Lyta And Ivanova Part 2 of ---(WIP)
Criticism is welcomed. Without, it there can't be any improvement. Address criticisms to [xazqrten@cox.net]
***************************************** {We need to find your mom,} said Susan as they entered the Zocalo. {I can find her, Aunt Susan,} replied Maya. {Mommy! Where are you?} {No need to yell, sweetheart. You and Aunt Susan wait there. I am coming there to buy a late lunch.} Maya looked at Susan. {I heard,} said Susan, looking for an empty table. "Did she behave, Susan?" "She has been a real pleasure to have around. All children should be this well behaved. Sure doesn't take after her mom and dad," Susan said sweetly. Lyta chuckled and then, seriously, asked, "Did you talk to Captain Lochley?" "Yes. She is hard headed and doesn't like to admit to making a mistake." "Sounds like someone I know," she shot back. "Yeah, that too. I am extending my stay here for a couple of days so my crew can let their hair down before we head home. It's been over a year since they have had access to any decent recreation facilities beside those on the ship." "How do the married members feel about the delay?" "I don't know. Some will relish the chance to buy some special things for their loved ones. Anyway they may never have a chance like this again. After all, there is only one Babylon 5 and there are things here, you simply cannot get anywhere else." "True, so true," replied Lyta. Lyta ordered a small lunch as several of her people joined her. "We aren't intruding are we?" asked one of the young men. Lyta waved to empty chairs for them to sit down. They sat down and immediately ordered lunch. "I think I could use a meeting with Captain Lochley. She and I need to come to terms with one another," said Lyta. "Let me arrange it, Lyta," requested Susan. "Be my guest," she replied. "I need to have a chat with you about Maya." Lyta looked at her and asked, "About what?" "I am not sure. I am hoping you can tell me." "Susan. You're sounding like a fuzzy Vorlon." Susan scrunched her eyebrows and smirked at the image that statement brought to mind. "I will send Maya to my quarters with Emily. Then we can talk, but I warn you, she can probably overhear us anywhere on the station." Susan was visibly shaken at that statement, but said nothing. Lyta finished her lunch and told Maya to go with Emily, a young female member of her group. ********************************************************************** Lyta walked into the stone garden area of Babylon 5 as Susan explained what happened on the shuttle ride to her ship, earlier that morning. "I never heard of a telepath that could do what she did. Not even you, and I didn't even feel her in my mind." "Susan. There are some things about Maya that you are going to find frightening, if not terrifying," replied Lyta. "I don't think I like the sound of that." "I know. I have been surprised by some of the things she can do. I can't even do some of them. I think it has something to do with my psi corps conditioning. She doesn't have any of that conditioning." "Exactly what does that mean?" "As you know every telepath is born a mundane and remains so until he or she starts to show the ability. Maya was telepathic from the time she was conceived. Even before she was born she was touching my mind. It was eerie the first time it happened. As powerful and as sensitive as I am, I never felt it the first time she entered my mind. I was about four months pregnant and was going to sleep one night on G'Kar's ship. I felt something warm and soft and thought I was having a waking dream. It took me some time to realize what was happening. It is strange enough being pregnant. Feeling the fetus's thoughts and feelings is bizarre the first time or so you experience it. I must be the first non first-one mother to have the experience." "How does that affect me?" "She has formed a bond with you. It is more personal than you can possibly imagine. Apparently she loves you very much. I can't give you a better explanation than that. For some reason she has developed a close relationship with you. It is not an invasion of your privacy like you would expect or feel with a normal teep. For her what she feels for and with you is normal." Susan was thoroughly confused. "I don't know what to think or feel about this." "Do you feel invaded, used or abused?" "No. I thought I knew something about telepathy. It is obvious there is a great deal I really don't know." "Susan. Maya is unique. She is half Vorlon, she was a telepath before she was born. She didn't have any experience without her abilities. They were there from the very beginning. She doesn't understand the mundane viewpoint at all. I think you should feel special that she has bonded with you. Most people she ignores or worse." "I got that feeling when I went to see Lochley this morning. She was with me remember?" "She didn't respond to Lochley? "Totally ignored her. There is one other thing. The station and a passenger ship almost got hit by a freighter that lost