Address criticisms to [xazqrten@cox.net]
******************************
In Delenn's office on Minbar:
Delenn looked up from her desk as the old Minbari entered her office and
stopped in front of her desk. "Good morning, Shei' et stel Macel. How may I be
of service?" Inquired the vice-president of the Interstellar Alliance.
"You are going to Earth to present a medal and convey the appreciation of
the Grey Council to General Susan Ivanova of the Earthforce," he stated the
idea as fact.
"Your information is correct. I ask again, how may I help you?"
"I have served as the master trainer of the Anla'shok for eight cycles now.
I want to observe the general using a denn'bok. I believe she would be a very
worthy pupil for me, if she can be convinced to allow it."
"Shei' et stel, she is a human. Your family and clan would protest greatly
at such an occurrence. Anyway, why are you interested in her? She is forty
earth years old, and she is pregnant."
"Have you viewed the recording of the fight she was involved in on the
Valen's Path an hour or so before she engaged it in combat?"
"No, but I fail to see the relevance."
"I have a recording of the event in question. I think you will find it
enlightening and interesting. If President Sheridan is in his office, maybe
you should invite him to watch."
Three minutes later, John Sheridan entered Delenn's office. "What is this
that you think I should see, Delenn?" asked John.
"Shei' et stel Macel, it is your show," stated Delenn.
The old Minbari handed Delenn a data crystal. "If you will play this, my
request will be explained."
Delenn started the data crystal playing and the image appeared on the wall
size display that took up the right side of her office. The images and sounds
played themselves out. It ended after the Valen's Way's captain had made his
rant that somehow Ivanova must have cheated.
John and Delenn looked at Macel. "So Susan beat him? I still don't see your
interest," said John.
"The young man she beat used to be a student of mine. I dismissed him
because his attitude became unacceptable to me. However, he was very good with
the denn'bok. She didn't just beat him. She did it with his own weapon, after
she took it from him. She isn't polished by any means, but she is exceptionally
effective and efficient. I'm glad it wasn't me in the demonstration. I think
she would have humbled me, and it would have been very embarrassing. I've never
seen moves like those she used. It should be evident to anyone seeing this
recording that she has made a thorough study of weapons, and their strengths
and weaknesses. I think she has much to teach me, maybe as much as I have to
teach her. Certainly, her knowledge would greatly enhance the effectiveness of
our Anla'shok personnel."
John looked at Delenn. "He does have a good point, and we are going to
Earth anyway. I'm just glad she's a friend. I don't think I'd want her as an
enemy."
"I'll inform you of our leave schedule, Shei' et stel Macel," said Delenn.
"I don't make any promises about Susan's cooperation."
"That's all I ask," he responded.
******************************
In President Luchenko's office, two weeks into Ivanova's vacation:
"Are the preparations for the dinner completed?" asked President
Luchenko.
Her aide, Jerome Gilliard, answered, "Yes, Ma'am. You also have a lunch
appointment with the Minbari ambassador week after next. I understand that IA
President John Sheridan and his wife, Delenn, will also be present. It seems
that he decided to present the IA's award to General Ivanova, while Delenn does
the honors for the Minbari government."
"I'm looking forward to seeing them in something besides my official
capacity."
"Are you sure President Sheridan harbors no ill will about being forced
to resign his commission?"
"Not really, but he would have had to resign in any event to become
President of the IA. This way he guaranteed that none of his followers could
be prosecuted for their actions under his leadership during the civil war. It
was a very smart move on his part, and it also solved a problem I was facing
with a large part of the Earthforce officer corps."
******************************
On a small island in the South Pacific Ocean:
Charley awakened to a weight on top of him. This had been the morning
scenario for the entire time they had been here on the island. His mouth was
full of tongue, and his body was reacting to the stimulation his wife was
supplying in unlimited quantity and with great enthusiasm. He tried to will
his body to not respond, but it was a completely wasted effort. She shifted
her weight around until she had what she wanted. Feeling her emotions starting
to wash over him, Charley responded in kind and started thrusting against her.
When it was over, he felt like a badly used wet rag, limp and useless.
It was three weeks since Susan and Charlie Wayne had begun their honeymoon.
They had been notified half way through their second week that her leave was
being extended another week. Charley had been devastated by the news. He loved
Susan with all his heart and soul, but she was killing him. Fortunately, they
were leaving in the morning. He wasn't sure he could survive much more of this
almost constant sex.
Susan was humming to herself as she came out of the shower. She entered
their bedroom and said, "The water is waiting, Charley. You look wasted,
sweetheart."
"It's your fault. A man's endurance has limits, and you have abused mine
without an afterthought," he responded.
"Whatever I've abused, it wasn't your limitations. If you couldn't have
responded, I would've had to quit. That I didn't, speaks well of you,
Sweetheart."
******************************
In Leftcourt's office in Earthdome:
"How was the vacation, Susan?"
"Charley survived to love another day. It was wonderful, general. I had
forgotten how to just turn loose and enjoy myself."
