From: Adrienne M Hefter Subject: The Lazarus Syndrome - ch. 5 Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 13:59:01 -0700 Hello all, back from my second trip with one more to go. In the mean time I have done some writing and also put up a web site. DISCLAIMER: BABYLON 5 characters and situations are the creations and copyrighted property of J. Michael Straczynski and Babylonian Productions. Babylon 5, characters, names, and all related indicia are also trademarks of Time Warner Entertainment Co., LP. (c)1994-98 Time Warner Entertainment Co. (I hope that all cover's my a**). SPOILER: Nothing really. Story takes place after season 4. +++++++++ Chapter 5 - Hollow paths Earth, 2244 It had been nearly 6 months since she had been reassigned to the commercial Corp and she had settled in nicely. Lyta Alexander could not remember why she had been transfer out of Psi-Cops, or had she asked for a transfer, all she knew was that she was happy. They had paired her with another young woman, slightly older then she was who had been working as a commercial tep for almost a 4 years. They were also roommates, and as Lyta stood at the bottom of the stairs to the great hall, she looked at her watch waiting for Sarah to arrived. She was getting upset. She hated to be late and Sarah always seemed to be late. As she saw her roommate, friend, and advisor running towards her, she just shook her head. "Sorry, sorry. I know I'm late. Lets get in there," Sarah grabbed Lyta's arm as they went up the stairs. Lyta had liked Sarah Ericsson from the start. She was much shorter then Lyta, with dark curly hair and big brown eyes. Sarah was very petit and most people thought she was quiet stunning. Lyta liked her because she made her laugh and she felt safe with Sarah, she didn't know why, but she did. Sarah also had such a great personality. She was warm and friendly and was also the life of the party. As they went into the large auditorium, Sarah stopped suddenly, "There she is. I can't believe it." Lyta searched in the direction that Sarah was looking. A short distance away from them, near the side aisle of seats was a group of people. There were around 7 or 8 of them and they all seemed to be standing around one young woman. She looked familiar but Lyta could not remember from where. "I totally can not believe it. She's right there," she shook Lyta's arm, "I'm mean right there. I have just got to meet her. God, she's so beautiful." Lyta looked at her roommate and smiled. Sarah was constantly in love with everyone and everything. It seemed every other week it was someone or something new. And this week it was some blonde she had meet the week before on Proxima III. They had worked together on some contract negotiation. "You should hear her speak Lyta. She has got the sexiest voice." Sarah leaned her head on the arm of her much taller companion. Then all of the sudden she jerked herself away. "Hey that's Peter Marshall over there. Come on we can get him to introduce us," before she could say anything they headed over to the group. "Hello Peter," Lyta laughed softly as Sarah tried to put on her best sophisticated adult voice. It was not like she was a child or inexperienced. At 23 Sarah had seen a few planets in her time. It was just that she could not pull it off, she was a goofy giddy girl and most people knew it. "Hello Sarah, Peter nodded in Lyta's direction, "Lyta. What's going on?" The conversation of the three behind her made the young blonde woman turn around. And for the first time Lyta got a really good look at Sarah's latest obsession. She understood now why she was infatuated with her. The girl looked about the same age as Lyta. She was slightly taller then she was, slim but not too skinny. Her velvety blonde hair hung straight down around her shoulders, but it was the stunning green eyes that Lyta noticed the most. They were so warm, so inviting, so comforting. And when she spoke Lyta also realized what Sarah was talking about, "So Peter, are you going to introduce us to your friends." The voice was so sultry and deep. Like smooth silk wrapping around your body. "Oh, of course. Sarah Ericsson, Lyta Alexander, this is Talia Winters." Talia reached out her hand and shook first Lyta's and then Sarah's. When their hands meet Sarah let out a sigh. At first Lyta was mortified, but this elegant woman just smiled and turned to someone else who had asked her a question. Peter also returned to the conversation he had been interrupted from. "I can't believe it. I am so in love. What do you think of her Lyta," Sarah looked expectantly at Lyta. "She seems very nice." She knew her friend was not going to like that answer. "Very nice, what kind of an answer is that. She's wonderful in every way," her eyes glossing