name = Sharenn email = Sharennminbar@hotmail.com title = Warchild Chapter 1: Foundling story = Author notes: This story sort of takes place during/after S5 so anyone who doesn’t want any spoilers shouldn’t read chapter 5 -> All the standard disclaimers apply. Send mail to Sharennminbar@hotmail.com All text in *’s is telepathic, text in /’s are sensed emotions. All other ‘thoughts’ are normal. Warchild. Chapter 1: Foundling. Darkness. Terrible darkness. No light ever shone here. She was alone, so alone in her pain. No one knew she was even here. Abandoned, or so she thought. But then, at the edge of her consciousness, someone came. *Nothing. I’ll tell you nothing!* she screamed at them, hoping, praying it went through in Minbari. They hated it when she wouldn’t speak English. It got on their nerves, that small act of defiance. Five years ago she didn’t even know a word of English, now she wished she’d never left home. The Ranger paused as he heard the piteous scream of defiance in his mind. In Minbari? No, he was imagining things. *Who are you?* He sent, trying to get a clear image of the ‘voice’. Bad idea. He felt as if he were on fire, burning, pain searing up every nerve . . *Flamewall?* He began to run. Somewhere in this run down prison was a P12. A powerful P12 with no control! *I don’t want to hurt you!* He sent in clear English. He sensed doubt. So he decided to try a different tack. *My name is Paul Maruzen. What’s yours?* /cold dark afraid so afraid/ *Shar . . .* pause *Kayla.* He didn’t ask about the first bit before the pause, and then was his by a blast of emotion /hatred fear anxiety loss/ * What do you want with me?* /tired/ *Can’t you just leave me alone?* Kayla cried at him, unknowing she was showing him exactly where she was. *What is a Ranger anyway?* Paul laughed bitterly. She didn’t know? *You’ve never heard of us?* He asked, incredulous. *Ni, vidrosh.* (for one who doesn’t know, that translates as “no, I’m sorry”) *How do you know how to speak Minbari anyway?* *I just don’t know any English, well not much. How do you know?* *I told you. I’m Anla’Shok.* /abject terror surprise denial/ *You’ve heard of us now?* *Yes!* /emptiness/ *I know of you.* Her voice was sad. He rounded a corner and knew that she was in the cell at the end. *Get away from the door. The last thing I want to have to tell Entil’Zha is that I knocked someone out on my first mission!* He laughed. She stepped away from the door and was confronted with light for the fist time in six months. Paul saw a straggling figure, tall with long matted hair that brushed the floor. Her aura was weary and starvation was obvious. He was overwhelmed with the need to get her out of there and somewhere safe . . . “I can’t remember much. I’m sorry Narenn.” Kayla said, looking at the young Ranger but not meeting her eyes. The gesture of respect unnerved the warrior. She’d seen children on Minbar raised Religious caste do that to their elders and the Rangers, but a young of Earth? Never. What Maruzen had told her made her even more worried. This girl was living in appalling conditions and was lucky to be alive! She was getting angry and wanted answers. Kayla’s eyes were searching for a familiar face. She was, to be quite honest, afraid of Narenn, but she couldn’t remember why. It was beginning to annoy her as well. *Paul? Where are you? What is this place?* Kayla sounded confused. *You’re onboard a Whitestar. She’s a beauty.* He laughed. She hadn’t heard much! *I cannot stand anyone who calls their ship a she.* He heard her annoyance and tried to stop grinning. *Where are we going?* He caught his breath. *Heard of Babylon 5?* /anger red hot fiery anger/ *Yikes! I’ll take that as a yes!* *No. Don’t take me there.* Why is she so afraid of that place? *It’s a haven for telepaths! Some guy named Byron has set up a colony there.* He could hear her thinking. Then he was hit by a blast of elation. *BYRON?!* *Yeah, you know him?* *He saved my life once or twice. Got me out of PsiCorp prison for a while but I got caught by EarthGov when they did a raid where I was working. Oh my . . . ! I haven’t been able to remember that before!* /elation again more happiness then sadness overwhelming it/ *Oh no. I remember something else, they were bragging about catching my boss, that he was a rebel against the Gov. or something. Then they took me away, started asking me what I knew about Minbar, over and over. I don’t know why!