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***************************** The installation landing pad was deserted. Major Kent was observing from the control tower, set into the hillside just above the landing pad. There was no sign of the beacon he had ordered installed. [Mr. Williams, your career is over. You have hung the wrong man out to dry.] Down below on the landing pad there appeared two men carrying a small signal beacon. The major checked his watch. It had been twenty minutes since the conversation with Bryson. The man was renowned for being punctual. The thought had no sooner formed in Major Kent's mind than a shuttle almost as large as the pad appeared out of nowhere with its vertical thrusters operating at maximum. It settled down in the precise center of the pad, almost crushing the workmen under one of its wheels. Only the pilot's marvelous handling of the shuttle had prevented their being killed. [You are gone Lieutenant Williams. You are gone.] ***************************** "LYTA LOOK OUT! THERE ARE MEN BELOW US!" screamed Bryson. Lyta quickly stopped the shuttle's descent, and maneuvered it to miss the men when she sat it down on the pad. She immediately cut its engines and lowered the debarkation ladder. She and Bryson rushed out to check on the men. Fortunately, they were not injured. They were wearing required protective clothing. It was night in this part of the world. The lights lit up the landing pad. Chief Johnson who had detailed the men to do the setup rushed onto the pad to see what their condition was. "Don't sweat it chief," said Lyta. "They're only shook up and scared out of their wits." The major arrived a few moments later to find Chief Johnson and Bob Bryson helping the men walk toward the exit from the pad. There several enlisted personnel helped them to the installation medical facility. Bryson turned to the major. "I would have sworn I requested a low power beacon be set up major." "Yes you did, Mr. Bryson." "Let's get some coffee and something to eat, Major Kent. I have had a most interesting day so far, and can't wait to hear you explain why there wasn't a beacon set up for us." "This way, Mr. Bryson," indicated the major. Lyta fell in behind them. Williams arrived as Major Kent, Bryson, and Lyta were about to leave the area. "Chief Johnson, Mr. Williams follow us!" ordered Major Kent. Williams looked Lyta up and down. "I don't think we’ve been introduced." Lyta's eyes drilled holes through Williams. "You are incompetent Mr. Williams, and I don't care to know you!" snapped Lyta. Williams' jaw dropped at the statement. [Arrogant incompetent bastard, someone who can see through you.] Thought Chief Johnson to himself. ***************************** In the installation version of a wardroom, Bryson and Lyta relaxed and ate sandwiches and drank real coffee while Major Kent grilled Williams and Johnson. "You’re restricted to your quarters, Lieutenant Williams. I will file charges of willful disobedience of an order resulting in the endangering of both personnel and the site first thing in the morning. Chief Johnson you are dismissed." "Thank you sir. I need to check on my men." "Major," said Lyta. "You might want to put Lieutenant Williams under guard. He’s thinking that if his career is gone he might as well take out you and Chief Johnson." "Scanning someone without their permission is against the law," groused Williams. "So it is," agreed Lyta. "However, I didn't scan you. Your thoughts are so strong any telepath within a kilometer knows what you have in mind. Anyway, I’m not a citizen of Earth, nor am I human, and if that isn't enough, I have a diplomatic passport. So, sue me." Major Kent raised his link to his mouth and called security. "Miss Alexander, I assume you’re here to interview our guests." "Yes. It can wait until morning. Major do you have monitoring facilities? I’m interested in what is transpiring in orbit around Mars." "Might I ask what you wish to monitor." "Someone sent two thunderbolt fighters to destroy my shuttle, and Bob and me with it. I sent them back, so to speak." ***************************** Aboard the converted freighter, the captain was monitoring the results of sending the two fighters after Lyta's shuttle. He had not been informed of the target's identity. He had been paid handsomely and hadn't asked questions. It was the to be the last wrong major decision of his life. "Captain, they’re returning. I didn't detect any explosions. Also, they haven't answered our hail," said his first mate. "Exactly where are they?" The first mate pushed a few buttons and the forward display unit showed only blackness punctuated by the constant light from the distant stars. "I can't see them. Magnify the display." The display fuzzed then cleared and he could barely see two very small specks. Looking over at the tactical display he had installed, the captain was bothered. "They seem to be under full burn and accelerating. We can't land them like that." "They’re twenty thousand kilometers away and closing at almost fifty thousand kilometers per hour." "Navigator! Get us the hell out of here." "They’re changing course, captain. They’re constant bearing decreasing range (CBDR)." "Engineer, we have an emergency here. I need all the power this tub can muster. Number one, man the weapons and shoot them out of the sky!" A minute later, the first mate looked at his captain and said, "They’re moving too fast. I can't get a lock on them." "Start shooting. Use manual control. If