From: Aubrey Adkins Subject: Adventures of Lyta After G'Kar Part 23 of ---(WIP) Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 22:27:32 -0400 Adventures of Lyta After G'Kar Part 23 of ---(WIP) Criticism is welcomed. Without, it there can't be any improvement. Address criticisms to [xazqrten@norfolk.infi.net] Think of this as a space opera. All characters/places/persons not belonging to the writer are the sole properties of their owners, PTEN, WB, JMS, and will be turned over to the owners at the request of their agents. All other characters/places/persons are public domain. Rated PG-10 (Vocabulary ************************************************************** Lyta had taken mental control of her ship's navigation system, and immediately upon entering hyperspace had left the established beacon course, and set off into the heart of the swirling gravity wells like a homing pigeon heading for its roost. Her course such as it was would reduce her travel time to Mars to only a bit more than six hours. A regular passenger liner would require at least a week following the jumpgate-beacon system. Even a whitestar at full burn would require forty-eight hours. As she reckoned it, she was a bit over halfway to Mars when she decided to attempt contacting Susan using telepathy. Lyta had to put great effort into it, but she managed to form a link with Susan. Using Susan's mental images, she could see what Susan was seeing on the Ares.> Lyta let the link dissolve. She was astounded that she could do it, even with the boost that hyperspace gave psi abilities. Then again, Susan wasn't your ordinary everyday telepath. Just over three hours later, Lyta exited hyperspace over Mars. She immediately called Michael Garibaldi. Her shuttle was so small, and there was no jump point formed, that the arrival went unnoticed. ****************************************************************************** "I will be landing in less than fifteen minutes Michael. I have received clearance from Mars control. They didn't even ask where I came from. I would appreciate someone meeting me. I am still officially persona non grata in EA controlled space, and I'm not sure they will recognize my diplomatic passport." "By the time you land, it won't be a problem. This is Mars, and we are independent." Lyta landed and moved her shuttle to short term storage without incident, then headed for the Immigration and Customs area. As she approached the immigration checkpoint she was met by a well-dressed man in his mid-thirties. "Miss Alexander?" Asked the well-dressed gentleman. "I am Barry Forbes. I have been asked to see you through immigration and customs." "Michael is fast," she replied. "He is influential. Have you known him very long?" "Almost ten years. We've been through some rough times together." The immigration official was a young fellow, who eyed Lyta up and down. Business or pleasure Miss Alexander? Will you be with us long?" "Both and not very," replied Lyta. He stamped her passport and waved her on. Customs was even faster. They didn't even look in her small suitcase. "Enjoy your stay on Mars, Miss Alexander," said her escort. "Tell Mr. Garibaldi meeting you was a pleasure for me and the agents back there." "I can do that," she replied smiling. Then she turned and headed toward the surface transportation tubes. ***************************************************************************** "Hello Michael. I appreciate the efforts getting me through the immigrations and customs people." "No problem the guy who runs the place is an old friend and likes you. He was impressed with your taking down Psi Corps." "Did you explain to him that I was only a figurehead?" "He didn't believe me. Do you want to get down to business?" "Only if it includes eating your cooking." "Let's go. We are keeping Lise and supper waiting. Where is Maya?" "I left her on Babylon 5 with some of my people. I didn't want her to see what I might have to do. She will learn soon enough. I'm going to let her be a child as long as possible, even if she really isn't." They entered the dining room. A very pregnant Lise was already waiting for them. There were several other people there. "Lyta, I want you to meet some of my people. Lise you already know. "Kelly Benton," he indicated a fairly young blond haired man, "Is my head of security. He is very good at it. Alice Lowell," he indicated a black haired woman of about forty, "Is my financial guru. Bob Bryson, here," indicating an older salt and pepper haired gentleman, "Is in charge of our black projects division. His work is rather highly classified. Yes, I know no one can keep secrets from you. Bob, the sleepers and such don't work on her. Ladies and gentlemen this is Lyta Alexander, formerly a commercial telepath with the Psi Corps." "Is it really wise to have me this close to a telepath, Mike." "Not to worry. Without her we wouldn't be here now." "I meant no offence Miss Alexander," explained Bryson. "None taken. Michael has never trusted us telepaths. All in all, I can't say that I blame him." "You know that doesn't include you Lyta." Lyta took a bite of her pasta and closed her eyes. She chewed the bite very slowly. Lyta, are you alright?" asked Lise. Lyta nodded yes in reply. Then swallowed. Opening her eyes she commented, "It's a damned shame Michael." "What's a damned shame, Lyta?" asked Michael. "That you don't own a restaurant. Your cooking is too good not to be shared. The least you could do is train some young chefs and help them get into the business." She followed her reply by taking another bite and savoring it. Lise and the guests got a laugh out of the comment. "I will take it under advisement, Lyta," replied Garibaldi. "You know how to get to his heart Lyta. Just compliment his cooking," noted Lise. The rest of the meal was quiet as the diners enjoyed the food. Michael was a superb cook. Dessert and coffee complimented the meal admirably. "You have business here Miss Alexander," asked Bryson. "Actually my business is on Earth. Michael has helped me with some of the arrangements. Besides, if you think I am going to pass up a chance to eat his cooking, you're crazy." "Would I be out of line if I asked what kind of business?" Continued Bryson. "Not at all. Some people have put out a contract on me, and they don't care who else gets hurt in the process. I am going to show them the error of their ways. Some people tried to ruin a friend of mine, and others were in on the efforts to destroy Babylon 5. I plan to educate them. Anything else is personal, so don't ask." "That sounds like a pretty tall order for a former commercial telepath." "Bob. The operative word here is was. She is not a P-5 anymore," commented Garibaldi. "Anything else about her isn't really any of your business. People who don't understand that usually regret their error for a very long time." "Did the doctor tell you what the sex of the baby would be?" asked Lyta, smoothly changing the subject. "No. Michael didn't want to know ahead of time," replied Lise. "I wondered. I can tell what it