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

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

   "What can I do for you, General Ames?" asked Sanchez of the image on 
his comm. screen. "It is very late."

   "I have something bothering me that won't wait until morning."

   "You have my undivided attention."

   "I have been reviewing transcripts of the interview sessions with the 
various witnesses. I see a pattern that is alarming me. I am filing a 
formal complaint on the methods of Captain Conrad in dealing with members 
of Captain Ivanova's crew. It has all the earmarks for a smear campaign, 
and I refuse to be a party to such an action."

   "It is your right to file such a complaint, but there could be 
repercussions."

   "I take that as a threat, and I don't like threats. Consider my 
complaint filed. If this continues, I will launch an investigation of my 
own. I promise, General Sanchez, it won't be popular with anyone. I am 
too damned old for this kind of crap."

   "Your complaint has been officially, duly noted."

   "Thank you, General Sanchez."

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

   Lyta wasn't really looking where she was going. There wasn't anything 
on the station that could present a danger to her. She was concentrating 
on finding the man who lined up the assassins. She was also feeling very 
mean. To be honest, she was more pissed-off than she had ever been before 
in her life, and she wanted to hurt someone, and walking these passageways 
was a surefire way to attract someone deserving of pain. She wasn't 
disappointed for long. She rounded a corner and came face to face with a 
pair of large men brandishing knives. She looked at them and smiled.

  The larger of the two men looked at the smiling redhead they were 
confronting, and immediately realized they had made a bad mistake. He knew 
who she was, but the knowledge did him no good. His partner lunged at her 
and screamed as he went down, both his legs shattered from the knees down.

   The larger man turned to run and felt the bones in his legs splinter. 
His screams covered the sound of Lyta's receding, catlike footsteps. She 
never looked back. A security patrol team found them about fifteen minutes 
later, moaning and whimpering in pain. They called it in to security HQ. 

   "Just what we need," said Zack. "We got four dead killers, three carrots, 
and now two cripples. Would someone tell me what the hell is going on tonight. 
We haven't had this much madness and mayhem in more than a year."

   Thirty minutes later he got another call in from another patrol. They 
had found three more crippled thugs in a Downbelow passageway. He allowed 
as to how if it didn't stop, they might be out of jobs by morning for lack 
of crooks.

   Two hours later, MedLab 1 called Zack. The doctor on duty complained 
that if they received any more new patients, he would have to send for 
help from the off duty staff. Zack sympathized with him, but reminded him 
that his people weren't doing the damage. They were only sending what 
they found in to see the doctors.

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

   It was four in the morning while she was walking through a passageway 
where a dozen people, holding tickets for that day on ships leaving for 
Earth were berthed, when she picked up the thoughts she was searching for.

   "I couldn't find the other three, Oliver. They seem to have disappeared. 
The others are dead or worse."

   "Don't worry about it, Frank. I won't leave any loose ends."

   Frank looked up at his friend and found himself looking into the business 
end of a PPG pistol. "Oliver, this is not a funny joke."

   "It's not supposed to be. You’re the only loose end that can tie me into 
this thing, Frank. It's not personal, you understand."

   Oliver squeezed the trigger of the PPG, but nothing happened. He tried 
repeatedly, but the weapon didn't fire. Then the door to the quarters swung 
open; in walked the redhead he was sent to have killed. His heart rose in 
his throat and his stomach churned.

   "Hello, gentlemen, and I use that term very loosely, I have been looking 
for you. You had my daughter and me shot at. I want to know who sent you?"

   The door swung shut behind her. Both men looked at her and said nothing.

   "I’m not with security, but, of course, you already know that. You 
don't have to tell me anything. I can just rip it out of your minds."

   "That’s illegal," said Frank.

   Lyta chuckled and said, "Odd that you mention that; however, I’m not 
a citizen of the Earth Alliance; so, their rules don't apply. In any case, 
I have a diplomatic passport. So, I'm not worried about legalities. Now, 
I’m asking only one more time. Tell me, who sent you?" she asked in a soft 
voice. "Oh, you might appreciate that your snipers did hit me and my 
daughter, for all the good it did."

