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Criticism is welcomed. Without, it there can't be any improvement. Address criticisms to [xazqrten@cox.net]

All characters/places/persons not belonging to the writer are the sole properties of their owners, PTEN, WB, JMS, and will be turned over to the owners at the request of their agents. All other characters/places/persons are public domain.

*********************************

Somewhere in hyperspace G'Kar's spacecraft is moving on a course toward the Gaim home world.

"Lyta."

"Yes, G'Kar."

"We've been gone from Babylon 5 for two days now, and you haven't said two words. Is something wrong?"

"No. I have been thinking about what you said in my cell about the reasons for you bringing me along being more correct than you had first imagined. You asked me to consider the walls I would bring with me."

"And what did you bring?"

"I'm not sure. I’m not sure that my reference points are all they could be. I think I need someplace to start that doesn't include my biases."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"You have suffered and hated with a hatred that is beyond anything I have ever known on a personal level, and you’ve had to watch family and friends be tortured and killed, which fortunately, I have not."

"You want to discuss my past?"

"Not exactly."

"I don't understand?"

"G'Kar. You could talk forever and the true feelings of what you have suffered would not be fully expressed."

"What are you suggesting?"

Lyta explained that she wanted G'Kar to remember all of his experiences and let her scan him as he did. She said she could help him remember things that he would never remember otherwise, and that she would feel his feelings and get a real understanding of how his hatreds developed and how he had learned to deal with them. She said her hopes were that she would be able to use what she learned and apply it to her anger.

G'Kar agreed and said, "You could scan me at anytime."

"I wouldn't do that, G'Kar."

"I know."

"I will do the scans when you are asleep. It won't be too stressful that way."

In spite of himself, G'Kar was humbled by the fact that he was sitting not 4 meters from possibly the most powerful telepath ever to exist in the galaxy, and she was asking permission to do something which no one could stop her from doing anyway. He wondered just what all she could do. Little did he know, he would learn sooner than he wanted.

****************************

Meanwhile back on Babylon 5:

"Chief! My PPG doesn't work," exclaimed Zack Allan's third in command. "The trigger's jammed!"

[Of all the times to learn you had a defunct weapon, being in a firefight was the worst,] thought Zack Allan to himself as PPG fire passed close overhead.

It was a drug bust gone sour and the 'perps' were well armed. There was a leak in station security, a bad one to judge by the weapons arrayed against him and his men.

"Pull back and secure the exits from this space," said Zack into his link.

As soon as his men were safely out, Zack had the area flooded with gas. The fight was over before anyone was seriously injured. The criminal types that had been gassed would be the worse for wear for a couple of days. The new gas weapons had been brought into use to prevent anymore incidents like the telepath situation that been experienced with Byron and his crowd. At the thought of Byron, Zack felt a small pain because it caused him to think of Lyta. He loved the redhead, even if she could hand him his head in a basket.

"Randy," he told his third in command, "have that PPG checked out by weapons maintenance."

"Yes sir, chief."

*****************************

Later that day in Lockley’s office:

Zack entered Captain Lockley's office. ISA President John Sheridan was sitting on the couch to the left of her desk.

"What can I do for you chief?" Asked Lockley.

"Captain, Mr. President, I have something you might find very interesting and maybe a little scary."

Zack laid a PPG on the captain's desk. "This is the weapon that President Sheridan held to Lyta's head."

Lockley examined the weapon and asked, "What is so special about it, Zack?"

"It doesn't work anymore Captain," replied Zack.

"How doesn't it work?" Asked Sheridan.

Captain Lockley expertly field stripped the handgun, then handed the trigger assembly to Sheridan. Sheridan found himself examining a single piece of metal that should have been four separate pieces of metal and plastic. It was if somehow the four had melted together into one.

"Zack?" Asked Sheridan.

"I had the lab boys check it out, and they say this can't exist. It has plastic and hardened metals melted together, but there’s no evidence of heat having been applied," replied Zack.

"Mr. President, if it had been melted the plastic part would have been destroyed," interjected Lockley.

"Just what are you saying, Zack?" Asked Sheridan.

"You couldn't have used it to shoot Lyta," replied Zack.

"In other words, she was never in any danger."

"No, sir. She wasn't," replied Zack.

Zack placed a small box he had been carrying on the captain's desk.

"What’s this?" Asked Lockley.

"The handcuffs Lyta was wearing just before she and G'Kar left," answered Zack.

Captain Lockley emptied the contents on her desk. There were ten pieces of metal that were broken and worn and had seen better days.

"Those were a new set of our strongest security handcuffs when they were put on her," offered Zack.