is, but I'll keep it to myself." "It'll take a couple of days to arrange transportation to Earth, Lyta," commented Michael. "I have time, but not too much. I can enter through a regular spaceport. They won't recognize me." "I'd rather you keep away public places. Let's face it, when you finish, the excrement is going to impact the ventilation system impeller big time," replied Michael. "As you wish. This is your turf. I'm just the visiting team." Lise rose from the table and said, "I'd like to catch up on the latest Babylon 5 gossip. You don't mind do you Lyta?" Lyta looked at Michael and said, "Later. I'm all yours Lise." Then she rose and followed Lise out of the room. ***************************************************************************** "Mike," asked Bryson, "Is getting mixed up with this woman really a good idea?" "Does she bother you Bob?" "She exudes danger. I don't know why, but she scares me." "I agree, Mike," added Benton. "We know about the telepath war, but we don't know squat about her since. She just vanished for a couple of years." "What do you have in mind? She is my friend, and I don't want you two to do anything I will regret for the rest of my life." "You boys sure are afraid of her. She is only a female telepath and only a P-5 at that. What real danger could she be?" "I'm glad you asked. Let's take the coffee into my private study. I have some educational data crystals you may find interesting. ****************************************************************************** "How is Michael taking your pregnancy?" "He is thrilled. He is anxious since I have really swollen up. Most men would want to know what the baby will be." "Maybe he will be happy, no matter its sex. Knowing Michael, he only wants it to be healthy." "I agree. He is adamant about me keeping my doctor appointments." "Do you want to know what the sex is?" "Yes, but I am afraid I would slip and he would learn it too. That would really make him mad." Lyta put her hand on Lise's belly and rubbed gently. "What was that for?" "It is a girl." After a moments concentration, she said, "You won't accidentally tell Michael or anyone else about it." "How can you be so sure?" "I put in a mental block that will prevent it. When the baby is born, the block will decay until it is gone." "I'm not sure I like that idea." "You haven't been harmed. You just won't be able to mention the sex of your unborn child accidentally. The block will not affect you in any other way. If you actively try to tell someone about its sex, the block won't prevent you. Its only purpose is to prevent Michael from learning from you by accident. If you insist, I will remove it." Lise thought about it for a minute. "Leave it in." They had ordered tea and retired to Lise's study. She wanted to hear about the latest from Babylon 5. Lyta thought it a bit odd, since except for Michael, Lise had no connections to the space station. Maybe it had something to do with her being pregnant. Lyta got comfortable in the recliner chair. It was overstuffed and covered with a very soft luxurious crushed velvet material. "You do love the creature comforts Lise," said Lyta, burrowing into the chair. "It doesn't make much sense to not enjoy life when you can. Besides, you seem to like the chair." "It is very comfortable. I could learn to like this life style." "From what Michael tells me, you aren't exactly living on welfare, yourself." "I do have a few credits here and there." "Why do you travel in that small shuttle? You can afford better." "It serves my purposes. I also learned to do without when I worked for the Vorlons, not that I had a choice." "Why didn't you bring Maya. You told Michael I would get to baby-sit her." "I left her with a young telepath who works for me. She and Maya have formed a fairly strong bond. Maya isn't what you'd expect from a four-year old." "You mean, she would have more than I can handle." "Not at all. She wouldn't have given you any trouble at all. In fact because of your condition, she would have been very helpful." "We are talking about a four-year old little girl, aren't we?" "She is a four-year old human-Vorlon hybrid. She has the body and emotional development of a four-year old human, but the knowledge of a young Vorlon and mental abilities of a twenty-year old human. You would like her." "It would have been a very interesting visit, to say the least. Now tell me about the attack and Captain Ivanova's trial." "Well to begin with it was a fact-finding board of inquiry..." ****************************************************************************** "Where did you get those recordings Mike?" Asked Bryson. "I have some private sources. Friends I made over the years." "How do you know that these aren't fabrications?" Asked Lowell. "Let me tell you a tale from the telepath war." Twenty minutes later, his friends and employees sat quietly digesting what they had just heard. "I believe the story. You can or not as pleases you. This woman is very special to me," Michael stated flatly. The others just looked at him. "I have personally had her remove psi-cop blocks from my mind as if they were nothing. She saved my life that time. I know what she can do." There was a light knock on the study door. Michael didn't have a chance to unlock and open it. Lyta opened the locked door and entered the room. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" The four looked from one to another. Lyta had just opened a door locked with the latest high security lock available. That is a pretty neat trick, Miss Alexander. Care to tell us how you did it?" Asked Bryson. "There isn't anything to tell. It wasn't a trick," responded Lyta. "You expect us to believe that?" Inquired Lowell. "I don't particularly care what you do or do not believe. Your turn Mr. Benton." "I accept that it isn't a trick, Miss Alexander. However, I do wonder how you managed it. That is the most advanced lock of its kind, presently in existence. It isn't available to the public," responded Benton. "Try to open the door Michael!" ordered Lyta. He did and found it locked. He tried the cardkey and thumbprint-DNA retinal scanner releases and it was still locked. He looked at the group and shrugged his shoulders. "Try turning the knob now." He did and the door opened without hesitation. "Do you still believe it is a trick? Even if I tell you how I do it, it would do you no good. Unless you are a far more powerful telekinetic and telepath than any previously recorded, you can't do it." "But you are only a P-5," insisted Lowell. "Believe whatever you wish!" snapped Lyta. "Okay boys and girls, let's not piss off our guest. She may introduce us to a stroke or heart attack if she gets irritated," admonished Michael. "I didn't know Lise had any interest in Babylon 5, Michael." "Ever since the attack, she has been interested in things there, particularly Susan's problems. She met Susan after her last deployment and they have developed a close friendship." "I gave her all I could without violating security restrictions. She is disappointed that I