Address criticisms to [xazqrten@coxnet] Without it, there can't be any improvement.
***************************************************** Susan's office door opened and Owens stuck his head in. "I'm leaving, Captain." "I thought you were going to talk to Lyta for me?" "I will, but I need to get over to the station, so I can get a ticket on the first ship going to Earth. There’s one leaving first thing in the morning and the agent is holding a ticket for me. I don't have a charge card, so I have to pay cash." "Why don't you get disbursing to cut you a travel voucher. You’re entitled to transportation back to your home." "To do that I would have to stick around another day or so. I have no intention of being here when the Ares departs. Besides, I can file for reimbursement with any Earthforce installation after I get home." "By the way, where is home, now?" "My wife and kids moved to Mars after we deployed last year. I don't think finding employment is going to be any problem." "I’m going to be on the station later. You’re welcome to have dinner with me and Charley." "Thanks, but no thanks, captain. I would make people too uncomfortable." "I’ll contact you through Babylon 5 C&C later for the talk with Lyta. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you, captain." "I’ll take that under advisement, commander." "Only for seven more hours, captain." ***************************************************** Susan and Charley were in Lyta's quarters. "What’s your plan of attack, Lyta?" asked Susan. "Simple really. I’m going to hit him in the face with his wife, and in the solar plexus with his children. Michael told me that it has been announced on ISN, that the board of inquiry has completed is questioning of witnesses, and that you have been exonerated of wrongdoing, and are being reassigned. There is a change of command scheduled for day after tomorrow and your XO is being promoted and will take over command of the Ares. His wife has seen the newscasts. He’s going to have to explain to her and them, why he’s turning it down. She has been with him since he graduated from the academy." "You, Lyta Alexander, are the most sneaky, underhanded, conniving woman, I know... Myself excluded, of course," commented Susan. "Of course, and those are my best qualities," retorted the redhead. "Michael has talked to her and their kids. She is so proud of him, she can't stand it. The children are ecstatic that daddy is going to be a captain." "God, Lyta. If this doesn't work, they’ll be devastated." "I know, but you told me to pull out all the stops. I have something else to offer him, but I don't think he’ll listen." Susan's link beeped and she responded. "Captain Ivanova. We have a call for you from Commander Owens." "Put him through." "When will Lyta be available, captain?" "Meet him in the Zocalo and bring him here. Garibaldi is standing by with his family." "Commander, I will meet you at the bar outside the restaurant we danced in a few weeks ago." ***************************************************** The doorbell chimed and Lyta called out, "Come in." Commander Owens entered and said, "Good evening, Lyta. Captain Ivanova asked me to talk to you before I left for Mars." "Have a seat, Pat. Can I get you some tea? It's fresh." "Let's get this over with, Lyta. I already have passage booked to Mars. I leave at 0100 in the morning." "I see you aren't wasting any time." "I’m listening." "Pat. There’s no reason to be rude to me. I haven't done anything to hurt you." "This isn't the best day of my life, Lyta. Everybody’s trying to tell me what’s best for me." "Is that what you expect me to do?" "Frankly, yes. I know you’re very good friends with Captain Ivanova." "I am, and her name is Susan." "Not to me. The only things I call her are captain, sir, or Captain Ivanova. She is or was my commanding officer. She is not my friend." "I imagine, if you ask Susan, she’ll tell you she considered Captain John Sheridan her very good friend, in spite of the fact he was her CO." "That’s irrelevant to this situation." "I once worked for a Vorlon who used that word a lot." "Was he your friend?" "I confess, you got me there, Pat. I never really knew. I think to him I was nothing more than an intelligent pet, who made a good weapon." "Give me the spiel, Lyta. I’m listening." "They want you to stay, accept the promotion and take the Ares through its yard period. You have knowledge that rivals that of Susan about the ship, its abilities and its quirks. The deal would be when the Ares completes her final testing after departing the shipyard, you will be allowed to retire, and another captain will be assigned as her CO. I’m going to add one detail of my own. If you do this for Susan, it gives the Ares the advantage of having a good friend handling the purse strings, and gives the purse holder the confidence of having someone who knows what the hell