Adventures of Lyta and Ivanova Part 8 of ---(WIP)
******************************************************************** 1145 B5 Day 4, Charley Wayne's quarters. Looking at Susan's sleeping form, it occurred to Charley that she must have been totally wasted after the fight with the Drakh. He sat down on the bed, leaned over her and gently brushed his lips against hers. She responded by putting her arms around his neck and pulling him down on top of her. Slowly she opened her eyes in surprise. She let him up and, apologized. "Sorry, Charley. I thought I was dreaming. What time is it?" "It’s lunch time. I’m debating, but I think we should go get something to eat, before anything else." Susan pulled him back down and lunch was forgotten for the time being. It was just after 1230 when Charley and Susan joined Lyta, Larry, and their group for lunch. Lyta looked at them and didn't need to guess what they had been doing. She was beginning to think there must be rabbit genes in the two of them somewhere, but she kept her thought to herself. She noticed that Larry and Maya could read them the way she did. "Captain Lochley was looking for you about fifteen minutes or so ago, Susan," stated Lyta. "I don't suppose she mentioned what it was about?" "Not a hint." "It couldn't be important or she would have had security after me. Zack saw me with Charles a few times. Charles' place is where he would start looking if they wanted me." "Susan. Why don't you hold off buying anymore clothes for now and delay buying a ticket to Earth?" "You have something in mind, Lyta. What is it?" "I'll let you know later. After lunch, why don't you go with Charles and Larry. It will give you a chance to see them do their thing." "Why do I feel that you’re setting me up?" "What could I possibly be setting you up for? Susan Ivanova, you are the most suspicious person I know, Michael Garibaldi excluded." "You have a knack for interfering in other people's business, not that it’s necessarily a bad thing." They finished lunch and as Susan and the others went one direction, Lyta waited till they were out of sight, and then she headed for C&C with Maya in tow. ***************************************************************** 1315 B5 Day 4 Lochley's office "What can I do for you, Lyta? I know this isn't a social call," asked Lochley in a disinterested, dismissing tone. "Better question is, what can I do for you?" retorted Lyta. "Just what can you do for me?" "Well for one, I think I may have a way to get Susan to retract her resignation. Would that be of any interest?" Lochley looked up at her and said, "Maybe you should have a seat. I’m very interested." Lyta sat down and in the chair across the desk from Lochley, and Maya got comfortable on the couch. "Just how can you help with Susan and her problem?" "I could just mentally force her to retract it, but I would never do that, but there is someone whom she trusts implicitly and he and/or she may be able to convince her that there is a better way. In fact, I’ll bet on it." Lochley looked at Lyta for more than a minute, trying to figure out her place in all this. She had been told that Draal had helped destroy the Drakh, but she didn't believe it. His own admission had indicated as much. "Continue." "Her former CO, John Sheridan, and his wife, Delenn, are as close to Susan as her family was. Maybe even closer. If there is anybody she will listen to, it is they." "How do you propose we proceed?" "You contact Sheridan and discuss it with him; for Christ's sake, don't mention me. It would be the kiss of death. When you’re ready, I’ll get Susan up here, and you can turn John loose on her." "Just for curiosity's sake, what do you get out of this? Why are you going to this much trouble, when it’s no concern of yours?" "As hard as this for you to believe, I'm getting nothing out of this except the satisfaction of knowing Susan's career is intact. She’s my friend, and even though it’s none of my business as such, it can hurt my friend, and I won't allow that. I don't know about you, captain, but I try to take care of my friends, what few I have." "I’ll be in contact." Lyta and Maya left. Well down the passageway, waiting for the lift car, Maya took Lyta's hand and looked at her, saying, "You just made a lot of points with the captain, mom." "Explain?" "You put an extremely high value on friendship. She’s not accustomed to people like that." ******************************************************************* 1500 Day 4 Lochley's office "What can I do for you Dr. Hobbs?" asked Lochley. "My people have finished a preliminary autopsy on two of the Drakh corpses that were brought in. The findings ask more questions than they answer," answered Hobbs. Smiling, Lochley asked, "You just love to keep me in suspense don't you?" "Never, captain. The two we examined had no visible injuries. The