Lyta and Ivanova Part 7 of ---(WIP)
***********************************************************************
0145 Day 4 Babylon 5
Susan and Lochley were in her office waiting for the scrambled gold
channel to be enabled.
The channel came on line showing General Leftcourt lying in a hospital
bed and the Earth Alliance President Lunchenko sitting beside him.
Susan looked at the expressions on their faces. They were priceless.
"Madam President, General Leftcourt. I assume you weren't expecting to
see my face again," commented Susan. She continued with a perfectly
earnest expression, "I am sorry to sorely disappoint you, but I couldn't
help it. Instinct raised its ugly head."
"Captain Ivanova. It is a pleasure to see you survived," stated Lunchenko.
"With all due respect, Madam President, I sincerely doubt that; however,
I’m not here to trade words with you. General Leftcourt, I have transmitted
a preliminary damage report to you on the sub-channel. The crux of it is,
the Ares is pretty badly shot up. We suffered considerable hull damage from
collisions with Drakh fighters and one Drakh cruiser. The damage from the
cruiser gunfire was pretty bad, too. I have included pictures detailing the
hull damage. We lost one reactor and damaged three more from excess heat and
fried some of our weapons from overheating."
The video of the damage to the hull of the Aries replaced Susan's
image on the screen.
Over the link she could hear the intake of breath by both the general
and the President.
Lunchenko asked, "How many casualties, captain?"
"We lost ten fighters and six pilots, most from friendly fire. They
were hit by stray fire from the station. The Drakh fighters never got a
chance to be used as such. We suffered no fatalities onboard the ship.
There are some broken bones from crewmen being bounced around during the
collisions. Sorry, general, but it was the best I could do."
She was treated to absolute silence from the general and President as
a response.
"General. There is one more thing. My resignation is also being forwarded
on the sub-channel. It is effectively immediately. I’ll turn over the Ares
to Commander Patrick Owens, my XO, as soon as I return to the ship. He’s a
good man." She hesitated then continued, "Sorry to rob you of your chance
to make political hay out of my former career, Madam President. General.
Here is Captain Lochley."
Susan stepped out of camera range and was replaced by Captain Lochley.
"Hello, General Leftcourt. I’m sorry to be talking with you under these
circumstances, but things have been a bit hectic lately." She had pointedly
ignored the President.
"Elizabeth. I hear you had some excitement earlier. You should share
it with the rest of us."
"I'll keep that in mind for the future, general."
"How bad is it, captain?"
"We took six major hits, but only two resulted to penetrations of the
outer hull before exploding. We have been hit by a great many small
fragments, but a paint job should take care of most of that. We lost ten
civilians, and four members of the repair parties. Almost all of the
civilians were people from down below who would not evacuate the areas.
I’m afraid Captain Ivanova's ship caught all the real hell, general. We
had help, but if Captain Ivanova hadn't disobeyed her orders and remained
here, you and I would not be having this conversation."
"What kind of help, captain?" asked Luchenko.
"I’m afraid I can't discuss that with you, Madam President. General if
you visit in the near future I will be happy to enlighten you."
"I will be very interested Captain Lochley. Keep the circuit open. I need
to talk to the President."
"General?" demanded Luchenko.
"Whatever she knows, she’s not willing to put it out on a communications
channel, not even an encrypted one."
"Any idea why?"
"Considering that it was one of your people who ordered the Ares away
from the area, I don't think she trusts you, Madam President. If you were
her, how would you respond?"
"I'm not her, general."
"No ma'am. You most certainly are not."
"What are you going to do with Captain Ivanova?"
Looking at the hardcopy of Ivanova's resignation, he responded,
"According to this piece of paper, I have limited choices. If I accept
her resignation, she is no longer an Earthforce captain, and there isn't
much we can do. If I don't accept it and we try to prosecute her, she
will murder you in the media, and personally, I think that’s her
objective. She considers you a traitor."
"Do you, general?"
"I’m not the one who is going to crucify you and your administration."
"I can still court martial her."
"I’m afraid your political career may be over, Madam President. I suspect
the house will impeach you and the senate will convict you. You have made
many enemies, and this woman is a damned war hero. As you already mentioned,
no court martial will convict her, considering the results of her disobedience.
