Criticism is welcomed. Without, it there can't be any improvement. Address criticisms to [xazqrten@cox.net]
All characters/places/persons not belonging to the writer are the sole properties of their owners, PTEN, WB, JMS, and will be turned over to the owners at the request of their agents. All other characters/places/persons are public domain.
{shows telepathy} (since the little arrow/carrot symbols first used were mistaken for coding and vanished.)
After checking on Maya, Lyta and G'Kar were taken in tow by a young lieutenant from the supply department. As he had been instructed, Lyta was put into the flag officer's quarters and G'Kar in the adjutant's quarters. They were given a tour of most of the ship, only missing areas that had been damaged and some engineering spaces and weapons areas that were restricted. At Lyta's request, the young supply officer dropped them off at the bridge elevator. Susan wasn't on the bridge when Lyta and G'Kar arrived. She was in her ready room going over damage reports with the Damage Control Officer(DCO). The DCO was explaining the extent of the hull breaches and other very serious damage to the outer hull areas. The Ship's Weapons Officer(SWO), was waiting his turn to explain his concerns.
On the bridge, Lyta had asked the Officer of the Deck(OOD) if they had found any life pods in the debris. She was informed that they had found three pods from the cruiser the Zeus had destroyed, but had detected no life signs.
Susan came on the bridge some time later and found Lyta and G'Kar there. They were whispering to one another about something. Susan walked over to them and inquired about what was so hush-hush. Lyta told her they needed to talk, alone. Leaving G'Kar on the bridge, Lyta and Susan entered her ready room. The briefing officers were gone.
"I will cut to the chase about two items, Susan. First, G'Kar and I need to go check out some lifepods your people found amongst the wreckage of the cruiser you destroyed. Your sensors don't show any lifeforms, but I can feel the presence of several Drakh in them," said Lyta. "I can detect life signs that your ship's sensors can't. If they’re there, I want every shred of information they have. I’ll bring the bodies back, so they can be examined."
"I take it they won't be alive then?"
"No. It’s too dangerous," replied Lyta.
"And what is the second?" Asked Susan.
"That is rather touchy and dangerous to you. It’ll ruin your life and your career," replied her friend.
Alarmed, but not showing it, Susan asked, "What could ruin my life and my career?"
"Susan, I have known since I uncovered Talia as a Psi Corps plant, that you’re a latent telepath. That's old news between us. The problem is that you have a psi cop on board."
"Lyta. He’s been locked up for this entire patrol, and since he’s one of yours, I doubt he would expose me in any event."
"I’m not talking about him. You have a mole on board, and somehow he’s figured out your secret. He’s dreaming of what his reward is going to be for exposing and arresting you."
"Can you rework his memories to remove the information?"
"No. The amount of reworking will leave large gaps and other traces that Bester and his people can find. It would put you and your command under a spotlight and a Psi Corps microscope."
"How should I handle it?" Asked Susan.
"You don't. I do," said Lyta.
"How?"
"He’ll commit suicide in his thoroughly locked living quarters with a PPG that I have provided for him."
"I can't allow that, Lyta," Susan stated matter-of-factly.
"That's why you’ll not remember any part of this conversation. When he’s found, you’ll be on the bridge. Besides, you must know by now, I can do pretty much whatever I want." Susan was angry at what she was being told, even if it was true.
******************************
Lyta and G'Kar were approaching the location of the life pods. For Lyta the four life signs she had detected were very strong now. She was able to reach deep into the sleeping minds to begin reading their thoughts. It was nice of them to leave themselves so open to be scanned. She was sure that if they had known a telepath of her caliber was in the area, they would have died with their ship, but considering she was the only telepath of her caliber, it was an understandable error on the part of the Drakh. As it was, they had never expected to be detected. If not for her presence, they would have succeeded. There were four life signs in the three pods.
***************************
Onboard the ZEUS, locked in his cabin, the psi cop mole was taking a PPG from the drawer of his dresser and fitting a power cap into it. Inside his mind, his life was a disaster. He had betrayed his assignment. The corps would not be forgiving. Unable to face his shame, he had tears running down his face. There was only one way to escape the shame and retribution Bester would heap upon him. With hands shaking so badly he almost dropped the handgun, he raised it and pointed it at the side of his head. For a moment he felt the cold metal on the flesh of his right ear. Closing his tear filled eyes he squeezed the trigger, then nothing.
***************************
Lyta was busy scanning the sleeping Drakh when she detected the death of the Psi Corps mole. She noted it with no feeling whatsoever. She had some luck. One of the Drakh was a senior engineer on his ship. The others were lower level non decision-making types. The engineer gave up much information on Drakh ship types, power plants and a load of other data. She learned some tactics, Drakh supply systems, and a little about upcoming Drakh plans. It had been a worthwhile effort. With the lifepods and their now-dead cargo in tow, She and G'Kar returned to the ZEUS.
**************************
Lyta, Maya and G'Kar shared a table with the officers in the wardroom at supper that night. One of the topics of discussion was the suicide of a junior communications department officer. It seemed that he had been a little odd, but that wasn't new for communications types, especially those assigned to the intelligence division.
"They had to cut the door off the hinges," said one junior officer, from the other end of the table.
"I understand he didn't leave a note or anything," said another.
"The guy I know in security said it was a real mess. Fried brains all over the bulkhead," said a third.
"Fellows, is this really good dinner conversation?" asked a lieutenant, indicating Lyta and Maya.
"Don't mind us, Lieutenant. I have seen far worse, and my daughter has seen some of those scenes in my mind," interjected Lyta. The others at the table all turned to look at her. All had puzzled looks on their faces.
"I’m a telepath, as is my daughter," said Lyta.
"You aren't with Psi Corps, are you?" Asked another junior ensign.
"No. We don't see eye-to-eye," replied Lyta.
"Aren't you afraid of being arrested?" Asked another.
"Captain Ivanova has your psi cop locked up, and I will depart before we get to an EA outpost. Susan and I are old friends. We have been through a couple of wars together," replied Lyta.
