Criticism is welcomed. Address criticisms to [xazqrten@cox.net] ****************************** Bob Bryson looked at the tray of food, and that was using the term loosely in his opinion, that was supposed to pass for his supper. He wondered if he had survived being shot only to die from eating whatever the tray offered. He had voluntarily worked with the doctors and answered their questions to the best of his ability. They hadn’t been satisfied. They had poked and prodded him until he lost his temper and chased them away. [Damned ingrates don’t appreciate anything,] was his uppermost thought. He had tried to go to the restroom by himself, but his muscles just didn’t want to work quite correctly. His doctor insisted on keeping him an extra day or two, so he could receive physical therapy. His injuries had left him a bit out of it even though everything was healed. He forced himself to eat the supper. He was just finishing when Beverly Wiseman, her sister, and her twin daughters walked into the room. He looked at them, confused by their presence, and tried to think of a reason for them to be here. He had never met Beverly’s kids or her sister, but the resemblance between her and her sister was unmistakable; the same applied to her daughters. He noted that Beverly’s sister was a bit more slender and looked to be several years younger, the twins looked to be about seven or eight years old. “Hello, Bob. I know you didn’t want any visitors, but I figured this was my only chance to introduce my family. They want to express their thanks for the efforts you made in keeping me from being murdered.” “There’s a small problem, Beverly. I don’t remember anything that happened in the twenty-four hours leading up to the attack. I lost the whole preceding day.” “What do you know about the attack? I was knocked unconscious before you arrived in the alley. We were victims of an attack and neither one of us has any idea what happened. I was told what the only witness saw from her window overlooking the alley. Detective Lieutenant Jason Morgan told me what the witness said happened.” “He also told me when I came out of the coma this morning. It seems that Withers and two other men have gone missing.” “Withers disappeared sometime during the week after the attack, but I was told that no one has any idea what happened to him.” “Jason showed me something, then he told me to have you show me a video recording when I returned to work.” “When you get back to work, come to my office. I’ll be happy to show you what Lt. Morgan was talking about.” “Are you going to introduce me to your family?” “Bob Bryson, I’d like to introduce my sister, Doris Frank. She’s divorced. These mop-tops are my twins, Josephine and Amanda; Jo and Mandy to their friends.” Bryson smiled a genuine smile and said, “I’m very pleased to meet you.” “The pleasure is mine, Mr. Bryson. You saved Beverly’s life at extreme risk to your own,” replied Doris. “I’ll take your word on that. As I said, it seems that I have no memory of the event or the situation that led up to it. I also have it on good authority that I’ll never remember that day.” “I can fill you in on the parts I was involved in, Bob. I suppose you can ask others what may have transpired.” “Hopefully, I’m not missing anything important.” Bryson looked at Doris and asked, “What do you do?” “I home school the twins, Mr. Bryson. I have a master’s degree in primary and secondary education and one in child psychology. Not too bad for someone less than thirty years old.” “It’s a good accomplishment for someone of any age,” replied Bryson. “Why aren’t you teaching in any of our schools? I know for a fact that there is a teacher shortage.” “I’m not a Marsie, Mr. Bryson. When they learn that I’m not a citizen of Mars, the job is no longer open, and they don’t pay enough for me to fight the system.” “I may have a solution for that problem.” “I like my present employer. She’s easy to work for.” Bryson looked at Beverly and Doris intently. “You don’t dress like this at work, Beverly.” “No. I don’t. I’m on my own time and I can dress any way I please. I hope you don’t take too long to return to work. Your stand-in isn’t really up to it.” “You’d know, too. The doc says a day or so to let my muscles get back up to speed. I’m healed, but I’m as weak as a newborn kitten. It must have taken a lot out of me recovering from the wounds. Would you believe I’m down fifteen kilos from what I weighed before the attack? Doc says that much weight in such a short time will take it out of you.” “I don’t want to overstay my welcome, Bob. Besides, Lt. Morgan is waiting outside for his turn.” The twins went over to Bob and gave him a hug and thanked him again for saving their mom. Doris did the same thing and whispered in his ear; “Don’t let her push you away.” Beverly shook hands with Bob and thanked him for his efforts. Morgan came into Bob’s room as Beverly and her family left. “Hi, guy. I hope you didn’t murder any of those doctors.” “They know how to push a man to his limits. They think I owe them something for saving my life. What really pisses me off is that it looks like I’d have survived even if they had done nothing at all. I know Lyta did something to me. Damn her. I don’t have a clue, but these freaks won’t accept that as an answer. I’m not answering any more of their damn questions, and they have all the specimens they’re going to get.” “You are testy; can’t say that I blame you. They suffer from a god complex.” “That was Beverly, her daughters, and her sister that just left.” “I’ve met her, but I haven’t met her sister or her kids. I hope you got an eyeful. Those snug stretch pants and T-shirts showed them both off to good advantage.” “You’re gay. Why would you even notice?” “They are both very pretty young women. Beverly has a few more curves. I can’t believe you aren’t making a run on her.” “We work together. The last thing I need is a harassment charge.” “It’s too bad you aren’t a telepath. She wants a relationship with you so badly; she doesn’t know what to do. The images she projects when she’s close to you involve you and siblings for her twins.” Bryson just looked at Morgan. He couldn’t think of an immediate response. “When