you don't get lucky, we’re going to be very dead." Looking at the sensor displays again, the captain continued, "As if we don't have enough trouble, we have company. There’s a destroyer moving toward us." "Unless they’re going to be here in thirty minutes or less, I wouldn't worry about them. All they’re going to find when they get here is very small pieces," replied the first mate. ***************************** Onboard the Earthforce destroyer Akron, the CIC watches were observing the unfolding events. "Captain, the thunderbolt's id signatures match those of the ones stolen last month from the Poseidon." "Well, I can tell former Captain Dale where his fighters went missing." "Captain Ling, did they really bust him out of the service over that?" asked the weapons console operator. "Oh yes. There was a breakdown in his security and investigators laid the blame at his feet. They made an example out of him." "Why didn't they make an example out of Captain Ivanova? She disobeyed orders and got two ships shot all to hell sir?" Looking at the youngster thoughtfully, Captain Ling replied, "Son, when you go up against superior forces and bring your ship and crew back alive and destroy the enemy in the process, they turn a blind eye to the little things. When you save a multibillion credit space station and the two hundred-fifty thousand beings on it, they turn a very blind eye to the little things. Let me add, I agree with their actions." "Why don't those standards apply to us, sir?" "Son, if you ever disobey orders and save that many people by doing it, take my word, no one will remember what it was you disobeyed." "Captain. The freighter is trying to contact the fighters. It seems that the freighter launched them," noted the communications watch. "He isn't having any luck." "How long until the fighters arrive at the freighter." "They’ll be there in less than twenty minutes, sir. We won't get there for at least an hour and that’s only if we proceed at top speed," replied the weapons console operator. "I guess we’ll have to survey the pieces, if they're large enough." "Communications, establish a circuit with Earthdome. I want to let them know we found their missing thunderbolts." ***************************** "This is our communications monitoring center, Lyta," said Major Kent. "Are sure you aren't going to be getting into trouble showing me this? After all, I'm only here to interview the guests," she replied. "Not to worry, Lyta. Michael said you could have whatever access was deemed proper. In other words, you can go anywhere you want," replied Bryson. "Well, I don't need that much access, even if I have paid for most of this place." "I didn't know that," said Major Kent. "I thought this was a military installation." "Neither did I," echoed Bryson. "It is. Michael and I share in a number of 'projects'. Few people know anything at all about that aspect of our relationship, and there are no records of any of it. In fact, only a few military types are aware of it, and there is no paperwork to trace." "Major, we’re intercepting a gold channel call from the EAS Akron to Earthdome." "We are sure, general. The response to the id interrogation indicates they are the missing hardware. They appear to be on a collision course with an unidentified freighter. The freighter has tried to contact them, but have had no success. We have hailed the freighter, but have not had a reply. I suspect that they’re more worried about the fighters than they are about us." "Thank you, Captain Ling. Your report is noted. Please follow up with any other particulars. Earthdome out." "You said you sent them back, Lyta." "That is exactly what I said." "I thought they were from the destroyer." "One of the advantages of being a telepath, Bob. You don't have to think. You can be sure." Lyta closed her eyes for a full minute, then opened them again. "In about ten minutes, they’ll impact the freighter at a relative speed of almost seventy thousand KPH. It should make for a big bang and leave a good bit of dust." "You are cold, Miss Alexander," commented Major Kent. Casting her patented icy stare on Major Kent, she replied, "Colder than you can possibly imagine, major." "Major, do you have a communications panel that I can use to contact Mr. Garibaldi on Mars?" "Of course, Mr. Bryson. Follow me." Lyta and Bryson followed the major out of the intelligence monitor room. Inside the room the major had shown them to, Bryson initiated a call to Garibaldi on Mars. **************************** Back in the monitoring room. "They’re going to call Mars. Monitor it," ordered the Major. He knew they expected him to do just that. It would be amusing to see how they tried to keep it private. "Mike. We have a problem. I think we should use the crystal," said the voice and image on the monitor screen. "Give me a minute, Bob," answered the voice and image of Michael Garibaldi. Thirty seconds later the monitor images and sound dissolved into random noise. The major's people could not copy anything from the circuit after the encryption began. "I'll be damned," commented Major Kent. "Whatever they’re using it is certainly effective. Can we recover anything from this noise?" "We're feeding it to the computers, major, but I've never seen anything this effective before. The truth is if a circuit was covered by this before you began monitoring, you would not even recognize it as an intelligent signal." ***************************** "Mike. We have a leak. There were two thunderbolts