over. The lights in the auditorium flickered three times indicating that everyone should take their seats. Lyta had to lead Sarah by the arm away from the group to some seats in the rear of the auditorium. It was going to be another one of those boring talks on appropriate behavior of telepaths during negations between alien races. Lyta wanted to be near the closest exit just in case. The lights went dim and the talk began. Lyta glanced over in the direction that they had just come from; she was looking at her. Quickly Talia averted her eyes away and Lyta smiled. ------------------------------------------ The conference had gone on for nearly 3 days and there was another 4 days of lectures and seminars to go. Lyta was getting board with it all. She knew it was necessary, this is the way they were taught, but she just knew there were better things she could be doing with her time. Again she found herself waiting for Sarah. There was a small gathering and dinner being held that evening and Sarah were determined to get into it. Of course neither of them had been invited, but Sarah figured they could crash it some how. Lyta really didn't think it was a good idea, but somehow Sarah had gotten word that Talia was going to be there, so that is were they where going to be. Lyta had admitted that really wanted to go to the talk also. It wasn't because of this girl Sarah was infatuated with, it was because Director Conrad was going to be speaking and Lyta wanted to see what he was like. She finally saw Sarah running up to her. "Sorry. Sorry. I know. Let's go," Sarah shrugged off her tardiness and the two headed into the conference building. The hurried past the auditorium they had been in a couple of days ago and stopped at the end of the hall. "So, it's being held right down there," Sarah point to the open doors at the end of the corridor to their left. "We just have to figure out how to get in." A look of determination was on her face. Lyta remembered something, another entrance behind the stage. Grabbing Sarah she said, "come on. I think I know a way in." They went to the outside of the building and found the door, it was locked. "Well how the hell are we going to get in?" Sarah looked at Lyta with that 'how you going to do it smart ass' look on her faced "Knock!" and she did. A moment later someone came to the door, "What can I do for you two ladies," Lyta recognized the young man. His name was Derek something or other. They had talked a little bit during one of the more boring lectures a couple of days ago. "Derek, hi. It's Lyta remember," she saw the light of recognition shine in his eyes. "Of course, Lyta Alexander right. How are you doing?" Derek reached out his hand to shake hers. "Good, really good. Look my friend and I wanted to see the Director's speech. Is there any way possible you could let us in?" Lyta was trying to be a sweet as possible. Plus she kind of liked Derek. "Um, I don't know. This is a pretty tight room. Even if I can get you in, there would be no place for you two to sit during dinner," Derek turned around his mind trying to think of what he can do. It was Sarah who chimed in now. "Look we don't need to have dinner or a seat. If you could just get us in, we could find a quiet corner to stand around and just listen. Okay," Sarah wanted in so badly she put a hand on the guy's arm and started rubbing it. Both Lyta and Derek laughed. "Okay. Come on you two," Derek led them behind the stage area and to the opposite side of the room. There was a place just beyond were the guest table and chairs had been set up. It was behind a plant and near a curtain and he thought they could hide there. "Here it is. You can probably mingle for a while till this thing gets going and then come over here. There are suppose to be talks throughout the dinner so you probably wont get too board. All I have to say is if you get caught, I don't know either one of you," with that he smiled and left. "This is brilliant. Do you see her anywhere," Sarah was searching the room. It had begun to fill up pretty quickly and it was difficult to see through the groups of people standing around talking. As she was scanning the crowd Lyta though she recognized Director Conrad. He was standing with a group of about 15 other people. His back was to the same wall that Lyta and Sarah were against. It looked like a lively conversation. "Hey isn't that the Director," Lyta pointed and Sarah followed her finger. "Hey. I think that's him. He looks a lot older then I thought he would," she was scrutinizing the man when they both heard the laugh. It was unmistakable. That deep sultry voice. It was Talia. She was in the group with the Director. Before she could stop her friend, Sarah headed in the groups' direction. As she