Address criticisms to [xazqrten@cox.net] Without, it there can't be any improvement.
****************************************************** Unobtrusively, the music began in the background. The restaurant had the local orchestra working for the evening. Lyta having finished her meal and nursing a drink, pulled Sheraun to his feet and started toward the dance floor. "I’m not a dancer, Lyta," he protested. "You lead in time to the music. I’ll do the rest," she responded. With Lyta in his arms, Sheraun moved to the music and was stunned at how fluid Lyta's movements were. The truth was the rangers used dancing to work on coordination between partners. She was snuggled up against him and he could hardly feel her in his arms, except for the heat of her body. "You are very good," commented Sheraun. "You seem surprised," she responded. "Pleasantly." They returned to their table. "You dance very well, Lyta," said John. "Simple coordination," she replied. "Boss. May I?" asked Larry. Lyta smiled at him and followed him to the dance floor. Sheraun looked at Lochley, "Captain, would you care to..." Without hesitation she joined him. He was extremely agile for such a large person. Elizabeth was surprised. The dance was a fast one and she found herself being moved around the dance floor at a dizzying pace. Walking back to the table, Lochley commented, "You are very good, Sheraun." "Lyta thinks so." Lochley looked him in the face trying to detect any double meaning in the statement, but Sheraun's face revealed nothing. He smiled at her. "You and John have been through a lot, haven't you?" asked Larry as he led Delenn around the floor. Delenn thought for a moment before replying, "More than anyone else will ever know. The wars you know about, but there is much more, but that will be for historians. How are you and Captain Lochley doing?" "It’s going well. Thanks to Lyta, we have a very special relationship. Like yours, there are things no one else will ever know, except for Lyta. She seems to be in the know on a great many things." "Fortunately, you will never know just how true that statement is." "I know she has a load of secrets." "That and much more. What do you think of her?" "I like her very much, in spite of the enigma she represents. She’s beyond anything I have ever experienced in a telepath. Sometimes she’s scary." "I never think of her as scary, but then I know her much better than you." Delenn stumbled at that moment. "What's wrong?" asked Larry. "John is leading Lyta to the dance floor," replied Delenn. "That is strange?" "More than you will ever know." ********************************************************************* Moving around the floor, John was amazed at how light Lyta felt. She moved like a fluid, flowing from one movement to another. "I don't understand it, Lyta. How can I be civil when we are around a crowd of friends and so hateful when we are alone?" asked John. "I'm not allowed to tell you that," she responded. "You mean, you know." Softly, "Yes." "You can't tell me?" "No. It would make problems for a very good mutual friend. That's as much as I can say on the matter. One day you will learn the reasons behind it, and you will agree, it was the only way." "I guess I'll just have to take your word for that." "Yes." "Has anyone ever told you, you sound a lot like the old Kosh?" "Yes." ******************************************************************* "Gentlemen and women, I have thoroughly enjoyed this evening," said Captain Lochley, "But I do have to be up early tomorrow. The station doesn't run itself. So, I bid you goodnight." Larry rose and left with Elizabeth. Susan and Charles followed them a few minutes later. "Well. I don't have to get up early tomorrow," said John, taking Delenn's hand and returning to the dance floor. "How about you, Sheraun?" Asked Lyta. "I leave when you do?" Lyta smiled at the big warrior. He was a heart thief, if she had ever met one. He surely had stolen hers. A few minutes later the Sheridans returned to the table. They were watching Lyta and Sheraun. An odd couple, they were. The tall redhead barely came up to his shoulder. A human and a Minbari, who would have thought. Then he looked at Delenn and thought, [Maybe not so odd after all]. A few minutes later, Delenn asked John to call it a day with her. They departed leaving Lyta and Sheraun alone. Looking across the restaurant, Lyta observed, "It's just us and the drunks, Sheraun. Are you ready to call it a night?" Putting his arm around her shoulder, he replied, "I am with you." They got up and started to leave. They were just leaving the restaurant, with Sheraun's arm around Lyta's waist. Someone called out a slurred insulting remark. "Don't pay any attention, Sheraun. They don't count for anything." "As