest and long body. The forepaws were handlike, the hindpaws more that of a bird's. Wings were curled tightly against its sides, giving them no idea how wide or long they might be. "If that's the envoy..." Garibaldi muttered. The creature chortled in obvious amusement and turned its head with a sharp twist. The rounded part of the beak struck Garibaldi, sending him to the ground with a grunt. Automatically, he drew his PPG, only half-way aware of a sharp voice shouting at someone named Anna then a hand grabbed his wrist. "Don't!" The voice said, almost in his ear. "She's only being playful!" "Playful, hell! She..." Garibaldi twisted around to face the man holding his wrist and froze, speechless. He was facing himself. They stared at each other for a long moment then the newcomer shifted his eyes to look over Garibaldi's shoulder. "Sorry." A voice said from behind Garibaldi and he turned his head to stare at the odd creature. It managed to look abashed, despite being made of metal. "Everything is so much smaller here! I misjudged the distance." The security chief's hand was released and he looked back at his double. Delenn had appeared to stand next to him. "This is the envoy." She explained. "From another universe. An alternate universe." She paused. "May I introduce Michael Garibaldi, security chief of the Sacred Circle Space Station and his Gryphip, Annadeara." to be continued... Sacred Circle and Gryphip (c) copyright 1994 From t.fretwell2@genie.geis.comSun Dec 11 16:49:48 1994 Date: Sun, 11 Dec 94 23:38:00 UTC From: t.fretwell2@genie.geis.com To: babylon5-creative@netcom.com Subject: HEART AND SOUL #2 I accepted no responsibility for dreams caused by this, or any, of my stories...>:) However, I would like to extended a heart-felt thank you to Lisa Jenkins for posting the words to the song 'HEART AND SOUL' by T'Pau. Though I had never heard it before, the words fit the 'feeling' of this story, or rather portions of this story, perfectly. After the mailing list version of this tale is done, I will be editing it and the song may appear in that version. And now...onto the story... HEART AND SOUL #2 ----------------- Sheridan and Ivonava eyed the two men intently. They appeared identical; same features, same hazel-green eyes, same short brown hair. Only the clothes were different. That and the emblem worked in gold on the left breast of the stranger's tunic. It was, Sheridan realized, the hand, shoulders and hands of a creature much like the Gryphip behind them with a nine-point sunburst behind it and a red crystal clutched in clawed hands. "I think," The newcomer said to the security chief. "I'd feel better if you put that weapon away." "I know I would." Annadeara spoke up, shifting on the garden bed. All heard the sharp crack of rocks shattering underneath her. Garibaldi glanced at the PPG in his hand then looked at the creature lounging in the rock garden. "Wouldn't have any effect against her, would it?" "Doubt it." His lookalike said. "Might tickle." Annadeara said thoughtfully. "Wanna give it a try and see? Keeping in mind, of course, that I'm a fickle bitch and may decide to retaliate." Her jaw dropped in what Garibaldi realized was a grin. Her beak looked dangerously sharp. "Anna! Behave!" The man said sternly. "I'm not armed, if that helps you make up your mind." "I am." "Hush, Anna! We removed most of her weaponry." The man explained hastily, obviously seeing the alarm in his other-world twin's eyes. "The projectile wristlets and shoulder mounts. But we couldn't do anything about the beak and claws. They don't come off." Garibaldi stared at him for a long moment then slowly straightened, re- holstering his PPG as he rose. His lookalike straightened with him. "What are you....?"" Sheridan stepped forward, sparing a look for the Gryphip. "Both of you doing here?" "Security matter." The man replied with a slight smile. "Someone is traveling between our two universes...for what purpose, I've no idea. Yet." "How are they traveling between are universes? How did you...and her...get here?" Sheridan demanded. It was immediately obvious from the man's expression that he had hoped that question wouldn't come up but before he could make any type of reply, Delenn stepped forward. "If I may...?" At his nod, she continued. "There are devices, mentioned only in legends among my people, called..." She hesitated, forehead crinkled. "Nexus gates." The Gryphip supplied. "Thank you. Nexus gates. Created by a very old race, not necessarily of this universe." "Or ours." The newcomer added. "When this race was destroyed, these devices, along with many others, were scattered throughout many different universes." Delenn continued. "And sometimes these devices turn up in odd places." The other Garibaldi added. "And, rarer still, sometimes someone figures out how to use them." "And that's how you got here." Ivonava guessed. The man hesitated. "These devices use a great deal of energy. for the initial set-up of the gate. There have been three major surges of power over the past nine days on our station..." He caught Ivonava's sudden stiffness and the apprehensive look she shared with Sheridan. "You've had power surges as well." "Yes." She admitted. "Three." "I thought as much." He took a deep breath. "We believe that whoever the perps are, they started out on this station and, unless you've had another power surge in the last twenty-four hours, are currently on this station." to be continue.... Sacred Circle and Gryphips copyrighted 1994 ADDENDUM: Please send me any comments, suggestions or ideas to me or the mailing list. I would love to hear them. Thank you.