its navigation thrusters. Somehow it was stopped before it hit the station or the other ship and it wasn't done by its crew." "What does that have to do with me? This is the first I have heard about it." "I think Maya stopped that freighter, but there is no way to prove it." "Did you ask her?" "No. Can you hear what they would say if an earthforce captain was heard asking a small child if she averted a station disaster?" "I will ask her," she responded, then continued, "I have someone I want you to meet." Susan looked at her curiously. "I told you, Maya is particular about people. I want you to meet the only other person she has attached herself to besides me and you. Me because I am her mother. You, I don't know why, and the other person, I don't know either, but she seems to find the two of you special." Now, Susan looked really confused. "Am I late?" asked a strong male voice from behind them. "Not at all," replied Lyta. Susan turned to look at their visitor. Somehow he looked familiar, but she couldn't place him. "Susan. I would like to introduce one of my senior aides, Charles Wayne. I believe you may have met him before," stated Lyta. At the sound of his name, Susan remembered the man and what she had done to him. She began to feel very uncomfortable. "Lyta. This isn't fair," said Susan. "Chuck. I think you remember Captain Ivanova," continued an amused Lyta. "Yes. I might say it was an unforgettable moment in my life, though I have really tried to forget it," he replied. Susan looked like she would like to find a rock, any rock, to crawl under. "He is your senior aide?" "Yes, and if it hadn't been for you he would have been killed in the telepath war," said Lyta. "As it turned out, Captain Ivanova, your treatment of me, cemented my position in Bester's eyes as a most trustworthy psi cop. That trust allowed me to be very useful to Lyta as a behind the lines agent and the opportunity to escape when the time came. For that chance I am grateful; however, it took me a long time to see it that way. Lyta explained a lot about you. I realize your treatment of me wasn't aimed at me as a person, but at me the psi cop representing the corps. You would have reacted the same way no matter who the psi cop might have been," explained Wayne. "I am truly sorry for what I did to you," replied Ivanova. "Apology accepted. Captain. Life is too damned short to hold useless grudges," responded Wayne. "Could I offer to buy both of you dinner tonight," asked Lyta. "You can even invite Captain Lochley, Susan." Susan thought about what she had just been told and what was asked of her. "I can do that," she answered. "If I am going to dinner, I need to contact Lochley and get myself properly attired. I haven't had an excuse to wear a dress in almost two years," responded Susan with a smile. "I will make the reservations, and let you both know in about twenty minutes," offered Wayne, taking his leave. "Mister Wayne, just contact my ship when you finish," said Susan as he turned and walked away. "Lyta. Are you trying to play matchmaker?" asked Susan. "Honestly. Not at all. I just wanted you to meet him. I wanted you to see him as a human being, not a psi cop animal. If there are feelings or anything else, it is none of my doing. Why?" "I don't know. For some reason I find him extremely attractive." "Just think about Marcus and it will pass." "I am thinking about Marcus, but I still find Charles extremely attractive," she replied, seriously. "Maybe it's because he has many of the traits, you loved about Marcus." Susan just looked at Lyta. Obviously she was thinking about that. "I will see you later, Susan. I have another meeting, shortly," stated Lyta. "Didn't you say that Maya, got attached to Charles?" "Yes." Susan turned and walked away, obviously deep in thought. Lyta smiled at her back. Maya had to be the one responsible for the reactions she had just witnessed. ******************************************************************* "C&C can you patch me through to Captain Lochley?" Susan spoke into her link. "Lochley here. What can I do for you, Captain Ivanova?" "Will you be free for dinner this evening. I was asked to invite you. I will have the particulars in about half an hour." Lochley, who was walking through Brown sector with Zack on a routine inspection tour, thought for a few moments, then spoke into her link, "I have nothing scheduled after 1800. Anytime after that is fine." "Captain, if you don't mind, could you wear civies?" Zack looked at Lochley as she answered the link, "Sure." "Captain?" asked Zack. "Beats the hell out of me, Zack, but it is a free supper," answered Lochley. As she answered Zack, Captain Lochley realized she didn't have any civilian clothes; however, she thought, she could submit it as a requirement for an official function. She figured Lyta would be there and she was an official of the Glenthorian trade delegation. She was beginning to appreciate the accounting course that been one of the academy graduation