   Neither man said anything.

   Looking at Frank, she said, "You're the smaller fish. I’ll start with 
you." She reached into Frank's mind and began to tear it apart, until 
she had all the information he had about the operation. It wasn't much.

   "Listen. I’ll make you a deal. I'll tell you anything you want to know."

   Lyta watched him look at what was left of Frank in horror. The information 
he had was literally screaming to get out. She sifted everything he had to 
offer and found some interesting pieces and names and faces of other people 
involved in the effort to kill her.

   "Can we make a deal?"

   "You already did, when you refused to talk the first time, I asked 
you. You’ll make a well dressed bunch of broccoli, Oliver. Between your 
trigger men, Frank and you, I’ll have made a regular garden salad. 
Goodbye, Ollie."

   She reached into his mind and shredded it to a point just short of 
death. Then she left them and went back to her quarters. She had gotten 
what she needed, physically destroyed two dozen thugs, and still had time 
to get a couple hours sleep before Susan's crucifixion got started. She 
smiled to herself thinking of the madhouse Zack must be presiding over 
about now.

******************************************************
 
  Zack was standing in front of Lochley's desk. "Captain Lochley, we have 
had more than thirty incidents last night, resulting in more than two dozen 
people being sent to MedLab 1, all of them with serious injuries. Two of 
them have fried brains like the three shooters we found."

   "Any suspects, Zack."

   "I figure it's someone seriously trying to put me and my troops in the 
unemployment line, captain," said Zack with his version of wit.

   Lochley laughed. "At this rate, how long do you suppose that will take?"

   "I don't know, but what bothers me is, we have absolutely no physical 
clues to these incidents."

   "I’ll listen to any theories you care to put forth."

   "I only know one person who can do this kind of damage, and leave no 
physical clues. Someone who can do it, without any physical contact."

   Lochley looked up at him, "I can see where this is going, Lyta Alexander. 
Zack. Is she the first person you always think of in cases like these?"

   "No sir. Only when she’s on the station."

   "Can you prove anything about her being involved?"

   "No sir. Seeing who was trashed, these incidents aren't exactly on the 
top of my must solve list. One thing though, none of the people assaulted 
can seem to remember anything about their assailant, but considering their 
chosen professions, I don't suppose we should be surprised."

   "Just keep me informed," she said and waved him on his way. 
   
   Zack left her office thinking that this Lyta, if she was the one who 
did it, wasn't the Lyta he used to have a crush on.

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

   Lyta was up, showered and dressed when Larry rang her doorbell.

   "What do we have on the agenda today, Larry?"

   "Believe it or not, we have no meetings scheduled. You can go hunting 
for fun and profit."

   "Maybe we could get seats for the Ivanova dog and pony show."

   "Where do you get these idioms, Lyta?"

   "I think it is a bit of Garibaldi rubbed off on me. I spent too much 
time with him watching old vids from the twentieth century. They seemed 
to have a catch-phrase for everything back then."

   "I'd rather not spend time listening to any board of inquiry testimony."

   "That makes two of us. I’m going to spend a lot of quality time with 
Maya today. So, I might be anywhere on the station."

   "I heard about last night, Lyta."

   "It sounds worse with each telling, than it really was. There were four 
shots fired, and fortunately no one was hurt. They caught the shooters."

   "That's not what I heard from Elizabeth. She said they found what was 
left of them. Some of what she described sounded like they ran into a 
mind shredder."

   "I don't know any mind shredders, Larry."

   "Lyta, I would bet you can do a fair imitation of one. I have never 
met another telepath who can even begin to compare to you in raw power."

   Lyta pointed to the sleeping form of Maya. "She can and does."

   "That comes as no surprise, considering who her parents are."

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

   It was just past 0830 and Commander Pat Owens was sitting in the chair 
that had been used by the previous "witnesses". Captain Conrad was just 
starting to question him.