you wish." "Let me do any head knocking. I’m on a diplomatic passport, and they won't do much except ask me to leave." "You are a head-knocker?" "More than you can imagine." ********************************************************************* "Hello. Lyta," said a male voice from behind her. "Good evening, Zack. What brings you out this late?" asked Lyta. "Boredom, mostly. I haven't had much luck with sleep, lately. Who's your friend?" "Sheraun. Say hello to Zack Allan, station chief of security." Offering his hand in a human gesture, he said, "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Allan." Zack shook his hand. "I heard the slur that was thrown your way, Lyta. You seem to handle it well." "It was just someone with too much to drink, too much mouth, and not enough common sense. They're cheaper by the dozen this time of night. If they pull a knife or gun, that’ll be different." "Take, care. We have some nasty ones here," he said as he continued on his random walk. She called after him, "Zack, maybe should you tell them to steer clear of me!" He turned, looked at her, and smiled. "What was that about?" asked Sheraun. "Let's be real, Sheraun. Nothing on this station can do me any real harm, short of blowing it up, and even that’s in doubt. The danger is to anyone stupid enough to accost me." "Cranky tonight, aren't we?" "Is that your Marcus impression?" "Yes. I liked him very much." Lyta looked at him, and smiled a silly smile, as she took his arm and said, "Let's go home." ************************************************************* "Okay, sleepy head. It's time to rise and shine," Lyta said to the sleeping four-year old. Maya opened one eye and looked at her mom. "Is it that time already?" "Yes. Sheraun has gone back to his ship." "Is he going to be back?" "Probably, as if that is any concern of yours," replied Lyta sitting on the edge of the bed and leaning over to kiss her offspring. Maya got up and got dressed. "We’ve been invited over to his ship today. You were on it once before, right after you were born." "Can I get breakfast first?" asked Maya. "Come on Emily, I’ll buy for all of us." Lyta put in a call to her ambassador, and he accepted the breakfast invitation. ******************************************************************* The breakfast was nothing to brag about, but it was adequate. "I have to go to Mars and maybe Earth, Harly. I’ll be gone for a week or so. I’m leaving Larry in charge of our telepath correction project. As we discussed, Charles will be leaving with Susan. I’ll return here before returning to Glenthor. I want to make one final check before I leave. I don't plan on returning in the near future, if ever." "I don't see any problems with your plans. I will regret seeing you leave. It has been a real pleasure having you here," responded Ambassador Hental. "I’ll be leaving people behind to cover us." "Mom. How are we getting over to the whitestar?" "Sheraun is going to send a shuttle for us. That reminds me, I have to arrange for station provisions to get our shuttle ready, and I also need to see Delenn this morning. You go with Emily, Maya." ******************************************************************* "Delenn, I need to see you this morning. Do you have any spare time?" "Come on over. I have lots of free time this morning. John is tied up with some IA business." Fifteen minutes later: "I appreciate your seeing me. I have some questions, I need answered, if you can answer them." Intrigued by Lyta's approach, Delenn asked, "Exactly what do you have in mind?" "You must have figured out by now that Sheraun and I did more than just talk yesterday and last night." "Both of you are mature adults. What you did, or didn't do, is no one else's concern." "I agree. However, my concern is what would happen if I got pregnant as a result." "That is impossible, Lyta. He is a full minbari and you are human." "For the sake of argument, let's just say I get pregnant, and have a baby as a result." "You would have a Minbari baby, I suppose. What are your questions?" "I know you and John have had your share of problems with your marriage. I assume you have problems because of David. However, you and he are high ranking government officials, so some of the lack of acceptance of your situation is mitigated by that fact. Sheraun and I don't have that luxury. I’m asking, if I should have a child by him, would it be better for the child to raise her in isolation from other Minbari? How would other Minbari respond to a half-breed? I have the means to make sure she would reach adulthood without ever meeting another Minbari." "I understand your concerns, Lyta, and I don't have a good answer to any of them. I don't know what a child resulting from Sheraun and your union would