internal examination revealed that every blood vessel in their brains has been exploded. They died of the most massive strokes in history. Their deaths were quick, but excruciatingly painful. There are some symbiotic creatures attached to them that we’re still studying. By tomorrow I should have a fairly complete report for you." "Do you have any ideas what could have caused these strokes?" "Not a clue, at this time, captain." "Thank you, Dr. Hobbs." Lochley might not know exactly how, but she was sure the who was Lyta Alexander. ********************************************************************* 1600 Day 4 Lochley's office Lochley had established a link with Sheridan's headquarters on Minbar; she had forgotten the time difference. A very sleepy Sheridan was looking out of the screen at Lochley. "I’m sorry Mr. President, I forgot about the time difference." "It's okay, Elizabeth. What can I do for you?" "You can talk some sense into Susan Ivanova, John." Sheridan regarded her image on the screen for a minute. "Is this your idea?" "No, it’s a friend of hers. The friend thinks she’s making a big mistake, and should let her friends, who are good political infighters, do her dirty work. I think it’s a good idea, too." "Who’s the friend wanting this intervention?" "She made me promise not to tell you." "Let me get back to you in the morning, your time." "Thank you, Mr. President." "John works better, Elizabeth." She stared at the logo on the screen for almost a minute, then went back to work. The damage reports on top of the regular station reports made her envy Susan her ship, even if it was shot all to hell. ******************************************************************* 2000 Day 4 Zocalo Lyta, Susan, Larry and Charles were having dinner in the Fresh Aire. There was a music act that featured magic to music, and the quartet wanted a little entertainment after the diversion of the past few days. Suasn, looking behind Lyta, spotted Lochley coming in their direction. "Don't look now, but I think we have company." Larry looked around and frowned when her saw whom Susan was referencing. "Did you invite her, boss?" Lyta nodded, no. "If she asks if she can join us, you can just say no," said Charles, "Personally, I have nothing against her." "Evening Lyta, Susan, guys. Lyta can I see you first thing in the morning? I looked into what we were discussing earlier. It looks like a go, but I won't know for sure until then." "Is 0800 okay?" "Fine. Good evening," she said and walked away. "I think we should have invited her to join us," commented Charles. "I still can," noted Lyta. "Larry?" He nodded, yes. Lochley was fifteen meters away when she stopped in mid stride. Inside her head, she heard,Turning around slowly, she was scanning every face in sight. Her gaze rested on Lyta. Again came the request, She walked back over to Lyta's table. "Did I hear you?" "Yes," replied Lyta. "We haven't ordered yet. Please sit down." Larry held a chair for her and she sat down. Lochley was cautiously studying the foursome. "Sometimes, we forget our manners, Captain Lochley," said Larry. Lochley smiled a weak smile. She didn't often get asked to join anyone for dinner. In fact, she couldn't ever remember it happening on Babylon 5, discounting Lyta's dinner invitation of the other night. It put her into very close proximity to Larry Evans. She appreciated that. She could interact with him and not stick her foot in her mouth. "I know you don't want to talk business, captain, but how is the station faring?" asked Larry. "We took considerable damage to the outer hull and two areas inside. One was the diplomatic area about a hundred meters down the passageway from your quarters. The other was in Brown section. There were people there that had not evacuated when ordered to do so and had hidden from security. There were a number of casualties. It's frustrating. Almost all of the killed were unnecessary. A few were killed when we filled the outer compartments with nitrogen. Susan gave me the idea when she described her ship's preparations for battle. You can only do so much. We, literally, carried them out, and they crept back in when they were out of sight of security." "You had a station with a quarter of a million people on it, captain. You made the right decision. If someone commits suicide in spite of your best efforts, you can't hold your self responsible," commented Charles. "I wish it were that easy," replied Lochley. "Hope it never gets any easier, Elizabeth. It keeps you from becoming callous and desensitized to the plights of others," added Lyta. [Coming from you, that means a great deal,] thought Lochley to herself. Lochley looked at Lyta with a puzzled look on her face. "It's something Maya told me I should learn how to do." The appetizers arrived and the quintet ordered dinner. Lochley was feeling really