Redheaded Telepath Send criticism to [xazqrten@cox.net]. Without, it there can't be any improvement. PART 2: Chapter IX Two months later while discussing the general condition of station affairs, Sheridan asked, “How is Mr. Blaine working out, commander?” "Captain, he’s getting long just fine. There’s good business monitoring contract negotiations and word is that he’s developed a regular clientele. He’s made friends with most of the security people. He and Zack often have a drink of real coffee after work. I’m a little surprised at how easy it is to like Paul. Speaking of Zack, he’s doing really well as head of security. He has a natural talent for handling people. Michael has the same talent. It must be a prerequisite for really good security chiefs.” "Paul? When did get you on a first name with him? I thought you didn't have anything to do with telepaths. Change of heart?" At that point his comm. badge beeped. "Sheridan here." "John, this is Delenn, may I see you, shortly?" "Yes. Where?" "I'll be there in a few minutes." Sheridan turned, “Susan, will you stay for this?" "Of course, captain." Ten minutes later Delenn swept into the office, took the offered tea, and sat down across from Sheridan. "John, Susan, there is something I need to discuss with both of you. As you know, Lyta has been on Epsilon III for over five months. What you don’t know is what she’s been doing all that time." "Delenn, we’re all ears," replied Sheridan. "Draal informed me of their progress and felt it is time you should be informed of some of the secrets." "What secrets?" "We have been working on upgrades for the Whitestar fleet, and it is time to show some of them to you. If you and Susan will accompany me we will go watch the preliminary tests." Sheridan, after throwing a questioning look at Susan, who shrugged her shoulders in an ‘I don't know’ way, said, "Lead on, Ambassador." On the far side of Epsilon III in a zone shielded from Babylon 5’s sensors, the Whitestar II opened a jump gate and was gone from Epsilon III space. The ship reentered regular space in a remote and empty sector of space. Already there was a Minbari war cruiser. "John, the first test is for the shielding." "What kind of shielding?" "It is an improvement on the Vorlon defenses; it can deflect most of the incoming energy before it impacts the skin of the ship and improves the ability of the skin of the ship to reflect whatever energy that is left. It also allows the ships batteries and weapons banks to absorb some of the energy. We can use their fire to return fire." "Just what do these tests consist of? Live fire?” "Yes." "What is the target?" "Us." "Delenn, you can't be serious!" From Delenn, "Everyone take a seat and fasten yourselves in." A warning alarm sounded through the ship. All sections reported secure and ready. "Alyt, you may begin at any time,” she told the commanding officer of the war cruiser. The war cruiser fired its main armament, targeting the Whitestar II. From the cruiser’s viewpoint the energy beam seemed to breakup and dissipate on the target-ship’s hull. As ordered the cruiser maintained its fire rate for the scheduled five minutes. After the test the Whitestar II appeared to be unscathed. On board the Whitestar II the initial weapons impact made it feel as if someone had hit her with a giant hammer; if everyone hadn't been strapped down, they would have been bouncing off decks and bulkheads. Sheridan looked at Delenn after the test concluded and asked, "How hard did they hit us?" "John, that was full power from their main weapons system." "How, much damage did we sustain, Lennier?" "None, captain. Other than the initial jolt, nothing at all. The hull didn't even get warm." "How long could we have survived that?" "According to my readouts, indefinitely. Captain, if my panels read correctly we could survive multiple direct hits from a Shadow war cruiser." "Let's hope we never have to test that theory. What other weapons tests are in store, Delenn." "Just a small demonstration of the increased firepower in the main battery." Swinging away from the cruiser the whitestar approached what appeared to be very small asteroid. As it got closer the captain realized it was in fact large. "Lennier, how big is that thing?" "About 900 meters in diameter, captain." "Exactly what is the target?" "It is, captain." Looking at Delenn, "Is he joking?" "No. He is serious." Ivanova, "Captain that thing is almost the same diameter as the rotating section of Babylon 5!" As if on cue, the captain of the war cruiser which was now alongside Whitestar II opened fire on the small asteroid. It blew off some dirt leaving a small crater, but not much more. At a nod from Delenn, Lennier targeted the asteroid and fired. There were now many little ones where the big one had been. It had been almost pulverized. Sheridan looked at Delenn and asked, "What other tricks does this thing do?" "That's it for now John. We still haven't installed the upgrades for engines, sensors and the artificial gravity system." Opening a jumpgate and accelerating Whitestar II made a fast uneventful return trip to Babylon 5. Sheridan asked, "Delenn, where did these modifications come from? How many ships have them?" "Only this one presently has any modifications. We are using it for a test vehicle. The first ones to be outfitted will be used to guard Babylon 5 from attack. Our engineers - working with Draal - developed the modifications," replied Delenn. "They did all this in a few short months? I have trouble buying that." "As you wish." Arrival at the station was routine and as they debarked Sheridan indicated that he wanted a staff meeting in the war room in one hour. ********************** Chapter X One hour later the staff meeting convened in the war room. Since the supply department and other support departments and divisions were there, it took more than an hour to get through the regular routine business. When that was finished, the captain dismissed the support personnel. So they could get gory work done, or so he said. He was aware that bullets and bombs weren't the “be all to end all.” Without the support personnel pulling on their part of the wagon, nobody went anywhere. It was either be a team or be dead. Easy choice. He wanted all his staff to be in the know and appreciate the efforts of everyone else. Now came the real reason he had called the meeting. "What other types of upgrades do you have planned for the fleet?" asked Sheridan. "You still haven't explained - in a believable way - how these changes are being accomplished and just how many people are working on these projects?" Delenn introduced a distinguished looking older Minbari. "This is Worel; he is one of the foremost aeronautical and space engineers on Minbar and is in charge of the overall upgrade program. He will explain the upgrades we are doing. Dr. Worel." After the introduction, Dr. Worel began, "We have several hundred engineers and support staff on Epsilon III. They are working with Draal and the Great Machine to design and static test the improvements. We are also training the operators there to get the most out of the ships after they are upgraded. We expect to be able to install and test the upgrades on at least one ship a month at first. We will move the bulk of the work back to Minbar as soon as possible. Production tool-up on Minbar is expected to take about four months. After that we can expect to upgrade at least two ships a month. The larger war cruisers will require about half again as long as a Whitestar vessel." Sheridan nodded and asked, "Doctor, the plans sound fine, but just what are the specifics?" The older Minbari continued, "Engine power is expected to be increased fifty percent. Sensor ranges will be extended at least thirty percent. Sensors will be able to track ships in hyperspace while still in normal space. Improved jump engine capability will allow transit to hyperspace without actually opening a jumpgate. Upgrades to the artificial gravity generators will do away with the need to strap yourself into your seat like we did today. They will also allow the ship to turn inside the turning radius of a starfury.” "John, with all the modifications, the whitestars can still be destroyed by an enemy. It will just not be easy." Sheridan thought of Delenn's penchant for understatement and said, "Dr. Worel, thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to give us this briefing." As the doctor nodded and started to take his leave, the captain asked, "Doctor, have you met Miss Alexander?" "Miss Alexander? With all due respect, captain, I do not know a Miss Alexander," he replied, and left. "Delenn, Lyta is still on Epsilon III, isn't she?" "Yes, but she has not had contact with anyone except Draal." "Gentlemen and ladies, this meeting is adjourned," said Sheridan. **************** Chapter XI Unknown to Delenn and the others on Babylon 5 was that after they departed, Lyta had told Draal that she needed some