literally waiting for us to leave Mars." "My sources had reported that there was a theft from an EA destroyer. The captain was busted out of the service. I see you escaped. What happened to the thunderbolts?" "Lyta says she sent them back where they came from." Lyta stepped into the pickup's range and looked thoughtfully at Michael. "Can you step outside in a minute or so?" "Sure. Why?" "They were launched by a freighter. I sent them back at full burn. In less than five minutes, they’ll reach their mother ship and try to land - at seventy thousand KPH relative speed. It should make a very impressive bang." "I’ll start a discrete investigation, Bob. Maybe Lyta can help. After all, it was probably her they were gunning for. Lyta will you help?" "Glad to, Michael. I think the failed attempt on Babylon 5 panicked the responsible parties. This failure should put them into full flight." "Good luck tomorrow, guys," said Michael. He then broke the circuit. ***************************** "Michael who was that?" asked Lise. "It was Bob and Lyta," he replied walking out on the large balcony. Lise waddled out to join him. "Did they have anything interesting to say?" "Lyta said I should watch the sky. She said she arranged for a fireworks display of sorts." Both started to watch the sky. "Won't we have trouble seeing it during the daytime?" she queried. "I don't think so, Lise. I don't think so." A minute later, both saw a very large brilliant explosion somewhere above the Martian atmosphere that lit up the whole sky. ***************************** "Captain Ling. We’ve been unable to contact either the freighter or the fighters. We have interrogated the life support monitor functions aboard the fighters. The pilots seem to be relaxed to the point of being asleep. It's as if they don't realize what’s about to happen." "I don't know why, but I’m not really surprised. I only wish I knew who or what did this." "In two minutes, it won't make any difference, captain." ***************************** "First, we need something from you! We can't outrun them and our jump engines are off line! Engineer! Is there any hope on the jump engines?" "We’re powering them up now, captain, but it’s problematical whether we can escape." "We have two minutes, captain. They’re so close now," said the first mate, "that even if I hit them, the wreckage will probably destroy us." "Captain, we’re opening a jump point now," said the navigator. As the jump point fully formed, the two thunderbolts ripped through the freighter at almost eighty thousand KPH still accelerating under full power. The resulting explosion could be seen over half the surface of Mars, even in full daylight. The freighter disintegrated into an expanding cloud of dust and very small debris. ***************************** Looking at Bryson, Lyta noted, "It's over. They're gone." "I assume you mean the fighters and the freighter." "Yes. I think a nap is in order, Bob. It’s been a long day for such a short period of time." "Let's get the major to have someone show us where we’re sleeping." "You go ahead. I’m going to sleep on the shuttle. It has several bunks and there are no monitor devices to worry about." Lyta turned and walked away down the passageway. Bryson watched her go and thought, [What did I get myself involved in?] A moment later, Major Kent walked up to Bryson and asked, "Where’s your associate?" "She went to bunk on her shuttle." "Why? We have quarters ready for you?" "I don't think she trusts anyone very much. Someone knew enough about our plans to try and ambush us. Under those circumstances, would you be trustful of people you don't know." "No, I don't suppose I would," replied Major Kent. "Let me show you to your quarters." Both men turned in step and walked down the passageway in the opposite direction Lyta had gone. ***************************** It was 0630 and Lyta was enjoying her second cup of real coffee, after having just finished a breakfast of bacon, eggs, grits, toast, pancakes and hash browns. Bryson entered the ward room and took a seat at her table. "You do get an early start. Don't you?" "I wasn't that tired. Besides, I beat the crowd this way." "When’re you going to get started on the guests. I do like that euphemism." "It does have a civilized ring to it. Seriously though, I figure we'll have to wait for the day shift to arrive. We don't even know where they’re being kept." The steward took Bryson's breakfast order and brought Lyta more coffee. ***************************** It was 0700 when an Earthforce colonel, accompanied be Major Kent, entered the wardroom. They made for Lyta's table. "Miss Alexander, Mr. Bryson, may I introduce our commanding officer, Colonel Bruce Nixon," said Major Kent. Bryson rose and shook the colonel's hand. Lyta remained seated and simply said, "Good morning, Colonel Nixon. Mr. Bryson and I would like to see your guests as soon as possible." "Are you always so direct, Miss Alexander?" asked Nixon. "I’ve had to delay these interviews until the board of inquiry was finished with their business, and had departed Babylon 5. That puts me well behind where I had hoped to be in this endeavor, colonel." "It was short notice from Mr. Garibaldi, but they’re ready. We’ve been keeping them on sleepers to prevent any problems with their psi abilities. Does that present any problem?" "Not at all, colonel. It just means I won't have to damage them to get what I want. That is, if they have any information that may be pertinent." "I don't suppose