followed and the group shifted a bit, Lyta could finally see the owner of that laugh. Talia Winters stood to the Director's left, but it was someone else that caught her eye. A little girl clinging to Talia. Lyta had the strangest sensation of apprehension when she saw the child and stopped where she was. The girl was between the director and Talia; she looked to be around 6-years-old, if that. Her dirty blond hair pulled back in a ponytail with wisps of bangs hovering around her eyes. She was obviously very attached to Talia. She had both hands wrapped around the woman's waste, with her head resting on her hip. Talia had a drink in her left hand and kept her right hand on the upper back of the child, holding her firmly against her body. Her first thought was that it was her daughter, but that seemed impossible. Lyta knew know that Talia Winters was only a year older then she was, 19, and if the kid was 5 or so; Talia would have had to have been 14 when she was born, and that was impossible. Psi-Corps had strict rules against pregnancy before a telepath had fully developed their abilities. Most of the time people waited till they were 20 or so and by that time it was the Corp who chose who you would have a child with. Those who didn't wait were usually punished severely by the Corp. So Lyta knew it was impossible. Plus the child looked nothing like her. But yet it was there. Lyta felt it, that loving protectiveness that a parent has for their offspring. It was strange. The girl said something and Talia bent down to hear her. As the girl was talking Talia played with her hair and then kissed her on the forehead. She then said something to the Director, he took the drink she was holding and Talia and the girl headed out of the room. "Look she's leaving. Let's go," Sarah was on her way cutting through the room. Lyta had to rush to catch up to her. "Wait. If we leave now we are not going to be able to get back in." "Who cares. If we could see her outside maybe I could talk to her. Ask her out for coffee. Come on this is the perfect opportunity." And she was gone. Lyta did not want to leave. She knew she wouldn't be able to get back in and she really wanted to hear what the director had to say, but she knew she had to look out for Sarah. She was bound to get herself into trouble. She rushed down the hallway to find her friend. Lyta saw Sarah just as she was entering the bathroom. By the time she slammed through the door, Sarah was already talking to Talia. "... did you managed to get yourself invited to this thing," she batted her long dark eyelashes just before turning to face Lyta. "Hello," Talia said with an amused tone. Then she turned to one of the bathroom stalls, "Remi are you okay." "Ah," the tiny voice called back just as the door opened. She was startled for a moment. Looked at both the other two women and then rested her eyes on Lyta. "Remi darling, come here," Talia helped the little girl up to the sink to wash her hands, as she was doing that she introduced the girl to the other women. "Remi this is Sarah and Lyta." "Hello," the tiny voice unsure. Lyta thought she looked frightened. "Nice to meet you," Sarah broke the silence and continued her conversation with Talia. "So I was wondering. I mean since I wasn't invited and everything, if maybe we could meet for coffee tomorrow and you can tell me what the Directors 'master plan' is" she waved her hands in the air and made a silly face. The little girl relaxed a little and laughed. "I would like that Sarah. Shall we say Ricardo's around 2." She certainly did have the most wonderful voice, Lyta thought to herself as she watched the little girl sink backing into Talia and wrap her arms around her again. "Yes, that would be great. Great. Okay I will see you tomorrow," Sarah couldn't hide her giddiness anymore and Talia laughed softly. "Okay tomorrow then," as she turned to leave she picked up the girl and held her in her arms. The child clung to Talia wrapping both legs and arms around her. "It was nice to see you again Lyta." Then she left. "Oh my god. Oh my god. Pinch me. Tell me this is not a dream," Sarah was acting goofier then usually and put her head on Lyta's shoulder. "What's the big deal. It's only coffee," she was teasing her friend. "The big deal, my so called best friend, is that just about everyone, besides you of course, have asked her out over the last 3 days and she has turned them all down. I'm in like Flynn girlie girlie. You just wait and see." Oh she was very proud of herself indeed. "Well it better be worth it now that I am going to miss Conrad's talk," Lyta pulled away and left Sarah in the bathroom smiling. ++++++++++ Chapter 6 - Rings around our hero. This one is finished also, so I will put it up. I have also finished