changes to her living accommodations. She started with a methane atmosphere and added an encounter suit that she had designed to hide her physical size and sex from those with whom she would be working over the next months or years. She explained to Draal that - except for himself - she wanted no personal contact with anyone while she was here. Draal had arranged it to suit her wishes. She wasn't hard to please. She really didn't ask for much. It seemed she never asked for much. He guessed that she had become used to doing without in the last couple of years. She didn't really trust anyone very much either. He wondered about that since she could scan anyone to their very soul. He suspected Lyta’s experiences with Psi Corps had left some terrible scars on her psyche. Lyta left her quarters through a back entrance known only to herself and Draal. Out in the passageway, again breathing earth normal atmosphere, Lyta started to walk, just thinking how good it felt to not do anything for a little while except give her head a rest. She would not admit - even under duress - the last five months had been one hell of a strain. If she hadn't been able to share some of the thoughts of those back on Babylon 5, she thought she might have gone nuts. She wondered how Lorien had managed it for all those years. Maybe he listened to others' thoughts as she had. Draal was a sanity saver. Fortunately, he loved to talk. At that moment Draal appeared to walk next to her. "A credit for your thoughts." She cocked her head to one side and regarded him with smile. There was humor in her eyes. She said, “I don't suppose you would like to step out of the machine for a while and have a real dinner with me?" Draal was taken aback by the suggestion. Lyta had not seen another soul, face-to-face, in more than five months. Holograms, even if they walked and talked didn't count. "I would be pleased to do so." He disappeared for a minute and then returned. "Dinner will be ready in about an hour, my dear." Lyta beamed like a high intensity lamp and said, "Thanks, Draal." "Lyta, could I invite some company?" She smiled and thought for a moment, "Draal, forget I asked. I shouldn't have imposed. I really should get back to work." Smiling, he said, "I understand. Goodnight." She walked back to her quarters thinking, wistfully, that dinner and music would have been so nice. Ah hell, there was enough work to keep her busy for a lifetime, and in her case that promised to be a hell of a long time. Draal watched her walk away and thought that she had to be so lonely. That she deserved better and obviously didn't know it bothered him. He and his beloved wife had not been blessed with children. He had felt like a father to Delenn, and now he was feeling that way about Lyta. She was the first person that didn't seem to have ‘receive' in his or her dictionary, only ‘give'. With a frown he noted that conversing with humans was corrupting his speech patterns. With a silent sigh he slowly faded out of sight and went back to work. On the other side of Epsilon III - out of sight of Babylon 5, in an underground industrial complex Draal had built for the purpose of designing, building and preliminary testing the upgrades Lyta was developing - were hundreds of trusted Minbari and Human engineers and technical personnel working on the "Upgrade Project". There were three shifts and the work was continuous. In the project manager’s office there was a busy discussion of the results of the recent live fire tests that had been conducted by Whitestar II. "Dr. Worel, do you think that Draal and the advisor will be satisfied with today's test results?" asked one of the Human department heads. "I would think so, Bob. If either side had firepower and armor like this during our war the other side wouldn't have survived at all. The Whitestar II could destroy our heaviest ships and not even breath hard. The war cruiser's weapons were essentially useless against her. She nearly pulverized an asteroid that was almost a kilometer in diameter using her main battery. She is going to be a ship to be reckoned with when she is completed. Okay, the floor is open, let's see where we are with the other parts of the project." As the exchanges of information and data began, a voice asked, "Dr. Worel, do we have any idea who Draal's advisor is yet?” "Mike, there are some questions that one doesn't ask," answered the doctor. The low buzz of Human and Minbari engineers and technical leaders getting their efforts in synchronization resumed. The doctor reflected on how easy it is to look good when you had first rate talent working for you, if only you allowed it to do what it did best. *********************** Chapter XII Delenn had been thinking of Lyta again. No way around it, she considered the rogue telepath to be one of her most trusted friends. She couldn't help but worry about her. Five months into what was essentially total isolation. The doorbell softly chimed. "Come in, John." Entering her quarters, the captain asked, "How did you know it was me?" "Lennier is off for the remainder of the evening and it is too late for anyone else," she answered turning away from her bar with a cup of tea. "Can I get you one?" "Sure, a real man never turns down a free drink. It is free, isn't it?" "Do you always check out the price tag first?" "Yep. It keeps the budget in balance. What did you want to talk about this evening?" "I will tell you, but only after you kiss me." "Just what I thought, a regular kiss and tell person." He kissed her all right, two ways; long and deep. When he released her he asked, "Now, what are we going to talk about?” "I forgot... joke. Seriously, us." "Us, as in what about...?" "I want to make some plans for us, John. I have, over a period of time, spent the three nights with you. I very much liked what I observed. I feel it is time to discuss how we want to approach the rest." "Assuming ‘the rest’ means that which is necessary to get married, I agree. We need for me to become familiar with the rituals your people observe, and you with mine. I think I would like to fuse them together, if it can be done." "That would be very nice. I will gather the information necessary for both of us and we will design our own. Subject to family approval." "Of course. Have you eaten supper yet?" "No. Are we going out?" "I will if you will." With that they left Delenn's quarters and headed in the general direction of the Zocalo. Ten minutes later they were at the door of their favorite restaurant. Paul Blaine, Zack Allan and his new girlfriend were already on the waiting list. "Care to join us, captain?" asked Blaine. "If your guests don't mind," replied Sheridan. "Not at all, captain." Turning to Delenn and bowing slightly Zack said, "Evening, Ambassador Delenn. I would like to introduce to my date, Miss Barbara Freeman." From Miss Freeman, "Pleased to meet you Captain Sheridan and you Ambassador Delenn." Delenn, "Miss Freeman you are Paul's new assistant aren't you?" "Yes ma'am." About then a waiter escorted the group to their table. After they were seated, the waiter said, “My name is Mark and it will be my pleasure to serve you this evening. May I bring you something to drink and an hors d'oeuvre?" Everyone ordered something non-alcoholic to drink and a chef salad with no dressing to nibble on while they perused the menu and made their choices. The captain noticed several items marked ‘new item' and queried the waiter about them. After a description of the first few as something combining Centauri food with Narn spices and Drazi cooking styles, the captain and the rest of the group passed. Instead they ordered safe dishes of baked potatoes, fish, chicken, steak and raw vegetables. As their waiter left with their orders, the conversation began. The captain noted "Zack, you’re going all out tonight," referring to Zack's order of steak and his date's order of broiled chicken breast. "Captain, I seldom get to take a lovely lady to dinner, and I might as well do it right," Zack answered in his raspy voice. His date blushed. "You’re a man after my own heart, Zack. Never do things half-way." Several thousand kilometers away in her apartment on Epsilon III, Lyta was feeling just a bit depressed. She had rejected Draal's offer of the company of others. She felt being in actual contact with someone other than Draal would only emphasize her physical loneliness. It was better to let it pass. She began to think of the people she knew on Babylon 5. It occurred to her that she could share some time with them even though they wouldn't know she was there. It wasn't scanning and if they were doing anything she shouldn't be watching, she would stop. The person most likely not to be doing anything too personal would be Captain Sheridan. Lowering the block she had for him until she could ‘hear’ him, she found him and Delenn were just arriving at Sheridan's favorite expensive place to eat. [Must be some special occasion.] Lowering