Examining the remnants of the handcuffs, Lockley asked, "I suppose this means she could have walked out of her cell anytime she chose, and we couldn't have stopped her?"

"Yes ma'am. She destroyed the surveillance camera in her cell just before she and Mr. Garibaldi started to talk about something. We don't know what they discussed. When we examined the camera it's parts were melted together without any indication of heat," answered Zack.

"Thank you, Zack," said Sheridan.

Zack saluted, spun on his heel and departed.

"Maybe, Mr. President, I was wrong. You never had the option of shooting her. She let us take her."

"Captain. If she can do what we have seen here, it’s a safe bet, she could have done major damage to the station."

"She let us think we were in control. She made us feel safe. What do we do if she comes back this way?"

"Be nice to her, Captain. Be very nice to her," said Sheridan.

****************************

Somewhere in hyperspace:

A week later they exited the jumpgate in the Gaim system. They were hailed and identified themselves to the Gaim controllers.

Getting permission to visit institutions, and access to libraries was easier than G'Kar had expected. The Gaim queen was surprised by his requests, but permitted them when he explained his mission. Lyta had been wearing a breathing mask while G'Kar used his gill implants. Lyta had made their quest much easier by directly accessing the Gaim queen's assistant's mind and implanting the language data directly into G'Kar's mind. After that, they could read the texts without assistance.

They returned to the ship after each day's work. They spent a month on the Gaim home world researching and visiting various religious and civic centers and libraries.

*****************************

They had just returned to the ship and closed the hatch and Lyta removed her mask before the Gaim atmosphere had been purged. G'Kar's eyes widened when she did this.

"Lyta! It isn't safe yet," exclaimed G'Kar.

Lyta was smiling at him and it was then that he realized she also had gills. Hers, unlike his, weren't visible when they were not being used.

"What else don't I know about you?"

"In good time, G'Kar. In good time."

They were in hyperspace and three days away from the Gaim home world. G'Kar was beginning to understand why people, like Captain Lockley, were afraid of Lyta. She was a dangerous unknown quantity. However, he didn't feel any apprehension by being so close to her, then again, he wasn't worried about trying to control her, and all his dealings with her had been honest and aboveboard.

*****************************

Somewhere in hyperspace:

Lyta was dreaming again. She was seeing the young Narn from the viewpoint of a very youthful Narn. G’Kar was remembering his boyhood, and she was seeing him the way he saw himself when he was a very young boy. She was experiencing another moment in G'Kar's childhood. It was one of many since she had started exploring his memories with him, some weeks ago. Scanning G'Kar in this fashion caused him to relive the experience and allowed Lyta to experience it and study it and its effects on his mind at the same time. She was learning about real anger and hatred and what its long-term effects could be. In some ways she was beginning to understand herself a little better.

********************************

Later:

"G'Kar, are we going to keep visiting the Alliance worlds? I thought we were going to travel to some new sectors of the galaxy?"

"We are, Lyta, but it’s going to be impossible to visit any place that requires jump engines. We can only go where there are jumpgates and beacons" replied G'Kar.

"We'll see about that," was her terse response.

Her answer left G'Kar puzzled.

"Are you going to install jump engines by any chance?"

"No, G'Kar."

"Then what?" he inquired.

"Wait and see," came her reply.

******************************

"Where are we going next, G'Kar?"

"I want to make a stop on the Drazi home world. We need some supplies and I can do some research at the same time."

"I am persona non-grata there, G'Kar. Dr. Franklin and I caused a small uproar not that long ago."

"Do they know you personally or only in association with the doctor."

"I don't know."

Lyta told him about her and Steven's escapades on the Drazi home world, leaving out the part about making the Drazi assassin fry his own brains. There wasn't any reason to cause him distress at the moment, not that G'Kar would have disapproved.

"We will have to invent a story so you can keep your face covered while we are planet-side. I want to research their religious customs and history."

"I have an idea G'Kar? What do you think?"

G'Kar turned to look at Lyta and froze half way around. He was staring into the face of a young man with a terrible skin condition. His mouth gaped open and he was in mild shock. Before his eyes, the face of the young man dissolved into the face of Lyta.

"Relax G'Kar. I just wanted to get your opinion."

"You have a flair for the dramatic, Lyta. It is very effective. Can you hold it for an extended period of time?"

"As long as necessary. Since I am making my appearance the same for all observers, it isn't difficult at all. Presenting differing appearances for different people at the same time is another story. I can fool their scanners, too."

"This is how you and Dr. Franklin escaped before?"

"Yep."

"You said your abilities were increasing. You didn't say just what they are."

"In time G'Kar. In time."