they are doing, running the military end of the show on board the ship. I will guarantee that upon retirement, you will walk into a senior executive position in a major company on Mars, or any other planet, or colony within the limits of the IA. The pay will be more than adequate to compensate for the extra time you spend in Earthforce." "I’ll give you credit, Lyta. You know how to dangle one hell of a carrot, but no sale. This board of inquiry was the straw that broke this camel's back." "Then before you leave will you do me one small favor? It’ll only take a few minutes, and it won't cost you anything, except the time." "Okay." Lyta punched a button on the comm. panel and the face of Michael Garibaldi appeared. "Are they ready, Michael?" "They sure are, Lyta." "Put them on." "Pat. I will be waiting in Charlie's quarters. Just call there when you are finished. Take as long as you wish. The call is paid for." As Lyta left, Owens' wife and children moved into camera range. ***************************************************** In Wayne's quarters the doorbell chimed. "Come in," said Wayne. "He's on the comm. system with his family, Susan. I don't hold any hope that he’ll reconsider," said Lyta. "Why not?" "Apparently this is not something that just happened in the last few weeks." "I showed you his record. He hasn't forgiven them, for holding him back when he was a junior officer. By all rights, he should have been a captain several years ago. The brig time and court-martial didn't help. His hatred of many of the senior officer corps runs deep because of the civil war." "In spite of that, you want me to convince him to stay? I think this is one time I won't be able to deliver, Susan. Wipe out a Drakh fleet, piece of cake. Change Pat's mind...isn't going to happen." Lyta stepped to the comm. panel and placed a call to Mars. A few minutes later, she had Garibaldi on the line. "What now, Lyta?" "I don't think this is going to work, so I have another little favor to ask." "You’re beginning to sound like I used to." Lyta motioned Susan to the panel. "Hello Michael." Garibaldi's face lit up. "Susan, what can I do for you. This’s the first time you and Lyta have ever double teamed me." "Michael, if Lyta's efforts go south, can you help Pat find a job. He is one hell of a good XO. I think he would be an excellent manager." "Coming from you, that’s a very high recommendation. For you and Lyta, I’ll do what I can. I have a few positions that need someone who is a leader in them, who won't hesitate to tell me to go take a flying... on the proverbial rolling donut." "You won't be disappointed Michael," said Susan. "I know that." "Thank you, Michael," added Lyta. Garibaldi broke the circuit on his end. "How long did you give him to talk to his family?" asked Susan. "As long as he wants. I can afford it," replied Lyta. ***************************************************** "Hello, Pat," said the woman on the screen. "Hi dad," chimed in the three younger girls, "Long time no see." The woman on the screen held up a forth daughter, this one less than two years old. "Her name is Lynn, Pat." "Charlie, you look beautiful, the girls look great." "That sounds like a biased opinion to me." "It's the one that counts." "We just saw the ISN newscast. You and your CO aren't going to be prosecuted." "We got lucky, Charlie. They were gunning for Captain Ivanova. I wouldn't cooperate with them, so I think I made some more enemies in the senior officer corps. Add that to the feelings left over from my court-martial, and there are a lot of powerful people who have no use for me." "The newscast said you were going to be promoted and become the CO of the Ares." "Dad, we are so proud of you," said the oldest of his daughters. "Mom has told us how hard you've worked, and the sacrifices that have been made getting here," said the youngest of his teen-aged daughters. "Dad, it's been almost two years now. When are you coming home?" "Honey, it's a real feather in your cap. You not only make captain. You’re getting the most wanted ship assignment in Earthforce." "Sweetheart, you’ve stayed with me when many would have called it quits. I know it has been hell for you and the children, but..." "What's wrong, Pat?" "The newscast had most of the story, but it was not quite accurate. Before the orders were issued, I had put in for retirement and been approved. That made the orders invalid. I got a visit from General Leftcourt. He said the retirement approval could be cancelled, whether I liked it or not. When he said that, I transmitted my resignation to the bureau and got an acknowledgement. There isn't anything he can do about that. He got mad as hell, but it won't do him any good. Since I never signed my latest request for continuation of service, I was free to quit on the spot. I did. I have forfeited all of my retirement pay and benefits. We're back at square