a rough draft of Chapter 7, which is on the web site. It's actually pretty much done I just want to read it through once more. I have a question about content on this list. Chapter 8 is looking like it's going to be NC-17, is it okay to post sexual content on this list. If not I'll just send a message when the chapter is ready and point everyone to the PoS. Can someone get back to me so I don't send anything improper. The Portal of Slippage - http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Nebula/8469/writings.html Adrienne | amh@mcgweb.com --------------- MESSAGE b5-creative.v001.n781.3 --------------- From: Adrienne M Hefter Subject: The Lazarus Syndrome - ch. 6 Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 14:01:38 -0700 Here is chapter 6. DISCLAIMER: BABYLON 5 characters and situations are the creations and copyrighted property of J. Michael Straczynski and Babylonian Productions. Babylon 5, characters, names, and all related indicia are also trademarks of Time Warner Entertainment Co., LP. (c)1994-98 Time Warner Entertainment Co. (I hope that all cover's my a**). SPOILER: Nothing really. Story takes place after season 4. +++++++++ Chapter 6 - Rings around our hero Orbit around Mars, 18 December 2261 Michael Garibaldi shifted uncomfortably in the captain's chair of the white star. It wasn't just that he was uncomfortable sitting in a chair he never believed he belonged in, he wasn't and would never been Captain material, it was that fact that Sheridan had told Delenn about Susan. And now he was heading into Mars space in a Minbari ship. Garibaldi shook himself out of his mind, he was being overly sensitive, after all this ship would be much more handy if they ran into trouble then just some earth shuttle. There were just too many emotions playing on him and his greatest fear, of loosing control, was disturbing him the most. One of the Minbari behind him said something. "We have arrived at the coordinates you set Captain," Lennier's voice was comforting to him, but did he hear a hint of amusement at the word Captain. "Garibaldi will do just fine Lennier," he turned towards him and saw a slight smile on his face. Garibaldi relaxed a little. "Okay people let's do this," and with that word the ship headed down to Mars. ------------------------------------ Garibaldi and Lennier waited at the door which would lead to the tunnels underneath Bureau 13. They were waiting for their contact. The person who would lead them to Susan. Michael looked over at Lennier, he was surprised by his calmness. Lennier had never really been involved in such an operation, at least Garibaldi didn't think he had been, and for someone who was new at the kidnapping game, he was surprisingly calm. A noise caught their attention. Out of the shadows came a young boy. He could not have been more then 20. Garibaldi started to worry. "Mr. Garibaldi?" He might have been just a boy but he sounded more confident then Michael had given him credit for. "Ya. You Olley?" the boy just nodded "Captain Ivanova is being held in section 9, deep within the facility. It will be hard to get to her but not impossible. I would ask that you do exactly as I say and do not question me. We will have to go through at least two-security checkpoints and it is going to be extremely exhausting for me to get you trough undetected. So I don't need any grief, is that understood." It was not really a question and Garibaldi was becoming more impressed with the boy at each word. "It's your show Mr. Olley," and with that the three went into the tunnel. It had taken them nearly an hour to get as far as they did and they still had a ways to go. The boy, Olley, looked tired. He had managed to get them two thirds of the way to their destination without being detected and Garibaldi was worried he wouldn't make it the rest of the way. Olley sensed Garibaldi's concern, "Don't worry I can do it." Olley wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued on. As they continued down the dark dank tunnel, Garibaldi couldn't help but wonder why this boy was helping them. He knew there were many in Psi-Corps who did not approve of how the situation with Clark had been handled, but he did know most of them were unwilling, or too afraid, to go against their own kind. 