From 101646.276@compuserve.com Thu May 9 20:12:30 1996 Date: 04 May 96 09:07:08 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 1 This is the first part of something I have been working on for some time and I think its finally got to the stage where I can post it. I'm not sure about the title !! (OK Simon I've done it ! Satisfied now ) A Time for Shadows Part 1 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights PART 1 : MISHA Delenn sat cross legged on the floor of her quarters, her hands resting lightly on her knees. Breathing slow, her consciousness expanded, reaching beyond the confines of the room. It was there again, the new mind, the Minbari soul. It was stronger now. The joy she felt had not diminished over the weeks that she had been in contact with the consciousness. It was not yet aware of who it was, maybe it never would be, but Delenn was in a position to guide. Give it a sense of the legacy that it held within. The soul that had been lost was found again and the Minbari would rejoice. She looked up at her companion, Ambassador Kosh. ^S I have made contact, the prophecy can be fulfilled.^T ^S Good, I will take the required action,^T Was his reply ^S What action ?^T Delenn was suddenly apprehensive, this was something they had not discussed. " The spirit must not be allowed to flee.^T The Ambassador said before gliding noiselessly away. ********************************************************************************* ** The music trickled gently from the speakers, barely making an impact on the quiet of the room. It didn't have to be loud for Sinclair to hear it. The old Earth songs were not the logical choice of a Commander from Mars Colony but they were part of his family's history and, as such, Sinclair had a special fondness for them. He didn't know how many times he had listened to the battered recording but it had a relaxing quality that he could never find in modern music. The sky, visible through the open window, was taking on the glow that signified the coming of dawn. Sinclair watched the stars fade from view. He remembered a time, long ago, when they had burned brightly, unchanging in the eternal night. Unwillingly the man shivered. It wasn't the chill air keeping him awake that night. The ghosts were in his company again. Sleep had never come easily, not since the Battle of the Line, not since Babylon 5. The Station still haunted his dreams, as the premonition had shown him, his friends dying, consumed with fire. He deeply regretted letting Earth Central transfer him away. The title Ambassador had not sat well. Allowing others to be his eyes and ears did not come easily to a man like Sinclair, but the purpose he served was too great for the personal preferences of one man. Something worth living for, as an old friend had once said. A bleep from the communications system brought Sinclair's attention back to the present. " Yes, " He replied. " Its time to leave, " The lightly accented voice told him. " I'm on my way," He was going home, but this wasn't the way that he had wanted to do it. Duty called him back to Babylon 5 but he felt uneasy about being reunited with the people he had abandoned. It was the little things he missed the most. Ivanova semi-conscious at the breakfast table, Garibaldi's latest plan for convincing Talia Winters that he was the most desirable being on the Station, even Londo Mollari's bombastic posturing. There were moments when living with members of the Minbari religious cast was more than a little dull. Like calls to like and the Ambassador ached to be with members of his own species again. That was why he was going on this mission, despite the risk. He recognised his mood, day-dreaming again. As he got older his mind tended to drift towards the past all too often. They would be coming for him soon, no doubt reminding him that he only had a finite time in which to achieve his objective. The Minbari were like that. The union between shadow and light was his destiny. Sinclair pulled on his uniform. Despite his sombre mood he couldn't help thinking 'fasten - zip'. The music filtered into his consciousness again. The song had changed. ******************************************************************************* They stood before him, examples of the men and women who worked in and around the law for their own personal gain. Blood hounds, some called them, and blood money was all they were interested in. In the age of space travel criminals often scattered to the far corners of the galaxy in order to escape punishment, someone had to bring them to justice. It was lonely dangerous work; a bounty hunter was an outcast of society. These people were tough, fast, mean-tempered. Only one thing kept them the right side of the law - money. The man in the EarthForce uniform did not speak immediately. He leaned back in his chair and scrutinised them closely, identifying each in his own mind. The woman, Medb Kestrel, stood with an amused smile on her face. She was not tall, but green eyes in combination with red hair that fell down her back ensured that no man looked at her just once. Fletcher Adams was less distinguished. A dark-haired, powerfully built man, his pale eyes looking out on the world showed no feelings. He gave the impression of a cold calculating, killing machine. They dressed shabbily, in clothes designed to blend in with the lowlife that inhabited the galaxy's less desirable planets. Finishing his visual inspection, the man spoke, " You have already been briefed on your mission so I won't repeat your instructions. I want these people alive, but death of the primary will also serve my purpose." " Cut the cackle, " Adams interrupted, " What's the bounty ?" " Yeah lets get to the important facts," Kestrel drawled. " If I might be allowed to continue...?" The man said, drawing an amused nod from Kestrel, " Five million commercial credits if alive, half that dead." " Phew, you must want these people real bad." Adams said. " You'll do it ?" " I don't see why not." " A wise decision, you may leave." The man kept his eyes on his computer screen until they had left the room. The door slid shut and he raised his head and smiled. ******************************************************************************* Sheridan entered the Observation Dome without the usual spring in his step. He walked to the front of the Dome and watched the stars. It still took some getting used to....the fact that their patterns weren't continually changing. Sheridan tried not to think about it but he still missed his ship. Serving on Babylon 5 wasn't what he felt called to do. In his heart he was an explorer. Part of him was still aboard the Agamemnon, bound for uncharted space. Allowing a wry smile to cross his features, Sheridan returned to his console and started on his work for the day, wondering how much of it he could possibly pass on to Commander Ivanova. 'The art of leadership is delegation,' he told himself. Thinking about Ivanova made him realise that she was not yet at her post. True, he had been a few minutes early but he had spent that time pleasantly day dreaming. He was just about to call her up when she dashed past him, completely out of breath. Her uniform was immaculate as usual but Sheridan suspected that she had actually put most of it on in the lift. " Sorry I'm late sir." She apologised. " Still having that waking up problem I see." He grinned. Susan knew that waking up had definitely been a problem that morning. Her eyes had just refused to open. When she had finally staggered out of bed she had been left with the unpleasant headache that signified a particularly vivid dream. She couldn^Rt remember the exact details apart from the fact that Ambassador Kosh had been in it. When she had asked him what he had been doing in her quarters he had merely answered that ^SThe salmon were swimming upstream,^T. " Have you heard any more about that problem with the jump gate in Sector nine ?" Sheridan asked. " Techs. say that it should be operating again in a couple of hours but traffic from Minbar's going to be backed up for the next day, and several transports have been re-routed here." Sheridan couldn't resist a slight grin. One day he swore that he was going to catch Ivanova out. " Message from Earth Central for the command staff " One of the technicians announced, " Gold channel, ultraviolet priority." " I'll take it in my office, tell Mr. Garibaldi to meet us there." The Captain was suddenly serious as he prepared to face the new crisis. He nodded to Ivanova who followed her commanding officer from the Observation Dome. ****************************************************************************** EarthForce Admiral Brook made his presence felt in the room despite the fact that his image was only twenty inches square. The three command officers sat in front of that image, two crisply at attention, one lounging slightly, his face clearly showing his distaste at what the Admiral was saying, ".....are not to interfere in this situation. You are being informed as a courtesy nothing more, but if your security forces have any information they are to surrender it to my operatives immediately. Have I made myself understood," " Yes sir, " Sheridan replied. " One more thing, we don't want this one to get away...." " Don't worry about that sir." " Just take the required precautions Sheridan." With the final remark the screen flicked to the BABCOM symbol. Garibaldi hardly waited for the image to fade before opening his mouth, " I don't like it." He exclaimed. " Why am I not surprised." Sheridan muttered. " Bounty hunters, on my..er..the Station. Anyone would think that I don't know how to do my job." " Calm down, Garibaldi, no one's suggesting..." Ivanova interrupted. Sheridan groaned to himself, they were obviously about to launch into yet another argument. He didn^Rt know what had got into the two of them. The continual sniping was beginning to get on his nerves but he had been too busy to bring them to task over it. " This is obviously a very sensitive situation, " Sheridan said, " Until we know different I don^Rt think we have any choice but to support Earth Central..^T " Why ? We don't even know who we're looking for until the bloodhounds get here." Garibaldi protested. " Just watch out for anything suspicious." " In this place !" " Well, more suspicious than usual." " Okay, okay." " And keep me informed." Garibaldi strode out of the room glowering like a relatively small tropical storm. Sheridan cast a glance in Ivanova's direction. " One day Mr. Garibaldi will just say 'yes sir' and go off and do exactly what I tell him....without arguing." The Captain sighed. " I wouldn't hold your breath ." Ivanova replied, " One more thing sir." " What is it Commander ?" " With a fugitive on board it might be wise to consider sealing the Station." " I agree, but we don't want to cause unnecessary unrest. Search every ship as it arrives and before it leaves. It'll hold up the traffic but I don't see that we have any choice. " ******************************************************************************* To be continued.... From 101646.276@compuserve.com Thu May 9 20:12:36 1996 Date: 08 May 96 13:27:36 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 2 Thanks to the people who sent me their comments. Here is the next bit. I apologise for the strange symbols but it looked OK my end !! Its something to do with the way Word 6 codes speech marks etc.even when saved as a text file. Some of it was written on a different WP so is fine. I think I've sorted the problem out but I can't be sure until I post it so here goes !! A Time for Shadows Part 2 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights You could always tell the first time travellers when they stepped through customs. Like the girl who had just entered the busy departure area. Lou Welch couldn't help grinning as he noticed her jaw drop and her eyes widen. She was in her mid teens and obviously had no idea where she was supposed to go. " Hey kid," Lou shouted. The girl jumped, shocked that someone had noticed her arrival. " You look kind of lost. Someone supposed to meet you here ?" She backed away from the security guard. Tall for her age, her dark hair fell over her face, obscuring her features. " I'll wait." She almost whispered, picking up her bag and taking one of the seats that lined the area. " Okay but if you need any help just give me a shout." 'He was supposed to be here,' she thought to herself, looking fearfully round the room. That had been the deal, why she had been allowed to leave the relative safety of the sanctuary world. She had had company at every stage of her journey, but now, just as she was nearly home, the chain had broken. Home, that was a strange word for a place she had never seen with people that she had never met. She clutched her bag to her as she looked around once more. For the first time in her short life she was totally alone, the crowd seethed around her but the face that she desperately wanted to see did not make itself known. ********************************************************************************* ** Being excessively weary at the end of the day was something that Susan Ivanova was reluctantly getting used to. She could hardly wait to drench herself in a hot shower. A bath would have been better but the Station didn't possess such a luxury. The first order of business, however, was food. Ivanova's cooking skill stopped with boiled eggs, cheese straws and salad. The Zocalo was crowded but she was relieved to see that Garibaldi had saved her a stool by the bar. She immediatly regretted snapping at him earlier that day. If there was any bitterness in her thoughts she kept expression of it well hidden. She and Garibaldi were collegues, nothing more. The mistakes of the past had almost been forgiven and forgotten. This was not what she needed right now. Admitting that she had feelings for the man was one thing acting on them was something different. At least he didn't seem to notice. It would be so nice to be able to lean against him, let him take her home, and then... " Stop it Susan," She told herself . There were reasons that she had not allowed the relationship to continue, and those reasons were as valid now as they had been two months ago. As they had always been. Someone had once called it a gift, but Susan was only too aware of the torment her own latent talent could bring. Family, friends, lovers, torn apart because of prejudice; the need for humans to separate those who were in any way different. "You look shattered, " He told her as she sat down, " How long have you been on duty ?" She gave him a look and ordered her usual salad. Garibaldi just nodded and turned back to his own meal, she obviously was not in the mood for conversation. It had been a tough day for both of them. Garibaldi, trying to prepare for the arrival of two people that he definitely didn't want aboard and Ivanova attempting to sort out the mess that had been caused by the malfunctioning jump gate. Garibaldi snuck a glance at her while they ate. She wasn't looking so good. She was staring at the floor, shaking her head as if trying to clear it. Feeling somewhat concerned Garibaldi gave her shoulder a shake, " Hey, wake up," He teased, " Or you're gonna fall off that stool." " Mr. Garibaldi I'm suddenly not feeling very well. Would you be so kind as to get me out of here." " Sure." Placing hand lightly on her waist he guided her out of the crowded area, towards the relative safety of the travel tube. The car was empty when they stepped on board. Ivanova braced herself against the rear wall, hoping vainly that she could shake off the giddiness. " This is your stop," Garibaldi said, " Come on, lets get you home." As soon as Susan tried to move she realised that it was a mistake, " Michael !" She called out weakly, then looked up at him as her eyes rolled back and she collapsed into his arms. ******************************************************************************* Giving a contented sigh Susan pulled the quilt more tightly around her. There was nothing she liked more than to be warm and comfortable...and in bed. The only problem was that she didn't know what she was doing there. She had no recollection of the previous evening, it was then that she realised that she was still fully dressed. Someone had removed her shoes, jacket and had loosened her shirt. The room came into focus slowly as Ivanova struggled into an upright position. She looked around her. " Hey, take it easy," Garibaldi's voice told her. " What happened ?" Susan asked. " You passed out." " I what ? I've never fainted before. How long was I out." " Not more than ten minutes. I think I should call a doctor," " No I'll be fine." " If you say so." Susan lay back against the pillows, grateful for their softness against her aching head. Only women in historical films fainted. She hoped that there hadn't been too many witnesses or the news would be all over the Station in nanoseconds. Maybe she had been over doing things a little, put too much of a strain on her normally robust constitution. " Look Susan, forgive me for sticking my neck out but there really is something wrong isn't there ?" Garibaldi asked, " I know I'm probably the last person you want to tell......but if there's a problem I want to help." "I guess I just skipped one too many meals." " Do want me to get you something ?" Smiling Susan sat up and patted him on the cheek, " You're so sweet when you're like this." " Like what ?" " Worried about me." " Susan, don't." Ivanova dropped her hand from his face, embarrassed. Why had she just done that ? When disturbed she naturally reached out to the one person who had always been there for her. It was becoming clear that she had changed that, despite his worry he obviously wasn't willing to play games. For the first time she asked herself, had it been worth it ? How much did she really have to hide from this man ? Sighing she lay back down and closed her eyes, " Just get out of here Garibaldi." She snapped, more annoyed at herself than him. " I'm sorry but..." He tried to reply but she cut him off, " That's an order." 'This was getting ridiculous.' Garibaldi thought as he left her quarters. He had noticed that Ivanova had not been herself before the present crisis had overtaken their lives but hadn't yet screwed up the courage to make her tell him what was wrong. Given what had happened last time he had tried to help her....There were certain unwritten rules regarding working colleges and he had managed to break every one of them. At least they had come out of the situation still talking to each other but it was not a mistake he was going to repeat easily. Or so he kept reminding himself. There were still moments of discomfort, when he caught himself looking at her, wanting to reach out. Thank God she never seemed to notice. If only the damn memories would go away ? On the surface they still appeared to be uneasy friends. Although he suspected that the Captain was begining to notice that their proffessional association wasn't as smooth as it had been. Personally however, their relationship would never be the same, the easy camaraderie had gone. He could understand the reasons why she no longer confided in him but he was unable to accept them. Talia Winters, how many more ways could she find to destroy his life ? ******************************************************************************* The two man shuttle was cramped. Most of the available space was taken up by instrument displays and control equipment. In normal space she was also the fastest thing in the five federations. At least that's what Kestrel reminded people when they complained about the lack of leg room as Fletcher Adams was doing now. It was only a forty-eight hour jump from Earth to B5, nothing compared to the weeks it could take for a run across the Rim. Forty seven hours into its flight the shuttle exited the jump gate above Babylon 5. Adams stretched himself as much as he was able and yawned. He glanced over at Kestrel's sleeping form. The entire journey had been a cycle of waking, eating and sleeping. He shook her slightly, " Come on Kestrel," He said, " You've had enough beauty sleep to last you a life time." Her eyelids fluttered and she awoke. " Not that its done any good," He added. " Shut it Adams," She growled, " We here ?" " Just received our clearance to dock." " They'll probably smell you first." " You don't look so good yourself," " Thanks," " When we get there how much do we tell them ?" " The usual." " As little as possible." " You got it." ******************************************************************************** " Hey Chief !" Lou Welch called out by way of a greeting as his commanding officer entered the customs area. Garibaldi was under orders to be on hand when the Bounty Hunters docked but he had arrived a few minutes early as part of his usual rounds. " Everything okay ?" He asked. " Sure, its been a quiet shift." " Well all that's about to change." " Knew it was too good to last, what's happening ?" " Blood hounds." " On your...er...the Station ?" " Tell me about it. Orders are no weapons check, let them through." " Anything you say Chief." " And start clearing the room I don't think we want too many witnesses to this arrival." Garibaldi took brief glance round the room, there weren't that many occupants. While Lou went to talk to a couple of Narns by the departures board the Chief crossed to the seating area where a girl was curled up asleep. There was an odd sort of peace radiating from her features as she lay there, making Michael reluctant to wake her up but he shook her gently by the shoulder. " Excuse me miss but we have to clear the area, " He told her. " But I'm waiting for someone." she protested. " If you'd like to stay in the Zocalo I'll call you when you can come back." She didn't seem to know whether to protest further but the man handed her bag and politely directed her towards the exit. " How long has she been here ?" He asked Lou, for some reason she had piqued his curiosity. " Came in last night, just before my shift ended. Says she's waiting for someone." The officer replied, " Traffic's movin' at a snails pace, she could be waitin' a while." The man and the woman walked through customs as if they owned the place. Lou watched them itching to be able to search them, confiscate their weapons, anything to wipe the self satisfied expressions off of their faces. His orders were to let them through. Kestrel allowed a small smile to flick across her features as she noted the reaction of the security guard. It was typical, wherever they went it was the same, fear, disgust, loathing. The Captain of the Station was waiting for them, a man in EarthForce grey beside him. " Hi, I'm Captain Sheridan." The Captain introduced himself, " Great a reception committee," Kestrel muttered. " So much for keeping our arrival quiet." Adams replied. " Packing that much hardware, you might as well have brought a parade." The second man's sharp ears had picked up their conversation. He gestured towards the sidearms the two were openly carrying. " And this is my Security Chief, Michael Garibaldi." Sheridan concluded. " I'll need to check your credentials," The Security Chief said. He took his time looking over their papers, more out of the need to be annoying rather than dedication to his job. " This is all very well but if you'll excuse us we have work to do." Adams said, " And it has nothing to do with you or your staff." Without another word the two bounty hunters pushed past the officers and into the Station. " What do you think ?" Kestrel asked. " Won't give us any problems." Adams replied. " Find any information you can about those two, Mr. Garibaldi." Sheridan ordered when