The public and the legislature would skin them alive."
"What are my options?"
"I’m not your political adviser. I’m a soldier, as is Captain Ivanova.
I’m sure your staff will have some really good ideas, if you still trust
them."
"Are you going to accept her resignation?"
"That depends entirely upon you and what you do over the next few days.
I suggest that whatever it is, you get it done before the Ares starts home.
If you haven't, I will file this with the chief of Earthforce personnel."
"Thank you, General Leftcourt," she said then opened the door and left.
***********************************************************************
0230 Day 4 Epsilon III
Standing in front of Draal and the Great Machine, Lyta waited. After
a few moments, Draal stepped from the alcove that had been holding his body.
"Let me guess, you’re the real Draal?"
"You are a hard woman, Lyta Alexander."
"Just why do you want me to get into that infernal machine?"
"It will give you a chance to learn about yourself from a different
perspective."
"That may not necessarily be a good thing, Draal."
"That's true, but we won't know until you do it."
"What do I have to do?"
"Just step into the machine and relax. You should have an easier time
than Captain Ivanova did."
Looking at the old Minbari, doubtfully, she did as he instructed and
stepped into the machine and relaxed, closing her eyes.
At first the experience was similar to what she had experienced earlier
when she killed the Drakh. Then she mentally reached out and in a moment
she could sense the whole sector. It was as if someone had put her senses
through a massive amplifier. She thought about Minbar and Delenn and the
scene shifted to the planet Minbar. She wondered if she could do this
without the machine, but figured not.
She played with the expansion of her senses the machine provided, then
she turned her inquiries inside the massive databanks of the machine. She
found records of the Vorlons and their doings spanning centuries, including
what they had done on many worlds to breed telepaths. She found files
covering a promising Earthling line of descent, and the possibility that it
could eventually be bred to a point where it could be finally engineered into
the ultimate weapon for eradicating the Shadows and their minions. The plans
for this weapon were laid out for her to see the data of its capabilities. It
was noted that upon final activation when there were no more Vorlons, there
would be no further need for any safety precautions, and as such it would
become unlimited in power and survivability, with no limit on lifespan. It
would be the absolute ultimate killing machine against which nothing the
Vorlons could imagine could stand, with its single function being total
annihilation of the Shadows and any thing touched by them - the ultimate
doomsday weapon.
Lyta recoiled in horror. She was seeing the history of her family and
her own fate at the hands of Kosh and his brethren. She now knew what she
was. It terrified her at what she could do, and she couldn't even commit
suicide to prevent any of it. Worse yet, she had made another like herself,
Maya.
She continued going through the files and there it was, she was intended
to be able to breed others like her, with any species at hand.
Her mind screamed anger and hopelessness, but there was no one to
hear or respond.
In an instant she thought of Lorien and there he was standing in
front of her.
"You shouldn't have entered the machine, Lyta."
"I don't want to be what I’ve seen."
"You don't have a choice."
"What can I do to prevent myself becoming what they intended?"
"You could have done nothing, but I could and did."
She looked at him with tears of remorse in her eyes.
"When you and I were alone, before Sheridan, Kosh, and company killed
the new Kosh, I made some changes of my own and gave you part of me to
hold the destructive elements in check."
"I just finished killing several thousand Drakh."
"That can be loosely classified self defense."
"I don't want to become an uncontrolled killing machine."
"You won't. They forgot to take away your human feelings and emotions.
They thought their meddling made it unnecessary; they were wrong."
As he finished talking, he began to fade away and for a moment, Lyta
seemed to find herself somewhere beyond galaxies, but it quickly faded.
She didn't know if had been real or her imagination.
Shaken to the depths of her soul, Lyta disengaged herself from the
Great Machine.
"Well?" asked Draal.
"It was fantastic, Draal, except for the last part. I learned things
about myself, I would rather not know. Terrifying things, no one should
know."
"Are you the better for it?"
"Remains to be seen, Draal. It remains to be seen. Ask me in about
five-hundred years or so."
"I found those files by accident. I thought you should know."
"It was a unique experience, at the very least."
"Good-bye, Lyta," said Draal as he returned to the Great Machine.