you think about her, it involves you with your arms around her hips and your cheek against her bare pregnant belly, feeling the fetus kick. Now, don’t tell me you two don’t want one another.” “You didn’t come to tell me that. What’s on your mind?” “I learned what happened to Bob Withers. One of the telepaths that you hid during the war got hold of him and deep scanned him. He got the names of the hoods Withers paid to take care of Beverly and you. I don’t know his name, only that he felt he owed you big time. I suppose you could consider the bill paid in full, if you had any idea who he is.” “I helped a number of people escape Earthforce and Psi Corps vengeance, both males and females. Except for you, I never knew which of them were or weren’t telepaths. I still don’t think Withers should have been killed. The worst punishment for people like him is sitting in a two by three meter cell for the rest of their useless lives. For someone like that, it’s a sentence worse than death.” “And here I was beginning to think you’d gone soft.” “Take my word for it, Jason; that’s never going to happen. I’ve seen too much hell.” ****************************** “He didn’t even really notice how we were dressed, sis,” said Doris. “It’s the best I could do. I’d’ve loved to be alone with him for a while. I’m willing to bet choking him with my tongue will elicit a response.” “He’s got something. I was getting the hots for him and he’s laid up in a hospital bed.” “He really is a nice guy when you get to know him. I think he’s been out of circulation so long, he doesn’t know how to respond. He really loved his wife and daughter. Their deaths tore him all to hell, much worse than Daniel’s death affected me.” “I hope you’ve noticed all the men drooling after you.” “I have. I’m not impressed.” “Mom, is there any chance that Mr. Bryson will be our dad?” Beverly stopped in her tracks. “What?” ****************************** A week later: Beverly looked up to see Bob Bryson standing on the other side of her desk. “Good morning, Bob.” “You said to come and see you after I got back into the office. The doctor told me I’m good to go. He forgot to tell me none of my clothes were going to fit. I look like a little boy trying to wear his dad’s clothing.” “You lost fifteen kilos, Bob. You look like warmed-over death. Give yourself a few months and you’ll look like your old self.” “Jason said you have a video I should watch.” “Let’s go to the conference room. I want you to see it on a big screen. Keep in mind that Withers has disappeared since this video was made.” ****************************** Bob looked at Beverly. “The sleaze-ball son of a bitch hired someone to kill us, because you wouldn’t screw him. If he wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him myself!” “What do you mean, if he wasn’t already dead?” Bob showed her the printout that Morgan had given him right after he had awakened from the coma. “Jason told me, after you left that he had been reliably informed that a telepath I helped during the civil war captured Withers and deep scanned him. Apparently, he discovered what Withers had done and took out Withers and the men he hired, except for the assassin that I shot up. The surviving assailant’s only muscle, and he’ll be tried and sentenced according to prevailing law.” “And that would be?” “If he’s convicted, and he will be, he faces the death penalty; and I don’t mean death of personality.” A face appeared in the open doorway of the conference room. “Morning Beverly; morning Bob.” “Good morning, Janie. What brings you in this early?” asked Beverly. “I have some work that I have to get done before I leave today. I have a 1400 hours appointment. What’re you watching?” “I was showing Bob the video of a meeting with the president’s communications officer. It had some interesting aspects to it, and he was in the hospital when the meeting took place.” “Ciao. I gotta get hoping.” ****************************** “Not one of yours?” “No. She helps us out occasionally when we get too far behind in our evaluations. We occasionally have to do job assessments and contractor performance evaluations. You know the drill; are the companies bidding on a contract actually capable of fulfilling the contract requirements?” Beverly and Bob returned to her office. Beverly made sure that the office door was open. “What else can I do for you, Bob?” “How about taking me to dinner?” “Tomorrow is Friday. Why don’t you have dinner at my place with my sister, daughters, and me?” Bob thought about what Jason and Beverly’s sister had both told him. “Deal. What time do you want me to arrive?” “Why don’t you bring a change of underwear and socks tomorrow and go home with me. My daughters want to spend some time with you. I think they like you.” Bob could see it coming a kilometer away, but he said, “I can do that. Just don’t let them abuse me. I assume you have a place for me to sleep?” “Of course. My couch folds out into a bed.” “Then, I’ll bring my pajamas too.” ****************************** Friday evening at Beverly’s house: Bob had brought a small gym bag that contained a set of pajamas, two clean pairs of socks, two clean sets of underwear and his dental and shaving paraphernalia. Beverly had changed into a loose outfit that looked almost like pajamas, immediately upon arriving home. Her sister was dressed similarly. It was the complete opposite of how they had been dressed when they had visited him in the hospital. Bob had been busy playing card and board games with Beverly’s twins ever since he and Beverly had arrived. He became so absorbed in the games, he forgot where he was. Before he knew it, supper was on the table. The meal consisted of small portions of prime rib, baked potatoes, fresh corn, green beans and fresh rolls, with tea, coffee, soda, and water to drink. He tried to estimate how much this spread must have cost and the number he arrived at was almost as much as he made in a week. The fresh vegetables had cost a small fortune. Mars colonies made extensive use of hydroponically cultivated vegetables, but they were hideously expensive. The prime rib was imported from Earth; it was even more expensive than the vegetables. Any of these