From gunrunner@hypertech.yk.ca Mon Dec 30 20:33:53 1996 Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 20:18:32 -0800 From: RON JARRETT Subject: Part 1: What the Hell!!? The Mission To Mars Part 1: What the Hell!!? By Psycho Friek (aka Christina Jarrett) "You want me to what?" she screamed, jumping off the couch she was sitting on. She looked back at the three people she was speaking to. Two men, and one woman, all of whom she considered her friends. "I want you, and Marcus to go to Mars, to gather information," Captain John Sheridan told her calmly. He had known she wouldn't appreciate this assignment much, but he had no one else to send in her place. Lyta was a renegade telepath and would be captured, and Delenn was the only human/Minbari hybrid ever, and would immediately be recognized. "Captain, I get that part, it's just the other part I don't," Susan returned, sitting down again. She looked over at the man with dark hair sitting beside her, and thought to herself, *This is going to be a very long trip.* Delenn answered her this time with her soft accent, "You will be required to pose as newlyweds. It is the only way that we can get you fake identicards." "I really don't like the sound of this," she replied, thinking about everything this mission might entail. "Well, I am sure we can send Dr. Franklin in your place," Delenn began, only to be cut short by the Ranger who had thus far remained silent. "No, if you do that, I'll retreat from this assignment, I'm sure I can convince Susan here to come along," he worriedly interjected taking her hand and holding up for emphasis. This action was quickly ended when she just as suddenly as he had taken it, pulled her hand back and placed it on her lap. "Marcus!" she hissed. "We'll leave you two to figure this out on your own," Sheridan told them standing up. After aiding Delenn to her feet the pair left quickly, leaving the other two in Ivanova's quarters to sort things out on their own. "John, do you truly think that this is wise? I doubt that they shall be able to make it through this mission without killing each other," his fiancee asked looking down, and then back up at him, worry wrinkling her face. "Don't worry so much. I doubt that they'll kill each other, knowing Marcus he'll do everything in his power to protect her," he answered putting his hands on her slim shoulders. "It is not Ivanova that I'm worried about, it's Marcus. I doubt that she shall do anything within her power to protect him," she replied calmly. He looked at her for a moment, pausing briefly in contemplation. "Delenn, you may be able to recognize love in yourself, and in me, but your blind when it comes to spotting it in everyone else," he said shaking his head, and laughing out of amusement. "You don't mean? I would have never guessed," she laughed as she turned and walked away, back to her quarters. "Well Susan, it looks like we are stuck in this together. Before we arrived here, Delenn told me that they had placed the mission requirements on our computers. Apparently the access code is 'Wolf,' have you any clue what that means?" the British man asked her, curious as to the meaning of the unusual password. "Yea, she's been talking to Lyta," she replied a faint thread of sarcasm in her voice. "Do you care to explain?" he asked following her as she walked towards her computer console. She picked up a cup, which was half full of tea before she arrived and handed it to him. "No, I don't," came her sharp, quick reply. She pulled out a chair from her desk and sat down, then she gently tapped the console. "Damn, I can't find it, "she whispered as she looked closer at the screen He placed a finger on the keyboard, and tapping her on the shoulder queried, "Mind if I give it a shot?" "Don't worry, I'll figure it out later," she replied. "No, Delenn said that it would be best if we reviewed the summary right away. She said something like you'd need time to kill me before we left. Something like that," he shook his head trying to remember. "She didn't?" she looked back at him. He nodded his answer to her, "Damn, I hate to know what she meant by that. We can find it now," was the only response she would offer him. He tapped in a command, and stated, "Er'shul ka fenn." She looked at him oddly, inquiring as to what he said. "It's Minbari Susan. You'd know that had you let me teach it to you. It refers to an animal very similar to a wolf. I just told the computer, in Minbari to access file Wolf," he whispered leaning into the screen, over her shoulder. "It's all in Minbari, what does it say?" she asked looking at the neat columns of the foreign writing that had appeared on her screen. "You are not going to like this. Go over to your com screen, she left a message. It's just an English translation of all of this. I'll be back once you are done." With that he turned to leave the room, only to be stopped when she grabbed the end of coat in prevention. "There is no way you getting out of this Marcus. I don't care if you know what it says, you are staying," she ordered standing up beside him. She looked into his twilight colored eyes, and loosened her stance. His gaze bore straight down into her soul, and broke through all of her emotional barriers. *Does he know what he's doing to me?