"If you ever need me, I'll be here."
"Thanks, Draal."
*******************************************************************
0230 Day 4 Babylon 5
On her way back to her ship, Susan ran into Wayne, Evans and their
delegation.
"Are all of your people okay, Charley?"
"Yes. We spent the time in one of the waiting areas of the central
core shuttle system. I see you survived. How badly did they damage your
ship?"
"We got beat all to hell, but I only lost six pilots. Now, I have to
write the letters to their families. It’s never easy, and I hate it."
"I've never had to do anything like that. I hope I never have to."
"It comes with the territory. By the way, are your quarters serviceable?"
"I don't know. We’re on our way to check them out. I’ll let you know."
Ivanova continued on her way to her ship, with Maya still in tow.
For such a youngster, she had real stamina. Susan attributed it to her
Vorlon heritage.
Back on the ship, Susan called her XO into her office.
"What’s the good word, captain?"
"There isn't any Pat. You don't have to call me captain, anymore."
Looking puzzled, he asked, "What do you mean?"
"I submitted my resignation to General Leftcourt about an hour ago.
I informed him I would turn command of the Ares over to you. So I suppose
now is as good a time as any. Commander Owens, I surrender command of
the EAS Ares to you at this time. The change of command is duly recorded
and notarized."
"But, captain..."
"I told you Pat. I’m no longer in command of this ship."
The stunned Owens said, "At least get a night's sleep before you
leave." Then he turned and left the captain's office.
*******************************************************************
0700 Day 4 Babylon 5 C&C
Lochley looked at the clock on her desk. It would be forty-five minutes
before the day watch came on duty. She was tired from the happenings last
night. She called her XO's office and left her a message to call a department
head meeting for 0830. She wanted to get a better handle on the details
of the damage and efforts to repair it. She also had a number of diplomats
who would have to be assigned temporary quarters for the time being. She
would leave the commercial quarters and such to her supply department
people. After all, that's what they got paid for.
Corwin stuck his head in and greeted her, "Good morning, captain."
"You were up until 0300, Lt. What are you doing here this early?"
"It is my watch, captain."
"So it is. Then, good morning to you, Lt. I hope this is the dullest
day of our careers."
"So do I, sir, but that's not likely."
Breathing a sigh of resignation, she ended the conversation with,
"I know."
*******************************************************************
General Leftcourt had been awakened very early to the news that General
Lang and three of his senior staff had been brutally murdered in their
quarters, even though they had been under armed guard.
"Give me the specifics, Brad?"
"It appears the assigned guards were shot with tranquilizer darts
containing a very fast acting and powerful sedative. They’ll have bad
headaches for a day or so, but otherwise they suffered no harm. The bodies
are badly mangled, and it is evident, the intention was to inflict as
much pain as possible during the process."
"Whoever wanted Lang and his people out of the way has made it clear
that they were reprisal killings. That's why the guards are still alive."
"That's going to make our investigation extra tough."
"That's why we get the big bucks, Brad."
"Speak for yourself, general."
Their banter was interrupted by an incoming call. The logo on the
screen indicated it originated in the Interstellar Alliance Headquarters.
The logo faded and was replaced by the image of IA President John Sheridan.
"Good morning, General Leftcourt. I thought you might have retired by
now."
"I'll be fighting retirement when they shovel dirt into my grave. What
can I do for you Mr. President?"
"For starters call me John. Seriously, though, general, I can't
establish communications with the Ares. I know Susan Ivanova is her CO.
Is there a problem?"
"Depends on how you define ‘problem’, John."
"Okay. What happened to you? That looks like a hospital bed."
"Would you believe an automobile accident?"
"I'll take your word for it. What are all the wires and IV's for? Are
you in intensive care?"
"For the moment. The doctor is going to move me to a regular room later
this morning. I was in pretty bad shape when they brought me in. I have some
nasty fractures, a punctured lung and a few other things wrong. Other than
that, I’m just fine, as long as I don't breathe too deeply."
"I heard about the upcoming promotion for Susan and wanted to extend
my congratulations. She out did me."
"I wish you wouldn't. We haven't told her yet, and there are some
other problems."
"I didn't know. May I ask what they are, if they aren't a security issue?"