* /anger again fear and sadness emptiness/ *I was alone, I haven’t always been alone, there was about a year when I was twelve, something happened but I can’t remember what . . .* *What did they do to you?* *Took away my memories. They think they did anyway. But I hid them. I can’t remember how to get them back! They took that knowledge away from me. Now I only remember if someone triggers it. Thank you Paul. You helped me remember.* He smiled, and sensed her leave him. Sighing he got back to work. *I want you to come! Please!* She sounded like a child, but looked anything but. Paul took in the sight of the fifteen year old in front of him. Her long strawberry- blond hair had been trimmed so it no longer swept across the floor. At the moment it was plaited back uncompromisingly. Her vivid blue eyes flashed with anger and helplessness and her pretty face was carved into a plea. He shook his head. “Kayla, got find your friends and remember. I have my work to do!” And with that he left. ----------------------------------------------- name = Sharenn email = sharennminbar@hotmail.com title = Warchild Chapter 2: Remember me? warnings = nope. story = Okay so I was halfway through writing this when I sent chapter one off. Yes, I do know that this doesn’t track with S5 episodes. If that makes this an alternate dimension storyline, so be it. I don’t mind . . . . And this is where it starts getting *interesting*. All nastygrams/demands-for-explanations/actual compliments/ransom notes to Sharennminbar@hotmail.com. Plot point, just to confuse you all. Kayla isn’t 15, she’s sixteen. Okay? Story formatting point: as this chapter is the start of ‘remembering’ all memory scenes are contained in [these]. And a little note. Sharenn in this story isn’t me. And I am not her. Confused? As Kosh1 would say; “Good.” Chapter 2: Remember me? Lyta threw her cushion across the room in anger then sat down and promptly got up again. Something was wrong. But what she hadn’t quite figured out yet. And it was beginning to annoy her. The chime sounded on the door. “Come in!” She snapped irritably and wheeled around to see who had decided to interrupt her rant. Probably Zack. *You wish.* *KAYLA!* “What are you doing here?” She cried, Kayla grinned, “Nothin’. What you so mad about?” “Wait, wait, last time I saw you, you were . . . well, incarcerated.” “And the last time I saw you, you weren’t above a P5.” Kayla replied, amazement in her voice. “What did the Corp do to you?” “Nothing,” Lyta said, a little frosty. “They didn’t do anything.” “Whoa!” Kayla replied, putting her hands up defensively, “I can’t remember anything beyond arriving at the prison, and not much after that! Hell, I barely remember you. Maybe you were just stronger and I’m messing up my memories! Half my time in prison I was speaking Minbari and I don’t know where I learnt that.” Kayla looked at Lyta. Her defensiveness had gone. Both smiled. “What do you know about Byron?” “He’s arranged a meeting with the captain in Brown sector somewhere. He wants to set up a colony here. Good luck to him.” “I’m gonna find him.” “WHAT? Why?” “I have no home Lyta. I was rescued from an abandoned EA prison a few days ago. If the Rangers hadn’t come I’d’ve died. I have no home and the Corp took away my past, and something important to me. I can’t even remember what!!” Tears were coming, angrily she looked away. “I have to go find him. Heck, I may be able to help him make his case.” “Good luck to you then. I hear she’s having a BAD day.” Byron paused. He hoped that the captain would listen to him, hoped that he would finally give them a home. He knew there were still many he couldn’t help, and many he could. If this worked. *Byron?* *Kayla?* He asked, incredulous, *Kayla, is that you?* *Yes my friend. I’m free again. But I can’t remember.* *Bester did as he threatened?* *He took away the knowledge of how to return the memories. But they are still there. He cannot touch them, no one can. I need something to trigger them. All I can remember is my name. And I’m not even sure that is it!* *Is that why you came here?* He could see her now, she had grown up, her hair was longer than he remembered, and she bore the signs of pain, *What did they do to you?!* *Hurt me because I wouldn’t co-operate. They worked for the Darkness. I couldn’t let them win. I have a feeling that that was inbred within me from childhood.