Criticism is welcomed. Address criticisms to [xazqrten@cox.net]
******************************
After her conversation with Emily, Lyta went out to her shuttle and warmed
it up. She had to make another call, to Garibaldi. Twenty minutes later, she
was in hyperspace near the Glenthorian jumpgate.
"Hello, Bob. I was calling for Michael."
"I'm sorry, Lyta. He's busy doing a favor for President Sheridan. Is there
anything I can do in his place?"
"Do you have access to the data crystals?"
In response, Bryson held one up in his hand. "Will number 6-A work?"
"Yes," she answered, inserting the mate to his data crystal in a slot on her
communications panel.
A minute later, they were conversing on an encrypted circuit.
"I'm sending you a hard copy of some modifications I want to have made to my
shuttle. There should be several companies on Mars that can handle the work. I
want you to set it up. I’ll be there in six days. They’ll have six weeks at
most to finish the work. If possible, I want you to go with me to Earth. I need
your expertise."
Bryson took the hardcopy of Lyta's desired shuttle modifications and gave
them the quick once-over; then, he whistled. "With these modifications, you
should be able to make it all the way to the other side of the galaxy."
"That's not what I have in mind, but I’ll remember it for future reference."
"I’ll have things ready for you when you arrive. Take care."
Lyta closed the circuit and returned home. The next six days passed
quickly.
******************************
On Babylon 5:
The doorbell rang and Cathy Balor answered. She was expecting Lieutenant,
hopefully soon to be Lieutenant Commander, David Corwin, Earthforce.
She had met him one day in the Zocalo while shopping for a few groceries. It
had been almost three months ago, on an afternoon she had allowed herself to
take off from her duties as a resident combination doctor/psychiatrist. Since
coming to Babylon 5, as the only civilian doctor working in the station medical
unit, she had become a popular personality in that area. She had set up an
approved free-care facility in the Downbelow area that provided basic medical
services for those who could not afford to use the regular medical facilities.
Several of the nurses earned extra money by sharing the duties of running the
free clinic. Cathy had been required to guarantee that all supplies used there
would be paid for, and she had, by paying for them out of her own salary. A
typical day for Cathy started at 0600 and frequently did not end until
midnight. Her time off was very little and widely scattered. However, since her
introduction to Corwin, she had been managing to arrange to get out more often.
They had been seeing more of one another since their initial meeting, and
frequently slept together, even though their schedules didn't allow them the
pleasure of a night out very often, she was expecting him to pop the question
before long. Their relationship was at that point.
Cathy opened the door and invited her lover in. "I’ll be ready to go in just
a minute, David."
"Don't rush, sweetheart. I have reservations."
As they entered the restaurant, David noticed that Cathy was again getting
the once over more than once from most of the men in the area. He wasn't
surprised. She was a beauty with deep red hair and a complexion to match. She
came just up to his chin. He admitted to himself that he always felt like a
million credits when he was around her. No matter how bad things seemed,
somehow being around her made his problems fade into the background.
They didn't have to wait for a table and were on time and were immediately
seated.
******************************
Larry Evans was kicked back and relaxing with his eyes closed and thoughts
of Elizabeth sans clothing running through his head.
"You have a dirty mind, Larry," said Captain Lochley, entering her quarters
"Only where you are concerned, love," he replied. "Are we eating in or out
tonight?"
"We haven’t been out in almost a week. I can afford it, if you can."
"I'll call and make reservations," he said, getting up off the sofa. He
stopped to kiss Elizabeth on the way to the communications panel.
"How was your day?" she asked.
"I attended a couple of meetings with the ambassador, but they were strictly
routine, and I had to fight to stay awake. You?"
"I should say don't ask, but since you did, it could have been better. I had
to take Lieutenant Corwin to task for letting his opinions be known in C&C."
"Oh? What was so bad?"
"He hates all telepaths. It seems that he and some classmates, fresh out of
the academy, were used for what must’ve been unauthorized experimentation by
the Psi Corps."