*****************************

Lyta and G'Kar proceeded via a ground car to the customs and immigration area of the main spaceport on the Drazi home world. A customs agent carefully inspected their travel cases. They had passed through the immigration portion of the process without a hitch. Lyta was wearing a robe and hood that hid her form and her face from all but direct observation.

After walking outside of the spaceport G'Kar looked at Lyta and said, "That was easier than I expected. Apparently you aren't on the wanted list.”

“I’m there, G’Kar. The man simply saw what I wanted him to see. He never entered my data into the computer."

Using an available taxi, G'Kar and Lyta soon managed to find a hotel and rent rooms. G'Kar immediately set about arranging for delivery of supplies and gathered information needed to facilitate his research on Drazi theological history.

Lyta sat on her balcony and opened her mind slowly. There was a bedlam of thoughts assaulting her, but she was determined to practice isolating and scanning individual minds of people who were in the streets below. Everyone thought telepaths were limited to line of sight, and they were correct for the most part. She, however, wasn't a normal telepath.

Several hours later G'Kar knocked at her door and suggested that they find something to eat. Lyta agreed since she was famished. Drazi food was always a challenge. She found it better not to ask too many questions as to what the food was. As long as it didn't try to escape her plate, she could handle it. G'Kar was enjoying his supper immensely. The food on his plate was very similar to what he had on Narn.

Lyta and G'Kar had been on the Drazi home world for just a little over a week and were on their way back to their hotel from a late supper. They had chosen to return using a narrow back alley as a shortcut.

"You know this isn't exactly a safe place to be, G'Kar," Lyta noted.

"It will be okay. I didn't see anyone following us," replied the Narn.

They were just over halfway down the alley when two figures stepped out of the shadow about ten meters in front of them. Lyta noticed that at least one of the strangers was a Narn. Strange place to find one of G'Kar's people. She felt a bit better about the situation immediately, but the feeling proved to be short lived. She sensed the presence of two more persons behind them and turned to look at them. They were pointing PPGs at her and G'Kar. She did a quick scan of all four of the strangers as G'Kar started to address them.

"What can we do for you?" inquired G'Kar.

"You can help us enrich ourselves," came the answer from the Narn in front of them.

"Do you know who I am?" Asked G'Kar.

"Most certainly," replied the Narn.

"G'Kar. This isn't a robbery," whispered Lyta.

"Who's your little friend, G'Kar?" Asked the Narn.

"You don't want to know," stated G'Kar.

"They were hired to kill you," Lyta whispered to G'Kar.

They both heard the whine of the PPGs being charged. G'Kar started to turn toward Lyta, but what felt like a hundred tons of rocks fell on him. As he slammed into the ground his head was turned toward Lyta. He heard multiple PPGs firing just before everything went black. Later, he would swear that Lyta had been hit by at least six PPG pulses and that her eyes began to glow a very bright white.

The screams were heard several blocks away, and caught the attention of everyone on the those streets. Several police officers on break, sitting in a sidewalk cafe, out on the main street, heard the screams and ran toward the noise. They entered the alley weapons drawn and charged. They found a young woman kneeling beside an unconscious Narn. They also found a Narn and Drazi dead on the street about ten meters in front of the young woman and two Drazi about the same distance behind her. The four dead men were still holding charged PPGs in their hands.

The young woman told the police that she and her friend were about to be robbed when her friend simply crumpled to the street beside her. She stated that she knelt down to assist her friend and that she heard the robbers charge their weapons. She related that at that point the screaming began.

After the police helped her get G’Kar back to his hotel room, Lyta discarded her damaged clothing. She was pissed because it was only the second time she had worn that particular outfit. She was amazed at how easy it was to make the police remember helping a young woman, who miraculously escaped harm during a firefight, get her overly tipsy companion back to their hotel. They wouldn’t have any memory of her damaged clothing either.

***************************

G'Kar came back to consciousness in his hotel room. He noted by the room clock that it was almost daylight. He memory of last night was pleasant enough until he and Lyta walked into that alley, and that’s where he knew he must have been dreaming because his next awareness was of looking at the room clock just a moment ago. He rolled over and went back to sleep. It was well after daylight when G'Kar knocked on Lyta's door. It took a minute before she opened it and admitted him to her room. "Feel like getting some breakfast, Lyta?" Asked G’Kar.

Twenty minutes later they were sitting in a small cafe across the street from their hotel enjoying a hearty breakfast. Both of them noticed two plainclothes detectives approach their table.

[Funny how police all over the galaxy seemed to have many of the same traits. Must be a requirement of the job], thought Lyta.

The detectives introduced themselves and asked if Lyta and G'Kar could tell them about last night. Lyta and G'Kar complied. G'Kar asked if the men had been caught. He seemed surprised to learn that they were dead. Of course, he had been unconscious when they were killed.