didn't bring Maya." "Why didn't you?" "She wanted to stay with one of my telepaths, a young woman in her mid-twenties. They have formed a very close bond." "Like I told you earlier, it will take a couple of days to get set up for your trip to Earth." "That's a waste of time Michael. If you will supply the coordinates of the landing area, I'll do the rest." "Pardon me Miss Alexander, but how do you propose to avoid the Earth planetary defense system scanners?" Asked Bryson. Shaking her head, Lyta responded, "I will drop my shuttle out of hyperspace about a foot from the surface of the planet. If Drakh cruisers and fighters can't detect me from point blank range, I figure Earth's defenses don't have a prayer." "You saw what opening a jump point in an atmosphere is like first hand Lyta, right here on Mars, during the final phase of the civil war." "There won't be a jump point Michael. There wasn't when I arrived in orbit over Mars today." "Are you saying that you don't need a jumpgate or to generate a jump point to enter and exit hyperspace?" Asked Lowell. "I just did." "You don't mind if I am a bit skeptical, do you?" She asked. "I really don't care what you do, or believe, or anything else, Ms. Lowell. Michael, for your sake I hope she displays more common sense in her dealing with money than she is displaying here tonight." "There isn't any reason to get testy Lyta," said Michael. "I don't like being called a liar every time I open my mouth, and the next one that does it, will regret it!" Snapped Lyta. "Just give me the coordinates of the location and I will be out of here." "I can't do that Lyta. I have to make a few arrangements first," said Michael. "You knew I was coming all day Michael. Why the song and dance. If you have concerns for my safety, don't. I can take care of myself." "I know that. I want to make sure my people are not in the way. I don't want them to get hurt or worse arrested. What we are doing isn't exactly legal." "Just have them leave the area and give me the coordinates. I will take care of the rest. Their guests won't remember anything that happened to them since they were captured." "Just give me until morning." "You got it. I have to get me a hotel room. It is mid afternoon for me because of the time difference." "I will see you in my office around noon tomorrow, if that is okay?" "It will do just fine Michael." Lyta walked over, opened the door and left the four of them looking at each other in confusion. Benton stepped over to the door and tried to open it. It was still locked. "I'd still love to know how she does that. I really would." "She isn't very friendly," commented Lowell. "In fact, she was down right rude." "If you had just met someone and every time you said something, they called you a liar, how would react?" Asked Benton. "The things she claims to be able to do are preposterous," insisted Lowell. "I think you are very wrong Alice. She told us about things just like she would say hello in passing. She stated them as simple facts. I agree with Kelly. I would love to know how she did what she did with the door," noted Bryson. "With Lyta there are no tricks. She is just what she says," said Michael. "I think I am inclined to believe what you showed us on those data crystals Mike. As hard as it is to believe, I really am inclined to do so," replied Bryson. "Next you will be telling us she can walk through walls Mike. Get real," snorted Lowell. "If you would believe Susan Ivanova, then captain and now general in earthforce, she can," replied Garibaldi. "I will make the arrangements Mike. I see no reason to delay any longer than necessary," commented Bryson. "Make sure he has the money Alice, and make sure it can't be traced." "That I can do Mike." "Kelly, make sure she doesn't have to hurt anybody. If she feels threatened, she can be very deadly. Just ask those thousands of Drakh who died in the attack on Babylon 5, if you don't believe me." "I believe you Mike. She doesn't impress me as being afraid of anything," replied Benton. "We will meet again after this is done. I want her to debrief with us before she leaves." ****************************************************************************** It was almost noon when Lyta came walking into Michael's office. She was dressed in her traditional black work clothes. "You are looking fabulous as usual Lyta." "I am ready to leave Michael." "Your shuttle has been refueled and is ready to leave. All the other arrangements have been made. I have one request though." "What's on your mind?" "I want Bob Bryson to go with you." "Your head of covert operations? Michael this trip could get very dangerous for a normal human." "I know. You are going to learn things that may have effects reaching much farther than just what you are concerned with." "Okay." Michael signaled and Bryson entered the office through the door that was located behind and to the left of him. "It's a go Bob. We have an understanding." "Oh?" responded Bryson. "I don't baby-sit adults," commented Lyta. "You had better be able to fend for yourself." "Seems reasonable to me," replied Bryson. "If you don't mind Miss Alexander, call me Bob." "As you wish Bob. You can call me anything that comes to mind. However, I respond to Lyta much more quickly than I do slut or whore." Bryson smiled and said, "Mike, I think Lyta and I will do just fine. Shall we go?" "Lead on." ****************************************************************************** As they approached the departure area of the Main Mars Spaceport Lyta and Bob were intercepted by Barry Forbes, the man who had shepherded Lyta through immigration and customs when she arrived. "Miss Alexander, it is so nice to see you again. I am sorry you aren't staying longer." "Not to worry Barry. Lyta and I have some business to attend to. We will be coming back." "Her shuttle is ready and waiting Bob. You two take care." "Consider it done Barry." "Lyta had said nothing during the exchange. As she and Bob walked toward the shuttle, she commented, "You seem to know everyone around here." "Barry and I go way back. We fought in the underground together for years. Neither of us care much for Earth or its leaders. We lost a lot of good friends in that damned war. I figure you lost a few too." "Do you know how we defeated the destroyers they sent here to stop Sheridan?" "Mike has told me about it. It seems fantastic on the surface, but after meeting you, I am not so sure. If Mike is to be believed, you may be single-handedly responsible for Sheridan winning the damned thing." "I was instrumental in the process. My efforts avoided many thousands of casualties on both sides. It did cost me thirty of my fellow telepaths, but they were as good as dead anyway. We just used them to good advantage." "I am sorry Lyta." "We all did what we had to do Bob. We all made personal sacrifices, and most of them were not made willingly." They reached the shuttle and boarded it. Removing their breathing masks, they took stations at the pilot and co-pilot positions in the