* *Come with me. I have an appointment with the captain, and I need you to help put forward my case.* *Will you let me stay with your people?* *You are one of ‘my’ people if you wish to be.* Lochley wasn’t nervous. Or annoyed. Or afraid. Just, just what? Kayla couldn’t figure this one out. But Byron seemed to understand, and at the moment that was good enough for her. Standing by her side was Simon, special Simon the one that at one time she had cared so much for. But now he had withdrawn within himself again, freezing them all out and not letting anyone in. He had showed her why, and it had made her weep. Byron was talking now, and Kayla knew soon it would be her turn. “This, captain, is Kayla. She has been branded a traitor by PsiCorp because she would not betray her own conscience. The things they have done do not bear telling about.” Kayla felt Lochley’s disbelief and cynicism. And for some reason it made her mad . . . [ “You will tell us Kayla. Tell us or we kill the baby.” *No!* “It’s your loss.” “One less little telepath to worry about.” *I’ll kill you if you hurt my baby!* “What do you want from me? Every day you come in here, waving your shock sticks around trying to scare me. I know you want something, what do you WANT!?!?” . . . .] The memory of the voices faded, and Lochley stared at the stumbling girl. “Did you see that?” She asked, shocked. Wordlessly, Byron nodded, “I know him,” She continued, “He was a CO of mine a few years ago. He was a tyrant then. What was he asking her?” “I don’t know. Kayla barely remembers anything. Her memories are buried and anyone who tries to get at them is prevented.” He looked Lochley square in the face and she nodded. “I think you should get her to MedLab. She needs medical attention.” Kayla woke on the Medbed and tried hard to suppress a scream. She couldn’t be back in that hospital, it wasn’t possible! *Easy Kayla, we are here,* *What, what happened?* *You over extended yourself. But the doctor said you’ll be fine. He a little curious though.* *About what,* Kayla said, guarding. Kayla didn’t have chance to catch Byron’s reply as Dr Franklin entered the room. “Kayla, you mind if I ask you a few questions?” Kayla looked at the young doctor in front of her. “Depends,” she said frostily. “I don’t know what Byron told you but I’ve had my mind tampered with. So if I say I don’t know or can’t remember, don’t assume I’m lying.” “How old were you when they got you pregnant?” “Upfront, aren’t you?” “And you’re evading the question.” “I didn’t even know I had a child. But I do remember something happening when I was twelve. Just after I’d ‘matured’.” “Twelve? So the baby would be about four now?” “As far as I know. I know the loneliness started soon after that. I’m not sure. You’re telling me I’m a mother?” “Yes. So you have no idea about the baby?” “I have no idea. But I do know you’ve helped us before Doctor. And you know what they do. So why don’t we just leave it at that? When can I go?” “Whenever you want.” A couple of hours late Kayla met up with Byron. She knew something was wrong. *What is it?* *Simon. No-one has seen him or heard from him in half a day. Something is wrong, Sarah cannot ‘hear’ him anymore.* *That means he’s unconscious at least!* *Unless someone found out and shot him full of sleepers.* Sarah intoned dryly. *Sarah!* Kayla looked appalled, *Don’t. We need to find him, soon. He’s not exactly taken our reunion well. I think I’ve dragged up the wrong memories for him. Damn, I wish I could remember more . . . * *NOOOOOO!!!!!!* All the telepaths heard Simons shriek. *SIMON!!* Sarah yelled, and bolted in the direction of the Rotunda. *Something’s happened. He, he,* ‘An image filled their minds, an assassin trying to shoot someone, blood, pain . .’ It was gone, and Kayla was filled with confusion. The others had left, seeking the source of the horrific imagery. But Kayla stilled, analysing the memory. Someone, someone there was important, someone she remembered. But who? ----------------------------------------------- name = Sharenn email = Sharennminbar@hotmail.com title = Warchild Chapter 3: Once burned, twice shy warnings = Nope. story = Since I’m on a roll you can have chapter three as well! Chapter 3: Once burned, twice shy. Confusion had a normal place in Kayla’s life. She had no idea how long it had been since Simons death, and she still hadn’t come out of her ‘hole’. It was a mental place where she sought relief from her everyday pain. *No-one left now, no one at all. Poor little Kayla, who feels so small.