items could be bought as freeze dried consumables, which were much cheaper to obtain. The meal was a quiet affair with small talk. Bob steered the conversation so that he learned a lot about Beverly, her sister, and the twins. During the conversation, there were little things that let Bob know that he was definitely smitten by Beverly. ****************************** Beverly insisted that Bob help tuck the twins in for the night. They both hugged his neck and kissed him on the cheek. The feelings he experienced for them set him up for what was to come. He was experiencing vivid memories of the last time he had tucked in his own daughter. He wanted to hug these girls and protect them so much. He had been a very good father, and these traits were coming to the surface of his psyche. Both Beverly and Doris noticed as much. ****************************** Doris excused herself and said she was going to bed. She explained that tomorrow she and Beverly were taking the twins to the small zoo over in the Big Dome. ****************************** Beverly was reaching up to get the espresso out of the cupboard. Bob stepped close behind her and encircled her with his arms. Beverly stiffened for a moment, but instead of saying anything, she nestled back against Bob’s belly and chest. He closed his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. She took his left hand and placed it under the bottom part of her loose top. Bob found himself feeling her smooth, warm midriff. There was a hardness that bespoke of well-toned muscles. “That feels good,” she breathed, “rub it a bit higher up.” Bob followed her instructions and his fingers brushed her bare breast. “Just a bit higher,” she insisted. Bob was nibbling her neck and ear. When he moved his hand higher, he found that he was massaging her right breast. He squeezed very gently. Her intake of breath told him he was doing it right. She pushed his right hand down below the waistband of her pajama bottom. “Rub lower down,” she hissed through gritted teeth. Bob followed her instructions and was rubbing the lower part of her belly and the top of her pubis. Beverly pushed back against him very hard and hissed, “Lower, much lower.” Bob pushed his hand down into her crotch and was surprised by another sharp intake of breath. He could feel her elevated pulse as he kissed her neck. Beverly thrust her pelvis forward to push against his hand. Bob couldn’t believe this was the same Beverly Wiseman he knew from the office. Beverly twisted in his arms and kissed him on the mouth. All Bob could think of was she tasted wonderful. She pulled away from the kiss and whispered, “Not in here, the twins might get up; in the bedroom.” ****************************** “Mommy! It’s time to get up. Aunt D’ is making breakfast!” Bob opened one eye and was greeted by the sight of one of the twins standing next to her mother’s side of the bed. His other eye couldn’t see anything. Beverly’s hair obscured his vision and his nose was nestled in that same head of hair. She smelled very sensual to him. Turning her head enough to see her daughter, she said, “Tell D’ we’ll be out in a few minutes, honey.” The child left the bedroom and pulled the door shut behind her. Bob realized that he and Beverly were a tangle of legs and arms. A tangle he wasn’t in any hurry to undo. “Do we have time for a quickie?” asked Bob. In response, Beverly disentangled herself and slid astride him in one smooth motion. She guided him in and said, “Long enough.” ****************************** Thirty minutes later, the smell of cooking bacon and eggs drove Bob and Beverly out of bed and into a quick shower. As they sat down, Doris set a plate of hot toast in the middle of the table. “Dig in, guys, before it gets cold.” Once again, Bob tried to estimate how much a meal like this might cost. All he could conclude was it wouldn’t be cheap. “A penny for your thoughts, Bob,” said Doris. “How can you afford the meal last night and a breakfast like this? They have to be horrendously expensive; bacon, fresh eggs, fresh potatoes for hash browns. Last night we had prime rib and fresh vegetables.” “It’s not a real secret, Bob,” said Beverly. “After Daniel’s death, I used the insurance money and made some investments in farming concerns. I pay a fixed price and I get more than enough produce for our needs. I own part of the farm units; so, I get part of my money back when profits are distributed. We have hired personnel that work the farm units. They are paid a salary; they also get what their immediate family needs from the produce harvested. Any excess produce is sold at going market rates, and that brings in a tidy sum, and they also share in the profits. Due to the prevailing tax laws, I’ve made it a practice to reinvest all of my profits. That’s how I managed to buy half interest in this building. I live here rent-free and I collect part of the profits from the renters. Needless to say, I also invest that.” Bob smiled. “You, a non-Marsie, despite being discriminated against, are doing quite well. I approve, heartily. I knew you had a really positive attitude, I just never realized how positive.” “You can’t win if you don’t play the game,” replied Doris. “How about you? You don’t work.” “Not true, Bob. She takes care of the twins and home schools them. She gets paid for that and she has been investing it. We may not have fancy clothes and don’t go to any expensive restaurants or stuff like that, but we’re a long way from being on welfare,” noted Beverly. “You might check the tax laws I mentioned. If we take any profits from any of the investments, we have to pay an eighty percent penalty tax and then they would tax what’s left at the non- citizen income tax rates.” “Non-resident rates? Penalty tax? asked Bob. “After the civil war, Mars administration enacted some very harsh fiscal measures intended to exact retribution on Earthers and their ill-gotten gains. I was able to take advantage of some terrific investment opportunities, but I don’t dare sell any of them. That’s why I invest as much of my pay as possible. The part that I invest in Mars companies isn’t considered taxable income, until I sell whatever I invest in. “When do we leave for