HEre is part 1 of my B5/ Macross X-over. Please some constructive
comments please. I feel as if I am being ignored
Babylon 5 is owned by J.M. Strasinzky.
The Characters in Epsilon Squad with the exception of Lt. Will Jansen
are the
property of Mark Craig. Please ask him to use his characters.
Macross is owned by people that are surely not me.
The Characters in Tau Squad and those of the SDF-3 are Mine, Mine,
mine. Don't
steal them. Ask to use them.
This fic takes place after the Shadow war. It also takes place in the
year 2045.
Shattered Dreams
Part 1: Unexpected visitors
Date: Feb. 2, 2045
Place: Deep Space
Captain Shane Benton had just returned to the bridge of his ship the
SDF 3. For him
it had been what his squad called "Another one of those patrols." The
patrol was
long and exhausting to those that were not used to the rigors of that
kind of patrol.
It entailed his entire flight wing of VF2-SS SAP's to make a patrol
circuit that, when
finished, totaled two thousand sectors of space. It was a lot of ground
to cover in a
patrol, but when they had a specific job to perform that was what it
entitled.
His ship itself was an inside joke between him and several people that
he called his
friends. It was a tribute to the original ship the Macross. He had
insisted on having
an original Macross style of battleship. It was mostly due to the fact
that he liked
the original Macross and partially because that style suited his needs.
He made it a
point to tour the original before he made his request. Fortunately, the
government
agreed to his request and built the ship.
Their first assignment for him and his crew was to find the lost colony
ship the
Megaroad-1. All transmissions from it had ceased back in 2014 and it
was now
with launching of the new colony fleet that the United Forces could
actually look
into that mystery. In fact this was the SDF-3's maiden voyage. His
entire bridge
crew was made up only women. Perhaps it was another joke that the top
Brass
thought was funny. Shane thought that it was due to the fact that the
bridge crew of
the original Macross was all female as well. All of the fighter pilots
were just fresh
out of flight school and were automatically assigned to the ship. Shane
did not like
the idea of rookie pilots, but he knew that he would teach them to pilot
properly.
Something about this whole mission did not sit right with him. In fact
he wondered
if they were punishing him with this command.
It was just seven years prior that he had refused to become part of the
elite fighter
squadron on the Macross 7 colony fleet. He was a good pilot and even
his flight
instructors agreed that he was perfect for the role of leader of the
VF-17 squad that
was assigned to the main colony ship. He gave the reason as not wanting
to leave
his family. Fortunately, the captain of the fleet understood. The
captain was his
flight instructor, and they had become friends as well. In fact, Shane
had been
asked to be their youngest child's godfather. He had graciously
accepted. Since
that day, about every year he would get pictures of her. He saw that
they had
named her Mylene. Shane believed that it was a good name for her.
The real reason that he did not go was because of a premonition that
some
catastrophe would befall the colony fleet. It had been seven years
since he bid
farewell to the crew of the Macross 7 fleet. Shane was the youngest
captain in the
whole of the United Forces. This was another point of contention with
the older
generation of ship captains. At only twenty-eight, Shane was respected,
and yet
most of the top brass wanted to revoke his pilot's license, because of
his crazy
flying tactics. He would do things to the VF-11's that would make most
veteran
cringe. The designers were also cringing every time they heard that he
shot down
several enemy Mecha's. They knew that he had earned the nickname
"Harbinger"
as a reminder of his daredevil flying. In fact sometimes they wondered
if he would
not end up killing himself trying to outdo himself.
To some of the test pilots like Isamu Dyson, this was a hotshot kid
that just got
lucky and was good. Isamu believed that he was reckless and
undisciplined. Of
course Isamu was one to talk. He still could not believe how a
twenty-eight-year-
old was a full Captain. Fortunately for Shane it was because of the
intervention of
Maximilian and Miria Jenius that he was not drummed out of the service.
Thankfully, all of his accomplishments was by his own actions and not
because of
his connections to them.
As he sat down in his chair, Shane wondered how his friends and his
twin brother
was doing on the Macross 7 fleet. Of all of the people that he knew the
best, it was
his brother Shannon. He was part of the VF-11 squad that was assigned
to the main
ship in the fleet. Shane's ship was outfitted with the VF-11's and the
new VF-19's
that just five years ago won the competition on Eden. He also managed
to acquire
the plans for the YF-21 and had one reproduced. This was his special
fighter that he
only uses on special occasions. He was also given the plans for several
fighters that
never left the design tables. Among them were the plans to the VF-22
Sturmvogel.
This was the production model of his plane the "Star Dancer." Even
though he did
not have a colony ship attached to his battleship, he was given the
facilities to
manufacture more Valkyries, and other things that would be needed on
trip like this.
For some reason today, Shane was restless. Perhaps it was because of
the report
that the 37th colony fleet was attacked by an unknown enemy. It
bothered him to
know that his feeling was right on. This was the seventh time that a
feeling like this
was accurate. He was in particularly worried about his brother and his
Goddaughter
as well. The worry that he was feeling was mirrored on his face.
"Captain is their something the matter," The helmsman asked.
"I was just thinking about the report that I just received," Shane
commented.
"What happened," She asked.
"It is just that the colony fleet was attacked by some unknown force,"
Shane said as
he shifted in his seat. "In a sense I was glad that I did not go with
them."
"But what about your brother," The communications officer asked.
"Denise, I am worried about him as well. I just hope that nothing has
happened to
him."
"But Captain, what about the others on the ships?"
"Danielle, trust me Lt. Kinyuu is one of the best pilots that Macross 7
has."
"But what about us?"
"We have our fighter squads as well. Besides I don't think that we
will have to
worry about what is going on with the Macross 7," Shane said with some
confidence. "We are no where near where the problems are."
"But are you sure," Denise asked. She was worried about the relaxed
stance that
Shane had.
"Yes Denise I am sure about it," Shane said. "Now what is our ETA at
the
Megaroad 1's last known location?"
"We will have to make one more fold to get there and that will be in
two hours,"
Denise said.
"Alright, begin charging the fold engines," Shane said as he shifted in
his seat. He
hated the effects of space fold. But he knew that the instant that he
finished this
mission he and his crew would have other matters to attend to. Maybe
the united
government will end up sending them on a Colonizing mission as well. He
really
did not want to do that.
"Captain, we will be able to fold in twenty minutes," Sarah the
operations officer
said as she turned around.
"Understood, initiate fold as soon as we are able," Shane said.