* she thought. *You can't let him do this to you,* she mentally scolded herself, knowing that no matter what she did, the feeling would still be there. "Fine, I'll stay, on one condition," he started. "You must promise not to kill me, and as payment, you have to let me teach you Minbari, so we don't have go through this again." "Fine, come on," her heart accepted her fate willingly, but her mind was torn between the two options. "Computer display message from Ambassador Delenn, password, Wolf." Almost instantly, the face of the lady who had just recently left appeared on the screen. "Susan, if you are watching this message it means that you must have accepted the mission. Being that I doubt you understand Minbari writing well enough to read what it was I had written, I have sent this message as means of you accessing a summary of the mission to the Mars colony," the message began. She stood there, and intently watched the message, bent on finding out as many of the specifics about the assignment as she could. "You are required to pack at least two weeks worth of clothing which would be suitable for the occasion. Tonight at 18:00 hours you will be boarding a ship bound for the Proxima Colony, from there you will board a ship bound for Mars. Throughout this entire assignment you shall be required to carry on an 'act.' One which shall include Marcus, ^Å^Å" Susan knew what would be coming. At the end of the ten minute recorded mission she turned to face her partner. He quickly backed up a step from where he was standing directly behind her, and stated, "You promised you wouldn't." She smiled at him, and watched as he returned it with a boyish grin. *I wish he wouldn't do that," she told herself. *Why is it, when I finally find a guy I like, one whom I can trust, he's always already taken. Miss, whoever you are, I hope you realize all the trouble he's going through for you. I know he hasn't told you, but he loves you. Sure hope you appreciate it,* she silently envied the unknown, but all too well known lady. "Don't worry Marcus, I'm not going to kill you. Just be ready to go by 17:30, I'll need to talk to you," once she finished that, she led him out of her quarters. She knew she would be briefed by the Captain at least one more time before they left in two hours time, and she wanted to get it over quickly, so she could pack. He left her halfway down the corridor, off to go to his own quarters. *I thought she would certainly refuse. It's a good thing she didn't. Maybe we can finally^Å* his thoughts trailed off. "Captain," she chimed for him to answer the door to his quarters. The door opened almost immediately, to reveal the fact he already had a visitor. "Good day Delenn. We reviewed your message, and will be ready to go at quarter to." She sat down on a chair, opposite the couch the other pair sat upon. Sheridan asked, "Susan, you do realize that their are a few things which you will be required to do. You do accept?" "Yes Captain," her voice was nothing short cold, and professional, while her heart was melting at the chance she was getting. "Fine, just feel forewarned. Even if you really don't want to, if someone starts getting suspicious, and goes off snooping, you will be required to hold up the act, no matter what it means your doing," he told her in a commanding fashion. "Yes sir. I do accept this mission knowing full well what may be required of me." Her stance was tense, her every muscle tight under the pressure of her commanders inspection. "Captain, permission to be frank?" "Granted Ivanova. Stop it, your not an officer here, your a spy, do as you want." "Why the HELL did you choose us for this stupid assignment? I mean we are the most unlikely team on the station!" "We know that you work well together, and we needed Marcus's attentiveness, and your latent telepathy is useful, you know if someone is lying to you, or trying to scan you. Besides, we though you two deserved a vacation, even if you did have to work through most of it." "Thank you." "Dismissed, go away. You have to pack, so do it," he excused her, his heavy laughter blending with the softer chuckles coming from Delenn. As she left his quarters, she ran into her companion. "Susan, so anything we need to know before we leave?" he asked her pointing towards the door she had just emerged from. "Yea, he wants us to pack," was the only response she could muster up. *God, why am I letting him do this to me?* she asked herself. *Because, you heart isn't quite as cold, and small as you think," an inner voice replied. Aloud she then whispered under her breath, "You know your pretty lonely when you start asking yourself questions, and you actually reply." She looked at the chronometer which was placed upon her desk. 17:29. *He should be here soon.* her thoughts were interrupted by the chime of her door. "Open," she called out. There he stood, carrying a medium sized suitcase, and a small carry on tote. Behind him stood their friends, the crazy people who had decided to send them on this mission. "You said we needed to talk," he said as she brought them all inside. "Yes, are you ready for this?" she asked, as they all sat down on the couch. "No, how about you?" he replied leaning up against the armrest of the couch they sat upon. She was in between him, and Delenn, Sheridan sat on a chair nearby. "Hell no. I mean what are the odds of us getting out of this alive?" she looked at Sheridan. "About 60/40, for you. You've had to go through worse, and you survived. This shouldn't be to hard for you," the man older than she or Marcus was replied. "Well, get set. Here are your identicards," Delenn said, handing over the two hard plastic rectangular cards. "From now, till when you