the bounty hunters were out of earshot, " I don't know about you but they give me the creeps." Instinctively the girl knew that the two shabbily dressed people had come for her. It was a sense she had felt all of her short life. She had the ability to know things about people, often just by looking at them. There had never been any conscious effort involved. She didn't have to build the strong barriers that she knew were necessary for most telepaths. In fact she wasn't even sure that she had any real telepathic ability, it was just that Uncle Jeff thought she must have. She ducked behind a flower stall as they strode through the Zocalo, just managing to dodge out of sight. Her first instinct was to lose herself in a crowd. She could come back and check the docking bays later. He would come, he had to. When Garibaldi entered the area a few minutes later there was no sign of the girl from the docking bay. He shrugged his shoulders trying to dispel the nagging feeling that she needed his help. ******************************************************************************** To be continued; From 101646.276@compuserve.com Sun May 12 10:21:57 1996 Date: 12 May 96 06:32:11 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 3 A Time for Shadows Part 3 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights The sight of the sun appearing from behind the Babylon 5 station always reminded Sinclair of an exotic sunrise as the surface features gradually became visible. The shuttle approached the docking bay on the standard vector. Sinclair hadn't bothered to let the Dome guide him in, he knew the route by heart. He was somewhat surprised to receive the communication diverting him onto another course. " This is Ambassador Jeffrey Sinclair," He replied, " It is imperative that I dock." " I'm sorry Ambassador but we have other priorities at present," The non- descript voice replied, he was obviously unaware of Sinclair's former position. " Let me talk to Commander Ivanova or Michael Garibaldi." " The command staff cannot be disturbed at this time. I will transmit the required holding pattern." Sinclair swore to himself, it was vital that he get aboard the Station before the day was out. His mind was racing, trying to figure out what the problem could possibly be. Not surprisingly, his first instinct was to force his way on board. He smiled to himself, no matter how long he spent away from Babylon 5 he would always consider it to be his own personal property. Despite his feelings he navigated the shuttle onto the specified course. Maybe he could contact Garibaldi. If anyone could arrange for him to jump the queue it would be the Security Chief. ******************************************************************************* Michael Garibaldi had stared at the words on his computer screen until he could no longer see straight but he couldn't spot any irregularities. He wasn't quite sure what Sheridan was expecting him to find, as always everything appeared to be in order. A bleep from the view screen interrupted his third scan through the documents. Glad of the diversion Garibaldi touched the screen and accepted the communication. The last person he expected to see answer him was Jeffrey Sinclair. " Jeff, !" He exclaimed, " How are you Michael ?" The former Commander replied. " Good." " Why's all the traffic snarled up out here ? Is the Station under quarantine ?" " How.....?" " Because I've been sitting outside for three hours. That's why I called. Is there any way that you can get me inside. I have an urgent meeting with Ambassador Delenn." " Jeff...I don't know." " Michael this is very important to me." " I'll see what I can do but your replacement might not be too keen. He more of a by the book guy than even you. " " I appreciate this." Garibaldi gave a knowing sigh as he signed off. Whatever it was must be important if Jeff was willing to go through unofficial channels. Raising his link to his mouth Garibaldi contacted Captain Sheridan and outlined the situation, " No way," Sheridan replied, " I know there's been some delays..." " Look I trust Sinclair. If he says that he needs to be here...." " I'm sorry Mr. Garibaldi. I know who he is, but he'l have to wait like everyone else." The response was just what the Security Chief had expected and he re- established contact with the shuttle. " Sorry Jeff, no can do." He told the other man, " But if you're interested the automated garbage scow is due in docking bay three in twenty minutes." " Thanks ." " You didn't hear me say that." " Not a word. I'll see you in half an hour, in your office ?" " I'll be here." " Now I wonder what that's all about." Garibaldi thought to himself. No doubt Jeff would explain in his own time. Just the sight of his former CO had raised Garibaldi's spirits. If the truth be known he was still coming to terms with the fact that Jeff Sinclair was no longer in charge of B5. The news had come as something of a shock. There was a strong friendship between the two men, one that had developed over many years. If Garibaldi felt some hostility towards John Sheridan it was understandable, he had lost a trusted colleague and his best friend. He clearly remembered talking to Sinclair in Med. Lab., trying to make himself understood through the pain and confusion. A subjective moment later he had woken up to find that everything had changed.....nothing was the same any more. In some ways he felt like he was still being tested, that Sheridan was waiting to see if he could prove himself. Garibaldi had a strong feeling of deja vu. He sometimes wondered if he had done the right thing by coming back on duty but he had spent too much of his life running away. Despite his past record Garibaldi knew that he had done good work on Babylon 5. His office door sliding open made Michael realise that he had been staring into space for the past half an hour. He shook himself mentally and rose to greet his visitor. ******************************************************************************* " Captain Sheridan !" Ambassador Delenn's voice made Sheridan stop in his tracks. In his recollection he had never heard Delenn raise her voice. " What can I do for you Delenn ?" Sheridan. " I am expecting a vessel from Minbar, I was wondering if you had had any communication..." Delenn replied. " Nothing as far as I know. I'm just on my way to the Dome, I'll check for you." Sheridan shook his head as he completed his journey to the Dome. The Minbari was just the first of the Ambassadorial visits that Sheridan expected that day. " I think we'll have to start diverting ships to sector 351." One of the Techs was saying. " What about those that are already here ? " another wanted to know, " Send them back to the jump gate via the refuelling station." Sheridan ordered. " Aye sir. The Earth Ambassador to Minbar is waiting to come aboard, it sounded pretty important...." The technician began. He didn't get a chance to finish her sentence as Sheridan gave an angry exclamation, " Look we have a fugitive alert, everyone has to wait." " I was actually going to suggest sending her out there." " Oh...well if its that important go ahead." Sheridan fell silent. As far as he was concerned the occupant of the shuttle was just another ambassador. The fact that his name was Jeffrey Sinclair had nothing to do with Sheridan's handling of the situation, or so he told himself. " That's odd," The other man commented out loud. " What ?" Sheridan asked. " The Shuttle isn't in its designated position." " Damn." Turning, the Captain made for the door. " Sir ?" The technician inquired. " I'm going to have a word with Mr. Garibaldi. If you hear sounds of PPG fire don't be tempted to interrupt !" He exclaimed to no one in particular. ****************************************************************************** The corridors of the Ambassadorial Wing were comfortingly familiar to Jeffrey Sinclair. He had no problem finding his path, despite the time he had been absent. Part of him would always be here he realised. After all he was the one who had supervised the building of the Station and guided it through the first uncertain years. The signs of the new man in charge were evident, however. Nothing was the same anymore. He remembered thinking that same thought what seemed like a lifetime ago, when Catherine was still at his side. Changes, there had been so many, even his friends were subtly different. His mission was still foremost in his mind. The delay had been unfortunate he could only hope that Delenn had been able to intercept his charge before the others got to her. He was not naive enough to believe that his efforts to ensure secrecy had been totally successful. Arriving at Delenn's quarters he slipped inside, aware that the security monitors might pick him up at any time. The Ambassador came towards him joyfully and the two embraced briefly before seating themselves on the couch. " Jeffrey it is good to see you again, " She smiled, but there was a catch in her voice. " Did you find her ?" " I'm sorry but by the time I had received your message and reached the docking bay...." " Damn, where is she now ?" " We do not know. Lennier has been looking. " " By now she could be anywhere, Grey sector, Down Below.....Why didn't she wait." " She was alone, in a strange place, scared." " I should have made the entire trip." " You could not Jeffrey." Sinclair nodded absently. He could do nothing but blame himself and he was the one who had to find her. The Station was five miles long, where would a young girl hide herself ? She had been told of the danger that she could be in, it was no wonder that she had run. " I'm going to start looking." Sinclair told Delenn. " Shouldn't you inform Security...." " You know I don't want Garibaldi involved. I'll keep in touch." Delenn suppressed a shiver as she watched Sinclair leave. She knew that he was here because of prophecy and as such he was driven to obey. If that prophecy was prevented from playing out....the Minbari ambassador didn't even want to consider that possibility. ******************************************************************************* " Well, where is he ?" Sheridan demanded angrily. " Who ?" Garibaldi did his best to look innocent but he wasn't very successful. " I don't know how you managed it but that man is breaking regulations and I intend to charge him as such." " Look Jeff used to run this place if anyone could find way on board he could." " You're not trying to deny it then ?" " If Jeff Sinclair says that he needs to get on board the station then he must have a damn good reason." When Sheridan remained silent Garibaldi added, " Trust me on this." " If anything happens as a result..." " Okay, okay I'm responsible." " Just remember that." " Sir, do you have a problem with Sinclair being here ?" " Of course not." The Captain turned and stormed out of the room, but not before he'd heard Garibaldi mutter, " Sure, and my mother's a Vorlon." Did he have a problem with his predecessor's presence ? Sheridan wasn't sure. What he did have a problem with was the loyalty the mans former staff still had. He didn't know what was so special about Jeffrey Sinclair but it made him feel decidedly inadequate. To calm himself down Sheridan decided to visit the Ship's gardens. A walk among the fruit trees was just what he needed right now. If some of the produce just happened to fall off in his hands so much the better. As always the hydroponics section of the station was cool, a fresh breeze blowing gently around the trees. Sheridan took several deep breaths, his anger evaporating in the peaceful atmosphere. He sat down under an orange tree, leaning against its planter. The Station had been so busy recently that he hadn't found time to visit his favourite area. Even now he really couldn't sanction the time it took to relax, however as he shut his eyes he realised that he would not be left at peace for very long. He was right ten minutes later his Link gave an annoying beep, " Sheridan here, " He replied, " Talk to me, " ******************************************************************************* " We've got problems Captain," Ivanova reported as Sheridan stepped through the door of the Observation Dome. " Give me a surprise Commander. One day tell me that you're having a nice day and nothing has gone wrong." " Noted for future reference." " Okay, what is it ?" " The Minbar jump gate has gone down again." " Twice, in less than two days ?" " Yes and this time it wasn't a malfunction which makes it likely that the first time wasn't either." " What ?" " Reports are confused but it seems like someone tried to blow it out of the sky." " Who ?" " Not sure, as I said, things are a little hectic out there." " Is it one of ours or one of there's ?" " Ours sir." " Good, that means you can go out there and take a look." " I'll leave right away. There should be a shuttle free" " Starfury would be quicker." " But not exactly comfortable. I'll call in when I get there." Ivanova was secretly glad of the oppotunity to leave the station. Several hours in deep space would give her time to get herself sorted out. Just when she thought that her life was coming together, fate threw her another curve ball. She needed to think, evaluate, decide exactly what she should do. ***************************************************************************** From 101646.276@compuserve.com Sun May 12 10:22:00 1996 Date: 12 May 96 06:32:54 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 4 A Time for Shadows Part 4 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights As soon as they reached Brown Sector the two bounty hunters felt more comfortable. Down Below was their territory, no EarthForce officers breathing down their necks. Here they were able to blend in with the constantly fluctuating population. It was here that they would be able to buy information that would lead them to their quarry. In a sector of the Station that specialised in sleazy bars, Adams had managed to find the most disreputable. Tucked away in a side corridor, no bright lights or garish music betrayed its presence. Just a grimy doorway draped with a curtain that had given up any pretence of colour many years ago. " Wait outside," Adams told Kestrel as they approached the bar, but she just laughed, " Don't worry Adams, I lost my innocence a long time ago." " It might get rough in there." " What good will it do us if someone pulls a gun on you and I'm out here filing my nails." Adams glared at her. He didn't really want her tagging along. To tell the truth he didn't really trust her and this was one source that he hadn't wanted to reveal. Kestrel was a stranger to Babylon 5 and as he knew the territory he had the advantage over her. They had been partners now for several years but it was a relationship of convenience. Each secure in the knowledge that the other could be disposed of when necessary. He doubted that she would shed any tears at his passing when, eventually, some criminal got the better of him. Entering the bar Kestrel could see why Adams had wanted her to stay outside. The room was dark, and stank of a hundred different noxious substances. From the shadows she could almost determine shapes but could make no guess as to species, gender or even sentience. As she followed Adams through the mass of creatures she tried to remember when she had been in worse hellholes in the galaxy. Adams went up to the barman and grabbed him by the front of his clothing, " Where's Tate ?" The bounty hunter growled. " Along there, Room 4." The barman whimpered. Adams dropped the man and turned towards the stairs. " I thought these people were friends of yours, " Kestrel whispered as they started along the corridor. " Acquaintances," He corrected, " That's not the same thing." Room 4 was at the end of the long dark passage. Adams pushed the door open and the pair entered. " Fletcher my boy !" A voice echoed. " Tate ?" Kestrel questioned. " Tate," Adams confirmed. Tate was an example of extreme over indulgence. His physical appearance had been shaped by excess food, drugs and other pleasures, legal or otherwise. The room was simply furnished, a bed, two chairs. He motioned for them to be seated. " Well, son, what can I do for you ?" He bellowed. Adams took a picture from his jacket and handed it to the other man. Tate nodded to himself as he examined the piece of paper, " Name Misha Ranson." Adams said but Tate cut him off before he could say more. " Yes, came in aboard the Ellinson. You are not the only ones looking for this person, my friend." " Who...?" " The Minbari have been scouting around Brown sector. Bad for business, they make people feel guilty and then they won't buy what I have to offer. You may have another problem." " What ?" " Rumours say that a man called Sinclair is also here because of her." " I think we can deal with him. This one must be more important than we realised, now where can we find her ?" " She's been brought up by the Minbari. Alone, scared.... Try Brown 5" " Thanks for your help." " One more thing. You of all people should realise that you don't get anything in this life for nothing." " Okay Tate what's the price ?" The mans eyes turned to Kestrel. Adams was about to protest when she nodded, " It all right, we needed that information." " I'm afraid you're not really my species. One thousand commercial credits should be adequate." Adams took out a credit chip and handed it to Tate. Kestrel breathed a sigh of relief as they left the room. When they were safely out in the corridor she turned to Adams, " I don't think I've been insulted," She commented, ******************************************************************************* Misha crept into the church tired and dispirited. Since she had arrived, almost 24 hours ago, she had walked the length and breadth of the Station looking for Uncle Jeff. This whole place scared her. That's why she had been glad to find the church. A Human centre of worship, the ceremonies were vastly different from the Minbari ones that she had grown up with but at least she felt more at home. She had slept here the night before, curled up on one of the benches, the people that ran the place hadn't objected. They didn't get that many visitors. There was a service in progress as she slipped in the back, huddling against the wall. No one in the small congregation seemed to notice her. The church was run down, typical of this area of the Station, a few people desperately praying for an escape from the life that they found themselves living. The problem was that Misha felt herself to be one of them now. She had convinced herself that no one was coming for her. There had been some mistake and she had been abandoned in this terrible place. Or maybe the Shadows had come. As the congregation took up the words of a hymn the door opened once more and a man came in. He slipped into the seat beside Misha. He was in his forties, handsome, distinguished. He was wearing the uniform that seemed to predominate aboard the Station, although his was blue where the security guard's had been grey. The man nodded at Misha, who forced herself not to shrink away. She didn't want to draw too much attention by behaving in what could be an abnormal manner. That was her problem, she wasn't sure what normal human behaviour was. Now she away from the planet where she had grown up she was beginning to realise how sheltered her upbringing had been. This was the first time she had been in contact with members of her own race and she had very little idea of how she was supposed to behave. Sheridan had gone into Down Below for two reasons. Firstly, he considered it an essential part of his attempts to get to know the station and secondly it annoyed the hell out of his Security Chief. Maybe it wasn't the place for him to wander about alone but Sheridan wanted to make that decision himself. Garibaldi was just over cautious, the Captain hadn't survived two years out on the rim without learning how to look after himself. He had found the church quite by accident and had wandered inside. Marvelling how people had turned what had been a storage bay into their place of worship. Sheridan wasn't a deeply religious man but he often took comfort from the belief that there was something outside human comprehension. Without that, the death of his wife would have had no meaning. The thought that one day they would be reunited beyond the fragile human existence had kept him alive for those terrible weeks when the pain had threatened to overwhelm him. The hymn reached its crescendo and Sheridan found himself smiling. As the service ended and the congregation started to file out the Captain remained seated, wanting to stay in this peaceful place a little longer. His thoughts were shattered as the door crashed open and the two bounty hunters strode in. To his surprise they came towards him. Sheridan got to his feet, wondering what they could possibly want. " There she is." Adams whispered as the two of them surveyed the area. " Told you so." His partner replied, " What do we do about the Captain ?" " Nothing, we have the warrant, he can't stop us." " Keep your PPG on a low setting and aim for the leg." " And hope she doesn't move." "Kill her and we loose the half the bounty." It was then that Sheridan realised that it was not because of him that the two bounty hunters were here. They were looking straight past him, at the girl huddled against the wall, at the far end of the pew. She must have sensed their interest because she looked up. For a moment her expression was transfixed by pure fear. Despite her youth she appeared to recognise the bounty hunters as they started towards her, realising what their intentions must be. Maybe it was just a survival instinct but she bolted to her feet. " Misha Ranson," Kestrel called out, " We have a warrant for your arrest and orders to shoot to kill if you resist." Something was not right. Warning bells were sounding in Sheridan's mind. What could the Hunters want with the girl, she was just a kid. Somehow he knew that she couldn't be responsible for whatever crime she was accused of. The girl was panicking, however, she was going to try to run. Out of the corner of his eye, Sheridan saw Kestrel raise her weapon. Without really thinking he hurled himself at the woman, deflecting the blast as it was fired. It was then that all hell broke loose. Screams, shouts, people running in all directions. Adams, backing up Kestrel could no longer get a clear shot at his target. He fired at random, just for good measure, not really caring if he hit the innocent bystanders. He swore loudly as he realised that Misha had vanished into the milling crowd. Adams helped Kestrel to her feet, " Its time we got out of here, " He told her. " Where is she ?" Kestrel snapped. " Disappeared that way. If we hurry we might catch her." " Come on then," ******************************************************************************* Garibaldi was on his way home when he got the call, weapons fire in Brown 5. He felt suddenly cold as he retraced his steps. It was not a new feeling, some prescient part of his mind was telling him to expect blood. He led the team into Down Below himself, they were a formidable sight, clad in black combat armour, heavy assault weapons clutched across their chests. The church was in chaos. Although there were no weapons being fired the general populace had taken it as a sign to start a riot. However, they were not prepared to take on the heavily armed security forces. Within a matter of minutes the crowds had been forcibly dispersed. Only the dead and the wounded remained, the priests moving to tend to them. Moving to the centre of the room, Garibaldi took a slow look round, scrutinising the shadows. There had definitely been plasma discharge weapons fire. The progression of the blast points seemed to indicate that someone had been shooting at a moving target. Someone who didn't seem to care if an innocent party got in the way. A shout from one of his subordinates broke the security chief's train of thought as he was directed to a crumpled form in a blue uniform slumped under one of the benches. Captain Sheridan was pulled free, unmoving, a gaping wound in his shoulder. At first Garibaldi was afraid that the man was dead, but the Captain moved slightly as his consciousness struggled to return. It didn't stop the highly imaginative language that Garibaldi managed to recall and downright invent. A stern glance from one of the priests stopped him in mid flow however and he managed to calm down enough to give his men orders to assist in the clean up of the place. Sheridan was coming to hazy consciousness. He opened his mouth, hoping that the sound he was trying to make was coming out of it. His bleary vision revealed Garibaldi kneeling beside him, " Lay still sir, the medics will be here in a minute." The chief was saying. " No, got to tell you...." Sheridan managed to gasp, he must have got the words out because Garibaldi's expression immediately became concerned as he bent closer, trying to understand what his commanding officer was saying. " The bounty hunters were here..." " I guessed as much, but why ? Who were they after ?" " A girl, tall, dark hair....about fifteen, they called her Misha." " Let me guess, you got in the way ?" " Find her...before they do." " Yes sir, you can count on it." 