"Didn't you have something to do with the destruction of at least three of those ships we fought today," inquired the lieutenant.
"Not even in your wildest dreams. What do you think I am, anyway? Being a telepath doesn't make you God," answered Lyta. "Believe me, I’m not God."
"Could have fooled me," said G'Kar under his breath.
Lyta shot him a withering look. He cringed waiting for the hammer to fall, and when it didn't, he looked to see Lyta laughing.
"G'Kar is a Narn, and they have a freaky sense of humor," laughed Lyta.
The conversation returned to the events of earlier that day. Lyta, Maya and G'Kar took their leave and retired to Lyta's cabin.
*****************************
Lyta was sitting in a chair, her eyes closed and apparently concentrating on something. G'Kar was playing a game with Maya. Maya was getting tired and cranky as toddlers are known to do. G'Kar helped her undress and ran her bathwater for her. He sat just outside the head(bathroom) while Maya played at taking her bath. Realizing what was happening, Lyta opened her eyes and went to help Maya finish her bath.
"They haven't been totally truthful, G'Kar. The ship is more badly damaged than we have been led to believe," said Lyta.
"Elaborate," replied G'Kar.
"One of the hull breaches was in a space that houses power distribution and control. They took a hit after the breach that caused a very large power spike. Their jump engines are badly damaged as a result. They can't make a hyperspace jump. If the Drakh send more ships to discover why these are no longer responding, Susan and her ship are sitting ducks. The damage is too extensive to be repaired by ship's force," she answered.
"What can we do about it?" Asked G'Kar.
"I can get them home, but it’ll force me to reveal more than I wanted," answered Lyta, pausing. "G'Kar, you have helped me more than you will ever know, but you should know that I’m now realizing some of my talents at their full capacity. Do we really want them to know what I can do?"
"It's your call, Lyta," answered G'Kar. "You must follow your heart, whatever the result, knowing that EA would like to see you dead." Continuing, he asked, "How’re you going to approach Captain Ivanova about the situation?"
"Straight ahead with the truth. She’ll understand that. I hope. She’s asleep now. I’ll approach her first thing in the morning. Besides it's time we got some sleep," she said as she tucked Maya into bed.
*******************************
Lyta sensed Ivanova's awakening and knocked on the door of her stateroom. Susan's steward let her in and served her coffee, while Ivanova finished her shower. A few minutes later, Susan appeared looking smart in a fresh uniform. "What's on your mind Lyta?" Asked Susan.
"Sometimes being a telepath is a curse. You have to keep your mental shields up at all times to prevent overhearing private conversations or hearing very strong thoughts, worries and fears," replied her friend.
"Give it to me straight up, Lyta."
"The damage to your ship is much more serious than you know," answered Lyta.
Susan's eyes narrowed, "Just what the hell are you talking about?"
"Your chief engineer and his specialists have reevaluated the damage to your jump engines and power distribution systems. Your jump engines are beyond ship's force repair and the power distribution systems are unable to supply power to the half of the weapons systems that weren't actually shot all to hell yesterday," responded Lyta.
"I haven't seen reports about what you say. Are you scanning my crew?" She asked with some suspicion.
"Get off the high horse, Susan," responded an irate Lyta. "Your engineers and weapons technicians were discussing these things very late last night. They’re scared out of their wits about what’ll happen if more Drakh ships show up looking for those we destroyed. Their fear is so strong I could have sensed their thoughts clear across the quadrant."
Susan sat down at the table and spoke into her link, "Bridge, this is the captain. Notify the XO and all department heads I want to see them in my mess in fifteen minutes, captain out."
Looking across the table, Susan said, "Why don't you get Maya and join me for breakfast. I’m sure you should be at this meeting."
**********************************
Sitting at the captain's table Lyta started the meeting with a question, "Have you gathered all of the material you want from the debris field outside?"
Looking at her, Susan asked, "Why?"
{As soon as you get finished, I am going to reduce all of the remaining debris to dust. The Drakh will never be able to even identify it as the remains of their ships. It may buy us some badly needed time,} responded Lyta telepathically.
“I see,” replied Susan to the projected thought.
The officers present looked oddly at their captain. “Lyta’s a telepath,” said Susan in explanation.
Not daring to question their commanding officer’s statement, the various department heads and specialty officers from engineering and weapons gave Captain Ivanova a very thorough updated briefing about their physical status. It was even bleaker than Lyta had indicated. They were alone, badly crippled, barely fifty percent on weapons capability of those still functioning, and communications with anyone through hyperspace was out of the question. They couldn't tell anyone about their situation, or call for help.
*********************************
Three hours later Lyta was notified that debris recovery had been completed, and they were moving away from the area at best speed. Lyta lay down on her bed and nestled Maya to her side. {Maya, I want you to watch what mommy does. It is something you should learn.} Lyta felt Maya's mind touch hers and she began to send her senses beyond the ship. She found all the debris down to the smallest pieces and began to concentrate. In the debris field, the pieces began to break down into particles as fine as talcum powder. Less than an hour later, there was nothing to indicate that there had ever been a pitched battle or ships in the area, except some scattered energy readings. On the bridge the sensor operators couldn't believe what was being shown on their displays. It seemed like the pieces were just ceasing to exist.
*********************************
The next evening in the largest recreation room, Susan gave a small speech to her troops praising their efforts against the Drakh attack, and held services for their deceased fellow crewmembers. Each of the deceased crewmember’s closest friend gave a short eulogy and the short program was recorded to allow those on duty to have closure.
*******************************
The ZEUS had been moving away from the site of the attack for forty-eight hours at her best possible – but obviously crippled - speed. She was ten million kilometers away when the Drakh ships jumped into the area of the attack. This had been the last known position of their missing ships. They found nothing except a lot of dust in the area. There were residual energy readings, but nothing to indicate what had happened. Not wishing to waste time the commander ordered them to start an expanding search pattern in hopes of finding a trace of where the ships might have gone.
******************************
On the bridge of the ZEUS, Lyta felt the arrival of the Drakh minds even at this extreme distance.