good. If asked, she couldn't explain why. She noticed it the other night at that dinner. It had to have something to do with being in close proximity to the other four at the table. The conversation drifted to the dinner and dancing of the other night. Susan and Charles unabashedly talked about their relationship and their feelings for one another. Lyta wondered if things weren't moving kind of fast for them. Their response about love at first sight made her laugh. The feelings they were broadcasting were there for every telepath present to feel. Lyta picked up on Lochley's feeling of well being and finally realized that Susan and Charles were broadcasting their feelings so powerfully, that Lochley was being caught up in them. Dinner arrived and the conversation took a back seat to the eating. During the dinner the entertainment started. The first presentation of the floor show was over and recorded music began playing for the intermission. Diners were moving to the floor to dance to the music. Susan and Charles went to dance. "If you weren't in uniform, captain, I would ask you to dance," said Evans. "Ask me, anyway," replied Lochley. As the moved to the dance floor, Lyta could feel the desire they had for one another. [Maya had really been right,] she thought to herself. [There was so much to be experienced without invading anyone's privacy.] She wondered why Psi Corps had dissuaded this amongst its telepaths. [Might have something to do with keeping ones sanity.] On the dance floor, Evans didn't hesitate to hold Lochley as close as possible. The station captain, in uniform, dancing with a civilian caused heads all over the restaurant to turn. The two of them were oblivious to the stares. The rest of the evening passed quickly and it was time to leave. Susan and Charles, arm in arm, were the first to leave. Lochley asked Lyta and Larry to walk to her quarters with her. "Won't you come in. I need to talk to you for a minute?" asked Lochley. Lyta and Larry did. Drinking tea at the table, Lyta asked, "What's on your mind?" "I called John Sheridan as you suggested. He agrees with your ideas, but he doesn't know they were yours." "If he ever learns the universe will end, but continue." "He is making some arrangements, I assume, or at least making contacts. He is supposed to call me in the morning. I want to be able to get Susan to my office on short notice when he does." "I’ll have Charley stay close to her. All you have to do is think my name very hard and I’ll respond." "I thought telepathy was line of sight?" "Psi Corps misinformation. Once I have been in your mind I can read you anywhere on the station, so can Maya. The normal telepath can't do that." "I know I can't, captain. I can contact another telepath if I’m familiar with them, but not at opposite ends of the station." "I have a babysitter wondering where I am, so I have to be going," said Lyta. "I would like another cup of tea if you don't mind, captain," said Larry. "No problem," responded Lochley. As Lyta was leaving, Lochley asked, "Can I have a word with you, alone?" "Of course," Lyta responded. Walking out into the deserted passageway with Lyta, Lochley waited until the door closed. Standing facing Lyta, Lochley looked at her feet then at Lyta's face. Looking her in the eyes, she said, "This is hard for me, Lyta. I have been mistaken about you. I owe you more than a few apologies... what I am trying to say is, I’m sorry for how I have treated you in the past." Lyta just listened and made no reply. "I would like to be your friend. Like you, I don't have many..." "I would like that, Elizabeth. We can't change the past, but we can begin a new future. Besides, it seems that we love some of the same people, even when they don't love us in return." "Thank you." "Goodnight, Elizabeth." Lochley returned to her quarters. ********************************************************************* "Girl talk," said Lochley entering her quarters. "Boy talk would be suspicious," replied Evans. "I need a shower, Larry. I won't be long." Ten minutes later Lochley reentered the room dressed in pajamas. Larry could smell the clean smell she emitted from across the room. He characterized it as a feminine smell and it aroused him. He couldn't believe himself. She wore no perfume, still she had an effect on him. "You don't wear much perfume." "Not normally, just some unscented deodorant." "You smell good." "Thank you." "Is there any more tea?" He took the cup and moved to sit on one end of her sofa. She sat at the table. "I feel awkward," said Evans. "Why?" "I haven't been in a woman's quarters like this in a while, not counting the other night." "I haven't had a man in my quarters for a long time either, excepting the fiasco the other night." "Let me guess. You’ve steered clear of relationships because of your career." "It hasn't left me much