the block a bit further she could ‘see’ the other members of the captain's party. As their waiter led them to a large table she noted that the group consisted of, in addition to the captain and Delenn, Zack Allan, a man - whom she recognized as Paul Blaine - and a lovely young brunette whom she did not know. She observed everything from Captain Sheridan's point of view. "Captain Sheridan what’s the occasion for you and Ambassador Delenn tonight?" asked Blaine. Delenn responded, "We decided to celebrate the fact that we have decided on what we want to do for our wedding ceremony. Please, no title when I am not acting in an official capacity." "Okay, Miss Delenn it is." "No. Delenn will be just fine." "You said you had decided on a type of ceremony." John looked a little uncomfortable, and Delenn with a mischievous sparkle said, “Yes, we are going for a combination of both Earth and Minbari customs and traditions." Zack had noticed the captain's facial movements and the gleam in the ambassador's eye. To himself he thought, [Women, the same all over. Get a man over the coals and turn up the heat.] "It should be interesting and educational for all of us," continued Paul with a perfectly sincere expression on his face. "Yes, interesting," cut in the captain. "How is the job coming along, Paul?" "Business has been very good. I needed help with the record keeping. Barbara came to me highly recommended by your supply officer. I hired her on the spot. He had to downsize and labor rules dictated that the least senior person had to go first. His loss my good fortune. I owe the person who wrote that rule." "Miss Freeman, your boss seems to think highly of your abilities. How has it been working with him?" Barbara blushed and said, "So far he’s the easiest person I have worked for to date." "Paul?" "Captain, she’s so organized and efficient it’s painful. It’s the kind of pain every good boss hunts for. A different question of a different nature, if I may?" On Epsilon III, Lyta thought, [Here it comes.] "Shoot,” said Sheridan. "I know that the office I’m using belonged to a Miss Lyta Alexander, before I arrived. I was curious about her from a professional perspective. When I looked up her public file, I found that she was the first commercial telepath assigned to Babylon 5. She left abruptly and was replaced by a Miss Talia Winters. Miss Winters was recalled and left rather suddenly, also. After that, there hasn't been another commercial telepath assigned to the station. Miss Alexander apparently has been in the office unofficially even though she was declared a rogue." Lyta felt the tension mount in Sheridan. "Don't worry, Paul, there isn't anything catching attached to the office." "No sir, I was just wondering about when Miss Alexander returns. She is coming back, isn't she?" "I honestly don't know." "Paul, what did you find in Lyta's public files that bothers you?" asked Delenn. "Well, the official photo of her taken by station security shows a very pretty redhead. Looking very neat and businesslike. There’s also a video clip of her showing that the official photo doesn't do her any justice. It's the recent security photo and video clip that grabs me. In that, she is obviously a few pounds lighter, she moves like a cat, wears an outfit fit for brawling, has her hair pulled back so tight that it must hurt, and has a very hard glint in her eyes. She looks like she would as soon kick hell out of you as not if you said ‘hello’." There was a feeling of mild surprise showing on Sheridan's face. Lyta felt it as a marked increase in tension. Zack and Delenn were definitely amused. They kept a straight face. "What are you leading up to, Paul?" he asked. "There won't be any problems when Miss Alexander returns will there? The last thing I need is more trouble. I mean, after all, I’m using her office and her quarters," he said the last with a bit of sheepishness in his voice. With a warm feeling, Lyta smiled to herself, [Not damn likely.] The mood didn't last long. Lyta felt the anger rise in Sheridan like a bomb in the face. "There won't be any problems with her! I'll handle Lyta!" It came out hard; not the way he intended at all. Before the regret for what he had said could even manifest itself in his mind, she broke the link. She did it so suddenly her head snapped back against her chair. If she’d had any doubts before about her status there weren't any now. He could drive her off the station, but he would play hell getting at her here. Why he was doing this was beyond her understanding and it took a hell of a lot to be that. Ah well, life goes on. She thought, [Fortunately, there is no one to see my tears.] She supposed Paul was right; she had become very hard since she originally arrived on Babylon 5. She was wrong about her tears. Draal had been watching and even if he couldn't read her mind he had seen the sudden change of emotions and her tears. She wasn't aware he was there. She really didn't scan those around her. Watching her made his heart hurt. He noted the time. He was going to ask Delenn if she knew what happened. May be she or Sheridan knew what went wrong. It was a long shot. After all, there were over 200,000 people on Babylon 5. It didn't have to be Sheridan, but he couldn't think of anyone else who would have that effect on her. Delenn exploded, "JOHN! What are you saying!" "Captain, I’ve had lunch with Michael Garibaldi a number of times, and he swears that Miss Alexander is about the nicest and sweetest person he knows. He even said he trusted her. When I told him I had heard he didn't trust anyone he told me she’s different. Did I miss something here?" asked Blaine with a shocked look on his face. The faces of Zack and Barbara were showing the same expression, astonishment. Feeling like the galaxy's biggest ass, Sheridan apologized, "I’m very sorry, that wasn't what I meant to say. Please forgive me." "Just what did you mean to say, JOHN!" shot Delenn with acid dripping off every word. "Paul, there won't be any trouble because Lyta recommended you for the job. She said you would be perfect. I had some qualms about having someone I don't know in that position. I depend on the staff telepath occasionally for the same things a normal business man does only it can sometimes involve station official business." "You mean you hired me on the recommendation of a rogue telepath who has never met me." "Yes," replied Sheridan. "Why? What’s so special about her that you would put that much trust in her?" "She is not exactly what she appears to be." "That's all, no other reason?" asked Paul. "None that I can tell you about now. Do me a favor? When you go to bed tonight, take the time to look at your left foot very carefully. Then think of Lyta," replied Sheridan. Paul's face, Zack's face, and Barbara's face looked like three question marks. Sheridan was glad looks couldn't kill. If they could, the ones Delenn was giving him would at the very least leave him with a permanent limp in both legs. She was mad. He didn't think he, had ever seen her so angry. He felt just a twinge of fear at what he had seen in his beloved ones eyes. It was as if Lyta was her child and he had suggested killing her. He needed to do some serious soul searching and get his head straightened out. Just then their meals arrived. Everyone ate in silence. The conversation had been properly assassinated. After the meal, everyone said their goodnights and went their own ways. Paul took a long stroll before heading for his apartment. Zack and Barbara disappeared into the thinning crowd and Captain Sheridan and Ambassador Delenn angled toward the diplomatic quarters. ***************************************** Delenn fumed all the way back to her quarters. The captain knew he was in the doghouse, but it couldn't hurt to try and salvage whatever he could. Opening her door, Delenn entered and motioned Sheridan in with withering look. "All right Delenn, I made a real ass out of myself tonight. How can I make it up to you?" "John, you truly do not understand what you might have done tonight." "You keep telling me that I don't understand. What is it that I don't understand?" "John, tell me about your family." "Delenn, it's late. Can't this wait?" "John, I know it is late. If you don't want to talk now, it's fine with me. Next time there won't be any forgiveness." "It isn't be that bad? Is it?" "Ivanova and I have tried everything except force to get you to examine your actions. You simply refuse to do so. John, you are not infallible." "What do you want to know about my family." "You talk, I will listen." What followed was the longest night of Sheridan's life. Delenn was as cryptic in her answers and comments as Lorien or Kosh. It was infuriating. ********************************* Sitting on the edge of his bed Paul Blaine crossed his left foot over his right knee and inspected his left foot. He had five perfectly formed toes on it just like everyone else. He thought of the