shuttle. ****************************************************************************** They were passing out of Mars' atmosphere when Lyta said, "We are being followed." "Do you know who it is?" "No. we will lose them when we transition to hyperspace." "Transition? How? We don't have jump engines on this thing do we?" Lyta looked at him and grimaced. "Of course not, and they could follow us if we used a jumpgate. I will use the larger moon to hide us when we make the shift." "This I have to see." "You will. You have my word on it." Bryson looked at Lyta, but he didn't detect any humor in her expression. Then he looked back at the readouts. "Whoever he is, he is overtaking very rapidly. We aren't going to make Phobos before he catches up to us." "Um, you're right, but there isn't one. There are two. They are Thunderbolt fighters flying a very tight formation, and they intend to destroy us." "Not to put a point on it, but what are we going to do?" "We aren't going to do anything. I am going to send them back where they came from." With that said, she closed her eyes and concentrated. Opening her eyes, she looked at Bryson and said, "It has been taken care of." "What did you do?" "I programmed their minds to return to their mother ship at maximum burn all the way. When they arrive, they will fly into the launch bay at maximum burn with all their cannons blazing away. I figure it will dissuade them from doing anything like this again." "I noticed an earthforce destroyer as we left Mars. Do you think they are responsible?" "I know they aren't. This has the earmarks of a paid contract. These guys were launched from a freighter." "How about people on it who weren't involved? You will be killing some innocent people." "I am not killing anyone Bob. I didn't launch those fighters. I am getting damned tired being a target. It's time they learned that shooting at me isn't going to work. If they had destroyed my shuttle, they still wouldn't have killed me. However, you would be history." "Are you saying they can't kill you?" "Not with normal weapons they can't. If you can get me to sit on a nuke while you detonate it, that would probably do the job, but I'm not really certain about it. I can move from normal space to hyperspace faster than a trigger device can operate." "Why are you telling me this?" "If you repeat it, people will think you're crazy. Well, maybe Michael wouldn't. As soon as we enter hyperspace, call the installation and tell them to put one low power beacon right in the center of the landing pad. Just in case they screw it up, how accurate are these coordinates?" "They are accurate to within a quarter meter in all three axis. We are almost at Phobos Lyta." Lyta moved them close in behind Phobos, so the shuttle was hidden from Mars' sensor systems. "When are you going......My god, we're in hyperspace." "So we are, Bob. So we are. Now call the installation. Tell them we will be there in about twenty minutes or so." Bryson just sat looking at her. Lyta snapped her fingers in front of his face a couple of times. "Lyta Alexander to Bob Bryson, are you there?" Bryson snapped back to reality. "You did it. You really did it." "Is there an echo in here Bob?" "No." He then proceeded to contact the installation on Earth and make arrangements for the beacon. ************************************************************************** "What do you think Major Kent?" "I think we get a beacon set up in the center of the landing pad." "Where were they calling from?" "Best our intelligence monitors can estimate, somewhere near Mars." "Then we have plenty of time. It will take them a couple of days to get here." "The man said twenty minutes. I know Bob Bryson, and he isn't into practical jokes." "Yes sir. One beacon coming up." Hesitating a moment, the young officer added, "Who is the broad he is bringing with him sir." "Lieutenant Williams, don't talk about women like that in front of me again. You know nothing about her. But for your information, she worked very closely with Mr. Garibaldi and the Mars resistance during the civil war. She also was the head mind scrambler in the telepath war. For your own health, stay away from her. You arrogance about women might earn you a reward you don't want." "Whatever you say Major. The last thing I need is to get my ass in the sling again...Sir." Major Rufus Kent watched Lieutenant Williams walk away and wondered how long it would be before his arrogant attitude would bring his career to a close. He was already composing some remarks for the young officer's next fitness report in his mind. They would not help him at all when the next promotion board reviewed his fitness reports and performance record. ****************************************************************************** Williams stopped for a cup of coffee on his way to give his leading chief orders to get the beacon set up. [Twenty minutes the major said. What a crock.] He thought to himself. Having gotten his coffee, he stopped to harass a young enlisted technician who was typing up a report. Williams fancied himself a lady's man. It had been fifteen minutes since the major had sent him to get the beacon set up. "That's what the major said Chief. We have twenty minutes to get it set up." "How long ago did he tell you this Mr. Williams?' "What difference does it make Chief. They are coming from Mars. We have plenty of time." "Lieutenant. You're new here. When the major says twenty minutes, that's exactly what he means, not nineteen or twenty-one. Your dallying is going to have all our asses in the sling. SIR!" Getting on the phone the chief made three quick calls. "Come on Lieutenant. You may as well see the results of your not taking the major seriously." The chief left on the run and Williams followed at a normal walking pace. **************************************************************************** "We are there Bob. I don't sense any beacon. I thought these people were dependable." "So did I. Someone is going to answer for this. It is gross incompetence." "I can get us down, but it's not going to be a cake walk." ****************************************************************************** END PART 23 From: Aubrey Adkins Subject: Adventures of Lyta After G'Kar Part 24 of ---(WIP) Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 18:54:59 -0400 Adventures of Lyta After G'Kar Part 24 of ---(WIP) Criticism is welcomed. Without, it there can't be any improvement. Address criticisms to [xazqrten@norfolk.infi.net] Think of this as a space opera. All characters/places/persons not belonging to the writer are the sole properties of their owners, PTEN, WB, JMS, and will be turned over to the owners at the request of their agents. All other characters/places/persons are public domain. Rated PG-10 (Vocabulary *************************************************************************** The installation landing pad was deserted. Major Kent was observing from the control tower, set into the hillside just above the landing pad. There was no sign of the beacon he had ordered installed. [Mr. Williams, your