   "Tell me commander, what is your evaluation of your CO?" asked Conrad. 
It was the same question he had lead off with when he questioned every 
other member of Captain Ivanova's crew.

   "With all due respect captain, it isn't part of my job to evaluate my 
CO. That's the job of her superior officer," answered Owens.

   "What do you think of your CO, Mr. Owens?"

   "I think she is beautiful."

   "That's not what I meant."

   "Exactly what did you mean, Captain Conrad?"

   "In general, what do you think of Captain Ivanova?"

   "She is the best CO I have served under to date."

   "Why?"

   "Have you ever been an XO, Captain Conrad?"

   "No. That has no bearing on the question."

   "Quite right, captain; however, it has everything to do with the answer."

   "Explain."

   "If you have never been an XO, and in charge of hundreds of people, 
doing myriad jobs, and worked at that job for a CO, you would not understand 
my explanation. From my past years of experience, Captain Ivanova rises 
as the overall best of them." Looking at Lt. General Fitzgerald, he said, 
"No offense intended, general."

   "None taken, commander," answered the general.

   Conrad changed his line of questioning and opened up on Ivanova's conduct 
during builder's trials for the Ares.

   "Tell the board about the builder's trials for the Ares," said Conrad.

   "We went out for several weeks, ran myriad tests on installed equipment, 
and put the engineering plants and navigation systems through their paces, 
as required by the standards which were used as the basis for her construction. 
We kept logs and submitted them to proper authorities when we completed 
the trials." 

   "You and or Captain Ivanova didn't forward all the logs. In fact, you 
had them revised before submitting them."

   Owens said nothing and just looked at Conrad, obviously waiting for 
him to continue.

   "Well, commander?"

   "Do you have something besides hot air to back that statement up, sir?"
 
  "We have statements from the engineer in charge of the builders trials 
tests and evaluations team."

   "If you don't mind sharing them with the rest of us, I, for one, want 
to see these "facts"." 

   This stopped Conrad in his tracks.

   "It will take some time to get the affidavits."

   "I’m in no hurry, captain."

   Conrad looked at the board table and saw General Leftcourt smiling. 
He wondered at what or whom.

   "While we obtain the papers, I want to talk about your record, commander."

   "Good, captain. You talk, and I'll listen."

   "Don't be a wise ass, commander."

   "Why not, captain. I have nothing to lose. Ask General Leftcourt."

   Conrad approached the general and asked in a whisper, "What is he 
talking about, general?"

   Leftcourt replied, "He, like you, is calling it quits. He isn't kidding, 
son. He has nothing to lose. Do you realize what this does to my plans?"

   This piece of information seemed to take the starch out of Conrad. He 
replied, "No, sir."  He was beginning to realize that he had been given a 
task no one wanted to see completed. Well, damn them all. He would do his 
best to complete it, Leftcourt and company be screwed.

   "Commander Owens, what was it about you that caused Captain Ivanova to 
choose you for her XO? The Ares was the most prestigious assignment any 
commander could want.  How did you beat out much more qualified competition?"

   "It was easy, captain. She wanted someone who would stand up to her, 
and say to her face, "You’re wrong, captain, because..." and not back down. 
I was the only candidate with a track record of doing just that. As a matter 
of fact, I spent time in the brig, and was court-martialed for doing it 
during the civil war. Does that answer your question, sir?"

   "Yes, I suppose it does, commander." Conrad knew he was wasting his 
time with Commander Owens. This man could not be coerced, threatened, or 
browbeaten into saying anything that could be used against Captain Ivanova. 
He also would not give any answer except the shortest possible. "Why did 
Captain Ivanova offer her resignation to General Leftcourt, even before 
there was a Board of Inquiry convened for this investigation?"

   "Maybe you should ask her, or maybe General Leftcourt, sir."

   "You are not being at all helpful, commander."

   "That is the general idea, captain. If you want to hang Captain Ivanova, 
you will have to do it without my help, sir."