the zoo?” asked Bob, changing the subject. “You want to go?” asked Doris. “Yes. I want to spend the day with you two and the twins.” ****************************** On Glenthor: Jason rested his head on Emily’s pubic mound. She had convinced him that his fears were caused by lack of context as it concerned her actions against the psi cop she had almost killed. He was feeling very tired and dozed off to sleep. Emily waited until Jason’s breathing became deep and regular, then she began to let him experience what she had experienced during the corps’ attempts to use her in their genetics program for breeding better telepaths. Jason found himself looking at a non-descript man in his middle forties. He realized that he was experiencing feelings and sensations that were totally alien to him. The man advanced on him and he could feel the strong thought/emotion of lust emanating from the man’s mind. He found himself looking into the man’s mind and finding what he saw as a switch, which he quickly turned off. Immediately, the lust disappeared from the man’s mind. The man looked at Jason with a confused expression on his face. Jason had no idea what was transpiring. These images continued several more times with different men in each situation. Finally, a man approached Jason with a hypodermic syringe. He was accompanied by three burly assistants who wearing lab coats. The three men held Jason down while the fourth stuck him with the syringe and pumped its contents into his left buttock. “Let her up. It’ll take about six hours for the drugs to kick in. She’ll be much more compliant then.” Before the men could leave the room, Jason mentally struck out at them. All four collapsed. A few minutes later, someone opened the door and threw what appeared to be a small smoke bomb into the room. Jason lost consciousness almost immediately. When Jason regained consciousness, he was alone in the room. He was groggy and he had a splitting headache. A man wearing a lab coat entered the room and looked at Jason. “How do you feel? The gas leaves one with a terrible headache. Don’t bother to try to scan me. The sleepers have done their job. You’ll be a little easier to handle now.” Jason just looked back at the man and remained silent. He realized that saying anything would be a waste of breath. He made a note of the man’s distinguishing features for future reference. Over a period of time, Jason managed to get his dosage of sleeper drugs reduced by carefully manipulating the minds of the low level technicians who administered them. After a while, he was only taking enough of the drug to register on the blood tests. He kept his psi abilities under iron control, hoping for a chance to escape. The chance never came, but his efforts paid off in a way he never imagined. Jason suffered through being raped and took drugs to terminate the pregnancies. It was the last experience, the one with the psi cop that tore him apart. The psi cop, dressed up like a ‘Hell’s Angels’ biker complete with heavy leather jacket, gloves and steel-toed engineer boots came into his bedroom. He sensed something different about this person. Without any warning, the psi cop punched Jason in the face, breaking his nose and fracturing his left cheekbone. The leather gloves obviously had something sewn in across the knuckles. A backhand broke his right jaw and sent him backpedaling across the room. He slumped to the floor. The psi cop immediately kicked him in the ribs; he felt at least two of them break. The psi cop rained a number of kicks into his ribs and stomach area. He even managed to kick Jason in the back twice. Jason tried to scramble for his life. He had been able to see that his attacker was intent on killing him in as painful manner as possible. Jason was jerked to his feet. The psi cop held him upright while he rained blows to Jason’s stomach and ribs. Finally he dropped Jason to the floor and kicked him in the left temple, fracturing his skull. Jason finally accepted that he was about to be murdered and lashed out at his attacker the only way he knew how. He smashed the attackers mind with as strong a mind-blast as he could muster. He saw his antagonist fall to the floor, ripped into small pieces. He became violently ill. Emily released Jason’s mind. He awoke choking on his own vomit. He managed to get up and run to the bathroom. Emily could hear his violent vomiting. It went on until he had nothing left in his stomach to vomit up. Groaning, he slowly cleaned himself and the bathroom of the results of his being sick. In the interim, Emily had gone to her private bathroom and vomited her supper and what was left of her lunch. The images and emotions that she had shared with Jason left her exhausted and depressed. ***************************** On Earth: “I understand, General Sanchez,” said Major Brown. “I know killing General Wayne won’t improve our position, but what if we could take out her and President Luchenko at the same time?” “Okay, major. Do what you will, but if you get your ass in a sling, I won’t lift a finger to help you. I think your obsession with General Wayne and her husband will get you killed before things are over and done. As far as I’m concerned, Susan and Charles Wayne are a non-issue. They are off my hit list. Whatever you have planned, keep the department out of it.” “You have my word on it, General Sanchez.” Sanchez was realizing that Major Brown had become a real liability. He couldn’t let go of Susan Wayne and her husband. It had been a fatal mistake trying to kill her husband. Susan wouldn’t quit until she had destroyed them, and he couldn’t think of any effective way to derail her, except kill her and she had already proven that would be very difficult to do. Now, he had a former psi cop explaining why killing her and her husband wouldn’t do them any good. He wished to hell he could turn the clock back, but that wasn’t going to happen. ****************************** On Ghor: Whitestars 71, 44 and 65 arrived on schedule. Ambassador Kolun notified IA headquarters of their arrival. He was surprised when Delenn showed up on his receiver screen. “How may I be of service, Entil’zha?” “Is Lyta Alexander still on the planet?” “As far as