"Could we see the bodies?" inquired G'Kar.

The detectives said they didn't have a problem. They theorized that some enemy that G'Kar had made along the way might want him dead, since it was plain from Lyta's testimony that they intended to kill him, and her since she was there. They alluded that someone must be watching over the two of them. Lyta chuckled at the idea.

At the coroner's office, G'Kar and Lyta viewed the bodies. There were no external injuries to them, but the internal organs looked like so much bloody mush. It was as if someone had liquefied them in a blender.

G'Kar had a slightly squeamish look on his face.

"That would account for the screams," commented Lyta.

G'Kar took note of Lyta's lack of response to what they were observing. The detectives noticed it, too.

"I don't suppose either of you can enlighten us about this?" Asked the older of the two detectives.

Both G'Kar and Lyta nodded no, and were dismissed to go about their business.

Back at their hotel Lyta told G'Kar that she pulled the identity of the person who hired the assassination group from the mind of the Narn before he died.

"Are you sure Lyta? He might have been trying to mislead you," said G'Kar.

"G'Kar! This is me, 'brains fried to order Alexander', remember? He was in so much pain he didn't care about anything else, and he didn't know there was a telepath present. Besides, he and his friends pissed me off", responded Lyta.

"I saw the results of that mistake this morning. I thought I saw you get hit by PPG fire last night. Am I wrong?"

"G'Kar, do I look like I've been shot? You must have been hit on the head harder than I thought."

"No," replied G'Kar. "I am about finished with my research and the last of our provisions will be delivered tomorrow. We can leave tomorrow evening."

***************************

"We’re two minutes from the jumpgate, Lyta. Say goodbye to the Drazi home world."

"I’m just happy I didn't have to answer for what Dr. Franklin and I did the last time I was here."

"I have seen what you can do, Lyta. It’s scary. You’re scary."

"Why G'Kar? I have never harmed anyone who wasn't trying to harm me. Are you beginning to have second thoughts about having me for a traveling companion?"

"No. You make a very good bodyguard."

"Those detectives suspected me as the killer. They would have arrested me if they could have figured out how I could have done it. They’ve never encountered a high-powered teek before. Stephen would have known at first sight."

"Only because he knows what you are."

"What am I, G'Kar? What did Garibaldi tell you?"

"Nothing. I know you are an extremely powerful telepath and telekinetic and you were intended as a weapon of sorts, but your power is almost unbelievable. I don't know anything other than that."

"Michael doesn't really understand what I’m becoming. It scares the hell out of me. If I‘m right, I will be powerful beyond comprehension. No one should have that much power."

"You were actually shot the other night."

"Yes. I was hit six times. It stung like hell, like bad bee stings. It really pissed me off because it ruined my clothing, and that was one of my best outfits!"

They entered hyperspace and began the next leg of their journey. They never noticed the ship following them at a distance or the whitestar that broke orbit to follow it.

They had been hyperspace for a week when Lyta asked G'Kar what their next port of call would be. He didn't answer immediately.

"Lyta, are you gaining weight?"

"If I am, it's a testament to your culinary skills."

"I can't cook worth a damn, Lyta."

"I know."

"Your clothing looks to be a bit tighter than when we began this adventure."

"What are you trying to say, G'Kar?"

"You and Byron were lovers."

"So what. We were both adults."

"Lyta, are you pregnant?"

"You’re a nosy Narn."

"You didn't answer my question?"

"I don't know if it's possible, but I have no way of knowing for sure. It doesn't make any difference, though. It won't interfere with our traveling."

"Have you ever been pregnant before?"

"No. Why?"

"Then you don't know what you might encounter in the area of difficulties?"

"No. Not exactly. I don't think it will interfere with me or us. I think I can handle it."

"I’m going to make a slight change in our itinerary."

"We have an itinerary?"

"Yes. I’m going to go to Minbar."

"Are you nuts, G'Kar! Sheridan is there, and he isn't exactly my best friend."

"He won't even know we’re there. I just want to get you checked out by a doctor."

"Hell. In that case, why don't you just swing by Earth. I’m as about as welcome there as I will be on Minbar."

"Okay, but at one of our stops, you should see a doctor and have your condition checked."

"Whatever makes you happy, G'Kar."

As it came to pass, Lyta never saw a doctor.

In the capital city of the Brakiri home world:

"Have you ever been here before G'Kar?" Asked Lyta.

"No. Due to my duties as a member of the Kha'ri, I’ve not visited many other worlds, only those we were selling to or buying weapons from."