* *You will never be alone if you don’t want to be Kayla. Not as long as we are here. And I never knew you were a poet.* Byron’s calming words had some effect on her inner turmoil. *I’m not exactly up-to-date Byron. Can you help me? Start in 2258. That’s when I left, wherever I was,* *I’m not the person to ask. Maybe someone else?* *Like who?* *Lyta maybe? She has been her for most of that time.* *You don’t like her, do you.* She stated. *I think she has spent too much time following other peoples orders. I think she needs to let go and follow her own path. But she needs to decide that, not me.* *I’d better go talk to her then, if you’re so determined not to be a historian.* Kayla laughed, and stepped outside brown sector for the first time in two weeks. Delenn was unusually angry. The council was typically arguing against everything they tried to put forward on the Declaration of Principles. Londo, seemingly better for his recent brush with death, was at his most ‘persuasive’. Which was usually at G’Kar’s expense. At least that had not changed. G’Kar was offended that no one would sign the Declaration, and claimed that they had offended his muse so much it would not speak to him anymore. Londo had quipped that that might not be such a bad thing. But before there was another interplanetary incident, John had called a two hour recess. That was when she had decided to go for a walk along the Zocalo. And that was when Kayla saw her. At first it was a sliding glance as she looked for Lyta. The marketplace was one of her favourite haunts. But as Delenn turned around, Kayla saw her fully. And it was like a blow to the stomach. She had changed, but it was still a strong enough trigger, and the walls and blocks in her memory came tumbling down. Kayla REMEMBERED. [ “I really do not know what to do with you,” Callenn began, annoyed. “You constantly challenge my authority both in public and private,” “Because you tried to have me killed!” She interrupted, and received an angry glare. “You are a child. You are speaking to an elder but you do not show one ounce of respect! I have no wonder your real mother abandoned you.” “You dare?” She shrieked, and had the two warriors not been holding her back she would have gone for him. “You know, all of you know who is really responsible for my mothers death. The Warrior caste, who took such pride in defeating an inferior enemy!” She struggled against her jailers to no avail. “When the Satai hears of this . .” “Ah, yes. The Satai. She asked me to do a little research into your family history, and she was, shall we say, surprised by the results.” She said nothing, but stood silent, her glare mutinous, “You see, your mother’s husband was killed before you were born. Assassinated I believe. Probably deserved it. She also had a sister. Her sister was not killed in the war, neither was the man she was married to.” “So? They probably assumed I was killed.” “Wonderful word that, probably. Yes they did. You mother, wise woman, in hope that we would assume you had gone down with the ship, entered your name in the logs.” “My name?” She asked, curious. She had forgotten about her aunt and uncle, a matter which seemed to have disturbed Callenn. She was more interested in knowing her own real name. “Yes. It is Kayla Meredith. Your father, Carl is dead, and so is your mother, Natalya Keller. But your aunt, last time I heard, is very much alive.” “Who? What disturbs you about her?” “Oh her. I do not care about her. But her husband. Well I wasn’t going to tell you . . .” “LIAR!” She shrieked in a moment of insight. Callenn, anger woken, struck her squarely across the face, drawing blood from the corner of her mouth. “Just the comment I’d expect from one of the Starkiller’s line.” “What?” She asked, paling. “Your uncle is John Sheridan. And I am under direct orders from the Council through Satai Delenn, to send you back to him. Traitor!” . . . .] The memory ended, and Kayla bolted out of the Zocalo, her errand forgotten, consumed by a fierce anger toward her betrayer . . . . [“My name is Sharenn and I am ten. I live on Minbar with the only woman I have known as mother. She is a Satai, a ruler of her people. She said she thinks of me as one of her people even if I do not look like on. Her elders are concerned about me. There