get back, you are Mr., and Mrs.Prue, now go, your ship leaves for Proxima in fifteen minutes." As they all stood Sheridan whispered something into Cole's ear. He laughed, and nodded in reply, and turned to face the woman who for over two weeks was going to play his wife. He stepped up to her, and gently brushed his lips across hers. She stepped back quickly, *Why the hell did you do that? He was kissing you, you idiot! We want that," her thoughts were beginning to confuse her. They boarded the ship on time, and were lead to their quarters for the three day trip to Proxima. As they arrived, she slumped down onto the couch, and he sat down opposite her. "This is going to be a long trip." From gunrunner@hypertech.yk.ca Mon Dec 30 20:33:53 1996 Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 20:18:32 -0800 From: RON JARRETT Subject: Part 2: Times in Transit Part 2: Times in Transit "What do we do now?" she asked him calmly. She had spent the last three hours letting him teach her Minbari. They had spent the majority of the time going over basic commands, and the grammatical structure of the strange language. "Well that's enough Minbari," he yawned looking at the time. "Well it's nine-thirty so if we wait any longer we're going to miss dinner. After that, I'm going to sleep." "Yeah, I guess it is getting kind of late. Let's go," she stood up, and together they walked out the door. They were both dressed in civilian clothing, she wore a soft violet dress which was cut low in the front, and flowed down to her ankles. He wore a pair of black pants, and a striped shirt. As they walked down the hallway they passed a bunch of the passengers, all seemed to be traveling in pairs, most away from the dinner hall. The room they ate in was beautifully decorated, all the tables were lit with candles, and the overhead lights were dim. Flowers were placed in elegant vases all over the place, and the atmosphere was made to be elegant, and romantic. They sat down at a small table in the center of the room, and were soon joined by a shorter man with brush-cut brown hair, and merry brown eyes. The men in the uniform greeted them, "Hello, Commander, Marcus." They looked at each other questioningly, and the man replied, "I'm ship's captain. My name is Rick Juan. Delenn, and Captain Sheridan told you about me I'm sure." They nodded remembering the message. He was a Ranger, the one who was in charge of getting them to Mars safely, and making sure the ride back went equally smooth. "Yes, we were informed of your presence on this mission. I take it you will also be captaining the ship to Mars," Susan replied. "No, I'm only the exec. I should still be able to ensure safe passage, though," he replied, his voice gruff, and low. "No doubt," Marcus told him. The Rangers were trained well, and no one doubted their ability to see the spies through this mission. "Odd. I thought you two were supposed to be newlyweds. I haven't seen you two so much as smile at each other since you got on," he commented noticing their rather professional demeanor. "We have yet to see any need to carry on our act," she told him, realizing the truth behind his statement. The captain soon continued in the hushed tones they had been using all the through the meal, "That man sitting in the corner, the one wearing the blue coat. He's been watching you ever since you came on board. While we were on Babylon 5 I looked him up. He is one of President Clark's aides, you really should pay a little more attention to who your are traveling with." "I thought he was just one of the passengers," Susan stated slightly confused. *God what a day this is turning out to be,* she complained to herself. *And you were hoping ^Å* "This is a specialty ship, a space cruise if you wish. It's designed for people such as Mr., and Mrs. Prue, who are trying to get away. Most of the people who come on are in pairs, and those who aren't hang out around the casino's and become part of one," Juno stated. "So I guess it's about time we start acting like everyone else," Marcus stated looking at the woman who sat across from him. "Yea guess so. Now let's get something to eat," she agreed standing up and walking over to the rather large buffet which was set up along one wall. It featured a great variety f foods, both human and alien. She helped herself to a plate of salad, and a bowl of Chinese Wanton Soup. He ate a salad, and picked up a few pieces of spicy chicken, and their friend ate a large variety of different pastas. As they went to sit back down, Juno led them away. "I came to you because, as captain of this vessel I get to pick one couple who get to dine with me. You are going to join me at the main table. You can't refuse, I told the captain I would pick you guys, besides you make a cute couple," he laughed. "They looked at each other, and shrugged. The they were seated across from him, and just before introductions Susan whispered a question into her traveling companions ear. "They let us keep our first names right?" He gave her a reassuring nod, and touched her hand which was resting on the table. She looked at him once, but knew it was just an act, and dismissed the thought right away. One fair headed lady near the captain asked in a confident, jovial voice, "So who are the lucky couple tonight?" After Rick signaled for them to respond Marcus began, "I am Marcus Prue, and this is my wife, Susan." "Where are you off to for your little getaway, or are you staying on board?" she continued, with