"Roger," Sarah said and then turned around to monitor the build up in
the Space
Fold Generators. Just as the engines were about to reach the proper
charge, Sarah
noticed that the engines were about ready to over heat.
"Captain we have a problem with the fold engines!" Sarah said. Her
voice was
tinged with worry.
"What is wrong," Shane asked concerned. 'It isn't as if we have been
having good
luck to begin with.'
"The fold engines are about to overheat!"
Shane sighed. He knew that he had to find out what happened to the
Megaroad-1
and then go on to the next job.
"Fold anyway," Shane said. "Trust me on this one. We will survive."
"Alright commencing fold now," Sarah said and then pressed the button
that
initiated the fold sequence.
The whole entire ship started to shake and fade in and out of normal
space. Shane
was gripping the arms of his chair and singing loudly to stave off the
effect that
Space folds had on him. Half way through the fold the entire ship
lurched and
everyone was thrown from their stations and on to the decking. All
hands on the
bridge were knocked out.
******
Date: September 1, 2261
Place: Sector 14
"Tau Leader to all Star Furies and Thunderbolts, we got word of
something strange
floating out in this area of space," Lt. Commander Allishar Morgan said
as he
brought his Thunderbolt up next to his wing man. "Keep a sharp eye out
for
anything thing strange. And I mean strange. I don't care even if it is
a Teddy Bear
with the words Babbearlon 5 on it. I want to know about it."
Allishar could hear the resounding snickers from the rest of Epsilon
Squad and of
Tau Squad at the mention of that bear. He had only seen it once and
that was out
during the patrol where the now deceased Lt. Keffer found it. To be
quite honest
he found that bear quite cute. He did not understand why Captain
Sheridan said that
they were a banned item. But he was the captain and he was one not to
argue with
the captain. Something about this patrol made his skin crawl. Who
would not be
nervous to go out to that sector of space. He sure was nervous. All
Allishar wanted
to do was finish this patrol and get some well deserved sleep. He had
heard that the
sector that he was in was home to many a strange event.
"Tau Leader this is Epsilon 14," The pilot said, snapping him out of
his musings and
nearly scaring him in the process.
"What is it Jansen," Allishar asked. He knew that Starfury pilot
personally. They
had served together on the Destroyer Damocles back in 2255 up until they
were
transferred to Babylon 5 in 2260. Fortunately they were in different
squads and that
was fine by Allishar. The man's name was Will Jansen. He was only a Lt
in Earth
force, and he was a capable pilot. However, he had a bad habit of
disobeying
orders from time to time.
"I was wondering Lt. Commander, what we are supposed to do if we find
anything
out here," Jansen said.
"Well we are supposed to report it to C&C and they will advise us,"
Allishar said
and closed down communications with him.
'Geez why in the world would he have to ask that stupid of a question,'
Allishar
thought disgustedly. 'I hope that Jesa talks to him about that. I mean
Jesa is after
all in command of Epsilon Squad.'
"Alright let's make one more sweep of the sector and then let's head
back to the
barn," Allishar said as he and his wing man flew off to scan their
portion of Sector
14. Finding nothing Allishar and the rest of the Star Furies started
the trip back to
Babylon 5. If they had waited several minutes longer, they would have
been
witness to a ship 3/4 of a mile in length topple end over end out of a
rip in space.
******
Shane woke up slowly. His head was starting to hurt from being slammed
on the
unforgiving metal decking. Slowly getting to his feet, Shane started to
see where he
was. It was still in space that was a good thing. He had heard the
stories of
malfunctioning fold generators dropping ships within the atmosphere of a
planet.
That was not at all a good thing to have happen. As he was moving
around he could
see that the rest of the bridge crew was also starting to wake up.
"Is everyone alright," Shane asked.
"Fine as anyone can be," Sarah said as she got up off the ground.
"I will live if that counts for much," Denise said.
"Same here," Danielle said as she slowly got up.
The rest of the people on the bridge also gave affirmatives that they
were alright.
"Give me a status report," Shane said as he walked to the front of the
bridge. 'Not
good at all. The ship has a malfunctioning fold system. Can anything
else go
wrong?'
"Well we have minimal power all across the ship. Life support is
operating at half
of what it should be," Sarah said. "And Captain, our fold engines are
gone."
"What?!" Shane asked in surprise. To say that he was upset was almost
pointless.
In this instance he was a bit peeved and he did not let it show. 'On
cue the fold
drive is now missing. Wonderful.' "We can't fold?"
"No we can't and it seems that where ever we are, we are stuck,"
Danielle said.
"Then we have a problem then," Shane said as he sat back down. "Do we
have
enough power to get underway?"
"No we do not," Denise said. "Plus we don't have sensors operational
yet."
Shane sighed heavily. He was not at all happy that they were sitting
dead in space
with only life support working and that was about it.
'Perhaps this is the curse of all Ships that are designated Macross,'
Shane thought
acidly. 'It has to be. There is just no other explanation for it.'
"Alright, here is the drill," Shane said as he straightened in his
chair. "Send out a
distress call in all known languages. Then, scramble the fighter
squads. I also want
the 'Star Dancer' prepped as well."
"But the launch systems are also off line," Danielle said.
"Have the Spartan crews start with the arming process on the Valkyrie
squads,"
Shane said as he was walking off the bridge. "Tell them that I want my
typical
armament on the 'Star Dancer.'"
"Your usual armament," Danielle asked. She could not believe that
Shane was
insane enough to use Reflex warheads when the United forces said that
they were
prohibited.
"Yes I will want that. Tell Ruby, Sapphire, and Amethyst Squads that
we are to
only act as our eyes and ears. Also Inform Red, Copper, Gold, and Blue
Squads to
patrol a four sector range around the ship. I don't want to be
surprised, " Shane
said as he walked out. He forgot that the door frame was low and he
smacked his
head into the top of the door frame.
Swearing softly, Shane walked off to get suited up.
As the giggles died down on the bridge the communications officer
started to send
the distress call.
"When do you think that he will notice that we are in love with him,"
Sarah said to
Danielle.
"I don't really know, but I think that he has more on his mind than a
romance,"
Danielle said. She was a realist when it came to dealing with Shane.
She knew that
he was a private person and that was the thing about him that she
liked. In fact she
wanted to tell him how she felt, but she knew that it was against
protocol that
officers have a romantic relationship. Plus when her own sister Sarah
also was in
love with him as well, she knew that it would be a long hard fight to
win his love.
A few minutes later the Destroid crews reported that the armament of
the Valkyrie
were complete. As soon as the Valkyries were ready all of the Squads
launched.