is one I think is only concerned about himself, but I know I must keep that to my self. Two days ago I left my home because he made me. I do not know where I am but I think he does. I know I am in trouble because this is a sacred place. No one is allowed in here. Three hours ago I found out why . . . .] ----------------------------------------------- name = Sharenn email = Sharennminbar@hotmail.com title = Warchild Chapter 4: Forget-me-not warnings = I hope not! story = For those who are just joining me, you should really read this next bit. Anyone else just skip this part (it ends with this ^). All standard disclaimers and all. Oh, by the way, whilst she was in prison, no-one thought to tell her that her aunt was dead and she doesn’t know her uncle has remarried. This will pay off BIGTIME – you have been warned! Sharenn ----x---- Chapter 4: Forget-me-not The memories plagued her, she would not eat, would not sleep. Caught in a fugue of jumbled memories of happiness, fear, anger and betrayal. There was something, maybe a sort of diary in one memory. But she was afraid. Something there was the key. She needed to see . . . . [“My name is Sharenn and I am ten. I live on Minbar with the only woman I have known as mother. She is a Satai, a ruler of her people. She said she thinks of me as one of her people even if I do not look like on. Her elders are concerned about me. There is one I think is only concerned about himself, but I know I must keep that to my self. Two days ago I left my home because he made me. I do not know where I am but I think he does. I know I am in trouble because this is a sacred place. No one is allowed in here. Three hours ago I found out why . . . . ] ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ End of Recap ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ [Callenn, and the other elders, the teachers, they said the Vorlons taught us about the Darkness. They fought alongside Valen in the last Great War. They said they would come back, and so would Valen. Some say Valen has. But everyone knows that the mysterious Vorlons are back again. I can only wonder when the enemy will return. The Vorlons say that we need to fight, to join with the other half of our soul, and mother knows who, or what, that is. But she never tells me, said that too much curiosity is frowned upon. Lately who would notice, the way Callenn has been acting. It is beginning to frighten me, so I must go away. I shall tell mother I have gone to Tuzanor. Yes, I shall. Then I must get away, if Callenn finds out I have gone he will follow. Then I will be in very deep trouble. Kelleir will watch out for him.] [I knew this was a bad idea. Kelleir never saw him coming, and now he is following me. I think he may kill me. I dearly hope not. I am tired, I must find somewhere to rest. There must be somewhere . . . Who would have thought an abandoned temple could hide so many secrets? This is a beautiful place, I wonder why it was left? The people are not this wasteful! They could not have left more than maybe a few years ago. Perhaps even in the year I was born? No, probably before then. I do not . . . what was that noise? I should not have come here. I should have stayed where I was safe. Now I am anything but. They are here. I know why the temple was left alone. The Vorlons are here. Two of them, the one they call Kosh and the silent one. He scares me more than the other. I think they are, curious? No. Vorlons are ancients, they know more than us. They would not be curious about one runaway. But he spoke. He asked, “Why?” It said. “Why do I run?” I asked. “Yes.” “Because if I do not I will be killed.” I whispered. “You are not Minbari.” It stated, no questioning. “I know.” I replied, quietly, looking away as I had been taught. “Yet you are.” It seemed to pause, and cocked its head? to one side. “Chosen.” “I do not understand.” It was confusing me! The other spoke. “You are chosen.” It said – and I mean no disrespect, but I do not know what ‘it’ is. “By who?” I asked. “Your ancestors, your descendants. By all.” It seemed so sure, as if it had been in the Dreaming and seen all of this. “You have a future, a destiny.” “Where?” I asked, confused. The one they call Kosh spoke up. “In a haven for your kind. They will need you.” “A haven for humans?” “Yes. No.” “I don’t understand!” The other looked at me, almost derogatory. “Good.” It said, and glided off. Kosh