'Well, what do you know its finally happened,' Was Sheridan's last thought as he lost consciousness once more. ******************************************************************************* Garibaldi barely suppressed a shiver as he stared at the still form of Captain Sheridan. It was barely nine months since he had been hooked up to those machines, recovering from his PPG injury. Closing his eyes for a second, Garibaldi swore to himself. Why was it that anyone who advanced above the rank of Lieutenant Commander suddenly developed this tendency to unnecessarily put their lives at risk ? Maybe part of the brain was affected by the promotion. Unfortunately with Ivanova away it left the Security Chief in charge. " What's the prognosis ?" He wanted to know. " Oh, he'll be okay it was only low discharge plasma. At close quarters it would cause a wound like this but normally it would only be enough to stun or bruise. I'll keep him sedated for the next few hours, give him time to heal." Dr. Franklin replied. " Good idea. Let him up and who knows where he'll end up. In the middle of another riot probably informed." Without really thinking about it, Garibaldi made his way to the Observation Dome. There were others who outranked him aboard the Station but his position as Chief of Security made him third in command and until Ivanova got back....... In fact Garibaldi considered himself the least suitable officer to leave in charge, especially when he had an investigation to carry out. It was ironic, the person who was the best suited for the position was actually on board but who knew where Jeff Sinclair was or what he was doing. The first thing he did when he got there was call security, " Garibaldi to Allen," He spoke into his link. " What can I do for you Chief ?" Came the cheerful reply. " Those two Bloodhounds, has anyone spotted them in the last two hours ?" " I've had no reports. Our plain clothes guys lost them at the church. " " Damn. Before that ?" " Evans filed a report at 1100 from one of the bars in Brown 23." " Tate's place ?" " Yeah." "Put more men onto it, find them and let me know where. Better alert Evans. If they've got contacts here they might well pay a return visit."" " Will do." " Oh and you'll be in charge until further notice. The Captain and Commander Ivanova are....indisposed." " Excuse me for asking but what's going on Sir ?" " I wish I knew Zack, I wish I knew." ****************************************************************************** From 101646.276@compuserve.com Sun May 12 10:22:02 1996 Date: 12 May 96 06:33:45 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 5 A Time for Shadows Part 5 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights " You have to go to security." Delenn pleaded with Sinclair. The man had returned to her quarters in the early hours of the morning. One look into his eyes told her that his mission had been unsuccessful. " They got to her first." He said, " killed three people but I don't know what happened to Misha. A girl matching her description was seen running away." " If we are lucky...." " If we're lucky she'll be even more difficult to find." Sinclair turned away from his friend, but he felt the touch of her hand on his shoulder, " We must not give up hope." " I just wish I could go to Garibaldi. If anyone could find her..." Delenn was silent for a moment, her expressive eyes mirroring her thought patterns. She had a suggestion, but was not quite sure how Sinclair would react. There was someone else whom she was sure would agree to help, who would not compromise their elaborate arrangements. " Jeffrey," She began, "I think you should talk to Captain Sheridan." " Sheridan ?" " He is a good man. I am certain that he would appreciate our position and help us." Reluctantly, Sinclair nodded. He hadn't wanted to bring this to the attention of others but in this case.... " I'll go and see him as soon as he comes on duty." ******************************************************************************* " Doesn't Sheridan ever do any paperwork ?" Garibaldi asked himself as he stared at the overloaded desk, " Suppose he expects me to do it ?" With the Station in crisis this was the last thing he wanted. Wearily he started to sort through it, there were some things lurking that would require his immediate attention no doubt. Three hours later and he was still at it, in between calls from the Observation Dome, Ambassadorial Wing and Security Central. By way of a change he decided to contact Med. Lab. There was a chance that Sheridan had regained consciousness, could give him new information; " Garibaldi to Franklin," He spoke into his link. " Franklin here," The Doctor replied. " How's it goin' Doc ?" " Not as well as I'd like. There's no change in the Captain's condition ." " That's good then." " Not necessarily." " When can you let me know how long he's going to be out ?" " When I get some peace." " Sorry to have disturbed you." 'How would Jeff work this out ?' He couldn't stop asking himself. He was interrupted in his musings by a discreet cough from the doorway. Jeff Sinclair was standing there looking with some puzzlement at his former Security Chief. " Come to stare wistfully at the seat of command ?" Garibaldi smiled. " What's happened to Sheridan and Ivanova?" Sinclair wanted to know. " Sheridan's in Med. Lab and Ivanova's off Station so that leaves yours truly in charge...God help us. That and Sheridan's paperwork." Sinclair laughed at the expression of despair on Garibaldi's face. " Something I can do for you Jeff ?" " I just thought I'd better see Sheridan and explain my presence here." " Would have been a good idea." The former Commander only nodded in reply. Garibaldi was suddenly struck by how weary his friend appeared to be. He'd seen that expression before. Old soldiers, during the war. Soldiers that had fought too long and too often. Something had happened to Jeff Sinclair after he had left Babylon 5, something that had deeply affected the man. Sensing Michael's concern Sinclair gave a disarming smile, " I'm sorry Michael, I've just completed a very complicated set of negotiations. I guess I'm tired." " Why are you here Jeff ?" Garibaldi asked, suddenly, " What do you want ?" Sinclair shuddered, he didn't like that question, but he answered it as he had done before, " I needed to see Ambassador Delenn...." " No, why are you really here ? And don't even try to lie to me again." Delenn had told Sinclair to seek Sheridan's help but the man was obviously indisposed. The next best shot was Garibaldi. Maybe it wasn't necessary to tell him the whole truth. " I'm here to meet someone," He said eventually. " Let me guess, girl of about fifteen, called Misha." " Yes, how did you ...?" " Jeff this is me remember. You're in luck Sheridan's got me looking for the same person. What I don't know is why so many people are after her ?" " All I can say is that she is very important to many people, us....them." " Care to make things a bit clearer ?" " Michael you have to trust me on this. Just find her before they do." It was funny Sheridan had given him exactly the same order. Garibaldi already knew that he was going to help Sinclair. He just felt a little annoyed that Jeff hadn't come to him first. However, he needed someone to take over in command, someone who wasn't going to question his every move. " Okay but you'll have to hold things together here." " Michael...." " I'm going in alone." " But I know her." Sinclair protested. " You're also Earth's Ambassador to Minbar. There's no way I'm going to let you wander around Down Below. We've already had three people killed and the Captain injured. Besides you'll stick out like an angel at a prize fight." Sinclair gave a reluctant nod. He admitted that Garibaldi did have the dubious ability to blend in with any crowd. " Commander Sinclair !"Any further debate was halted by Ivanova's voice. " Susan, Its good to see you again." Jeff replied. " Likewise sir, but if you don't mind me asking but what's the situation here ?" Both men stood sheepishly silent. " Well?" She asked. " What did you find out at the Jump Gate ?" Garibaldi asked by way of a distraction. " Someone tried to destroy it but we didn't find any traces of who. The witnesses we questioned refused to describe what they saw. In my opinion they knew very well what it was but were under orders not to tell us." " The net is tightening. " Sinclair said, almost to himself. When the other officers looked at him he added, " We have to find her soon or our path home will be blocked." " Isn't this where I came in ?" Ivanova muttered. " The so-called fugitive is a fifteen year old girl." Garibaldi explained., " She was spotted Down Below by Captain Sheridan just as the Bounty Hunters got to her. Now do you want the good news or the bad news ?" " Surprise me." " The good news is she got away. The bad news is that the Captain got injured in the process. " " Is he...?" " Franklin says he's goin' to be okay. Look if I'm goin' down below I'd better get a move on." " Thank you for doing this Michael." " Lets face it, the odds aren't good. Even if the Bounty Hunters didn't get her something else might have." " I know. I'll be in Ambassador Delenn's quarters if you need me." He said as he stood and shuffled from the room. Garibaldi and Ivanova looked at each other. " He's changed," Ivanova said, " How long's he been gone ? Just over nine months ?" " I know, but he's the best friend I ever had and I'm not gonna let him down now," There was an uneasy pause, " How are you feeling ?" Michael couldn't stop himself from asking. " Tired." She replied, " It was a long trip, Four hours just to get there. Thank goodness for the automatic pilot. I probably just need something to eat." "I'll tell the Mess Hall to send something in, I don't want you passing out on me again." " Michael.....!" She laughed despite her outrage, " Okay reprimand accepted." " I'll see you later." He grinned. Resignedly Susan took the seat behind Sheridan's desk. ******************************************************************************* Dressed as he was now, in a shabby coat and hat, Garibaldi did look as if he belonged in the more dubious areas of the Station. Sinclair had little idea as to where the girl might be found so the Security Chief had to rely on his instincts. He felt the familiar adrenaline rush as he entered Brown Sector, it made him feel good. Better than the bottle had ever done. His senses sharpened, without really looking he saw Dust being pushed in a darkened doorway, a prostitute displaying her wares, illegal gaming. But those things had to be ignored. He stood for a moment, turning slowly, letting his feelings take over. He didn't believe that he was picking a direction at random he plunged into a dim corridor. His hand was never too far from the PPG in the shoulder holster. There was another tucked into the waistband of his trousers and a third strapped to his wrist, hidden by the bulky coat. He was well aware that the people he was going up against wouldn't hesitate to injure or even kill. It was ironic, because the bounty hunters were sanctioned by Earth Central there was nothing he could do, apart from make things very difficult for them. Namely find the girl before they did. He took another turn, moving further into the darker areas. That's where he would have gone. She would have realised by now that she couldn't trust anyone apart from herself. Surviving alone would have taught her that. Alone, but alive, the animal starts to take over. Must be quite a kid to manage that especially considering the fact that she had been brought up by the Minbari, not your average child of the streets. She would be getting to the stage where she would have to stop, rest, sleep if she was very careless. It was only when Sinclair had shown him the photograph that he realised that the face was familiar. The girl that he had spoken to in the docking bay just before the Blood Hounds had arrived. It was lucky that he had managed to persuade her to leave otherwise their visit would have been real short. It was obvious now that she had been waiting for Sinclair who had been delayed by the traffic problems. He'd felt that she had needed help but by the time he had returned she had fled. From what Jeff had said it was quite likely that she wasn't going to trust anyone but at least he was going to be a familiar face. One of the most likely areas was Brown 15. The Minbari had set up a soup kitchen and many of the homeless congregated there. A crowded area, among familiar people, it was an educated guess. He hated to think that his instincts might be wrong. The problem was if he had worked it out the Hunters probably had too. As Garibaldi joined the shuffling line of inhabitants he scrutinised the faces round him. There were several children of the right age, but none matched the picture that Sinclair had shown him. He was beginning to think that he'd come to the wrong place when he spotted her, huddled in a sheet of plastic. Although her head was down he could just see her eyes darting about her. Her nervous form started every time the queue moved forward. Garibaldi was in two minds as to what he should do. He could carry her bodily out of here but she was likely to bolt as soon as he got near. Introducing himself would probably have the same effect, she had no reason to trust him. Maybe he should have brought Jeff after all. Still pondering the problem he realised that he had reached the front of the line. Luckily it was none of the Minbari he knew serving. It would be just typical if Lennier turned up and announced to all the world that the Chief of Security was in Down Below. He didn't say anything, just did his best to look like one of the locals. If she left he could follow, if she stayed then maybe he could get her to come with him. He had to get her to trust him. It was a long journey back topside and they could be under fire at any moment, he wanted her to stick by him not run off at the first opportunity. " What have we here ?" A voice made Garibaldi suddenly take notice. But it wasn't talking to him. Three men moved to stand in front of Misha. They were better dressed than most indicating that they weren't members of the homeless multitudes. Obviously they wanted something. Something they could get by offering money to women who weren't in a position to refuse. " Want to earn enough to get off this pile of rust ?" Another asked her. Garibaldi altered his position slightly, just in case. " Money ? " She asked. Damn they'd managed to get her interest. Her survival instinct was being overcome by her need to leave the Station . Garibaldi decided to intervene. He pulled his hat further down over his eyes crossed over to them, doing his best to speak casually, " Look elsewhere friend." " Who asked you to interfere ?" One of them questioned him. " I say where, I say when, I say who." Garibaldi continued, drawing himself up to his full height. He was half a head taller than any of them. They looked at each other, obviously deciding whether to argue or not. Just to push the point home The Security Chief struck out at one of them. A good right hook even if he did say so himself. It was enough to send the others fleeing into the crowd. He grinned as he turned back to Misha only to see her bolting down the corridor. " That's the last time I try the subtle approach," He muttered to himself. Bringing up a mental map of the area he set off in pursuit. ******************************************************************************* Misha ran with bitter thoughts racing around her mind. Just when she had thought that it was safe to rest and here she was fleeing for her life again. What that other man had been doing she couldn't even begin to guess. Why had he helped her....unless he was one of those sent to capture her. Trust nobody she told herself time and time again, not even the Minbari, only Uncle Jeff, but he wasn't here so maybe she couldn't rely on him after all. She nearly ran into the two people walking in the opposite direction. In panic, she screamed as she realised that one of them was the woman with the red hair who had come to the church. Mere panic gave way to fear as the man grabbed her. As she tried to scream again he placed a large hand over her mouth. She bit him but he didn't seem to be able to feel it. The woman came closer, scrutinising her face. " Well ?" Adams asked. " Its her." Kestrel replied. " Lets get out of this flea pit then." Misha tried to struggle but the man was far too strong for her. He had to release her mouth for a second as he handcuffed her. She screamed again. " No one's going to help you little girl." Kestrel sneered, " We have a warrant to bring you in." That didn't stop Misha screaming but although people passed them in the corridor no one was going to interfere with a Bounty Hunter doing his job. ******************************************************************************* Michael Garibaldi pulled his PPG free of its holster as he charged round the corner towards the source of the screams. He'd taken a short cut, hoping to cut Misha off before she reached the travel tube. However, he was wishing now that he'd kept right behind her. He fired off a random shot hoping to scare more than hit any target. Bounty Hunters don't scare easily. Adams raised his own gun to Misha's head, " Another step and I'll kill her." He yelled. Garibaldi had no choice, he placed his weapon on the floor.. " What do you know, a fraggin' hero." He grinned, " Kestrel, search him." " My pleasure." She purred. Patting him down she quickly relieved him of the weapon tucked at his back. Using the butt of the gun she struck him across the side of the head. He spun into the wall and slid to the floor. " Same with all those hero types," She sighed, " No muscle." Adams laughed, a harsh unpleasant sound, and pushed his now silent charge in front of him. The flash of the PPG came just before they were out of range. Kestrel gave a yell and fell backwards, clutching her shoulder. In the moment Adams turned to see what had happened to his partner Misha had the presence of mind to kick him in the shins and run towards Garibaldi. He caught her by the arm and dragged her with him. Adams was already in pursuit and they could hear him pounding after them. Darting round a corner, and temporarily out of sight Garibaldi used his security pass to open a storage locker and shoved Misha inside. " Stay tight, " He hissed, " I'll be back for you." Then he was running again, firing off his PPG so Adams wouldn't be able to hear that there was now only one set of footsteps instead of two. ******************************************************************************* " Well ?" Kestrel asked as Adams walked back towards her. " Lost them." He grunted. " Damn," She swore. She then let out a yelp of pain as he helped her to her feet. " Better get that seen to." He said. " I thought I'd just stay here and bleed to death." Adams didn't reply as he put an arm round her waist, supporting most of her weight. They made slow progress to the travel tube. The PPG burn was by no means fatal but it was extremely painful. " If I'm not mistaken that was the security chief, what was his name ?" Kestrel said. " Garibaldi....You sure ?" " A hat doesn't make an impenetrable disguise. Now he's got her we're unlikely to be able to get close again." " You reckon we should go after the secondary target ?" " I think we stand a better chance." " Kestrel, blood loss has obviously scrambled your brain," " Maybe but they'll be expecting us to go after the girl again." Adams just gave a curt nod as he helped her into the lift. ******************************************************************************* From 101646.276@compuserve.com Sun May 12 10:22:04 1996 Date: 12 May 96 06:34:04 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 6 A Time for Shadows Part 6 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights " Have I stepped through a time warp or something ?" John Sheridan questioned as he stepped through the door of his office. Jeffrey Sinclair and Susan Ivanova looked up from the papers they were studying . The new Commander of Babylon 5 looked a little the worse for wear. His arm was supported by a sling and his face bore the expression of one who had just bullied his way out of Med. Lab. Sinclair got out of the chair and offered it to Sheridan. " Care to give me an explanation....Ambassador." Sheridan couldn't keep the bitterness out of his tone. It would take all of the former Commander's negotiating skills to smooth things over. Choosing his words carefully he outlined the situation. How Delenn had told him to seek Sheridan's trust but finding Garibaldi in charge Sinclair had kept things ticking over while the other man had gone down below. " Has he found anything ?" Sheridan asked with more than a little interest. " He hasn't reported back yet." Sinclair admitted, " Its been three hours now. Damn I must have been crazy to let him go alone." " I think being slightly crazy is one of the requirements of this job," ******************************************************************************* The man came back for her as promised. Misha looked up at him as he helped her out of the confined space. He was tall, well built and smelt like he'd been just come out of a garbage pile. " Sorry about the smell," He apologised, "I had to hide in the waste reclamation unit before I could lose him." Misha didn't reply. She still wasn't quite sure if she could trust him. Yes he'd helped her but she didn't know why. Somehow the man sensed her dilemma. " I'm Michael Garibaldi, Chief of Security," He presented her with his ID badge before continuing," Jeff Sinclair sent me to find you." The relief was evident on the girls face, for a moment Garibaldi thought that she was going to burst into tears. He was still amazed that she had managed to stay undetected as long as she had. She must have one hell of a survival instinct. " Come on," He said, " We still have a long way to go." " I'm sorry about before," She apologised. " Don't worry about it. If I was you I wouldn't have trusted me either." Garibaldi was glad to see that his comment made her