one. Since I resigned, I’m not entitled to any severance pay. The only thing I’m entitled to is a ticket home and my last month's paycheck. After that, we’ll be living on our savings until I can find a job." "I should be hurt and disappointed, but I'm not, really. I remember when you were passed over, the fiasco over the Farragut incident, and now this board of inquiry thing. They've been hanging you and Captain Ivanova for weeks in the media, but the story about your exoneration lasted less than one minute. That, and the fact that you are not popular with your contemporaries, since you were chosen over them for the XO job, and not popular with your superiors, because you dodge bullets, are good reasons for calling it quits. I wish you hadn't had to forfeit your retirement. Judy’s going to be starting college in a couple of months. This is going to make it rough." "I can work part time and go to school part time, mom. Besides, I got a scholarship that’ll pay for the tuition and books. If I live at home, it won't be too bad," replied his oldest daughter. "Pat, honey, I’ll see what I can find. If I can find something temporary, maybe it’ll take the pressure off you, and give you time to find a decent job. When’re you coming home?" "My ship leaves at 0100 in the morning. It's not a direct flight, so it’ll be over a week. If all goes well, I’ll be home by next Friday." "We'll be waiting for you." "I love all of you?" "We love you dad," said the girls in unison. His wife broke the circuit. Owens sat looking at the BabCom logo, and tears started running down his cheeks. Very quietly, he cried to himself wishing there had been some other way, but his pride told him there wasn't. Thirty minutes later, having washed all indications of his emotional outburst from his face, he signaled Lyta that the call was finished. ***************************************************** On Mars, Garibaldi had taken the call from Lyta and Susan in his inner office. After the call was ended, he switched the equipment and monitored the call being made from his office. Owens had a good family. Not many women would have stayed with a man through the trials, tribulations, and separations that Owens had experienced during his career. Michael wasn't surprised at the Leftcourt approach to Owens. He hadn't had any use for the bastard ever since the civil war. One day when he had some spare time, before the old goat croaked, he would try to repay to him some of what he had visited on others. As the screen went blank on the comm panel, Garibaldi reentered his outer office. "Everything all right, Mrs. Owens?" "As well as can be expected, Mr. Garibaldi. I want to thank you for your courtesy." "A friend asked me to help get you in contact with your husband. I’m glad to be of service." Charlie Owens and her daughters got up to leave. "Mrs. Owens, could I have a word with you?" Charlie gave her youngest child to her oldest. "We’ll be right outside, mom." "Please sit down." "What can I do for you, Mr. Garibaldi?" "That's supposed to be my line." Charlie waited for him to continue. "Some friends told me about the problem you and your husband are having. They asked me to lend you a hand, if I could. It seems that I can. I owe one of them big time, several times over. I don't think one of them is ever going to let me off the hook, and the other one will kick my fat butt, if I don't help. You can see the fix I’m in. That's where you and your family come in." "What’re you saying?" "What is your specialty?" "I used to be a dance instructor. I have a degree in business, but the birth of my oldest daughter, and Pat's feelings about children, mothers and one parent being at home, took me out of the workforce. The subsequent children have kept me out ever since. Now, I have another young one. I don't know how I am going to be of any help to him." "I have a great many jobs that I have trouble filling. However, none of them involve dancing, but I’m going to have a fellow named Harvey Winston contact you. He’s my chief of personnel. I’m willing to bet that we have something that fits the bill for you. Hell, I can guarantee it. I look forward to meeting your husband when he gets here." "Who are your friends that you would do this for us?" "One is Lyta Alexander. She has saved my life a number of times. I have never been able to return those favors." The puzzled look on Mrs. Owens' face told him she did not recognize Lyta's name. "Remember the Telepath War? The redhead whose picture was always in the news? That's her. She's as good a friend as you can want." "Who’s the other?" "She is Lyta's best friend. She is a nasty, kick-ass brunette, Earthforce officer, Captain Susan Ivanova, commanding officer of the EAS Aries, your husband's boss for the time being." "I didn't even know you until a few hours ago. I’ve never met Lyta Alexander. I have met Captain Ivanova only