a sly smile. Susan responded this time, "Mars actually. I've always wanted to visit the place. I've had a lot of friends go there, and they tell me that establishment is beautiful. Something about a place called the Harbor Gardens." "Yes, I've been there. The gardens are actually called Hearts Gardens, but there is a large painting of a harbor in there. It's so nice, and the way they have it under the lights, if you are ten or more feet away, you'd swear that they really did put a harbor in there somehow. Hope you get to see it." "Don't worry, we will." She looked over at her fake husband, and smiled. *You shouldn't have too much trouble keeping this up,* her thoughts came like a cat purring. He looked back at her, his own thoughts wielding a tale of turmoil, *Why can't I just tell her. Doesn't she realize that this isn't really a charade for me. Someday I'll tell her.* Rick Juno stood slightly, and held up his glass. "As is tradition I have to make a toast. To Mr., and Mrs. Prue, may you enjoy your honeymoon, and be blessed together." Everyone raised their glass, and looked at them almost expectantly. They had to keep the act up. They turned to face each other, and calmly kissed, both shivering at the feather light touch, then melting, and making it just slightly deeper. She pulled herself back after a long moment, and smiled genuinely. They each took a drink, along with the rest of the people at the table, and smiled. As the night progressed, they enjoyed a conversation filled with laughter, and merriment. Some asked if they had a family planned, to which they responded, who knows, and with a shrug of the shoulders. At the end of the meal they excused themselves, but only after promising them lunch if they remembered what time noon was at. After leaving the dining hall, he took her hand, and they walked back to their room. "Marcus?" she asked after giving his hand a gentle squeeze and then letting go of it to punch in the access code, and open the door. "Yes, Susan?" he replied as they stepped inside the elegant room. She flopped down on the couch yawning, and looking at the time. Nearly eleven o' clock, and they were both tired. "You enjoy dinner?" she inquired, yawning as he sat down beside her. "Actually yes I did. Nice people they employ on this thing," he laughed. He took her hand and placed it in his own, and then brought it to his cheek. Leaning forward, he whispered in her ear, "Above the window, there is a surveillance device. Time to keep on playing around." She laughed as he kissed her cheek, and then slowly approached her mouth. The kiss he laid there was soft, as if to see her reaction, then it deepened just a little. *I wonder..* her thoughts were left unfinished when he gently parted his lips, and then hers with his tongue. They remained there for fifteen minutes, just holding onto one another, and kissing, more, and more passionately with each passing minute. She pulled herself away, cautious, so as not to frighten him. "Is something wrong," he asked, looking up at her. "I'm tired, that's all," she quietly told him, walking over to where she had put down her suitcase. Reaching inside she pulled out something black, and left into the bathroom. He could hear the water running in the shower, and silently wished her to finish, *You fool. How could you even let yourself think there was a chance. She is just playing a role, she sees nothing in you.* By the end of his silent reprimand he had a tear streaming down his face. She let the hot water run over her as her imagination ran rampant with her thoughts about him. *Oh, give it her up!* her Russian pessimism screamed around inside of her mind, *What could he possibly see in you anyway? You are depressing Susan, cold, Russian, and depressing.* She stepped out of the shower, and dried herself off. Slipping into her satin nightgown she stepped back out. He drew in a sharp breath as he looked at the person in front of him. Her hair was we, parted in the middle, and depositing wet patches all over her clothing. It hung down beside her head, most of it laying in front of her white shoulders. The gown itself was a soft, satin material, it had thin straps up at her shoulder, and covered her down to her knees. While it was tight at the top, the looseness, of the short, but flowing skirt was still breathtaking. *Bugger,* he told himself, knowing that he couldn't last like this very long. She walked towards the bedroom, and turned her back to him. The gown had a very low back, and he could see a great deal of pale skin, where the fabric wasn't present. Turning she looked over at him. *God,* she saw a thin wet line leading from his eye, down to his black beard, *he's been crying.