"Now comes the work part. The President has scheduled a state dinner in
your honor. It will be held Friday night. That gives you a full four days to
get ready."
"A state dinner for me? That smells, general."
"It's to be a state dinner and an awards ceremony. It will feature you,
Doctor Harris and a few others. Your crew has already received their
commendations, meritorious promotions, medals and such. Because of the parts
you and several others played and the way you did it, well, President Luchenko
thinks it merits more than just a standard awards program."
"I should have figured she would find some way of grabbing the spotlight
out of the situation. It goes with the territory, I suppose."
"Now, that's a response I wouldn't have gotten out of you two months ago."
Looking much older than she had a few months ago, Susan replied, "A lot has
happened since then, general. Now my major worry is the Arkland's lawsuit. That
hasn't gone away by any means."
"We have a good handle on the lawsuit. Charges have been specified and
Lieutenant Arkland is scheduled for courts martial six weeks from now. That
will be done and over with before your trial begins. General Marsh and your
civilian lawyer, Mister White, have assured me that when they get finished
with the Arklands in court, they will regret ever having heard of you. It
seems that some very powerful people are in your corner. I don't know who they
are, but some of the information finding its way into Mister White's hands is
incredible. I’ll leave it to them to tell you about it. They may not tell
you much at all. It’ll keep your hands clean."
"I'll take your word for that, general. Now what can I do that's useful
around here until I leave for 'pork chop' school."
"You can review the data in the reports of the Mars' fiasco. Since you were
responsible for most of it, you're the best one to review it. See my aide
outside. He'll make space and personnel available to you. I assume you’re
staying in the senior officer suite in the 'Q'. Do you need a car?"
"No, sir, general. The base taxi seems to be adequate, besides, I don't know
how to drive a car. Starships, no problem. Cars, big problem."
"Then, I’ll see you at the state dinner. Dismissed."
"Yes, sir, general."
Before she could leave his office, Leftcourt added, "I forgot to tell you,
the car comes with a driver."
Susan didn't answer as she walked out.
He wondered how long it take for her to start acting like the typical flag
officer, then it occurred to him that she would probably be one of the very
few who never fell into that mode of operation.
******************************
Thursday Morning in Ivanova's temporary Office:
Susan had been working at reviewing the data in the reports concerning the
Mars' Incident as it was now being called. She was finding that reviewing it
was many times harder than fighting it. Her concentration was broken by her
assistant announcing the aide to the Minbari ambassador. The young Minbari
male came into her office and stopped in front of her desk.
"How may I be of service?" asked Susan.
"The ambassador requests your presence at a denn'bok demonstration that is
to be held this afternoon on the embassy premises. She requests that you bring
appropriate clothing."
"Does she want me to fight someone?" asked Susan with a puzzled expression
on her face.
"It is to be a demonstration only. One of our revered teachers will be
there. He is interested in all manner of personal combat, but he is a very
senior master of the denn'bok. It is reputed that he is the best on Minbar. No
one publicly disputes it."
"Tell the ambassador that I will be there. What time is this thing taking
place?"
"It is to be at 1300 hours local time. I'm sure the ambassador will be
pleased with your acceptance of her invitation."
The aide had barely left her office before Susan called Leftcourt and
informed him of the invitation. He wished her well, and told her to let him
know the outcome.
******************************
Susan arrived at the gate to the Minbari embassy at 1230 hours. The guard
checked her identi-card and called for an escort for her. He didn't fail to
notice that she wore a denn'bok holder on her belt. It looked to be made of
plain unadorned leather. Anyone not one knowing what it was would not give it a
second look.
Susan was escorted to a small building that was dedicated to use as a
gymnasium. On the inside it looked like any combination gymnasium/dance floor.
One wall was a giant mirror made up of a number of smaller mirrors mounted
adjacent to one anther. She noted that there were several twosomes engaged in
denn'bok training. Some of them looked to be Anla'shok. She also noticed three
Minbari, two males, one about forty Earth years old and the other very much
older and a female about fifty Earth years of age. She was escorted to the
threesome.
The escort introduced her to the female. "Chief-of-Staff Coller this is
General Susan Ivanova of the Earthforce." The older Minbari studied Susan very
closely. He noted that she was as tall as he was. She was a lithe, slender and
quite beautiful for a female of her age. Actually, he thought, she was
beautiful for someone about half her age. While he didn't desire human females,
he conceded that she was a good specimen.
"Miss Coller," said Susan, giving a small bow of respect, "The ambassador
invited me to a demonstration of denn'bok fighting. However, she never
specified if I was to be an observer or a participant."
The younger of the two males translated her statement into Minbari, listened
to the older man's response, and then said, "You are to be a participant,
general."
"Why?" asked Susan.
After another exchange, the younger man said, "Shei' et stel Macel has
observed a recording of your short match onboard the Valen's Path."
"It wasn't much of a match," said Susan. "The young man I fought had no real
combat experience and was unprepared."
