From SWELKER@delphi.comSun Nov 12 15:45:05 1995 Date: Sun, 05 Nov 1995 12:07:46 -0500 (EST) From: Suzann Reply to: b5-creative-owner@blob.best.net To: b5-creative@blob.best.net Subject: "Where Shadows Lie" (1/?) "Where Shadows Lie" by D.L. Welker ___________________________________________________________________________ Historian's note: Takes place after "Divided Loyalties". ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Space Station Babylon 5 rotated silently in the Epsilon Erandi system. Etched in light and shadow, the station struggled to remain as the last, best hope for peace amidst the turmoil of uncertainty. Deep within the station sat a man who seemed to bear the weight of that uncertainty upon his shoulders. Michael Garibaldi sat on the cool, stone bench in the station's Zen Garden. The place was a favorite spot for Ambassador Delenn, and for Captain Sheridan, when he had the time. Now, Garibaldi was its sole occupant, kept company only by the periodic hum of the station's monorail system. It was around one or two in the morning. The questions that hid in his mind came out to torture him at night, denying him sleep. Questions concerning Talia; the one person he allowed himself to get close to after he was shot by one of his own men. Talia turned out to be a Psi-Corps plant. Questions concerning the questionable actions of EarthGov, the coming Darkness, and on and on. A white hot pick of pain seared its way in between Garibaldi's temples. He massaged them and tried to relax by focusing on the waves of sand in the rock garden. Just then, Garibaldi heard the sound of swooshing fabric. He turned to see the Vorlon Ambassador, Kosh Naranek, glide into the Garden. The ambassador was a constant enigma to the inhabitants of B5, forever hidden in his huge, marbled encounter suit. "Ambassador," greeted the chief, "What can I do for you?" The Vorlon tilted his huge, helmeted head. A medley of voices and sounds preluded his reply, "What can *I* do for *you*?" Garibaldi let out a small chuckle," I don't think you want me to answer that question, ambassador." "Why?" questioned the Vorlon. There was something about his voice that was quite soothing. Ambassador Kosh glided closer to Garibaldi. The chief was uncertain about the Vorlon. How could he tell if the ambassador wasn't a servant of the Shadows, hidden beneath that suit of his...just like the plant that was hidden within Talia? Garibaldi's former friend and CO, Jeff Sinclair, had told him to "stay close to the Vorlon". He could trust Sinclair....but Kosh? "Questions, ambassador," answered the chief as he rose from the bench and walked away from the Vorlon. "Questions, and damned few answers." He spun around on his heel," And you seem to be the only one around here who knows what the *hell* is going on." The miniature lights on the crest of the ambassador's suit lit up as he spoke," Nothing is as it seems." Garibaldi almost agreed with Kosh until a frightening thought occured to him. Suppose the ambassador's comment could be *about* the Vorlon? Suppose he *was* a Shadow agent? "Including you?" asked the chief, somewhat reservedly. "Including *you*" replied the Vorlon. The chief clenched his teeth, trying to hold back his anger,"Are you suggesting that I might be one of those sleeper-zombies, like Talia?" Kosh lowered his head, then lifted it up again,"No. You do not understand." "Yeah, well maybe I'd *understand* if you stopped playing word games with me and got to the point," said Garibaldi, bitterly. "You are not ready...yet," replied Kosh as he turned and glided out of the Garden. "Wait!" yelled the chief. He ran to the entrance and looked down the corridor. Empty. "Damn!" said Garibaldi in frustration. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crtiques and comments are welcomed as always. Dawn(swelker@delphi.com) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- `[1;35;45mRainbow V 1.19.1 for Delphi - Registered From SWELKER@delphi.comSun Nov 12 15:45:09 1995 Date: Tue, 07 Nov 1995 18:20:49 -0500 (EST) From: Suzann Reply to: b5-creative-owner@blob.best.net To: b5-creative@blob.best.net Subject: "Where Shadows Lie" (2/?) Lieutenant David Corwin was overseeing operations in Command and Control. Commander Ivanova had suggested to the captain that Corwin learn the "fine art of commanding". Sheridan thought it was a great idea and that Corwin could make a fine command officer some day if he was given the chance. So here he was, directing traffic, dealing with the tempermental Narn and Centauri ships passing in and out of Babylon 5 and keeping a calm presence as Captain Sheridan worked at his station in C&C. He doubted that the captain was focusing exclusively on his performance, but he knew that the Command officers could multi-task with ease, so the captain probably *was* observing him. Captain Sheridan wouldn't rake him over the coals if he did something wrong. Now if it was Commander Ivanova.... "Lieutenant Corwin, I'm getting a signal from Zeta Leader," informed Lieutenant Mackey," says they've found a ship of unknown configuration and cannot get an immediate lock on it." *That* caught John Sheridan's attention. "Patch him through, lieutenant," replied Corwin as he stood up straight and folded his hands behind his back. "Aye, sir," replied Mackey as his fingers danced across the smooth console,"Zeta Leader coming through." "Go ahead, Zeta Leader," replied Corwin. "Babylon Control, this is Zeta Leader. We've found an unidentified object outside the Epsilon gate. It may be a ship, but I can't get a positive lock on it." Sheridan's brows furrowed as he listened to Lieutenant Keffer's report. "Can you give me a description of the vessel, Zeta Leader?" asked Corwin "Roger that Babylon Control. It appears to be spheriod in shape, solid surface...Damn, looks like it's seen some action, too. No sign of exhaust ports or windows. Looks like a pinball." Corwin looked confused, "Pinball?" "I'm sure Zeta Leader can save the colloquialisms for off duty hours," barked a voice. Corwin jumped, startled from the voice he knew only too well. "Roger that, Babylon Control," stiffed Keffer's voice. Oh hell, thought Corwin. He turned to Commander Susan Ivanova. She gestured for him to continue. Sheridan looked at commander and whispered, "I didn't realize scaring the bejezuz out of the trainees was part of your evaluation process, Commander." Ivanova folded her arms, looked straight forward and whispered out the side of her mouth,"*Somebody* has to keep these kids in shape." Sheridan gave her a sidelong glance,"Oh.I see." Ivanova allowed an *extremely* small smile in response. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Corwin's forehead had become moist with the added pressure of *both* his Command Officer's watching him. "Zeta Leader, you said that the it looks as if it has seen some action, can you describe, please?" "Roger that, Babylon Control," replied Zeta Leader,"There are massive dents in the hull, although it doesn't appear that the hull has been breached. Some carbon scoring, too. There may be life forms inside, but I can't get a positive lock. Do you want me to bring it back to base?" "Stand-by, Zeta Leader," replied Corwin. This is where he would normally contact the commander. He turned to the senior officers. "What is *your* assesment of the situation, lieutenant?" asked Ivanova. Corwin stood straight and looked into the commander's hazel eyes," We have a possible crippled ship outside the Epsilon gate. There may be life forms inside which may also be wounded. We can't get a positive ID on the ship so there is no way of telling wheter or not it *is* a ship, or a weapon." He saw the captain nod in approval. "Suggestions?" asked the captain. "Sir," replied Corwin, "Suggest that Zeta Squadron bring the unidentified object within sensor range of the Station and scan the object. Place a medical team on stand-by in Cargo Bay Eight, in case we do get a positive scan." The two senior officers looked at each other. Ivanova turned back to the Lieutenant,"Proceed, Lieutenant Corwin." "Aye sir," he replied. He then informed Zeta Leader to tow the object within the Station's sensor range and had a medical team put on stand-by. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your critiques/comments are welcomed as always. Dawn `[1;30;40mRainbow V 1.19.1 for Delphi - Registered From SWELKER@delphi.comSun Nov 12 15:45:15 1995 Date: Wed, 08 Nov 1995 18:07:48 -0500 (EST) From: Suzann Reply to: b5-creative@blob.best.net To: b5-creative@blob.best.net Subject: "Where Shadows Lie"(3/?) Na'Zaar rubbed the throbbing bump on his upside-down tear shaped head. A lapis blue liquid tainted his black gloved fingers. The black, cresent shaped eyes on both sides of his head blinked in confusion. What had happened? Slowly, he sat up in his seat. The monitors on his console were blank and it felt as if gravity were down to zero. He turned to his comrade, "Ra'Zohr?",he rasped as he shook the co-pilot's arm. Ra'Zohr moaned. He felt as if someone had slammed a scaitar in the back of his head. He looked at Na'Zaar. A bright green light seemed to outline the ambassador's body. Then it faded and Na'Zaar came into focus. "What happened?" asked Ra'Zohr, as he tried to get their bearings. "I do not know, my friend," replied Na'Zaar as he tried to pull away the shadow that veiled his subconscious. "We were in hyperspace...a great darkne..AH!," he screamed as he gripped his head and doubled over. "What is wrong?" asked Ra'Zohr, as he tried to unbuckle fron his seat. Na'Zaar lifted his head, his eyes clenched shut. "CORZAIR!!" swore the co-pilot. A stream of blue liquid issued from Na'Zaar's head and broke into little beads that floated in the cabin. "What?" gasped Na'Zaar. "Blood...from your wound," he said as he handed the ambassador his amethyst scarf,"We have no gravity and you are in serious need of the Healers!" Just then, their ship lurched forward. "In Corzair's name!" swore Na'Zaar between gasps of pain, "it...has come back for us!" "Babylon Control, this is Zeta Leader. We have a problem," reported Keffer, flatly. "Go ahead, Zeta Leader," replied Corwin. He could *barely* make out the ships heading towards Babylon 5. "This...*object* is trying to communicate with us, but it's very scratchy. I could only make out a part of it....something about them needing healers?" "Try hailing them," said Sheridan. "Stand by, Zeta Leader," replied Corwin. "Channel open, sir," replied Mackey. "Unidentified ship, this is Captain John Sheridan of Babylon 5. We mean you no harm. Are you in need of assistance?" Static sizzled over the intercom,".....am Ra'Zohr of the...Koravian Hegemony.....bassador Na'Zaar is in....of healers.....bleed..we....severely...isabled." *Ambassador*?, mouthed Ivanova. Sheridan shrugged,"Koravian ship, we are sending medical assistance. Prepare to be boarded." "Thank you....aptain Sheridan" hissed the reply. "Close channel" said Sheridan. "Channel closed, sir." Corwin had the medic teams sent out to the Koravian ship. "*Koravian*?", questioned Ivanova, "never heard of them before." "Well they're a long way from home, that's for sure," replied Sheridan. "Sir?" asked Ivanova. "Their world is near the new Rim. Jack said they had a small run in with them when the *Cortez* started working on the new Rim. Apparently they're a somewhat xenophobic race." "Did they try to attack the *Cortez*?" asked the commander. Sheridan shook his head," The Koravians sent about three scout ships out protesting the work that was being done on their side of the Rim. Said the *Cortez* was 'disturbing' something...Anyway, Earth Alliance gave them a wide birth and we haven't heard from them ever since." "Did they say what *it* was that was being disturbed?" asked Lieutenant Corwin. "No," said Sheridan, deep in thought,"they weren't inclined to talk about it and EarthGov didn't want to look into it any further." "Captain?" asked Ivanova. Sheridan looked as if he were onto something. "Hmmm?" replied the captain. "Is there something wrong?" "No. I was just thinking about something... Lieutenant, have Mr. Garibaldi meet the Commander and I in Cargo Bay Eight" said the captain. "Aye sir," replied Corwin. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Critiques/comments welcomed as always. Thank-you to those of you who have. Dawn --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Babylon 5 is copyright(c) 1995 PTN Consortium. No infringement upon that copyright is intended. "Where Shadows Lie" will be released to Babylonian Productions upon request. "Where Shadows Lie" is copyright(c) 1995 by Dawn L. Welker. This story may be transmitted electronically as long as the copyright remains intact. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- `[1;35;43mRainbow V 1.19.1 for Delphi - Registered