requirements. ******************************************************************** Lyta was in her quarters getting ready for the dinner. It was for 2000. She was trying to decide what to wear. She turned with a skirt and blouse and jacket combo and asked, "What do you think sweetheart?" "You will be beautiful, mommy. It doesn't matter what you wear," answered Maya. "Maya. I have to ask you a few questions." Maya looked at her expectantly. "What did you do in C&C today?" "Nothing, mommy. I was looking out at the ships and stars when I felt someone become very scared." "And..." "They were becoming very scared. I couldn't help feeling their fear. I saw what was scaring them and made it go away." Lyta hugged Maya and kissed her on the cheek. "You did good, sweetheart. You may have saved a great many people. Someone knows what you did, but she won't tell, because she can't prove it. You must be more careful in the future." Maya returned the hug and buried her face in her mothers shoulder and neck. "I am sorry," came a muffled response. "Maya. Are you trying to get Mister Wayne and Aunt Susan together?" Maya shook her head, no. "You like both of them very much, don't you?" She shook her head, yes. ************************************** Susan like Lochley had to buy a dress and the accessories to go with it, because she didn't have any civilian clothes with her. She had met Lochley in the Zocalo while shopping for a dress. It had been a pleasure shopping. She had forgotten what it was like to do it. Lochley had admitted that she couldn't remember the last time she had indulged. They had spent almost two hours finding something that they liked. "Call me Elizabeth, please. I so seldom get to do something not military. I want to enjoy this," said Lochley. "Only if you call me Susan. I like to be someone besides the captain, occasionally," replied Susan. "Susan. What do you know about Lyta's staff?" "I know they are all telepaths. Most of them are at least P-10s or above. A couple are high P-12s." "That worries me. The last time there were a bunch of telepaths on board we had a disaster." "It won't happen with these people. Lyta hand picked them and deep scanned all of them. They are absolutely loyal to her and she doesn't allow any funny stuff. If you ask tonight, I am sure she will enlighten you. She appreciates your position, more than you might imagine. Remember she has fought several wars in the last several years." "She has sent people to their certain deaths. She has killed on a personal level and in battle, and been responsible for the safety and welfare of a very large group of people. I suppose you are right." "I have some things to take care of before dinner," said Susan, paying for her purchase. As an afterthought she asked, "Elizabeth. What happened to the guard ships normally kept in the vicinity?" "I don't know. I hadn't really noticed with everything else going on. Why?" "I'm not sure. It just seems very odd considering what has happened in the last few years." "We can discuss it later, if you want. Right now I have some things that need my attention. I'll see you at dinner." ********************************************************************* The XO and Chief Duty Officer(CDO) were waiting to see the captain off. As Ivanova approached both men had to fight to keep their jaws from hitting the deck. They knew their skipper was a real looker, but nothing had prepared them for the way she looked tonight. The dress ended about ten centimeters above her knees. The blouse and jacket showed off her upper body to perfection and the high heels made her legs seem like they went on forever. Captain Ivanova was one hundred-seventy nine centimeters tall in her bare feet. With the heels she towered over the two men. "Cap...tain Ivanova," the CDO managed to get out, before swallowing hard. "Are there any special orders for tonight, sir?" "Only one, CDO. Don't wait up. I'll see you in the morning XO." "Will you be returning tonight?" asked the XO. "I'll see you in the morning, Pat," responded Susan. As she boarded the shuttle, Ivanova was tickled to see the reaction of crew members already aboard who were going on liberty. There were ten other crew members already seated and every one of them tried to hide their drooling. She wondered if the crew would ever look at her again the way the used to. As Susan walked through the arrival and customs areas, she could almost hear the heads swiveling to follow her movements and breath being held by those same observers. She hadn't felt this good in years, and she wasn't sure why. She was about fifteen minutes early so she sat at the Fresh Aire's bar and carefully nursed a vodka over ice. It was exhilarating to watch the men try to stare at her and hide the fact at the same time. Captain Lochley walked up beside her. "You are absolutely ravishing tonight, Captain Ivanova." Turning and looking Lochley up and down, "Stunning doesn't begin to describe you, Captain Lochley," replied Susan. "Do you think the station can stand have two really