once at an official luncheon. I think I was introduced, but that was it. Why do this for us?" "Why not? Oh, one more thing. We have a very good work-study program for students who don't mind pulling their own load. You might want to look into that. We also have scholarships for bright students who need help. It’s something Lyta suggested I do. So far, it has worked extremely well. We graduated our first engineering class this last semester. I hate to throw you out, Mrs. Owens, but there are some things that need my attention." "Thank you, Mr. Garibaldi." "You are welcome, ma'am." ***************************************************** In Lyta's quarters, Pat was facing Lyta and Ivanova. "I appreciate the call to my family, but my answer remains unchanged." "There’s something you should both know. There was never any intent to hang either of you out to dry. Captain Conrad had his mind messed with by a couple of psi cops, before he came to Babylon 5. I know because last night I went in, and undid their handiwork. I learned who the psi cops were; they were careless with names when they were working on him, and I know who was responsible for them doing it. Conrad never had in it for you, Susan. In fact, after I straightened his mind out, it was quite obvious, he has a great deal of respect for you." "I kept wondering in the inquiry, what his tactics were going to be. If he wanted to ruin me, he was going about it in an odd way. It drove me up the wall." "Pat let me play back his questioning of Garvey and Susan for you. Close your eyes." Owens closed his eyes and found himself in the inquiry room. He watched as Conrad questioned Garvey and Ivanova. "I don't believe it," he commented. "That was the real Jason Conrad. He is quite a nice man, really." "Did you really hire him?" "Most certainly, Susan. He’s very good at what he does." "Leftcourt told me what you were offering him." "For the responsibility he’s assuming, the pay is appropriate. Are you planning to quit?" "After these last few weeks, I have to think about it, very seriously. Besides, after this place, running anything else should be a piece of cake, and most CEOs don't have to worry about getting their asses shot off by the Drakh." "What time are you and Charley going to dinner?" "We will come by about 1915 or so." "Pat. Did I lie, about not trying to sell you a bill of goods?" "No. No you didn't." ***************************************************** Lyta walked into the departure lounge about 0015 and looked around. There was Owens sitting dozing in a seat waiting for his flight to be announced. "Hello, Pat," Lyta said sitting down in the empty chair beside him. "You should have come to dinner. John and Delenn came. You would have enjoyed the conversation. Captain Lochley and Larry Evans were there, too. There was music and dancing." Owens looked tiredly at Lyta. "What are you trying to say?" "I would have enjoyed dancing with you one more time. So much for wants." He checked his watch. "They should be boarding in a few minutes." "I know. I wish things could have worked out differently. I understand why you couldn't withdraw your resignation. I knew you wouldn't, even before the call to your family." "Then, why waste the cost of the call?" "Did you consider it a waste for you?" Looking sheepish, he responded, "No. It was very thoughtful, Lyta." "Your family is going to be waiting for you on Mars, and so is Michael Garibaldi. You remember the bald guy who answered my call, and put your family on the line. He’ll be waiting for you, too." "Why?" "Why not? Besides he owes me and Susan." "You and the captain?" "The three of us are old friends along with Delenn and John Sheridan. Well, not John in my case." "You're telling me, Captain Ivanova had something to do with this besides trying to keep me on active duty?" "You're surprised. I told you Susan was your friend." "Captain Ivanova always has been different from my other COs." "When the ship pulls in after being shot all to hell and being away for almost two years, she will have no family waiting for her. Well, she didn't in the past. That's changing with Charley. Funny part is now she won't be going out on patrols anymore." The announcing system blared the next departure in several different languages. "That's my call, Lyta." Lyta stood up and kissed him. "Tell your wife she has a wonderful man for a husband, and tell Michael Garibaldi, this does not let him off my hook." "I envy the man who finally gets you, Lyta." She watched him walk away until he was out of sight. ***************************************************** "Good morning, captain," said her yeoman putting the days message traffic in her "in" box. "I’ll take your word for that," she answered. Her XO was gone and she wasn't in a terribly good mood, but she kept it to herself. She and Pat had been through a lot together. If truth be known, she had