"It explains why we’re hitting so many ISA members. Sooner or later, I'm going to be a real hindrance. Most of them don't know who I am, but I'm sure there are some who do, who won't want me around. Working for the Vorlons hasn't helped my popularity."

"We aren't going to be meeting any government types, so it shouldn't be a problem."

They landed without incident and passed through immigration/customs quickly. The Brakiri weren't as wrapped up in themselves as some other ISA members.

Lodging was easy to find. The Brakiri took their comforts seriously. The rooms were clean and much larger than those on the Drazi home world, the mean temperature was in the Human comfort range, for which Lyta was grateful. Her pregnancy was proceeding normally and she needed to buy some new clothes.

***************************

Lyta was looking over the various dress and pants outfits on the hangers. There were some beautiful outfits, but there didn't seem to be anything she could use. She felt a touch on her shoulder and turned to find herself facing a young Brakiri female. Lyta looked into her mind and found what she needed. "Do you have clothing that will expand?"

Hearing her native language spoken by a Human was a shock for the salesgirl. One didn't often see a Human on her world, much less in a garment shop. "I don't understand?" responded the salesgirl.

Lyta explained about how the female Human body changed during pregnancy. The salesgirl smiled and motioned for Lyta to follow her. She led her to a section of the shop where a seamstress was available.

After explaining to the seamstress what she needed, the man smiled. "I can make alterations for a minor charge," he said, and quoted a price to Lyta.

She thought it was reasonable and accepted it. He told her the clothing would be ready the day after tomorrow.

The salesgirl engaged Lyta in conversation. The idea of being able to converse with a Human was too much for the girl to miss. Lyta was honored the girl found her so interesting.

"My name is Yela," said the girl.

"You can call me Lyta," responded Lyta. "Can you suggest things for a stranger to see or visit. I am not a tourist, but I may have some free time during the next week and it can't hurt to learn about this world."

"If you get free time, I would be happy to be your guide," replied Yela.

"I will let you know one way or the other, Yela. Thank you for the offer."

Lyta left and went to meet G'Kar. He didn't show and she started to worry.

Returning to her hotel, Lyta found a message waiting for her. G'Kar had been injured in a fight and sustained some serious injuries.

******************************

"What happened G'Kar? You look like hell, warmed over," commented Lyta.

"There was another attempt on my life, and you weren't available for bodyguard duty, so I had to improvise," he replied, grimacing from the pain generated by several broken ribs. "He had help, but they escaped."

"Where is the assailant?" Asked Lyta.

"He's in intensive care and being guarded by the local police. They won't let you near him," insisted G'Kar.

"I don't need to get too near him. Once I separate out his thoughts, it will be all I need," answered Lyta.

She walked out of G'Kar's room and to the nurses station, where she inquired about the assassin's location. The nurse wouldn't give her the information, but as she thought of it, Lyta scanning her, lifted it without her knowing it had been done.

Walking up the officers guarding the assassin's room, Lyta asked them if she could see him. She was refused entrance, as she had expected. She filtered the officer's mental noise and concentrated on the feelings of extreme pain that were coming from the room behind the officers. She isolated the assassin's thoughts and mind patterns. Having what she wanted, Lyta turned and walked back the way she came.

Reentering G'Kar's room, she sat down on a chair on one side of the bed. "G'Kar, you really should think of something besides your pain. I can feel it all the way down the hall."

"Did they let you see him?"

"Of course not, but I managed to isolate his thought patterns," she replied. "Did the doctor say when you might be fit to leave the hospital?"

"No. Hopefully by tomorrow. I need you to take care of some business for me."

"Give me the particulars," replied Lyta.

G'Kar gave her the information and a datapad that had accounting data for the transactions.

"Why does so much of your business take place in bars, G'Kar?"

"It was his choice not mine," replied the Narn.

"I do hope this isn't what you meant by adventure," replied Lyta as she left the room. She would have to go dressed as she was. For visiting spaceport dives, she felt armor might be more appropriate.

*************************

The inside of the bar wasn't as dimly lit as she had expected. Standing just inside the door, she carefully looked the bar and patrons over as she waited for her eyes to adjust. There was a section of the customer area apparently intended for dining. This seemed odd for a spaceport bar.

Lyta walked over to the bar and asked about the dining tables. The bartender pointed her in the direction of an older Brakiri who functioned as the headwaiter. The old man showed her to a table in a back corner, that strangely enough, had a light installed in the ceiling directly over it. Lyta realized it would allow her to be observed while obscuring her observer. She was looking over the menu when a gentleman stepped up to the table and asked to join her. Lyta recognized him from G'Kar's mental image and nodded assent. "G'Kar couldn't make it. He sent me instead," stated Lyta.

"Why didn't he come?"