look like or anything else. Knowing how my change affected our people, especially our leaders, isolation would probably be best. Remember, I was a member of the Grey Council when my change took place, and still many of my people considered me a half-breed outsider. I am sure that some still do." Lyta sat drinking her tea and thinking about what her friend had just said. She changed position in her chair several times and tapped her fingers on the table while considering her options. "Since you can't get pregnant by Sheraun, I don't understand your stated concerns." "I just wanted all the information I could get. I like to have contingency plans." "Sometimes, I just don't understand you at all, Lyta." Lyta smiled and said, "Good." "You spent too much time with Kosh." *********************************************************************** "It's been a while since I was here, Sheraun, almost five years." "I know. Most of that crew is still here. We don't move personnel around as often as Earthforce. We train a crew together, and they stay together." "Let me guess. It helps foster the family feeling?" "Yes. We Minbari believe in family to a fault." "I know that. I learned it from your relatives." "I heard about that dinner. You are not popular with them." "I put on my best behavior, too." "Then, I don't want to see your worst." They were on the bridge and Sheraun ordered the navigator to take them back to station. "I would offer you a tour of the ship, but you saw pretty much everything when you were here before." "I didn't," piped Maya. "Quite true. You were too young to remember. I will have one of the crew give you a tour." ************************************************************** Lyta and Sheraun were in his quarters when he was summoned by the communications watch. "Captain. We have a request from Entil'za Delenn to come aboard for a short visit." "Inform her we will be delighted, and ask when to expect her." Looking at Lyta, he said, "There goes our private time." Lyta chuckled and replied, "Delenn has always had impeccable timing." "His comm. link chirped, and the comm. watch's voice said, "Captain. She will be arriving in half an hour." He acknowledged the call, and looked at Lyta. "Shall we take a slow walk to the hangar bay?" ********************************************************************** "Entil'za Delenn. Welcome to Whitestar 71." "Captain Sheraun. I am alone, John had some business to attend. Hello, Lyta." "Hello, Delenn." "I came to see Sheraun. It is a personal matter." "No problem. I will be in the mess facility, Sheraun," said Lyta. With that she turned and walked away. "Shall we retire to my quarters, Entil'za?" "That will be fine, Sheraun." ************************************************************************ The young female ranger, a Minbari, was astonished at the endurance of the young human. Any ordinary four-year old would have been totally exhausted by now, even a Minbari child. Yet, she showed no signs of slowing down. She also kept a steady stream of questions about the ship flowing. It was almost too much for the young ranger to handle. The youngster was asking questions best answered by the people who designed the ship. This had been going on for the better part of two hours. Hoping to end this assignment, the ranger took Maya toward the bridge. The first officer was sitting in the captain's chair when Maya and her escort arrived on the bridge. Looking at the ranger, he asked, "New crew member? I heard we were getting them young these days." "No sir. More of a tourist. Her mother is visiting the captain." Looking at Maya, he asked, "Is your mom the redhead?" "Yes, sir," answered Maya. He smiled. "The last time I saw you here, your mother was breast feeding you, while she killed a Drazi ship's captain. You were only a few hours old. You have grown quite a bit." "I don't remember that," she replied. At that moment there was an incoming message pleading for help. A Narn freighter was being attacked, on the other side of the sector, by unknown raiders. The first officer punched the intercom switch on the chair's control panel and announced, "Emergency! Shai Alyt to the bridge!" In the passage way outside his stateroom, Shreaun heard the announcement. "Our talk will have to wait, Entil'za Delenn." He walked off at a rapid pace and Delenn did her best to keep up with him. In the mess facility, Lyta also heard the announcement and made a dash for the bridge. **************************************************************** A P-9 telepath and above can detect electronic equipment in operation, Lyta and Maya could control it and read signals without displays. Forgotten on the bridge, Maya reached out with her mind, it took a minute to find the terrified thoughts of