career is over. You have hung the wrong man out to dry.] Down below on the landing pad there appeared two men carrying a small signal beacon. The major checked his watch. It had been twenty minutes since the conversation with Bryson. The man was renowned for being punctual. The thought had no sooner formed in Major Kent's mind than a shuttle almost as large as the pad appeared out of nowhere with its vertical thrusters operating at maximum. It settled down in the precise center of the pad, almost crushing the workmen under one of its wheels. Only the pilot's marvelous handling of the shuttle had prevented their being killed. [You are gone Lieutenant Williams. You are gone.] *********************************************************************** "LYTA LOOK OUT! THERE ARE MEN BELOW US!" Screamed Bryson. Lyta quickly stopped the shuttle's descent, and maneuvered it to miss the men when she sat it down on the pad. She immediately cut its engines and lowered the debarkation ladder. She and Bryson rushed out to check on the men. Fortunately they were not injured. They were wearing required protective clothing. It was night in this part of the world. The lights lit up the landing pad. Chief Johnson who had detailed the men to do the setup rushed onto the pad to see what their condition was. "Don't sweat it Chief," said Lyta. "They're only shook up and scared out of their wits." The major arrived a few moments later to find Chief Johnson and Bob Bryson helping the men walk toward the exit from the pad. There several enlisted personnel helped them to the installation medical facility. Bryson turned to the major. "I would have sworn I requested a low power beacon be set up Major." "Yes you did, Mr. Bryson." "Let's get some coffee and something to eat Major Kent. I have had a most interesting day so far, and can't wait to hear you explain why there wasn't a beacon set up for us." "This way Mr. Bryson," indicated the major. Lyta fell in behind them. Williams arrived as Major Kent, Bryson and Lyta were about to leave the area. "Chief Johnson, Mr. Williams follow us!" Ordered Major Kent. Williams looked Lyta up and down. "I don't think we have been introduced." Lyta's eyes drilled holes through Williams. "You are incompetent Mr. Williams, and I don't care to know you!" snapped Lyta. Williams' jaw dropped at the statement. [Arrogant incompetent bastard, someone who can see through you.] Thought Chief Johnson to himself. **************************************************************************** In the installation version of a wardroom, Bryson and Lyta relaxed and ate sandwiches and drank real coffee while Major Kent grilled Williams and Johnson. "You are restricted to your quarters Lieutenant Williams. I will file charges of willful disobedience of an order resulting in the endangering of both personnel and the site first thing in the morning. Chief Johnson you are dismissed." "Thank you sir. I need to check on my men." "Major," said Lyta. "You might want to put Lieutenant Williams under guard. He is thinking that if his career is gone he might as well take out you and Chief Johnson." "Scanning someone without their permission is against the law," groused Williams. "So it is," agreed Lyta. "However, I didn't scan you. Your thoughts are so strong any telepath within a kilometer knows what you have in mind. Anyway, I am not a citizen of Earth, nor am I human, and if that isn't enough, I have a diplomatic passport. So, sue me." Major Kent raised his link to his mouth and called security. "Miss Alexander, I assume you are here to interview our guests." "Yes. It can wait until morning. Major do you have monitoring facilities? I am interested in what is transpiring in orbit around Mars." "Might I ask what you wish to monitor." "Someone sent two thunderbolt fighters to destroy my shuttle, and me and Bob with it. I sent them back, so to speak." ****************************************************************************** Aboard the converted freighter, the captain was monitoring the results of sending the two fighters after Lyta's shuttle. He had not been informed of the target's identity. He had been paid handsomely and hadn't asked questions. It was the to be the last wrong major decision of his life. "Captain, they are returning. I didn't detect any explosions. Also they haven't answered our hail," said his first mate. "Exactly where are they?" The first mate pushed a few buttons and the forward display unit showed only blackness punctuated by the constant light from the distant stars. "I can't see them. Magnify the display." The display fuzzed then cleared and he could barely see two very small specks. Looking over at the tactical display he had installed the captain was bothered. "They seem to be under full burn and accelerating. We can't land them like that." "They are twenty thousand kilometers away and closing at almost fifty thousand kilometers per hour." "Navigator! Get us the hell out of here." "They are changing course Captain. They are constant bearing decreasing range (CBDR)." "Engineer, we have an emergency here. I need all the power this tub can muster. Number one, man the weapons and shoot them out of the sky!" A minute later, the first mate looked at his captain and said, "They are moving too fast. I can't get a lock on them." "Start shooting. Use manual control. If you don't get lucky, we are going to be very dead." Looking at the sensor displays again, the captain continued, "As if we don't have enough trouble, we have company. There is a destroyer moving toward us." "Unless they are going to be here in thirty minutes or less, I wouldn't worry about them. All they are going to find when they get here is very small pieces," replied the first mate." ****************************************************************************** Onboard the earthforce destroyer Akron, the CIC watches were observing the unfolding events. "Captain the thunderbolt's id signatures match those of the ones stolen last month from the Poseidon." "Well, I can tell former Captain Dale where his fighters went missing." "Captain Ling, did they really bust him out of the service over that?" Asked the weapons console operator. "Oh yes. There was a breakdown in his security and investigators laid the blame at his feet. They made an example out of him." "Why didn't they make an example out of Captain Ivanova? She disobeyed orders and got two ships shot all to hell sir?" Looking at the youngster thoughtfully, Captain Ling replied, "Son, when you go up against superior forces and bring your ship and crew back alive and destroy the enemy in the process, they turn a blind eye to the little things. When you save a multibillion credit space station and the two hundred-fifty thousand beings on it, they turn a very blind eye to the little things. Let me add, I agree with their actions." "Why don't those standards apply to us sir?" "Son, if you ever disobey orders and save that many people by doing it, take my word, no one will remember what it was you disobeyed." "Captain. The freighter is