I know, she is still doing some work with the local laboratory. I’ll have to check to be sure.” “If she is, set up a meeting between the whitestar commanders and her. A dinner will probably work just fine.” “Is there anything in particular you are expecting?” “It’s a test, Kolun. I’m not satisfied with our choice for commander of one the whitestars that just arrived there.” “Whitestar 71 is commanded by Sheraun. He’s a very senior Shai Alyt. Surely you don’t have doubts about him.” “Just give me a report of what happens when they meet Lyta.” “As you wish, Entil’zha.” ****************************** To say the least, Lyta was a bit confused at the dinner invitation from Ambassador Kolun. She knew there was no way that she was on his normal guest list. To the best of her knowledge, the only lists she was on would be various hit lists and lists of people who would be better off in hell. She accepted the invitation. ****************************** Lyta showed up at the front entrance of the Minbari embassy. The guard admitted her and she walked to the embassy’s main business foyer. She was greeted by the ambassador’s assistant and shown to the dining room. There were several local dignitaries there and the ambassadors and their assistants from a number of Interstellar Alliance worlds. Lyta looked them over and realized that she recognized several of them. It was apparent that they didn’t remember her; so, she kept to herself. She was dressed in a plain black outfit consisting of shoes, pants, shirt and black leather vest. Amongst the other guests, she stood out like a black wraith in a field of white mass of people. Ambassador Kolun approached her. “I’m so pleased that you could come tonight, Lyta.” “Why? I don’t belong with these people, ambassador. Everyone else present here is in some way attached to someone’s diplomatic service.” “I was under the impression that you were a formally credentialed member of the Glenthorian diplomatic service.” “It’s only for convenience, ambassador. It makes some of my travels a bit less sticky.” “You represent trade organizations for the planet’s businesses and you do take part in their trade negotiations. That makes you a de facto member of their diplomatic service.” “If you say so.” “You are working with the members of the laboratory team that has been established by the local planetary government, are you not?” “Only on a very limited basis.” Kolun searched Lyta’s face for clues, but he found none. The work she was doing with the locals was very important. He knew that in the end, it was the results of this work and other data that would decide the ultimate fate of the modified Slorians. Anytime you were being put into a position of exterminating a sentient species from the galaxy, it was damned important. ****************************** Lyta listened to Jerl Sthul and watched the Narn ambassador conversing with a Drazi. He wasn’t an ambassador, but he was the head of the local Drazi trade delegation. “Those two seem to be discussing something important,” said Lyta. “Sometimes it seems that the various ambassadors and charges d’ affaires do more business with one another than they do with us; not that I’m complaining. Some of the representatives seem to have a proclivity for being loud and obnoxious.” “You mean like the Centauri ambassador?” “Especially him.” Lyta chuckled to herself. In her mind, Jerl was definitely okay. He was excruciatingly honest. ****************************** Shai Alyt Sheraun looked at his subordinates; Jorge Defoe, Alyt of Whitestar 44 and Morel of the Windstar clan, Alyt of Whitestar 87. “We were invited to this dinner to meet with someone who can give us more insight into our cargo. I don’t know why the ambassador insisted on doing things this way. Hopefully, he will explain things when we arrive. It is important that we comport ourselves in a manner befitting the Anla’shok and the Interstellar Alliance.” The remainder of their trip from Whitestar 71 to the Minbari embassy was spent in silence. It wasn’t until they actually were escorted into the public room adjacent to the dining room that things went awry. They entered the room and looked around at the various guests. Sheraun felt out of place, but he had attended enough of these functions to bluff his way through it. His subordinates weren’t experienced in the expected protocols at all. Sheraun was looking for the Minbari ambassador when his gaze fell upon someone dressed in black and sporting a head of bright red-orange hair. The clothing and hair could only belong to one person. They had been chastised to stay as far away from her as possible. He didn’t like this situation. Something was amiss, but he simply had no idea what it could be. Then it dawned on him that this was a setup; probably being done at Delenn’s insistence. He would ignore Lyta. Those were his orders, and he would damn well carry them out, without regard for his personal feelings. Lyta looked across the room and spotted Sheraun. He couldn’t miss the genuine smile that appeared on her face; neither did his fellow commanders. Alyt Jorge Defoe demanded, “Who is she smiling at? What is she doing here?” Alyt Morel replied, “I think she is smiling at Sheraun.” Both men looked at Sheraun. The expression on his face was one of extreme discomfort. Ambassador Kolun observed the arrival of the three whitestar commanders. He also observed their reactions to Lyta. The smile she flashed at the three men got him to wondering. He decided to introduce them and see what happened. Crossing the room, he took Lyta by the elbow and guided her toward the three Anla’shok commanders. She didn’t comment or offer any resistance. “I’m glad you gentlemen could come tonight. I would like to introduce you to the person responsible for you being sent to Ghor. She provided us with the load of material you will be transporting back to Minbar.” If anything, Lyta’s apparent pleasure at being introduced increased. She appeared genuinely happy. This wasn’t lost on the three men. Sheraun realized that Lyta was not aware that they had been told to avoid her at all costs. If she were, she wouldn’t look so pleased. “Sheraun, I’m pleased to see you. I never expected Delenn