the freighter's captain and crew. She could "see" what was happening, and knew how far away they were. Her recent tour of the ship and her incessant questions left her aware that the whitestar could not arrive in time even at maximum burn. She began to feel for the control computers of the ship. It took a few minutes to get her thoughts sorted out to allow her to control the ship. Unknown to the Minbari, the ship's computers and control systems contained more Vorlon technology than any of them knew. It was this technology that would allow the young Human/Vorlon hybrid to take control of the ship's systems. Captain Sheraun arrived on the bridge just in time to hear C&C on Babylon 5 request that his ship make an effort to render assistance. Delenn arrived in time to hear the request. "Do it, Sheraun," she ordered. Before he could give the order, the ship pivoted violently on its axis, opened a jump point, and with engines at absolute maximum output transited into hyperspace as it accelerated on its new course. ************************************************************************** On board Babylon 5 in C&C, Captain Lochley was called out into control by Ltjg. Ellis, one of the newly qualified controller watch supervisors. "Incoming emergency call, captain. It's a Narn freighter on the other side of the sector. There isn't a jump gate anywhere near there. It's too far away for our fighters to answer. We need something with jump capability." Without hesitation, Lochley called the Whitestar 71 and requested that they respond to the call. As she finished the call, Lochley and everyone in C&C watching the displays observed the whitestar execute a neck wrenching spin and vanish into a jump point, without even acknowledging her call. "Captain," Asked Ellis, "What just happened?" "I don't know. Try and establish contact with them." ****************************************************************** The pivot maneuver was so violent that those on the bridge, excepting Maya, and elsewhere on the ship, excepting Lyta, who were not sitting down or otherwise braced, were thrown to the deck. Sheraun pulled himself to his feet and assisted Delenn. "What happened?" He demanded. No one answered. Everyone looked at one another. Everyone had forgotten about Maya. It was then that Lyta made it to the bridge. She noticed Maya standing at the forward bridge windows, oblivious to the disarray around her. "Captain Sheraun. G'Kar was right in asking where you got your driver's license," commented Lyta. "That maneuver wasn't my doing. Someone is going to answer for it." "Shai Alyt! The controls are not answering my input!" exclaimed the navigation watch. "We are totally off the beacon! We are lost!" "Incoming call from Babylon 5, Captain," said the comm. watch. "Shai Alyt! Weapons are powering up," noted the first officer. "What is going on here?" demanded Sheraun. "Lyta! Are you doing this?" She nodded, no. Everyone was still ignoring the four-year old standing in front of the forward windows. "Let's have the call." "Whitestar 71. This is Babylon 5 C&C. Please respond," said Captain Lochley's voice. "Babylon 5. This is Whitestar 71. We are responding to the emergency request from the Narn freighter," answered Sheraun. "You disappeared so fast, we weren't sure you received our transmission." "My apologies, Captain Lochley. We will call you when we get there. Whitestar 71 out." Without warning the whitestar's engines shut down and the ship flipped on its axis to a course headed 180 degrees to its motion and the engines fired again slowing it down. After the ship had slowed considerably, it was again flipped on its axis. Then the whitestar opened a jump point and transited into normal space less than fifty kilometers from the beleaguered freighter. "Shai Alyt. I have controls back," announced the navigator. Without hesitation Sheraun ordered the main and secondary batteries to open fire on the raiders. Their mother ship opened a jump point in an attempt to escape, and exploded when the jump point collapsed on it. In less than three minutes, the fighters were destroyed. No effort had been made to simply disable them. Delenn looked at Lyta who was smiling and looking at Maya. Delenn shifted her gaze and noticed the youngster standing in the front of the forward windows. Odd, she thought, she hadn't noticed her before, but neither had anyone else. It hadn't been by accident. Maya had made sure of it. Sheraun looked around the bridge, and for the first time, noticed Maya. "What is she doing here?" "She was here visiting when we got the call. She just got out of the way," replied the first officer. "Lyta, get her off the bridge," ordered Sheraun. "Come with me, Maya. This’s no place for children," she said. {Nice job, sweetheart. They would never have gotten here in time.