After another round of exchanges, he said, "The shei' et stel finds your
evaluation of your opponent interesting."
"When do we get this demonstration underway?" inquired Susan. "I need a few
minutes to warm up."
"You may change clothes in the locker room at the far end of the gymnasium,
and warm up at that end of the facility. There is a variety of equipment to
facilitate your getting prepared," said Coller.
Gym bag in hand, Susan walked away and toward the locker room door.
"She is arrogant," commented Coller.
"Have you seen the recording of her fight on the Valen's Way?" asked Macel.
"No!" answered the other two Minbari almost in unison.
"I have studied it carefully. She is not being arrogant. She is stating
facts." The other two looked at him with surprise expressed on their faces.
In a few minutes, Susan was busy warming up at the other end of the gym.
Shei' et stel Macel watched her intently. He was impressed with her
flexibility, strength and agility. Ten minutes after she had started her warm-
up, she walked back to where the shei' et stel and his associates were waiting.
"I'm ready," she said.
The younger Minbari male motioned for the Anla'shok personnel to come over
to where he was standing. He proceeded to explain what was desired of them.
Each of them eyed Susan with skepticism, but accepted the assignment. What
followed were six ten-minute sparring matches between Susan and the young men.
The young men were very aggressive in their mock attacks on Susan, but she
managed to counter all of their moves. Never once did she attempt to attack
them. She repeatedly passed up opportunities to inflict damage. By the time she
engaged the sixth opponent, Susan was making blocking the young men's attacks
look easy. Shei' et stel Macel was impressed with her ability to counter all
the young men's moves, but he wanted to see her ability to attack. He was about
to spar with her himself when his male associate volunteered that maybe his
nephew, who had been standing off to one side by himself observing the sparring
matches, would be able to get a better response out of the general than had the
Anla'shok personnel. Shei' et stel Macel acceded to the match.
******************************
In the room behind the gym's wall mirrors:
"Is this why you scheduled this lunch, Ambassador Lauren? To watch General
Ivanova work out with some of your rangers?" inquired EA President Luchenko.
"It was one of the reasons. I thought you might like to see what Shei' et
stel Macel found so interesting. In addition, I thought the opportunity to
meet with and talk with the IA president and vice-president without the press
or anyone else 'dogging' your presence would be appreciated," responded the
ambassador.
"We've spent an hour watching the general exercise with your personnel,
Delenn. Let's get down to business," stated Luchenko.
"You observe, Madam President, but you do not see," replied Delenn.
"See what?"
"What she means, President Luchenko," said John Sheridan, "Is that Susan
has stymied six of our best rangers over the period of about an hour and made
it look easy. Shei' et stel Macel is wanting to take her on as a student. He
believes that she has much to teach in the art of self-defense and close order
combat."
"As long as it doesn't interfere with her military duties, I don't suppose
I have any reason to object. Who is the Minbari fellow she is lining up to
spar with now. I thought the sparring was finished."
"It is supposed to be, Madam President," stated Delenn. "I imagine that
Shei' et stel Macel has something special planned."
Without fanfare, the match began, and it was immediately evident to the
observers that this would be different from the others. The attacks the
Minbari male was conducting were extremely vicious, and Susan was constantly
retreating. She had been hit by blows that she had only been able to partially
block. It was evident that the Minbari male was several magnitudes more
advanced in his abilities to effectively use the denn'bok than were the
Anla'shok personnel. Only Susan's speed and agility had prevented her from
suffering serious injuries up to this point in the match. However, that was
soon to change.
******************************
In the gym:
Susan had looked at Shei' et stel Macel when the Minbari male had taken
up position in front of her. His expression gave no hint of what might be
about to transpire. She had just finished an hour of grueling sparring with
the Anla'shok personnel, and now she was facing another opponent. She didn't
like the situation, but accepted that there was still something else that the
shei' et stel wanted to see. She faced her opponent and assumed a ready
stance. The first few blows that he struck let her know that this was no
sparring situation. After he hit her the first time with what had to be as hard
as he could swing the denn'bok, Susan realized she was in a fight for her life.
Without giving it a thought, she decided she would kill the young Minbari,
even if she had do destroy his mind with a direct mind blast. If possible, she
would kill him with her denn'bok, but either way he was already as good as
dead.
Susan managed to fight off his attacks for almost twenty minutes. She
had been hit four times and was sure that she had at least two fractured ribs.
It was at this time that she stepped onto a wet spot on the floor and lost her
footing. Her opponent never hesitated for a second and hit her four more
times, none of which she managed to deflect. The crunch of the denn'bok
impacts let everyone know that bones had been broken. The Minbari male made an
attempt to skewer Susan with the end of his weapon, but she collapsed her
weapon and made a quick roll toward him. It took her under his skewer attempt,
and as he went off balance she positioned her denn'bok and triggered it to
expand. The weapon drove into the Minbari's solar plexis driving the breath
from him, rupturing his intestines in one strike, and lifted him completely off
the floor. Susan collapsed the weapon again and quickly regained her footing.