would send you all the way out here just to transport some cargo back to Anla’shok headquarters.” “You two know one another?” asked Kolun. “Miss Alexander and I have met on several occasions, ambassador,” replied Sheraun very formally. His response caught Lyta by surprise. Even though he didn’t know it, their activities lead to her being pregnant. [I thought there was something between us. Obviously, I was mistaken,] she thought to herself. [I wonder what he would say if he knew I was carrying his child?] Outwardly, she never changed her very pleasant expression. Kolun introduced the other two men. Both looked uncomfortable, but Morel seemed the least concerned. Immediately after the introductions, he excused himself and disappeared toward the hors d’oeuvres and drinks tables. Looking at Sheraun, he asked, “Exactly how did you meet?” “In truth, ambassador, I met Sheraun a few years ago. It was an embarrassing situation. I’m sure he would rather I not go into details. We have run into one another several times since then; the latest being on Babylon 5. I was attending a function and President Sheridan dragged him to the event. The President was unaware that his wife, Delenn, had dragged me to the same event. It was a somewhat embarrassing situation. Needless to say, there was a misunderstanding between the two of us. Apparently, there still is; so, I think it would be better if Shai Alyt Sheraun and I avoided one another.” “Miss Alexander, might I have a few minutes of your time,” asked Alyt Defoe. Smiling at him, she replied, “Of course.” Lyta didn’t see the look of intense disapproval Sheraun gave Defoe after her back was turned. She and Defoe walked away from Sheraun and Ambassador Kolun. After Lyta walked away with Defoe, Kolun looked at Sheraun and said, “I have you and your comrades sitting with her at the dinner table.” Sheraun looked very irritated. Lyta would never scan him; so, he knew that she was unaware of his real feelings. He also believed that Ambassador Kolun had no clue to what was transpiring. He couldn’t help wondering exactly what Delenn was trying to accomplish with this subterfuge. If she was testing him, he was going to let her know exactly what he thought of the situation when he returned to Minbar; his position be damned, if necessary. Kolun couldn’t read minds, but he didn’t have to in order to realize there was something between Sheraun and Lyta. He would bet a fistful of credits that it had nothing to do with embarrassing situations. There was a fire between the two of them. It wasn’t unheard of for Human and Minbari rangers to form relationships, but Sheraun wasn’t just any ranger, and Lyta wasn’t just any Human. ****************************** Defoe had Lyta alone. She had dropped any pretense of smiling. “What do you want Alyt Defoe?” “There is an outstanding warrant for your arrest on terrorism charges issued by the Earth Alliance.” “So?” “I’m going to arrange for your arrest and transport back to Minbar for further transfer to Earth Alliance custody.” “There is an Earth Alliance ambassador present here tonight. If arresting me and turning me over to the EA is what you want to do, there is no reason to take me back to Minbar; unless, you think you can make points with Delenn and increase your stature within the Anla’shok. You do whatever you think is right; I won’t resist. However, I do promise that you will not like what happens as a result of your actions.” “That sounds like a threat.” Lyta smiled, “I never make threats. Just for the record, do you know that I’m a diplomat?” “You weren’t a diplomat when you committed your crimes on Earth.” [Idiot!] thought Lyta to herself. ****************************** Lyta made her way to the hors d’oeuvres and drinks tables. She had decided on a small cup of coffee. “That’s a potent drink, Miss Alexander.” Lyta looked to see who had addressed her. It was Alyt Morel. “It’s only coffee, Alyt Morel, but it is excellent.” “The caffeine gives a Minbari a rather strong hit. It’s somewhat akin to a Human taking a dose of stims, without the nasty side effects.” “Looks like I learned something new today.” “I noticed that Alyt Defoe was talking to you. I’m not sure if it’s my place, but I think you should know that Entil’zha Delenn ordered us, Shai Alyt Sheraun, Alyt Defoe and me to stay as far away from you as possible. She showed us videos of an island being destroyed on Slor and said you did it. I think she was trying to emphasize how dangerous you are.” “Really.” From across the room, Sheraun noted that Alyt Morel was engaging Lyta in conversation, in spite of being warned to avoid her at all costs. He also noted that Lyta was smiling as they talked. At this point, he was sure that Delenn’s orders were intended to make sure that he and Lyta did not get together again. Considering Delenn’s apparent pleasure and best wishes at the relationship they were developing on Babylon 5, he was absolutely and totally confused. He was forced to believe Delenn had, for some unknown reason, changed her mind. “A credit for your thoughts, Shai Alyt,” commented a slender middle-aged male. “You have me at a disadvantage, sir,” responded Sheraun. “Alec Hahn, Earth Alliance Ambassador to Glenthor; that’s a mouthful, but it only means I’m in charge of our quite minor embassy on the planet. My staff and I only number ten persons, and that includes the janitor and secretaries.” “Pleased to meet you, sir. I’m Shai Alyt Sheraun, I command one of the whitestars presently in orbit above the planet.” “You are Anla’shok. I’ve heard a great deal about your organization, but have had no first-hand experience with it.” “Think of us as a sort of police force. We primarily patrol the Interstellar Alliance members’ space to hopefully reduce the likelihood of war between those same members. We believe that having outsiders watching will cause most members to play by the rules.” “Interesting concept, Shai Alyt Sheraun. I’ll assume that it’s working, since I haven’t heard about any wars between the member cultures.” “You do know that the soldier is the last person who wants real combat, if it can be avoided.” “True. ****************************** Sheraun was seated to Lyta’s right; Morel