"He is in the hospital. If you want to wait, he expects to be released tomorrow," Lyta offered.

This wasn't going to be fair at all. The fellow had no idea he was dealing with a first class telepath. Lyta could sense his level of distress without even scanning him.

"No. If you are familiar with what he wants we can deal," replied the man.

"This is a routine business transaction, perfectly legal. Why meet in this place?" She asked.

"Don't let the looks fool you. This place has the best food in town, if you know how to order. This is my lunch time and this gave me an excuse to eat away from the office."

He was telling the truth. "What do you recommend, then?"

"For a Human female, almost anything except the number four. It has some ingredients that cause odd behavior. Try the number six. It is a salad, a sandwich and soup. It is inexpensive and I think you will like it. I like the number three myself."

They motioned for the waiter and ordered. While they waited for their food, they began to deal. The items G'Kar wanted were routine supplies except for a number of items especially for Lyta. These items were expensive in a place like this only because their was really no call for them. Anywhere on Earth they would have cost less than one tenth of what they commanded here. Transportation costs were enormous. Using her advantage, Lyta held the price to the least the man would sell for. Since she could read his mind, she knew what his absolute bottom line was. Their business was finished just as the food arrived. He had been telling the truth about the food. It was absolutely delicious. Lyta made a note that in the future to not pass judgment on a bar/restaurant too quickly.

***************************

"You missed a good deal, G'Kar," said Lyta.

Looking over the results of Lyta's dealing, G'Kar noted that she had driven a very hard bargain.

"You must be a tough negotiator, Lyta."

"I am a telepath. It wasn't a fair fight. That wasn't the best part," she noted. "The food was unbelievable. I kept feeling sorry for you, knowing hospital food. We will have to eat there before we leave."

"What about the fellow who tried to do me in? I was told he had diplomatic immunity. He is going to get away with it."

"I don't think so, G'Kar. I’m going back to the hotel and have supper where I can be seen by at least a dozen people. I suggest you have a doctor or nurse in this room at about twenty-hundred hours tonight. Just think about it really hard when they’re in here. I’ll do the rest."

"I already feel sorry for him," said G'Kar.

"Don't!" replied Lyta.

***************************

The hotel had a very nice dining room, and it wasn't lacking guests. Lyta had a table almost in the middle of the room. Being the only Human in the room guaranteed that people would notice her, and her flaming red hair would be remembered. The waiter took her order after delivering her drink and appetizer. Since she was pregnant, she limited herself to drinking water and juices.

Casually looking around the room, she began to reach out with her mind until she found G'Kar. Her watch was indicating twenty-hundred hours. She heard G'Kar call for a nurse and knew when the nurse arrived. She was beginning to change G'Kar's bandages when Lyta found the mind of the assassin.

In the guarded room the medical monitors were all sounding alarms as the man's systems and organs began to fail. By the time the nurses and doctor arrived his bodily functions had ceased. The autopsy would reveal that his internal organs were almost liquefied and the blood vessels in his brain were all ruptured.

The police went to G'Kar's room only to find him tangled up in bandages as the nurse was changing them. Obviously, he wasn't personally responsible for the fellow's death. The lead officer offered that this was going to be a nightmare since the fellow had a diplomatic passport.

Back in the hotel dining room, Lyta was thoroughly enjoying her supper. She was feeling good about herself. Justice had been served.

****************************

"Are they going to release you, G'Kar?"

"Yes. I’m just waiting for the doctor. They are charging the bill to the Drazi embassy, since it was one of theirs that did all the damage."

The doctor came into the room and smiled at G'Kar. "You can go. Just take it easy on the ribs. There wasn't any other internal damage. It is just going to hurt when you breathe deeply for about a week or so."

G'Kar thanked him and followed Lyta down the hall. As they left the hospital, they encountered a police officer, who informed G'Kar that he had been dismissed as a suspect in the case.

"What case, officer?" Asked Lyta.

"The guy who tried to kill your friend was murdered in his guarded room last night, ma'am," replied the officer. "No loss though. If he had lived, we would have to let him go. He was a diplomat or so the Drazi embassy claims. It gives me a headache, but, at the same time, saves us some frustration."

Lyta nodded, and she and G'Kar continued on their way.

"You are the most cold blooded mammal I have ever met, Lyta Alexander."

"Why, thank you G'Kar. I love you too," she replied. "Coming from you, that's a real compliment."

"I have some appointments tomorrow, with some very influential religious leaders. It seems they are interested in the "Book of G'Kar"."

"Exchange of ideas and beliefs can be very good for long term relations, if given in a open forum," remarked Lyta. "How long do you expect to be occupied? I’ll do some sightseeing, if you don't need me."