smile. She was obviously starting to relax in his presence, a good sign, it meant that she wasn't likely to run off again. Cautiously, they started to make their way out of Down Below. It was a slow journey. Garibaldi didn't want to run the risk of encountering the Bounty Hunters. He was pretty sure that he had injured one of them but that didn't mean that they weren't skulking about somewhere. Misha was also close to exhaustion. Garibaldi suspected that she had hardly slept or eaten for three days so he forced her to stop frequently. All that was keeping her going was the need to see Jeff. He wondered what the relationship between the two actually was. She obviously saw him a some type of father figure, probably her only contact with humanity during her upbringing. It took them half an hour to reach the core shuttle for the fifteen minute ride to blue section. She was dead on her feet by that time. Garibaldi felt a little guilty about questioning her but if Sinclair wouldn't give him any answers then maybe she would. " So why did Jeff send you to B5 ?" He asked, there was nothing like the direct approach. " I....I don't know, because it was on the way home I guess." " Where's home ?" " Minbar." " But you're human." She didn't reply. They boarded the waiting car, luckily it was empty so Gariabldi could carry on their conversation. " That was a pretty stupid thing to do...I mean running off like that." He continued. " What was I supposed to do. I saw those people come aboard and knew they wanted to kill me." " You could have waited for me to come and get you." " Uncle Jeff told me not to talk to the Station personnel. He didn't say why. I tried to find Delenn but I couldn't get into the right section of this place. " " Now why would Jeff do that ?" Garibaldi mused out loud. It was a rhetorical question but she answered anyway, " He just said it would be dangerous." " How did you know the Bounty Hunters had come for you ?" " I just did. Don't you get feelings like that ? That you know what someone is thinking." " Sometimes, but I don't think its quite the same thing." " It happens all the time. " " Must be scary. Can you read me ?" He didn't know why he asked, maybe it was more than just proving his theory. She looked at him, her eyes becoming slightly unfocussed ; " I know I can trust you." " Good." " But you're hurting inside and have been for a very long time...." " I think that's enough......We're nearly there." Garibaldi went straight to the Captain's office. He'd been gone a long time, he was surprised that search parties hadn't been sent out. There was quite a reception committee as he and Misha walked in. Sheridan, Sinclair, Ivanova. Misha hurled herself into Sinclair's arms. " Thankyou Michael." Sinclair said. Garibaldi could do nothing but sink into the nearest chair. Now that Misha was safe and the Captain back on duty the adrenaline rush suddenly faded leaving him weary, slightly confused and with a splitting headache. He was also suddenly aware of his need for a hot shower. The other occupants of the room also noted the fact. " Um...Mr. Garibaldi," Sheridan started. " I know, I know," Michael replied," I just wanted to sit down for two seconds. If you want me I'll be in my quarters." After Garibaldi had left the room, Sheridan turned to Sinclair and said, " We'll get you off the Station as soon as we can." " Tonight ?" Sinclair asked. " Unlikely." Susan replied, " Not with the Minbar Gate out of commission." " So you'll have to stay the night." Sheridan added, " Susan, take Misha back to your quarters, I'll have Mr. Garibaldi send a security detail." " Sir ?" " Comm....Ambassador Sinclair and I have some things to discuss." " Aye sir." Susan smiled, in what she hoped was a reassuring way, at Misha and said, " Come on you look like you could do with some rest." Misha glanced anxiously at Sinclair, who nodded. It was only then that she allowed herself to be escorted from the room. The Ambassador didn't particularly want to let his charge out of his sight but he admitted that she was probably as safe with Ivanova as she was with him. Safer in fact, the bounty hunters would know that she was supposed to be with him and as a result he was probably their secondary target. Logic would suggest that they could use him to get to her. " Just who is she ?" Sheridan interrupted Sinclair's thoughts. Sinclair hesitated, how much could he tell the Captain, the man who had effectively taken away his command. Delenn had said to trust him, the Minbari Ambassador was one of his oldest friends, if he couldn't rely on her opinion whose could he ? " The Minbari have a legend, call it prophecy if you will about the way victory may come about in the Great War. " " And the girl ...?" " She has a Minbari soul and we have pledged to protect her. Her talents dictate that Misha will have her part to play in the coming conflict...as you yourself will have." " And you believe this ?" " Yes....yes I do. Look Captain I'm not asking you to accept this prophecy all I want is safe passage off of the Station." " I think I can arrange that, this has nothing to do with your story I just want those two Bounty Hunters out of here." His frown gave way to a grin, " Besides if I don't you might want your old job back." ******************************************************************************* " Who's this ?" Misha asked, picking the photograph up and studying it intently. " My mother," Susan answered simply. " She's very beautiful." " Yes, she was." Misha looked at Susan curiously, expecting an explanation. " She died when I was very young." Ivanova said, taking the photograph and placing it back in its appointed position. Ivanova was doing her best not to sound as uncomfortable as she felt. There was something about the whole situation that was unnerving somehow. It wasn't just the fact that she was going to spend the night with half the Station's security force outside the door. Sinclair's unexpected arrival, bounty hunters sent after what appeared to be an innocent young girl and now Misha's seemingly innocent question. She badly wanted to discuss the recent events with Garibaldi, see if his mind was as suspicious as hers. The Security Chief had appeared a few moments ago, just to check that the security arrangements were satisfactory. He'd left soon after, muttering something about keeping an eye on Sinclair and Sheridan. In his opinion leaving two such men to their own devices for too long was dangerous. If left unsupervised he was afraid that they'd wander off and do something heroically stupid. Anyway he was unlikely to consider that his best friend would be keeping important information from them. the only other person who was likely to know the whole story was Misha. Despite not wanting to continue the conversation Susan asked, " What happened to your parents ?" " My father died in the war." Misha explained, her voice wooden, emotionless, "Uncle Jeff says he was a great hero, saved thousands of lives." " Your mother ?" " Still alive, but I've never seen her. " There was another strained silence and Ivanova could sense the hostility her question had provoked. Suddenly the girls eyes focused on Susan. " When is your child going to be born ?" Misha asked. " What ? " Susan asked angrily. " I'm sorry I don't understand. You're not happy about it ?" " I..." Susan halted why was she trying to explain herself ? " Never mind just keep it quiet, you know, a girl only thing." By the look on the girls face Susan realised that Misha couldn't comprehend her meaning. She almost felt the need to explain and tell this girl about some of the complications of human existence. Although the Minbari were advanced in some ways they were very different from humans. Susan realised that she had seen Misha's puzzled expression on Lennier's face time and time again, when faced with a new facet of human behaviour. In the midst of her confused feelings, Susan was actually starting to feel sorry for the girl. However, she couldn't think of anything to say that would provide the comfort that Misha obviously needed. " You must be tired. Sleep now and maybe we'll talk some more in the morning." " In the morning I'll be gone." The girl almost whispered as she departed to the sleeping area. Susan pulled the sliding doors shut behind her. As she tried to make herself comfortable on the couch Susan wondered frantically how the girl could have found out. Unless Dr. Hernandez had been indiscreet....How had she managed to get herself into this situation ? There was only one obvious answer, they had been careless. No, Susan corrected herself, the blame was entirely hers. 'It's the twenty third century,' She told herself, ' Humans should have sorted out their relationship problems by now.' Despite herself Susan couldn't help thinking back. It had been a personally distressing time and she had sought comfort anywhere that she could. Even in the arms of another lover. Had she betrayed Talia....or herself ? Why Garibaldi ? Thats what she kept asking herself. She didn't know the answer. Susan now realised that there had been some kind of mutual attraction despite the doubts she had had about herself. Doubts she wouldn't be able to resolve until her love for Talia had faded a little. In theory it sounded good but she hadn't reckoned on the consequences of the night she and Michael had spent together. When she had found out that she was pregnant she realised that Garibaldi would have to be told. Knowing him as well as she did she felt certain that he would offer his support but Susan had the feeling that she wouldn't get it without making certain sacrifices. Part of her still couldn't let him know the reason she had told him to forget anything had ever happened. Why she had lied to him.Talia had awakened something within her mind, for the first time she had possibly revealed her skills to another telepath. When the alternative personality had been revealed she had been so scared, that was something that Susan Ivanova didn't admit to easily. The fear was something that she had lived with for a long time and it couldn't be relinquished easily. Fear of her own capabilities, fear of psicorps, fear of her colleagues finding out.....the list went on and on. "Tell no one," The words ate into her mind. That wasn't important, Garibaldi had a right to know, and as soon as possible. The door signal sounded, making Susan jump. She let Michael in. How did he do it ? " Just checking everything's okay , before I turn in." He said. His voice was weary, the strain of the past few hours evident in every movement, " How is she ?" Susan hesitated, she couldn't really tell him that the girl gave her the creeps. " Asleep," Susan replied, " Did you find out anything else ?" " Nothing new." He shrugged, " I just have a bad feeling." " I know what you mean.....We'll be ready to leave at 0500." " Good. I should have everything organised by then and get a couple of hours sleep if I'm lucky." " Would coffee help ?" " You read my mind. Might keep me awake long enough to get to my quarters. The other staff complain when I fall asleep in the hallways." " Black, two sugars ?" " Yeah, thanks. Franklin offered me some stimms but I'd rather filch some of your coffee supply." She handed him the mug and he took an appreciative sip. The downside was that it would be a week before he would be able to drink the artificial stuff again. He sat down, stretching his long legs across the floor. Just two minutes of quiet relaxation and he would be ready to face the world again. Although his intention was to return to his quarters he knew very well that he would have to pass too many security personnel for his journey to be hassle- free. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to loosen the tense muscles. " Michael ?" The soft voice was calling to him. " I'm not asleep." He said although his eyes were shut. " Just checking, because that's my bed you're sitting on." Michael shot to his feet, almost spilling the precious coffee. He swallowed the remaining liquid rapidly. It was cool so he must have drifted off. Susan had an amused grin on her face. Michael couldn't help laughing in reply. The smile faded from Susan's face, however, it was now or never, " Michael, I think we should talk." " Why now ?" The tension had returned to his voice, " You didn't seem too keen on the idea a couple of days ago." " I know, something's happened . There are things I need to explain." " Okay. I'll have some time tomorrow morning, after Jeff's gone." " Fine." Garibaldi immediately regretted his cool words. If Susan was prepared to make an effort, then maybe he should too. His expression softened . He held her hand for a brief moment. " Join me for breakfast ?" He asked. " That would be good." Susan smiled. " 'Night, then." " Sleep well." Susan breathed a sigh of relief. 'Everything was going to be okay,' she told herself, if she said it enough times she was sure that she would come to believe it. ******************************************************************************** From 101646.276@compuserve.com Sun May 12 10:22:07 1996 Date: 12 May 96 06:35:04 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 7 This brings the first half of the story to an end. The rest will, hopefully, be posted towards the end of the week. When I return form sunny shropshire. A Time for Shadows Part 7 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights Medb Kestrel settled into a slightly more comfortable position, trying to stretch her injured shoulder. The pain was bad but she'd lived with worse. Out of the corner of her eye she glimpsed movement. Her partner, concealed as she was, a shadow, lost in the depths of the corridor. The two bounty hunters had been there for hours, before the security team had moved in and sealed off the area. If their target was headed for the docking bays there was no doubt that the guards would use this route. It was a sparsely populated area , close to the external wall of the Station. Bored, she looked down at her weapon once more, mentally checking its configuration. This one would have to be brought in alive. ********************************************************************************* ** Misha could hardly be seen amongst the crowd of security guards, but Garibaldi's tall figure stood out next to her. He was tensed, nervous, ready to protect his charge. If anything happened it wouldn't be the first person that he had taken a bullet for. They weren't far from the docking bay, just one more corridor and they would be in the departure area. The shots rang out from behind them, a salvo of fire, filling the corridor with smoke. In an instant Garibaldi had grabbed Misha, pushing her in front of him, shielding her body with his own. She whimpered as they started to run. There was a scream, as one of the guards was cut down, Garibaldi spared only a second to look behind. He was relieved to see that Ivanova was close behind them. Suddenly, the lights were extinguished. He felt something hit his arm, Misha screamed in fear and Garibaldi was forced to pick her up in his arms and carry her to the last few steps, into the Main Corridor. A second Security Team met them there, accompanied by Sinclair and Sheridan. Gasping, Garibaldi flung Misha at Sinclair, " Get her out of here now Jeff." He yelled " Michael, you're bleeding," Sinclair protested. "Just a scratch, now go ." The girl was hysterical by this time as the noise and confusion continued around them. The PPG fire could be heard coming closer and closer. Nodding once more to his friend, Jeff carried her towards the waiting shuttle. " Susan ?" Garibaldi turned to speak to Ivanova. He looked about him wildly for a few seconds before heading back the way he had come. He was vaguely aware of the shouts behind him, Sheridan ordering him to come back but he took no notice. All his brain was telling him was that Susan hadn't made it out. She was still in there, probably hurt and a mere order wasn't going to stop him finding her. Flames were now licking the edge of the corridor, a result of the initial volley of gunfire. Three figures staggered towards Garibaldi, he gabbed the first one, " Lou, Ivanova ?" " Don't know," Officer Welch coughed, " Last saw her with you," " Then she's still in there." " Chief, if she is you'll never find her.....too much smoke, " Garibaldi was already moving but Welch signalled to his companions to stop their commanding officer, " Sir, you can't go in there, the pressure doors are going to drop any second." " Damnit, let go of me." But he could see the doors closing in front of him. " Keep hold of him," Sheridan shouted from behind, " Part of the hull has been blown out..." Struggling to free himself of their grasp, Michael managed to drag the guards three steps before the corridor access was cut off. He screamed but they held him tight, listening to the sound of the air rushing out of the damaged section. "Officer Welch, how many did we lose ?" Sheridan asked. " If Commander Ivanova was in there, five not including the two doing the shooting. I'm assuming that they didn't have help." " Okay, when its safe I want a team in there, assess the damage and remove the bodies." " Yes sir." As Welch moved away Sheridan became aware that Garibaldi had been released by the guards. He was leaning against the wall, his head buried in his hands. Even from a distance Sheridan could see that the man's shoulders were shaking with the effort of keeping himself under control. All the Captain could feel was a strange numbness, as his mind made an effort to cope with the information. That's what Captain's did, they carried on, shutting the personal feelings away until they could find the time to grieve in private. " The shuttle got away safely." Sheridan said by way of breaking the silence. He was unsure of how to start the conversation. He and Garibaldi were could still be deeply suspicious of one another. All Garibaldi could manage in reply to Sheridan's question was a terse " Good," . The damage control team ran past them as the pressure doors were opened. Garibaldi struggled to his feet, " Mr. Garibaldi ...." Sheridan began. " I want to see this." The other man replied. " Look I understand how you feel." " No you don't !" Sheridan backed away from the angry man, " Michael, I know the two of you must have been close but Susan was my friend too..." He began but Garibaldi didn't give him a chance to finish. " She was more than a friend," Garibaldi said in a voice that was calm, quiet, frightening. He then turned from his commanding officer and walked away. The Captain didn't know what to do, how to react to this startling piece of information. Part of him needed to go after Garibaldi, the part of him that still mourned for Anna. As Captain, however, he had to remain, the medical team had now returned and were ready to report. " What have we got ?" Sheridan asked. " Difficult to say, its messy." Franklin was saying. " Have you managed to identify any of the remains ?" " Not really. That amount of damage could take a while to make a positive identification." " Then she's gone." " Who ?" " We think Ivanova was in there." " Oh no...." " Look, can you hold things together here ?" " Yes, but..." " I have to find Garibaldi." Sheridan managed to run ten steps down the corridor before another, more violent disruption, threw him into the wall and then to the ground. The Captain didn't bother to regain his feet before hitting his link, " Sheridan to C & C, what the hell just happened." " Its the jump gate," A nameless technician yelled, " It just exploded." " What ! How ?" " Cause unknown sir." " The shuttle ?" " Had just left the docking bay. She's been knocked about but we're still detecting life signs." " Haul her in I'm on my way up." ******************************************************************************* Pieces of flaming debris were still spinning past the view port when Sheridan reached the Observation dome. He stood for a moment absorbed by the sight. There was very little left of the seven mile long structure that had once dominated the view. Whoever had done this had effectively cut the station off from the rest of the galaxy. The nearest jumpgate was 30 hours away at maximum thrust. None of the ships presently docked in Babylon 5 were capable of opening a jump point. Sheridan stopped himself in mid thought. He had automatically assumed that someone was responsible. It could still have been an accident. Unlikely, in the event of the report from Minbar. " Station 1," He asked crisply, " Any new information ?" " The gate had just gone on line and there's traces of other debris. I would say that something had just emerged in normal space." " Radiation residues ?" "Scanning.....Evidence of fusion reactor overload." " Any organic remains ?" " Unable to tell." " Shuttle now in Bay 5 Sir," A second technician reported, " The occupants are being taken to Med. Lab." " Call them and let them know I'm on my way. Then I want to know everything possible about that explosion out there. Send a diagnostic team and inform Earth Central. I need a ship capable of independent jump ASAP, failing that a new jump gate." " Aye sir." " One more thing, communications, patch me in to all Stations....." The Captain just loved being indispensable, although that wasn't what he was thinking as he made his way to the Med. Lab. He had to check and see that Sinclair and Misha were okay and then he was going to find Garibaldi. The confusion that reigned over the Observation Dome appeared to have spread to engulf the medical facilities. Sheridan managed to catch Franklin just as he was preparing to enter the iso-lab. " Not now Captain." Was all the Doctor had to say. " The Ambassador ?" " A little shaken up but okay. The girl wasn't so lucky there's some internal bleeding and we have to operate. I'll let you know in about three hours." " If she dies it was all for nothing," Sheridan whispered to himself as Franklin rushed away. A movement at his shoulder and he looked across into the concerned face of Jeffrey Sinclair. Sheridan couldn't cope with the other man right now, not in the face of recent events. Besides he had things to take care of. ******************************************************************************* He was running. He didn't know how many times he had circled the track, ten twenty, fifty ? His shirt and shorts were drenched in sweat but he ran on, ignoring the pain of cramping muscles. He almost felt like he could run forever.....but she couldn't. Six more laps, then he saw the man waving from the edge of the track. How long had the Captain been there ? Garibaldi gultily came to a hault and the pain hit him. The PPG wound throbbed in harmony with his heart beat, reminding him that he was painfully alive. He really should have had it seen to but he couldn't cope with the bustle of Med. Lab. right now. " I didn't think that you were going to stop." Sheridan said. " Something I can do for you Sir ?" " Just wanted to make sure you were okay." " Not really." " To be honest I expected to find you in a bar by now." " I find that violent excercise has the same effect, eventually I fall over and go to sleep." For some reason Sheridan got the impression that it had been very difficult for Garibaldi to say that. A gesture of trust perhaps ? Garibaldi could tell that the other man was trying to think of the right thing to say, but the Captain knew that words of condolence weren't what was needed. " Want to talk about it Michael ?" Sheridan ventured. " Talk about what. Yes, Susan and I slept together. Is that what you wanted to hear ? Yes it was stupid, and yes we regretted it." " Were you in love with her ?" Garibaldi looked up sharply, somehow he hadn't expected the Captain to ask that particular question. " I