She delivered repeated blows to his head with all her strength. Every blow
broke head bone. The stunned young man stood helplessly as Susan drove even
more vicious blows into his kidneys, liver and other soft areas of his abdomen,
then she rained more blows on his head, smashing his face and the top of his
head. His head bone was completely broken in at least four places, and the top
had broken off. Shei' et stel Macel screamed for Susan to stop, but he had
screamed in Minbari, and Susan was not hearing anything except for the thunder
of her own heart as blood pulsed through her extended veins. She continued
raining blows down on the completely defenseless man until several of the
Anla'shok grabbed her around the body pinning her arms and rendering her unable
to inflict further damage on her opponent. The Anla'shok received numerous
bruises for their efforts as Susan did not quit quietly. The observers had
watched in horror as the man had beaten Susan, and watched in revolting horror
as she had just as quickly recovered and beaten him so badly that he would
probably not survive his injuries, and it had all happened without anyone
lifting a finger to stop it.
Shei' et stel Macel looked at the man and woman standing next to him.
"You planned this," he said to the man. "I don't suppose you planned for this
particular ending. Did you?"
"No, I didn't foresee this."
"There will be an investigation of this incident. We will use telepaths
to get the truth. If you had this planned... you will have to answer for your
treachery . Trying to kill an EA general for revenge will not be viewed
lightly." The woman looked at Macel. "You were quite correct, Shei' et stel.
She is not arrogant, but she is very deadly."
Looking at the younger Minbari male, Macel said, "You were correct in
saying that he would get a different response out of the general. I learned
what I wanted to know, too."
******************************
In the room behind the gym's wall mirrors:
Luchenko watched the match in horror. Susan had been hit very hard
several times and lost her footing. She had then been hit four very vicious
blows that had obviously broken ribs. She was going to shout for it to stop
when Susan made a very sudden move, and before she could think of anything to
say, Susan was beating the Minbari senseless. She realized that Susan was
beating the man to death when the old Minbari male shouted something in
Minbari. "What did he say?" She demanded.
"He is yelling for Susan to stop, but she is not hearing him. She is
killing her opponent," said Delenn.
"He was trying to kill her," replied Luchenko.
"We know," said Delenn.
"She was only defending herself," noted Luchenko. "Someone set her up."
"Susan will not be held responsible," said the Minbari ambassador to
Earth. "It is obvious that she never instigated any hostile move toward any of
her opponents until she had been viciously beaten. It was self-defense on her
part. I'm in charge of this embassy and what I say is law here, only subject
to review by the Grey Council."
"She is correct Madam President. Very seldom are the decisions of the
local ambassador ever reviewed by the Grey Council, much less overturned. That
will be the case here. I will file my report, subject to the ambassador's
review, and that will be the end of it. The person responsible for the attack
by the young man will be appropriately punished. I think it would be a good
idea to have Susan taken to our infirmary along with her opponent. However,
after seeing her beat him, I don't have high hopes for his recovery."
"If you wish, Madam President, you may leave without General Ivanova
ever knowing you were here."
"That's probably for the best. She is supposed to attend the state dinner
tomorrow night."
"We will make sure that she is well enough to attend, Madam President,"
said the ambassador.
After Luchenko had left, Delenn looked at the ambassador and said, "I want
someone's head. This attempt on Susan's life is an insult to the Minbari
race."
******************************
In the Gym:
Susan was still being restrained by the Anla'shok personnel, when Shei' et
stel Macel Macel walked over to her. "Get the medical personnel in here
immediately," he commanded. "Both of them are seriously injured."
As if they had been waiting for the call, medical personnel immediately
appeared around the damaged Minbari male. They ran hand scanners over his
entire body then began making preparations for his removal to the 'infirmary',
which turned out to be a small hospital on the compound grounds that could hold
its own with the best Earth had to offer. He was quickly moved from the gym on
a rolling stretcher. Susan was standing away from the others watching, blood
running from her nose with every breath.
After the Minbari male had been removed, a medical type walked over to
Susan and ran the hand scanner over her. "Not too bad," he said in Minbari to
Shei' et stel Macel. "She has a punctured lung, fractured upper left arm, four
fractured ribs and three completely broken ribs. I'm going to give her a
sedative and walk her to the infirmary." He gave Susan a vial of green colored
liquid and she drank it. Her pain immediately began to subside, but her other
senses seemed unaffected. She followed the medic out of the gym.
Right after Susan had left, Delenn and John Sheridan accompanied by the
Minbari Earth ambassador came into the gym area and approached Shei' et stel
Macel.
"What was that last match all about, Shei' et stel?" asked Delenn. "Susan
almost got killed."
Macel looked at her thoughtfully. "She was never in any real danger."
"How could you be so sure?"
"She had sparred for about an hour without a break. Against him, she was
holding her own until she slipped on the wet floor. That was the only time I
was worried about her. It seems my concern was wasted."