captain's statement to think of Lyta. It was a bit confusing. Was he to infer that she had anything to do with it? The question bothered him. He walked over to his computer terminal, logged on and called up the records of his arrival and looked at the security photo that was taken of him when he started the staff telepath job. What he saw didn't agree with the video of him debarking the ship he arrived in. The video showed a man who had to be at least forty years old. His security photo was that of a thirty year old young man. Something wasn't what it appeared to be. He would ask Zack about it in the morning. ************************************** Chapter XIII Dr. Worel sat in front of his computer terminal, which consisted of a keyboard on his desk and a wall size holographic display located on the far wall, closely scrutinizing the flow chart that was displayed there. There were parts of it that didn't quite seem to fit. He was waiting for his software engineers to arrive before calling Draal. Maybe this problem would get them an audience with the mysterious advisor. He had a feeling the advisor was really the brains behind these projects. Whoever it was, they had not been taught in any schools he had heard about. They were designing and constructing systems so advanced he couldn't really understand large parts of them. They worked, though. As his engineers began arriving the doctor contacted Draal. He explained what they needed and Draal set up a voice only link with his ‘advisor’. Lyta had a system in her quarters that was a twin of Dr. Worel's. Draal initiated the link. A computer generated voice asked, "What can I do for you, Doctor?" it had no inflection, just a dead mechanical tone. Knowing that the advisor was looking at his presentation, Worel began to point out parts of the diagram that were giving them problems. He let the individual engineers explain their individual difficulties in detail. The advisor addressed each one in equal detail. "Advisor, no disrespect, but we don't understand several of your explanations." "It was expected." "We try to understand, but some of this doesn't seem to be referenced to anything within our collective experience." "Correct." “I will finish here advisor," said Draal. "Draal, can you enlighten us?" "Yes. Doctor, do you have small children or grandchildren?" "Yes, I even have great grandchildren. Why?" "They have toys?" "Yes." "Doctor, have you ever tried to explain how the toy was developed and manufactured to them. In the case of a toy made of synthetics, have you tried to explain the chemical research behind the development of the synthetics used to make the toy?" "Of course not. It would be beyond their comprehension." "They still play with the toy? Of course they do." There was slow dawning of just what Draal's point was. "I think I understand now. Draal, will we ever get to meet the advisor? We would like to know what it looks like." Draal produced a hologram of Lyta as she had been dressed in MedLab 1 when she first met Mr. Blaine. The engineers, Human and Minbari alike, almost drooled. Doctor Worel finally said, "Draal, if you don't want to let us see the advisor, it's all right. Who is she anyway?" "For me she is the advisor. For you I suppose she is just a cute Human redhead." With that he broke the link with the doctor. "Draal, do you think it was smart to show them a picture of me?" "My dear, they won't ever believe they saw anything but a cute redheaded Human female. They probably won't ask again either." "Me, cute?" Back in Dr. Worel's office as the meeting was breaking up one young engineer asked, "Doctor, do you think that was really a hologram of the advisor?" "Do you?" After a moments thought, the young man shook his head no, and departed. [Advisor indeed!] thought the doctor. After listening to the conversations of the adjourned meeting and the doctors thoughts, Lyta said, "You win, Draal." She felt his smile. "Draal?" "Yes?" "If they’re having trouble understanding what they have now, what are they going to do when I hit them with what I have in the works for the immediate future?" "Lyta, I don't understand what you are doing either. It is going to be a real problem." "I have a solution, but I’m going to need lots of help." She then explained her plan to get her hands on young humans and Minbari of promise and train them herself. “I can't un-teach these older engineers. There’s not enough time.” Her statements hit him like a Minbari fighting pike to the head. "This is going to require consultation and cooperation of some important people. Let me get busy." "Thanks, Draal." "I’m going to be working with my unfrozen telepath." She left her apartment and headed to the special living area that held the aforementioned telepath. Her name was Linda, and she was a wealth of information. It had become evident from her efforts with Linda that the Shadows and Vorlons had developed impressive technology from a certain point of view. They seemed to have stopped once they achieved a certain level. They apparently felt no need for anything else. For all their apparent disgust for the frozen in time Vorlons, the Shadows were just as limited. The preparation of the human telepaths for use in their warships had a meat ax approach to it. She could think of several methods that would work better. *********************** Chapter XIV Sheridan had his head in Delenn's lap and she was gently rubbing his temples. The previous night she had forced him to look at his life from perspectives he had not thought possible. When he had started talking, she had only given him Vorlon style answers. She would give even credits the Vorlons invented psychotherapy and its techniques. The session caused Sheridan to examine his whole value system, his family relationships, how much he had loved Anna, and how much it had hurt when the Shadows had essentially destroyed her. He was also going to have review his relationships with his friends. Delenn knew the hardest part was dissecting his relationship with her, Delenn. It was going to take him some time to come to terms with himself. How many more nights like this one, she didn’t want to ponder. Lyta could help make this much easier, but her refusal to even lightly scan John made that solution unavailable. Delenn decided she would discuss this with Ivanova. Maybe if both of them worked on Lyta, the telepath would change her mind. John had not cried, but his eyes had tears ready to run down his face in a flood. She had never seen him this emotional. His hurt was almost a physical thing. ****************************************** "Good morning, Michael; care for some company?” asked Paul Blaine, approaching the table Michael Garibaldi was occupying while he ate his standard breakfast. Seating himself, he smiled. “I notice you’re still on the four part diet." Garibaldi would swear the man was absolutely beaming. "Paul, there ought to be a law about someone feeling as good as you do. You almost shine." "Lately I just seem to always feel good, Mike. I don't know why, but I'm not going to complain." Smiling, Garibaldi replied, "If you find what is responsible, let me know. If we can bottle it, both our fortunes are made." Paul ordered eggs, toast and juice. "Tell me some more about Lyta Alexander, Mike?" "You sure are interested in her. You did say that you had never met her?" "Mike, I don't know this woman, yet I’m told she was responsible for me getting this job. Just who is she that Sheridan apparently puts so much faith in her judgment of people?" "I've never given it any thought before. I know I trust her." "Why and how far?" "I honestly don't know why. She saved our butts before. After she escaped Psi Corps she was almost killed getting here to warn us about a sleeper agent. The agent almost killed her before Lyta could expose her. Captain Sheridan helped her get off the station before she could be arrested by Psi Corps. There was no record kept of her presence on the station at that time. I purged the computer records completely. She was never here. She has been running for her life ever since. She pulled our irons out of the fire during the Shadow war, but that's a whole other story." "What has she gotten out of all this?" Garibaldi thought about it for almost a full minute before replying in a measured voice, "Absolutely nothing. Unless you count getting kicked in the face, figuratively speaking, by Captain Sheridan on a regular basis. He treats her like dirt." This last was through clenched teeth. Paul related the captain's performance at dinner the other night. "I’m not surprised! His motto lately seems to be ‘do or say whatever you want no matter who gets hurt' as long as you say you’re sorry. Paul, if you need someone to cover your back in a bad situation Lyta Alexander should be your first choice. She is very nice and really sweet and I love her like a sister; but make no mistake about it, she is harder than nails, tougher than armor plating, and