Lyta and Ivanova Part 10 of ---(WIP)

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

Think of this as a space opera.

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

Rated PG-10 (Vocabulary)

**************************************************************  
   As Susan began to talk, she heard Lyta's voice in her head, {Leave 
my involvement out of it. After you finish, enlighten them about the 
civil war from your viewpoint and leave me out of that. Don't discuss 
the Zeus or here unless really pressed, and leave me out of that if 
you can.}

   {Can do.}

   Susan had a captivated audience. Even Charles and Larry were 
intrigued. Larry, being a counterintelligence agent for the corps, 
had heard some of the story, but it wasn't much compared to what he 
was hearing now.

   Lyta excused herself and left the table. She met a feline looking 
gentleman at the bar and engaged in conversation. She returned just as 
the meal was arriving and seated herself. Generals Marsh and Sanchez, 
even though they were paying attention to Captain Ivanova, kept an eye 
on the redhead. Both noted that, unconsciously, she behaved as if she 
owned the whole place. 

   As they ate, Susan continued her stories and answered questions about 
parts of them. She had their undivided attention. Anyone watching would 
have noticed that Lyta seemed unaware of the conversation, as if she 
already knew all of it.

   As she wound down her story, Sanchez looked at Lyta and inquired, "You 
seem preoccupied, Miss Alexander. I take it you have heard these stories 
before?"

   "Sorry, general. You were saying?"

   "You have heard these stories before?" he repeated.

   "Yes. I suppose you could say that."

   "What's for dessert?" asked Charles.

   "Whatever you order from the list, Mr. Wayne," answered Marsh.

   "What do you think of the tales Captain Ivanova told us, Miss 
Alexander?" asked Marsh.

   "I think she has a bright future successfully working in conditions 
that include being up to your tush in alligators," was her retort. This 
brought a laugh from everyone at the table.

   The waiter was taking orders for dessert and after dinner drinks when 
a nondescript man stepped up to the table opposite Lyta and pulled a 
PPG, charging it as he pulled it. The people at the table except for 
Lyta, Ivanova, Lochley, Sanchez and Marsh scattered from their seats 
diving for cover. Lyta didn't blame them.

   The stranger leveled the weapon at Lyta's head and stood there aiming 
it at her. Lyta's mouth twisted in a smirk of a smile.

   Sanchez and Marsh could see the man straining to pull the trigger. They 
noted that the three women had not tried to escape, and Lyta was taunting 
the assassin with a half smirk-smile on her face. It was obvious she was 
in total control of the situation. Lochley had called security.

   Less than three minutes passed between the time Lochley called them 
and security arrived. Sanchez was impressed. It was a very speedy response, 
considering the size of the station. Apparently, Captain Lochley kept her 
people on top of their jobs.

   Lyta looked at the senior security officer and said, "Take him to the 
high security area of MedLab 1, and inform Dr. Hobbs that he has a keeper. 
It would probably be best to sedate him. When she’s ready, I’ll help with 
her examination." 

   The security officer looked at Lochley and she nodded, yes.

   Sanchez smiled at the take charge way Lyta had handled the situation. 
The way Captain Lochley deferred to her judgement, literally screamed that 
Lyta Alexander was much more than she professed. The redhead really 
intrigued him now.

   Ivanova looked at Lyta and thought, {You shouldn't have handled it that 
way. Sanchez picked up on Elizabeth's deferring to you. He is really 
suspicious of you.}

   {I slipped up. I didn't think anyone noticed.}

   Sanchez had been watching everything Lyta and the two captains had 
done tonight. Something had just occurred to him. Lyta's actions left 
no doubts that she was indeed a leader, and tonight convinced him that 
she was top dog amongst the three women. She hadn't asked or suggested 
to the security personnel, she had actually commanded them.

   As the desserts and after dinner drinks were being served, Sanchez 
looked at Lochley and asked, "Just why was Miss Alexander banned from 
Babylon 5, Captain Lochley?"