* She walked over to where he was seated on the couch, and rung her long hair in her hands. Placing it in front of her shoulder she asked, "Marcus, what's wrong?" "It's nothing," he responded as she sat down beside him. "Susan, you should go rest, I'll take a shower and get to sleep soon." His voice had betrayed him, and reaching out she found his hand, and gently reassured him. "Listen if anything is wrong, you can tell me." He looked at her, his eyes filled with a heartfelt sorrow, one she recognized in herself many times before. "It's her, isn't it?" "I don't know who your talking about," he looked at her, his eyes now portraying his curiosity in her previous statement. "You know, the one you told me about. The one who's waiting for you when this is all over. I know that look in your eyes, you either are afraid about how she'll feel if she finds out about this mission.." she was interrupted by him. He gently touched her arm with his free hand, and stated," She already knows. She knows everything that has happen so far on this trip." "Let me finish, or you told her how you feel, and she doesn't feel the same way you do." "I don't know how she feels about me, just how I feel about her. She doesn't mind the mission, or at least I don't think she does. Do you?" Missing the hidden truth in his question she answered him, "I don't, but I don't see how that affects the two of you." "Trust me, it really affects the two of us. Now you go get some sleep, I'm not going to bother with a shower, so I'll be with you in a moment." "Fine," she stood up and walked away. *I hope that lady knows how lucky she is.* She felt him slip into the large bed a few minutes later, and unknowingly turned to face him. "Susan," he told the seemingly sleeping form. His thoughts were to powerful to hear her murmured reply, and he professed there, in the black of the night, "Susan, I love you." Her muttered reply came louder this time, "Yes, I love you too Marcus. Now good-night." Her eyes flew open in realization, and she sat up straight in the bed, with a suddenness that made him sit too. They looked at each other for a moment, and she whispered, "What about her, the one your waiting for?" His response was equally quiet, and as he put his arms around her slender waist, he said, "I was hoping for a chance to tell her how I felt on this trip. I thought you were asleep, and for once I wasn't afraid to say it. I guess my chance to tell you the truth came sooner than I expected it too." "I never expected it. For a long time I have felt the same, but it was always head battling heart. One wanted one thing," she touched his cheek gently, "and the other was weary. I've been hurt so many times in the past, I set up so many barriers, I didn't want to have to face the pain again. I too saw this trip as an opportunity, as a chance to let go. I guess I was just too afraid to take it," this time it was she that was crying. "Susan, I've known that this moment would arrive since the first day I met you. I knew that you were someone special. In the time since then, I've also come to another realization, you are the other half of my soul," he took the hand she had pulled back, and brought it once again to his cheek, only this time after a moment he turned his head, and deposited a soft kiss upon it. "Wait," she called out, biting her lip, "I'm not, ^Å I don't think I'm ready. We have a lot to talk about, first. We can do it all later, for now let's rest. Maybe sleep will bring us answers. We can talk in the morning, and who knows, we have another two and a half weeks together." With that she laid back down, and he laid down beside her. With one final, tender kiss he pulled her in closely, holding her head aginst his neck. Then tightly holding each other, they fell asleep. Both dreaming of the morning, and the journey behind them, the one into each other's hearts, and souls, and dreaming of the one in front of them, but not of the one to Mars, but rather the one [Part 2, Text/HTML 438 lines] [Unable to print this part] From gunrunner@hypertech.yk.ca Mon Dec 30 21:56:24 1996 Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 21:31:33 -0800 From: RON JARRETT To: b5-creative@lists.best.com Subject: The Mission To Mars Part 3 I'm a newbie. Only joined up within this last week. You have read my work before, I helped to write I Remember When. I wrote parts Prologue, 1, some of 3, 4, 5, and the epilogue. This is my newest piece. UNFINISHED!!! Spoilers for Racing Mars, and Lines of Communication. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This is a story which was suggested by Degan Outridge. Part 4 will be coming in a few days. It is what would happen if it was Marcus, and Ivanova going to Mars posing as newlyweds, and not Marcus and Franklin Part 3: Enter Stage Heart She woke the next morning with a smile on her face, having been contented by dreams that had filled her sleep the night before. She had been almost reluctant to allow herself to finally wake up, but she knew that he would be there when she opened her eyes. "And she lives," she heard Marcus laugh from the doorway. He was already up, and dressed for the day. She lazily turned over and looked at the chronometer that was on the dark night stand. "Great," she exclaimed jumping out of the bed. "I haven't slept in this long since, since, I don't know when. Usually I'm up by five thirty, my shift starts at six." She proceeded into the other room, stopping only for a second to smile at him as she passed by. he was speaking to himself again. Following her in he set his hand against her relatively bare back as she rifled through her suitcase. Turning Susan then found both his arms wrapped around her, gently holding her back. "Marcus?" she asked, drawing in a deep breath. "Shhhhh," he gently quieted her removing one hand from her back, and placing it upon her lips to silence her. He brought her in closer, embracing her both tightly, and lightly. She leaned her cheek down, against his shoulder, and took equal comfort from the long moments they stood there. She pulled her head up, and pushed away just enough to place her lips tentatively upon his. Her lips parted gently into a smile, and her tongue slipped out between her lips, then tentatively she brazed his lip with it. She could