she never quits." With raised eyebrows he asked, "Anything else I should know about her?" "Paul, you’ve seen her file. It says she is a P-5 rating. It doesn't say much else, does it?" "No. What’s missing?" "She’s the only telepath to ever scan a Vorlon and live to tell about it. Apparently there was a bond between her and Ambassador Kosh established when she did that. She wasn't aware of it. She and the attending doctor were hustled off the station on a Psi Corps transport. No explanation or anything. Psi Corps showed up and she was gone. She only had time to pack a suitcase. The doctor got the same treatment. Next time we heard of her was when she arrived at the station alone on a small shuttle that looked like it had been used for target practice. She was damned near dead then. We learned that she had been worked over time and time again for about eighteen months with drugs and the deepest scans Psi Corps could do. In spite of all that, she was tough enough to keep what she saw when she scanned Kosh from them. Are you suitably impressed yet?" Paul had a really odd expression on his face. Disbelief. Garibaldi gave him the story of her efforts during the Shadow war. The part about her blocking a Vorlon scan seemed to hit him like a truck. "Paul, she is much more than she appears to be. She could fry the brains of a P-12 and not raise a sweat. She used to be a P-5. What she is now is anybody's guess." "Mike, I think I like her and I haven't even met her. Just for curiosity sake, what has she gotten out of all this?" Getting up to leave Garibaldi said, "Kicked in the teeth." Paul thought about his left foot and shook his head, [No way,] he thought, [no way.] He finished his juice and rose to leave. Standing in the laboratory Draal had provided for her work with Linda, Lyta found herself listening to the conversation between Michael Garibaldi and Paul Blaine. She smiled. In spite of his present problems, she still liked Michael very much. He had faith in her and trusted her when no one else would. You don't forget things like that. Paul was a veritable jewel. She had heard the ‘no way’ thought. She just couldn't help herself. Paul looked all around slowly. He would have sworn he heard a very soft voice in the distance say, "Way." It had sounded feminine. On the way to his office he stopped and passed time with several people, most he had gotten to know and some he was meeting for the first time. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the people all seemed to be friendly, Human and non-Human alike. He had become better than a passing acquaintance to more individuals in the last few months than the first thirty years of his life. Someone or something had to be affecting him. Why or how he could not even imagine. Maybe good things did come to you if you lived right, but he didn't really believe that. **************************************** Chapter XV Paul arrived in the office just as the intercom buzzed. Barbara answered while he made a cup of tea. "Paul, that was Commander Ivanova. She wanted to know if she could meet with you sometime today." "What do we have scheduled for today?" Tapping a key and reading from her monitor she replied, "You have a consultation with the Drazi ambassador at 1000 hours and nothing definite after that. There were two inquiries. They said they would get back to me when their plans were more definite." Accessing his comm. panel, Paul called C&C and asked for Commander Ivanova. She answered almost immediately, "Paul, thank you for returning my call so soon. Will you be able to fit me in today?" Looking at the pretty face of the commander, he silently thought, [Into what?]; but aloud said, "Yes, anytime after about 1100. Whatever is convenient for you." "Lunch, then." "Yes ma'am." "Susan. Paul, call me Susan." Barbara caught all of that. "Susan, is it?" Paul smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever." His comm. panel buzzed again. It was the Minbari ambassador. "Hello Ambassador. How may I be of assistance?" "Could you meet with me in my office this morning?" Checking his watch, he noted that was just a little after 0800 and his only scheduled meeting was at 1000. "Yes, ambassador, I’m free until 1000. When do you wish to meet?" "0830 if it is not inconvenient." "Then your office at 0830 it is." He broke the connection. Some mornings it was like this. Nothing much planned and damned if the comm. panel didn't try to ring itself off the wall. Paul arrived at the ambassador's office at 0828. "Good Morning, Mr. Lennier. Ambassador Delenn is expecting me." "Ambassador Delenn is waiting for you in the her office." Upon entering the ambassador's office he was struck by the low key decor. The displays of small art objects, a few paintings and living flower arrangements were impressive if understated. He felt like he had walked into a small shrine. The diminutive female Minbari was seated behind an understated desk. Beautiful woodwork, a functional work of art, was his first thought; his second was that it must have cost a fortune. Well, he supposed that was a perk of the position. After all, who would want the responsibility if there were no rewards. "Mister Blaine, have a seat, please." Paul let himself down into what was very comfortable chair. He wished he had one like it in his apartment, but said nothing; Instead, he waited for the woman to continue. "May I call you Paul?" "Yes ma'am, please do." "Paul, you have been trying very hard to learn about Lyta Alexander. I’m very close to her. Your inquires trouble me. While it’s not officially any of my business, I wish to know why?" "Ambassador, there is no reason to worry. I’m having trouble understanding why she was interested enough to get me the job as staff telepath. Is it to keep a closer eye on me? Since I arrived on Babylon 5 any real telepathic abilities I had seem to be gone. I can feel some emotions in a limited manner and I can tell when my clients are lying or not being completely truthful, but that’s all. Otherwise, being on board the station is the first time in my life I don't hear myriad voices all day every day with no let up. The lady has been my benefactor and I don't even know her. I can't help but be curious." "I understand you are having lunch with Susan." "Yes ma'am," he replied wondering how she knew about that. "We will talk again after your lunch with Commander Ivanova." "Yes ma'am." Sensing he had been dismissed, he left her office and headed back to his. He just knew that he had been had by the ambassador, but for the life of him he could not put his finger on it. Delenn was smiling as Lennier stuck his head through the doorway. "Speak to me Lennier, I know that look." "Delenn, you sounded like what the Humans call an old mother hen." "Thank you, Lennier.” Delenn called Susan and informed her that she had seen Blaine as planned. She said he appeared to have even more questions now than before, but he didn't ask them. Chuckling, Ivanova said, "What plans we women weave." The commander thought to herself, [Sheridan would have our butts if he knew what we were doing.] She hoped Lyta appreciated their efforts. Delenn had told Commander Ivanova what happened at dinner and in her quarters afterward. They agreed that the captain was going to have to confront Lyta with his feelings. They also agreed that she had to scan him to resolve her fears. The hard part was how to get her to do it. Draal had provided her with a comm. device especially for contacting him. It allowed her to bypass the station communications system and its controls. She contacted Draal and asked for permission to come down. He agreed to her passenger list. She contacted Sheridan and Ivanova and told them Draal had requested they come to Epsilon III about 1530 hours. Susan enjoyed lunch with Paul. He was intelligent, handsome and had a great sense of humor. She believed Paul could make anyone feel at ease even if they were in the middle of a firefight. If natural charm came by the ounce, he would own an ocean of it. He was a telepath and if not for Lyta a very powerful one, but he seemed to truly enjoy not having it. She wondered what he would say when he learned the truth. After lunch they returned to Paul's office and Ivanova ran some security recordings for him. The recordings were of the Zocalo and other parts of the station, even one of the war room. The recording of the war room was the one of the launching of the attack on the new Kosh. It showed Lyta entering with an elderly gentleman. Paul heard Sheridan say, "Lyta?" and her response, "I don't know if I can do this, but I will try." Ivanova showed him this one first. Paul asked, "Who is the elderly gentleman?" “That is Lorien. He is the oldest First One." "What is a First One?" "Paul, he is older than our home planet. He is more powerful than you could ever possibly imagine." "Let me guess. The woman with him is Miss Alexander." "That is Lyta." "Garibaldi told me she was nice, sweet