"How badly is the young man hurt?"
"Entil'za, he will die from his injuries. She struck him several lethal
blows and she destroyed some of his organs. The woman is not one to be
ridiculed. She fought well."
"Yes, I suppose killing your opponent could be loosely defined as 'fighting
well'," noted John Sheridan.
"He was trying to kill her," replied Macel.
"Did you learn what you needed, Shei' et stel?" asked Delenn.
"Yes. She will make an excellent student, if she agrees."
"We can go to the infirmary and ask her," said Delenn.
******************************
In Luchenko's vehicle:
"What do you think, Jerome?"
"General Ivanova was hurt badly. I could hear her ribs breaking when he hit
her," Madam President.
"He paid a very heavy price for his efforts. I don't think he will survive
his injuries. She all but beat him to a bloody pulp."
"Do you think it was planned, Ma'am?"
"Yes, but not by Delenn or the shei' et stel. He wants her for a student.
He would test her severely, but he wouldn't try to have her killed. I'm sure
Delenn and the ambassador will get to the bottom of the situation."
"If nothing else, today I learned to be careful how you treat a woman. You
never know when you might happen upon someone like General Ivanova."
Luchenko just laughed at Jerome's last statement.
******************************
In the infirmary:
The medic was explaining to Susan that they would use a mild general
anesthetic to eliminate the pain while her ribs and arm were patched up and
her lung repaired. She would be conscious throughout the whole procedure.
Susan asked about the man she had fought, but the medic said it was too early
to tell about him. Susan lay back on her table and relaxed. She wasn't aware of
when her exhaustion and the anesthetic combined to cause her to drift off to
sleep.
It seemed only a minute since she had closed her eyes when she felt gentle
hands on her uninjured shoulder. She opened her eyes and looked into the faces
of Delenn and John Sheridan. "We have to quit meeting like this, John. It is
getting to be a habit with me waking up in a hospital bed looking up at you and
Delenn. How long have I been out?"
"They finished working on your arm and ribs about three hours ago, and it
took them about two hours to patch you up, so you've been out about five
hours," replied John Sheridan.
"How are you feeling, Susan?" asked a concerned Delenn.
"Considering I felt like I had been run over by a large truck when I came
in, I'd say I'm feeling pretty good. How is the guy who tried to kill me
doing? I'm going to be honest, Delenn. I tried my level best to kill him."
"According to the doctors, you succeeded. He will not recover from the
injuries you inflicted. They can only make him as comfortable as possible
until the end. They tell me he has maybe two days left. The kidney and liver
damage can only be repaired by immediate transplants and there are no
available donors. If he were on Minbar, he would probably survive," explained
Delenn.
"I'm not sorry, Delenn. I was set up, and it pisses me off no end."
"We are going to investigate and learn why this happened. That is a
promise, Susan."
Shei' et stel Macel walked up to Delenn and started speaking to her. A few
moments later, Delenn looked at Susan and said, "He says he knows who is
responsible and why."
"I know, Delenn. My Minbari is much better now that it was on Babylon 5."
"You understood him?"
"Yes. Don't act so surprised. I've had a long time to improve my skills."
"Shei' et stel Macel has a request of you."
Looking at the old Minbari, Susan, in passable warrior dialect Minbari,
asked, "How may I be of service, Shei' et stel Macel?"
Not letting his surprise show, he replied, "I came here hoping that you
would prove to be worthy of being my student. You more than meet my
qualifications. I believe I have much to teach you, and you have much to teach
me. Your knowledge of personal combat would greatly benefit the Anla'shok. My
knowledge of personal combat could prove very useful to you in the future."
"It is an honor to be selected as his student if you are a Minbari male,
Susan. For him to select a human, much less a female... let's just say that it
borders on being historic," noted Delenn.
"What he is asking of you, Susan, is unheard of in Minbari culture. The
taking of a non-Minbari for his prize student."
"You two do a good sales pitch, John. And, I am greatly honored, but I'm
due to take over two major commands in a couple of weeks. I don't know where I
can find the time. Besides, General Leftcourt and the President will have fits."
"I have it on good authority that if you can find the time, 'the powers
that be' have no problem with it," stated Delenn.
"Delenn, I'm pregnant. What he going to teach a pregnant woman."
They had been speaking Earth English and Delenn translated for the grand
master. He gave her a short response. "If she makes the time, I will be there
waiting."
"After I relieve General Zaleski, I'll set up a schedule for us. Where is
he going to live?"
"The embassy will take care of his needs," said Delenn.
******************************
In Susan's temporary office:
That night Susan explained that she had been involved in a close order
combat demonstration and that her ribs had been bruised in the process. They
made love very carefully. Charley never pursued the issue. She was thinking of
this when General Leftcourt came walking through her office door. She tried to
rise quickly, but her pain caused her to sharply suck in her breath as she did.