As soon as the last of the Valkyries launched, one more Valkyrie rolled
into
position. This one was crimson red trimmed with silver. The instant
the last of the
missiles were loaded the Valkyrie hovered above the deck and then a
pair of legs
and arms unfolded from the bottom of the plane and it now looked like a
bird of
prey getting ready to leap from a branch. This thing then hovered
across the deck
and out of the launch bay. Everything was going smoothly. Or so they
thought.
******
Some three hours away on a floating space station a woman was on duty.
She had
long brown hair that was neatly pulled up. Her black uniform was also
neat and
clean. It seemed to be a peaceful day. Well it was peaceful.
"Commander we are receiving a distress call that is on all channels,"
Lt. Asa
Devers said.
"Where is it coming from," The commander asked.
"Sector 14," Asa said.
"Wonderful," The commander sighed. "What is going on? Babylon 4 making
a
return trip or something?"
"Epsilon and Tau Squads are out in that area. Should we have them
investigate?"
"Yes I will tell them myself," She muttered. 'Lt. Commander Marason
and Lt.
Commander Morgan are going to hate this I just know it.'
"Babylon control to Tau and Epsilon Squads," The commander said.
"Tau Leader here," Allishar said.
"We just received a distress call from Sector 14. I want you to go
investigate it and
see what is going on."
"Will do Commander," Jesa replied.
"That is a roger Commander," Allishar said with a bit of amusement in
his voice.
"Understood, Babylon Control out."
As soon as everything was settled, the commander left the main control
room and
headed out. Halfway down the hall she was met by a man in a similar
uniform.
"Ah Captain. I thought that you should know that we received a distress
call about a
few minutes ago. It was from Sector 14."
"Sector 14," The captain said. "Susan are you sure?"
"As sure as I'll ever be," Susan said. "I have sent Tau and Epsilon
Squads back to
investigate the source of the signal. We should know something with in
the next
half hour."
"Well I will let you know as soon as they report in," the Captain said.
"Thank you Captain," Susan said and then stepped into the transport
tube.
******
As soon as Allishar closed down his communications channel, he stated to
swear.
He knew that he did not find anything in that sector before and now that
something
had popped in, drove him mad. In fact he wondered if this was her way
of telling
him to look harder.
'This is just her way of getting me out of her hair,' Allishar thought
acidly. 'If
Commander Ivanova thinks for one minute that I will sit still on this
then she is
sorely mistaken. What does she think I am? A total idiot?'
Flipping his Thunderbolt over on its axis 180 degrees, Allishar started
to head back
in the direction that he just came from.
"Tau Leader to Tau and Epsilon Squad, we have been ordered to
investigate the
distress call," Allishar said hiding the sour tone to his voice.
"This is Epsilon Leader, we're right behind you," Jesa said.
"Understood Tau Leader," came the reply from the rest of the squad as
they fell into
place behind him. A few minutes later all of Epsilon Squad fell into
place as well.
Allishar was mad and it showed. In fact as the entire squad flew back,
Allishar was
quiet. He did not say much to anyone.
The rest of the squad was tense. Half of them wondered what was going
on and the
other half was trying to figure out what was going on in their leader's
mind.
Nobody really knew what goes through the mind of a squad leader with the
exception that person. Most of Tau Squad knew better than to talk to
Allishar when
he would only give them clipped answers as he did. They came to a
conclusion that
it was going to be a long flight.
******
Shane had just launched when he saw through the Valkyrie's sensors a rip
in space
and a ship appear out of it. It was configuration unlike anything that
he had ever
seen before. It was round and looked as if it had several fighter
launch ports.
"Star Dancer to Ruby Leader," Shane said.
"Ruby Leader here," The pilot said.
"Alec, I want you to investigate the ship that just appeared out of Fold
Space,"
Shane said.
"Will do Captain," Alec said and then turned his Valkyrie toward the new
ship.
"Oh Alec, have Sapphire squad back you up," Shane said.
"I was just asking them to do just that," Alec said.
Smirking, Shane continued to keep his patrol around the ship. He
wondered if the
ship that arrived was there to answer his distress call.
He got his answer soon enough when he saw several triangular shapes
launch out of
the front of the ship. As he flew by he saw that they were starting to
engage the
squads and make attack runs on the ship.
"I don't think so," Shane snarled. "I worked to hard to get that ship
and its crew
and I don't intend to lose any of them."
Shane then threw his plane into full power and barreled off after the
offending ships.
He could see that the other squads were dealing with the main force and
he was
playing pick off on those that were getting too close to the ship. When
the fighters
were all destroyed all that was left was the ship that launched the
fighters. Shane
was of the opinion to take it out himself.
"Star Dancer to unidentified ship, you have exactly fifteen seconds to
either
surrender or leave," Shane said. "I will have no qualms about
destroying you."
Shane saw that the ship targeted several of his fighters and destroyed
them. Of
those that were lost, he lost all of Sapphire and half of Amethyst
Squads.
"That is it!!" Shane snarled. "Unidentified ship you have shown me your
true
intentions, you have forfeited any chances at surrender."
Shane armed the four missiles that were on the wings of his ship. As
soon as he got
a good lock, Shane fired all four missiles at the ship. It appeared
that they could not
lock on to the projectiles which was their biggest mistake. As all four
impacted the
ship went critical and was totally destroyed. As soon as he was able he
transformed
his Valkyrie into its humanoid configuration. Shane allowed himself one
moment of
grief as he mourned the loss of all of those good brave pilots.
"Your lives were not lost in vain my friends," Shane said as he moved
his Valkyrie
into a form that was praying.
******
Allishar and the rest of the Star Furies and Thunder Bolts arrived as
the Raider's
ship came out of the jump point. He really did not hate them but he
would not
tolerate them attacking what appeared to be a helpless ship. Allishar
knew about
Jesa's hatred for raiders. In fact Allishar remembered hearing Lt. Rico
Vazquez tell
his wing man about the campaign that he did against the Raiders back in
2257.
Allishar never quite knew why he hated them. He was smart enough to
decide that
if Jesa wanted to tell him then he would in his own fashion and when he
was ready
to talk to him. He did not know him as well as he liked to, but he did
manage to
talk to him on a few occasions. The first was right after his posting
to Babylon 5.
The main part of what they discussed was the procedures that was
followed. Jesa
also warned him about the Commander of Zeta Squad that liked to
commandeer
pilots out of other Squads. Allishar's quarters were in Blue 21 Suite
49. The
second time was right after City 7 and its crew had made an appearance.