"Susan, we have to get out of here, and now is a good time. The Drakh are here," said Lyta.
"We can't go very far very fast with the jump engines out of commission and our fusion engines at less than half power," replied Captain Ivanova.
Five minutes later, "Captain, engineering informed me that our jump engines are back on line," said an excited chief petty officer who was manning a power plant monitoring station.
"Get us the hell out of here, navigator!" Ordered Ivanova. A large jump point opened in front of the ship and in less than a minute the ship was in hyperspace.
Behind the captain's chair G'Kar couldn't believe what he was seeing on the forward tactical display. Looking around he saw that Lyta wasn't on the bridge. He saw the door to the captain's ready room open and Lyta stood in the doorway with white light fading from her eyes and color returning to her cheeks. She looked like warmed over death. Walking over to her, he asked, "How did you get those engines back on line?"
"I didn't. They’re still broken," she replied.
Under his breath, he asked, "You moved this ship like you move my..."
She nodded to cut him off.
Susan looked around for Lyta and saw her being supported by G'Kar and the frame of the door to her ready room. At the same moment, "Captain, we just lost the jump engines again," reported the chief.
"It's okay, Chief. We don't need them to use a jump gate," replied the captain. "Navigation, set course for Proxima III, best speed." Walking over to Lyta, Susan said, "I want to talk to you alone in here."
Wearily Lyta followed Susan back into her ready room. "I’m very tired, Susan," said Lyta.
"Lyta, I want to know just what’s going on with you. You appeared out of nowhere and you’ve been wrecking havoc for the past several days!" Demanded Susan.
"You, your ship and crew are out of danger now. I think it’s time for me, Maya and G'Kar to leave. I’ve appreciated your hospitality, but I don't have to answer your questions. You would not believe the answers anyway," replied Lyta.
"Why don't you try me?" Dared Susan.
"Remember you insisted, but don't say I didn't warn you," replied Lyta as her eyes flashed red and changed to white as she moved from the chair to the center of the room. Her eyes never left Susan, as they got brighter and brighter until her whole body began to glow white. It was so brilliant, Susan had to squint her eyes to keep from being blinded, and still the light got brighter. Susan now had her eyes screwed shut and her arms over them, but the light was so bright she could still see it. In desperation she turned toward the wall and had her back to Lyta and still the light was so bright it was blinding her. A voice in her head, sounding like God admonished her, "I told you, you couldn't understand, that what I have become is beyond your comprehension. I don't need a ship anymore, Susan." With that the light vanished and Susan opened her eyes, but all she could see were spots everywhere in front of her. Lyta was gone.
Ivanova returned to the bridge still seeing mostly spots, and confronted G'Kar.
"Did you know about her, G'Kar!"
"No, Captain. But, I have suspected for some time," replied the Narn.
"Captain, we just had an energy reading that almost fried half our sensors. It seemed to come from all over the ship," reported a sensor console operator. "I have it again, Captain. It's gone now."
From the ready room door, {Are you looking for me Susan?} Asked Lyta telepathically.
Walking over to Lyta, Ivanova motioned her back into the ready room and said softly, "You aren't Human anymore."
Inside the ready room, "I have a Human daughter, Susan, but I don’t suppose that qualifies me as Human?”
"Last time I checked, a Human couldn't almost fry my ships sensors. What are you, Lyta?" Asked Susan.
"I’m a Vorlon doomsday weapon. I was reengineered to destroy the Shadows and their minions. I’m more dangerous than you can possibly imagine and I have to accept that I’m now officially an it or maybe a what," replied Lyta.
"You pulled us out of a bad jam, and everyone on this ship owes you their life," replied Susan. "How do I repay you?"
"Forget it. I only did what I thought was necessary," replied Lyta.
"Now I have to figure out how to make the logs believable. It's going to be a ball buster," said Susan. "I can't hide the fact that you’ve been aboard my ship. Do you have any suggestions about how I can account for not arresting you?"
"Tell them you tried and failed. After my performance on Babylon 5, they’ll believe you," answered Lyta.
"Isn't there anything else I can do?"
"Just to be on the safe side, I’ll remain onboard until we arrive at the Proxima III jump gate. Some idiot trying to capture me could get an innocent bystander hurt or killed, so I’ll leave before you exit hyperspace," replied Lyta. "I would be honored if you would think of me as a friend in the future, in spite of what I am."
*******************************
"Hello, Susotchka. Aren't you going to speak to your mother?" Asked the woman standing front of Susan. It couldn't be, but it was. Susan's mother was addressing her, but she was dead. This had to be a dream, but it was so real. She could smell her mother's perfume, very light on the breeze. Anyone looking at Susan's face would have seen tears running down her cheeks. "I came to help you with your troubles," said the image of her mother. Susan forced herself to reach out to the image and the image took her offered hand. It was warm and solid to Susan's touch. Her mind was having trouble handling the situation. She had never had a dream as real as this one. Her mother led her to a blanket that was laying on the ground with a picnic lunch spread out upon it. They sat down and Susan took an offered sandwich. It tasted so good. Susan had only vague memories of the last picnic her mother had taken her and her brother on. She had been very young and the place as she remembered it had been just like this, but somehow different.
"I know this is difficult for you, but you must let me help you. You are in danger from the Psi Corps. I can help you escape their inquisitions," said her mother, in a soothing tone.
Everything about this situation was causing Susan to relax and talking to her mother also caused her mental barriers to go down. However, she wasn't aware of the latter. She talked about what had happened to her in the last week or so and her mother listened attentively.
After what seemed like forever, Susan realized she had been talking her head off and her mother had just listened without interrupting her. She also noticed that they had made short work of the picnic lunch. She lay her head in her mother's lap, closed he eyes, and her mother began to tell her how she would help her.
Susan sat up with a start. She was in her bed in her cabin on the EAS ZEUS. It had been a dream, only a dream, but it was a dream she would never forget. It had been so real, she could still taste the picnic lunch and smell her mother's perfume. She realized she was famished, and it was still two hours until she would normally awaken. For the first time in years, Susan found herself looking in the fridge trying to find a snack. While she had her head buried in the cooler section, her doorbell rang.