   "She was caught buying arms for use in terrorist attacks on the Psi 
Corps. She was providing them arms, communications equipment, the whole 
shooting match, general. That made her a terrorist by association, if 
not in fact," answered Lochley.

   "Why wasn't she returned to Earth after you arrested her."

   "Psi Corps didn't send anyone to pick her up, and some senator 
intervened, and charges were dropped. Psi Corps never identified her as 
a rogue; so, I had to let her go, but it was stipulated that she never 
return."

   "Yet, here she is. Interesting situation, captain."

   "Well, general, she’s here on a diplomatic passport, and has comported 
herself in a manner consistent with her position as a member of the 
Glenthorian diplomatic trade consul. Legally she can stay as long as she 
likes."

   "I see," he replied and let the subject drop.

   The music had been playing for awhile and Susan and Elizabeth excused 
themselves to dance with Charles and Larry. Lyta watched them head for the 
dance floor and wished Commander Owens was here. She would like to dance 
with him again.

   "A credit for your thoughts, Miss Alexander?" asked Sanchez.

   "You would be paying way too much, general," she replied.

   "You don't like to talk much, do you?"

   "You’re very observant, general."

   "Miss Alexander, are you always this rude," asked one of the other 
dinner guests. It was Fitzgerald, again.

   "If by that do you mean, am I not impressed by the company, well, 
no, I’m not. I didn't ask to be invited, and Captain Lochley didn't 
clue me in on who would be here. If she had, I wouldn't have come. Do 
you have any more questions?" Lyta shot back.

   "Earlier you said something about a keeper in conjunction with the fellow 
who wanted to shoot you. Would care to elaborate?" asked Marsh.

   "No. Ask Dr. Hobbs. She has the files from Dr. Franklin's findings 
concerning them," answered Lyta.

  "How did you know he had one?" asked Fitzgerald.

  Lyta shot him a look that said he had overstepped his bounds, and 
curtly answered, "None of your business."

   Fitzgerald couldn't believe anyone would have the nerve to talk to 
him in this manner, especially some snot-nosed young woman.

   "You need to learn some manners, young lady!" he snapped.

   From his position, Sanchez could see fire flare in Lyta's eyes. He 
realized that Fitzgerald was in real danger. He snapped, "Pat. You're 
out of line!"

   Fitzgerald could tell from the tone of Sanchez's voice and the expression 
on his face that he had erred badly and would hear about it tomorrow. To 
save face, he made an excuse of not feeling to well and took his leave. He 
also saw that Lyta was ready to come across the table at him. Just what 
he didn't need, an incident with a diplomat. 

   As Fitzgerald left, Sanchez looked at Lyta and said, "My apologies, 
Miss Alexander. His behavior was inexcusable and not up to the standards 
I expect of my people."

   "No harm done, general," responded Lyta.    

   Ivanova and Lochley returned to the table with their escorts.

   "What happened to General Fitzgerald?" asked Lochley

   "He decided to call it a night," responded General Ames.

   The others at the table snickered. Susan and Elizabeth looked at Lyta, 
with "What did you do" looks on their faces.

   "Don't look at me," responded Lyta, to the unvoiced question.

   One by one the other officers excused themselves and left, until only 
Lyta, Susan, Lochley, their escorts, and the two senior generals left.

   Susan, Lochley and their escorts headed back to the dance floor, leaving 
Lyta and the two generals.

   "I don't know about you fellows, but I have a babysitter waiting for me. 
If I don't get back before she goes to sleep on my bed with my daughter, 
I'll have to sleep on the couch," she explained.

   "We’re living somewhat in your direction, why don't we walk with you. We 
both have to get an early start tomorrow," stated Sanchez.

   "As you wish, gentlemen."

   The two older men left with the young looking redhead.

   "You paid for yourself and your associates. You were an invited guest," 
commented Marsh.

   "Gentlemen. My best friend is on trial for her career. Elizabeth is 
in hot water, also. You two are tasked with destroying them. I don't 
like the idea that I was entertained by my friends enemies."

   "You consider us enemies?" asked Marsh.