"She resigned her commission last night, John."
There was a shocked look on Sheridan's face. "That's hard to believe,
General. May I ask why?"
General Leftcourt then filled Sheridan in on what had happened over the
last few days, as he understood it.
Sheridan listened closely, and when Leftcourt finished, he asked, "Do
you really think your accident was just that, considering things as a
big picture?"
Leftcourt thought if over for a minute and replied, "I’ll have it looked
into, John. You make a very good point. Now I have a favor to ask of you.
Convince Susan to withdraw her resignation. I will hold it as long as I can.
She’s too good to just let go to waste."
"I will give it my best shot, general."
"And John. My name is Tom."
The image of Sheridan was replaced by the EA logo.
"Brad. You heard the man. It seems that we have more to investigate than
we thought."
"Yes sir. I will get right on it."
As the door closed behind his aide, the general's, communications circuit
signaled an incoming call.
The face on the screen was that of a commander he didn't immediately
recognize.
"How did you get me, commander?"
"I don't know, general. I called your office and I suppose they transferred
the call."
Then Leftcourt recognized him as Susan Ivanova's executive officer. The
call header must have carried the ship's CO identifier. "What’s your problem,
Commander Owens."
"It's Captain Ivanova, sir. Early this morning she transferred command
of the Ares to me, claiming that she had resigned her commission."
"So, what's the problem?"
It was obvious the commander was experiencing great stress at the
situation. He wondered what made some people able to command such loyalty
from those they commanded. If he knew what it was he would bottle it, and
require all his commanders to take it daily.
"I was hoping you could do something to change her mind. I mean, tell
her it was illegal, or something like that."
"I am sorry, commander, but it is legal, and I don't have much leeway
in the matter."
Looking like a whipped little boy, Commander Owens replied, "I’m sorry
to have bothered you, general. Please accept my apologies."
As Owen's image faded from the screen, the doctor had entered the room
unnoticed. "I wish, I had people like him working for me."
"Don't we all, doctor. Don't we all."
"That man’s hurting. If I didn't know better, I'd think he loves his
CO, whoever he is."
"His CO is a she, doctor. From what I know of her, and I know a lot, she
is as hard as nails, smart, beautiful and she truly cares for her people.
She made us redesign a whole ship class over that item."
"I'd like to meet her. She sounds interesting."
"She is, doctor. She is. She may end up being the youngest general we
have ever had in the Earthforce."
General Leftcourt was rewarded by seeing the doctor's eyebrows raise
almost an inch.
********************************************************************
0700 Day 4 aboard EAS Ares
"Come on munchkin, rise and shine. You need to shower before we leave,"
said Susan Ivanova.
"Aunt Susan. I am not a munchkin."
Leaning over to kiss the awake, but still sleepy, little girl, Susan
replied, "I bet you don't even know what a munchkin is, do you?"
Rubbing sleep from her eyes, Maya responded, "No."
"Then how do you know you aren't one?"
Maya thought about that, but didn't answer. Instead she got up and
headed for the head and shower. In a minute, Susan could hear the water
running.
There was a knock on the office door. Susan yelled, "Come in!" from the
shower room. Commander Owens entered.
"Is there anything you need, captain?"
"Pat. I told you, I am not a captain anymore. Call me Susan."
Susan started packing the suitcase she had brought with her when she
had first officially took command of the Ares. It was much easier to pack
it this time. She only had to pack her underwear and workout clothing. She
had no further need of her uniforms, so she left them hanging in the closet.
"You can get rid of these," she said indicating the uniforms in the
closet. "I won't be needing them anymore."
"I don't understand. Why are you quitting? It doesn't make any sense?"
"Pat. There are things I must do. We were hung out to dry and die. I’m
going to tear up Earthdome, and the people in it, until I learn why, and
by whom. I can't have the necessary freedom of movement and action as long
as I wear that uniform. I don't want to quit, but I don't see any alternative.
Does the crew know yet?"
"Are you kidding? They knew before I did. They aren't very damned happy
about it, either, sir."
Susan gave up. The XO and the rest of her crew would always see her as
the captain, whether she was or not.
As she boarded the shuttle taking her to Babylon 5, Susan Ivanova looked
around the hanger bay one last time.