She wondered who would have the balls to ring her doorbell in the wee hours of the morning, instead of using the comm link. Only one person on board would have the nerve to do it: Lyta. Susan opened the door and Lyta walked in, dressed in a bathrobe.
"I thought we should talk, Susan," said Lyta looking at the bread in Susan's hand. "I could use a snack," she continued. Susan just stood and stared for almost a full minute, then motioned with the hand holding the bread toward her pantry. Lyta followed. Susan made sandwiches for both of them.
"It’s supposed to be ham, but I wouldn't check too closely," said Susan, returning to her front room and taking a seat on the couch. She wondered what the crew would think to see her in a bathrobe, sitting on a couch with juice in one hand and a ham sandwich in the other at 0300 hours. Not exactly the image of their feared captain they might expect.
Washing down a bite of sandwich, Lyta said, "We need to discuss how you are going to handle the psi cops that will be all over this ship as soon as you get to Proxima III."
"I’m going to just let them interview the crew and conduct their investigation. I and my crew haven't done anything wrong. The memories of you being here aren't going to help them very much, and after Babylon 5, no normal can be held responsible for not being able to arrest you," replied Susan. After thinking for a minute, she continued, "You aren't here just for sandwiches and juice. Let me guess. It's time to erase my memories, isn't it?"
"That won't be necessary. They won't be able to get anything from you. Your blocks will be more than adequate. You’re very strong, Susan," replied Lyta.
"How did you know I would be awake at this time of night?" Asked Susan.
"Just a wild guess?" Answered Lyta.
"That was you in my dream, wasn't it," inquired Susan.
"I don't know what you’re talking about."
"I had a very vivid dream about my mother. She said she could help me. It was you in my mind, Lyta. You were in my mind and I didn't even know it," said Susan testily. "Just what were you hoping to accomplish?"
"I wasn't hoping anything. You have a very strong mind. I helped you block parts of your mind, so I wouldn't have to remove any of your memories. You are the only person in this ship's crew who knows exactly what has happened over the last week or so. If you don't think it was worth it, I can remove your blocks and erase your memories like I did everyone else’s. You are entitled to that choice," answered Lyta. "You picked the image of your mother for the dream, not I."
Susan now remembered about the psi cop mole. She looked at Lyta. "You can be ruthless," she commented.
"You would prefer he be able to expose you? I gave him what he desired, a reward for what he planned to do to you. It just wasn't what he expected. I looked into his mind. You wouldn't have been the first latent telepath he had destroyed. He enjoyed it. Don't shed any tears for him. Besides, he committed suicide."
"I know," said Susan, checking her watch. "We’ll be arriving at the jump gate for Proxima III in about five hours. I’m going to regret seeing you go. You’ve been everything anyone could want in a friend and then some."
"I’m just doing what I think is right," replied Lyta. "Another sandwich would be appreciated."
Heading for the pantry, Susan said, "That goes for me too." Standing in the pantry making more sandwiches was Susan's steward.
"Mary, what are you doing up?" Asked Susan.
"I heard noises, Captain. I just wanted to make sure everything was all right," answered her steward.
Putting her arm around Mary, Susan said, "She takes care of me like a second mother."
Lyta smiled. Twenty minutes later, she took her leave, and Ivanova went back to bed for the remaining hour or so left of the night.
The feeling of warmth was comforting and all encompassing. The love and affection was infusing itself throughout her being. It felt so wonderful.
Breathing harder than she had ever breathed before, and with her heart racing at almost triple its normal rate, Susan Ivanova jerked upright in her bed with sweat pouring off her like water in a shower. It took many minutes for her mind to grasp her reality and her heart rate to return to normal. She realized for the first time in her life that what she had experienced with her mother was for a child the ultimate in parental love and concern. The mind touches she had felt from her mother weren't intrusions. It was her mother giving her love in a direct manner. Her young mind hadn't understood, and her mother was untrained in handling the situation. Why, now of all times, did she understand this? Lyta, damn her. She just wouldn't quit. Susan was furious that Lyta would invade her mind like that. The frightening part was that she hadn't been aware of Lyta's presence. In the past she had always known when another telepath touched her mind. She wanted to do something, say something, but what? Lyta wasn't some run-of-the-mill telepath. She couldn't prove that what she had experienced hadn't just been her own overactive imagination, fueled by the tremendous stress of the last week or so. Lyta, damn her, would smile that damn smile of hers and deny everything.
******************************
At her breakfast table, Susan thanked Mary for getting up during the night to check on her.
"Captain, I never got up last night. I never awoke at all," replied Mary.
Had it all been just a dream? Was Lyta ever in her quarters? [I definitely have to see the doctor,] thought Susan to herself.
********************************
"Okay G'Kar, take us out," said Lyta as the ship lifted from the deck of the hanger bay. A few minutes later G'Kar's ship was moving away from the EAS ZEUS as the destroyer keyed the jump gate's exit sequence. As Lyta had predicted there were shuttles waiting to land in the ZEUS' hanger bay.
Chapter 10
**********************************
"Captain, we’re being hailed," said the communications console operator.
"Put them on, Ensign," replied Ivanova.
"Captain Ivanova, request permission to come aboard?" Asked General Leftcourt.
"Permission granted, General. I’ll meet you in the hanger bay," replied Ivanova.
"Captain. There is a Psi Corps shuttle requesting permission to dock with us."
"Tell them to follow General Leftcourt's shuttle in," replied Susan.
*************************
Aboard General Leftcourt's shuttle:
"Pilot, take us around the ship. I want to see the damage," ordered the general.
The general and his staff all were looking closely at the Zeus during the flyby on both sides and the top and bottom. There were low whistles at the extent of the damage. General Leftcourt found it hard to believe the ship could sustain so much damage and survive. It spoke well for the new armor it had. A regular destroyer would have been so much wreckage under the same circumstances. The Psi Corps shuttle followed Leftcourt's shuttle on its inspection run.