trying to contact the fighters. It seems that the freighter launched them," noted the communications watch. "He isn't having any luck." "How long until the fighters arrive at the freighter." "They will be there in less than twenty minutes sir. We won't get there for at least an hour and that is only if we proceed at top speed," replied the weapons console operator. "I guess we will have to survey the pieces, if they're large enough." "Communications, establish a circuit with earthdome. I want to let them know we found their missing thunderbolts." ****************************************************************************** "This is our communications monitoring center Lyta," said Major Kent. "Are sure you aren't going to be getting into trouble showing me this? After all, I'm only here to interview the guests," she replied. "Not to worry Lyta. Michael said you could have whatever access was deemed proper. In other words you can go anywhere you want," replied Bryson. "Well, I don't need that much access, even if I have paid for most of this place." "I didn't know that," said Major Kent. "I thought this was a military installation." "Neither did I," echoed Bryson. Major Kent added, "I thought this was a military installation." "It is. Michael and I share in a number of "projects". Few people know anything at all about that aspect of our relationship, and there are no records of any of it. In fact only a few military types are aware of it, and there is no paperwork to trace." "Major, we are intercepting a gold channel call from the EAS Akron to earthdome." "We are sure general. The response to the id interrogation indicates they are the missing hardware. They appear to be on a collision course with an unidentified freighter. The freighter has tried to contact them, but have had no success. We have hailed the freighter, but have not had a reply. I suspect that they are more worried about the fighters than they are about us." "Thank you, Captain Ling. Your report is noted. Please follow up with any other particulars. Earthdome out." "You said you sent them back, Lyta." "That is exactly what I said." "I thought they were from the destroyer." "One of the advantages of being a telepath Bob. You don't have to think. You can be sure." Lyta closed her eyes for a full minute, then opened them again. "In about ten minutes they will impact the freighter at a relative speed of almost seventy thousand KPH. It should make for a big bang and leave a good bit of dust." "You are cold Miss Alexander," commented Major Kent. Casting her patented icy stare on Major Kent, she replied, "Colder than you can possibly imagine Major." "Major, do you have a communications panel that I can use to contact Mr. Garibaldi on Mars?" "Of course, Mr. Bryson. Follow me." Lyta and Bryson followed the major out of the intelligence monitor room. Inside the room the major had shown them to, Bryson initiated a call to Garibaldi on Mars. ************************************************************************** Back in the monitoring room. "They are going to call Mars. Monitor it," ordered the Major. He knew they expected him to do just that. It would be amusing to see how they tried to keep it private. "Mike. We have a problem. I think we should use the crystal," said the voice and image on the monitor screen. "Give me a minute Bob," answered the voice and image of Michael Garibaldi. Thirty seconds later the monitor images and sound dissolved into random noise. The major's people could not copy anything from the circuit after the encryption began. "I'll be damned," commented Major Kent. "Whatever they are using it is certainly effective. Can we recover anything from this noise?" "We're feeding it to the computers Major, but I've never seen anything this effective before. The truth is if a circuit was covered by this before you began monitoring, you would not even recognize it as an intelligent signal." ****************************************************************************** "Mike. We have a leak. There were two thunderbolts literally waiting for us to leave Mars." "My sources had reported that there was a theft from an EA destroyer. The captain was busted out of the service. I see you escaped. What happened to the thunderbolts?" "Lyta says she sent them back where they came from." Lyta stepped into the pickup's range and looked thoughtfully at Michael. "Can you step outside in a minute or so?" "Sure. Why?" "They were launched by a freighter. I sent them back at full burn. In less than five minutes they will reach their mother ship and try to land...At seventy thousand KPH relative speed. It should make a very impressive bang." "I will start a discrete investigation Bob. Maybe Lyta can help. After all, it was probably her they were gunning for. Lyta will you help?" "Glad to Michael. I think the failed attempt on Babylon 5 panicked the responsible parties. This failure should put them into full flight." "Good luck tomorrow guys," said Michael. He then broke the circuit. ****************************************************************************** "Michael who was that?" Asked Lise. "It was Bob and Lyta," he replied walking out on the large balcony. Lise waddled out to join him. "Did they have anything interesting to say?" "Lyta said I should watch the sky. She said she arranged for a fireworks display of sorts." Both started to watch the sky. "Won't we have trouble seeing it during the daytime?" She queried. "I don't think so Lise. I don't think so." A minute later both saw a very large brilliant explosion somewhere above the Martian atmosphere that lit up the whole sky. ****************************************************************************** "Captain Ling. We have been unable to contact either the freighter or the fighters. We have interrogated the life support monitor functions aboard the fighters. The pilots seem to be relaxed to the point of being asleep. It's as if they don't realize what is about to happen." "I don't know why, but I am not really surprised. I only wish I knew who or what did this." "In two minutes it won't make any difference Captain." ****************************************************************************** "First, we need something from you!" We can't outrun them and our jump engines are off line! Engineer! Is there any hope on the jump engines?" "We are powering them up now Captain, but it is problematical whether we can escape." "We have two minutes Captain. They are so close now," said the first mate, "That even if I hit them the wreckage will probably destroy us." "Captain, we are opening a jump point now," said the navigator. As the jump point fully formed, the two thunderbolts ripped through the freighter at almost eighty thousand KPH still accelerating under full power. The resulting explosion could be seen over half the surface of Mars, even in full daylight. The freighter disintegrated into an expanding cloud of dust and very small debris. ****************************************************************************** Looking at Bryson, Lyta noted, "It's