From: "Aubrey W. Adkins" Subject: John & Delenn after 20 years or "The Redheaded Telepath Strikes Again" Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 20:14:11 -0700 Standard disclaimer-all characters in this story are owned by JMS, PTEN and/or WB. They can have them back anytime. All comments welcome Title: RHTP Chapter 37.1. There are no spoilers in this story. This story will make more sense if you have read "Redheaded Telepath." However it can stand on its own...barely. As they followed the old menbari into the aft section of the shuttle John and Delenn exchanged puzzled glances. As they entered the after portion of the shuttle the door they had just passed through closed and latched behind them. "Sir, I know that you were sent to bring us to Epsilon III but, what are doing shut up in this part of the ship?" asked Delenn. "We are no longer in the shuttle," was the reply. "When the door closed behind you we were phased into hyperspace." The old man passed one hand over a panel and what appeared to be a window became transparent. Sure enough, they were looking into hyperspace with its eerie red patterns. There appeared to be a Whitestar warship closing with them. As they closed to less than two kilometers, their craft, such as it was, encountered a tractor beam. The beam pulled them into what appeared to be a docking bay. As they departed their small craft, Delenn and Sheridan noticed that this Whitestar seemed to be somewhat different than the standard configuration. They continued in silence until they arrived at what obviously the ship's bridge. They looked at their escort and started to ask where the crew was. They had seen no other personnel except themselves and their escort. The bridge was deserted. In fact they noticed that the control consoles they saw didn't look like any they had seen before. As they watched the old man who was their escort began to morph into a young redheaded woman. They stood very still in a state of shock. "Lyta," said both of them at once. "Johnny, Delenn, welcome to my private ship." John in a subdued voice, "Lyta, how did you pull this off? We thought you were dead. No one has seen you in over eighteen years." "I like my privacy. Besides, I have been very busy. Delenn asked me for a favor and now I am able to oblige her." John had noticed that the ship was moving through hyperspace at a good speed. The question of how and who was piloting was evident by his facial expression. "When I said it was my private ship, I meant every word. This ship will only respond to me. It is similiar to the relationship that Kosh had with his ship. It is connected to me telepathically. I think and it does. It thinks, Johnny. It is sentient." Lyta? How long until we reach Epsilon III," asked Delenn. "About four hours. Give or take a few minutes." "How can we get there that fast in hyperspace?" asked Sheridan. "I will explain that at a later time. Just accept that all is not what it appears." ***** "We are exiting hyperspace through the Epsilon III jumpgate," said a disembodied voice. In the ship's wardroom, Lyta, John and Delenn were enjoying hot tea and reminiscing some old memories. Lyta promised to bring them up to date after they arrived on Epsilon III. They entered a small shuttle in the ship's docking bay and dropped away toward the planet's surface. John and Delenn were astounded at the changes they saw as their shuttle landed in the spaceport. They had not seen Epsilon III in almost fifteen years and the changes were numerous. New buildings, a new spaceport and many people of various races/species. "Babylon serves as an intermediate transfer point and customs/immigration control," said Lyta to the unasked questions. Sheridan gave Lyta a querying look. "Johnny, we are joined at the hip, courtesy of Kosh, remember? At this distance I hear everything you think," said Lyta. "Follow me we are expected in our main medical facility." They entered what looked like an elevator and immediately dropped what seemed like a kilometer underground before the conveyance moved horizontally for some minutes. Finally the door opened and they stepped out into a long passageway. Lyta led off at a brisk pace and shortly they entered what she said was the main medical facility. They proceeded into a very understated office, comfortable chairs and couch but otherwise, austere. They were sitting down when a very professional looking gentlemen in his mid fifties entered and sat down behind the desk. "Welcome home, Mrs. Blaine. You must be Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan," he continued. " I am Dr. Drile. Mrs. Blaine filled me in about your case some time ago. We have been making preparations for the two of you." "The two of us?" asked Delenn. "Yes, didn't Mrs. Blaine explain it to you?" "No, I didn't Dr. I thought it would be beter if they learned it here from you." "Learned what?" asked John. The doctor pointed to the monitor on the far wall and said, "ISN feed." The newscaster was reading her report as a voice over to pictures of an explosion in space. "These pictures were recorded onboard the Whitestar 25 earlier today. Former minbari ambassador Delenn and her husband retired Admiral John Sheridan were apparently killed in an accident that destroyed their shuttle as they were approaching the Whitestar 25. There has not been an official announcement as to what may have caused the accident. An inquiry has been instigated by the menbari government. John sheridan also known to the menbari as "Starkiller" because of his actions during the earth-minbari war was reported to have many old enemies amongst the minbari warrior cast. The safety record of menbari shuttles is such that many in the know do not believe that the destruction of the shuttle was an accident. "Lyta. What the hell have you done?" said Sheridan at just below a yell. "I killed both you and Delenn. She asked me to give you back your lifespan if I ever found a way. Well, I found a way." "Why the games?" "No games, John. If it ever got out what we can do here there would be hell to pay throughout the galaxy." "I don't understand," said John and Delenn as one voice. "You remember how Delenn became part human? Well we have learned how to make triluminaries. I mean customized triluminaries. With them I can make you anything you want to be. The doctor has made one that will take you as you are and return you to perfect human health. In addition you will be better than new. Delenn, we are making another one for you. It will complete your transformation to being a human." "Lyta, why is that necessary?" asked Delenn. "Delenn, you are the only female minbari-human hybrid in the galaxy. A DNA scan of you would identify you immediately. When we get through, both of you will be perfectly healthy and have DNA patterns that can be traced back to here. We can give you any identity we choose to." "You will be able to live long happy lives and no one will ever know the truth except us." said Dr. Drile. More to follow.