That was an interesting bit unto itself. He had been one of the half
dozen pilots or
so that was attack by the forces that attacked the City 7. It was only
through the use
of Music and in particularly the music of Fire Bomber, that he was able
to recover.
Since that day, he has always kept the collection of CD's that he bought
from the
music store on the other ship and a means to play them as well. He was
half
tempted to find a way to put a portable player in his Thunderbolt. He
suspected that
it was against station policy to have music in his fighter. Allishar
figured that he
would have to read the Regulations and find out for himself. The third
time that
they talked was last month, when they had to escort the Guardian Senshi
around to
find their missing princesses. As it turned out five of the nine
Guardians had
managed to raid his and Jesa's supply on soda. They then started to
terrorize all of
Epsilon Squad, Devon, and Allyson.
Both squads saw the fighters that were around the ship move into attack
formation.
>From their vantage points they could see that those fighters destroyed
the Raiders
fighters with ease. In fact Jesa thought that the red fighter looked
vaguely familiar.
"Not another one," Jesa commented dryly. "I thought that they left last
year."
"Maybe Basara wanted to take some piloting lessons from you," Lt. Laura
D'Amico
commented.
"Yeah right," Jesa said with a laugh.
Rico had to suppress a laugh at that remark. He knew that only Laura
could get
away with a remark like that.
"Not bad," Tau 12, Kevin Danvers said. "I would venture to say that the
Crimson
fighter is their leader?"
"That is possible," Allishar said. He saw that within several minutes
after the fight
began it ended with all of the raider ships destroyed. The only thing
that was left
was the main ship.
Allishar then heard over his communications channel, "Star Dancer to
unidentified
ship, you have exactly fifteen seconds to either surrender or leave, I
will have no
qualms about destroying you."
"What is he waiting for,"Jesa commented. "Why is he giving them time to
surrender?"
"Well Epsilon Leader, perhaps he doesn't hate them as much as you do,"
Evan
Michaels, Tau 14 said. He had enough ire in his voice to sound as if he
wanted to
kill.
Jesa snorted in contempt. "Tau 14 I would suggest that you keep your
observations
to yourself from now on."
"Yes sir," Evan said.
To everyone's amazement they saw the main ship open fire on the squads
of planes.
When the guns stopped, they could see that of the sixty-three fighters
that were out,
one full fighter wing was destroyed and another eleven were also
destroyed.
"Geez," Rico said in surprise. "I didn't think that those ships were
that armed."
"Apparently they are," Allishar said.
They saw the Crimson fighter start flying toward the main ship. As the
guns started
to fire at him the fighter started to dodge and sway in such a way that
it looked as if
someone was controlling it with their mind.
"What's he doing," Will Jansen commented. "Is he suicidal?"
"I don't think so," Tau 6, Ryooko Stingray said. "I think he intends on
destroying
that ship himself."
"He is suicidal," Rico said.
What they saw next amazed all of them, the fighter launched four
missiles at the
ship and as soon as they impacted it exploded. The ship's exploding
fireball was
bright enough to be seen through out that sector of space.
"What in the heck was he using," Evan commented.
"I don't know and I sure as heck don't want to be on the receiving end
of one of
those either," Tau 15, Erica Andrew said.
"Good point," Ryooko said.
All of the remaining pilots saw the crimson plane change shapes and then
it moved
in such a way that it looked as if it was praying. It then stopped and
pulled out a
gun from a opening on his leg. The humanoid then started to fly around
looking for
more ships.
"Jesa this is Allishar," Allishar said. "Do you think that we should
approach them?"
"Well anyone that hates raiders shouldn't be too bad," Jesa said. "I
think that we
should approach, but cautiously."
"Roger Epsilon Leader," The rest of Jesa's squad said and started to
move forward
slowly.
"Tau Squad, let's follow them," Allishar said as he edged his
Thunderbolt forward.
He saw the crimson humanoid stop and level the gun at them.
"Star Dancer to unidentified ships, are you friendly or not," The voice
on the
communications channel asked.
"Star Dancer, this is Tau Leader," Allishar said. "We are here to
render assistance
to you and your people."
The plane lowered the gun and allowed them to approach. As the star
furies and the
thunderbolts flew by the ship they saw that it was huge.
"Geez," Tau 8, Elsa Davenport said in surprise. "That looks a tad bit
familiar."
"How," Allishar said. "The only other ship that is even remotely like
this one was
the ship that was attached to City 7 while it was here."
"I am not exactly for certain, but it just does," Elsa said.
"Well what ever," Allishar said. "Let's see if we can give them some
assistance."
"Star Dancer, to Tau leader. Our ship has zip for power and our life
support system
could go at any time. Could you tow us to where you are stationed to
give us a
place so we can begin repairs?"
"Tau Leader to Star Dancer, let me confirm it with our commander,"
Allishar said.
"Understand Tau Leader," the Star Dancer pilot said.
"Tau Leader to C&C," Allishar said.
"C&C, go," The person on the other end said.
"Captain, we have a ship that is floating almost dead in space here,"
Allishar said.
"Requesting further advice."
"Tau Leader, I want you and Epsilon leader to give any assistance that
would be
appropriate," The captain said.
"They are requesting that we tow them to the station," Allishar said.
"Lt. Commander, it is your call on this," The captain said. "I will
support whatever
decision that you make."
"Roger that Captain," Allishar said.
"This is Epsilon Leader," Jesa said. "That's a roger."
"Babylon control out," The captain said and closed the link.
"Star Dancer, this is Tau Leader," Allishar said. "The captain said
that we can tow
you to the station."
"Copy that Tau Leader," Star Dancer said. "Ruby Squad, the rest
Amethyst Squad,
Red, Copper, Gold, Blue, and myself will fly escort for you. It is the
least that we
can do for you."
"Roger that Star Dancer," Jesa said. "Do you have a name that we can
call you?"
"I am so sorry. I am Captain Shane Benton of the SDF-3," Shane said.
"Pleasure to meet you Captain Benton," Jesa said. "I am Lt Commander
Jesa
Marason. Tau Leader is Lt. Commander Allishar Morgan."
"Ah it is a pleasure to meet you both," Shane said.
All of the Star Furies and Thunderbolts latched on to the ship and
started to tow it
toward their station. The remains of Amethyst Squad, all of Ruby Squad,
plus the
other four squads fell into formation around the fighters that were
towing the ship.