***********************************************************************
0815 Babylon 5 Day 4
Susan rang the buzzer for Lyta's quarters. The door opened and she and
Maya entered. Maya immediately ran to her mother and gave her a big kiss
and hug.
"Mom. Aunt Susan quit her job."
Lyta looked at Maya then Susan. "So now it's mom. What happened to mommy?"
"Mommy is for little kids," announced Maya.
Lyta took her into her arms again and hugged her for a long time, nuzzling
her neck as she did so.
"Good morning, Lyta."
"Susan. You quit?"
Susan sat down at the table and Lyta served up cups of tea for the
three of them. Taking a sip of the tea she explained what she considered
the whole mess.
Lyta listened attentively and said nothing until after Susan was finished.
"Why don't you let your friends do the dirty work, and keep your career
intact?"
Susan, looking confused, asked, "What do you mean?"
"I mean let people who know how to fight just as dirty as your
detractors, Lunchenko and her bunch, do your fighting for you. We have
Michael Garibaldi, expert at dirty infighting, is filthy rich, and can
finance it, and has more people who owe him than you could count with
a computer; not to mention the intelligence network he put into place
helping me take down Psi Corps. General Leftcourt and his friends who
supported your promotion to captain when Sheridan recommended you. John
and Delenn Sheridan who have been your friends for years and know everyone
who's anybody, and are owed political and other favors by some very powerful
people, and last, but not least, me. I have people who owe me in places
you would never imagine, both normals and telepaths, and I’m not too bad
at mind reading myself. There is no reason for you to throw your career
away. I’ll bet Leftcourt is sitting on that resignation you submitted.
You have many friends, Susan. You don't have to go it alone," said Lyta,
with great intensity.
"What about this?" she asked, tapping her head with her forefinger.
"No one has to know about that. The people who already do will never tell."
"Mom," interrupted Maya. "Aunt Susan doesn't need anyone to help her
block anymore."
"How do you know that?"
"During the fight, when things were completely crazy, Aunt Susan
maintained perfect control. Besides, I just know."
"There you have it, Susan."
"I need to think this through, Lyta. I don't have a place to stay, yet."
Lyta stepped to the communications panel and called Charles Wayne.
When he answered, she asked, "How’re you fixed for space, Charley?"
"Okay, I suppose. Why?"
"Susan needs a place to stay for a while."
Grinning from ear to ear, he replied, "She’s welcome to stay with me."
"Now you have a place to stay, Susan."
"Can I leave this here while I go make arrangements to return to Earth?"
she asked, jerking her thumb at her suitcase.
"Why not just drop it at Charley's quarters. It’s only two doors down
the passageway and you have to go in that direction to get to the travel
agency offices."
Picking up her suitcase, Susan replied, "I suppose I'll see you later."
"Susan. We’re about the same size. I have some trousers and skirts that
would go well with your former uniform blouses. It’ll take the pressure off
for needing to buy clothing.
"Lyta. All you ever wear is black."
"It matches my hair."
"Okay. I'll check back with you about lunch time. Will that be okay?"
"It’ll be fine."
After Susan left, Lyta looked at Maya and asked, "How can you be so sure
her blocks are working properly?"
"I tested them."
"When and how?"
"During the fight she got really involved in the battle. It was going
like crazy with so much going on. I tried to break her blocks. I could have
broken Mr. Wayne's blocks with the way I tried to break hers. She didn't
even notice. She might not be able to read minds, but no body except us
will ever be able to read her."
"For a four year old, you surely seem grown up."
"Physically, I am four years old in human terms, mom. Mentally, because
of the Vorlon part of me, I’m equal to a normal human adult."
"I'll keep that in mind."
*****************************************************************
0845 B5 Charles Wayne's quarters
Susan had no sooner put her suitcase down than Charley was smothering
her with a very intimate kiss.
Finally the kiss ended and Susan got her breath back. "It's early for
that Charley."
"I’m so happy that you’re okay," he replied, nuzzling her neck and
nibbling her earlobe. "I was afraid I wouldn't see you again."
"I have to do some light shopping. I need some decent clothing. Lyta
offered to loan me some of hers, but I want to see what’s available.