Leftcourt noticed her reaction and said, "Stay seated, Susan, and tell me
about the demonstration you participated in yesterday." He took a seat on a
couch that sat along the left wall of the office.
"There's not much to tell, general. I sparred with half a dozen rangers for
about an hour. I got tapped in the ribs a few times and I'm still a bit sore."
"I understand that this Minbari close order combat shei' et stel wants you
for a student."
"We discussed that, and I explained that it would be difficult for me to
make the time for it."
"Do you want to do it?"
Smiling, Susan replied, "All things considered, yes I would. No human has
ever been offered a chance like this, and even though I'm pretty good at the
close order combat drill, it wouldn't hurt to enhance my knowledge and
abilities. We might even be able to completely rewrite the training manuals
for our army and marine corps personnel."
"Do you think you can do all that and run the commands you will be taking
over, and take care of a child?"
"I don't see why not. It couldn't be any worse that running Babylon 5 for
John Sheridan."
"I have seen the recordings of your sparring matches. If what happened
during the last one is your idea of getting tapped in the ribs, I don't even
want to know what you would call a real hit."
"It couldn't have been as bad as it looked, or I wouldn't be sitting here
this morning. Where did you see a recording of them?"
He handed her a data crystal. "You might find what's on this crystal
interesting. I want it back before lunch, and, I expect you to look impressive
at the dinner tonight."
"Has anyone else seen what's on this crystal, general?"
"A few people. Why? Are you embarrassed?"
"Did anyone ask about my last opponent?"
"No. I was told that he was injured and that he would return to Minbar with
John and Delenn. Is there something they didn't tell me?"
"Just a bit."
******************************
2000 hours at the 'Presidential Palace':
Susan handed her invitation to the security man checking the guests at the
state dinner. She and Charley passed through the doorway and got their first
look at the inside of the place. Neither had ever been here. It had been built
after Susan had been posted off Earth. The main ballroom must have been at
least fifty meters wide and was a circular room. Susan was impressed.
"A credit for your thoughts, General Ivanova," said an incredibly large
marine in his dress uniform.
"I didn't expect to see you again, top" replied Susan.
"They're using some of Colonel Munoz's men for added security tonight. They
seem to think we can be trusted," he chuckled.
"Charley, this is Sergeant Major Leroy Phillips. He was my sparring partner
while the Ares was deployed. He is - or was - Colonel Munoz's top enlisted man.
Sergeant Major, this is my husband Charles Wayne."
The very large marine shook hands with Charles and congratulated him on his
choice of wife. "I'm not really sure Sergeant Major, but I think she corralled
me instead of the other way around," noted Charles.
After a few more pleasantries, Phillips excused himself saying that he had
to keep tabs on the marine personnel assigned to the security force.
"That guy was your sparring partner," said Charles in amazement.
"Yes, and he was a very good one. We shared more than one or two fractures
during the deployment."
Charles shook his head in disbelief and said, "I hope you have gotten that
nonsense out of your head, then I think of yesterday."
"Yesterday wasn't one of my normal days, Charley."
An hour later after having met and greeted at least a hundred guests, Susan
felt a bit frazzled, and she had thought the ambassadors on Babylon 5 had been
a hand full. It seemed that at least half of them had dealings with her
before. She had looked surprised when the Drazi ambassador had greeted her
with the title ‘Hunt Leader’, which had some guests looking confused until he
explained that it came from her being a ‘Green Leader’ in a previous period
of ‘government readjustment’, these terms then had to be explained. Susan had
smiled weakly at the guests who had listened to the Drazi's explanations.
Some of the Earthforce officers, holdovers from the Clark regime, refused
to meet Susan. She simply made note of who they were for future reference.
Dinner was served and the guests were finishing their meals and starting on
dessert when the president's press agent got up on the stage and began
addressing them from behind the podium that had been set up there. "Ladies and
gentlemen, if I may have your attention, please. It is time for the
presentation part of tonight's events. After that, we will be entertained by
demonstrations by various martial artists. There will be dancing for those who
wish to indulge after the demonstrations."
Susan and Charles had been engaging the other guests at their table in
small talk, which Susan had managed to direct away from herself, but at the
mention of martial arts demonstration, Susan stiffened in her seat. One of the
guests at her table noticed and asked if everything was all right. "Only if I
don't have to be part of those demonstrations," replied Susan.
"Why would you be part of that?" asked the woman accompanying the man who
had noticed Susan's reaction.
"General Wayne is quite an accomplished student of martial arts," said
another guest whom Susan only knew because he was wearing a prescribed name tag.
"Actually, I've only studied the most basic aspects of some of the
disciplines," Susan answered in her own defense.
Charles almost choked on his drink when Susan said that. Susan gave him a
very dirty look that was obvious to everyone at the table. "You have something
to add?" she asked sarcastically. Charles recovering from his choking episode
only grinned and shook his "no" in response.
"I didn't know there was to be an awards ceremony," the woman who asked
about Susan's statement commented. "Who's getting an award?"