Shane himself was flying among all of the fighters keeping watch for
anything that
might sneak up on them. He had been surprised once before and well it
was quite
annoying. Shane was hoping that the raiders would have taken the hint
and leave
them alone. They could only hope.
"Captain do you have any idea where we are taking you," Allishar asked.
"I was hoping that you could tell me about it in flight," Shane said his
voice
sounding a bit strained.
"Well we are taking you to the station known as Babylon 5," Allishar
said. "Don't
worry we will not turn you in."
"Why would you turn us in?"
"I think what Allishar is trying to say is Babylon 5 broke away from
Earth back in
April of 2260," Jesa said.
"So you have broken away from Earth? Why?"
"It was because of President Clark," Rico said. "He declared Martial
law on the
Colonies, Mars, and tried to have B5 do the same."
"Ah I see," Shane said. "So I don't have to worry about Earth
battleships showing
up on your doorstep?"
"No, Ambassador Delenn has put several Mimbari Cruisers in orbit around
the
station," Taven O'Shane, Tau two said. "It was luck that they showed up
when
they did or we would have been toasted."
"Ah now I think I understand what we are dealing with," Shane commented
dryly.
"So how long before we get to Babylon 5?"
"About three hours," Jesa said.
"Ah I see," Shane said. "Alec take the point I have to change planes I
am starting
to get a massive migraine."
"What can't handle the pressure of long flights," Allishar asked.
"Lt. Commander, I would advise you to hold your tongue until you
understand what
I am flying," Shane snarled.
"Captain, it is only a few hours till we reach the station," Tau 3,
Terry Morgan said.
"Do you think that you could hold on until then?"
"I will try," Shane said as he blocked the pain and continued to focus
on keeping the
plane moving.
Three hours later the two squads towed the crippled ship into a spot
right next to the
station. It was lined up such as to put it's main gun in the optimum
firing position.
The remaining fighters that were assigned to the Ship landed on the
ship. Shane,
wanted to meet with the Captain as soon as possible. He sent a
communication to
his ship to have his executive officer take a shuttle over and then they
would meet
with the Captain as soon as possible.
******
Shane could barely climb out of his plane because his head was pounding
so bad.
He could swear that the systems were not calibrated properly for him.
He was
going to have to yell at the person that was in charge of maintaining
his fighter. In
fact he fell out of the cockpit and landed hard on the deck of Bay 14.
His head
swam with pain as he tried to rise to his feet. He could just make out
two people
rushing to him before he blacked out.
Shane woke up in what looked like a hospital. He could see a doctor
hovering over
him.
"Ah I see that you are awake," The doctor said. "I am Doctor Franklin,
care to tell
me what happened that caused you to black out like you did?"
"BDI and BCS started to fritz out on me," Shane said as he tried to sit
up.
"Easy now, you also took a nasty fall as well," Franklin said.
"I have had worse," Shane said.
"You have?"
"Yeah I fell out of my Gerwalk once. Broke my arm in seven places.
That hurt."
"I bet it did. I noticed that your cerebral activity is higher than
normal for a person
of your age. Any idea why?"
"Nope."
"I would like to run a test that will determine if you are either a
Telepath or an
Esper. Now it won't hurt but it may make you a bit dizzy."
"I suppose, can't be any worse than the day that I have already had."
Shane just laid on the table while the doctor ran the test. He could
tell that he had
just made a major idiot out of himself and he hated that feeling. He
would have to
remedy that situation as soon as possible. Several hours later the
Doctor Franklin
turned around with a very confused look on his face.
"Alright what am I? A Telepath or an Esper?"
"This is odd, you rate at a P-14 and have an Esper rating of E-7. I
have never seen
anything like this."
"And this is a good thing?"
"Well let me ask you this can you hear other peoples thoughts?"
"Never tried to though."
"Ah I see. Well our resident telepath could work with you to test your
limits."
"Thanks but no thanks. I figure that if I could hear others thoughts
then I would,
and would deal with that on my own. The only thing that I have noticed
was the
fact that I get these feelings every now and again like I know that
something is
going to happen and I am more often then not right."
"Precognition? There was only one Esper that was ever recorded with
that ability
and she died in first few months of the Earth Mimbari war. It was said
that she saw
the whole war and their surrender. Yet she died on the ship that
encountered them."
"Well Doctor if I am alright then may I go?"
"I don't see why not Shane. You wouldn't be related to a Shaelynn
Benton the
fourth would you?"
"Nope don't think so."
With that Shane walked out of the med lab and into the halls. He had no
idea where
he was going. In fact he had to ask a passer by where the Captain was.
He was
directed to the nearest officer that was in the hall. That officer was
none other than
the Security Chief Zack Allen. He was able to guide him to the room
where he was
supposed to be.
******
Jesa and Allishar waited outside of Med Lab. They were concerned about
the status
of the pilot that they found on the floor of the docking bay.
"What do you think could have caused him to collapse like that,"
Allishar asked
Jesa.
"Don't really know, but I thought that I heard him say something about
having a
headache or something like that," Jesa said. "Say do you have any idea
what was
up with Will?"
"No Idea except that he needs to learn to ask questions of you. I mean
come on he
is in your Squad for the love of little green apples," Allishar said.
He was almost
yelling.
"I know and I will have to talk to him about it," Jesa sighed. "How did
he get
through flight school with that kind of attitude?"
"Beats me. He is a decent pilot. Although I tend to wonder myself
about him."
"Still what about Captain Benton?"
"I hope that he is alright."
Several hours later they saw Shane walk out of the Med Lab and wander
down the
hall. Shrugging, Allishar walked back to the squad room to pull off his
flight suit
and take nice long shower and get some rest. While he was pulling out of
his flight
suit he could see the other members of his squad doing the same. He
could see that
there were members of various squads pulling on their flight suits to go
out on
patrol.
"Man I can't believe that Commander Barton is pulling this on us," one
of the pilots
said.
"Tau 3 you are up for this patrol as well," Zeta leader said.
"But Commander I just got back from an extended patrol," Terry said.
"That is none of my concern, you are part of this Patrol," Zeta Leader
said.
Allishar was now extremely steamed. How dare Commander Barton pull a
stunt
like this after they just got back from a particularly trying patrol out
in Sector 14.
That was the sector of space that was called the "Bermuda Triangle of
Space." This
was the last straw. He was not going to stand for this. Storming out
of the squad
room, Allishar punched the call button on his link.
"Lt Commander Morgan, to Commander Ivanova," Allishar said.