   "The point of this inquiry, commander, is to get out the truth."

   "What truth are we discussing, Captain Conrad?"

   "Do you realize that you can be court-martialed for your behavior here 
today, commander."

   "Then, I have nothing more to say to you or this court, captain." Rising 
and starting to leave, he shot, "I will see you at my court-martial, captain."

   Seeing Owens preparing to leave, Captain Conrad told him, "Sit down, 
commander, or I will file charges."

   Continuing to rise, Owens looked Conrad in the eyes and said, "You have 
the easy part done, captain." Then he left the room.

    General Sanchez looked at the board members and said, "Gentlemen, that 
concludes today's proceedings. We will convene at 0800 tomorrow."

    The board members moved around the table to leave and Conrad went 
back to his table.

   "Captain Conrad," said Sanchez. 

   Conrad turned to face the Sanchez. "Yes, sir."

   "I want a word with you, privately," said Sanchez walking to an empty 
corner of the room.

   Conrad followed him.

    Sanchez told him in a low whisper, "I think, I have had enough of 
your bullying tactics. This is a Board of Inquiry, not an inquisition. 
If, when you question Captain Ivonava, you behave like you did today, I 
will court-martial you, and see you behind bars, before you are allowed 
to resign. Do you understand, captain?"

   "Yes, sir."

   Leftcourt walked over to Sanchez and Conrad. "Anything I should know about?"

   "He won't let me do my job, general."

   "Your job, captain, was to make sure Captain Ivanova was clean. What 
you’re doing now is far beyond that. Nobody in this room could stand up 
under the scrutiny your people have subjected Captain Ivanova to. Let 
someone else question her," said Leftcourt.

   "Unless you remove me from this position general, I will conduct the 
questioning of Captain Ivanova. My career is finished, so I might as well 
go out doing it my way. You can fire me, but think about one word, media," 
spat Conrad.

   Conrad walked away from the generals.

   "I think, I made a mistake, in assigning him to this job," said Leftcourt.

   "Not necessarily, general. He has been pushed and shoved around on 
this endeavor by all sides. I think he meant well in the beginning, but 
somewhere, he, somehow, got the idea he had to prove something to someone. 
He is blinded by that idea, and now he will do it, if only to prove that 
he is above being coerced."

   "We can't stop this train, Manuel. So far, Ivanova is bulletproof. I’m 
glad, I don't have to be scrutinized like she is."

   "Maybe, sir, you were right about her after all. If she withstands this, 
and that is a big if, your plans will probably work."

   "Either I get to preside over her court-martial or her promotion. I’m 
wondering how change of command, became relieved of command in the news. 
By now she must think she has really been hung out to dry."

   "Hasn't she?"

   "Not intentionally."

   "Sort of like being killed, isn't it. Much better it be an accident 
than on purpose. However, Tom, from the point of view of the killed, it 
doesn't really matter."

   Leftcourt looked uncomfortable at that statement. 

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

   Sitting in the wardroom enjoying a cup of coffee, Leftcourt looked 
across the table at John Sheridan and asked, "What do you make of it, 
John? Has Conrad lost it?"

   "I don't know. He seems to have focused in on Susan. This doesn't seem 
like the same guy you told me about, earlier. Could someone have gotten to him?"

   "I don't see how. He has been guarded by Lyta's people and our own 
telepaths ever since he arrived."

   "How about between the time you assigned him and he left to come here?"

   "What are you getting at, John."

   "Going on what you told me about him, and what I observed today, I am 
led to believe that a telepath may have messed with his mind. They did it 
to my chief of security, Michael Garibaldi, during the Shadow War."

   "Great. What can I do about it?"

   "Nothing, but I know someone who might be able to help."

   "Who?"
  
   "The same person who saved Garibaldi's butt, then helped him save mine?"

   "Will they be willing to help?"

   "They will if Delenn explains what is at stake. Since it’s probably 
something a telepath did, Conrad may not be able to agree to what we want to do."