Besides, I have to arrange passage back to Earth."
Hugging her again, Charley said, "I have to arrange a couple of meetings
for today. I’ll call supply and arrange for you to get a pass card for the
door. I should have that done by nine-thirty. Close the door when you leave."
Then, looking at her wistfully, he left.
Susan looked around and then laid down on the bed. In less than two
minutes she was fast asleep. The fight the night before had wrung her
out more than she had known. She was still sleeping when Charles returned
just before noon.
********************************************************************
1215 Zocalo
Lyta was sitting eating lunch with Larry Evans, Maya and three of her
Glenthorian associates when Lochley approached her.
Lyta looked up to face Lochley, but said nothing.
"Do you have any idea where Captain Ivanova is, Lyta?"
With a perfectly straight face, she replied, "I don't know a Captain
Ivanova."
"You know perfectly well whom I mean."
"Do I?"
"Have you seen Susan?"
"I saw her this morning just after 0800. She went to Charles Wayne's
quarters to stow her suitcase. She said she was going to shop for a few
clothing items and arrange passage back to Earth. If you wish, I will
contact Charles and see if he can help."
"I would appreciate the effort."
"She didn't even notice you, Larry."
"Nothing new. Like I said, there isn't anything between us."
"Bull," retorted Maya.
"What do you mean by that young lady?" demanded Lyta.
"You and Mister Evans should lower your walls sometimes. You don't have
to scan. The captain's feelings were almost screaming," answered Maya.
"Screaming what?" asked Larry.
"She was so happy you’re okay, after last night. She wants to make
things right between the two of you."
Larry looked at Lyta. "Maybe all’s not lost. But telepaths still creep
her out and I’m a telepath."
"You don't creep her out, Mister Evans, even though you are a telepath.
Mom. She wants to be friends with you. She knows what you did, and she is
grateful. She understands you are dangerous, but she no longer sees you
as a personal threat."
"You got all that just from when she was just here?"
"Yes, and so could you if you would just listen."
"Consider it taken under advisement."
As she departed the Zocalo, Lochley realized Lyta's answers were meant
to say, she knew about Susan's resignation. After last night, Lyta didn't
seem so dangerous anymore. Susan had been correct. She should make an
effort to get to know Lyta better as a person, instead of an it.
*******************************************************************
1300 MedLab 2
The isolation room was set up and the first Drakh corpse had been place
on the examination table. Drs. Hernandez, Fuhara and a team of four
assistants were making final preparations. The scanners were programmed
to make successive sweeps at differing angles to provide three dimensional
images of the internal layout of the body. There would be a number of these
scans taken with the body placed in several positions. From the scans they
could build a model of the body that could be electronically stripped down
layer by layer to reveal all of the elements of the body. After the scans
were done and measurements made, small samples of skin and hair would be
analyzed. The last parts of the autopsy would involve opening the body and
doing observation and further testing on the organs themselves.
Captain Lochley wanted to know what had killed this Drakh and its fellow
crewmen since theirs had been one of the cruisers that had remained intact.
The doctors were discussing the images generated by the scans. They were
intrigued by what looked like large scabs located on the chest area of the
alien on the table. They looked more like a symbiotic creature than
anything else.
Before the internal investigation started they removed one of the "scabs"
and set it up for individual high resolution scans. What they found was that
the creature was mostly a mass of neurological fibers, with no indication
of a respiratory or digestive system. A search of the files turned up
pictures of something similar investigated by Dr. Steven Franklin, former
Chief of Medical Staff on Babylon 5. They learned it was called a ‘keeper’,
for lack of a better term.
The autopsy revealed that both the Drakh had died from the simultaneous
rupture of all the blood vessels in their brains and the symbionts had
died from lack of oxygen from the host.
The report was forwarded to Captain Lochley. She would decide that the
data generated from the autopsies, conducted by her medical staff, would
be forwarded to Earth for further analysis. She intended to send some of
the recovered Drakh bodies as well. They had better facilities there than
she did on Babylon 5. They had discovered that there were at least two
different members of the Drakh race. They looked very different, but were
genetically so close that only fine detailed analysis of their DNA showed
the differences.
*******************************************************************
END PART 7
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