Her escort pointed to Susan and said, "She is one of the recipients. I
believe the other is Captain Louise Harris, Earthforce Medical Corps. Am I
correct Mrs. Wayne?"
"Yes. Doctor Harris was responsible for the low number of casualties
suffered during the Mars incident," replied Susan.
"Did you have a part in that?" asked the woman.
"Only a very minor one," responded Susan.
"You don't believe in blowing your own horn, do you, General Wayne?"
inquired the woman's escort.
"There's nothing to blow my horn about, as you put it," Susan replied,
obviously bored by the conversation.
"My friend here doesn't pay much attention to the news, general, and she has
no idea who you are," commented the woman's escort.
"There is nothing on the news that I care to watch," his date responded.
"Sweetheart, just so you know who you're talking to, this woman, General
Susan Ivanova-Wayne, was Commander Susan Ivanova, second in command of the
rebels during the civil war. She led the strike force that destroyed Clarke's
advanced destroyer group and broke the back of his military support. She is the
youngest general Earthforce has ever had. She is also the deadliest. She was in
command of the Ares when it did its work at Mars a few weeks ago. If not for
her and her ship, the Mars colonies would be just so much wasted real estate
with a million or so dead bodies dotting the landscape. She was also
responsible for the situation with the Minbari war cruiser not escalating into
a full-blown interstellar incident. She has plenty to blow her horn about. It's
just that others do it for her. Which is the way to go if you can manage it."
Susan did not respond. The expressions on the faces of the other guests
sharing her table indicated that most of them hadn't known who she was either.
Susan wasn't surprised. Publicity had never been one of her desires. When
you're a telepath hiding from Psi Corps, you don't call attention to yourself.
Susan noticed General Leftcourt and President Luchenko taking places on the
stage along with Delenn and John Sheridan, and knew it would be her turn in a
minute or so. She wasn't disappointed. However, the presence of John and Delenn
confused her.
"If I could have Captain Louise Harris, Earthforce Medical Corps and
General Susan Ivanova-Wayne join us up here on the stage, we will proceed with
the ceremonies for which this dinner was scheduled," said the press agent.
Susan stood up and put on her uniform jacket, which had been hanging on the
back of her chair. She saw the look on the face of the woman who had been
making a pest of herself as she saw the rank insignia, medals and other
decorations on her jacket and had satisfaction at the awe that was evident
there. She marched smartly to the stage steps and waited for Doctor Harris.
As Doctor Harris approached her, she whispered, "Louise, was this your
idea?" She got a head-shake "no" in response her inquiry.
Together they marched up the steps and took positions indicated by the
speaker. Both stood ramrod straight at full attention, neither knowing exactly
what to expect, both hoping there wouldn't be any long speeches.
John and Delenn took turns representing their respective groups and
presented Susan and Louise with awards for their selfless dedication to duty
and the welfare of all IA races as shown by their handling the situation at
Mars and the incident with the Valen's Path. For Doctor Harris, it meant two
more medals to wear on her uniform. For Susan, it amounted to being appointed a
member of the Anla'shok for the IA and the gift of a denn'bok that was dated to
the time of Valen. In addition to its immense monetary value, it held great
religious significance. It was to become part of her uniform as agreed by the
Earthforce and the Minbari government. She would be the only member of
Earthforce to wear a functional weapon as part of her official uniform, and
also the only member to hold official positions in the armed forces of two
different interstellar armed services as attested by her also wearing of the
Anla'shok insignia. She and Doctor Harris were then presented medals for the
exemplary models of leadership that they demonstrated in their response to
extremely difficult situations arising out of the Drakh attack on the Mars
colonies. Doctor Harris was advanced to Brigadier General during the ceremony.
Susan's skills at interstellar diplomacy for her handling of the Valen's Path
incident was held up as an outstanding example of putting the safety of crew
personnel, adversary or own, and peace in the EA and IA above any personal
considerations. President Luchenko allowed as to how it took her diplomatic
corps almost two weeks to come to the conclusion that Susan's handling of the
situation was the only correct one, yet Susan had done the right thing without
a moment's hesitation. She finished saying, "It's very evident that if she so
desires, General Wayne can trade in her uniform for a senior diplomatic
position at any time in the future."
The presentations being concluded Susan and Louise were dismissed. Delenn
stepped close to Susan and said, "That was Jeffery Sinclair's denn'bok. It was
presented to him at the time he was appointed as Entil'za. It is a thousand
years old."
Susan smiled and replied, "I know. I never expected to become a ranger."
"You have proved that you embody the best of our three castes and your
service deserves nothing less. It is for real, it is not honorary."
"I know that too."
"Doctor Harris, it was an honor to pin your new rank on you," Susan said to
her friend.
Louise stepped in front of Susan and gave her a big hug. "I know this isn't
appropriate, but you have been like a sister to me."
Susan returned the hug, then stepped back, saying, "Stuff 'em if they can't
take a joke." Her statement elicited laughs from the others on the stage.