"Ivanova, Go," Ivanova said.
"Commander I need to talk to you in person," Allishar said.
"You have five minutes."
"Fine I will see you in two minutes."
With that Allishar closed the link and strode down the corridors to meet
with
Ivanova.
******
Commander Susan Ivanova was waiting in her office to talk to a very
irate Lt.
Commander Allishar Morgan. She hoped that he was not going to rant and
rave at
her. Right now she did not need it. She was due to meet with Captain
Sheridan in
twenty minutes. It was mostly due to the visitor that popped out of
hyper space in
Sector 14. She was hoping that this was not another gift of the Vorlons
that was
about to be dumped on their doorstep.
'Maybe he's upset about the patrol taking longer than usual,' She
thought dryly.
The she saw Allishar's face as he entered her office. It was a mask of
irritation and
frustration all put into one form. In fact the way that he walked into
her office
showed that he was mad.
"Now Lt Commander what can I do for you," Commander Ivanova asked. She
braced for him to yell at her.
"It is about that, that Commander Barton," Allishar fumed. "He is up to
his usual
tricks and to be quite honest I am getting fed up with it."
'Or not,' She amended when she heard what he was griping about. She had
to give
him credit though. Even though he was mad, Allishar did not once loose
his cool.
"I see. Lt. Commander, I have tried to talk to him, but he either
doesn't want to
listen to me or will not listen to me. Believe me I have tried to talk
to him when Lt.
Commander Marason complained about this same problem last year. Now I
suggest
you return to your quarters and take a nice hot shower to cool yourself
off. Believe
me you need it."
"Thank you Commander," Allishar said as he walked out of the room.
She had to breathe a sigh of relief. Allishar was hot tempered but he
never lost it
that often. Perhaps that was one of the reason that he was one of the
better pilots
that they had. Composing herself for the meeting, Commander Ivanova
walked out
of the office and down the hall toward the Captain's.
******
Allishar stepped into the transport tube. He was now tempted to go
straight to the
captain himself about this. This was the last time that he would stand
for his pilots
to be Shanghaied on another patrol after they got back from one. He
figured that if
Captain Sheridan did not do something about it then he would deal with
it in his
own way.
Allishar stopped by his friend Taven's Quarters on Blue 7 to talk to him
about some
things that were bothering him. One in particular was in regards to his
wing man.
Tau 7 Allyson Torren. He found out recently through his close friend
Devon
Maddison, Tau 5 that she was in love with him. Even though they were
really close
and were inseparable as a team, Allishar could not talk to Devon about
this. He felt
that he needed an objective opinion. Since April of 2260, Allishar
never really
thought about a relationship with anyone. In fact his elder sister that
was stationed
aboard the Roanoke was about to introduce him to her roommate before all
of the
fighting broke out. She had been one of the casualties of the battle.
Since that day
his feelings came second to his duty.
The one thing that he did find solace in was the one copy of the Book of
G'Quan
that the former Narn Ambassador G'kar gave to him as a gift. He saw it
a kind of
challenge to read the Narn language so he could understand what he was
reading.
He could read about half of it and only understood about one forth of
that.
As he was about to reach Taven's door, he saw that Lt. Will Jansen came
around
the corner. It seemed that he wanted to take issue with what he said to
him.
"Ah Lt. Commander, I would like to speak to you," Will said.
"Not at this moment Jansen I am a trifle bit busy," Allishar said.
"It won't take but a minute of your time," Will said.
Sighing, Allishar stopped to talk to him.
"Alright what do you want," Allishar said trying to keep his voice from
showing the
anger that he was feeling.
"I want to know why in the world you would not give me a straight answer
while
we were out on patrol," Jansen said.
"Because it was not my place to tell you what your Squad leader is
supposed to. Lt.
Commander Marason is your superior officer and I believe that you should
have
asked him and not me."
"Why should I have asked him?"
"Because he is your commanding officer that's why. It was rude and
impolite of
you to ask me that."
"That is what you think and this is what I think. I think that you
should have never
been chosen for such an important mission such as that."
"And I think that you are way out of line mister," Allishar said this
time his voice
was getting louder. How dare he do this. In fact Allishar was of the
opinion to
knock him down a few pegs. "You have no right to question me or the
reasons that
I was chosen for this mission. Listen to me and listen good, just be
glad that I did
not volunteer you for Zeta Squad's patrol after we got back. I am sure
that
Commander Barton would have loved to used you as well."
"You wouldn't dare," Will said.
"Care to test that theory," Allishar said.
******
Jesa had just sat down to eat a well deserved meal with his two closet
friends when
he heard the sounds of two people yelling just outside his room. He
wondered just
what in the world was going on. Looking and Laura and Rico, they just
shrugged.
Putting his fork down, Jesa walked out into the corridor and found that
the two that
were arguing were Allishar and Will Jansen. Jesa had to sigh, because
he knew that
Will had lapsed again. He wondered what needed to be done to keep him
in line.
He had thought about taking him off active flight status for at least a
month, but he
knew that he could not afford to that.
"Will, my quarters now," Jesa said putting all of his authority in to
that command.
Will stopped in mid spate. He recognized the voice of his commanding
officer.
"Yes sir," Will said and then proceeded to walk back to Jesa's quarters.
"I am sorry Allishar," Jesa said. "I thought that he wasn't going to do
that again."
"I know Jesa," Allishar said.
"Don't let him bother you, he will be punished as I see fit," Jesa said
as he turned
around and walked back to his quarters to discipline Will Jansen.
Allishar then pressed the call button on his friend's quarters. When
Taven answered
the door he saw that Taven was not in one of his better moods.
"Taven, what happened to you? You look like hell," Allishar said.
"Ah, it's nothing, I was just taking a nap," Taven said.
"Well if I could talk to you about Allyson?"
"What about her?"
"I heard that she was falling in love with me."
"Why? Doesn't she know that you are not much into relationships?"
"Yeah she knows and I don't think that she cares."
"You should let her down gently."
"I know, but the she would be devastated."
"Allishar, you haven't had many relationships have you?"
"What do you think?"
"Ah that's right, your sister Megan was going to introduce you to her
roommate
Jessica in April."
"Exactly, and now you see what my trouble is."
"Well Allishar, be kind to her and talk to her."
"So Taven what do you think about this new visitor that showed up?"
"Well as long as he doesn't turn out to be either an Esper or from
Sector 1015."
"What is wrong with Espers?"