   "To me, you mean nothing. To my friends, you are the enemy. I remember 
how Sheridan was treated after deposing Clark, and giving the government 
back to the people to whom it rightfully belonged. So, I know a bit about 
'justice'."

  "What do you plan to do about it?" inquired Sanchez.

   Lyta stopped and looked both men straight in the eyes, "Absolutely 
nothing; however, the wheels that can have already been set into motion."

   "Exactly what does that mean?" asked Sanchez.

   "Do you men understand all the ramifications of the phrase "Do unto 
others, that which you would have done unto you"?"

   Both of them looked at her with perplexed expressions for at least 
two minutes before one of them, Marsh, answered, "I think so."

   "I will explain, just so there’s no misunderstanding. They get a 
fair unbiased hearing and judgment, and everything is fine. Screw them 
over, and you and everyone in your little group will regret the day you 
were born for the rest of your lives," said Lyta in a voice that made 
chills run up and down both men's spines.

   "Are you threatening us?" asked Marsh.

   "Not at all. It’s a personal promise, from me to you." 

   "You seem sure of yourself," replied Sanchez.

   "Would the two of you like a sample of what you can be made to suffer?"

   "You wouldn't!" retorted Marsh.

   "I would, but it would serve no good purpose. If they deserve to be 
ruined, then we have no quarrel. I’ll be listening to the evidence and 
will know
what everyone of you say and do."

   "It’s illegal for you to do unauthorized scans."

   "I don't intend to scan anyone. That’s as crude as throwing rocks. Let 
me show the two of you."

   Lyta grasped their minds and started to expand her senses until first 
they could see and hear what was happening in the Zocalo, then they were 
looking at the space around Babylon 5. A freighter was just exiting the 
local jumpgate. She zeroed in on it until they could see the registry 
number. Then they were back in the passageway.

   "Call C&C, General Sanchez, and ask about that freighter and its 
registry number."

   He did and the response matched what he had just seen.

   "Do you understand, now, how I’m going to know what goes on during 
the inquiry?"

   "That wasn't any trick, Lyta," responded Sanchez.

   "Of course it wasn't. I just want you to understand my point of view."

    "There is something you should know, though. All the officers involved 
with this inquiry have held independent commands of starships with the 
exception of the JAG and his staff, but all of them have served on fleet 
ships and almost all of them have been in battle. The entire board was 
personally approved by General Leftcourt. The two captains will get a 
scrupulously fair hearing. It is imperative that every aspect of the 
procedure be above reproach. That’s why Arthur is heading up the legal 
team," said Sanchez.

   "Can I assume, you're Arthur?" asked Lyta.

   "That's me," answered Marsh.

   "Were you told anything about the bash that had been planned for Susan 
when she got back to Earth?" asked Sanchez.

   "I’m not on anybody's mailing list, general."

   "I’m going to wait and let Leftcourt explain it to you, when he gets 
here," said Sanchez.

   "Do either of the captains know he’s coming here?"

   "No one but the two of us knew, and now you know," replied Sanchez.

   "I'll keep it to myself." 

   "Give us a chance to do our jobs. You may be surprised what can be found 
when the desire is present," said Marsh.

   They had reached the entrance to officer country, and Lyta was about 
to continue on her way, when Sanchez asked one more question. "You killed 
those Drakh, didn't you?"

   Lyta just gave him her best poker face look in response to his statement. 

   "I know all I need to know," replied Sanchez.

   "Yes, but neither of you will tell anyone else."

   With that she turned and walked away.

   "Wonder what she meant?" asked Marsh.

   It was then, inside their minds, {If you tell anyone what you just saw 
or what you suspect, they’ll think you're crazy.} Now, they realized 
exactly what she meant.  

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

   Just before he entered his quarters, Sanchez asked Marsh, "What do 
you think?"

   "About what?"

   "About tonight, the dinner, Ivanova, Lochley, Lyta, the whole shooting 
match?"

   "Ivanova is impressive in person. She tells good stories. Lochley is 
reserved, but impressive in her own way. Lyta...frightening."