"Did he give you any particulars?"
"After a fashion, when he explained why he thought Lyta was bad trash. Then,
later today at lunch, he gave me enough to initiate an investigation of his
personnel record. There are some inconsistencies, but nothing that can be
pinned down. I wonder if things like this have happened on more than one
occasion?"
"Well, you are asking the right person. After all, I was in the department
that was responsible for training Psi Corps counter-intelligence operatives,
and yes, those things were sanctioned. The thing is that the students we
trained didn't know that the interrogations they conducted were not the real
thing. There were many young men and women who had their minds ruined by these
exercises. The fact that he remembers any of it speaks of a very strong mind
and personality. It's probably why he was sent back to regular duty."
"You mean, he's telling the truth!"
"Most certainly. He must have one hell of a strong, stable mind."
"I think, maybe, I owe him an apology."
"It explains why he’s been cool to my presence when we’ve been in close
proximity. I will give him credit for being able to conceal his feelings, when
he has been around me and my people, most wouldn't or couldn't."
"It explains the looks he has given Lyta when she has been C&C."
******************************
An hour later, as Larry and Elizabeth walked through the park area killing
time on their way to the restaurant, Larry commented, "I did the best I could,
but the maitre d' couldn't promise us a short wait."
"We aren't in any hurry," replied Elizabeth.
As they entered the restaurant, they noticed Corwin and Balor just giving
their orders to their waiter. Cathy seeing them motioned them over to their
table.
"Good evening Captain Lochley, Mister Evans, would you care to join us?"
Lochley, noting that Corwin looked distinctly uncomfortable, replied, "Thank
you, but we’ve reserved a table. Besides, we don't want to intrude."
"Heck, at least have a drink with us while you are waiting," she insisted.
Seeing no polite way to refuse, Lochley and Evans sat down and he ordered a
drink for himself and a glass of juice for her.
"I see you've met Larry, Cathy," said Lochley.
"Yes, ma'am. I've known Mister Evans for as long as I can remember," replied
Cathy.
Lochley looked questioningly at Evans, and received the response, "I’m an
old family friend. I was a friend of her father's before she was born."
"I didn't think telepaths had mundane friends," commented Corwin.
"Why not, lieutenant? Your captain and I are friends, and she is, as you put
it, a mundane. However, I prefer the term non-telepath," responded Larry.
Corwin let it drop as their drinks arrived.
"I hear you’re doing wonders in Downbelow, Cathy," noted Lochley.
"Actually, there are three of us doing it. I have two nurses who help me. I
pay them for their time."
"And, you pay for the supplies and rent on the space you use," added Corwin.
"Well, yes I do, but it's my business and my money."
"You're financing it out of your own pocket?" asked Larry.
"It's no big deal, Mister Evan's. It doesn't cost all that much. Besides,
I'm single, and don't need much money for myself."
"How much time do you spend doing this, Cathy?" asked Lochley.
"It is only a few hours a day, Captain. I don't have anything else to do, so
it helps me kill time."
"You don't have a social life?"
"Yes ma'am, I do. I do go out with David occasionally."
It was about then when the maitre d' showed them to their table.
After they had been seated, Lochley looked at Larry and said, "I find it
interesting that you have known Cathy virtually all her life."
"Actually, I met her for the first time when she was not quite four-years
old. I met her parents later. Cathy was a special case, a very special case."
"I don't understand. What do you mean 'special case'?"
"The corps took Cathy in as soon as they realized she was a telepath, but
she wasn't your normal telepath. Because of that, she was allowed to live with
her parents while she was growing up, and attended corps schools for training
as a telepath only when necessary."
"She's a telepath? Corwin will crap all over himself when he finds out. It's
obvious he doesn't know."
"She's not just a telepath. It's true, she is a P-7, but what makes her so
special is that she is also an empath. To my knowledge, she’s the only true
natural empathic telepath the corps has ever found. She is quite literally one-
of-a-kind."
"So, they treated her differently. Why?"