time for them. If you want to command and you’re a woman, a stable relationship and, God forbid, a family are totally out of the question." "You have a command, probably your last." Lochley looked at him hard, when he said that. He continued, "Let's face it. They aren't going to give you another ship after your tour here. Nothing they could give you would be anything but a step down, unless you get command of a fleet or something like that. No, Elizabeth, you should get command of a major installation, and for that, they will have to promote you. Even assignment to a general's senior staff will be a step down. Either they promote you and give you a major command, probably Earth based, or they retire you. In any event after Babylon 5, your spacefaring days are over." While Evans had been talking, Lochley had moved over to the couch and reclined so she was looking up at his face with her head resting in his lap. His arousal state increased by several points. Her smell was hitting his nostrils hard. He began to finger her hair, lightly. "You may very well be correct. I can't imagine what could be a challenge after this station." Evans didn't answer. He looked into her eyes and continued to fondle her hair, letting his fingers trace the outlines of her face. He was getting an overpowering urge to kiss her. She made it easy by shifting her position and putting her hand behind his head and pulling it down far enough to kiss him lightly. "I don't bite, Larry." He let her kiss him again, not so lightly this time. She tasted wonderful. Larry hadn't felt a woman's tongue in his mouth in more years than he could remember. With his breathing increasing and his pulse heading toward the sky, he let his left hand and fingers play across her incredibly flat hard midsection. She continued to kiss him very deeply. When she moved his hand to her right breast, his breathing almost stopped and his heart began to hammer in his chest. Larry's walls were coming down and he began project his passions into Lochley's mind as he felt hers in his. All he and Lochley would remember of this would be a recollection of overwhelming need and incredibly blinding passion. ******************************************************************** Lyta arrived at her quarters and sure enough, Emily was on the bed with Maya cuddled to her, both breathing the deep slow pace of those who sleep deeply and at peace with the universe. Lyta decided not awaken Emily. Instead she got an extra blanket and pillow and went to sleep on the couch. At 0600 Lyta was up, showered and dressed. She was fixing breakfast when the door chimed. It was Larry Evans. It was obvious that he had a hard night. "Are you okay, Larry?" "Just a little tired." "Didn't you get any sleep last night?" "I just knew there was something I was forgetting." "You look like you need a shower and about three days sleep." "I'll settle for a good cardiologist." Lyta set a cup of coffee in front of him. "I don't suppose you want to talk about it?" "Not much to talk about. Two people who have ignored or suppressed their needs and desires for a couple of decades decide to quit suppressing and ignoring, that's all." Lyta leaned over and kissed Larry on the cheek. "I’m happy for you." "This isn't a one night stand, Lyta. I think something serious is in development here." "Is that what both of you want?" "I do and I think she does, too. She has realized that after Babylon 5, there are no challenges that interest her in Earthforce. She doesn't care, now, if she becomes a general or not. She got the most challenging command of all, this station. I think she wants to start a family before biology prevents it." "Do you want a family, Larry?" "I really think, I do." "Then the two of you have my best wishes for success." "Elizabeth said she would be calling you about 0700-0800. She figures that gives everyone time to take care of whatever." "I like the whatever. What do we have on the front burner today?" "Nothing until this afternoon. The ambassador we were to meet with is still in sickbay. He was injured worse than he first thought. His quarters were directly over one of the explosion areas. A bit more and he would be history." "Works out good for me and Elizabeth concerning Susan." "It's none of my business, but what’s going on there?" "I'll let Elizabeth tell you what she thinks is appropriate." Lyta put in a call to Charles' quarters. A sleepy looking male face was staring out of the screen at her. "Morning, Charley, is Mistress Rabbit up and around yet?" asked Lyta. She heard a laugh from somewhere off the screen. "We’re up, now." *********************************************************************** "Good morning, John. You’re looking well. What can I do for you?" asked Susan Ivanova. The image of her former CO was looking out of the screen at her. "I hear that you have resigned