   "I agree with your assessment, except for Lyta. I think terrifying might 
be more appropriate."

   "Why?"

   "I think she only showed us the least of her abilities tonight."

   The following day, Sanchez would learn more that would bolster the 
suspicion he had just voiced.

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

Day 10 Babylon 5

   Sanchez and Marsh walked into the wardroom at 0630. Captain Lochley 
was already halfway through her breakfast. 

   "May we join you, captain?" asked Marsh.

   Lochley indicated the empty seats at the table and said, "Certainly, sir."

   Sanchez and Marsh gave their orders to the steward.

   "Captain Lochley," began Marsh, "What is yours and Captain Ivanova's 
relationship with the two men Miss Alexander brought to the dinner last 
night?"

   Looking at Marsh and Sanchez with an expression that would freeze 
steam, She answered, "I fail to see what that has to do with your board 
of inquiry, general. I understood you were investigating the decisions 
we made concerning the recent attack. Was I mistaken?"

   "Let me rephrase the question," interjected Sanchez. "Do the two of 
you have a relationship with them?"

   "With all due respect general, my answer is the same as for General 
Marsh, except I would appreciate it, if you would define relationship, sir."

   Sanchez and Marsh were surprised. She had, in so many nice words, 
told them to mind their own damned business. She had made it plain that 
she wasn't afraid of them or what they might find. Sanchez remembered 
what Lochley had told him about how she saw her career. She was not 
blowing smoke.

   "You are quite right captain, about it not directly pertaining to the 
inquiry. But, when it comes to evaluating the whole scenario, it is 
pertinent," said Marsh.

   "Think what you will, general. To be blunt, I sleep with him. I hope 
that satisfies your little boy curiosity. As a matter of fact, the odds 
are very good that we will be married in the near future and I’ll be 
retiring about the same time, unless I’m forced out before that. Also, 
for the record, he's a former psi cop. You will have to ask Susan about 
her relationship for yourself. If you will excuse me, sir." Then she got 
up and left.

   "You didn't handle that very well, Arthur," said Sanchez.

   "I’ll let you ask Captain Ivanova."

   "You never were up to the real fight."

   "I think her reply will make Lochley's look tame," answered Marsh.

   "Do you think anyone on the board is really going to care about 
their personal relationships?"

   "No, but the media will damn sure make what they can of it. We need 
to be on top of it before they start nipping at our heels. If both of 
them are former psi cops, and it looks like they are, we could have a 
media disaster on our hands."

   "I hadn't considered that."

*******************************************************************
 
  Susan had just settled into her paperwork mode when the communications 
panel signaled an incoming call.

   "Accept," she said, and found herself looking at Lochley.

   "Good morning, Susan. I hate to interrupt you, but we may have a problem."

   "What kind of problem, Elizabeth?"

   "Sanchez and Marsh just grilled me about what our relationships are 
with Charles and Larry."

   "It's none of their damned business."

   "In a nice way, I told them as much, and was threatened that it could 
affect the results of their inquiry."

   "I told you they were sent to hang us out to dry. Do you think they 
would ask a male captain what his relationship was, if he had a girlfriend? 
Not on a bet, the double standard bastards."

   Lochley closed out the circuit and Susan went back to working her way 
through the mass of reports, messages and other paperwork that filled her 
'in' basket. An hour later she had worked her way through slightly less 
than half the items in the in basket when her yeoman put another large 
batch in.

   "How am I going to get to he bottom of this basket, if you keep adding 
more than I finish?"

   "Beats me, captain. I suppose that's why they pay you the big money," 
replied her yeoman.

   "Ha! Big by whose standards?"

   Her yeoman shrugged his shoulders in reply.

   Just after her yeoman left, her communications panel signaled an 
incoming call. It was General Leftcourt.

   "Good morning Susan," said Leftcourt.

   "Good morning, general. To what do I owe this honor, sir?"

   "I have a problem. Actually two problems really. I need your help and 
Captain Lochley's to deal with them," he replied.

   "If I can help, general, I will. What do you need from me and Elizabeth?"