you or Mr. Bryson are going to enlighten us about any of this?" "It is safer that way. You can't tell what you don't know. Believe me, Colonel Nixon, you don't want to even have a hint of what this is all about. When I finish with them, I’ll erase all memory of their capture and their time here from their minds, and give them memories of a wonderful vacation. Your people can drop them in hotel rooms and forget about them." "Major Kent will have to take you to them. This installation is divided into two physical parts. This side is a normal command. The other side is "Spook City" and even though I’m the commanding officer, I’m not permitted to even go into the place. Major Kent is my XO and that’s his part of the place. You and Mr. Bryson are going to see a part of my command I’m not allowed into." "If you're finished here, we can be on our way," commented Major Kent. ***************************** It took almost thirty minutes before Lyta and Bob were finally allowed into Major Kent's side of the installation. Lyta realized this was what Michael had wanted the extra time for. "You will be restricted to where you can go until we get the rest of your clearance data." "Not a problem Major. We only want to do our business and get the hell out of here," said Bryson. It took another thirty minutes before they finally arrived at the cells where the telepaths were being held. As they entered the cell area, Lyta turned to the major and the escorts and said, "You and your people, including those on duty inside the cell area, will have to wait outside, Major. What we’re going to do is not in your need to know area." "We can't leave you alone with them, Miss Alexander. There are security considerations." "You and your people will wait outside, Major. This is not a request. I have the ability to make you stay outside this area. Don't make me prove it." Lyta and Bryson entered the cell area and didn't look back. The major motioned for the cell area security guards to come out of the cell area and for two of his men to follow Lyta and Bryson. As they tried to step through the doorway, they screamed and fell to the floor unable to move. As soon as they were dragged out of the doorway, they quit screaming and returned to normal. The major moved into the doorway and immediately felt like every cell in his body was on fire. The pain was unbearable, and he screamed and fell backward out of the doorway. Instantly the pain was gone. Looking at his men, the major said, "I guess we stay out here. You men stand guard here with the cell security watch. I’ll send reliefs in two hours." "Major, considering what we just experienced, do you seriously expect anyone to wander in there?" asked one of his men, a corporal. "No, but I want someone here for escort duty when they finish. Somehow, I’m beginning to feel sorry for the fellows in those cells." ***************************** Bryson found himself standing waist deep in the most foul smelling putrid slimy sewer he could ever imagine. There were unknown things growing on the walls and ceiling and hanging down at face level. He puked twice until his stomach was completely empty and nothing more would come forth. "Where in God's name are we, Lyta. This place is like being in your worst nightmare's sewer." "Um, I'm glad you noticed that, but don't blame me. This is your mind's interpretation of his thoughts and memories." He bumped into several things that felt lumpy in a sickly squishy way. "What do you mean?" "You’re seeing his thoughts and memories in your minds eye. None of this real except in your mind. It's what happens when a normal or an untrained telepath is exposed to another being’s thoughts. His or her mind tries to process those thoughts and memories into an understandable frame of reference. That's why so many telepaths burn out during the years of training we undergo. The greater the psi ability, the more intense the training. It's that or go nuts. That's one of the few good things Psi Corps did. Another is the discipline to keep out the thoughts of others." "You make it sound like being a telepath can be a real burden." "It can be, under certain circumstances." It was during this exchange that Bryson saw something rising out of the wet gooey slime just ahead of them. In spite of the heat and humidity of the place, Bryson's blood began to feel like slush ice moving through his veins. This had to be the most hideous thing he could ever imagine. Its face what there was of it looked like it was sliding around on its skull. Bryson tried to puke again, but only dry heaved. "Bob, I think this who we’re looking for. Let's see if he is willing to answer questions, or if I’m going to have to get nasty." Bob looked at Lyta in disbelief. How could it be any nastier than it was. He would learn shortly. Walking up to the thing, Lyta put her arm around its shoulder and whispered into its 'ear', "We can do this easy or hard. It's your choice. I guarantee you aren't going to like the hard way." In front of Bryson, Lyta began to fight with the creature. It was over in less than a minute and the creature was screaming in pain. Bryson moved in closer to Lyta and the creature. He was stunned to see what appeared to be a white mist descend from the ceiling of the sewer. A visual display slowly appeared on the streaming surface. It quickly became a slowly changing montage of images and what looked like data crystal visuals being projected on the foggy curtain. He instinctively knew he was seeing the man's