your commission. Isn't that rather drastic?" "I suppose that depends upon your perspective," she replied. "I agree, but in this case it isn't necessary. I’ve made some calls and the situation is being handled. You have friends who aren't too happy about the situation." "You make me feel like a little girl, John. I’m not helpless." "I know," he replied. "There are people with plans for your future who want to handle this their way." "People with plans for my future? John, what the hell does that mean?" "Let me rephrase that last statement. You have an unlimited future and your friends want it to stay that way. There’s still a great deal you have to offer to those around you. Don't screw it up on a whim, Susan. Call Tom Leftcourt and withdraw your resignation." Without warning Delenn's face replaced John's on the screen. "Susan. I’ve been your friend for a long time. We all have a destiny. Mine is to serve my people and I do. Yours is yet to be determined, but it won't happen if you throw your career away. You are where the universe wants you." Susan looked to one side at Lyta who was taking all this in. She shrugged and turned her hands palms up in front of her. Lochley gave her the same expression as Lyta. "My friends tell me I should listen to and heed your advice," responded Susan. John looked over Delenn's shoulder and asked, "Just how did you manage to survive that attack?" "I had help from Draal," answered Susan. "Susan. I know Draal and his machine, remember? I know he only had the planetary defenses at his disposal. Try again?" "My best friend helped me." "Susan, is Lyta there?" asked Delenn. "I might have known!" interjected John. "Was it Lyta?" "I’m not a liberty to say. I promised them I would not get them involved," answered Susan. Lyta looked at Susan, and in a low voice said, "It's okay, I’ll be out of here before they can do anything." Susan looked off screen at Lyta. "I heard that," said the image of Delenn. "I would know that voice anyplace." "She’ll be gone before you get here, Delenn." "We’ll be coming to the station shortly, Susan. There is some semi-official business we have to take care of. I hope to see you before you leave," said John. "Susan, I want to speak to Lyta, please?" asked Delenn. Stepping up behind Susan, Lyta put her arms around her and asked Delenn, "What do you want, Delenn?" "You disappeared when you left Mars. May I ask why?" inquired Delenn. "I wasn't ready to settle down. I still have a lot of work to do, and a family isn't in the cards," answered Lyta. "Your disappearance devastated Sheraun and disappointed me. I thought you would settle on Minbar. You would be a most welcome addition." "I appreciate all your efforts, Delenn. I really do, but I have work to do, and I can't be known in the place I’m doing it. One day I’ll explain," replied Lyta. "We won't let Sheraun know where you are. You don't have to leave Babylon 5 because of us. I know you helped Susan, and I’m afraid to ask how, so I won't. Good luck." "She's your best friend?" asked John. Holding Lyta's arms around her midsection and with Lyta's head resting on her shoulder, Susan replied, "Most certainly, John. She has saved my ass from the Drakh, twice now. She also has helped me with a very personal problem. The one I told you about when Talia was unmasked." Sheridan thought that over for a minute. "I see. Maybe you can explain that when I see you again?" "I will." "Lyta. You know this is hard for me, but thank you," said John. "I only did what I had to do. I didn't have any choice," she answered. "There are always choices, Lyta, but I understand what you mean," replied John. "I’ll call General Leftcourt, John. I’m trusting you to see to the other." "I’ll be seeing you soon, Susan." With that the channel was closed. ***************************************************************** In Sheridan's office on Minbar. "That was hard, Delenn." "I know, but it was appropriate. She is still giving." "She said she had no choice. She couldn't allow the Drakh to kill all those people. Why do I hate her? It doesn't make any sense, Delenn. It just doesn't make any sense." "One day it will, John. One day it will." "What do you mean by that?" "I can't tell you." "Can't or won't?" "I know why you feel as you do, but I can't tell you. I have a mental block that prevents it." "Lyta?" "I don't know for sure. It is she or Lorien, but I don't know which?" "Well, since there isn't a telepath that can break a block like that, I’ll just have to wait." *********************************************************************** "Hello, General Leftcourt," said Susan to the image on the screen. "You look much better than you did the other day." "I feel a hell of a lot better, too. What can I do for you, Captain Ivanova?" asked the general. "I feel that I may have not acted in everyone's best interest when I submitted my resignation the other day." "That's putting it mildly. Do you wish to withdraw it?" "Yes, sir." "You can't. It was never accepted in the first place. If, after the board of inquiry finishes its investigation into your latest transgression, and the boards findings are acted upon, you still wish to resign, you may resubmit at that time. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes, sir." "I see that you’re looking much better, Susan. I accept that you have been under a great deal of stress lately, and lack of support from Earthdome hasn't helped the situation. Having friends who can help never hurts. I look forward to seeing you in the near future." "Yes, sir," answered Susan. At that point the channel was closed from the other end. "You should get back into uniform, Captain Ivanova. You’re setting a bad example for your troops," commented Lochley. Lyta stood up and hugged her friend. "You did the right thing, Susan." Susan started to leave and Lyta was following. "Lyta. Please stay for a minute," requested Lochley. *********************************************************************** Day 5 Aboard EAS Aries "Good morning, Captain Ivanova," said Owen's, cheerfully, saluting her as she approached. "Why do I get the feeling, you knew about this before I did?" "We received the confirming message about an hour ago. It came straight from the office of the Chairman of the JCS, captain." "Why am I not surprised. The old goat had his finger on the release button and was just waiting for my call. John must have had him on another line while he was talking to me. It’s a conspiracy, commander, a conspiracy." "Yes, sir. I'm sure it is. The general doesn't like to lose his best people," replied Owen's. "How would you know about that, commander?" "Just an educated guess, captain." By the time Susan changed into her uniform, her desk had become laden with a stack of papers in the "IN" box. Near the top were the messages concerning the assignments to the board of inquiry and their arrival schedule. The messages also delineated the preparations of records, logs and all other pertinent files that would be reviewed, including those dealing with the operations of the weapons and engineering systems during the times of the attack. The records from Babylon 5 for the same period were being requisitioned from the station in the same message. It had listed both the Ares and Babylon 5 under the "TO:" heading. The Ares would remain in the Babylon 5 area during the inquiry. Susan's liberty stay was being extended. Other messages dealt with arrival of shipyard engineers, planners and estimators whose purpose was to make the necessary preparations for the repair/overhaul of the Ares. ****************************************************************** "Exactly what do you want, Elizabeth?" asked Lyta, sitting back down. "Susan told me you helped her come to terms with some very old biases and fears. She said I should ask you for similar aide. If I’m not out of line, I’m asking for your help.' "I’ll do it. It’ll be one night soon, while you are asleep," replied Lyta. "Can I ask a personal question?" Lyta nodded. "Do you love Captain Ivanova?" "Yes. I never had a sister or brother. For me she is like family." "I thought so. She is much more than just a friend. "Yes." "Thank you, Lyta." Lyta took her leave. Lochley thought how much Lyta's feelings for Ivanova were like the feelings she had for her deceased friend, Zoe. ******************************************************************** "Madam President, I would like your personal aide Jack Garvey to accompany our investigation team. Is that possible?" asked General Leftcourt. "Is there any reason for him in particular, other than the fact that he made the call to Captain Ivanova?" "No. I think that one is enough. I feel he needs enlightenment." "If she kills him, I will hold you personally responsible." "Not to worry, Madam President. Susan has better control than that. At least I think she does. Anyway, it will be interesting how he comports himself. He’ll have some explaining to do during the investigation." "Are you going to court martial her?" "I don't know what the board of inquiry will recommend. It's their call." "And you did hand pick the board, didn't you?" "Of course, and it’s made up of senior officers with years of command experience, particularly in starships. It’s a jury of her peers, so to speak." "The press will scream whitewash." "I doubt it. You don't know the people in Captain Ivanova's corner. They are spelled "clout" in very large letters. I heard they’ve already started investigations of their own. The press’ll have plenty to print, and it won't be crucifying the good captain." "I suppose that means me?" "I honestly have no idea, Madam President." ******************************************************************* END PART 8