beautiful mature women out and about at the same time?" she asked. Before Lochley could respond, she noticed Lyta and two men coming across the Zocalo. "I think we've just been outclassed, Susan," noted Lochley, pointing to Lyta and her escorts. Susan was stunned. "There has to be a law against being that beautiful," she replied. Every male head, human and otherwise, was turned toward Lyta as eyes followed her every move. She had an air that advertised, "Look, But Don't Touch", in any language you could imagine. She approached the headwaiter and was escorted to her reserved table. A waiter came over and invited Susan and Elizabeth to join Lyta as her guests. Her escorts waited and helped the two other women with their seats. ******************************************************************** They had just finished ordering their meal and drinks, no one commented on Lochley ordering a nonalcoholic drink, when Lyta did the introductions. Lyta's escorts, actually her two senior staff members, Charles Wayne and Larry Evans, both average looking and in their late thirties, were seated on opposite sides of the table with Ivanova and Lochley respectively. Lyta told Susan and Elizabeth that the men were former psi cops. Charles used to be a regular psi cop and Larry specialized in counterintelligence. Charles looked over at Lochley and asked, "Are you really the captain of this station?" Lochley smiled and said, "Yes. Are you surprised?" she asked. "Very pleasantly," he responded. "And you, Captain Ivanova," asked Evans. "I sort of own the ‘hog’ parked alongside the station." "Susan. I can think of lots of things to call your ship. However, "hog" isn't one of them," commented Lyta. "The term is referencing a motorcycle made during earth's twentieth century. Garibaldi showed it to me in some very old vids he owns," replied Susan. "Makes sense now," answered Lyta. Lyta carefully steered the conversation away from business and back to personal experiences. She was careful to avoid her own experiences. It turned out that the two captains and their unofficial escorts hit it off so well, Lyta began to feel like a fifth wheel. It was what she wanted. Lyta's experiences had brought her to the belief that both Ivanova and Lochley were working too hard to excel in what was patently a man's world. They had sacrificed their personal lives for success. It wouldn't hurt to get them to step out of the rat race for a short break. It was to be a step she never seriously considered, when they stepped. Dinner was over and the two couples were enjoying dancing to the restaurant's band. Lyta kicked back and watched things proceed. "Could I have the next dance?" asked a male voice from behind her. Lyta turned to see who had addressed her and saw a handsome gentleman of about forty-five, dressed in an Earthforce uniform and sporting commanders insignia standing about two meters away. She knew it had taken a lot of nerve for the man to approach her. She also noted the wedding band on his left hand. "Of course," she answered. It would be interesting to see what line of approach he used. The music ended, but Susan, Lochley and their dates did not return to the table, instead they danced the next dance. Susan looked over at the table about half-way through the dance and noticed that Lyta was no longer there. "Tell me, commander, what is your best line?" asked Lyta. The man looked confused. "I don't understand," he replied. Lyta flowed with the commander's movements. He was a superb dancer. The music stopped and they made their way back to her table. "What did you mean by ‘what is my best line’," he asked. Then he continued, "I don't have one, if you mean pickup line. I’m happily married. I just haven't had a chance to dance in almost two years. Who wouldn't want to dance with the most beautiful woman in the place?" "Touche. You are also the best dancer I’ve ever had the pleasure to share a floor with." Susan and Lochley and company were already back at the table when Lyta and the commander approached. Looking at her XO, Susan asked, "What brings you out tonight, commander?" "I just had to see this place. I have heard so many things about it, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see for myself. The shopping and souvenirs are something to behold. It's like a huge bazaar, and I just got to dance with the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." "What will your wife say?" "I won't know, sir, until I tell her. I don't think she’ll begrudge me a few dances. Besides, I have you as witness that I behaved myself." "Captain Lochley. May I introduce my XO, the best XO in the fleet, Patrick Owens." "Pleased to meet you, commander," said Lochley. "Likewise, captain," he responded. The music starting up was a tango from mid twentieth century Earth's Brazilian area. Lyta stood up and took the commander's hand. "Shall we?" On the dance floor, Owen's was stunned by Lyta ability. He had never danced with anyone this well coordinated before. He suspected that after