   "I’ll handle that. You convince your person to help. As soon as you say 
it is a go, I’ll get Conrad to my quarters, and we will do it there. What 
happens if we fail?"

   "The incident will be erased from his mind. He will never remember it."

   "I’ll be waiting for your call, John."

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

   "You want me to what?"

   "Delenn. This is for Susan's sake."

   "So you say. You think Lyta is going to buy it?"

   "I don't know. That's where you come in."

   "John, she is going to be angry. You treat her like dirt, then come 
around asking her to do this."

   "I don't care what she thinks of me. We suspect someone has used a 
telepath to screw with Conrad's mind. All we want Lyta to do is look 
inside and see. If there has been tampering, we want her to remove it."

   "Do you truly understand what you are asking?" 

   "Yes, Delenn, I do."

   "What if she refuses?"

   "Susan's career is probably over, Conrad will be court-martialed, 
Leftcourt's plans will be dead on arrival, and a number of people are 
going to be left high and dry."

   "I will talk to her. I make no promise of results."

   "That's all I ask, Delenn."

   "Are you going to pay her this time?"

   "Yes. You can negotiate the price."

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

   In her quarters, Lyta, expressionless, sat listening to Delenn explain 
what was wanted. When she finished there was silence as Lyta studied her 
friends face, and thought over what she had just heard.

   "You are kidding, right? I mean, this has to be a bad joke, Delenn. If 
it isn't, you are out of your mind. You’re asking me to do something that 
I don't like to do, and for what? To keep some overage male kids from 
suffering the consequences of their actions."

   "It would be a straight business arrangement?"

   "Do you agree with this idea?"

   "No, but I know Susan could be destroyed if you refuse."

   "If you can't sweet talk me, try to bribe me, and if that fails, use 
blackmail. You would do well in politics on Earth, Delenn. I am not worried 
about Susan. If they force her out, I’ll simply hire her at about twenty 
or thirty times what they’re presently paying her. After all she has lots 
of experience running large operations on a shoestring budget. I will do 
it for money. I mean, all the money you guys didn't pay me in the past."

   "How much?"

   "I figure with interest and penalties, five hundred thousand credits 
should do it."

   Delenn was stunned at the sum mentioned. "I don't know if they will 
pay that much."

   "I can be bought, Delenn, but it's going to be damned expensive. The 
days of freebies are over."

   "I will have to discuss it with John."

   "You can use my communications panel. Delenn, if he or Leftcourt even 
hesitate, the price doubles and each time after that. I love Susan, but 
her career is not the be all to end all. I’ll take care of her."

   Delenn made the call and John and Leftcourt both appeared on the screen.

   "What is the news, Delenn?" asked John.

  "I need to explain something first, gentlemen. She will do it for money. 
The deal is, every time you balk at the amount she wants, the price doubles. 
She isn't worried about Susan. She said she will take care of her."

  "How much does she want, Delenn?"

   "She says you owe her for past work, during the Shadow War, Civil War, 
and for the work concerning the Enphili. She figures that with interest 
and penalties, added to what this job should cost, it comes to five hundred 
thousand credits."

   The panel screen went blank.

   In Leftcourt's quarters, the general looked at John. "Tell me that was 
a joke."

   "Lyta doesn't like to mess inside peoples' minds, unless it’s for 
self-defense, or something of that nature. She was short-shifted in the 
past, and it was my fault. I’m afraid the amount is deadly serious. I 
expect she’ll want payment first."

   Leftcourt sat nursing his drink, thinking the matter over. It wasn't 
her problem. He had created it, by being too damned smart for all of their 
own good. She could probably salvage a bad situation. Taking the bull by 
the horns he looked at John and said, "Ask if she will let it be rolled 
into the bill for the security services she is presently providing."

   John appeared on the screen again. "Delenn, can General Leftcourt 
roll the money into the bill for the security services?"

   Delenn looked at Lyta, off screen. Lyta nodded, yes.

   "It's a deal, John. She wants to meet with you and Leftcourt before 
she proceeds."