**************************
"Greetings Susan. It’s good to see you again, all things considered," said Leftcourt giving Susan's hand a very firm warm shake.
"It’s by dumb luck that we’re here, General," replied Susan.
"Captain Ivanova, where’s my representative?" Asked Alfred Bester.
"In the brig, Mr. Bester," answered Susan. "Ensign, escort Mr. Bester to the brig, so he can meet with Mr. Wayne."
"Captain Ivanova. Why’s he in the brig?" Asked Bester.
"I put him there," answered Ivanova. "It keeps him out of my way and out of trouble."
Scowling, Bester followed the ensign away from the hanger deck.
"You really don't like telepaths, do you?" Asked Leftcourt.
"I don't like Psi Corps or anyone who is part of it, General. I’ve never made a secret of my feelings. I was forced to take a psi cop on board when I started this patrol. They could’ve assigned a P-5 commercial telepath to the job," responded Susan.
"I’m not here to question how you keep your telepaths in line. I and my staff want to see your logs. These Drakh you mentioned in your latest reports appear to be something we badly need to get a handle on," replied Leftcourt.
The general's staff spent the remainder of the day doing preliminary analysis of the ships logs. It didn't take a weapons expert to determine that the Zeus had been badly over matched in the battle. Three-hundred fighters with firepower almost equal to the secondary weapons on an ISA whitestar, four cruisers any one of which was almost a match for the Zeus gun for gun and fighters that didn't hesitate to make kamikaze runs. Several of the hull breaches were made in that manner.
"Susan, you didn't fight your way out of this situation, did you?" Asked Leftcourt.
"No sir. We had help. Without it, we would have been destroyed," answered Ivanova.
"Captain, why did you not arrest and detain Lyta Alexander?" Inquired Bester.
"Mr. Bester… if you’re so hot to get your hands on her, I’ll arrange for a ship to take you to her," retorted Susan. "I might ask, why didn't you arrest her on Babylon 5 when you had the opportunity when Byron was killed? She was a rogue then."
"That has no bearing on this situation," he replied.
"The hell it doesn't. Maybe you weren't watching those logs being played back. I suggest you do," she shot back. "Lyta destroyed three of those cruisers and saved our asses. If you want to go up against her, be my guest. Just don't try to do it on my ship."
"Susan," asked Leftcourt, "how did she accomplish that?"
"General, she is a very powerful telekinetic. She told me she destroyed the safeties on their power plants and sent them into runaway overload," replied Susan.
"You could have tried to sedate her," insisted Bester.
"Mr. Bester, you might have a better chance of sedating God. You obviously have no idea what you are talking about," replied Susan. "Besides, if you’re going to investigate what actually happened here over the last two weeks, you should get started. You can use my ready room to conduct your interviews. Let Ensign Walker know what you need for support. He’ll coordinate quarters for you and your staff."
"Very well, Captain," responded Bester. "Are sure you don't want us to use the brig?"
Susan appeared to be giving that statement serious thought. "I’ll take it under advisement for the time being Mr. Bester," replied the captain.
"You really don't like him do you?" Asked Leftcourt.
Leaning over close to Leftcourt's ear, Susan said, "Let me tell you a little story about him and me, General."
Two minutes later, the general was looking at Susan with wide eyes of astonishment. "That surely answers that question, once and for all," said Leftcourt.
Susan just gave him a smug smile.
********************************
The interviews by Bester and company took almost three weeks, and in the end he was satisfied he had all there was worth getting, including excerpts from the ship's logs. He managed to get Wayne moved back to his quarters, but Ivanova would not remove the restriction to quarters order. As Lyta had prophesied, it cemented Wayne's position with Bester. Much later it would be the thing that kept Wayne alive during the last phase of the impending telepath war.
*******************************
It would be months before the final results of the inquiry into the Zeus incident were arrived at, and most of it would never be made public, but Captain Ivanova would be found faultless in her handling of the situation and its results. Lyta's part in it would never be known except to a select few highly placed Earthforce officers and in the upper echelons of Psi Corps. She would be tagged "Rogue: extremely dangerous; observe, but under NO circumstances attempt to apprehend".
******************************
"She’s really that dangerous, Al?" Asked the director.
"Sir, you saw the log excerpts and the data crystals from Babylon 5. Would you want to try to take her down?" Asked Bester.
"Are you nuts!" Replied the director.
**********************
It was now a year-and-a-half since Lyta and G'Kar had left Minbar. They were in low orbit over Mars awaiting final clearance and landing instructions.
"Lyta, while you conduct your business here, I am going to go to Earth. I want to do some research on Earth religions and customs," said G'Kar.
"Take as long as you want G'Kar. I’m here for business with Michael Garibaldi, and it’ll likely take quite some time. After all, I have a war to win," replied Lyta.
G'Kar gave Lyta a look that said, "Not *that*."
"Don't worry G'Kar. I don't intend to harm anyone. I just want Psi Corps gone, and the people Michael has gathered and trained are going to make that happen. We’re going to shine a light on the festering load of pus that Psi Corps has become," said Lyta.
Maya was two years old now and talking as well as most six-year olds. "Mommy, what is war?"
"I’ll explain later after you meet Mr. Garibaldi, sweetheart," replied Lyta.
*************************
G'Kar landed long enough to let Lyta and Maya off, and to refuel before continuing on to Earth.
Lyta and Maya passed through immigration and customs without incident. They, however, did not go unnoticed. A psi cop assigned to the spaceport watched as they cleared customs and immediately went to a nearby public communications terminal and reported the arrival to Psi Corps headquarters on Mars. In spite of Mars' recognition as a free planet, the corps still maintained their facilities there. The psi cop was told to monitor her, but not to approach her. Officially she was a rogue, but too dangerous for apprehension by normal means. What means to be used weren't outlined.
{Are you having any problem keeping out the thoughts of all these people, honey?} Asked Lyta.