"I won't know until after our first meeting tomorrow. I’ll let you know at supper," he answered. "Now let's have lunch in that bar I sent you to yesterday."

***************************

"Monsignor Mohja, I am honored with this audience. How may I be of service?" Asked G'Kar.

"I have been reading a copy of "The Book of G'Kar". It is not often one gets to meet a religious leader such as yourself. Your writings are obviously based upon real life experience and the wisdom that can be gleaned from it. I wish to discuss your revelations and why you arrived at them."

For G'Kar this was all he could wish for. To learn another cultures beliefs and practices, while getting to explain your own in a forum that can make changes to the way a society thinks and feels is a true leader’s dream.

**************************

At supper, G'Kar told Lyta that he would be bust for at least a week, so she might as well play tourist.

"G'Kar, I am looking forward to the relaxation. I visited the police station today and found out where the local thugs who attacked you can be found," said Lyta.

"They were just hired muscle, Lyta. They aren't worth bothering with," answered G'Kar.

"It won't be a bother, G'Kar. I don't intend to kill them, even though that is what they were going to do to you. I only intend to get them interested in another line of work," responded Lyta.

"Just don't get yourself in trouble with the local police."

"I don't intend to."

******************************

Next morning Lyta went to the dress shop and let Yela know she had a week to go looking at the sights. Yela told her father, the seamstress, who owned the shop. He was pleased. Lyta said she would make it worth Yela's time. They agreed to meet the next morning in the hotel dining room for coffee before starting.

***************************

Lyta left the dress shop and went to the police station. There she met with the officer she had talked with as G'Kar had left the hospital. He agreed to accompany her to the local dives looking for the other persons responsible for the assault on G'Kar.

"Officer, what should I call you?" Asked Lyta.

"Detective Stoyph will do just fine Ms. Alexander," replied the officer.

"Please call me Lyta, I hate the Ms. Alexander thing. It makes me sound like someone's grandmother," replied Lyta.

The first stop was a seedy bar in an even seedier part of the city. As they were about to enter the bar the detective told Lyta to let him do the talking. He said that her being Human could put the patrons on guard, but her being female might also result in her being ignored.

It took a minute for her eyes to start adjusting to the low light level of the bar. When her eyes had adjusted, she could see half dozen patrons drinking at the bar and several tables. Lyta following the detective walked over to the bar. The detective asked several questions and got only snide responses. Lyta scanning the bartender got much more. She learned enough to start scanning the patrons. Several in a back booth had some very interesting thoughts. She whispered into the detective's ear. Nodding the detective walked to the table in the rear of the bar. One had several men sitting at it. Some were obviously hired help and one was well dressed.

"Ah detective Stoyph, slumming again, I see. What can I do for you and who's your friend?" Asked the well dressed man.

Indicating Lyta, Stoyph replied, "Ms. Alexander is an observer. We are trying to locate some local muscle that assaulted her traveling companion. They were sloppy and didn't finish the job, so I assume they aren't yours."

"You must mean the Narn. I heard they caught the guy responsible."

"We got the brains, but the brawn escaped. Somebody wasted the brains. Do you know anything else about it?"

"Only what I just told you. I heard the guy was alone in a guarded room? I'd like to hire whoever did it. That kind of talent is hard to find."

Detective Stoyph looked at Lyta. She just shrugged. They left the bar, and as they reached the street, Stoyph said, "You never mentioned that you’re a telepath."

"You never asked," replied Lyta.

"You wouldn't consider hiring yourself out to my precinct for the rest of the time you’re here. We could clear up about seventy percent of our outstanding case load."

"I never cared for police work," replied Lyta, thinking of her internship with the psi cops.

****************************

Inside the bar, the gang leader was giving orders.

"Find out all you can about this Ms. Alexander. She was supposed to be hit with the Narn, but she wasn't there. Find out all you can about the Narn, who wanted him whacked and find out who botched the job. If they were ours, I want them to go away," said the boss. "Be careful. I think she may be a telepath. If that is the case, I want her dead. There is no telling what she learned just now."

****************************

The next place they stopped they struck pay dirt. The detective arrested two of the hoods they were looking for. The last one was picked up at his apartment. Lyta thanked Detective Stoyph for his efforts and departed. She had the thought patterns of the three memorized and could pick them out from the background noise. It would be all she would need.

It was just past noon and Lyta stopped at the first sidewalk she saw. She ordered a light lunch and sat watching the people go about their business. She didn't get to do things like this very often, so she made the best of it. Later, she went back to the dress shop and collected her purchases from two days before.

**************************

At supper G'Kar related his days activities to Lyta. He was ecstatic. Lyta gave him the review of her activities.