"We were afraid we might lose her. She might have run or worse, if forced to
conform to some of the corps' prime teachings, she might even have committed
suicide. Remember, every other extraordinary telepath type that had been
discovered before had some nasty self-destructive traits. As it turned out,
Cathy was perfectly normal, except that she was an empathic telepath. Also, we
discovered she could read the emotions of even our most powerful P-12s. Anyone
who scanned her ran into a reflection of their own emotions. Several of our P-
12s almost burned out when they tried to scan her. So we let her live with her
parents, neither of who are telepathic. I was assigned as her case officer and
guardian. 'Watchdog' would not be the right term."
"How did she manage to become a doctor?"
"It's what she wanted. She cooperated with the corps to a point. She
wouldn't breed for them, but she didn't hesitate to let them use some of her
eggs, in vitro fertilization and surrogate mothers to accomplish the same ends.
The results were somewhat disappointing, though. All the children they managed
to produce from her eggs were normal telepaths, ranging from P-6 to P-12. They
were never able to produce another empath. Studies of her DNA never revealed
anything that could be recognized as an 'empath' tag. Her DNA looked just like
the DNA from every other healthy normal female telepath."
"That may explain why she’s so good with people. She naturally does what’s
necessary to promote harmony," replied Lochley. "You did know she has something
of a reputation for being able to handle difficult patients in Medlab?"
"No, but I'm not surprised."
******************************
"You have known the Captain's boyfriend all your life?" asked Corwin.
"Well, for as long as I can remember. He has always been a friend of my
family."
"You do know that he’s a telepath?"
"Of course. He was a psi cop, or at least he wore a psi cop uniform. What of
it?"
"I don't like telepaths. I was messed over just after I graduated from the
academy, by what must have been psi cops."
"I'm sorry, but what does that have to do with Mister Evans?"
"He's a telepath. What's worse is he used to be a psi cop. I also had my
mind messed with by Lyta Alexander, but you weren't here then, so you probably
don't know about that fiasco."
"I only know Lyta by reputation, but you're painting with a rather wide
brush."
Corwin looked at her with, rage showing in his expression and emotions of
hatred blasting her mind. His emotions made it plain to her that he harbored a
real hatred of all telepaths.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I just don't like telepaths, any of them. If I had my
way, they would be kept in cages and shipped to the other side of the galaxy."
"Here comes the food. I’m hungry," noted Cathy, trying to change the subject.
They ate in silence. Corwin noticed that she didn't try to eat and talk like
she usually did. In fact, she looked somewhat distracted, like she was deep in
thought.
"Was it something I said?" he asked.
She kept eating, not noticing his question.
"Cathy? Are you still here?"
Cathy started, then looked at him, and asked, "I'm sorry. Did you say
something?"
"You’ve been very quiet. Was it something I said?"
"In a manner of speaking. I was just thinking about some personal problems."
"Maybe I can help."
"I don't think so. Anyway, they're not important. Now, let's get back to the
business of finishing this meal. It’s absolutely delicious."
Her thinly disguised brush-off of his conversation attempt was confusing.
Maybe he shouldn't have trashed her family's friend. After all, he knew nothing
about Evans except that he was a former psi cop, and that he was sleeping with
the captain. Everyone knew that. It wasn't any secret, but considering the
captain's track record with telepaths since reporting aboard, it was very
interesting.
******************************
They were at the door to Cathy's quarters, when Cathy kissed Corwin and
said, "It has been a long day, David. I just want to get some sleep and think
about a few things."
"To be honest, Cathy, I’ve been thinking about our relationship. We have
been sleeping with one another on and off for some time now, and it has
occurred to me that, I’m very much in love with you."
"David. Don't say anymore. It will never work with us. As much as I love
you, it can't be. There are things you don't know about me. They come under the
heading of 'insurmountable obstacles'."
David looked stunned. He had been ready to propose, and she had told him
flat-out no.