come to think of him more like a brother than just her XO. His leaving left an empty spot in her heart. It remained for her to learn what the brass had in store now. There would be no change of command ceremony, at least not here at Babylon 5. There was an interesting message in the morning traffic. Commander Owens' resignation was being held pending disposal of his approved retirement request. Interesting situation, this one was. It seemed like there were times when the various parts or the Department of Earthforce Personnel didn't know what was being done in the others. She read the "To:" heading and saw that Leftcourt was the lead "for action" addressee. There was one notifying her and Leftcourt that a new candidate was being dispatched to assume command of the Ares. She would be promoted on schedule and turn over the command whenever the new CO arrived, ceremony was optional. She wasn't familiar with the new CO's name, so she detailed her yeoman to pull together what he could on the man. She wanted to know who she was turning the ship over to. ***************************************************** 1130 It was 1130 when Susan decided to break for lunch. She never ceased to be amazed at how much paper could accumulate in the span of a day. She walked down to the wardroom and ordered lunch. "May I join you, captain?" asked Norman Kelly. "Certainly, Mr. Kelly." "Captain, I would like to request me and my crew be allowed to ride the ship back to Earth. We can continue our work on the way, and it will save a lot of money on our transportation." "I have no problems with that, but I’m not going to be taking her back." "Why not?" "I’m being reassigned, and they’re sending a new CO." "I haven't seen Commander Owens this morning. He usually stops by and has coffee with me. He didn't make it today." "Commander Owens is on his way back to Earth. He resigned his commission, yesterday." "I am sorry about that. I was looking forward to working with him and you during the repair and overhaul period. Now, it looks like I won't have either of you to depend on." "I’m being assigned to the Department of Design and Procurement." Through bites of food, he asked, "You aren't a "pork chop", who will you be working for, or have they told you? I know the fellow who runs that command. He’s a good man. I’ve worked with him and his people for a long time now. I’ve also worked with his predecessors. After all, I've been doing this for a while now. Sometimes it can be frustrating though, they are sticklers for rules and regulations." "I’ll be working for General Leftcourt." "Odd. I would have expected them to assign you to a staff position there." "General Zaleski is retiring in about two months." "Do you know who his replacement will be?" "Me." Kelly looked at her for a long moment. "That's a two star, pork chop, billet, captain." "I know. That was my response, when I was told." "Are they downgrading it?" "No. I’m being promoted to brigadier general. That's why I’m leaving the Ares. I’m then being given a temporary promotion to major general upon assuming command. At least that's what Leftcourt told me. I just work here." "They would seem to be pushing you very hard." "Tell me about it. I only became a captain a little less than five years ago. I would like to think I've earned the rank, but sometimes I wonder." "I've seen this happen before. They get a hot running outstanding young officer, then push him for all he's worth. It gets him into the higher ranks early where he can make a difference for a long time to come." "I agree, but I'm a she." "That much would be obvious to a legally blind man. However, the fact remains, you are being pushed. You apparently have qualities they want in the general officer corps. I remember working with you, although not directly, on the Ares. I was privy to your demonstrations and arguments when her design was being finalized, and when we were finishing her construction and testing. You impressed the hell out of me then. Others were apparently making notes. You haven't disappointed anyone, yet." "Would you believe, I was XO on Babylon 5 for four years?" Kelly whistled, "You don't get the easy ones do you?" "I was a Lcdr when I took over the XO billet." "I think you’ll work out just fine with your new assignment. You have the main ingredients in excess, tenacity and ability." "Time will tell." "I appreciated the conversation, captain, but I have to get back to whip cracking." ***************************************************** 1200 Susan was kicked back on her office couch conducting light leak checks on the inside of her eyelids, when the comm. unit on her hand chirped. "Go." "Captain, we just received notice that General Leftcourt wants to see you onboard the station." "Put me through to him." "You want to see me, general?" "You have seen your morning traffic. There’s something in it we need to