} {Mom. Did you destroy the mother ship?} The look she gave Maya answered the question. As Lyta and Maya departed the bridge, Sheraun was asking the freighter captain if he needed any other assistance. *************************************************************** {Let's get some tea, honey. I think we’ve worn out our welcome here.} {I didn't mean to upset Sheraun, mom.} "Lyta. Wait for me," called Delenn. Delenn caught up to them. "We are going to have some tea, Delenn. Care to join us?" "Yes. You told Sheraun that you were not responsible for the ship being hijacked, so to speak." "That's the truth. I had nothing to do with it." "If not you, who?" "How many more like me do you know?" She thought about that for a minute, and then replied, "None. Unless... but she is only a child." "Correct. However, a whitestar proves that size isn't everything." "Are you going to tell Sheraun?" "No. He's not ready for that, yet. I'd appreciate you not telling him either." "You have my word. How about the raider mother ship?" "They intended to kill the freighter captain and his crew, without mercy." "And, of course, your telepathic scans could not be used in a court of law." "Very correct. We don't have a problem with that, now. Do we?" ********************************************************************* They were on their second cup of tea and snacks that had been available from the duty cook. A number of crew members, many sporting bruises, were also sipping tea and munching on snacks. The last hour had been one they would be discussing for a long time to come. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone, mom," said Maya. "If I hadn't got us here when I did, the freighter captain and his crew would have been killed." "You did well. The crew will recover," replied Delenn. "Here comes fun and games," commented Lyta as Sheraun appeared in the doorway. He looked over the people in the room and made straight for the table Lyta, Maya and Delenn were occupying. It was evident from his countenance that Sheraun was angry. He took the empty seat without being invited, and looked at Lyta with fury in his eyes. "What's on your mind, Sheraun?" asked Lyta. "You know, very well, what's on my mind. You commandeered my ship." "I already told you, I had nothing to do with what happened to your ship. I don't appreciate the accusation. Understand one thing, Sheraun, if I decided to hijack your ship, nothing you, or all the rangers in the IA could do, would stop me. Never forget that," shot back Lyta, obviously irritated by Sheraun's accusation. "We have run systems checks and can find nothing wrong. What other explanation could there be?" "Have you reviewed your navigation records?" asked Lyta. "Yes. We went completely off beacon after we entered hyperspace. My navigator says we should have been lost. He also told me that using normal navigation, we would have never arrived in time to save the freighter and her crew." "Then you and your crew get a feather in your cap for the rescue." "You also destroyed the raider mother ship." "I WHAT! I am sure you can prove that statement. You, damn well, better be able to!" "Our sensors indicated that just as she was entering the jump point, her jump engines failed. It was a bit too convenient, Lyta. Before you explode again, remember, I know very well what you are capable of doing to a ship. You made a point of demonstrating that to me and G'Kar." "You did, Lyta. We do have those little demonstrations on data crystals," admonished Delenn. "Until you can prove it, I suggest you keep those accusations to yourself, Sheraun." "It isn't important. They got no more than they richly deserved." He motioned the cook to bring the tea pot and another cup. The spirited conversation was not going unnoticed by the other crewmembers present. They listened and wondered just what was going on. Sheraun poured himself a cup of tea and appeared deep in thought. He looked at Maya for a long minute, then muttered to himself, "No, way." "No way, what? Sheraun?" Asked Lyta. "Nothing. It's not important." Lyta looked at Delenn, but said nothing. Out of the corner of his eye, Sheraun saw the silent exchange. Whatever the truth was the women were not going to tell him, and since, Delenn was privy to it, he would let it drop. He figured, if he needed to know, she would tell him. It was also obvious that the women were much more than just casual "friends". ********************************************************************** "Babylon 5. This is Whitestar 71. We are escorting the Narn freighter back to you. She is in need of repairs before she can continue on her way," said the first officer into the communications pickup. "Roger Whitestar 71. We are receiving a