Cathy opened the door to her quarters and stepped through. Turning to look
at him, pain evident in her eyes and facial expression, she said, fighting back
tears, "It won't ever be, because of two problems."
"What could be so bad, Cathy?"
"First, David, I'm a telepath. Second, I'm pregnant, and my child will
surely be a telepath. I can't be with someone who hates me and my child," she
answered quietly, then she closed her door.
The stunned expression on Corwin's face was a mixture of confusion and
anguish.
David was still standing in front of Cathy's door fifteen minutes later when
a security patrol passed through the area. Noting the look of pain and anguish
on Corwin's face, the security man asked, "Are you all right, lieutenant?"
Corwin looked at him, blankly, and answered, "Yes. Yes, I'm fine. Thank you
anyway."
******************************
Captain Lochley was already in her office when Corwin came on watch. She
waited almost an hour before she wandered out onto the command deck.
"Good morning, Lieutenant Corwin."
"God morning, captain. What can I do for you, sir?"
"I was just checking. I couldn't help noticing, last night, you have a very
pretty girlfriend."
When she said that, the expression on Corwin's face told the whole story.
"I'm afraid that's not quite true, captain. She and I decided that we really
don't have much in common. I won't be seeing her again."
"Well, I'm sure a handsome young man like yourself won't have any problem
getting another one."
"You don't seem curious about it, sir?"
"It's really none of my business, Lieutenant. I just thought you made a good
couple." With that, she returned to her office.
******************************
"It's over, Larry," said Lochley.
"What's over?"
"The Corwin and Balor twosome."
"How do you know?"
"After Corwin came on watch this morning, I told him that he and she make a
good couple. He gave me a line about them not having much in common, so they
broke up. From the expression on his face, you would have thought I kicked him
in his testicles."
"I’ll ask her about it in a day or so. After you told me how he felt about
telepaths, I knew it was only a matter of time. Too bad, too, because he's lost
one hell of a fine young woman."
"From what I have heard about her, that's an understatement."
"I whipped up some sandwiches, soup and salad. I don't feel like eating
anything heavy tonight."
"Why do I keep getting the feeling you’re watching my weight."
"Maybe you are just very observant."
******************************
Glenthor:
The next day Lyta took Maya to meet the headmaster of her new school. It
turned out to be an interesting experience. The headmaster had never interacted
with a human.
"We have never had a member of another race attend our school, Miss
Alexander. We aren't set up to teach basic language skills to someone who has
no proficiency in our language?"
"You accept students from all over the planet. There must be many of them
who have no experience with the language and dialect used in your school."
"That is true, but they have some experience with Glenthorian languages."
In the Glenthorian language and dialect used by the headmaster, Maya said to
Lyta, "Mom, I told you this wouldn't work. Language is not the issue. He
doesn't want a human in his school. Isn't that right, Mr. Headmaster?"
The man looked at Maya, stunned at her mastery of the language. Her skills
were better than most, more than twice her age.
"Where did she learn to talk that well?"
"She’s never been around other children. She’s been exposed to adults
exclusively. She has also done a great deal of studying using data crystals of
almost any subject you can name. What she needs is to be in contact with others
her own age. She needs to learn social skills."
"Would she be living on campus?"
"That is my wish. I want her immersed in a group more her own age. You may
find having her nearby to be an asset."
Lyta handed the headmaster a medium sized portable equipment case. "This
case contains data crystals for her to study. The crystals are color coded red,
green and blue. The red ones are for study. The blue ones contain tests keyed
to the study material on the red ones and the green ones are the answers, keyed
to the tests on the blue ones. I expect her to finish one crystal a week in
addition to the work she is assigned by her teachers."
"What is on the crystals, if I may inquire?"
"Material that will keep her occupied when she is finished with her class
work. You may use it in your advanced classes, if you wish. Most of the data is
in the native language of the planet it originated on. The tests and answers
are in your local language. Since much of the data is from planets Glenthor
hasn't established relations with, I can have the study crystals translated for
you, if you wish."
