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Title: Center Of Things.Author: Rodlox.
Category: AH -- this is from Gok's list of What-Ifs...number 37..~~~.
AN HOUR LATER, Lyta was sitting back, trying to rest, when "You did well," for once not echoed by Shadow voices.Lyta didn't open her eyes. She knew that voice. "Morden," she said by way of greeting.
"Everyone is pleased in regards to how you handled Mollari's request."
"Pleased or very pleased?" Lyta asked. "Though he didn't speak the request aloud."
"You detected a request, which makes it valid," Morden said. Lyta was sure he was a lawyer...if not before he'd met the Shadows, then at least now.
Lyta grumbled.
"Something the matter?" Morden asked in that perpetual tone.
Opening her eyes, "I'm fufilling my side of the bargain," Lyta said. "And the reciprocity I was promised...is not entirely what I had been contemplating." True, the PsiCorp offices on Mars and the outer colonies had been sliced to ribbons. But the offices on Earth were still there and functioning normally.
Hell, there was still a PsiCorp at all!
Morden just said, "Patience." He didn't smile.
_"What do you want?"_ Morden had asked her.
It hadn't taken much for Lyta to lash out with, _"I want them to know what I've gone through. I want them to know hardship."_ Followed shortly by _"I want the Corp to be extinguished."_
"How much longer?" Lyta asked.
"Things are moving into place. Don't worry."
It had taken months for her to learn even that her employers -- associates -- had been planning for a thousand years. Though her time spent confined by EarthGov had taught her patience, Lyta didn't think she was *that* patient.
The hiss-like voice of one of their associates echoed through the room. Morden had been summoned. So he headed for the room's door, which opened soundlessly.
"Morden?" Lyta asked.
He stopped. "Yes?" he asked. "What did you ask for?"
Morden considered, debated whether or not to tell her. She was like him -- the same appointed task, in the same situation with regards to the Universe, the same nearly-anonamous questioner. "The health of my wife," he said at last.
~~~.
MEANWHILES...Zack Allan walked into MedLab. Garibaldi had sent him down here because Garibaldi was busy with other things at the moment. "Got any news, doc?" Zack asked.
"Well, the Gaim's on life-support for now," Franklin said. "Luckily, it had enough experience in being able to hold its breath. I think the Gaim ambassador said that the wounded one was a champion medalist back on their homeworld.
"The Pak'ma'ra, on the other hand," said Franklin, "mostly just has internal and external bruises. Granted, some of them are more sensitive than others, but I'd say she's going to survive."
"And ambassador G'kar?" Zack asked.
"We can only wait and see," Franklin replied. "We had to amputate one of his pouches, but no other major surgery was required. Unfortunately, it was the loss of vital fluids that's made him touch- and-go." He paused. "I don't envy the Captain if he has to break the news to Narn."
Zack nodded.
"So, is there a suspect yet?"
Zack shook his head. "Nothing substantial yet. We've poured," figuratively, "over the security cameras of the corridor.
"And...?"
There was one detail which niggled at the mind of Mr. Allan - that he recognized someone on the security footage. Someone he'd heard was still on the station now and again, but he'd not seen her . . . since she showed up at his door.
Lyta Alexander.
According to station records, Lyta was a telepath. And she was in the area.
Coincidence? Cause and effect?
Zack didn't like the chances; and he knew he was going to have to try and find her. And ask her.
~~~.
tbc.