tonight, he never would again. Lyta's and Commander Owen's efforts were not going unnoticed at their table nor at a number of other tables. "I think I want to dance at least one dance with your exec," said Lochley. "You and me, Elizabeth. I never even knew he could dance," responded Ivanova. "You girls are impressed by the commander's dancing. I want at least one with my boss. She is also very good," commented Wayne. "Me too," added Evans. "I think I am going to remember tonight for a long time to came." "That makes two of us, Larry," responded Wayne. "How did you two wind up with being here tonight?" asked Ivanova. "Easy. Lyta told the entire staff that she was having dinner with the station CO and the CO of the destroyer alongside and needed two volunteers to accompany her. When no one volunteered, Chuck and I got ‘volunteered’," answered Evans. "We didn't know that you two were females, much less, knockouts," added Wayne. "Luck of the draw. I hope we don't disappoint you, Charles," commented Lochley. Both men looked at one another and Wayne responded, "Not much chance of that Captain Lochley." *********************************************************************** "What do you think of Susan, commander?" asked Lyta. "Speaking as someone who has server under a number of COs, she is the best yet. She is very sharp, cares about her people and finishes the job and if she had balls, they would be the size of this station," he responded. "Sounds like an accurate description of the Susan I know." "Don't get me wrong. Captain Ivanova is as hard as nails, but she is not careless or foolish about what we can and cannot do. She doesn't like to get people killed." "When you get home, you tell your wife she has herself one hell of a husband." "If you say so." The next dance was slow and all three couples danced, Wayne with Lyta, Lochley with Commander Owens and Susan with Evans. "Boss dancing with you is so easy, it makes me look good," said Wayne. "I know. You aren't a bad dancer. You just need more practice." "You would be a great practice partner." "I don't often get to do this. I have a feeling it won't come again for a very long time." ************************************************************************ "You are very good, Captain Lochley," commented the commander. "You are an expert, commander. What's your secret?" "My wife used to be a dance instructor." Lochley laughed. "Figures. You and she must dance a lot." "Every chance we get, which hasn't been many the last few years. However, I do plan to make up for lost time." ********************************************************************** "Captain Ivanova, you are easy on the eyes and arms, and you smell terrific," said Evans. "Is that the latest pick-up line?" "Pick-up line? I don't understand." "You guys really didn't know what you were in for tonight, did you?" "No. We thought we would be trapped into listening to Lyta and a couple of middle-aged men discuss trade problems and solutions. We never dreamed of you two." "Sometimes the universe smiles on you, Larry. Like it did tonight." Susan snuggled a little closer to him and was rewarded by his breathing changing. She could feel his heartbeat through her breast against his chest and it increased markedly. She smiled inwardly. They were real males and responded as such. In that respect, telepaths were not different from mundanes. ********************************************************************* It was approaching midnight when Commander Owens took his leave of the dance party. Lyta insisted on escorting him back to the shuttle departure area. They were almost there when they passed a darkened passageway leading to some loading areas. They were not paying attention when a voice from the shadows ordered them to stop. Lyta had been conversing with the commander and had not detected the thug. She scanned him and found that he intended to kill them after robbing them. The thug stepped forward into the light and revealed a PPG leveled at them. "Move and die. I want your money and jewelry." The commander looked at Lyta and said, "I am sorry to get you into this." "No problem commander. We aren't in any trouble, he is," replied Lyta. "You might be pretty now, lady, but one shot from this thing and nobody will want to look at what's left." Commander Owens was removing his wallet when Lyta said, "Don't bother. He intends to kill us anyway, and we wouldn't be his first." "You can make it easy or hard. It's your choice." "Commander. Call C&C and have them get security down here to pick up a dead robber," said Lyta, matter of factly. With that she turned to face the thug and smiled a smile that almost turned the man's blood to ice. He was scared out of his wits as his hand moved the PPG until it was in front of his face. As his mouth opened he became terrified. He could do nothing to stop himself from putting the muzzle of the weapon into his mouth. "You may want to turn your head, commander. This is going to be messy," commented Lyta. Then to the