over. They're gone." "I assume you mean the fighters and the freighter." "Yes. I think a nap is in order Bob. It has been a long day for such a short period of time." "Let's get the major to have someone show us where we are sleeping." "You go ahead. I am going to sleep on the shuttle. It has several bunks and there are no monitor devices to worry about." Lyta turned and walked away down the passageway. Bryson watched her go and thought, [What did I get myself involved in?] A moment later Major Kent walked up to Bryson and asked, "Where is your associate?" "She went to bunk on her shuttle." "Why? We have quarters ready for you?" "I don't think she trusts anyone very much. Someone knew enough about our plans to try and ambush us. Under those circumstances, would you be trustful of people you don't know." "No, I don't suppose I would," replied Major Kent. "Let me show you to your quarters." Both men turned in step and walked down the passageway the in the opposite direction Lyta had gone. ****************************************************************************** It was 0630 and Lyta was enjoying her second cup of real coffee, after having just finished a breakfast of bacon, eggs, grits, toast, pancakes and hash browns. Bryson entered the ward room and took a seat at her table. "You do get an early start. Don't you?" "I wasn't that tired. Besides I beat the crowd this way." "When are you going to get started on the guests. I do like that euphemism." "It does have a civilized ring to it. Seriously though, I figure we'll have to wait for the day shift to arrive. We don't even know where they are being kept." The steward took Bryson's breakfast order and brought Lyta more coffee." ***************************************************************************** It was 0700 when an earthforce colonel accompanied be Major Kent entered the wardroom. They made for Lyta's table. "Miss Alexander, Mr. Bryson, may I introduce our commanding officer, Colonel Bruce Nixon," said Major Kent. Bryson rose and shook the colonel's hand. Lyta remained seated and simply said, "Good morning Colonel Nixon. I and Mr. Bryson would like to see your guests as soon as possible." "Are you always so direct Miss Alexander?" Asked Nixon. "I have had to delay these interviews until the board of inquiry was finished with their business, and had departed Babylon 5. That puts me well behind where I had hoped to be in this endeavor, Colonel." "It was short notice from Mr. Garibaldi, but they are ready. We have been keeping them on sleepers to prevent any problems with their psi abilities. Does that present any problem?" "Not at all Colonel. It just means I won't have to damage them to get what I want. That is if they have any information that may be pertinent." "I don't suppose you or Mr. Bryson are going to enlighten us about any of this?" "It is safer that way. You can't tell what you don't know. Believe me Colonel Nixon, you don't want to even have a hint of what this is all about. When I finish with them, I will erase all memory of their capture and their time here from their minds, and give them memories of a wonderful vacation. Your people can drop them in hotel rooms and forget about them." "Major Kent will have to take you to them. This installation is divided into two physical parts. This side is a normal command. The other side is "Spook City" and even though I am the commanding officer, I am not permitted to even go into the place. Major Kent is my XO and that is his part of the place. You and Mr. Bryson are going to see a part of my command I am not allowed into." "If you're finished here, we can be on our way," commented Major Kent. ***************************************************************************** It took almost thirty minutes before Lyta and Bob were finally allowed into Major Kent's side of the installation. Lyta realized this was what Michael had wanted the extra time for. "You will be restricted to where you can go until we get the rest of your clearance data." "Not a problem Major. We only want to do our business and get the hell out of here," said Bryson. It took another thirty minutes before they finally arrived at the cells where the telepaths were being held. As they entered the cell area, Lyta turned to the major and the escorts and said, "You and your people, including those on duty inside the cell area, will have to wait outside Major. What we are going to do is not in your need to know area." "We can't leave you alone with them Miss Alexander. There are security considerations." "You and your people will wait outside Major. This is not a request. I have the ability to make you stay outside this area. Don't make me prove it." Lyta and Bryson entered the cell area and didn't look back. The major motioned for the cell area security guards to come out of the cell area and for two of his men to follow Lyta and Bryson. As they tried to step through the doorway, they screamed and fell to the floor unable to move. As soon as they were dragged out of the doorway, they quit screaming and returned to normal. The major moved into the doorway and immediately felt like every cell in his body was on fire. The pain was unbearable, and he screamed and fell backward out of the doorway. Instantly the pain was gone. Looking at his men, the major said, "I guess we stay out here. You men stand guard here with the cell security watch. I will send reliefs in two hours." "Major, considering what we just experienced, do you seriously expect anyone to wander in there?" Asked one of his men, a corporal. "No, but I want someone here for escort duty when they finish. Somehow, I am beginning to feel sorry for the fellows in those cells." ***************************************************************************** Bryson found himself standing waist deep in the most foul smelling putrid slimy sewer he could ever imagine. There were unknown things growing on the walls and ceiling and hanging down at face level. He puked twice until his stomach was completely and nothing more would come forth. "Where in God's name are we Lyta. This place is like being in your worst nightmare's sewer." "Um, I'm glad you noticed that, but don't blame me. This is your mind's interpretation of his thoughts and memories." He bumped into several things that felt lumpy in a sickly squishy way. "What do you mean?" "You are seeing his thoughts and memories in your minds eye. None of this real except in your mind. It's what happens when a normal or an untrained telepath is exposed to another beings thoughts. His or her mind tries to process those thoughts and memories into an understandable frame of reference. That's why so many telepaths burn out during the years of training we undergo. The greater the psi ability the more intense the training. It's that or go nuts. That's one of the few good things Psi Corps did. Another is the discipline to keep out the thoughts of others." "You make it sound like being a telepath can be a real burden." "It can be under certain circumstances." It was during this exchange