and harder than nails. She is kind of pretty in spite of that outfit. I like her voice, too. I think I have heard it somewhere before." "Anything is possible, Paul." She ran the rest of the clips, except two. "What do you think of your benefactor?" "I would like to meet her. Even with those severe outfits she wears, there is something showing through. A femininity? I just don't know. Are those other clips of her?" "Yes, do you want to see them?" "You bet." Damn, he was hooked already and he hadn't seen the best part yet. She ran the last two clips taken from the Zocalo security cameras; they were of the captain telling her about moving her into different quarters. Paul, just stared. After the last clip ran, Susan, backed up one clip until she could freeze the picture on a close-up full length shot of Lyta. "This is the same woman? You can't be serious." "I’m serious. That’s Lyta when she dresses up. Also that was the first time I’d ever seen her dressed up. Is she beautiful or what?" "Uh... yeah." "Have I helped satisfy your curiosity? Paul!" Pulling his eyes away from the screen, he asked if he could get a copy of that picture and one of her face close-up; he added hopefully, “Is she on the station now?" "No. And I’m not sure when she will return. Paul, I hate to run off, but I have something I absolutely have to do this afternoon." "Thanks for the lunch and movies, Commander." "Susan, Paul. Susan." She left his office in a definite rush. He just knew he was going to have difficulty concentrating the remainder of the afternoon. It was hard to believe the woman in the leather outfit was the same one in the dress clothing. It had to be more than just the clothes. He ran the clips again and again listening to her voice. An hour later on his way across the Zocalo, he remembered where he had heard it before. It was in his head just after he talked to Michael the last time. His mind was in high gear as he continued to walk and think over all that happened in the recent past. There were so many scattered details, almost random. If he just kept at it, the answer would come. ******************************** Chapter XVI Delenn, Sheridan, and Ivanova boarded Delenn's shuttle for the trip down to Epsilon III. The captain could feel a knot begin to form in his stomach. He knew it would only get worse. This was no pleasure trip. He would have to face Lyta. He wasn't looking forward to it. Delenn and Ivanova hadn't given him much choice in the matter. He wondered why all the women he called friend or love were as hard as nails. Delenn was the steel lady. Ivanova was just like her in those ways. Lyta was a whole other thing. What she had experienced in the last few years and survived had to make her one of the toughest people he had ever met. Mentally she was as hard as they came. Since they had broken from Earth Alliance, he had heard nothing from his family either. He reasoned that since they weren't captured or declared dead that they were still alive. There wasn't anything he could do to help them. Helplessness didn't sit well with Sheridan. It was eating away at him like an acid and the latest actions by Earth’s government weren't helping the situation either. Thankfully, Delenn had figuratively speaking beaten his head against a wall until he had no choice but admit his deepest feelings. His personal nightmares. Delenn landed the shuttle and the trio debarked. Draal met them with a flourish. He kissed Delenn and Susan and welcomed them. Delenn explained their reasons for being here. As he led them down into the depths of the planet, he said with much pain, "Captain Sheridan, this girl is ruining the whole place. If she has her way this place will soon be a major population center. She doesn't know when to stop." "Draal, I don't want to appear ignorant, but I don't know what you are talking about," complained Sheridan. Quickly Delenn jumped in, "Draal I will explain it to him later. The important thing is seeing Lyta." Taking his cue, Draal changed the subject. "Captain, I understand Delenn showed you some of what we have been working on recently. Do you approve?" "Do you mean the improvements or the manner in which they were displayed?" "Captain, Delenn wouldn't do anything to have you injured. The test was perfectly safe. We had already performed it several times before that. We are here. You can wait in here. These apartments are unused at present. Miss Alexander will be with you shortly." As they entered the room Draal’s image faded out. They found themselves in a moderately sized comfortably furnished room. There were adjoining bathroom, kitchen and sleeping facilities. It was as nice as anything on Babylon 5. Unused meant that Lyta didn't live here. He wondered what her place looked like. At least as nice as this was what he figured. "What do you think John? I don't remember this section being here before. I wonder who is going to live here. Draal wouldn't do this for nothing." They had made themselves drinks and were comfortably situated when the door opened and in came their redheaded telepath. She made herself a drink and found a comfortable seat where she could face everyone at once. She took a sip of her drink and looked from one to another and said nothing. They hadn't seen her in almost six months. A lot had happened since then. She let a smile play over her face. "Is this a business visit?" Delenn replied, “No, this is a family visit." Lifting an eyebrow, she asked, "whose?" Ivanova answered, "Ours and yours." "Captain?" she asked addressing Sheridan. "Lyta, we have to talk." "Alright, you talk. I'll listen. That's the way you operate." "That isn't what I want. Delenn and Susan have forced me to face some things that have been driving me in deep depression. I have been behaving in a manner that isn't always appropriate." "Really." The fact that he was looking at everything except her wasn't lost on anyone. His distress and anxiety were so intense she could barely block it out. Some of it got through despite her best efforts. None of this showed on her face. He was trying to do something he had never dreamed he would be doing. There was another emotion trying to get through. She hid her surprise from the others. She lowered her block slightly to examine it. It wasn't fear, nor was it distress or anxiety. What she was feeling from him was a lack of confidence. His way of trying to bury it was to unconsciously use anger to keep himself from being aware of it. He used the anger to mask his doubts. Since Lyta was a strong telepath who was allowed close to him at times, he unwittingly used the anger to hide his self-doubts from her. Unfortunately, he had become so accustomed to doing it that he did it even when she wasn’t physically present. Hence his outburst recently in the Fresh Aire. It worked well, sometimes too well. Seeing the captain's distress, Delenn and Ivanova asked Lyta to come outside the apartment and talk with them. She did, leaving the captain alone with his demons for the time being. ************************************** In the passageway Delenn explained what they wanted. Lyta wanted no part in it. "Lyta, if you don't, I fear for his mental stability." "How about mine, Ambassador. It’s easy for you to ask this of me. You have no idea what it could do to me." Susan said, "You know how I feel about scans, but Delenn’s right. I think it may do as much for you as it will for him. You never ask for anything from anyone. I know that your mental stability is as solid as a rock. If it weren't, you would have been insane a long time ago. I think you’re afraid of what you’ll find if you scan him." "Explain?" “You are about the same age as John's baby sister. He has fears about her safety and welfare. From his point of view he sees you as another baby sister. The problem is that you keep going in harm's way and it drives him up a wall. His anger is how he hides his real feelings of helplessness about the dangers you have faced. Do you care for him?" "Very much. You don't understand what you are asking. This will not be a regular scan. Because we are so sensitive to one another, this will be a two way scan. He is going to see everything in my mind. Six or eight months ago it would have been easier, but much has happened to me since then. This may screw both of us up. Despite that, you still want me to do this?" "Yes." "Is he in agreement?" "Yes." "I want to be alone with him when I do this. It may take several days. Can you afford to be gone from the station for the duration?" "No. We will return when you call," said Delenn, as she and Susan turned and walked away. ******************************************** As they walked back to Delenn's shuttle, the conversation centered on what Lyta had just told them. A two-way scan, she had said. "Susan, what do you think she means?" "Knowing Lyta, I would take it literally. She showed us just a little of what was done to her. I’m afraid John is going to get the whole ball of