discuss." "If it's about Owens..." "It isn't. If you can make it, I will expect you in my quarters in three hours." "Yes sir." [So much for the light leak tests.] Stepping over too her desk, she noticed papers that hadn't been there when she went to lunch. She read them and knew what Leftcourt wanted. ***************************************************** 0730 "Lyta," said Charles Wayne. Pausing in her efforts to eat her breakfast. "Go ahead, Charley, talk, and let me finish eating." "Susan and I have become engaged. We plan to marry day after tomorrow. She wants to have John and Delenn Sheridan there, and you to. She wants me to come to Earth with her. Is that going to be a problem?" Lyta nodded her head, no. "I think it's great, mom. Do I get to come?" "You’re going to be part of it, Maya," replied Charley. "Larry, I want you to be my best man." "I accept," he replied over his coffee. "We need a bridesmaid. Do you suppose Elizabeth, might agree to do that?" "I’ll ask." Lyta straightened up in her chair and seemed to be listening. "Boss, is something wrong?" asked Larry. "He's here. His ship just came through the jumpgate." "How could you know that?" asked Charles. "I have been in Sheraun's mind before. I can sense him a very long way off." Larry looked at Charles. Neither had ever heard of a telepath who could sense someone thousands of kilometers away. "We know you aren't any regular garden variety telepath, boss, but no telepath can sense someone that far away," said Larry. Lyta looked at him, and replied, "Whatever you say, Larry." She used the comm. panel to call Delenn. When Delenn answered the call, Lyta said, "I thought you said Sheraun wouldn't be here." "He isn't supposed to be," replied Delenn. "How do you know he is here?" "I felt his mind, when his ship came through the jumpgate." "I will check on it, and get back to you." "She wasn't surprised that you could sense him?" asked Charles. "Delenn knows more about me that either of you do." "You have lots of secrets, don't you?" inquired Charley. "More than my share," replied Lyta. "Have you had trouble with him?" asked Larry. "I wouldn't call it that. I think situation might be more accurate." Larry thought for a moment, then smiled to himself. "What’s funny, Larry?" asked Charley. "Lyta. Is this the Minbari that wants to marry you?" asked Larry. Softly, she replied, with regret in her voice, "Yes." "You love this guy, don't you?" asked Charles. Wistfully, she replied, "Yes. Very much, but I can't allow it. Not now, maybe not ever." "We have a meeting at 0930 and another at 1200," noted Larry. ***************************************************** 0800 "John. What is Whitestar 71 doing here?" asked Delenn. "I don't know. You're responsible for their assignments." Delenn activated the comm. panel and placed a call to her headquarters on Minbar. It took a few minutes for the connection to be made. When it was, her chief of staff (CoS) appeared on the screen. "Entil'za, how may I be of service?" "What is Whitestar 71 doing at Babylon 5?" Her CoS consulted something off to the side of the screen. "Entil'za. Whitestar 84 is scheduled to start its next patrol. Since Whitestar 71 had just finished a long patrol in the Glenthorian sector, we sent it to replace Whitestar 84. Is there something wrong?" "No. I just didn't expect it to be here." Delenn executed a small bow and broke the circuit. "See. I told you, I didn't have anything to do with its being here." "Sheraun is the ship's commander," noted Delenn. "Maybe she won't know he’s here. He won't have any reason to come aboard the station." "She sensed him before his ship cleared the jumpgate." "I keep forgetting just how powerful she is." "When are you starting back to Minbar?" "Not until after Susan's wedding." "When is that?" "Day after tomorrow. Also, General Leftcourt says they are having a small promotion ceremony this afternoon for Susan," said John. "It's being held in the wardroom and we’re invited." "She has come so far since she first reported aboard the station. She was a young uptight, to use a human term, Lcdr." John laughed, "She was running her tail off, trying to keep this place in one piece, when I came aboard. She had worked for me, years before. She has been an outstanding officer and a damned good friend." "Lyta seems to think so, too." "They are a pair. Both can be harder than Shadow armor, and softer than cotton candy. Can you believe, twice Lyta has been on the spot and saved her from certain death at the hands of the Drakh." "The universe puts us in the right place at the right time. It is up to us to make the best of it, and Lyta usually does." "I’m going for a stroll and do a bit of observing. I'll be back in time for lunch." "Good. I have some business with our ambassador, and the ranger commander assigned to the station." ***************************************************** END PART 18