don't know." He replied simply, " Susan was alone, no family, her career was all she had and I think that night she wanted something more.....and maybe I did too. To be honest we were both shaken up by Talia's departure, I don't think either of us were thinking clearly. Next morning she told me that nothing could ever happen between us. In other words I should forget it." " But thats not what you wanted ?" " Susan was always very important to me. I didn't like the idea of a one night stand with someone I cared so much about. Maybe I really thought we had something. I thought that she felt the same. My gut instinct still says so, I think there was some other reason, but I never found out what. Look, Captain I know it shouldn't have happened......" " I think I understand....." There was silence while Sheridan tried to take it all in. So much was happening on this Station that he sometimes missed the things that were right under his own nose. He had to admit that the two had done an admirable job of covering up any feelings they might have had for one another. " If you want to take a few days off ?" Sheridan ventured when he realised that the silence had been going on too long. " No, I need to work. If I can't, well I don't think I can trust myself." " When Anna died I was the same. Throwing myself into my duties......if I hadn't who knows what would have happened to me. I was lucky. I had good friends, a loyal supportive crew. Mr. Garibaldi, given the circumstances, I'd be grateful if you could take on some of Susan's duties. Just the day to day stuff, I'll handle any diplomatic problems. Until Earth Central send us a replacement." How he hated saying those words, seeing the pain flash across Garibaldi's features. It was necessary, however and Garibaldi realised that. There were no protests in favour of those of higher rank, those who possibly had more experience. He just nodded. " You can count on me sir." " I'll see you later." The Captain said. There seemed little else to say. Garibaldi was a trusted colleague and Sheridan didn't want to see him immersed once more in the trouble that had dogged his career. " Captain..." " Yes, Mr. Garibaldi ?" " Thanks." " Anytime," After the Captain had left there seemed little else for Garibaldi to do but return to his quarters and attempt to get some sleep. He didn't bother to undress as he stretched out on the bed. Mercifully he soon slipped into a deep slumber, free from the shadows of dreams. ******************************************************************************* From 101646.276@compuserve.com Sat May 18 15:53:41 1996 Date: 18 May 96 14:23:54 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 8 Right I'm back so here is the next part. If anyone is wondering, the poem that Sinclair reads is "Crossing the Bar" by Tennyson. I thought it was quite appropriate. A Time for Shadows Part 8 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights PART TWO : SUSAN The dream was a familiar one. Home, green fields, trees, in the distance a river winding around the foot of the hills. A voice called to her and she ran inside the house into the arms of her parents. Laughing happily she looked up at them. As always the faces were indistinct, fading as quickly as the dream. She sighed as she tried to roll over only to find that her movements were restricted. " Misha," A voice was softly calling to her, but it wasn't the one that had haunted her dreams. She opened her eyes, blearily taking in the world that she now found herself in. She lay on a flat, firm surface surrounded by white curtains. The smell of antiseptic assaulted her nostrils. She tried to move again, this time realising that the attached monitors were the reason she was restricted. The voice called again, pain and worry tingeing the obvious relief. She smiled reassuringly, " Uncle Jeff," " Yes, " " Where am I ?" " Safe in Med. Lab. on Babylon 5," " We were going to leave." " Yes I know but you were very sick so we've had to stay a little while longer. No more questions, sleep now." " Okay." She felt Uncle Jeff take her hand as she drifted away again. " She's going to be fine." Franklin reassured Sinclair. " Yes, I know." But Jeff's voice held a trace of bitterness, " How many didn't make it ?" " Seven not accounted for, presumed dead." " Presumed ?" " Ambassador the remains had been blown up, burnt, blown into space and then frozen to absolute zero. What we could recover we couldn't find enough DNA to analyse. The answer to your next question is that no one who was in that section could have survived." " I'm sorry Steven. Its just loosing Susan like that." " Yes I know....we all do." ********************************************************************************* ** The memorial service was held on the viewing deck, in front of the spinning stars that Susan Ivanova had loved so much. Plainly visible outside the window was a Starfury, a red star emblazoned across its nose. Sheridan had actually found himself smiling when he had viewed Ivanova's last will and testament. It was full of the business-like details which were typical of the Commander. However, it had obviously been updated recently because, close to the end she had looked directly into the recording device, " Captain, I do not wish for my remains to be returned to Earth but funeral arrangements in space are too clinical for my taste." A smile then lit up her features, " I've always liked the idea of a Viking funeral." What Sheridan had been able to arrange was the closest thing he could think of. The crew was still numbed by the death of one of its commanding officers. Sheridan was hoping that this memorial service would help them come to terms with the loss, as he was still struggling to do. There was one member of his crew, however, that he was sure would never be quite the same again. Garibaldi had declined the invitation to speak at the service. He had refused even to attend, volunteering instead to provide the fighter escort. The Captain understood only too well the other mans reasoning. In the fortnight that had followed Susan's death, Garibaldi had continued to carry out his duties. That alone had worried Sheridan, but the other man seemed to have become a model officer. Never questioning his superiors orders, speaking only when necessary. It was scary, without a vent for his suppressed feelings, the Captain was sure that Garibaldi was going to get himself into serious trouble. Sheridan had felt himself powerless to help. He just didn't know Garibaldi well enough. Luckily Ambassador Sinclair had taken it upon himself to keep an eye on his friend. The room was filling up rapidly and Sheridan decided that it was time to take the podium. The words he spoke came automatically, this was not the first time he had officiated at such a function. He wanted to say something more. To describe the many ways Susan had helped him in his first uncertain days aboard the station, how much her friendship had meant to him, but he found himself choking up and automatically handed on to the next speaker. " I don't know if Susan ever read poetry," Ambassador Sinclair was saying, " But I think she would have found this one appropriate; Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full of sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell And after that the dark ! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar." Sheridan only kept half an ear on the proceedings after that, his eyes fixed on the elegant ship poised outside the window. As the ceremony ended a second ship dived down to join it. This one was adorned with tiger stripes running along its back. The second ship approached slowly, pausing for a moment before the grapple caught, locking the two ships together. Then they reversed gently and withdrew around the curve of the station. As she had requested Ivanova's ship would be consumed by fire despite the fact that her mortal remains had not been recovered. " Do you think he'll come back ?" Sheridan found himself asking Sinclair as they left the room. Yes," Sinclair replied. " Why ?" " Because he has to," Sheridan nodded despite his doubts. ******************************************************************************** Garibaldi had plenty of time for memories as he navigated the two ships towards the sun. He had tried to grieve but all he felt was a strange numbness. The events were still too close, pain would come later, given time. Deep down, the analytical part of his mind knew that he was suffering from shock, manifesting itself in a refusal to accept the reality of the situation. Maybe he wasn't sure what that reality was. Had he lost a close friend or someone who had the potential to have a deeper impact on his life ? The old clichi, 'if only we'd had more time ' kept running through his mind. Then again, he remembered guiltily, he had never given her any reason to presume that he was still interested. It had been a long time since Michael Garibaldi had prayed to anything, never mind to a God that he couldn't prove existed. As he released Susan's ship for its last journey, however, he found himself pausing before setting his craft on the return trajectory. Hanging there in space, the sun boiling beneath him, he closed his eyes and allowed his mind to clear. He didn't really know what to say, but he muttered a few of the words that he had been taught as a child. Then it happened, a voice screamed his name, tearing through his mind. He fearfully hung on to his consciousness as everything started to fade. The sun's surface seemed to loom closer and he realised that his fighter was in danger of following Ivanova's into the sun. His hands could no longer feel the controls, the readouts made no sense to his eyes. The strain of G-forces made matters worse as he struggled to pull her out of the fall. A solar flare leaped from the surface arcing towards him. Hitting the after burners he managed to dive beneath it and gain enough momentum to pull away. It was fortuitous that a message from Babylon Control distracted his thoughts, the echoes died away and his vision began to clear. " Garibaldi....Michael are you OK ?" It was Jeff Sinclair's voice. Garibaldi was suddenly worried, just how long had he been out there. " I'm fine," He managed to reply, " Heading back to base now," Garibaldi couldn't make head nor tail of what had just happened to him. Why had he heard that voice in his mind ? Maybe he was more traumatised than he had thought. That could be the only explanation. Unless her voice had really reached out from the grave. It had sounded so real, so....so alive. The strangest part was that the sensation was not completely unknown. When had he felt something similar ? Telepathic contact was the key, the touch of a familiar mind He hadn't experienced that many scans. When Talia died ? No, the occasion had been less forced, more intimate. Falling asleep in a womans arms, a hand caressing his face. The memory of a conversation came unbidden to his mind; " The Minbari believe that the soul is an extremely powerful entity," Ambassador Delenn had said, her lilting voice taking on the reverent tone it always expressed when discussing her beliefs, " Many times it has been known to reach out beyond the body, beyond death, physically manifest itself in distant locations....when the need is great enough." Michael looked at her, " You know I almost believe you." " If you don't mind me asking, what do you believe Mr. Garibaldi." " I'm what humans call agnostic, so not alot I guess." " That is very sad, you must miss a great deal." Ambassador Delenn, she always came up with something to challenge his view on life. What if she were right ? Would it mean that Susan was still alive ? No he couldn't beleive it....wouldn't beleive it. Deny hope, it was the only way to keep himself sane. ********************************************************************************* From 101646.276@compuserve.com Wed May 29 19:15:24 1996 Date: 21 May 96 15:50:41 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 9 A Time for Shadows Part 9 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights Contrary to his better judgement, Garibaldi decided to report to the medical facilities on his return. He wanted some reassurance that he was not loosing his mind. It was late but he expected Franklin to be on duty, yet a cursory glance showed that the Doctor was not in the main Med. Lab. However, as he wandered into the infirmary he was immediately grabbed by a nurse and hustled into one of the curtained areas. Sheridan , Sinclair and Franklin were grouped around the bed. As Michael entered the area a small shape detached itself from the circle and hurled itself into his arms. " Tell them you heard it too." She cried, " Tell them." " What's going on ?" He asked in confusion., doing his best to comfort the frightened child. " She woke up like this two hours ago," Franklin explained, " Hysterical, screaming for you and.....and for Ivanova." Garibaldi was silent for a moment before lifting Misha back onto the bed. He signalled to the others who quietly left. Then he crouched down before her, taking her hands in his until she appeared calm enough to talk. " Its important you tell me, what exactly did you hear ?" " Her voice, in my head." " What was she saying ?" " She was calling your name. Why are you asking me this ?....you know what she said." " Yes, yes I do. Now go to sleep and let your Uncle Mike take care of things." To his surprise she nodded, but he stayed at her side until she had fallen asleep. It was a very disturbed man that returned to his quarters that night. ******************************************************************************* Pain........Light........Nausea. The sensations seemed to go on for hours as she slowly approached consciousness. Where was she ? How had she got there ? She couldn't remember. Why couldn't she remember ? Voices in the darkness. Voices obliterated by the light. The words, she had to concentrate on the words. " She should be coming out of it by now." A male voice. " She is." Female. " I'm not sure this is a good idea." " We can't keep her sedated any longer without permanent damage." " What if.....?" " Relax, we're dead remember." " I'll be able to relax when we get off this Station." " Shouldn't be much longer now, according to your friend." " Acquaintance." " Oh yeah I forgot." That was enough for now, the effort of listening was too much. Moving was out of the question but she tried it anyway. Annoyed with herself when she found she could not. There were memories now. Days of nothing. Back, she had to go further back. It was all so confused..Abruptly there was a clear picture, a fire, someone was screaming. She was a few footsteps from safety when she felt something hit and she dropped to the ground. The man in front carried on running. Even now, her semi -conscious mind cried out to him. Struggling against what she now recognised as some kind of restraints Susan Ivanova opened her eyes and tried to sit up. A rough hand pushed her back down again. " Lie quiet if you don't want to get hurt." It was the male bounty hunter, Adams. His partner, Kestrel came and stood beside him. " So you're back with us Commander." She sneered. " You two are making a big mistake, they're going to be tearing the Station apart looking for me." Ivanova spat. " You're dead, Commander. You're memorial service was quite touching I believe." Susan felt sick again, but refrained from saying anything else. The two Bounty Hunters drew away. Let them think she had given up. Her hands were busy, however, trying to determine just how she had been secured. It felt like thick wire, much too strong to break. Her only hope was to find where the ends had been twisted together. There, by contorting herself into an extreme position she could just reach. They wouldn't budge. She relaxed for a moment, feeling the contusions where the wire had bitten into her wrists, then she tried again. ********************************************************************************* * " It was as if she was right next to me, Jeff, there in the cockpit." Michael Garibaldi told his friend, " The most horrifying thing I've ever heard," The two men were seated at the bar in the Zocalo. The area was emptying rapidly as Station time crept towards midnight. " What do you think it means ?" Jeff asked quietly. " If had been just me I would have checked myself in for psychiatric evaluation, but......" " Misha heard it too ?" " Yeah, I don't think its something I can just dismiss. Then there's part of me that wants to believe Susan's still alive. Maybe this proves it " " How ?" " I can't put my finger on it but that girl knows things, sees things in people and something makes me want to trust what she says. I can't sanction turning the Station upside down without more evidence to go on, Sheridan would have me on the first ship back to oblivion. There have just been too many changes Jeff and each one has been harder to cope with. If I loose control for a second that's it...I'm finished, maybe Sheridan will give me another chance but I'm not sure that I can." " John's a good man.." " Yeah, I know. When you think about it there's only one other guy who would have given me this job back...." The two men laughed, before Garibaldi continued, " I'm goin' to take another look at the reports. If I'm right then there must be something. Catch you later Jeff." " Good Luck." Jeff watched his friend leave feeling happier about his state of mind than he had since it had happened. Taking things lying down just wasn't Garibaldi's style. Despite the other mans words, Sinclair had the feeling that the Station would be torn apart until Garibaldi had found what he was looking for. Sinclair smiled, it meant that the former Commander wouldn't have to do it himself. ********************************************************************************* The cable ends were thick and stiff as well as being tightly twisted together. Ivanova could only keep up her efforts for a few minutes at a time before the pain became unbearable. Every time her abductors glanced over in her direction she had to lie still. She wasn't quite sure how long she had been conscious now. Once they had given her something to eat and allowed her to go to the bathroom, so maybe it had only been a few hours. They didn't notice that her body was drenched in sweat and her fingers were starting to become bloody. The first few spells of activity had achieved nothing but she was confident of her ability to free herself. Her plan was simple, she had to get a message through to the outside world. From the fragments of conversations that she had picked up she suspected that she was still aboard Babylon 5. A room, small, sparsely furnished, some part of Brown Sector, judging by the smell. However, the security forces were unlikely to be looking for her. Even Garibaldi would have given up by now. She swore to herself, thinking about him would not help her. It would only serve to remind her how dangerous her predicament actually was and what effect it could be having on her body, but she couldn't just lie there and do nothing. There, that was it, she felt one end of the cable give slightly. Encouraged, she worked on. After what had seemed to be an endless period she managed to get one end of the wire free. One arm was free, then the other. Now came the difficult part, releasing her legs secretly so she could surprise her captors. Luck was on her side, they were distracted by the door sliding open. She couldn't distinguish the figure standing outside, only that it was large. " Fletcher, my boy, I've done it. You leave in twelve hours." " Thanks." Adams grunted, " Now perhaps you could tell us how ?" " On the Asimov, I've obtained the appropriate documentation." " And her ?" " She'll go with you. I have a little toy that should ensure that no one recognises her." " A changeling net ? How the hell did you get hold of that ?" " Ask no questions but its going to cost you 10% of the bounty." " What about the two of us ?" " I'm sending an acquaintance round. By the time he's finished with you, your own mother's could walk past you in the street." " You really think we can just stroll past security ?" " I have my connections, as long as the Chief isn't snooping around you won't have any problems. " " It sounds dangerous." Kestrel cautioned, " Too much can go wrong." " You don't have a great deal of choice in the matter. If the jump gate was operational you could have left a fortnight ago and no one would have been any the wiser. You'll have to take the risk, I can't keep you here forever and your money has nearly run out. I have things to attend to. See you at 0600." Tate finished. It was obvious to Ivanova that she was only going to get one chance and now that her legs were free this was possibly it. Her only worry was that she might not have the strength to make full use of it. Leaping to her feet she made a dash for the door, which was still in the process of sliding shut. She just managed to slip through the gap. A couple more weeks and she probably wouldn't have been able to do that. The discharge from a PPG impacted on the closed door. The man called Tate was still in the corridor but a swift kick in the groin dropped him to the ground. However, this delayed her more than she had expected. The Bounty Hunters were close behind as she ran down the passage. Kestrel was the faster of the two and brought the other woman to the ground with a flying tackle. Ivanova sprung back to her feet but there was no longer anywhere to run. Her failing strength didn't prevent her making a fight of it as she turned to face Kestrel. " Stop it !" Adams voice snapped, " We need her alive !" Kestrel reluctantly drew away, pulling out her PPG. " We may not be able to kill you but a non-fatal PPG burn can be very painful, not something you'd want in your condition" Susan hesitated, her mind spinning, how could they possibly know ? Two men came from behind and took her arms, roughly forcing them behind her back. It was too late to struggle but she did so anyway, making as much noise as she possibly could. " We'll have to sedate her again," Kestrel said. " Yes," Adams acknowledged reluctantly, " Low dosage though, just keep her drowsy." She was forced back into the room and her uniform jacket removed to accommodate the injection. As she heard the hiss of syringe Susan screamed. Nobody noticed the insignia that had been deliberately left in a forgotten corner of the corridor until the barman came to sweep up later that night.. He picked it up, studying it intently for a few seconds. He didn't know where it had come from but he pocketed it anyway. ******************************************************************************* From 101646.276@compuserve.com Wed May 29 19:15:28 1996 Date: 21 May 96 15:50:51 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 10 A Time for Shadows Part 10 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights The pictures played across the view screen with agonising slowness. Michael Garibaldi had watched the thirty-seven times but he still didn't believe what he was seeing. The cameras mounted outside the Station had captured the detonation of the Jumpgate in all of its radiant destruction. He didn't know what had made him watch the recording in at a quarter speed but what he had seen he did not like. The ship had only past in front of the sensors for a fraction of a second before exploding, but it was there long enough for Michael to see the alien shape. Michael Garibaldi loved a mystery but this one provided more questions than he was willing to find answers for. " Chief ?" The query broke abruptly into Garibaldi's train of thought. It was his second, Zack Allen. Garibaldi cleared his viewscreen and