{No, mommy. I can't hear them,} replied Maya. {It is busy here.}
{Let me know when you want to ride,} said Lyta, pushing the folded stroller in front of her.
The psi cop was following less than six meters behind them. He was amazed that there was absolutely no thought leakage from either of them. He wondered about the little girl, since she wasn't identified as a telepath. Just ahead of him he observed a very large man almost trip over Lyta's daughter. Looking at Lyta and Maya the man became very abusive and drew back to hit either Lyta or her daughter. The man swung his fist, but it never landed. He doubled over apparently in intense pain and lay writhing silently on the concourse. Lyta looked at him like he was a piece of excrement, took Maya's hand, stepped over the man, and proceeded down the concourse. Medical examination would reveal no apparent damage to the man.
The psi cop stopped a moment to check the fellow out, but a crowd was gathering, so he hurried after Lyta and Maya. Lyta had put Maya into the stroller and was walking much faster as a result.
The psi cop had gone about ten meters away from the man before he realized he could not read any feelings of pain from him. As a matter of fact, he wasn't getting any thoughts from the people around him. Someone was completely jamming him. He remembered the advisory that normal means would not work on this woman and began to understand why. Even a high P-12 couldn't blank an area like this. That she could do this and still carry on a telepathic conversation with someone was unknown to him or any of his superiors.
As Lyta approached the ticketing counter to get tickets and other information about Garibaldi's location, a man in his early thirties stepped up to her and introduced himself. "Pardon me, ma'am. My name is Max Kelly. If you are Lyta Alexander, I was sent to bring you to Mr. Garibaldi," said Max by way of introductions.
Lyta sensed that he was genuine, and accepted his hospitality. Behind her the psi cop made a few mental notes and gave up following when he saw her escorted to a private tube car. Lyta noted the psi cops departure and smiled to herself.
"Have you known Mr. Garibaldi very long, Ms. Alexander?"
"Michael and I are sort of old friends," replied Lyta.
Max looked doubtful. "I didn't know Mr. Garibaldi had any friends that are telepaths."
"I’m an exception, Max. It's a long story. Ask Michael sometime."
The trip from the spaceport had taken almost forty-five minutes. As she departed the tube car Lyta noticed the sign, "Welcome to Edgar Industries, Inc. Corporate Headquarters Mars Division". Inside the lobby Max expedited Lyta's getting an ID badge and led her to the elevators. In less than five minutes, Max ushered Lyta into Garibaldi's office. Looking around her, Lyta took in the expensive furnishings, large desk, leather couch and six leather chairs spaced around the office.
"Nice digs Michael," said Lyta, turning to focus on the balding man behind the desk. "Thanks for sending Max to meet me. It made things easier."
"Comes with the job, Lyta, and it was my pleasure. G'Kar gave me a heads up when you were in orbit awaiting clearance," Michael responded, coming around the desk. Without hesitation he put his arms around Lyta and hugged her like a bear.
"Are you okay?" She asked, stepping back from his embrace.
"Better than ever, Lyta. If things got any better, it would be illegal."
"You got a handle on the alcoholism. I’m pleased."
"Have a seat," he said noticing the stroller and toddler. "I didn't know you had a kid."
"She was born in space aboard G'Kar's ship. I suppose that makes her a person without a planet. Sort of 'Human-at-large'. Delenn didn't like that. Her birth is recorded as having occurred on whitestar 71, so she is registered as a natural born citizen of Minbar."
Michael smiled. "This isn’t a social call. You want to know if I’ve fulfilled my part of our bargain? I think you’ll be very pleased with my efforts."
"That's what I want to discuss. I've changed my mind about how I want to do this."
Still smiling, Michael said, "John told me what you said to him. We’ve done what you wanted. Our people, mine and yours, have been doing a job on Psi Corps in the media. You may not know, since you and G'Kar have been planet hopping in areas outside ISA influence and our messages to you have somewhat thin in the information department. Your people are wanting to meet with you and discuss future operations."
Lyta nodded in agreement. "You set up the meeting. Just tell me when and where."
"If what I've done meets with your approval, I expect you to keep your end of our bargain?"
"I can't do that, Michael."
"Why not?"
"I removed the Asimov block the first time we talked in my cell on Babylon 5," replied Lyta. "I did it as insurance against something happening to me. It would allow you to destroy Bester and Psi Corps."
Looking stunned and confused, he spat, "You mean, I could have trashed that little bastard anytime during the last two years?"
With a very big smile and eyes that flashed red then white for only a second, Lyta nodded and replied, "I always keep my promises, Michael."
"Am I being presumptuous by having my people make arrangements for your housing while you're here?"
"Not at all. I appreciate the gesture. You keep this up and I’ll start to feel like someone important."
"I hate to disappoint you, but it’s already too late for that," replied Michael with humor.
******************************
Two days after arriving on Mars, Lyta sat down for her first meeting with Garibaldi and the local leaders of the anti-Psi Corps movement. Standing at her position at her position at the middle of one side of the table, Lyta began addressing her fellow conspirators. "I don't know any of you by name, yet. I’m Lyta Alexander. During the past two years, you have been working with one another and Mr. Garibaldi to harass Psi Corps. Up until now, my contribution has been in the form of money. You have been down in the trenches, so to speak. It's time that I took a more active part in the operations, here and on Earth. I can gain access to Psi Corps facilities that you cannot and obtain passwords and codes for every sensitive computer system the Corps uses or has access to. It’s time we stepped up our campaign. You each have your responsibilities. Nothing will change about them, except I’ll be working closely with your computer gurus. Any questions?" asked Lyta. Hands went up all around the table.
******************************
"Good evening, Mr. Menlow. It's so nice to meet you," said Lyta Alexander to the director of Psi Corps intelligence on Mars. Mr. Menlow was stunned at her presence. His office was in the most secure part of the building, ten floors below the ground. He was facing a stunning redheaded female. It took him almost a minute to realize who she was, then he lapsed into complete disbelief.
"How did you get here?" He demanded.