'They certainly did stick together.' And yet here was this boy helping them rescue a person who he was sure most of the Psi-Corps wouldn't mind if she just disappeared. Olley sensed his questions and stopped to rest once again. "Mr. Garibaldi. I do not know Captain Ivanova and would not care one way or another about what would happen to her. I am doing this for Remi, because she asked me to. That is all." And without explaining further he continued. Garibaldi know had more questions then he knew he had time to ask them in. Remi, who the hell was that and how did she know they would be coming to get Susan. Was she Psi-Corps? If so why wasn't she here helping them? Garibaldi was not happy with all the questions he had but he continued on. They came to the final checkpoint. "This is it. There is one last checkpoint. We will take those stairs over there," he pointed to a thin metal ladder not far down the tunnel, "and will be in the corridor that the woman is being held in. She is in room 12. Now I told you at the beginning that you would have to do exactly as I ask if you wanted to get to her right?" both Lennier and Garibaldi shook their heads in acknowledgment. "Well now I am going to ask you to do something you are not going to like. I want you to go over to that ladder and go into the corridor. I want you to rush towards the two security guards as fast and as loud as you can. Do you understand?" They better not question me after all I have done for them, Olley thought. And to his surprise they didn't. Without a word Garibaldi and Lennier headed up the latter. Olley took his position underneath were he knew the two guards were. In an instant the two men were in the corridor rushing towards the guards. "Stop." Was all one of the guards had time to say. Both guards pointed their PPG gun's at the two approaching intruders and were ready to blast them. For a moment Garibaldi thought he was dead. The PPG pointing straight at him and then the two guards just stopped, frozen were they where. Both Garibaldi and Lennier just looked at each other and then at the two guards. Just then Olley came up from the ladder. Garibaldi turned around quickly. "What the hell did you do to them." He could see the perspiration coming down heavily from the boy's forehead. "What I did is none of your business. Come on this way," and he headed down the corridor to the door at the end. ------------------------------------------- Susan Ivanova waited, half-conscious and half-unconscious. Conrad had tortured her for how long now, she could not remember. The metal needles were still firmly planted deep into her mind. They had taken her from the room after the escape had occurred, but after a day had brought her back. And here she had remained, strapped into this chair with that machine inside of her. She could not figure out what he wanted from her, could not figure out what he had gotten from her. She did know one of her greatest fears had been realized. He had found out that she was a latent telepath. That discovery had seemed to make Conrad so happy, so sure of what he was doing. And the torture continued, only with increasing severity and pain. And now she waited. Waited for him to return like he did every day at what seemed like the same time. She knew it was approaching. He would be here soon. Just then she heard someone at the door. Closing her eyes, as she always did before he came in, she gathered as much resilience and strength as she could and waited. But nothing happened. No pain. No Conrad. She opened her eyes and gasped. "Susan are you all right," Garibaldi rushed towards her not knowing were to touch her. What to remove first. Coming around from her shock, Susan finally spoke, "Michael. Get me the hell out of here!" Michael started removing her bindings. In any other situation he would have laughed, but he just worked. As he freed her legs and arms, Olley moved behind her and removed the apparatus from her mind. Lennier was watching the door and the two guards still motionless at the end of the corridor. Susan tried to lift herself from the chair but she had no strength. Without a word said, Garibaldi picked her up effortlessly into his arms and the four of them were out of the room and heading back down the corridor. Susan did not even ask when she saw the two guards just standing there frozen. Olley, then Lennier went down the ladder. Garibaldi handed Susan gently to Lennier and then followed. The two of them now carried Susan between them as Olley quickly lead the way. In no time they were back where they had started. Olley turned quickly, "this is were we depart." He reached into the pocket in his pants and pulled out a data crystal. "Please, give this to Remi and tell her," he hesitated for a moment. "Tell her that the past is lost. All we have now is the future." And with that he was gone and along with him went all of Garibaldi's unanswered questions. The sound of the alarm going off startled him. In an instant they left the underground tunnel and headed for the awaiting white star. Then they were gone. ++++++++++ Next: Chapter 7 - Set in stone The Portal of Slippage - http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Nebula/8469/writings.html Adrienne | amh@mcgweb.com