turned his chair to greet his visitor. " What is it Zack ?" " Have you been here all night Sir ?" " Why what time is it ?" " 0430," " Then I've been here all night," " With all due respect sir....." " Save it Zack, Now what did you want ?" " Had an uplink from Officer Evans, he wants to meet with you ASAP." " Right, thanks ." Garibaldi was reluctant to leave what he was doing but when his undercover operatives called in it was usually prudent to pay attention. Besides, Garibaldi knew his duty, he still had a Station to protect. Evans was assigned to one of the most potentially damaging hotspots. ********************************************************************************* ** The Security Chief had had the bar in Brown 4 under surveillance for some time. Patiently waiting to gather enough evidence to close the place down and throw the owner in the brig. You name it this guy had his greasy fat fingers involved. The latest rumors had involved tech. running. Maybe that was what Evans had contacted him about. He entered cautiously, hoping that his impression of a drunken bum was good enough to fool anyone that might have a previous conviction. He weaved his way over to the bar and slammed some coins down on the counter. " The usual ?" The barman asked. " Wild Turkey with a twist." Garibaldi handed the man some money. Silently the barman took the coins and poured him a drink. Garibaldi pocketed the change and sat himself in the darkest corner of the dingy room. He pulled the money out of his pocket and studied the object that had been slipped to him. An Earth Alliance pin, 'How on Betelgeuse did this get down here ?' Garibaldi thought to himself. In theory EarthForce personnel could go anywhere in the Station but most of them tended to avoid Down Below, and if they did come down here it definitely wouldn't have been in uniform .Why had it been brought to his attention ? Evans wasn't the kind to cry wolf, whatever the badge symbolised it had to be of some importance. The problem was that Garibaldi knew what he wanted it to mean and the physical pain it was causing him was very real. Had he really reason enough to suspect that she really was here ? It was the kind of feeling that he had tried to define on many occasions. A great deal of his job relied on gut instinct, and he was very good at his job, there was no particular reason why he should be wrong this time. Making a decision that he wasn't entirely convinced was right, Garibaldi sauntered back to the bar, " What now ?" The barman asked him. " Entertainment." Garibaldi replied. " Room 4, there's two others before you so wait your turn." Garibaldi settled on a non-descript grunt as a reply. He was forced to slip into the shadows as he approached the room in question. Three figures were leaving and he recognised all of them, he suspected that they would also identify him if they got a good look. That settled it, the hope that had been building with in him flared into life. If they had survived then so had she. It was very difficult for him to wait quietly for them to disappear but he couldn't afford to move too quickly. Banging loudly on the door seemed to be a good way of gaining the attention of whoever was still inside the room. The dull clang was answered by a thug who appeared to be a second cousin to Jim- Jim the dog-faced boy. Garibaldi put on his best drunken grin and pushed his way into the room regardless. A second heavy appeared as he did so, the look of confusion on their faces seemed to indicate that intelligence wasn't going to be a problem. They tried to block his path but he skilfully slipped between them. " Mind if I go first ?" He asked, slurring his words ever so slightly. " Thought not. Uniform......that's new and look you've tied her up ready." Garibaldi didn't really know what he was saying. He just kept up a stream of drunken banter, the more the two thugs had to think about he longer he would have before they hurt him. Dropping to his knees beside the bed he turned the face of its occupant towards him. The familiar eyes stared blearily back. Garibaldi shook his head imperceptibly. He was in enemy territory and the chances of getting her out were slim. She was trying to say something and he used the cover of a vulgar kiss to the nape of the neck to allow him to move closer. As she whispered to him he felt two pairs of hands latch onto his arms and shoulders. It had finally sunk through to the guards that he wasn't supposed to be in there and they were reminding him of it rather forcibly. " Don't worry, I'll get you out of here," He managed to say before being dragged towards the door. Garibaldi had almost forgotten what it felt like to be forcibly ejected from a drinking establishment. Unfortuneatly he didn't get the chance to remember. The two Bounty Hunters chose that moment to return. Kestrel grinned as she recognised the man, " What do you know ? It's the hero." She sneered, " Ever heard the one about the lion's den Mr. Garibaldi except in this case the lions win." Adams, however, took a more pragmatic approach, knocking the restrained Security Chief unconcious. Garibaldi was allowed to slide to the floor. " You just can't resist playing, can you ?" He said to Kestrel. " Adams, can't you at least try to join in the witty repartee ?" She replied, giving Garibaldi a solid kick in the ribs. " Bitch, leave him alone," The shout came from the bed. Ivanova struggled weakly against her bonds, trying to fight the effects of the sedative. " It talks ! " Kestrel laughed. " Damn you," " It had better keep quiet or this one dies." Adams added. He had located Garibaldi's handcuffs, he proceeded to drag the man over to the bed and secure him to the post. " This is getting kinky," Kestrel said. " Enjoy yourself later. We have to get out of here. " She nodded, a quick stop at Tate's aquaintance then up to the docking bay. " What are we going to do with him ?" She kicked Garibaldi again. This time Susan kept quiet. " Thats up to the Commander. She comes with us or I'll let you think up a nice painful way for him to die." " Oh goody. What do you say Commander ?" " I won't give you any trouble." Ivanova replied. " Party pooper," They cut her free and escorted her from the room. She cast one look back. Michael did not move. ****************************************************************************** From 101646.276@compuserve.com Wed May 29 19:15:00 1996 Date: 21 May 96 15:51:07 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 11 A Time for Shadows Part 11 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights " Chief......" Damn but he wished, just for once that the voices would go away. " Chief, come on don't do this to me." " Do what ?" He found himself mumbling. His eyes opened and he forced the worried face into focus. The barman, Down Below....Susan !! He tried to rise, " Evans get these things off me." He ordered. " Whats your emergency release code ?" " 4457." As soon as he was freed he attempted to jump to his feet. Pain stabbed through his side, broken ribs. He inhaled, it hurt but there was none of the breathlessness that would have signified a collapsed lung. " How long have I been out ?" " Not more than thirty minutes." " Damn, any sign of Ivanova." " They must have gone out the back." " Right. Contact the Captain and tell him to get to the docking bay. I'll be there as soon as I can." " Aye sir. Anything else," " Tell him not to let the Asimov leave. Then get the hell out of here." ********************************************************************************* ** " Captain, I have an urgent message from Mr. Garibaldi." Evan's voice said. The Captain looked pointedly at his EarthForce interviewee before saying, " I'm, sorry Lieutenant Commander Burnett would you mind waiting outside for a few moments." The officer looked a little confused but he acknowledged the order with a salute before leaving the room. The Captain turned back to his link. " Well ?" Sheridan asked, annoyance turning to astonishment as Evans outlined the situation. " I've seen her, she's alive Captain, Down Below and the two Hunters with her." " Slow down Mr. Evans Are you talking about Commander Ivanova ?" " Who else ? But they're goin' to ship her back to Earth on the Asimov at 1200 today." " What ?" " Look you don't have to hold a tribunal on my sanity. The Asimov leaves in an hour. The Chief wants you in the Docking Bay, but no obvious security. He'll join you as soon as he can." " I'll be there." Sheridan snapped and led the way out of the office. " Jobs taken," he told Burnett who was still waiting outside. ********************************************************************************* ** The Asimov was the first passenger transport to reach Babylon 5 since the destruction of the jumpgate. The new gate was almost complete but it would be another week before it was fully operational. As requested EarthForce had assigned a ship capable of solo jumps, the Achilles, to ferry the commercial traffic in and out. Only now could its resources be allocated to non-trade operations. For this reason the departure terminal was in total chaos. The ship had been booked to capacity, even so, many people were hanging around in the hope of obtaining tickets. Adams looked nervously at the woman beside him. Leaving a place by surreptitious means was hardly a new experience, but he had a bad feeling on this occasion. Kestrel sensed his unease and gave him a dig in the ribs. " Don't make it obvious," she hissed. He grunted in reply. Maybe it was the fact that he was feeling decidedly uncomfortable in the makeup that had transformed him into a man thirty years older than his present age. He would have preferred an alien disguise but Tate had assured him that it was easier to be convincing as a member of your own species. Kestrel had covered her red hair with a short, blond wig, which did not look at all attractive in contrast with her pale skin. Supported between them was Susan Ivanova. The PPG pressed to her abdomen was enough to ensure her good behaviour. That and the threat to Michael . ********************************************************************************* ** " Where the hell are they ?" Garibaldi seethed as he inspected the crowd of people. He was anxiously waiting for the famous Garibaldi Gut Instinct to kick in but so far there wasn't even a twinge. It was almost time for The Asimov to depart, could he actually justify holding up the ship if he failed to spot them going aboard ? Theoretically, no, was the answer. In practice it would have to fly right through him before he would let the shuttle leave the docking bay. He made eye contact with Captain Sheridan, who shook his head imperceptibly. ********************************************************************************* ** " Look, there," Kestrel whispered to her partner. Adams followed the line of her gaze, it was the Captain, doing a very bad job of looking unobtrusive. " Keep going, I don't think he's seen us." Susan also took the opportunity to look about her. If the Captain was here then it was logical that Garibaldi was also hanging around. There he was, slouched against the wall, hands shoved into his pockets. The question of how he had got there didn't cross her mind. He hadn't seen her. Susan swore to herself as she was walked past. How could she expect him to recognise her ? He would be looking for Susan Ivanova not whatever the changling net had tured her into. "Michael look at me !" She kept silent but her mind screamed out the words. The effect on Garibaldi was dramatic. Somehow he had managed to hear her. He was looking about himself in confusion, obviously unable to pinpoint the sound of the voice. 'Over here.' She tried again, ' Next to the blond woman in the red dress'. Elation overcame the fear of being in contact with another mind. He abruptly became more alert, she could see his left hand twitching as it moved towards the PPG in the shoulder holster. Subtly he signalled the guards at the departure gate and started pushing his way through the crowd. Susan wasn't the only one to notice him, however. The gun which had been kept out of sight was suddenly aimed at her head as Kestrel fired several blasts into the crowd. The innocent civilians scattered, pushing their way through the exits. His path impeded Garibaldi yelled a command and his men blocked the path of the fugitives, weapons drawn. " Anyone tries to stop us and she dies !!" Adams shouted. It was enough to make all concerned hesitate. " If you hurt her..." Garibaldi began but the security guards started to lower their weapons. " Michael don't ," Sheridan cautioned, Adams laughed as they dragged Susan towards the docking bay. 'Susan, you can't let them do this to you,' Ivanova told herself over and over again. Her mind reached out to Garibaldi again. 'Michael, stop them !' She saw him nod. Garibaldi knew what he had to do but it didn't make the action any easier to take. There was no time to think, in one smooth movement he raised his PPG. The Captain lunged for him but the shot had already been fired. Susan tried not to scream as she dropped to the floor. The blast had struck the top of her thigh, and Adams had no choice but to release her. " He shot her !" Kestrel exclaimed above the stream of PPG fire. She couldn't believe what had just happened. " Lets get out of here !" Adams replied. The woman didn't see any point in arguing. They had no chance now of collecting their bounty. the best they could do was to get out, survive to fight another day, another target. Susan kept herself pressed to the floor. When she dared to raise her head once more the two bounty hunters were gone. Michael was coming towards her but she waved him off, " Never mind about me, get after them !!" Garibaldi sprinted down the docking bay. His quarry had almost reached the freight lift, he had just one chance. Skidding to a halt he raised his PPG and fired twice. ********************************************************************************* ** As Adams raced for the far end of the bay he was only dimly aware of Kestrel following him. and a voice shouting, encouraging support. There were two shots and a scream. Adams slid to a halt and turned. Kestrel was sprawled on the floor, a red stain spreading ominously across her clothing. Without stopping to think, Adams picked Kestrel up in his arms and resumed running. Dodging the gunfire he spotted an open elevator and darted inside. The doors slid shut offering a temporary respite. Adams set Kestrel down on the floor, she coughed slightly and lifted her head, " You're a damn fool Adams," She said hoarsely, "You should have left me." " Quiet," Adams ordered. He gently touched the wound in her side. Blood was still flowing freely. " There's nothing you can do," She said. " I know." Kestrel moved slightly," This could take some time, you'd better get out of here. There's a maintenance shaft up there." " No I'm not going to leave you." " Thanks...I appreciate....I don't want to die alone." a moan escaped her lips," Why does it have to hurt so much ?" her voice had become child like." Fletcher ?" " I'm still here," Her breathing became ragged as she fought for every breath and with every breath she took more blood spouted forth. Adams saw her eyes close. " No Medb not yet." " Don't go all mushy on me Fletcher. I just want to say its been fun." " Medb....?" But she didn't reply. The lift shuddered slightly as it came to an abrupt halt. Security shut down, it had to be. For a moment Adams considered leaping for the maintenance hatch but quickly realised that at most, he would only be delaying the inevitable. Adams rose to his feet and stood over the body, facing the double doors. As they opened he raised his gun and smiled. From 101646.276@compuserve.com Wed May 29 19:40:21 1996 Date: 27 May 96 06:03:42 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 12 A Time for Shadows Part 12 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights Zack Allen realised that he had never seen so many soppy looking security guards when he re-entered the docking bay. Even the Captain had a stupid grin on his face. They were enjoying the spectacle of the Station's second in command being soundly hugged by the Chief of Security. Zack pushed his way through the crowd and tapped Garibaldi on the shoulder; " The woman was already dead when we got there," He reported, " The man opened fire, we had no choice but to take him down." " Damn," Garibaldi swore, " Is he alive ?" " Yeah, Doc's lookin' him over in Med Lab. It might be some time before he can talk." " Thanks Zack, you did a good job. Go through their clothes and any personal belongings, we might be able to find something ." " Aye sir." He then became aware of his staff surrounding him, " Okay, excitement's over for the day....... Dismissed !" " I'd better get you to Med. Lab." He then said to Ivanova, " Captain ?" " I'll clean up here." Sheridan replied. As soon as the Med. Team arrived Garibaldi left the area. The Captain couldn't help feeling resentful as he watched them leave. As always Sheridan's thoughts had turned to Anna. The Security Chief was a lucky man. Sheridan would have given anything for his wife to be brought back to him. ********************************************************************************* ** The shakes, he didn't get them very often but when he did.......Garibaldi forced himself to sit down. It wasn't easy to fire a gun at someone you cared about, if his aim had been off..... He took several deep breaths. It didn't matter now, Susan was safe. Damnit but Hernadez was taking her time. Garibaldi was beginning to wonder if he shouldn't have demanded Franklin....but the chief medical officer was in surgery trying to save the life of the bounty hunter. The irony was not lost on Garibaldi, the only compensation was that when Adams recovered, he was going to pay for what he had done to Susan, to Misha, to all of them. Spacing was only the beginning of it. The question 'why' was still foremost in his mind. Earth Central had signed the warrant for Susan's capture and must have had some part in the elaborate staging of the woman's death. Obviously they knew Sheridan well enough to realise that he wouldn't have just handed Ivanova over. Someone wanted the woman very badly, and was willing to kill to get to her. The same people had also pursued a fifteen year old girl. Any connection was lost on Garibaldi. Susan had no family, very few attachments outside Babylon 5. The military was her life, her record was impeccable, she couldn't have made the sort of enemy that would try this type of tactic. Besides, it was obvious that her death was not required. And what of Misha ? Michael Garibaldi was going to have to do some serious digging and soon. There were also questions he had to ask Susan. The echoes of her voice were still caressing his mind. It was not by any means the unpleasant sensation the first contact had been. He smiled to himself, that moment poised above the flaming sun, had scared the hell out of him. No wonder Ivanova had never let a telepath near her, he suspected that her inherited skill was undeveloped. Maybe she didn't yet know her own potential but Garibaldi had first hand experience of the power of her mind. For some reason it didn't scare him, not in the way the psicops did. Now that they had shared this experience he could only hope that she wasn't going to run away from him again. " Mr. Garibaldi ." Dr. Hernadez called from the doorway of the infirmary. " How is she ?" Garibaldi asked anxiously. " Trying to leave." " Can I see her ?" " I think you'd better ." Pushing back the curtain he entered the room, Susan was sat on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands. She raised her head as he came close, sweeping her long hair away from her face. Silence, " I know," He said simply, " What I can't understand is why you didn't tell me you were a telepath ?" " I couldn't. Fear is a terrible thing. Michael we've been close for a long time.It just took a little to push us past the boundries of friendship. You see I've always trusted you, even when I couldn't trust anyone else. When we made love it seemed natural for me to drop my barriers, to touch your mind. " " I felt something but didn't realise...." " If we had become closer you would have done. Then if you were scanned...... I would have been on the next ship to Mars." " So you told me to forget anything had ever happened ?" " There was more." " Talia ?" " Yes. I felt so guilty having feelings for someone else when I had just lost her. I was so confused Michael. " They had never discussed Susan's relationship with the Station's former commercial telepath. Michael wasn't sure that he wanted to. He had learnt the hard way that it was better not to reopen old wounds. Maybe one day they would be able to talk about her but not yet. " Talia's gone, I know you're a telepath. What now ?" He asked. " I couldn't let them take me away." " That's not what I meant." Susan buried her head in her hands once more, trying to hide her tears from him. Without thinking Garibaldi sat beside her, taking her gently in his arms. All he wanted to do was offer her some comfort but it felt good just to hold her again. She clung onto him with some desperation, afraid that he would leave her. With anyone else she would have had be strong and pretend her recent experience had not affected her in any way. Her reputation as the icy commander demanded that. " I've missed having your shoulder to cry on," She wept. " Hey, it never went anywhere." He replied softly, kissing her gently on the forehead. Surprisingly she started to sob more violently. " What is it ? Susan if I've done something wrong....?" " No. Its just..." " Go on." " Its all happening again. I've been so careful. Every time I felt myself getting close to someone I moved away, EarthForce makes that easy. My mother made the mistake of falling in love, having children and they took it all away from her. " " Wait a minute are you trying to tell me....?" " Michael, this is very difficult for me, but there's something else you have to know. I'm ten weeks pregnant," At first she thought the man was going to feint as the colour drained from his face. " Michael....Michael are you Ok ? Should I fetch a doctor ?" " No... Damnit Susan I shot you. What if my aim was off ? What if..?" " Your aim was perfect besides it was only a flesh wound.." Michael had to take a few deep breaths before he could continue. " OK so what are we going to do ?" " Despite the fact that people are going to say I'm crazy, I am going through with this. I'm not the first career officer to have children and I certainly won't be the last. How you fit in is up to you." He looked uncomfortable, turning and walking away so she couldn't see the expression on his face. He didn't want to influence Ivanova in any way, didn't want to let her see how he felt about her, how much he wanted this child. She must have known about the pregnancy for some time. Why hadn't she told him ? Was she really that unsure of his reaction ? What should his response be ? " I'll support you of course." His voice floated uneasily over his shoulder. " I don't just want your support ! I know I haven't been fair to you in so many ways. I need you Michael, I never realised how much until I couldn't let myself depend on you." Garibaldi turned back to face her, surprised at her outburst. Abruptly it became clear to him. Here was a chance to achieve the one thing that he had needed all of his adult life. A steady relationship, family....and he wasn't going to blow it this time. " Look I let one woman walk out of my life and I don't intend to let you do the same thing. " He assured her, " but we have to take it slowly, do this right or we haven't a hope in hell. If