"I took the elevator, of course," she replied.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"Information, what else. After all, that is what you do, isn't it?" She asked in return.
Menlow's mind was racing. She was here and that was a fact. She was apparently alone. She had to pass through at least eight identification checkpoints to get here, yet no alarm had been raised. That should have been impossible. He pushed a button under his desk to summon help. The Alexander woman smiled at him.
"You can push that button until you get blisters on all your fingers, but no one will hear any alarm," commented Lyta.
"What have you done to the staff in this section of the building?” He demanded.
"Nothing, actually," she replied. "They think you told them you didn't want to be disturbed under any circumstances for the next two hours. They were so cooperative, I wouldn't dream of harming any of them."
Glaring at her, "What makes you think that I’ll just roll over and do your bidding?" He asked.
"Nothing. You will volunteer everything I want, and the best part is, you won't remember anything about it."
An hour later Lyta left Menlow's office with all the passwords and codes a computer hacker could wish for to raid the intelligence files at Mars Psi Corps headquarters. Menlow would wake up from a nap and remember nothing about her presence. He would even change the passwords and codes over the next year, if the corps lasted that long, with the ones she had implanted in his mind. With what she had obtained from twenty department heads and their assistants, the intelligence director, financial and operations directors and the overall director of the Mars branch of the corps, taking down the corps on Mars was going to be a relative simple operation. Earth, however, was going to be another can of worms - same as Mars, just vastly larger.
******************************
Lyta leaned over the shoulder of the young computer expert. "Are they working?" She asked, referring to the security passwords and codes she had provided.
"Like a charm, ma'am," replied the young man. He was one of six computer experts from Garibaldi's recruited force working the present shift. The efforts to ransack Psi Corps files and archives was a twenty-four hour a day process. It had speeded up considerably since Lyta had made her data available. The real difficulty was deciding how to use the data to best effect. Lyta wasn't worried. She knew Garibaldi would handle it the way he had handled everything else so far. He was destroying Psi Corps and all that Bester held dear. A kid in a candy factory couldn't enjoy himself nearly as much as Michael was now. Her removal of the Asimov block was icing on Michael's cake.
******************************
It was three months since Lyta came to Mars, and she was feeling restless and not very useful. Planning operations was necessary, but it wasn't very exciting.
"Michael, I’m going to Earth," said Lyta.
"Why?" He asked.
"I want to get my hands dirty. I feel left out," she answered.
"Lyta. You're the leader of this little war. You're what makes it go; you’re the inspiration. Think of yourself as the president. She doesn't fight in the trenches. Besides, it’s dangerous,” argued Michael.
"I won't be in any danger, Michael, and you know it," replied Lyta.
"You know that and I know that, but no one else does, and one of the troops could get killed trying to keep you from harm," he shot back.
"I can be helpful in ways you can't imagine," she argued back.
Michael gave her a look that would have made anyone else cringe, but it was wasted on Lyta.
"I’ll make the arrangements," he said in defeat.
Lyta smiled, "Thank you, Michael."
******************************
Getting Lyta past Earth security was child's play. The paperwork would have passed any amount of close scrutiny; Lyta wasted no time in putting herself to work getting codes and passwords for both Psi Corps and Earth Alliance computers. What she and her people were doing was waging an all out information war. A war that would destroy Psi Corps by removing all of its supports. Lyta had likened it to using explosives to level a building in the middle of a city without doing any collateral damage.
Lyta went on a raid on a rehabilitation camp. She used her power to disable the camp guards, but not before one machine gunner had managed to rake her position with a long burst of fire. All of the raiders were supposed to be wearing clothing made from her armor fabric. One young man, a local, hadn't received his and he caught several rounds before the gun was silenced. Lyta was knocked off her feet from her crouched position by the young man's body being thrown against her by the force of the bullets impacts. Without consciously thinking about it, she assessed the damage. The bullets had gone through his body. Fortunately the heavy slugs had not distorted, so the damage, though massive, wasn't as bad as it might have been. Holding the boy's mind in an iron grip, she quickly started pouring her life force into him as she used her telekinetic abilities to repair the damage.
Several meters away a young man and woman were too stunned to move as they watched what Lyta was doing. What they saw was seared into their memories. Lyta fell across the boy's body completely drained by her efforts. She was unaware that she had been seen. The man and woman moved away quickly and rejoined their fellow soldiers.
Lyta realized she was being lifted from the ground by one of her older supporters, who asked, "Ms. Alexander, are you hurt?"
Looking up to see who was addressing her, she replied, "I’m fine. I’m a little tired."
"What happened?" He asked.
"We almost got hit by the gunfire," she replied, looking at the young man she had just saved. Fortunately, he would have no memory of what she had done. She got up and helped the man pick up the young man who was just beginning to show signs of consciousness. The remainder of the raid went without a hitch.
Unknown to Lyta, a story started making its way through the ranks of the telepaths and their supporters. Her forces had been liberating telepath rehabilitation - read slave labor/torture - camps as fast as possible. The live feeds, videos and such were causing uproars from normals and most lower rated telepaths in Psi Corps, all of whom had been blissfully unaware of the Corps amoral, inhuman regard for those it judged “non-Corps.” The horrors of what been happening to their brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and other relatives, in the name of rehabilitation was sickening to the general population. The media was pounding the idea that telepaths could be monitored and controlled without being stoned on drugs or locked up.
Garibaldi's resources left no avenue of trashing Psi Corps and company unused. It wasn't long before Lyta's picture was being plastered all over the media. She was branded a terrorist and traitor as the Psi Corps tried to discredit her and the telepath movement she represented. It didn't help the cause of the Corps, but it did get her listed as an undesirable, meaning she would have to leave EA space.
*******************************
"Good morning, Madam President," said Lyta.
President Luchenko could be given credit for not jumping out of her skin. The door had not opened or shut and there had been no sound, but there was a redheaded woman, whom she recognized as the leader of the telepath rebellion, standing on the other side of her desk addressing her.
Looking at Lyta, she asked, "How did you get in here?"