feel him shudder beneath her hands, and then she gently parted his lips with her tongue. They began their tender exploration of each other's mouths slowly at first, as if learning to predict each other's every motion. Then it turned into something filled with a frenzy of passion as they learned of what reactions they could come by with each of their own motions. The door chimed, forcing them to break their heated kiss. Reluctantly they did so, and still holding onto each other they called open the door. They looked at each other for a moment, their lips were red, swollen from the kiss, and their cheeks were flushed from the heat of the moment, but they didn't seem to care anymore. Rick Juno walked in, and looked at the two in shock. "I was told it would be hard as hell to keep the two of you from killing each other, now I find out that it's just going to be hard as hell keeping you from kissing each other," he laughed. "You know I wouldn't have thought the way you acted yesterday." "Well, had you been here last night you would have thought otherwise," she told him, placing a hand around Marcus' neck. Rick looked at them curiously, and raised his eyebrows accusingly. "Not that, let's just say we finally admitted some things which we should have an awful long time ago." Marcus drew her a little closer into his embrace, and then after holding her there a second let her go back into her suitcase. "Will we be joining you lunch still?" "I don't think they'll let you not join us. You really warmed up to the crew," he answered. They all knew that at least half of the members of the Resistance, and only a few others were spread here and there. "I'll get going then my friends. You obviously need time to get yourselves ready," with that the short man left the room, leaving the two lovers in their own little world. "I have to go change," she told him, heading towards the washroom. As she left, he walked back into the bedroom. He fell onto the large bed silently, content, and excited. he started to tell himself. Then as if out of nowhere, a conflicting thought came into play. She soon emerged from the small room wearing a cream colored shirt that fell loosely in front of a dark pair of chocolate slacks. Sitting down beside him, she gently placed her hand upon his. It was a simple gesture, one which in itself, in different context could have meant anything. Now though, at this time, here, paired with the gentle look they shared, it spoke of their long running feelings, and new found relationship. He gently reached out and brushed a stray hair from her cheek, and into place behind her ear. He gently shook the sleeping form beside him, and whispered into her ear, "Susan, it's time to wake up. We arrive at Proxima in less than an hour and a half." The figure stirred, and turned over to look up a him. She lazily opened her eyes, squinting at the bright light in the room, then her glance focused in on her companion. "Fine, I'll get up. How long did you say we had?" she quizzically asked. "Less than an hour and a half," he returned placing his hand on her cheek, and smiling down at the woman who rested in those soft satin blankets. "God, this trip passed quickly," she reflected, remembering all that had happened to them. He had removed the surveillance device that first night while she had slept, and turned it into the Ship's Captain. The three days had passed unusually fast, a fact which probably had something to with the leisurely nature of this section. They had had to do some finalizing of their plan, but that had maybe taken two hours, the rest of the time they had spent doing other things. "{Er kahn ni sotto mi fanick,}" he told her in Minbari. She had learned quite a bit already, and though she couldn't understand what he said, he knew that she would soon find out. "{Lapp ki nu sante?}" she asked in return. It was the first full sentence she had learned. It was simple, useful, and meant, 'What does that mean?' "It means prepare yourself, for it is time to leave," he chided, shaking his head at the commander, who was now sitting up amongst the gray blue bedding. The look she gave him was best described, as indescribable, filled with gentle annoyance, and heartfelt merriment. It was a look he had seen in her face many the time, and he knew it meant that enough was enough, and that he better get out while he had the chance. "Right then I'll be going now, I assume you need some time to change." "Yes," she stated slipping herself out from under the covers. She was once again wearing her black nightgown, and couldn't help thinking, she laughed to herself, she had known what this nightgown could do when she had chosen to take it along. It didn't take her long to change into her violet dress which she had worn to dinner that first night. They were ready to go within a half hour of docking, and he placed their bags by the door to their quarters. She was sitting on the couch, and had her head turned to the stars outside the window. "What are you thinking about?" he asked returning to where she sat, and placed a hand tenderly upon her arm. Turning her head to look at him she smiled and answered, "Oh nothing much. I guess I'm just thinking about the mission. God Marcus, I'm scared. We already know that Clark's onto us. Earth still has control of Mars, there is so much that can go wrong." Her eyes were starting to fill with unshed tears, and he felt her pain hit his heart. he told himself sitting down next to her. He wrapped her in a gentle embrace, and she softly cried a storm upon his shoulder. "Susan, we are going to be fine. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise. Besides, we aren't gathering information about Clark, our mission has to do with the Shadow War, we are trying to find out what the people know about it. We are finding out what they know about us. Don't worry." The door chimed, disturbing their moment and tearing them away from each other. Wiping a tear from her cheek, and gathering her composure Ivanova called out, "Open." A bellhop looked at them, he was young, innocent, and his uniform was wrinkled. "Can I take your bags?" he asked them. "We'll take care of them, thank you anyway," Cole told him smiling politely. The young man left, leaving the two of them together once more. "Susan, we should go, we only have another fifteen minutes before docking," he suggested taking her hand. The other transport took but three hours to complete. The trip between Proxima and Mars was relatively uneventful. They were required to remain their seats the entire time, except for the hour and a half in which lunch was being served in the main dining hall. The ship was a standard transport, much like the one they had been on before, only this time due to the length of the flight, they were not permitted the same luxuries. "Now arriving at Mars. Prepare to disembark," came a booming voice over the com system. They lined up with the rest of the passengers, and leaned together to reassure themselves that they were still together amidst the chaos. The ship rocked gently as they landed on the red planet. They watched as the door opened a meters few meters in front of them, revealing the large customs area of the colony. They slowly disembarked, making their way through the rushed line, and entered the beautiful dome. "Love," Marcus started, "So do you like it?" His question was soon answered with her smile, and a gentle squeeze of his arm. She had latched onto it during the commotion, and had held on tightly to it, so as not to be separated from him. He placed a hand on hers, and returned her generous grin. It had been the first time he had called her that, and he had been afraid at first of what her reaction might be, but she seemed not to mind, and he continued, "We are finally here. So Mrs. Prue, what do we do first." She leaned closer into him, and brushed her nose softly against his ear as she whispered, "I believe we settle in. Then, who knows, maybe a walk in the garden, we have a day or two before we have to get to work. We can't arise suspicions." She gave him a coy grin, and gently kissed him right there, as they waited in the customs line up. He responded immediately to her touch by wrapping his arms around her, setting down his suitcase, and pulling her more intimately towards him. She melted at this further touch, and the kiss deepened. "Ma'am, Sir, can I see your identicards?" a customs officer not that much older than Garibaldi asked them, after clearing his throat, causing them to separate. They handed him their fake cards, and he commented, "Oh newlyweds, no wonder. Have fun, enjoy your stay." End part 3 [Part 2, Text/HTML 184 lines] [Unable to print this part] From gunrunner@hypertech.yk.ca Tue Jan 28 21:40:02 1997 Date: Sun, 5 Jan 1997 18:38:55 -0800 From: RON JARRETT To: b5-creative@lists.best.com Subject: Fw: The Mission To Mars Part 4: Climbing Walls This is a very short, very dramatic part indeed. Long time coming, as will be the next. It is from The Mission to Mars, it is Part 4: Climbing walls. Spoiler Space * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Part 4: Climbing Walls They looked around, a massive expanse of flowers, and bushes. Grass covering the ground, an endless green plain, broken only by the gray, gravel paths which winded their way through the gardens. A massive painting in one end looked out at them, a giant harbor, splashing waves, truly beautiful. "Welcome, to the Hearts Gardens," she turned around to face him. He had been trailing her all the way to the beautiful sanctuary, watching her every motion, expressions on her face. She had expressed a side of her he had never seen before. She was truly enjoying herself, being whisked away from her usual stern demeanor, and revealing a much more relaxed commander. "Yes, there beautiful." Reaching out she took his hand, and they began to wander about the paths aimlessly. "You know, I think that I am going to enjoy this trip." "Well you better, from what I understand you have been running non stop for over seven months, you deserve a bit of a break," he told her nonchalantly. "We do have a mission here you know," her voice was suddenly stern, her face had it's usual stone look, and she gave him a cold look. "Ah yes, but that can wait. The garden beckons," they continued to amble their way through the paths. Soon though, they sat down on an empty bench, both leaning against the other. He slowly placed his arm about her back, and turning she nuzzled her face into his neck. Gently, hesitantly they kissed. A soft tender, feather light touch at first, gaining intensity as it continued, until it became a heated fire. Then as they broke off, the wandering began once more. They walked through the paths of a rich enchanting garden, through a storm of brilliant colors. Turning towards him, they both smiled, and then they moved closer. A flash of light from in behind him caught her eye, causing her to turn her head sharply at it. Then, it was gone. "What