The headmaster thought about the offer for a few moments. "I accept your
offer, Miss Alexander. We may be able to enhance our curricula in a manner that
better prepares our students for life in the new universe. Things have changed
since we have become involved with other worlds. They are becoming much
more 'complicated'."
The headmaster used his intercom to summon an assistant. "Please take this
young lady to her dormitory. Miss Alexander, we will take her from here. You
are welcome to inspect her living quarters and visit at anytime. We only ask
for enough of a notice to be sure she is available. If you wish, you are
welcome to sit in on any of her classes. We request prior notification, to
enable making sure there is somewhere for you to sit."
"Seems reasonable to me, headmaster. Maya, you are to be on your best
behavior."
"When am I not, Mom?"
Lyta gave Maya a very big hug and kissed her good-bye. The assist started to
pick up one of Maya's small suitcases, but Maya beat her to it and carried them
herself.
"She does seem to be extremely mature for someone so young."
"I think you will be satisfied with her behavior, headmaster. She has had
some of the best examples in the IA to follow."
Lyta took her leave and headed back to her farm. She had some more
preparations to make before she left for Mars and Earth.
******************************
Larry had received a message from Cathy asking him to meet her for lunch in
the Zocalo. Knowing that she almost never had lunch there, or anywhere else for
that matter, was a give-away that it was important. He was fairly sure he knew
what she wanted.
Looking across the table at him, Cathy said, "Uncle Larry, I think I have a
real problem."
"Tell me about it."
"Did you know that David hates all telepaths?"
"Elizabeth told me the other night, just before we saw you and David in the
restaurant."
"He told me about being involved in some unauthorized experiments, and about
something to do with Lyta and mind control in the Zocalo a couple of years ago."
"Did he actually tell you that he hated telepaths?"
"He said he disliked all telepaths and that if he had his way, they would be
locked in cages and shipped to the other side of the galaxy, but what he really
meant was that he absolutely hates all telepaths and if he had his way he would
kill all of them."
"I think you’re misunderstanding him, Cathy. Even if he actually said the
latter, I wouldn’t take it literally."
Looking very tired, she replied, "You forget who you’re talking to, Uncle
Larry. Maybe he might fool you or any other telepath, but neither he nor anyone
else can hide their true feelings and emotions from me. And, he really meant
that he would kill us all if he could, even if he did say dislike. I was less
than a meter away. It was all I could do to keep from recoiling and crying when
his emotions erupted."
"As bad as it may seem, it's not the end of the universe. He's not the only
man around."
"Uncle Larry, you don't understand. I’ve slept with him. I'm pregnant, and
I'm carrying his child. I told him I could never be with someone who hated me
and my child, so he knows I'm pregnant and it’s his. He will, of course, deny
it. I can handle that, what’s causing the problem is that I'm not sure I can
care for a baby and still fulfill my contract to the station."
Larry signaled their waiter and ordered a whiskey on the rocks. "I don't
usually drink during the day, but after what you just said, I need one."
Cathy finished the sandwich and salad she had ordered and Larry worked on
his drink. Finally he asked, "Exactly why are you bringing this to me?"
"Mom and dad told me that they couldn't care for an infant. They said that
if the child were school age, they might be able to manage, but not an infant.
Sis told me it was my problem. She really laid into me for not using
protection. I couldn't think of a good argument. Given that I'm a doctor, you
might be inclined to think that I would know better - so much for knowledge."
"What do you want me to do?"
"You know a lot more telepaths than I do. I was hoping maybe one or more of
them might be able to help me, until my contract here is finished. If I have it
figured correctly, I’ll have six months left on the contract when my baby is
born."
"You’ve never asked for a favor before. Now I know why. You were saving up
for a situation like this. I’ll contact some people I know, but I can't make
any promises."
"I understand, Uncle Larry, and thanks for your efforts."
******************************
"What can I do for you, Larry?" asked Lyta of the image on the
communications display.
"I have a little problem. I thought you might be able to help."