we don't it won't be fair on me, you or Michael junior." " Who says its not going to be a girl ?" His serious expression gave way to a smile, which turned into a laugh. Susan hugged him tightly. Just for a moment she could forget the events of the past two weeks, the pain, the humiliation, the fear. They kissed for a brief sweet moment before the inevitable happened; Garibaldi's link gave a bleep. " This had better be important," He spoke into it, understandably annoyed. " Sorry to disturb you Mr. Garibaldi." Sheridan's voice replied " Uh...sir....I'm sorry....What can I do for you ?" " Zack's found something, meet us in main Med. Lab. in ten minutes." " I'll be there. Garibaldi out." He turned to Susan, " Wouldn't you know it. Are you going to be okay ?" " I think so. I'm just going to go back to my quarters, take a hot shower, go to bed and forget the past two weeks ever happened." She gave an attempt at a smile, " See you later ?" " Only if you want to." " Yes I do. We have alot to talk about." " I'll be there as soon as I've finished with the Captain." ********************************************************************************* " She's goin' to be fine," Garibaldi reassured the anxious company when he joined them in the main lab. He believed it, or so he kept telling himself. She had been through so much it was difficult to say exactly what the long term effects would be. His cynical side was telling him that she had said the things she had just to gain his sympathy but he told that part of himself to shut up and for once it obeyed. He believed in what she had told him and nothing was going to change those feelings. " So Zack, what have you got ?" He asked. " Permits to hunt," The other officer told him, " All in order it seems, signed by Admiral Brook." " Who has now been busted in rank and stationed out towards the Rim." Sheridan put in, " Earth Central have reassured me that he was acting on his own and EarthForce got him neatly out of the way to save any embarrassment." " And a list of drugs," Zack continued. " Drugs ?" Garibaldi asked. " Yeah I showed them to Dr. Hernadez." " Doc ?" " Mostly sedatives," The Hernadez replied, " Pain killers, Anti-nausea but there not the ones I would commonly prescribe. Most of these are used only in the treatment of pregnant human females. So I would say that not only did someone want Commander Ivanova but they were also aware of the fact that she was pregnant. Its clear that for some reason they wanted her child, but why ?" Hernadez said. There was silence. Garibaldi had a sneaking suspicion that he knew the reason. Her telepathic skills would have been of interest to someone. Would those skills have been enhanced in any offspring ? It was possible. She had been hiding from Psicorps her whole life, but maybe they had allowed her to do so, knowing that what she carried could be infinitely more useful to them. He'd never thought that the day would have come when he would have helped Psicorps, although unwittingly. It was strange, almost perverse. Should he tell the Captain. ? She hadn't sworn him to secrecy but...it was something he would have to discuss with Susan. Logic suggested that telepathy had to be the connection to the girl in Sinclair's charge. If Misha was telepathic, and he suspected that she was, then she had probably been pursued for the same reason. Psicorps harvesting powerful telepaths...it was possible. " Its getting late and I think we should sleep on it." Sheridan was saying. " We'll meet again at 0900. Dismissed people." As the others filed out of the Lab. Garibaldi paused to speak to Hernadez, " The baby, after all she's been through, is everything all right." " Yes. If she decides to keep it I'll want her to restrict her duties and no more flying, she'll just have to be careful for a while." He could tell that Hernadez was curious but he didn't enlighten her. They deserved a little time to themselves before the rest of the crew got hold of the information. When he left Med. Lab his intention had been to go straight to Ivanova's quarters , however Captain Sheridan was hanging around in the corridor. " Michael ?" " Yes sir ?" " Congratulations." " Thankyou." There was obviously something else on Sheridan's mind however. When he left Med. Lab his intention had been to go straight to Ivanova's quarter, however Captain Sheridan was hanging around in the corridor. " Something I can help you with Sir ?" Garibaldi asked. " I need you to do something for me Michael." " Sir ?" " Look I'm not happy about recent events, not happy at all. Until Commander Ivanova went missing I was prepared to accept the story Ambassador Sinclair told me but now... Look I need some background information on him and the girl. There must be some connection with Ivanova and you're the best person to find it." " To be honest Captain I've been a little curious myself but Jeff's my best friend....I trust him." " I know its hard......" " Yeah, but... I'll be frank with you sir. Sinclair's changed, I'm not sure that he's the same man anymore. I look at him and see desperation, fear. I don't know what's made him this way but for his sake I think I need to find out. I'll have the report for you first thing tomorrow." " Thankyou." " As I said I'm curious." Sheridan nodded in reply and walked away. Shaking his head the security chief made off in the opposite direction. He hadn't told the Captain half of his suspicions and for some reason that made him feel guilty. Should he go to Sinclair and let him know that the Captain had sanctioned an investigation. That made things rather official, whatever Garibaldi came up with would have to be reported to Sheridan and Jeff would probably not be happy at the prospect. Torn between duty and friendship, it wasn't a pleasant feeling. Ivanova didn't answer the door when he reached her quarters. Worried he let himself in. The room was in darkness but he could just make out the dim shape on the bed. He smiled, sleep was probably the best thing for her right now. He yawned, also in need of some therapeutic relaxation. His head hurt, his ribs hurt and his back was giving him hell. Just a couple of hours then he would start on that report for Captain Sheridan. Damnit but he was tired, should he stay or leave ? ' To hell with it !' He thought, removing his jacket and boots. If she needed him he would be here, if she didn't he would probably end up in Med. Lab with a couple of broken limbs. Carefully he stretched out beside her. Then he slept. ********************************************************************************* ** From 101646.276@compuserve.com Wed May 29 19:40:23 1996 Date: 27 May 96 06:03:57 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 13 >From here on in it gets a bit speculative. I've only seen as far as Exogenisis of Season Three ! A Time for Shadows Part 13 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights There was one thing that would always wake Susan Ivanova in the morning.......The smell of fresh coffee, especially if it had been made by someone else. She gratefully accepted the mug that Garibaldi handed her. " How are you doing ?" He asked, Susan could only manage a shrug in reply. Despite all that had happened, she was here, safe, she had a lot to be grateful for but it would take time for her to accept her experience. As she sipped her coffee she took a look in the mirror, a stranger stared back.. Dark circles beneath red rimmed eyes, face pale. She didn't want to look any more so she turned her gaze to Garibaldi. His attention had returned to the information flashing across the computer screen. She smiled at his characteristic dedication. " What is it ?" She asked coming down to join him. . " Security information. Zack found evidence pointing to the fact that you weren't the target." Instantly her demeanour changed. The fear flashed into her eyes, fear that seemed to have been pushed to the back of her mind while they had discussed their future. " I don't understand ? Who was ?" " Your child....they knew you were pregnant. I'm just trying to find a link between yourself and the primary target." " Misha ? Is she still here ?" " They were just leaving when the jumpgate blew. She was hurt but Franklin's just given her the OK to travel. As soon as the Achilles returns they should be able to piggy-back a lift out of here." " Is...is there any indication why they wanted....?" " No, But I'm goin' to find out." He cut off sensing that she was becoming distressed, " Hey there's no way that anyone's goin' to be stupid enough to try again." " How can you say that ! So sure are you ?" " I...." " They nearly succeeded this time, every time I turn around I'm going to see someone. How can I live like that ? Then when the baby's born....." She crumpled onto the couch, crying very quietly. That worried him more than the emotional outburst. He gathered her into his arms once more. Maybe later he could suggest that she see a counselor about this but right now he didn't think that the proposal would go down too well. 'Just give me the strength to get her through this,' He said to himself over and over again, but she was hurting in a way that he could never understand. All he could do was observe her pain and try to lessen it somehow. " I love you ," He whispered, not thinking that the quietly spoken words would be heard. Susan raised her head and looked at him, the tears still staining her cheeks. He'd finally told her how he felt could she do the same ? Would it have any value, considering her present state of mind ? He did love her, she was sure of that. Did the fact that she was pregnant have anything to do with it ? No, that wasn't Garibaldi. She held him tighter. " What are we going to do Michael ?" He pushed her away slightly so that he could look into her eyes, " First I'm going to make us some breakfast, then we're going to see what we can find out about Misha, Sinclair and everyone else involved in this mess." ********************************************************************************* ** The presence of Commander Ivanova at the morning briefing gave Sheridan slight cause for concern. He could tell by Dr. Franklin's demeanour that he hadn't given her permission. She was not in uniform, however so he doubted that she was going to be back on duty just yet. As expected, Garibaldi was hovering protectively by her side. Sheridan admitted to a certain curiosity as to what had actually transpired between his two senior officers but now was not the time. " Good to see you Commander," The Captain said by way of a greeting. She nodded in return. There was something almost too stiff about her bearing, even as she seated herself on the couch. She was trying too hard to be strong but the Captain knew her well enough not to bring attention to the fact. " Do you have anything for us Chief ?" " Yeah, Yeah I do." Garibaldi replied as he sat on the arm of the couch. Sheridan noticed Susan's hand find its way into the Security Chief's, " I ran the security correlation program and found nothing until I carried out a DNA check." " And ?" " When Hernadez diagnosed my.....pregnancy she did an aminocentesis test. The DNA matched with that removed from Misha when she was admitted to sickbay." Ivanova explained tonelessly. " That's impossible !!" Franklin exclaimed. " Is it ?," Garibaldi questioned, " Last year we found out that someone was capable of pulling Babylon 4 through time, why not people ? There's one more thing you should be aware of." " Yes ?" " I spoke to Ambassador Sinclair just now.... on Minbar." Sheridan's first instinct was to deny what he was being told, but how could he ? He was shaking slightly as he gave the next order, " Mr. Garibaldi, I want you to find Sinclair, or whoever he is and place him under arrest." " With all due respect sir....." " That's an order Garibaldi." Without another word, Garibaldi got to his feet and left the room. The Security Chief felt cold to his stomach as he made his way to the Ambassadorial wing. Had Jeff Sinclair betrayed him ? There had to be an explanation for these events. Sinclair had changed , but surely not that much. For the sake of their friendship Garibaldi knew that he would give the other man a chance to explain, despite Sheridan's orders. ********************************************************************************* ** They were coming, Ambassador Delenn was certain. The other side wouldn't want to reveal its true strength but now its agents had been neutralised they would attack. Sinclair and Misha had to leave the Station but the route home would be long and perilous thanks to the destruction of key jump points. An extended period in Hyperspace was always dangerous, that was where the Shadows dwelt. " Navigate the anomoly," Sinclair said after Delenn had passed on her warnings, "Its the only way, we'll have to go to Sector 14." " Sector 14," Another voice interrupted, " Why did I know that this would have something to do with that particular area of the galaxy ?" Neither Delenn or Sinclair had heard Garibaldi enter the room, but his security pass allowed him to come in unannounced. " Leaving without saying goodbye." The Security Chief wasn't actually holding his PPG but his hand was gently flexing in the area of the holster, "Not going back to Minbar are we, because according to a conversation I had this morning you're already there." " Michael I can explain...." " Good because I have orders to arrest you and I don't particularly want to do it." " Mr. Garibaldi , Ambassador Sinclair has to leave," Ambassador Delenn was saying, " We have received information that our enemies are on the move." " Don't you owe me that much," Garibaldi ignored Delenn, " You've been running around with a daughter I never knew I had, better than that her mother is still pregnant !" Sinclair allowed himself a sigh of relief, Garibaldi was still prepared to listen. He glanced at Delenn who nodded, " Michael do you remember when we went aboard Babylon 4 ?" " How could I forget ?" " For me its been ten years. The Great War Zathras told us about still continues. For a time we thought we had them beaten, but we were fooling ourselves." " Them ?" " The Shadows. Humanity has been pushed to few pitiful planets protected by the Vorlons, Earth is a barren desert, Centauri Prime blasted out of the sky, Narn was the first to fall. Although there are still skirmishes we can no longer wage war with weapons of mass destruction, it has become a war of the mind. Whoever has the strongest telepaths will win, and your daughter is one of the most powerful we have seen. She has more potential than even her mother. Psicorps tried to genetically manipulate their telepaths but nothing could exceed the potential of natural selection." " But I'm not telepathic, I've taken all the tests, got minus figures on most of them." " Every human has some latent ability, what do you think the Garibaldi Gut Instinct is ?" " You have a point....Go on." " The future is a mess, the only way that we could bring her, and other promising children, up safely was in the past." " Using the same technology you used to move Babylon 4 ?" " Slightly more refined but essentially yes. When she was old enough we decided it was time to bring her forward. Travelling in this era, while commercial and leisure routes were still in operation seemed the most sensible decision. We reckoned without our adversaries. How they found out is still unknown but the Shadow faction within earth's government sent the Hunters after her and, when they failed to capture Misha, after her mother. They want her for themselves, failing that dead." " So she could really make a difference ?" " Yes, her and others like her. She carries within her a Minbari soul and all the power it can bring. Trained properly she will be able to help us on our path to victory. I'm taking her to join the others at our base." " When she was born, did I actually agree to all this ?" There was no reply, " I don't make it do I ?" Garibaldi stated. " No," Jeff replied quietly. " Susan ?" " She'll be waiting when we get home. Michael I'm sorry." " Don't be. Everyone dies." " You saved the lives of a quarter of a million people." " A hero ? Somehow I don't believe that. So what now ?" " We need to leave this place. I couldn't afford to go before, Misha was too sick. While they still had Susan she would have been left alone, now we need to get out of here as fast as possible....Will you help us ?" " I have to talk to Sheridan first." " Michael...." " Do this my way or I'll see to it that you won't get anywhere. I'll meet you in Med. Lab." ********************************************************************************* ** " They have to go," Garibaldi told Sheridan twenty minutes later, " Sinclair explained the reasons, all you have to do is trust me. They'll be more danger to the Station if they stay." Sheridan looked at the man facing him across the desk. He'd trusted Garibaldi when the man had allowed Sinclair to come aboard and look what had happened. Then again what would have been the consequence if the Ambassador had not been here. An innocent girl would have probably lost her life and who knew how many more ? The fact of the matter was that Garibaldi was here, asking Sheridan's permission to do something he could have done without. A boundary had been crossed, Sheridan knew that the Security Chief was loyal to his new Captain. Sheridan nodded, " They can go," " I have another favour. I want to take a Starfury and go with them." " Agreed, and Michael..." " Yes sir ?" " Good Luck." " Thanks....John." ********************************************************************************* ** From 101646.276@compuserve.com Wed May 29 19:40:26 1996 Date: 27 May 96 06:04:08 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 14 A Time for Shadows Part 14 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights Susan Ivanova looked at her daughter and realised that there was no need for words between them. As they embraced their thoughts mingled for a moment, " I'll be there when you get home," " I know, look after me." " Its time," Sinclair interrupted. One last hug and the two travellers left for the docking bay and their shuttle. Susan turned to the uncharacteristically silent Garibaldi. He was already dressed in his flight suit, ready to provide the escort. In a moment he would have to be on his way to the Cobra Bay but there was a minute for goodbyes. " There goes our future," Susan spoke lightly. " Yeah," Michael said. " What is it ?" " Jeff just told me some things but...its nothing for you to worry about." She looked at him, resisting the temptation to peer into his mind. If it was something to do with this mission ? But she knew that she could never justify preventing him from what he knew was his duty. Just as he would never dream of stopping her. That was the type of relationship they needed if they were to survive the military life together. Almost unconsciously she pressed her palm to her abdomen, Garibaldi noted the gesture and placed his hand over hers. " The future is what we make it Michael," She said. " Look Susan, if something happens...." He hesitated. " Then I'll cope with it." The Commander of Babylon 5 answered him, he didnot smile. " I'll be back in about eight hours," He said before kissing her gently. " Walk you to the Cobra bay ?" " OK." Was this flight going to be his last ? Would a sniper take him out as he rounded the bend of the corridor ? After his discussion with Jeff these questions were going to haunt him for a long time. How could he commit himself to anybody knowing what he did ? Then again, for his own sake, how could he not ? Maybe it was a selfish decision but if his time was going to be limited he wanted to spend it with the woman he loved. " You know Michael, we can always leave," Susan continued as they entered the corridor. " But your career...." " Might not be as important as it used to be. I don't know, maybe too much has happened recently, especially to us. I just want to get away for a while. " " Do you think Sheridan will grant a leave of absence ? With what we know." She shrugged, " It was just a thought," Michael slipped his arm around her. He would never have thought that Susan would say the things she just had, but he himself hadn't dismissed them totally. She was still so distressed. A spell of quite would probably do her good and she wasn't likely to get it around here. Maybe they would be letting Sheridan down but Garibaldi had the feeling that the man would understand. The shape had watched the couple go by, listening intently to their conversation. It was not something he could allow. Destiny had to be fulfilled. Ambassador Kosh glided rapidly away. ********************************************************************************* * Ivanova had wanted to go up to the Observation Dome to watch the launch, but she had an appointment with Dr. Franklin. It would be embarrassing if he came up to C & C and bodily removed her. Test, test and more tests, was what she had to look forward to over the next few months. She couldn't wait to see the look on her associates faces when they found out. Focusing on the joy of the situation helped her to banish the dark feelings of despair and helplessness which threatened briefly to return. She had to shut them, away, replace them with the apparent lack of emotion that had gained her several icy nick-names. Susan Ivanova was a strong person, had to be given her upbringing. Loneliness had been a frequent feeling before she had come here. Her dedication and will to succeed had been her most common companions. With a family it would be difficult, but what was life without challenges ? Dr. Franklin was surprised to see the signs of a smile about her lips as she entered Med. Lab. He looked up from his patient to greet her. " How are we feeling ?" He asked. " 'We' are very well, if you can describe morning sickness and swollen ankles as being normal." Her gaze was directed down to the still figure on the bed, the smile left her face " And him ?" " He'll live." " Good. When the time comes I'll fight Garibaldi for the chance to push the button." Her voice had become cold. There was little anger but, for a moment, Franklin found the lack of emotion discomforting. When she spoke again it was in her normal tones, " Well where do you want me ?" " Through here," The Doctor gestured to an adjoining room. It was probably best to ignore her previous comments. This was her way of dealing with what had happened to her. Garibaldi was probably the only one to witness any emotional outbursts. Franklin was so busy pondering the question that he failed to check his patient before leaving the room. He didn't notice Fletcher Adams open his eyes and start to take an interest in his surroundings. ********************************************************************************* * There was one guard. Adams watched him through half-closed eyes, the other man was obviously bored, inattentive. The Bounty Hunter hadn't been restrained it would be a simple matter to disable the security man. Adams flexed his muscles, there was pain, but nothing that he couldn't deal with. he moved fast, taking the other man completely by surprise. There was little struggle. With the comforting weight of the PPG in his hand Adams made his way out of Med. Lab. The Bounty Hunters plan was unclear at first. Should he just get the hell off the Station ? Or disappear Down Below. Neither of those options were particularly attractive. He probably wouldn't be able to get to a Docking Bay and the only place he might have hidden was probably no longer available. The third choice, finish what he came here to do ? Was there any point ? He wouldn't get paid. The first threads of insanity started to catch hold has he realised