"Nothing is wrong with Espers. But with the problems that came with
that Esper
that showed up in July of this year, I fear that if he is an Esper then
we will have the
Psi Corp back here breathing down our necks."
"Still give him a chance, I mean come on, wait and see what he is like."
"I will."
"Well listen Taven get some sleep we have to be on patrol tomorrow. I
surely don't
want you falling asleep on me during our patrol."
"I will and thank you."
As soon as he left Taven's room, Allishar quickly walked to the
Transport tube to
go to his quarters.
******
When Jesa returned to his quarters he had already decided what he was
going to do
to Will Jansen. What he did this time was not going to be forgotten or
taken lightly
this time.
'That was just down right insubordination,' Jesa thought. 'I don't know
how
Allishar would have handled it, but I think that he needs time to
think.'
As he opened the door to his quarters, he saw that Rico and Laura were
on the way
out. They knew what was about to happen and did not want to hear what
was going
to be said. They had a general idea, but did not want to stick around
to hear it.
As soon as the door closed Jesa walked to his desk and sat down.
"Mr. Jansen, you're having an interesting day, I see."
"Yes, sir."
"Well, I hope so because it's going to get even more interesting."
"I don't think that I follow you sir."
"Lt. Jansen, just what in the world possessed you to say what you did,"
Jesa asked
calmly.
"Sir?"
"Why were you questioning Lt. Commander Morgan's leadership?
"I did not like the fact that he was chosen to lead that patrol," Will
said.
"That is not your business to judge his capabilities as a leader," Jesa
said trying to
keep his cool. He mentally admitted to himself that this was the most
stubborn
person that he had ever met in his lifetime. Well there was Garabaldi,
but in this
instance he did not count. "In the future, I suggest that you keep
those kind of
remarks to yourself."
"Yes sir," Will said. He still had some fight left in him.
"I am not finished by a long shot here. I believe that you should
apologize to him
and his entire squad for what you did. And," Jesa let that hang for
nearly a whole
five minutes before he continued. "And that will be done after you have
had some
time to think about what you have done. As of right now, you are off
active flight
status and will spend the next two weeks in the brig to think about it.
Afterwards
you will be restricted to your quarters."
"But," Will asked.
"I am sorry but I am not going to stand for this," Jesa said as he
pressed the call
button on his link. "Marason to security, I need to have two guards
take Mr. Will
Jansen to the brig."
"Understood and I will send some right up your way," The voice said.
Five minutes later two security officers arrived at Jesa's quarters and
escorted Will
Jansen off to the brig.
******
Elsewhere on the station Captain John Sheridan waited for the visitors
to arrive so
they could begin this important talk. He was eager to talk to them. He
remembered
when that Vorlon Artifact appeared just after the Shadow War. This was
another
opportunity that he was not going to pass up. As Ambassador Delenn said
"You get
this light in your eyes that says mine, mine, mine." In this case that
was not true.
This new ship, if he could actually call it that, was not his at all.
He saw Ivanova
walk in the office. She looked as if she had been through a trying
time.
"Something happen Commander," Sheridan asked.
"Commander Barton, just pulled a member of Tau Squad for the current
patrol and
Lt. Commander Morgan made a stink about it to me," Ivanova said.
Sheridan sighed. This was the second complaint that he had heard about
in the last
year. What exactly was he doing that was setting off the Squad leaders
so much?
He thought that it was over with after what he caught wind of back in
2260.
Apparently not as it seemed that he was back to his old trick again.
"Commander, have you talked to Zeta leader at all," Sheridan asked.
"I have tried and it doesn't seem to work. He is bull headed as they
come," Ivanova
said. "But we have this new guest that was just dropped in our laps and
let's make
his first impression a good one."
******
Shane waited for Danielle to arrive before he went to see the Captain.
The instant
that she arrived they were escorted, by Zack Allen to the Captain's
office.
'I don't know what to make of him,' Shane heard in his mind. 'Maybe he
is a good
guy. Hell for all I know he could be a plant by President Clark.'
As he looked around for the source of that voice he noticed that the
voice was from
Zack's mind. Shane concentrated and managed to shut out all of the
static that his
brain was receiving. Shane saw that Danielle had moved up beside him
and was
walking rather close to him. He could tell that she was wearing a fruit
scented
perfume. The aroma from that was making his head swim with images that
he really
did not want to think about at this current time. Or for that matter at
all. When they
arrived in the office, Shane saw a man that was in his mid-thirties
wearing a similar
uniform that Zack was wearing. Also he saw that there was a woman that
appeared
to be in her late twenties to early thirties. She too was wearing a
black uniform as
well.
"I am Captain Sheridan, I am in charge of Babylon 5," the man said.
"This is my
second in command Commander Ivanova."
"Captain, Commander," Shane said nodding to each in turn. "I am Captain
Shane
Benton, and this is my Exec., Commander Danielle Masters."
"So Captain what can we do for you," Sheridan asked getting straight to
the point.
"Captain Sheridan, please. I am not one to stand on ceremony. Please
call me
Shane," Shane said. "Now as to what you can do for us. Hmm, well I
don't know
how much you were told, but we tumbled out of Fold Space and ended up
about
three hours from here."
"That put you in Sector 14," Ivanova said. "What were you doing out
there?"
"I dunno," Shane said with a shrug. "That was where we ended up with
out power
our Fold engines had vanished and we were operating on minimal life
support and
we had gravity. Fortunately."
"I see," Sheridan said. "So what exactly do you need from us?"
"If you could I would like to station my crew on the station for the
duration of the
repair time I would really appreciate it."
"How many are we talking about," Sheridan asked. "And for that matter
how
long?"
"About 8100 people. That is mostly pilots and other staff. The repair
crews will be
staying on the ship so they can work on it. As for how long it will
take to be
operational again, hmm well considering we lost our main engines we are
stuck here
indefinitely."
"Lovely, 8100 people and we just have room for all of them," Ivanova
said.
"Where will you be staying?"
"I will be staying on the ship to oversee the repairs," Shane said.
"Could you have
some of the do's and don'ts sent to each of my crew's quarters after
they are on
station? I don't want them to cause any undue problems."
"Done and done. Any thing else that you would want of us," Sheridan
asked.
"Actually now that I think about it, I could use a room here as well
that way I can
actually take a break with out having to stay on the ship all of the
time. And that is
it."
"Not a problem, We will put you on Blue 14 suite 35," Ivanova said.
"That is the
last room that we have after we put your crew on station as well."
"Thank you Commander, Captain," Shane said. "You don't know how much
this
means to me."