   "Your cooperation and understanding," he replied.

   "Just tell me what to do, sir."

   "Generals Sanchez and Marsh made an inquiry of Captain Lochley, and 
the proverbial feces impacted the ventilation distribution driver."

   "I think I know what’s coming, but I’m listening anyway, sir."

   "You laid into the President the other day. In truth, some of your 
anger was misguided, but was in the ballpark. She’s having difficulties 
with her political career here on Earth. She has made a few decisions that 
could have been better. Haven't we all, at one time or another? Her 
political foes have really done a number on her, rightly or wrongly, and 
some members of her staff have just out and out screwed up big time."

   "What does that have to do with me and Elizabeth, sir?"

   "The two of you are the center characters in this inquiry, and therefore 
are under the spotlight. The two of you have male companions." Leftcourt 
held up his hand to cut Ivanova off. "Under any other circumstances, no 
one would give it a first thought, much less a second, but this situation 
is anything but normal. So, they get noticed. That in itself would present 
no real problem, if they weren't telepaths."

   Susan just sat and listened. She gave nothing away in her expression.

   "The media is all over the place out there according to my sources. 
Many of them are not advertising themselves. You remember the hatchet job 
ISN did on John and Delenn Sheridan, when Clark was in power. Well, they 
haven't all gone away. Some of them are in bed with the various political 
factions back here. Some of them would like to make hay with the military, 
and a number of them would like to get rid of the President."

   Susan remained silent, thinking to herself. He had valid points, too 
many of them.

   "You understand the situation Captain Ivanova?"

   "Yes sir, general. I understand completely. Your people will have our 
complete cooperation."

   "Thank you, Susan. You won't regret it. I promise." With that he closed 
the channel.

 ******************************************************************
 
   Looking into his other communications screen, he said, "Manuel, are 
you satisfied?"

   "Yes sir. I’m sorry to get you involved in this, but I expected 
Captain Ivanova would have handed me my head, literally."

   "You would be right. She has single-handedly busted up more than one 
bar, and put people in the hospital in the past. She is very accomplished 
in martial arts and hand to hand combat. Work with her and Elizabeth. They 
are very sharp, hard working, dedicated people."

   "Thank you, General Leftcourt."

   Leftcourt closed the channel.

   In Lochley's office, Sanchez said, "I’m sorry for the misunderstanding 
this morning, captain. As General Leftcourt said, normally your personal 
relationships would be nobody else's business. I apologize for handling 
it so badly."

   With a sigh, Lochley said, "It's behind us, general. It's what ahead 
with the politicians and media that worries me."

   "Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, Captain Lochley."

   Elizabeth smiled at the use of such an outdated phrase as Sanchez 
departed.

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

   It was 0930 and the technicians had set up the holographic display 
systems and large screen two dimensional displays. 

   Sitting in the center position of the along table, Sanchez looked at 
the gathered group and asked, "Is there any reason we can't get this show 
on the road? Lt. Morris, begin the presentations."

   Standing to one side of the large 2D screen, a slender woman in an 
EA uniform sporting lieutenants bars, started to talk. "General Sanchez, 
gentlemen. We have collected recordings of communications between Babylon 
5, Earthdome, Minbar, and the Ares. They have been arranged in the order 
they occurred. You have also been supplied transcripts to follow along 
and annotate as desired for further analysis. When we get to the 
holographic presentations, you will be provided with a means of noting 
time stamps for further replay. If there are no further questions, I will 
begin the presentation."

   The rest of the morning and afternoon was taken up watching the various 
communications records and asking legal and other questions, and defining 
parameters concerning same. 

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

   "Good morning, ambassador," said Lyta as she entered his quarters.

   "I wish you would use my name instead of my title, Lyta. We are friends 
as well as business associates."

   "As you wish. What is our meetings schedule?"

   "Looking at the changes we had to make because of the attack, they have 
had to be spread out over a longer period of time, it looks like about 
three weeks of work for you and your telepath staff."