After being congratulated, Susan and Louise started to leave the stage when
Shei' et stel Macel at the bottom of the steps asked, in Minbari, for a word
with Susan.
Susan stepped aside and listened.
"I am part of the martial arts demonstration, General Wayne. I'd be honored
if you assisted me."
"Shei' et stel, you watched me spar with the rangers. I never tried to
attack them. I only defended myself. There was a reason for that. It was
demonstrated when I fought the Minbari male. I know how to kill or cripple an
opponent. All my studies, training, and drilling exercises in martial arts have
been focused on killing an opponent in the most efficient way possible. I don't
know how to spar for a demonstration. I won't be responsible for hurting anyone
for someone else's amusement."
"You would spar with me. I think I can take care of myself, although you do
give me reason to worry."
"I did not come equipped to spar or otherwise be part of any
demonstration."
"After yesterday, I can understand your reluctance to participate."
"Even with your doctor's bag of tricks, I'm still a mass of black and blue
bruises, not to mention the aches and other pains."
This exchange was drawing the interest of nearby guests because it was
being conducted in Minbari. John noted to Delenn that Susan's Minbari was
better than his and he lived on the planet. She only smiled at him.
"What are they talking about?" Luchenko asked Delenn.
"He wants her to spar with him, and she is telling him she doesn't want to
be responsible for crippling or killing anyone for our entertainment."
"Really? I didn't think she was that good."
"Then you don't understand what you observed yesterday. Susan is telling
him that all her martial arts efforts have been focused on learning to kill
her opponents as quickly and efficiently as possible, but he still wants to
spar with her. Even though he recognizes the danger inherent in that
endeavor," explained Delenn.
"Are you telling me she is dangerous to be around?"
"Not at all, Madam President. She is harmless, until you try to hurt her or
her loved ones."
"Then maybe you should emphasis to your shei' et stel that Susan isn't a
good candidate for demonstrations."
"She has done a good job of that on her own."
"Is something wrong, Susan?" asked General Leftcourt, who had come over to
see what the noise between her and the old Minbari male was all about.
Susan quickly explained what Macel wanted and why she declined. "I had
enough of his version of demonstrations yesterday afternoon, general."
"I think it would be a good thing, Susan. It would show the stuffed shirts
here what a real soldier is made of. I can have your workout clothing here in
less than a half an hour."
"I'm black and blue all over underneath my clothing, and I'm in pain from
yesterday's endeavor, general. Please, don't do this to me."
"No one is going to try to kill you this time, Susan."
"I will not take responsibility for anyone who fights me. I don't spar for
sport, general. What I do is not some kind of game for entertainment. I have
broken ribs mending, and you want to do this to me. You have no respect for
me, whatsoever. All I am to you is something to be shown off like some kind of
trophy. The only way I'll take any part in this farce is if you give me a
direct order. If you do that, you will have my resignation as soon as you
finish giving the order, sir."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Susan. This was a golden opportunity for
you."
"With all due respect, I don't share your viewpoint, general."
Susan went back to her table and sat down. It was apparent to Charles that
she was upset and her evening had been ruined. "What's wrong, Sweetheart."
"The old Minbari wanted me to spar with him during the exhibition this
evening. I don't want to spar with anyone after yesterday afternoon. Then
General Leftcourt tried to pressure me into doing it, and I told him he would
have to give me a direct order to do so, and that I would resign if he did
that. I knew coming here tonight was a mistake. I just didn't realize how
right I was. I'm ready to leave."
Luchenko watched Susan return to her table in a rush and after a few words
with her husband, both of them got up and headed for the main exit. "General
Leftcourt, What did you say to her!" demanded Luchenko sharply.
"The Minbari fellow wanted Susan to spar with him. She declined. When I
told her it would make for good publicity if she honored his request, she got
huffy and said she would only do it if I gave her a direct order, and that I
would have her resignation as soon as I issued such an order. I don't
understand her problem."
"Did you watch the video data on the crystal I gave you, Tom?" asked
Sheridan.
"Yes. That's why I thought her participation would be a good thing."
"Good for what and for whom?"
"Tom, I was there and watched the matches. You owe Susan an apology,"
commented Luchenko.
Leftcourt looked at Delenn. "I suppose you were there too?"
Delenn answered, "Yes. Susan was fighting for her life in the last fight.
Obviously, she was successful. Did she tell you the results of the fight?"
"No. She only told me that I wasn't told everything."
"What else is there to know, Delenn?" asked Luchenko.
"The man who tried to kill her died this morning from the injuries she
inflicted on him."
"You have to be joking," said Luchenko.
"I'm afraid she isn't, Madam President. Yesterday, you watched Susan beat a
man to death with a denn'bok," stated John.
"That's what she meant by 'a bit'," commented Leftcourt. "I know she is
prone to understatement, but this is a bit much."
Luchenko just mulled over what she had been told, with a look of disbelief
on her face.
******************************
END PART 15
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