   "Bring her over here."

   "We are on our way."

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

   "You don't look too happy, captain," noted Susan's XO from the door 
of her office.

   "Are you surprised? Tomorrow they get to take me apart. I never expected 
to be destroyed by my so-called friends. I mean, I expect an enemy to 
try and take me out. That’s part of what we are. What they’re going to 
do to me tomorrow, reminds me of the worst of Night Watch and the Clark 
administration. My mother always told me to "trust no one". She knew what 
she was talking about."

   "Has your telepath friend ever left you holding the bag?"

   "Lyta? No way. She offered me a job, if my career goes south."

   "Then you can't really lose, can you?"

   "Not from a money standpoint. I just don't know if I’m up to running 
a big corporation."

   "You ran Babylon 5 for four years, I think you would do just fine."

   "I wonder what Captain Conrad has planned for me. If it wouldn't result 
in brig time, I would kick his ass so badly, he would be in Medlab 1 for 
a month... There is something about that image I like, a lot."

   "I seriously doubt, they’ll give you that satisfaction, captain."

   "Spoilsports, that's what they are," she said chuckling to herself. 
Then added, "I’m off to see Charley, commander. I’ll come aboard in the 
morning to get dressed for the circus." She finished her statement then 
hurried to the head. Owens could hear her up-chucking.

   When she came back in the room, she was greeted by her XO smiling at her.

   "What's so funny, Pat."

   "Have you seen the medical officer about your ‘illness’."

   "Not yet. If it doesn't go away by tomorrow, I’ll go see him after the 
inquiry is over."

   "I know this is going to piss you off, but there’s a new pool, captain."

   "What kind of pool is it this time? I told you how I feel about pools."

   "Yes sir, I do. This pool is a Due Date Pool."

   Frowning at him, she asked, "Due Date Pool?"

   "Yes sir, captain. As you know I'm married. As a matter of fact, so 
are a good many members of this crew. They also have children, so they’re 
familiar with some of the things that situation causes. One of them is a 
little syndrome misnamed ‘morning sickness’."

   Susan looked at him for a few moments, then the light bulb lit in her 
head. "Oh my God! I can't be pregnant."

   "I beg to differ, captain. You and Mr. Wayne have been behaving in a 
manner conducive to generating new life. Let me be the first to say it. 
Congratulations, Captain Ivanova."

   Susan sat on the edge of her desk, looking stunned at the revelation. 
"Pat, I’m going to sickbay and get Dr. Fowler to give me some sugar pills 
to take. You will pass the word around that I caught something on the 
station. After the inquiry is over, I’ll see the doctor for my physical, 
and he will let it slip that I’m pregnant. I just don't want any of the 
crew letting it slip on the station, before the inquiry is over. Is that 
asking too much?"

   "No, but I don't think the crew would talk about it if they knew, and 
were asked not to. They wouldn't do anything to screw you up now."

   "Let's do it my way. This’s going to kill my image as a hard-ass."

   "I hate to tell you, captain, but as far as the crew is concerned, you 
lost that image a long time ago."

   "That may explain why the crew doesn't seem to be afraid of me lately. 
I'm losing my edge."

   "I’ll see you in the morning, before you leave for your turn in the 
barrel, captain."

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

   "What do you need from us, Miss Alexander?" asked General Leftcourt.

   "I need to know exactly what you had planned for this board of inquiry, 
and specifically what Captain Conrad's part in it was. General Sanchez 
said you would fill me in on the details when you arrived. In order to 
know what to look for, I need to know what he should have been doing. I 
can't guarantee that he’ll even have any evidence of tampering. At any 
rate, anything I learn can't be used in court; however, it won't stop me 
from finding them, and seeing that they get their just rewards. There's 
no charge for that follow-up. It's on the house."