list of necessary repairs from the freighter captain." Sheraun walked onto the bridge and asked, "Navigation. How long till we reach Babylon 5?" "At this speed, about four hours, sir." ****************************************************************** "It has been an interesting trip. Sheraun," commented Delenn. "At least it wasn't boring, Entil'za." "I will give you that, Sheraun." "Lyta. Will you be available later?" "You have to ask?" "I wasn't the best host earlier today." "Really. Let's see now, you accused me of stealing this ship, and of blowing up another. I suppose I can forgive that. What time?" "I was thinking 2000." "I’ll be waiting." "I suppose this means, I spend the night with Emily?" asked Maya. "I thought you liked her?" "I do, mom." "Then, it's not a problem?" "No." Sheraun picked Maya up and looked her in the eyes. "This means a lot to your mother." Maya hugged his neck tightly, and said, "I know." ************************************************************************ Susan met Lyta as she cleared customs. "I don't suppose you have time for a quick rehearsal, do you?" "Yes we do. I’m free until 1930. Then, I have to get ready for Sheraun." "You two make an odd couple." "Oh?" "He's a Minbari the size of a building, and you’re a redheaded human female. It would look odd enough if you were a human male." "Well. He seems to like me, so there." "Testy, aren't we?" "We are. Today he accused me of hijacking his ship and of blowing up a raider mother ship." "Well, did you?" "Hijack the ship? No. Blow up the other one? Well, it did have shaky jump engines." "Let's get going. Charley and John are waiting in the chapel." "I've never attended a wedding, Susan," commented Lyta. "You will do just fine, as will Maya." *********************************************************************** "You don't mind letting Maya stay overnight again, do you?" "Not at all. She’s a jewel," replied Emily. "She’s like a little sister." "You behave yourself, Maya." "I always do, mom." *********************************************************************** "Hello, Sheraun. I see you’re right on time." Putting his arms around her and kissing her deeply, he answered, "You wanted time to get ready. You look beautiful." "That's a biased opinion, but I like it." "Have you had supper, yet?" "I ordered something from the Fresh Aire. I can handle Minbari dishes, so we won't have any problems." The doorbell chimed and their food was delivered. Sniffing the covered trays, Sheraun said, "It smells scrumptious." "That’s the idea. The shortest way to a man's heart is through his stomach," she replied, setting the items on the table. "You can help set the table." "You should be aware, Lyta, Minbari males, particularly warrior caste, are hard to domesticate." She looked at him and gave a derisive snort for an answer. "In the heart department, Lyta, you have already won mine. You stole it, the first time I saw you," he replied, placing the plates and silverware on the table. They had been eating for about fifteen minutes when the doorbell chimed. Lyta looked at Sheraun with confusion showing on her face and was greeted by the same expression on his face. "Enter," she said, and the door opened. In came Susan and Delenn, closely followed by Lochley. "This better be good, Susan," commented Lyta in a slightly annoyed tone. "John and some of the boys have taken Charley out for a night on the town, so to speak, before we are married tomorrow. They didn't have time to arrange a bachelor party," replied Susan. "That's nice, but what does it have to do with me?" "We thought it might be nice to do a female version of the same thing," replied Susan. "Susan. I know it may have escaped you, but I have plans for this evening, and bar hopping isn't included in them. As you can see, I’m having supper with Sheraun. I would offer you a plate, but it is dinner for two." Susan looked at Sheraun, obviously miffed that his presence meant Lyta wouldn't be interested. "If you want some tea, Susan, I have plenty, and I can split my flarn with you, but I am not going out tonight. I have plans, and they’re for two people." Susan looked at Delenn and Lochley. "I guess it wasn't such a good idea after all." Delenn looked at Sheraun then Lyta. "I am sorry we interrupted your meal. I think it's time we left, Susan." The three women departed. "I’m sorry, Sheraun. I didn't know they were coming." "She meant well. Her timing was a little off." They finished their meal and retired to the sofa for some video viewing. It wasn't very long before their interest in the programming faded. Sheraun was fondling and kissing Lyta absentmindedly. "This works better on the bed, Sheraun." *********************************************************************** END PART 21