wax." "Whole ball of wax? What does that mean?" “It means, Delenn, he is going to suffer everything she ever has just like it had really happened to him." "Susan. That thought frightens me. What have we convinced John to let himself in for?" "I think pure unadulterated hell is putting it mildly." They had arrived at the shuttle and the conversation stopped. After getting clearance, they docked in Babylon 5 and left the ship. Ivanova went to check in with C&C and security and Delenn went to her quarters. Neither woman was happy thinking what must be unfolding on Epsilon III. In fact, what was unfolding was another headache for Draal. The projects Manager, Dr. Worel was asking questions that were going to require Lyta to answer them and he was getting flustered trying to put him off. She picked a fine time to go incommunicado. He didn't dare to disturb her. What she was doing was too important. Besides, Great Machine or no Great Machine, she could hand him his head in a hand basket. He was in awe of her for good reason. She had begun to exercise some of her newfound abilities and had used him and the Great Machine to do it. Gathering his thoughts he told the good doctor that he would simply have to wait until the advisor was available. Meanwhile, Draal suggested that Worel show him the problem and he would try to help as much as possible. Draal had the power of the Great Machine and the enhancements that went with it, but he really couldn't begin to substitute for her. That's why she was setting up a very special schooling and training program. He wondered if the galaxy was ready for this. Women! Give them a millimeter and they take the whole sector. He had to admit, though, he wasn't lonely anymore. *************************************** Ivanova strolled down to Paul Blaine's office rather late in the evening and surprisingly found him still there. "Dedication or just afraid to go home?" Looking up and smiling he said, "Good evening, Commander, to what do I owe this honor?" "I had no plans, so I’m out for a walk. I think I don't do this often enough. Care for a drink after you knock off?" "I try not to turn down a free drink. Just give me a few minutes to finish this entry." "Do you have anywhere special in mind?" "No. I thought I might get a table on the second level of the casino and watch the suckers get fleeced?" "You fleece sheep, Commander." "Call me Susan, Paul. I’m out of uniform. I get enough of the Commander thing when I’m on duty." "Susan, you’re always on duty. I’m told being military is a twenty-four hour a day job." ******************************************* Chapter XVII Reentering the apartment alone, Lyta noticed that the captain's eyes were red. She didn't need to be a telepath to see that he was distressed. She explained the dangers to him as she had to Delenn. He nodded okay. "Captain, this is going to be difficult. I want you to think of me as a little sister. I want you to come into the bedroom." He followed her into the bedroom and as instructed held her like he used to hold his baby sister when it was her nap time. Lying on the bed with her head resting on his chest, he became aware of the smell of her. She had closed her eyes and relaxed. It felt as if she were going to sleep. He smelled her hair and thoughts of Delenn welled up in him. The feelings came from nowhere, but they were very intense. He was so enmeshed in these thoughts he never realized when he went to sleep. He went to sleep covering Lyta's hands with his. He was making skin to skin contact with a very powerful telepath and he wasn't even aware of it. He was kissing his beloved more intensely than ever before. He was so aroused he was having trouble breathing. He had never felt anything like this before in his life. Nothing could feel like this. The feeling of pure ecstasy was unbelievable. He was losing consciousness. He screamed louder than he could ever remember. His whole being was on fire. Pain uninterrupted pain was filling his mind. He could hear his flesh sizzling like grease on a red hot griddle and feel his eyes melting in their sockets. The air smelled delicious, clean and wonderful. The sky was a deep robin egg blue and the grass smelled like it had been cut that morning. He smelled smoke and hamburgers. It was going to be a wonderful afternoon for the family cookout. His parents, little sister, some aunts and uncles and cousins were here. He couldn't remember a family reunion quite like this one. He was the luckiest man alive. "John, you seem to be preoccupied. I tell you, boy, this is something I’ve waited years for. I can't remember your aunts Ethel and Bernice ever coming to a family get together at the same time. Wonders will never cease to amaze me," his father said and slapped the young boy on the back. He was a young man again. This had happened before he left home. The cold was bitter and every joint in his body throbbed with pain. Damn, it was cold. There were other pains wracking his body and made it difficult to even attempt sitting up. He thought he saw someone out of the corner of his left eye. He did. It was a figure dressed in black with only the whites of his or her eyes showing. The soft pleasant voice asked, "It would be easier to give us what we want." "What do you want?" he croaked. The pain slammed him down so hard his arm broke as he tried to break his fall. Pure pain not localized, but in every fiber of his being simultaneously. His mind was slipping from him and he could not even scream anymore. The ocean breeze was cool and refreshing. A little ways down the beach some people were having what looked like a picnic. Suddenly, his mother appeared in front of him. She was tied to a large post and looked terrified. As he watched her, the picnickers had approached unnoticed. They began gathering drift wood and placing it around his mothers feet. When he realized what they were going to do he tried to get up to stop them. It felt like he trying to move though solidified gelatin. Before he could reach her, they had set fire to the wood and she was screaming as the fire began to burn her alive. He screamed. It didn't help. The soft voice returned, "Give us what we want and it will end." He didn't believe them. He could hear the voice relish the pleasure of these events. He knew the best he could expect at the end would be a horribly painful death. The scenarios changed over time, but he was certain the purpose hadn't. It had been going on for all eternity and feeling his mind finally fail and screaming, "God, please tell me what they want. I will give it to them. Only, please let it end," felt himself, body broken and mind all but destroyed all into infinite blackness. This was John Sheridan's mind's attempt to understand what Lyta had endured at the hands of Psi Corps. He had seen horrors no sentient being should see, much less experience. After this, the rest was easy. He shared her dreams, knowledge and hopes for the future. He saw everything in her mind. He realized much was beyond his understanding, but what he could understand made him fill with hope for his own future. Opening his eyes, he realized two things; he was intertwined on the bed with Lyta and they and the bed were soaked with sweat. It felt like several buckets of water had been emptied on them. Lyta opened her eyes and, with her trademark smile, untangled herself from the captain. Getting up she said, "I need a shower badly," then headed for the bathroom. "I already told Draal to send for Delenn. And to bring us some clean clothing. Think about what you want to eat and I’ll have it sent in. I’m starving and so are you." He almost asked how she knew. Then realized she couldn't help but know. While Lyta was in the shower a lady pushing a cart with linen’s and clothing came in followed by a young man pushing another cart. This one was loaded with food. The lady replaced the used bed linens and left extra towels. She said she would return shortly with a selection of clothing. She wasn't gone five minutes. She wheeled in a small portable clothes rack and pushed it over to the bathroom. Lyta opened the door and took the offered clothing. The woman then moved over to Captain Sheridan and he selected a light tan pants/shirt combination and matching sweater in addition to some underwear. While waiting his turn in the shower, the captain made a close inspection of the food tray. The aromas of vegetables raw and cooked, eggs, meats, breads and some pastries were almost irresistible. There were some things that he didn't recognize, but they smelled delicious. Finally, Lyta came out of the bathroom. "It's all yours, captain." He finished the shower, dressed and joined Lyta at the table. She had a large glass of juice and a steaming cup of tea. He looked across the table and said, "You were right about understanding, it can be difficult." She replied, "In this case, I believe living hell would be more descriptive." “No disagreement here. How long were