   "The inquiry was put together to investigate the attack on the station, 
and try to determine just what was involved. Since, it looked like Susan 
might have disobeyed orders in staying here, and becoming involved in the 
firefight, I wanted someone to go over her actions with a fine-tooth comb, 
and see what they could find. The worst case scenario, in my opinion, was 
she disobeyed orders for a good and valid reason. That being the case she 
would be court-martialed and found not guilty because she had information 
not available to Earth Dome. It would be found that she acted in the best 
tradition of the military, in carrying out her duties and responsibilities. 
Since she is a captain and a commanding officer, she’s given quite a bit of 
leeway in interpreting her orders. It’s part of having to be an independent 
commander. Captain Conrad is one of our very best investigators. I figured 
he would do his normally thorough job, and find nothing that merited any 
further action. After all, she helped save a quarter-million people and 
this space station. That calls for some slack in interpreting her actions. 
Conrad was fine during the investigation of Captain Lochley, and found what 
we expected. She did a fine job of handling the situation to the best of her 
abilities. We expected the same for Susan, but Captain Conrad seemed to 
suddenly go on a mission to destroy her, and embarrass all of us who 
supported her, after the civil war. In talking to Captain Conrad, I have 
become convinced that there is something wrong with him, something of 
which he is not aware."

   Lyta looked at Sheridan.

   "It's his show, Lyta. Just remember Garibaldi, and what Bester did to 
him. My only concern is for Susan's well being and her career."

   Delenn sat quietly taking it all in. "I don't think I need to be here 
for the remainder of this," she said, getting up to leave.

   "I’ll see you later, Delenn," answered John.

   General leftcourt put in a call to Captain Conrad's quarters.

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

   Conrad took the call, and put on his shoes, shirt and jacket to go to 
Leftcourt's quarters.

   "Man you must have really screwed up to be called on the carpet at 
this time of day," commented his roommate.

   "In spades," he replied.

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

    "Let's go out for dinner, Charley. I like to think of it as my equivalent 
of the last meal."

   "Just the two of us, or do we want company?"

   "Your call, Charley."

   "I would like to invite your friend, Delenn. Lyta is doing a job for 
her husband and General Leftcourt."

   "Any idea what it is?"

   "No, but it is costing them a small fortune."

   "How small?"

   "Lyta wouldn't say anything about what the job is, but she said she 
got them for half a million credits."

   Susan let out a whistle that could have carried half the length of the 
station, if the quarters door had been open. "Who is she going to kill? I 
mean for that money, you could put out contracts on half the officers in 
earthforce."

   "I don't have the slightest idea. She said she would tell us in a few 
days, if it went well."

   "Maybe Delenn knows."

****************************************************** 
 
   "I can't tell you, Susan."

   Taking another fork full of food, Susan asked, "Can't or won't?"

   "I am sorry, Susan. I can't tell you. If all goes well, you will learn 
about it before you are relieved of command."

   Lt. Corwin was walking across the Zocalo when he spotted, Susan, Delenn 
and Charley having dinner. Unaware that Susan did not know about her upcoming 
promotion, he stopped at the table and said, "Congratulations on the promotion, 
Captain Ivanova. It couldn't happen to a more deserving person."  Saying 
what he had on his mind, Corwin walked off. He was mystified at the puzzled 
expression on her face.

   "I don't suppose either of you know what the hell that was about?"

   Delenn and Charley both nodded, no.

   "I know what it is. The good lt. is having a joke at my expense. His way 
of rubbing my nose in the situation, revenge for making his life miserable 
when I was XO."

   "His congratulations seemed sincere, Susan," said Charley.

   "You haven't been around the station long enough, Charley, or you wouldn't 
take so much at face value."

   "She is correct, Charles," added Delenn.

   "You’re called Entil'za. What does that mean?"

   "It means she’s the ‘boss’ ranger, Charley. What is commonly known as 
the HAKIC."

   "What is a HAKIC?"

   "It's an acronym. It’s shorthand for "Head Ass-Kicker-in-Charge"."

   "Oh."

   "Susan is correct in her first description, Charles. It is the title 
for the head person in charge of the Anla'shok, or what you call the rangers."

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

 END PART 15

part 16

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