"You may have put yourself, or at least those around you, in danger, Lyta," commented G'Kar. "If this crime boss type thinks you learned anything about his operations, he will try to kill you."

"Your concern is noted, G'Kar, but all I am going to do for the next week is be a tourist. Yela, a girl I met when I bought the maternity clothing, is going to be my tour guide. I plan to thoroughly enjoy myself. I'll take pictures for you."

*******************************

"Good morning, Yela," greeted Lyta. "Would you care for coffee or tea and some breakfast before we start."

"Tea would be fine, I have already eaten breakfast," replied Yela.

Lyta and Yela spent the day visiting museums and art galleries and some sights just for the looking, such as the observation decks of several tall buildings, one of which was also a restaurant. Yela explained that she had scheduled a rental flight for the next day, so they could visit some sites located outside the city in the surrounding country. She promised Lyta that it would be beautiful and exciting.

That evening Lyta had plenty to talk about over supper with G'Kar.

**************************

The small aircraft that Yela had rented, complete with pilot, gave Lyta the feeling that she was free as a bird. The wind in her hair was exhilarating and the view of the very wide and deep canyon was breathtaking. Yela said they could take a trip below the rim if Lyta had time.

The flight had gone below the rim and the beauty of the color bands in the cliffs rivaled those of Lyta's home world Earth's Grand Canyon. Someday, she would make time for the trip into the canyon.

The trip back was a tour over some of the most majestic forests Lyta had ever seen, even in pictures. In a sweep over a stand of spectacularly tall evergreens the aircraft's engine sputtered. The engine sputtered for about two minutes before it quit and the plane started to lose altitude. With nothing but heavy forest reaching to the horizon beneath them, there would be no emergency landing. They were going to crash.

"Did you send an emergency signal," Lyta asked the pilot over the wind noise.

He nodded yes as he worked the controls hard trying to control their descent. Looking over the pilot's shoulder, Lyta could see that the fuel tank registered half full, yet they had run out of fuel. She waited until just before impact, then rendered the pilot and Yela unconscious. The plane crashed into the tree tops, but the pilot and passengers sustained only minor injuries. It took rescuers less than an hour to locate them, and two hours to get them out using hovering aircraft.

The pilot, Lyta and Yela were transported to a hospital for medical checkup for injuries. The authorities were amazed that they had even survived. It was credited to a fluke of luck because of the way the aircraft had impacted the trees.

It was early evening before Lyta finally got back to her hotel. She had supper and told G'Kar one hell of a tale. He reminded her of his earlier warning. She agreed that it was too much to be a coincidence.

After supper she told G'Kar there was something she needed to do. He insisted in coming with her.

****************************

Lyta and G'Kar were standing in front of a table with a half dozen men seated at it. One of the men looked up at her and almost had a heart attack.

Looking at the well dressed gentleman, Lyta asked, "Remember me?"

"You would be hard to forget," he answered.

"I don't know why you felt you had to have me killed, but you missed. You won't get another chance," she said flatly.

The criminal boss motioned for his men to grab them, but they never moved.

"They aren't going anywhere. You had a good thing going. You weren't connected with the men who attacked G'Kar. I had no interest in you, and the detective had other things on his mind, but you couldn't leave well enough alone. Why?"

"You are a telepath. I couldn't take a chance on what you might have learned. It's nothing personal, it was business."

"Well, I take it very personally, and I’m going to do something about it," said Lyta, concentrating on the gang leader and then each of his men. "By the way, did you hear about the fellows in the jail today?"

"Yeah, what about it."

Lyta gave him her best smug smile, took G'Kar by the arm and started to leave. On their way to the door several men blocked their exit. They dropped to the floor silently writhing in agony. Lyta and G'Kar left.

*********************************

"Lyta, what did you do to those men?" Asked G'Kar.

"I over stimulated the pain centers of their brains. They suffered no real harm," she answered. "However, the same cannot be said for that boss and his thugs. That was a different matter."

"Will they be able to trace it to you?"

"Nope. What happens will happen early in the morning, when you and I are light-years away from here. Do you know what a logic bomb is?" She asked.

"Yes. A computer program that does its damage long after it is installed. What does that have to do with this?"

"About a month after we leave, the thugs will develop crippling health problems and their boss will slowly go stark raving mad within a few weeks after that. He will eventually be a mindless idiot, unable to even go to the toilet," she replied.

G'Kar visibly shuddered.

******************************

The rest of her time went quickly, and too soon, Lyta was saying goodbye to her new friend. She took her name and how to contact her before she departed.

G'Kar was satisfied that he would never have an opportunity like this one again.

part 2
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