that Bryson saw something rising out of the wet gooey slime just ahead of them. In spite of the heat and humidity of the place, Bryson's blood began to feel like slush ice moving through his veins. This had to be the most hideous thing he could ever imagine. Its face what there was of it looked like it was sliding around on its skull. Bryson tried to puke again, but only dry heaved. "Bob, I think this who we are looking for. Let's see if he is willing to answer questions, or if I am going to have to get nasty." Bob looked at Lyta in disbelief. How could it be any nastier than it was. He would learn shortly. Walking up to the thing, Lyta put her arm around its shoulder and whispered into its 'ear', we can do this easy or hard. It's your choice. I guaranty you aren't going to like the hard way." In front of Bryson, Lyta began to fight with the creature. It was over in less than a minute and the creature was screaming in pain. Bryson moved in closer to Lyta and the creature. He was stunned to see what appeared to be a white mist descend from the ceiling of the sewer. A visual display slowly appeared on the streaming surface. It quickly became a slowly changing montage of images and what looked like data crystal visuals being projected on the foggy curtain. He instinctively knew he was seeing the man's memories being displayed before him. He took out his notepad and began to quickly make entries. It seemed as if he had been taking notes for a week. He was very tired, hungry and sick to his stomach. Just as he tried to puke again the entire area around him began to grow dark until he could no longer see the inside of the sewer. Bryson came awake with a start, feeling himself being shaken vigorously. "Well Bob, how was the experience?" asked Lyta. "Did it live up to your expectations?" "Will the rest of them be like this?" "No. He is one of the worst you could have experienced. The others will be very easy in comparison." "Why don't you kill him and do the race a favor?" "If we were anywhere but here, I would. The colonel and the major don't need that kind of grief." The remainder of the interviews went smoothly, and Bryson's experiences during them bordered on pleasant. It had taken most of the day, so Lyta and Bryson agreed that she could use part of the following day to alter the guests memories and program them with their just rewards. ***************************************************************************** "I understand you got what you came after," said Colonel Nixon. "Yes we did Colonel Nixon," responded Bryson. "No problems?" "None to speak of," answered Bryson. "The data from the older psi cop was interesting." "Anything you can talk about?" "No." commented Lyta. "In this case not knowing is an advantage Colonel Nixon. You can't accidentally leak information that you don't have. Then neither can anyone take it from your mind using a telepathic scan." "So true. Will you be much longer?" "No. Tomorrow I plan to alter their memories and program them for their just rewards. Their memories will be altered so that they won't ever remember being here. They will remember being on the vacation of my choice. I will use a montage of their past memories to construct new ones, and then Michael's people will rent hotel rooms in appropriate locations and leave them in them. They will wake up believing they have simply been having a good time." "Major Kent said you wouldn't allow him or any of his people inside the holding area while you were doing your interviews. They have clearances." "They didn't have a need to know Colonel, and like I said, you can't tell something you don't know. What kind or level of clearance someone has is irrelevant," noted Lyta. "Touche Miss Alexander." Nixon left Lyta and Bryson to finish their meal. "I have to make a report to Mike, Lyta. Will you be spending the night on the shuttle?" "Of course. We developed a great many new leads and gained much new information today." "Just what are you planning to do with those leads?" "You really don't want to know. Most of the people named were selling out the human race during the Shadow war. They damned near caused the total destruction of the Earth and it entire population to satisfy their personal greed. I feel they should get everything they have coming to them. No court of law will ever be able to touch them." "When you talk like that, you scare the hell out of me." "You don't know what scared is yet. After I finish with them, you will." "I'll take your word for that." ****************************************************************************** "That's the whole enchilada Mike. Your female friend scares hell out of me." "I want to see her when you get back. I have something I think might interest her. It is very personal. I think this calls for another "Garibaldi Special" Italian supper." "I am looking forward to it boss. Next time you go with her when she goes rummaging through someone's mind." "Been there, done that, and have the t-shirt. Call before you leave." Bryson broke the connection and started getting ready for bed. Today had been one for the books, and besides Mike there wasn't anyone who would believe him even if he talked about it. ****************************************************************************** "This won't take very long Major Kent. No more than two hours at most, then you can turn them over to Michael's people." "Just give me the word Miss Alexander." The guards waited outside as Lyta entered the cell block area. ****************************************************************************** It was just past 0900 in the facilities management control office, which doubled as a damage control central for the installation. An urgent loud beeping commenced. On the watch's computer screen the display began to flash red. The watch punched up the monitor status display and was greeted by a flashing emergency warning. His screen was flashing "EMERGENCY...PERSONNEL SAFETY HAZARD...CO2 DUMP IN AREA LOWER LEVEL 10...IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY EVACUATION REQUIRED". THE watch never hesitated. He immediately punched the general emergency alarm and throughout the installation the alarm sounded. He followed up the alarm by calling the major and the colonel. The computer quickly displayed the situation and on the wall sized status board, at the back of the space the areas, in danger began flashing in red. He could see that the cell block area was in one corner of the danger zone. "Keying his headpiece microphone, he passed over the PA system, "The danger is carbon dioxide flooding, emergency breathing apparatus is required. I repeat, the danger is carbon dioxide flooding, emergency breathing apparatus is required. There are personnel trapped in the area." Major Kent came rushing into the office along with the facilities officer. He took one look at the status board and said, "Oh my God! Four of our men, Miss Alexander and those telepaths are down there!" ****************************************************************************** END PART 24