was still there, and the other paused a moment. “No.” It said, and left. Kosh turned to look back at me. “Pain will cease. Eventually. If you survive the trial of the Darkness, if you do not let it win.” “The Shadows?” It was as if Kosh flinched, as if it had been struck. I went cold. “Their servants.” And with that it left.] [Before my birthday, mother became almost more secretive. She’s hiding something, but it isn’t bad. I hope! It has not been so long since the incident with the Vorlons. Callenn lost his temper with both me and mother. And mother went into Satai mode. I have never seen Callenn so afraid! It is not funny . . . I think. But she is not mad at me. She made me explain in front of the council of elders why I had done it. Now I have made a permanent enemy of Callenn. I could almost ‘feel’ his anger. I think I am coming down with something . . .] [I had the surprise of my life this morning. Mother explained that when I was found, there was a message, but only she understood enough English to hear it. And there was something on the end that no-one else had seen. It was about a necklace that was left for me, to help me find my parents. She promised to find my father. She did not say how she knew my real mother was dead. We don’t talk about that. I do not want to hear that, not yet. But anyway, she played the message, translating it into Minbari because I do not speak English. And when it had finished I thought I was going to cry. She gave me my necklace, saying that she had started a search to find my father, that she considered me old enough to decide whether I want to go home or not. At the moment, I want to know my past, before I decide my future.] The locket. Of course! The one thing she had hidden for her life. It was still around her neck. Lyta is here? She thought to herself. It’s time to find out the truth. *Lyta?* *K? Are you alright?* The use of her nickname made her feel better. *Lyta, I remember.* *You do?* Amazed *That’s wonderful. I think.* Kayla laughed. *Lyta, that was a bad joke.* *Oops, didn’t realise . . . what do you remember.* *Everything. It’s all a jumble though. I need a favour.* Kayla stepped outside, seeing her friend with a cluster of other telepaths. They all smiled warmly at her and offered her a seat. Gratefully she took it, then handed Lyta a small velvet pouch. *Can you help me?* *What do you want me to do?* *Delenn trusts you, right?* *She saved my life, I saved hers, we’re pretty even.* Lyta was keeping the others out, *Take her this. Don’t ask and don’t look. I won’t hurt her. I swear, she means more to me than you know. Please, I need to know.* *I don’t understand, but after all that’s happened I don’t really care anymore.* *Thank you,* Kayla hugged her friend and Lyta went. *Byron, Byron where are you?* She stood, glancing at her friends, *I won’t be long.* Delenn was just about to enter her quarters when Lyta caught up with her. “Lyta? What a surprise!” She smiled, but Lyta appeared nervous about something. “Hello Delenn. I’m sorry, this is a bit of a flying visit. A friend of mine asked me to give you this. I have no idea what it is, but I trust her.” She handed over the pouch. “I’m sorry, I have to go,” She smiled and left. Delenn, her curiosity piqued, stepped inside and opened the pouch. Out fell a piece of paper with one sentence written on it; ‘Why did you send me away Mother?’ and then the necklace fell. Delenn picked it up and recognised the design. Engraved on the locket were three entwined initials; C,N and a K. Inside were two bloodstained pictures of a man in about his late thirties with blonde hair, laughing blue eyes and a broad smile. And the other was a woman. Seeing her face again made Delenn’s blood run cold, and with a gasp she dropped the open locket. The picture, bloodstained though it was, was of Anna Sheridan. Kayla remembered Delenn commenting that the engraving was beautiful. Callenn had said that the initials were that of her mother, her father and her. The pictures were her father and her aunt so if she ever got back to Earth she could find them. Curious if her aunt was still alive she stepped out again. And was hit by a blast of cold fear. Byron touched her mind, concerned and almost fatherly. *Bester is here. Kayla, he’s after us, and he wants to speak to you.* *Is she with him?* *I don’t know.* *Then I had better go see.* -----------------------------------------------