"Why do I get the feeling this is going to be anything but small?"
"Have you ever heard of a young doctor named Cathy Balor?"
Lyta thought for a moment, then replied, "No. I can't say that I have. Why?"
"She is one of Psi Corps best kept secrets. Only a small handful of people
know about her. She lived at home even after she was discovered to be a
telepath."
"That's interesting. What does it have to do with this favor you need?"
"Have you ever met a real empath?"
"Have you ever met my daughter, Maya?"
"She’s an empath!"
"Amongst other things. I take it this Balor girl is also an empath. I never
heard of a natural born one other than Maya, but she isn't strictly speaking
natural born, and no it's none of your business. Now what do you need from me?"
"Cathy screwed up and got herself pregnant?"
"Really. Who helped her?"
"Lieutenant Corwin."
"Then it's his problem."
"It's not that simple. As I understand it, and my sources are very reliable,
he hates all telepaths and would exterminate them if he could get away with it."
"That's his problem. If he feels that way about telepaths, what in hell was
he doing with her? Let me guess. He didn't know she was a telepath."
"You have it in a nutshell. If he hadn't told her how he felt about
telepaths and then tried to propose to her before he found out... I think you
get the picture."
"I assume she won't abort it?"
"Completely out of the question, Lyta. All she needs is someone to take care
of the baby while she finishes her contract with the station. She estimates it
to be about six months."
"I tell you what I'll do. I'll take the baby, but there are some conditions.
She executes paperwork for me to adopt the child immediately after it’s born.
I’ll bring it out here and care for it until her contract is finished, then she
comes out here to get him/her. I’ll then turn the child over to her after she
convinces me she can take care of it."
"You drive a hard bargain, Lyta."
"This is a baby we’re discussing, not a pet dog or cat. The next time I see
Corwin, if there is a next time, I'll straighten out the damage your psi cops
did to him."
"What makes you think it was my psi cops?"
"I got all the records when we took down the corps. Some of your cronies
were rather proud of what they had done. After I caught up with them, they
whimpered like frightened children and tried to hide behind the ‘But I was only
following orders’ excuse. They might have gotten away with it, if they hadn't
worked so hard to keep good records. The ones I dealt with all whimpered, but
it didn't do them any good. You don't want to know what I did to them. I
suppose those that aren't insane are still screaming at the top of their lungs.
I’ll find the others sooner or later, and thanks to Michael and his people, it
will definitely be sooner. Their records are why you were given a clean slate
by me."
"I’ll get back to you, but I think Cathy will accept your offer. She is
genuinely concerned for her baby's health and welfare."
"I'll take your word for that, Larry. You're going to owe me big time."
"I know."
******************************
"Uncle Larry, are you serious? She wants me to give up my baby?"
"It's the only way she’ll become involved. She has a daughter who is almost
five years old, so she knows how to take care of an infant."
"And, I can have him or her, back after I leave here?"
"Only after you convince Lyta you can care for it."
"Is she the one who decides that?"
"I'm afraid she is. Your baby will be safer with her than with anyone else I
can possibly think of."
"I need to think about it."
"Take your time. Talk to your friends, and then - when you decide – let me
know."
******************************
Lyta's shuttle had just exited hyperspace near Mars when her communications
system chirped for an incoming call.
Expecting it to be the Mars space traffic control center, Lyta
said, "Accept."
Instead of traffic control, she had the image of Larry Evans looking out of
the screen at her.
"I assume you have an answer for me?"
"I do. It was hard for Cathy, but her friends and some other station
personnel convinced her that her baby would be safe with you."
"Just let me know when to be there."
"Thank you, Lyta."
"You cannot imagine how big time you are going to owe me for this. I'm
waiting for landing instructions, Larry. We'll talk later."
"Shuttle identified as Lyta Alexander of the Planet Glenthor, please
respond?"
"Mars traffic control, this is Lyta Alexander. I request permission to land
and instructions to do so."
"Standby."
******************************
END PART 4
next