"I didn't,” came the response. "I’m not really here, but we can talk anyway."
The president mulled this statement over for almost a minute, before responding, "If I call the guard, will he see you?"
"He won't hear you, Madam President,” replied Lyta. "I’m leaving Earth for now, but I will return."
"And when do you propose to do that?" She asked.
"Hopefully, long after everyone now alive is dead and forgotten, Madam President. I’m leaving because my reason for being here is coming to pass. My people will be free and that is all that matters. You may call your guards now, but they won't find me here."
The president watched the image of Lyta fade to nothing and wondered if she had imagined the whole thing.
*********************************
The short stocky man sat at a rear table at the sidewalk cafe. His partner was late. A shadow fell across his line of sight. "Hello, Alfred. Waiting for someone?" Asked Lyta Alexander, taking the chair across the table from him.
"You have been busy, lately," he replied.
"You know how it is, when you're tearing down a card house. Sometimes it's fun, sometimes just plain work. How're tricks these days?" She inquired.
Bester just scowled at her and the little girl with her.
"Can I buy you a drink?" She asked motioning for the waiter.
Bester shook his head no.
"I'll have a coffee with cream and no sugar. My daughter will have iced tea with sugar on the side," Lyta told the waiter.
After the waiter left, Lyta said, "Maya, this the man responsible for your father's death."
The girl looked Bester over very carefully. She was very deliberate. "What can I do to him, mommy?" She asked.
"Anything you want. I want you to show him the same mercy that he has shown others. You can scan him and learn about that," she answered.
"Are you serious, Lyta?" Asked Bester.
The mental assault he experienced was beyond anything he had ever encountered before. His blocks didn't even hold for a heartbeat. Reeling mentally, he said, "Lyta, don't do this."
"I'm not, Alfred. She is," answered Lyta.
His blocks were down and he felt like his mind was being run through a shredder. As suddenly as it began, it stopped. "He is a very ugly little man, mommy. I’m going to punish him my way," Maya said matter-of-factly.
"Don't kill him sweetheart. Mr. Garibaldi wants him very badly. Oh, and I removed the Asimov block," said Lyta.
The waiter returned and served Lyta's and Maya's drinks, took payment and tip and left. He never paid any attention to Bester's distress. [Little bastard didn't even tip,] he thought to himself as he left.
Maya put sugar into her tea, took a drink and turned her attention back to Bester. He was visibly sweating. Maya finished what she was doing to Bester's mind about the same time she finished her tea. He wasn't sure what she had done. It hadn't been particularly painful, but he knew she had put a number of blocks in.
"Don't worry, Alfred," said Lyta. “I’m doing the same thing to every psi cop I can find. I think it is most appropriate."
Lyta and Maya left Bester sitting at the table wondering. He didn't have to wonder long. His associate was approaching and Bester attempted to mind-talk with him. The pain that shot through his mind brought tears to his eyes. It hurt worse than anything he had ever been subjected to before.
Seeing his associate's reaction, he asked, "Al, what’s wrong?"
Bester tried to mentally reach out and felt the pain wash over him again. He began to realize what had been done to him. Whatever they had done, there wasn't anyone who could undo it. He was beginning to regret a great many things, but it would do him no good.
***********************************
A year had passed since Lyta had appeared to President Luchenko, and Lyta and Maya were sitting in Michael Garibaldi's office saying good-bye and thank-you for his many efforts in the telepath war.
"Lyta, what you did to Bester, it was better than anything I could have dreamed up," said Garibaldi.
"It was Maya's idea, and she did it. You have to admit, it is appropriate, really fits his crimes," she replied.
"I get this warm feeling all over inside every time I think about it," he answered.
"Mommy, why do we have to leave?" Asked Maya.
"I am to blame, sweetheart. My activities in destroying Psi Corps have made me 'persona non grata'. It means I’m not welcome here anymore," replied Lyta.
"That's not entirely true, Lyta," commented Garibaldi.
"It's close enough, Michael. I think it's time Maya and I departed," answered Lyta.
"Lyta, I have to ask one big question,” said Michael. "Is it true?"
"Is what true?" She countered.
"The story about what happened with the kid on that raid?"
"I don't know what you’re talking about, Michael," she replied.
"Lyta, we have two witnesses, and they have been scanned. They're telling the truth," insisted Michael.
"What truth, Michael?" She countered.
"They say you brought the kid back from being dead," answered Michael.
Lyta sat and thought about it for almost two minutes, then started to smile. "He wasn't dead, Michael. He was wearing protective clothing, but he was hit by eight or ten heavy machine gun rounds. He was knocked out and had trouble breathing. I performed emergency breathing assistance on him. His chest was badly bruised and he had six cracked ribs, but he wasn't dead. The two witnesses may really believe he was killed. I can see how they might think that. I am sorry, Michael, but it’s only a good story. Myths are made from much less," said Lyta, sporting a huge smile on her face.
Looking straight into her eyes, Garibaldi said, "I'll have Max take you to the spaceport." The look he was giving her told her he knew she was lying, but he could never prove it.
"I appreciate the offer Michael, but it's not necessary," replied Lyta.
"You seem to be traveling light. Why only the one suitcase?" Inquired Michael.
"All we need is soap, toothpaste, toothbrush and a couple of changes of clothing. Anything else just gets in the way," she replied.
"Have you decided where you’ll go?" Asked Michael.
"Not yet. I hope to be traveling with G'Kar again, but if he isn't ready to leave, I’ll find something else leaving EA space. It’ll take a few flight changes to get entirely away from their space, but after that, who knows? There are places where they've never heard of me. G'Kar and I visited a couple of systems that might even welcome me back, if you can imagine that," said Lyta.
"I bet they have no idea what you are, do they?" Asked Michael.
"No. They don't have any idea, and I like it that way," was her wistful reply.
Michael came around his desk and shook Lyta's hand. He picked Maya up and gave her a hug.
"Goodbye, Uncle Mike, " said Maya as she and Lyta went out the door.
END PART 5
Part 6 (the chosen ending)
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