that he did not care. It was easy to find the Officer's Quarters, and he had no problems by-passing the security systemsand teh security guard. He pressed the door signal of her quarters. As the door slid open he launched himself through the gap, landing on the woman with enough force to knock her to the ground. He rolled with his own momentum, getting to his feet before she had the chance to move. Ivanova exploded into action as she kicked the gun from Adams' hand. She then leapt at him, nails gouging flesh from his face. Adams threw her against the bulkhead. He laughed as he pulled her to her feet. Raising his hand he hit her until blood spouted. Her limp form slid to the floor. " Ivanova we have a security breech in Med. Lab. lock yourself in your quarters until a security team gets there." The Captains voice sounded from the device attached to her hand, " Ivanova, Ivanova...!!" " Too late," Adams whispered to himself. As he walked away, movement blurred in the corner of his vision. He turned back, too late, the blast from the forgotten PPG hit him full in the face. Sobbing with exhaustion and fear, Susan reached for her communicator, " Ivanova to Security..." " Susan ?" The Captain replied " Are you ...?" " Get here now !!" her voice was on the edge of being a scream. " On our way." Susan forced herself to check that the man was dead, before allowing herself to relax, she fell rather than sat on the couch. Blood was flowing freely down her face, she wiped it away. She had to stay conscious, couldn't let.....Her thoughts faded, gently away and the security team had to let themselves in. ********************************************************************************* ** Doctor Stephen Franklin, rested his head on his arms. What he wanted most to do was to sleep but the drugs rushing around his system prevented him from enjoying that luxury. He have could taken a sedative butt that would have only added to his problems. Stimms to stay awake, sedatives to sleep, how long it had been since his body had enjoyed its natural circadian rhythm he did not know. Ivanova, after all she had been through, why did it have to be her ? Why couldn't he have done something ? He failed to remind himself that, although the child had been lost, he had been able to save the woman's life. She would probably wake up soon, how in hell was he going to tell her ? Then there was Garibaldi, how much longer was the man going to be ? Ivanova would ask for the Security Chief, what if he never returned ? Too many questions and he couldn't provide the answers. He just didn't know enough, would never know enough. " Doctor ?" The quiet voice startled him. He looked into the Minbari Ambassador's serene eyes. " Delenn, " He acknowledged, " What can I do for you ?" From 101646.276@compuserve.com Wed May 29 19:40:28 1996 Date: 27 May 96 06:04:20 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows Part 15 A Time for Shadows Part 15 By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights Light just seemed to fall into it, the black ship appeared from nowhere. Michael Garibaldi had seen many alien transports in his time aboard Babylon 5 but never one that had such an adverse psychological effect. He knew it was evil, even before it started firing at him. No not at the Starfury but at the shuttle he was supposed to be protecting. The rift was just in front of them, the stars behind it distorted. Garibaldi couldn't tell if they belonged to this universe or some other. There was no time to worry about the view. He spun his ship into the path of the black ship, " What the hell is it ?" Garibaldi shouted. " Michael get out of there." Sinclair's voice came over the radio, " Its the enemy version of a one man fighter. They must have been waiting for us." " One ship ?" " We weren't supposed to go back this way. Now leave us." " Forget it. You know when I die ? Is it now ?" " No but...." " Then get to that rift and stop worrying." " The future can change." " Thanks Jeff, comforting as always. How long till you make it ?" " Three minutes." " I can hold it that long now go !!" There was no reply. Garibaldi could only hope that his instructions were being followed. There wasn't time to worry about it, he had his hands full dodging the enemy fire. Not for the first time he praised the manoeuvrability of the Starfury. He swore to himself. His shots didn't seem to be making any impact on the black surface. Maybe if he fired right down it throat ? He looked out of the side of the cockpit. Sinclair's shuttle was nearly there. Just a few more seconds. Unfortunately a few more seconds was likely to be the end of him. The other pilot seemed to sense this. It ignored the Starfury, flying past towards the shuttle again. Michael turned his ship on its axis and started in pursuit. If Copeland Pulse Cannons weren't enough then maybe tonnes of fuel would be. He disabled the proximity alarm and spun the ship so the cockpit faced away from the ship. Glancing behind he was glad to see that the black ship had continued to ignore him. Maximum thrust, he set a new course. Now he had maybe thirty seconds before collision, the ejection procedure took five. " Michael No !" Sinclair had obviously worked out what he was going to do. Twenty seconds, for the second time in recent weeks Garibaldi found himself praying. " Let them make it," He whispered to himself over and over again. That was it the countdown was over, he pulled down on the ejection mechanism, bracing himself against the power of the explosion bolts. The cockpit freed itself from the main body of the ship, Garibaldi nearly threw up as it spun away. Two seconds later an explosion ripped across the sky. He grinned, " Disaster Area !" Pieces of the ship span past him. " Shuttle to Starfury, We're OK, Shuttle to star....." the call was cut of, replaced by static. there had been no second explosion. The shuttle had entered the rift. Were they safe, or was something waiting the other side. Garibaldi didn't know and worrying about it wouldn't help. He checked his air supply, four hours. Enough time, but only if his distress signal was picked up. To pass the time he started singing gently to himself, " Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety-nine bottles of beer, take one down pass it around...." ********************************************************************************* ** " He's coming round," It was Dr. Franklin's voice. Garibaldi opened his eyes, Med. Lab. He was home, he was safe. He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. " Am I okay ?" He asked. " Sure, for a man who was hauled in just before his oxygen ran out." " It was close then ?" " Another half an hour and you would have watched your last cartoon. Forgive me asking but what were you doing out there ?" " What do you mean ?" " They brought you back from Sector Fourteen two days ago. The Captain is spitting nails." " I cleared it with him first...He knew about it. Didn't he ?" " Not by the way he was acting." " Susan, Susan knew about it. Where is she ?" " Commander Ivanova will be off duty by now but...." Garibaldi struggled to his feet. " Is she okay ?" He asked. " As far as I know. Michael, I think you'd better lie down." " No, I'm fine. I've got to see Susan." He pushed past Dr. Franklin and out of Med. Lab. Something strange was going on. The Captain had known where he was going and why. Come to that so had Franklin. What the hell was happening ? Maybe he'd been caught in a tachyon flux from the anomaly...but no, Franklin had said that he had been out there ten hours, then another couple of days in Med. Lab. it seemed about right.. Garibaldi let himself into Susan's quarters when there was no reply from the door signal. The sound of running water explained her non-appearance at the door. " Susan ?" He called. " What the hell ? Get out of here Garibaldi !" Was the shocked reply. " I have to talk to you." " Then wait outside." " What's the problem ?" " My towel is across the other side of the room." " Susan ?" " Okay, hand it to me, but if you look I'm going to remove your eyeballs with a spoon." The confused man did as requested. A few seconds later she appeared wrapped in her towel, " Welcome back from where ever you've been. Now what was so important ?" He took a step towards her, " You don't know do you ?" " Know what ?" " Why I was out there ?" " Mr. Garibaldi I gave up wondering how your mind works a long time ago." She paused while rubbing another towel over her hair, "Don't you remember ?" " Yeah I do, but nobody else does, I thought that you....never mind. Maybe I should go back to Med. Lab." " Are you alright Michael ?" She moved towards him, placing a friendly hand on his shoulder. " No, no I'm not. I need a drink. Have you got anything ?" " Michael no." Suddenly he put his arms around her, burying his face in her damp hair. Susan didn't know what to do, she should have been outraged, but for some reason she wasn't. She just held him for a moment, before pushing him gently away. Tortured eyes looked into her own. " They've taken everything, " He whispered. " I have to go." " Where ? " " Ambassador Delenn she must know what happened." He bent forward letting his lips brush hers for a moment, then he was gone. Susan shook her head in confusion, maybe she should have stopped him. Something had obviously made him delusional. Could he be dangerous ? She went to her computer terminal and asked it to put her through to Med. Lab. " Stephen," She said when Franklin's features appeared, " I've just had the most strange conversation with Mr. Garibaldi...." ********************************************************************************* * Kosh was with Ambassador Delenn. The Minbari didn't appear to be surprised to see Garibaldi. She offered him a seat and poured him some tea. He was feeling too numb to do anything but accept. " I am truly sorry, Mr. Garibaldi." " Then why do it ?" " To protect the present. What happened here was a mistake. Things went wrong and our enemies learnt too much. The whole balance of the war was upset." " We have restored the balance." Kosh added. " Excuse me for being thick, but even when you speak in complete sentences I still can't understand what the hell you're going on about. I come back here, after risking my neck, to find that nobody remembers me leaving the Station or why. This is my child we're talking about, haven't I the right to know ?" " Susan had a miscarriage but Kosh had taken a genetic sample. If he had not the soul would have been lost." " Misha ?" " Yes." " That is so sick. Why take away the memories ?" " We had to ensure that the prophecy was fulfilled and the knowledge you now have would have threatened our security. This place is more important than you can ever know if we are going to have a chance we have to protect it." " What can we possibly know ?" " Sinclair shared with you details of the future. Now , if the enemy comes you cannot tell them anything." " And this justifies what you've done ? Do you know what you've stolen from me ?" " This is war Mr. Garibaldi ! The needs of an individual......." " Its him isn't it," Garibaldi shot to his feet and gestured towards Kosh, "He's the one that gives you your orders. You, Sinclair, Sheridan he's manipulating you all." Delenn took a step backwards, as if she'd been struck. Human anger was something that she hated to see, especially when it was directed at her. No, not at her, at the Vorlon. As Garibaldi approached Kosh the encounter suit began to open. The last thing Michael saw was an angel. From 101646.276@compuserve.com Wed May 29 19:40:31 1996 Date: 27 May 96 06:04:34 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> Reply-To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com To: b5-creative@lists1.best.com Subject: A Time for Shadows - Epilogue This delves in to the relms of pure specualtion so please excuse me. A Time for Shadows - Epilogue By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights Winter had come and snow had fallen. Susan Ivanova welcomed it, the landscape looked less alien. For a moment she could almost believed that she was looking at an earthly mountain range, somewhere in her native Russia. Foolishly she looked up into the sky and the illusion was shattered. Three moons dominated the strange constellations. How long had it been since she had been allowed to travel among those stars ? Yet each day craft departed from the landing field below. She was tired. Ten years was a long time to be running and hiding. If only she could fight. That release was forbidden to her because of what she was. At times like this she forgot that she had volunteered for this posting. The reason was here now, asleep in a room attached to her quarters. Soon they told her, soon the army would be ready. Subjectively Sinclair had been away for two months. She had been hoping that he wouldn't return. He had brought back her past and that was not a comfortable experience. " Ill-met by moonlight..." She turned to face him, angry at being interrupted 'If he quotes from Shakespeare once more, she thought to herself, 'I swear I'm going to throw him off this balcony'. " Stop it," She snapped. " Come back to bed, its cold out here." " I'm used to it...you go." He shook his head, " I have to do a run through Sector 7. I just got the call." " Can't they send someone else ?" She needed him, someone, to be here tonight,. " I have to go. I'll be back as soon as I can." " Sure." " Susan..." " You have to go." He left, as he always did. It was his duty, just as hers was to stay. The cold was getting to her now. She hadn't felt it before, not even through the thin fabric of her night dress. Reluctantly she went back into the rooms they shared. He had already gone. When had this started, this reluctance to be with him ? Before Sinclair had left ? When had the memories started to return ? She had tried to stop herself thinking about it but she could no longer ignore the reality. A sensible Commander would just push these thoughts from her mind and go to bed. She had just made herself comfortable when she heard the noise. The scrape of a shoe, " Marcus ?" She called out. There was no reply. The noise had come from one of the adjoining rooms, Susan thought as she got up to investigate. The possibility of a hostile intruder was foremost in her thoughts. What if someone had breached the security of the base ? Calling for backup didn't enter her mind however, her only thoughts were for Misha's safety. The girl's room was next to hers, Susan was confident she didn't make a sound as she crept down the corridor. She paused at the open doorway. A man was simply standing in the centre of the room, making no move towards the sleeping girl. He was wearing an engineer's uniform , with a peaked cap pulled well down to hide his features. Despite this Ivanova had the uncanny feeling that she should know him from somewhere, something about the way his hands were shoved into the pockets of his overalls. Susan must have made a slight noise, because suddenly he turned a PPG weapon appearing in his hand. Seeing him full face, there was enough light to make out his features. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Susan felt her knees buckle. He rushed to catch her as she fainted. ********************************************************************************* * A familiar hand was stroking her hair. She recognised the touch, gentle, soothing. Her initial fear had vanished, this was no ghost, he was very real. Ivanova opened her eyes, reaching out to touch him. " You remember ?" He asked. " Everything." She whispered, " But you're...you're supposed to be..." " ....Dead ? Yeah, well I come with a good warranty." " We saw the Station blow, you were still inside.....There was no way....." " There was if someone still wanted you alive." His tone was bitter, like a man cheated. " I don't understand." He stood up and moved to the window. His back towards her he started to tell the story ; " After sabotaging the fusion reactor I went back to the front line. They were cutting through the bulkheads like paper, we couldn't stop them. I persuaded Jeff to leave, he didn't want to but I didn't give him much choice in the matter. Then they broke through. I don't recall much of what happened after that. Screaming, running, fighting, my team was being taken out before my eyes and there was nothing I could do. Before long I was the last one left. I figured this was it you know. I was ready to die. I came round on a Vorlon ship. They told me that I was still needed...whatever that meant ? They wanted me to...well never mind. All those people we lost and the damn Vorlons decided that I was going to live." " And did you do what they asked ?" " Told them to go to hell. What gave them the right to decide who lives and who dies ? They gave me reasons, that I'm sure were very good but by that time I didn't want to know." " Why didn't you come back to us ?" " There wasn't much point." " We needed you." " You of all people should know that no one is indispensable." He glanced toward the other side of her bed, she caught the look but did not respond to it immediately, " Don't you understand. I was sick of being manipulated, told about my destiny and half-baked prophecies that had been cooked up by the Vorlons." " And now ? Why are you here now ?" " To see my daughter, make sure she got here safely." " And me ?" " I.....I didn't think I'd see you, didn't think that you would want to see me." He turned back towards her. "Because of Marcus?" He didn't reply, so she continued, " How did you get through the perimeter ?" " This is me remember Susan. Pretty sloppy, I recommend shooting your security chief." " Are you going to stay ?" " I can't." " I see." " I will not be a puppet in the Vorlons games again." " And helping us has nothing to do with it. You say the security is sloppy then stay and give us your advice. We need all the aid we can get. If not for my sake then for your daughter. They tried to get her ten years ago, now she's here they'll try again." " I'm sorry." His tone was final, there would be no changing his mind. " So what have you been doing ? Hiding away on some nice safe little planet. Anywhere will do as long as its quiet and you can brew something to keep you suitably inebriated." She was shouting, partly due to anger, partly due to disappointment. " Maybe I haven't been part of "The army of light," but that doesn't mean that I haven't done my share. You don't know what its like out there, the suffering, the destruction. A few of us have got together, tried to salvage what's left of the remaining civilisations. After the fighting's over we're the ones who try to clear up the mess. We transport refugees, food, medical aid, try to get people organised. One of the last runs into enemy territory went wrong. We lost someone. Damn fool went in alone....He never did listen to my advice. I promised the others that I would get him back. Don't you see, I can't commit myself. The hardest part is, seeing you again, makes me wish I could." There were tears in his eyes, he sat down on the foot of the bed to hide his face from her but he couldn't hide his emotions. She had hurt him, hurt him badly with her misguided words. There were unsung heroes in any war and Garibaldi was one of them. The last ten years couldn't have been easy for him. For a moment she forgot her own troubles, kneeling beside him, taking his hand by way of apology. " Where have you go to go ?" " Earth." " Michael !" " I know, I know, but I have to....He's my friend." Susan couldn't understand why her heart suddenly skipped a beat. She didn't want him to go to that place. Earth was where the Shadows dwealt. If Michael went there she was scared that he wouldn't come back. How could she still have feelings for the man after all this time ? Maybe it was because their relationship had never been allowed to develop ? Maybe it was her own dissatisfied condition ? Maybe it was just the fact that her lover was away and she needed someone. There was something that made her dismiss all of these notions however, and that was the fact that her mind could still touch his. Despite her awakened telepathic powers there were still very few human minds that she could actually contact, Marcus was not one of them but Michael always had been. She felt closer to him, even after all these years, than she ever had done to Marcus. " Can you stay a little while longer. Your daughter...." She pleaded. " Hell , the Vorlons took a genetic sample, she's not even the child you carried. I don't know her, didn't have anything to do with raising her." He snapped " They took all that away from us, didn't they ?" She replied, quieter now, remembering. " Yeah, and I'll never forgive them. I just don't know what use I could be to her. Don't you feel the same ?" Susan nodded, there was no point in trying to lie to Garibaldi. " I want to talk to her, get to know each other, but if I do that I won't be able to leave." He explained, " Too many people are relying on me." They sat there for a while, holding hands, just being together. Eventually Susan said. " For me then, stay a while longer...please." " You have Marcus." " Do I ? Anyway he's not here." " We shouldn't." " I know, but it would really annoy someone." " Put that way." He grinned, as she lay back, pulling him down beside her. ********************************************************************************* ** He had come back because of her, their conversation on the balcony had preyed on his mind. There was no way that he was going flying out to Sector 7 when she needed him here. He had been away too much, and the strain on their relationship was evident. The rooms were in darkness when he returned. At least Susan was getting some sleep, tomorrow morning would bring a whole new perspective. On silent feet he went into the bedroom. It was cold, the window open to the night air and the moonlight. For a brief moment Marcus' eyes met those of the stranger...... No, not a stranger. Susan was cradled in the other mans arms, her head turned towards him. Marcus had seen all he wanted to, he didn't, couldn't speak. There was nothing left to say , he was too late. He turned and left. "Damn," Michael swore as he woke Susan, " What is it ?" She mumbled, reaching up to caress his face. " Marcus." " Damn." " Exactly. I shouldn't have stayed, I'm sorry Susan." " Don't be, I'd better go talk to him." She started to climb out of bed but Michael put out a hand to stop her, " Come with me ?" He said impulsively, " I can't promise any happy endings, the chances are fifty-fifty on ever coming back." Susan stared at him. Could she ? Would she actually leave ? This place was the nearest thing she had to a home, family. It was her duty to stay, it was her duty, it was......She looked at him, his blue eyes, hopeful, " I can't. I'm a telepath, they need me." She said, " And Misha needs me. Whatever Kosh did she's still my daughter....our daughter." Michael nodded, it was what he had expected her to say. He would have loved her less if she had agreed. Freedom was still too far away for promises but Susan still cared for him and that meant more than the whole galaxy. A reason to survive. Maybe one day the war would be over and their debt to history would be paid. They dressed in silence. Without words they parted, her mind brushing his gently as he kissed her goodbye. " He's gone," She told Marcus. " Is he staying ?" " Not yet." " So you want me to leave ?" He asked " Yes." She went back outside, there was no point in waiting to see Marcus go. The landing field was quiet, just one shuttle preparing for flight. " Good Luck," Her thoughts reached out, as expected there was no reply, but a lone figure by the shuttle turned and saluted. THE END