   "I’m going to leave some of them behind with you when this is finished. 
Sort of an insurance policy, so to speak."

   "Speaking of leaving people behind, what is happening with Larry Evans 
and Charles Wayne?"

   "They have become involved with Captains Lochley and Ivanova 
respectively," answered Lyta.

   "This isn't affecting their performance, is it?"

   "Not at all, Harly; however, when the Ares departs, we will probably 
lose Charles. I’m afraid he and Susan are quite serious."

   "He is a good man. I hope the captain realizes what she is getting."

   "She does. Believe me, she does."

   "I suppose we will lose Larry, too?"

   "That one is harder to call. I will leave him behind, when I leave; 
however, since Lochley is likely to be here for some time to come, he 
will still be available to you. That is if you don't mind him working 
for us, while he and she pursue their agenda. I don't see any conflict 
of interest."

   "Nor do I. They make an interesting combination."

   "This is not for public consumption, but the reason the Wayne-Ivanova 
pairing will work is she is also a telepath."

   "EA allows telepaths to command their combat vessels?"

   "Not on your life. They don't know. She has hidden it all her life."

   The ambassador chuckled mirthfully.

   "What’s so funny, Harly?"

   "Their most powerful combat vessel, under command of their finest 
combat commander, and she is a telepath, one of the group of most hated 
people on Earth. You have to love the irony, Lyta."

   "I hadn't thought of it that way, but now that you mention it."

   "We don't have anything on the agenda for today, but I am having lunch 
with the Centauri and Narn ambassadors. I would appreciate your company 
at the occasion."

   "I would be delighted. Can I bring Maya? I promise she will behave."

   "Of course. She has always behaved when she has been at functions. For 
a four year old, she acts extremely mature. I have seen other human children 
of her age and they act just like children. Sometime, I would like to learn 
your secret."

   "You will never believe the truth. I guarantee it."

   "Would you care for a walk. I need to get out and see what is going on 
in other parts of the station."

   "Let me get Maya. She needs to get out, too."   
    
 *******************************************************************

   "What do you think, Arthur?" asked Sanchez as he took another bite of 
his sandwich. "I think we need to broaden this investigation. I want to 
know what ships have been here within the last month, who ordered them 
here, and who sent them away and why. Captain Ivanova smelled a setup when 
no one else did. No wonder she’s the top combat commander in the EA."

   "She seems to have very finely honed survival instincts," answered Marsh.

   "I agree. I'll put Bill on it right after lunch. Do you know what they 
called Captain Ivanova when she was XO of Babylon 5?"

   Marsh shook his, no.

   "She was known, behind her back of course, as the ‘Ice Queen’."

   "You would never believe it now. She is anything but," replied Marsh.

   "I guess it just takes the right person."

   "What’re the odds that it would happen to her and Captain Lochley at 
the same time, and with telepaths, both of whom are associates of the 
Alexander woman?" asked Marsh.

   "Are you saying you smell something wrong?"

   "Not at all. If it’s just a coincidence, it’s an odd one."

   "We could investigate her."

   "I don't think we want to go there. Some things are better left 
alone," commented Marsh.

   "Captain Lochley, would you join us for a bite of lunch?" asked Sanchez.

   "No thank you, general. I just wanted to let you know that the IA and 
EA have informed me that we will be receiving replacements for the guard 
the Ares is presently supplying, sir," she replied.

   "Thank you, captain."

   After Lochley left, Marsh asked, "Did she seem less than pleased with 
the idea of eating with us?"

   "I don't know. Even after the General Leftcourt call, she seems to be 
keeping her distance. I think maybe, Captain Ivanova's skepticism is rubbing 
off on her. I suspect we will never make their Christmas lists."

   "I just wish, Leftcourt had been straightforward with them before we 
got here. It would have made this job a lot easier."

   "Maybe that's why he has let things play out the way they have. Nobody 
is going to be able to accuse us of whitewashing this inquiry."

   "As if we would have."

   "It is getting time to get back to business," said Sanchez, finishing 
his after meal coffee.

********************************************************************
END PART 10