and Defoe were seated to her left in that order. He was very uncomfortable. As long as he didn’t have to be physically close to her, carrying out Delenn’s orders was easy. Lyta looked at him and smiled, but said nothing. Since Morel had explained things, she didn’t see any gain in what would amount to harassing Sheraun. Ambassador Kolun stood up at the head of the table and started to speak. “I thank all of you for coming tonight. The Earth Alliance ambassador has informed me that today is the day Humans celebrate their holiday known as Christmas. So, I’ll start by wishing everyone Merry Christmas. As most of you know, the other planet in this solar system, known to the locals as Slor, harbors a reptilian life form that seems to be badly developed. They have modern weapons and no apparent conscience. They have been launching unsophisticated suicide attacks on Ghor for some years. This stopped when the Interstellar Alliance accepted Ghor as a new member and we quarantined the planet. Recently, we became aware of new development in the Slorians, absent a better name, weapons program. It seems that they have made an unexplained leap forward in the development of energy beam and particle beam weapons. Fortunately, they do not have a means of deploying these weapons into space – at least not at present. We have had the good fortune to come into the programs and data files that were developed and used in the genetic manipulation of the Slorians. The Ghorian government has managed to obtain about fifty metric tons of myriad samples of plant and animal DNA from Slor, including live Slorians, both genetically modified and non-modified. The Interstellar Alliance is going to supply computers, programmers, and other technical specialists to assist the Ghorians in their efforts to develop databases from those materials. The live Slorians should, with the help of telepaths, permit us to learn a great deal about sociological development from a genetics evolution perspective. All of this is possible due to the efforts of one of tonight’s guests, Miss Lyta Alexander.” Sheraun looked at Lyta, confusion written all over his facial expression. If he was confused before, he was really lost now. Delenn’s orders made no sense at all now. Lyta was watching Ambassador Kolun. She had not expected anything like this. At his behest, she stood up for a few seconds so the other guests could see who she was. Defoe was now more determined than ever to arrest Lyta and turn her over to the Earth Alliance authorities ****************************** As promised, Alyt Defoe quietly arrested Lyta and transported her to his ship He locked her in a storage compartment and gave her a bucket to use as a bathroom facility. All during her experiences, she never said a word. She had remained silent even when Alyt Defoe had asked her questions. This had angered him, but there was nothing he could do about it. During their return to Minbar, he visited her daily to gloat over the ease with which she had been arrested and incarcerated. Since he wasn’t present when she was fed, nor when her facilities bucket was emptied, and he never received any indication that anything was awry, he wasn’t aware that she never ate and that the bucket was never used. ****************************** Maya’s schooling was going very well. She was the most well behaved student in her school. Everything was going fine until a member of the Glenthorian Planetary Intelligence Ministry seized Maya’s computer. The seizure had angered the school headmaster, but there was nothing he could do about it. He tried to call Lyta, but she was not available; however, her household manager took all the pertinent information and promised to notify Lyta. Lyta had received the information concerning Maya’s difficulty and made a call to Ambassador Rohe Hental and explained the situation. ****************************** Ambassador Rohe Hental listened very carefully to what Lyta was saying. The situation was one he would rather not get involved with, but if he didn’t, Lyta would most likely take it upon herself to solve the problem. No one in his right mind wanted the headache that would generate. Hental looked at the image of Colonel-General Rokr Deykor. “I’m sorry to bother you colonel-general, but I seem to have a problem, and I think you may be able to help me solve it.” Deykor knew he wasn’t going to like this conversation. “How can I help you, ambassador?” “It seems that someone in your department has seized a laptop computer from an alien female child – the daughter of Lyta Alexander to be exact. I understand that Lyta left the computer and a number of data crystals for her daughter to study and be tested on before she recently left the planet on Interstellar Alliance business. A Senior Major Handfe Gorth was the agent who seized the property.” “Exactly what do you need from me?” “The computer should be returned immediately, an apology made to the child, and the school headmaster, and the person responsible for what this fiasco might become should be put somewhere where they can’t make these types of errors in the future.” “You ask much, ambassador.” “Yes, I do. If you find this matter too distasteful, I’ll notify Miss Alexander that she will have to resolve the matter personally. For what it’s worth, that would not be pleasant.” Deykor knew very well who Lyta Alexander was and how much clout she wielded. He definitely did not want to be on the receiving end of her wrath. People she called friends could and would make you go away permanently. “I’ll handle if forthwith, ambassador. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.” ****************************** Senior Major Handfe Gorth sat behind his desk and looked at the small rectangular box that was Maya Alexander’s laptop computer. He was a picture of frustration. He had seized the computer because he had been informed that a student at Hilkfordt Social School had was using a computer that was at least ten generations ahead of anything to which he had access. He had seen the computer and its display in operation just before he seized it. The Human child turned it off, closed its lid, and handed it to him without incident. She even smiled at him as she handed it to him. He was beginning to understand why she smiled throughout the whole scene. He picked it up again and turned it first one direction then another. He couldn’t find a seam where he knew the lid made contact with the body of the unit. It had no power connection, nor any obvious connection ports that would allow it to be used with separate peripherals. They had tried x-raying it, but the x-rays wouldn’t penetrate the body of the unit. At this point, he didn’t have any idea about how to proceed. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. His intercom unit buzzed. He was informed that he had a visitor in the person of Colonel-General Rokr Deykor. He wondered what could possibly bring his commanding office down to visit someone at his level in the organization. “Show him in, please.” ****************************** Jason was again sitting with his head resting against Emily’s pubis. The training video had just finished. He had his eyes closed concentrating on the information contained in the video. He smiled to himself. It was getting much easier to assimilate the material in these training videos. Emil could hear his thoughts. She was immensely pleased at the progress Jason was making. In reality, he didn’t need her anymore. There was no valid reason for Lyta not to reassign her when she returned from wherever she had gone. She and Jason had discussed what she had showed him in the thoughts she had shared with him. He no longer feared her. His realization that she was being beaten and kicked to death when she struck down the psi cop had changed his entire perspective of her. He had readily gone back to resting his head on her lower torso when he watched training videos. He still didn’t think of her in sexual terms, but on occasion he would forget himself and rub her inner thighs with his cheeks. On two occasions, he had even kissed her inner thighs. She had said nothing when this occurred. It was then that she realized that she was developing feelings for him – feelings she had no experience with. Emily had told Lyta that she couldn’t ever imagine herself having anything to do with any man. She knew in her heart that she had been mistaken. Jason still hadn’t kissed her on the mouth. In fact, he hadn’t even kissed her at all except for the times he had inadvertently kissed her inner thighs. ****************************** After she shared her memories of Psi Corps with him, she had scanned Jason. She wanted to know how he felt about her, but there was nothing in his conscious thoughts. It had taken her quite a while carefully scanning his subconscious to find what she was looking for. She had been shamed by what she found. Buried in his subconscious mind, were his true feelings for her. They were buried so deep that she didn’t believe he was aware on any level of them, except when he was dreaming in a very deep sleep. Being aware of one of his dreams is what triggered her scans in the first place. His buried feelings featured her, several children, and him. He dreamed of having children with her. His fear of her had caused him to react in a manner that made him relatively safe in her presence. Emily decided to try a direct approach. “Jason can I sleep with you?” Slowly he turned so he could see her face. “I don’t understand?” “I want to sleep with you. Don’t worry, there won’t be any sex.” Jason was confused. “If you want to, we can do that and there won’t be any sex or anything like that. I think you should know, I sleep in the buff.” Emily smiled to herself. Step one was easier than she thought. “So do I.” ****************************** Colonel-General Rokr Deykor took a seat on the other side of Senior Major Handfe Gorth’s desk. He looked at the alien laptop computer. “So this is why I’m getting heat from Ambassador Rohe Hental and company.” “I don’t understand, sir?” “Before you seized this little box, did you bother to check the background of the young Human female who owned it?” “No, sir. I verified my information about its advanced features and took it upon myself to obtain it. I thought it would help us in advancing our own capabilities.” “Have you had any success?” “Not as much as we would have liked. It presents some problems we haven’t encountered before.” “Enlighten me, senior major.” It was an order, not a request. Gorth knew he was in trouble. “We have been unable to open it, colonel-general.” “You can’t even open it? Why not?” Gorth handed him the computer. Deykor turned it over and carefully inspected it, then he handed it back. “Excellent workmanship. I notice it doesn’t appear to have any seams or ports for external connectivity.” “No, sir. It’s also impervious to x-rays.” “Then I suppose you should return it to the Alexander child. I’m assured that she is competent to use it.” “Sir?” “You will personally return this computer to its rightful owner. You will apologize for your unwarranted actions to both her and the headmaster of her school, and anyone else you muscled around during the seizure process. Then you will report to personnel. Am I making myself clear?” “Yes, sir.” “For your information, senior major, the Humans started training some of our personnel in the operations and programming of computers almost as advanced as this one. Part of our security operations, especially those concerning off- world operations, are being integrated with their counter espionage efforts. Their privately held telepath operations personnel are also working with us in these aspects of our operations. You have greatly endangered those relationships. I respect and encourage initiative, senior major, but it has to be tempered with common sense and knowledge of what other operations and programs we have in progress.” Gorth acknowledged the reprimand and knew that his career was dead in the water. He wouldn’t be demoted, but he would be reassigned and would eventually retire at his present rank. Later that same day, Maya’s computer was returned and apologies were made. She smiled at Senior Major Gorth this time, too. ****************************** Alyt Defoe looked at Lyta sitting on the deck of her cell and was pleased with himself. ****************************** END PART 1920