is it," he asked worriedly, placing his hands on her shoulders. She fell against him and looked down, at the freshly cut grass. "Susan, say something, what is it?" he was growing even more concerned with each passing moment. "Oh, nothing. I don't really think it matters. The light caught on something or another, nothing unusual. Now where were we?" she answered with a sly smile as she placed her arms around his neck. He laughed lightly and as their faces moved closer together he answered lightly, "I haven't the slightest idea my dear." Just as their lips touched, the light shone again, once again stopping them. "There it was again. I think," she began. She pulled herself from him, and began approaching the spot where she had seen it. "Damn it!" she hissed. Turning she ran as far away from the spot as she could, and he just watched her. Passing him, she took his shoulders, and pulled him to the ground behind a large rock. They could the thundering roar of the explosion, and could feel the giant winds pulling them from their hiding place, and the fiery heat burning at their skin and clothing. Soon the tempest died down, leaving them lying, against each other, burnt, and in pain. She lifted her head slightly, leaning cautiously over the burnt figure beside her. "Marcus!" she cried, shaking him gently when he didn't answer to her calls. She took one of his blood soaked hands, and held it to her face, "God, just wake up already! I need you, don't die on me now. We only just started to love each other, you can't leave me here, I'd die." She was crying over the limp body of her beloved. End part 4 From gunrunner@hypertech.yk.ca Tue Jan 28 21:41:23 1997 Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 21:24:19 -0800 From: RON JARRETT To: b5-creative@lists.best.com Subject: The Mission to Mars Part 5: Epilogue Hey everybody, you've been asking for it. The Mission to Mars part 5: Epilogue. I had to wrap it up here, too many stories on the go, most long hand. Need More Time!! Okay standard spoiler warning. * *S * P * O * I * L * E * R * S * * W * A * R * N * I * N * G * * HAVE FUN!!!!!!! * * * * Part 5:Epilogue She opened her eyes, to take in al that was around. She had passed out shortly after the bomb had gone off, shortly after she had seen him lying there. Now, she was surrounded by bright lights, and unhappy nurses. She was lying on a medical bed, linked to nearly every type of equipment they had in that Medlab. she silently screamed. Then she looked over, across the aisle to the man laying about a meter and a half from her. she wished he would reply to her, but knew he couldn't. His gray-blue eyes opened slowly, and his head turned. "you're looking at me. Why?" he hazily queried. "I thought you were still unconscious," she began shaking her head, her forehead quickly covered in lines of worry. "No, I woke up a little over a day ago, though they wouldn't let me leave this place," he told her, smiling at the sight of the woman he felt so much for. "A little *over a day ago* ! Marcus, how long have we been here?" she exclaimed, her mind a mess of confusion. He stood up, out of the confining bed he had been placed in. He was attached to no gadgets, except for one intravenous, and he stepped beside where she lay. "Five days. It seems the blast got us pretty good," he began taking her hands in his, "We are going to be fine. It took some time to convince the doctors we were who our identicards said we were, but after a while they just gave in. Susan, I love you." His last words were soft as a whisper, but they rang through her heart like a loud siren's scream. "I love you too. Marcus when I thought you were dead, I^Å I^Å I was torn, a wreck. Never do that to me again, you here. I don't want to lose you, we have a war to fight here, remember. Besides *I* need you, if not in my life, for the ride home. We are in this together." Her eyes were glazed over with tears as she continued, "Promise me something. When we get back to the station we have to go out sometime. No work, no war, just for a few hours, just to be together. Can you promise me that?" His hands tightened around hers as he reassuringly squeezed them nodding. "Of course I can. Besides no one can turn down a date with the most beautiful woman in the entire galaxy." She laughed lightly, and chided, "Now don't you go that far. Though^Å" her voice trailed off. "Then it's decided, we leave back in two days, and when we get back, we get to go out sometime. Sound about right?" he asked smiling with a wide grin. He leaned forward and kissed her lightly, then she wrapped her arms about his neck and deepened the kiss. Sitting up, he sat down and they held there for a long while. "Well Mr. Prue, looks like our honeymoon wasn't that bad after all," she laughed. "{Nuh san, Felani. En Eleez meh dran.}" he whispered into her ear as he tried do untangle his hands from her long dark hair. "My words are inadequate to the burden of my heart," she recited from memory. "It should have donned on you by now that some of those words just don't fit in," he smiled, rubbing his cheek against the hair behind her ear. "What does it mean then?" she asked. she was yelling at the top of her lungs in her mind. "You are the most beautiful woman I ever met," he pulled away and looked into her blueberry eyes. Then she smiled, Leaning forward she kissed him passionately, and all their fears, all their defenses shattered. They were right were they needed to be, in each other's arms. End Part 5