we out?” She answered, "Four days." He gave a small whistle. "It’ll be some time before you fully understand all we experienced together. You’ll probably never feel emotions that intense again. It is doubtful that I will, either." "If I believe all that I saw, you’re going to be around for an unimaginable long time in human terms." "Yes, and it has some good points and real downers. The good part is I can look at situations with a long term perspective. The Vorlons and Shadows stagnated because they had inadvertently set things up so there couldn't be any real progress by the lesser races. Lorien being born immortal had knowledge but not the drive to use it. His lack of emotional involvement practically handcuffed him. I have emotions and dreams. I also have the ability to make them come true." "What are the downers?" "I’ll live to see everyone I hold dear today become dust. I’ll live to see Babylon crumble from age. I’ll be here long after all of this has been forgotten by history. I won't commit suicide, so it will come to pass. And no matter how you look at it, that is a rather good description of hell." He wanted to disagree, but he knew she was right. The knowledge he received when they were merged was already beginning to skew his perspectives. ************************************************************ Chapter XVIII "Delenn and Ivanova should be arriving shortly. Draal tells me they were on virtual standby waiting to return," said Lyta. As if on cue, the doorbell chimed and Delenn and Susan entered. "Is everyone ready for the dime tour?" They nodded, and she led them out of the apartment and down the hallway. Five minutes they approached what must be a laboratory. It had ‘LABORATORY A’ stenciled on the door. The first thing Delenn saw as they entered the lab was a pretty young blond haired woman, with something attached to her face, looking at something under a microscope. She looked up and turned to face them when she heard their footsteps. Delenn and Ivanova were visibly shocked when they recognized the external hardware the Shadows used on people they put in their ships. In a pleasant voice, "Good morning, Lyta. Going to introduce me to your friends?" She was beaming at them. “Linda Farley, these are my friends, Captain John Sheridan; his second in command, Commander Susan Ivanova; Delenn of the family Mir, the Minbari ambassador to Babylon 5.” They all said hello, then Lyta explained to John, Delenn and Susan that she had been able to make it possible for the affected telepaths to be awakened without losing their sanity. "I’m working with them to rebuild their personalities. The mental part is very hard. The hardware is inconsequential. We’re working on the technology that will allow removal of the hardware without further damage to the person. The way this was done by the Shadows and their helpers was akin to having your butcher's assistant perform delicate brain surgery. Very sloppy. They never intended these people to be removed from their ships. That’s why Anna's personality was destroyed when she was removed. With the techniques we are developing, we could have removed her and rebuilt her personality to the point that she would been better than new." John, Delenn, and Ivanova questioned Linda for a few minutes then passed some humor back and forth until Lyta motioned for them to follow her. "Yes, John, I could do the same for Bester's woman. In fact we are doing it now." He already knew it. The verbalization was for Delenn and Ivanova. “Bester is in for a surprise though." "How so?" Sheridan said, "He had an active part in getting the program, for using the telepaths who wouldn't work for Psi Corps in the shadow ships, set up and running. Problem was Bester didn't know all that when he did it. He has his own agenda and figured he could play both ends against the middle. He knew before he came to Babylon 5 with the tale of shadow weapons components that she was in that particular shipment. Now she knows the whole story; they all will. They’re told that as one of the things they relearn after being thawed out. If he’s lucky, she'll only kill him next time she sees him." "Lyta, are you returning to Babylon 5 with us?" asked Ivanova. Just then Draal made an appearance, "Go with them. You can handle the project from there." "Okay, let me change first." Delenn said, "Lyta, you are ravishing in that getup. Why do you want to change?" "I can't keep a low profile dressed like this," said Lyta. "Arriving on a shuttle coming directly from Epsilon III kills that possibility," noted Captain Sheridan. “Besides there’s someone wanting to meet you." "I know." "You would," said three voices in unison. "Ladies, shall we take our leave?" he asked them as they approached the shuttle. Saying goodbye to Draal, they entered the shuttle and prepared to depart. ***************************************** Chapter XIX It had been three weeks since Lyta had returned to the station. She had been ferreting information out of various members of an underground movement. Unfortunately, none of them had much to tell. Sheridan called to inform her of a limited staff meeting in his office. She headed toward C&C. She was the last to arrive. She took a seat, relaxed and asked, “What's up, captain?" Sheridan didn't seem to notice and immediately went into a short synopsis of raids that were occurring in some of the lesser patrolled sectors. He asked Ivanova to give the background details. She elaborated on his presentation and sat back down. He asked Lyta for an update on the Whitestar upgrades. "White star two has full modifications on weapons and armor. About 75% modifications on artificial gravity and sensors. The engine modifications are just starting. We have upgraded sensors on three of the Minbari heavy cruisers and we are upgrading station sensors, armor and main batteries." "When did the station modifications begun?" "Before you came to Epsilon III this last time. They are being installed disguised as repairs and routine maintenance. The personnel installing them are not even aware of what they are really doing. They can't talk about what they don't know. If they accidentally find out, I erase it." He already knew all this, but gave no outward indication. Her reasoning was flawless. He thought, [You really can't give away information you don't have.] The next time they were attacked, someone would get a very rude awakening. Aloud he said, "I wonder how long it will be before anyone notices the changes in our armor." Lyta responded, "It has been designed to look exactly like the old armor. There shouldn’t be anything in its appearance for anyone to notice. The improved weapons components cannot be distinguished from the old ones without tearing them apart. They will self-destruct internally if anyone tries that." "Has being here interfered with your work on Epsilon III?" He was thinking of Linda and her friends. "No." After the meeting broke up Lyta remained behind. "Captain, I’m sure the assassination attempt is tied in to the raids you just briefed us about. The only people to be directly involved are local muscle hired anonymously. I suspect that at least one of our diplomatic delegation is involved. Because of his involvement with the Shadows and the subsequent loss of Narn and other subject worlds, I suspect that Londo has more than a passing interest in these happenings." "You propose to scan him?" "No. Not unless I get something solid against him. If I can prove he’s involved, he will really regret it." Sheridan hoped for Londo's benefit that he wasn't involved. His sharing of Lyta's memories of what mental tortures a telepath could generate were truly terrifying. "How are things going on the domestic front?" he inquired. "We have being going out, but it’s a brother and sister relationship. My quarters consists of a bathroom, kitchen, living room and two bedrooms. He has been very sweet. Don't worry about me," replied Lyta. "I'm not. I'm worried about him. His lack of any female relationships in the past is a real stumbling block." "Don't worry, I will handle it," she smiled. "I’m counting on you," he said through a grin. She was thinking of how to ‘handle' it as she crossed C&C. Ivanova and Delenn were waiting for her. That evening Lyta and Paul had dinner with Ivanova and Franklin. It was routine except for Steven doing his favorite take on a popular comedian. After dinner, Paul and Lyta took a walk in the park area and talked. They walked home continuing harmless banter. They had gotten changed and were in bed. [Time to handle it,] she thought, getting out of bed. Going into Paul's room she sat down on the edge of his bed. He turned over and asked, "Is something wrong?" "Yes," she answered and leaned over him. She felt a wave of panic from him. She kissed him and immediately felt a kaleidoscope of emotions. In a moment they were replaced by one so powerful it blotted out everything else: desire. ************************* END PART 2