memories being displayed before him. He took out his notepad and began to quickly make entries. It seemed as if he had been taking notes for a week. He was very tired, hungry and sick to his stomach. Just as he tried to puke again, the entire area around him began to grow dark until he could no longer see the inside of the sewer. Bryson came awake with a start, feeling himself being shaken vigorously. "Well Bob, how was the experience?" asked Lyta. "Did it live up to your expectations?" "Will the rest of them be like this?" "No. He is one of the worst you could have experienced. The others will be very easy in comparison." "Why don't you kill him and do the race a favor?" "If we were anywhere but here, I would. The colonel and the major don't need that kind of grief." The remainder of the interviews went smoothly, and Bryson's experiences during them bordered on pleasant. It had taken most of the day, so Lyta and Bryson agreed that she could use part of the following day to alter the guests memories and program them with their just rewards. ***************************** "I understand you got what you came after," said Colonel Nixon. "Yes we did, Colonel Nixon," responded Bryson. "No problems?" "None to speak of," answered Bryson. "The data from the older psi cop was interesting." "Anything you can talk about?" "No." commented Lyta. "In this case, not knowing is an advantage, Colonel Nixon. You can't accidentally leak information that you don't have. Then neither can anyone take it from your mind using a telepathic scan." "So true. Will you be much longer?" "No. Tomorrow, I plan to alter their memories and program them for their just rewards. Their memories will be altered so that they won't ever remember being here. They’ll remember being on the vacation of my choice. I’ll use a montage of their past memories to construct new ones, and then Michael's people will rent hotel rooms in appropriate locations and leave them in them. They’ll wake up believing they’ve simply been having a good time." "Major Kent said you wouldn't allow him or any of his people inside the holding area while you were doing your interviews. They have clearances." "They didn't have a need to know, Colonel, and like I said, you can't tell something you don't know. What kind or level of clearance someone has is irrelevant," noted Lyta. "Touche, Miss Alexander." Nixon left Lyta and Bryson to finish their meal. "I have to make a report to Mike, Lyta. Will you be spending the night on the shuttle?" "Of course. We developed a great many new leads and gained much new information today." "Just what are you planning to do with those leads?" "You really don't want to know. Most of the people named were selling out the human race during the Shadow war. They damned near caused the total destruction of the Earth and it entire population to satisfy their personal greed. I feel they should get everything they have coming to them. No court of law will ever be able to touch them." "When you talk like that, you scare the hell out of me." "You don't know what scared is yet. After I finish with them, you will." "I'll take your word for that." ***************************** "That's the whole enchilada, Mike. Your female friend scares hell out of me." "I want to see her when you get back. I have something I think might interest her. It’s very personal. I think this calls for another 'Garibaldi Special' Italian supper." "I am looking forward to it boss. Next time, you go with her when she goes rummaging through someone's mind." "Been there, done that, and have the t-shirt. Call before you leave." Bryson broke the connection and started getting ready for bed. Today had been one for the books, and besides Mike there wasn't anyone who would believe him even if he talked about it. ***************************** "This won't take very long, Major Kent. No more than two hours at most, then you can turn them over to Michael's people." "Just give me the word, Miss Alexander." The guards waited outside as Lyta entered the cell block area. ***************************** It was just past 0900 in the facilities management control office, which doubled as a damage control central for the installation. An urgent loud beeping commenced. On the watch's computer screen, the display began to flash red. The watch punched up the monitor status display and was greeted by a flashing emergency warning. His screen was flashing "EMERGENCY...PERSONNEL SAFETY HAZARD...CO2 DUMP IN AREA LOWER LEVEL 10...IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY EVACUATION REQUIRED". The watch never hesitated. He immediately punched the general emergency alarm and throughout the installation the alarm sounded. He followed up the alarm by calling the major and the colonel. The computer quickly displayed the situation and on the wall sized status board, at the back of the space the areas, in danger began flashing in red. He could see that the cell block area was in one corner of the danger zone. Keying his headpiece microphone, he passed over the PA system, "The danger is carbon dioxide flooding, emergency breathing apparatus is required. I repeat, the danger is carbon dioxide flooding, emergency breathing apparatus is required. There are personnel trapped in the area." Major Kent came rushing into the office along with the facilities officer. He took one look at the status board and said, "Oh my God! Four of our men, Miss Alexander, and those telepaths are down there!" ***************************** END PART 2