thug, "Your crime career is over and your life is forfeit." Commander Owens was stunned, and at the same time fascinated, at what was transpiring before him. There was a PPG blast muffled by the thugs mouth and his fried brains splattered over the bulkhead behind him as his lifeless body fell to the deck. "Are you going to call security, commander?" asked Lyta. Owens called security, identified himself and was told to wait until they arrived. "I hope you don't let this spoil your evening, commander." "No, it won't. I just never watched anyone blow his brains out before." "Truth is, I don't do it very often, either." It was less than three minutes before a security man arrived to take charge of the scene. "We will need statements from both of you commander," said the guard. "Not a problem, officer," replied Owens. Zack Allan arrived a few minutes later as Lyta and Owens were finishing their statements. "Lyta. What are you doing here?" asked Zack. I was escorting the commander back to his shuttle loading area, when the gentleman over there tried to rob and kill us," answered Lyta. The first officer asked, "How did you know he intended to kill you?" "Bob, you don't know who Lyta is, do you?" asked Zack. "No sir. I don't." "Meet the most powerful telepath you will ever meet," answered Zack. "If she says he was going to kill them, believe her." "Who killed him?" "She probably did. She probably made him think frying his own brains was the best idea he ever had. Am I close, Lyta?" She only nodded her head slightly in response. "Don't worry about it, Lyta. No one’s going to miss him. Besides, with your papers, we couldn't do anything to you even if we wanted to." "Can we go?" asked Owens. "Sure commander. Have a good night. Goodnight, Lyta," replied Zack. "Goodnight, Zack, officer," answered Lyta. Then she and Owens left. After Lyta and the commander had departed the area, Bob looked at Zack and asked, "Chief. Were you serious about what you said she did?" "As a heart attack, Bob. She is about as dangerous a being as you can imagine. Remind me to show you some security camera footage that I have kept, tomorrow. It should scare the hell out of you, every time you think of her," replied Zack. ****************************************************************** "You have provided me a most pleasant and memorable, if unusual evening. I won't be forgetting it anytime soon. That is a promise, Lyta." Lyta gave him a light kiss on the lips and said, "if I am ever near Mars again, I will look you and your family up." Then, giving it some thought, she added, "When you get back, look up a man at Edgar Industries named Michael Garibaldi. He is easy to find. He owns and runs it. Tell him Lyta Alexander said to take care of your wife and family. If he asks for proof give him these numbers, and tell him to remember John Sheridan." Before Lyta gave him the numbers, he got paper and pen from his "beachguard" (people in charge of fleet landing during a ship's stay in a port) chief. "He will never forget those numbers and what they meant, commander." Giving the chief back his pen, he told Lyta goodnight one more time, then went to board the shuttle. As Lyta walked away she could read the surface thoughts of the beach guard. They appreciated beautiful women. ********************************************************************* "I am calling it a night, ladies and gentlemen," announced Larry Evans. "Thank you for a very memorable evening Captain Lochley. It was a real pleasure making your acquaintance, Captain Ivanova," he added. "Would you mind escorting me back to my quarters, Mister Evans?" asked Lochley. Larry's offered arm answered her question. Elizabeth and Larry left. "If you wish, Captain Ivanova, I would be happy to escort you to the shuttle boarding area," offered Charles. "That won't be necessary, Charles," replied Ivanova. "Well, thank you for a wonderful evening, and I bid you goodnight, captain. I have a day full of meetings tomorrow, and it is very late." "You misunderstand, Charles. I plan to escort you back to your quarters." Looking surprised, Wayne offered Susan his arm and they left the restaurant. The two couples leaving were noticed by many of the patrons. ********************************************************************** On her way back to her quarters, Lyta passed through the Zocalo and noted that Lochley, Ivanova and their escorts were already gone. She smiled to herself and felt quite satisfied how things went for the evening. Entering her quarters Lyta saw that Maya had been put to bed. Emily was asleep on the bed beside her. Lyta gently touched Emily's mind and she awoke. "Thank you for watching Maya, Emily." Showing a sleepy smile, Emily, replied, "It was a pleasure. She is very interesting." As Emily left her quarters, Lyta said, "You will have to tell me about it sometime." Lyta got ready for bed, wondering what kind of mischief Wayne and Evans were getting into. ************************************************************************ END PART 2