"You are welcome Captain," Sheridan said as he rose to shake his hand.
Shane returned the hand shake with a firm grim and shake. Then with a
curt nod to
Commander Ivanova, Shane strode out of the office. Before he got too
far out he
peaked his head back around the corner.
"Oh I need to return my 'Star Dancer' to the ship to have it's systems
looked at. So
I need clearance to leave."
"I am on my way to C&C right now so I can give you clearance," Ivanova
said as
she walked past him.
With that Shane headed back to the landing bay where his plane was
located.
******
Allishar just got out of the shower and was toweling his hair dry when
he heard his
door chime.
"Who is it," Allishar asked. He could probably guess who it might be.
Either it
was Allyson or it could be Jesa.
"It's me Allyson," The voice said from the other side of the door.
Allishar's heart sank. She was the last person that he wanted to see at
this moment.
He had made plans to pick up where he was reading in the Book of
G'Quan. He
hoped that he would be able to read and understand more of it. With
this recent
development, those plans would have to be put on hold for now.
"Hold on a minute," Allishar said as he pulled on a pair of sweat pants
and a t-shirt.
"Ok enter."
Allyson entered his quarters with such a smooth gate that he did not
hear her at all.
"Allishar, I have to talk to you," Allyson said.
"What about," Allishar asked as he ran a comb through his thick black
hair.
"I want to know exactly how you feel about me. And don't give me the
usual line
that you gave me back on the Damocles. I am not that shy and innocent
kid that you
knew. So I am demanding that you tell me the truth."
Allishar was trapped. He was not about to tell her what his heart was
telling him to
do. He knew that if he were to ask for advice from anyone they would
tell him what
they would do. He did ask Ambassador Delenn for advice once and it
really
helpful. She told him to follow the calling of his heart. Sighing,
Allishar knew what
he had to do and it scared him.
"Allyson, listen to me. As a pilot I am impressed by your abilities.
As a person I
am impressed by your wit and intelligence. Overall I really like you."
"Is that it?"
"What are you wanting me to tell you?"
"I want to know your feelings toward me."
"I am not even for certain about that."
"Allishar Morgan you are mean!!" Allyson said as she slapped him and ran
out of
the room with tears streaming down her face.
"Well Allishar, I sure blew that all to hell," Allishar said with a
resigned sigh.
"If I am disturbing you I will come back later," a female voice said
from outside his
door.
As he turned around he saw that the person that spoke was none other
than
Ambassador Delenn herself.
"Ah greetings and salutations Ambassador," Allishar said. "What brings
you by
here?"
"I was passing by and I saw that one of your friends ran out of your
quarters,"
Delenn said. "I was wondering what happened?"
"Ambassador, I managed to stick my foot in my mouth," Allishar said.
"I don't think that I understand."
"Ambassador, I said some things that I am now regretting."
"I understand. What exactly did you say to this person?"
"Well Allyson came in to my quarters and asked me what I felt about
her."
"And you told her the truth I would guess?"
"Well I told her that I did not know how I felt about her."
Delenn frowned. She wondered how much he really understood about the
opposite
gender of his race. From what he just told her it was apparent that he
did not know
that much about them at all.
"Well when two Mimbari become close, they have already gone through
several
rituals to make sure that they are proper for each other. In your case
I would
suggest to you, as I did once before, to follow the calling of your
heart. It will not
steer you wrong," Delenn said.
"Are you sure about that," Allishar asked. "What if you are wrong."
"Mimbari do not lie," Delenn said. "What I have told you is the truth.
How you
choose to use it is your own."
"Thank you Ambassador," Allishar said.
"You are welcome," Delenn said. "I do not even know your name. What is
it?"
"Allishar, Allishar Morgan," Allishar said.
"That is most peculiar. Just last month I met a person with the same
name as
yours," Delenn said. "Are you two related by chance?"
"We are in a really strange way."
"I must be going now I have to see some one else," Delenn said as she
got up. She
gave him a small bow and turned to leave.
"May your way be Green and Golden, Ambassador Delenn," Allishar said as
she
left.
******
Allyson stopped running when she got to the transport tube. She still
had tear
streaks running down her cheeks. How could he have been so insensitive
to her
needs and her wants. She knew that when she was with him she felt as if
she was
complete. Call it true love or what ever, but she knew that she was
meant to be
with him. She did not know what was going through his mind and she
wanted to.
Perhaps he was wishing that he would have went with that Princess from
Crystal
Tokyo that he had fallen for. She was pretty. That much she knew. In
fact she
wondered if he would ask to resign and go be with her. What exactly did
he see in
her? Was it the fact that she had short blue hair? Or was it the fact
that she was a
Princess? What ever the reason he brushed her off constantly.
Thinking about all of the possibilities brought fresh tears to her
eyes. When the
transport tube doors opened she saw that the Centauri Ambassador, Londo
Mollari,
was also in the car.
"Ah Lt. Torren what seems to be the problem," Londo asked.
She did not answer. How could he understand her problems. He had no
idea of
what she was going through. In fact why should she give him an answer.
"I see a man broke your heart," Londo surmised. "Well, I don't see why
a pretty
woman like you would be crying like this?"
"Blue 8," Allyson said through sobs.
"Well be that as it may," Londo said. "He doesn't know what he is
missing in you.
No."
The transport tube stopped on Blue 8 and she got off. She was glad to
be off that
tube. Shed did not really hate aliens, but something about Londo gave
her the
creeps. When she got to her quarters she saw that the door was standing
wide open.
This was not at all natural. She was going to have to change the lock
codes more
often now. She had one trick up her sleeve that would get who was in
her quarters
out. Yet, she would only use it if she absolutely needed to.
"Computer, lights," Allyson said. The light came on quickly and she saw
sitting in
one of her chairs Ryooko Benton-Stingray.
"Ryooko, what are you doing here," Allyson asked.
"I had a feeling that you needed to talk to someone. I am someone so
talk to me."
"It's about Allishar."
"Allyson, have you even looked at his eyes at all?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Just yes or no will do."
"No I haven't. Why do you ask?"
"Because his eyes are those of a person that could never truly love
someone as
much as you want him to."
"Why do you say that?"
"You remember the battle that we fought in when B5 broke away?"
"How could I forget it. Why do you bring that up?"
"He lost his sister on the Roanoke."
"I did not know that."
"Not many in the squad knew. My point is, yes he may say that he loves
you and
even show it from time to time, but deep in his heart the part of him
that could give
you the unconditional love that you are wanting died with his sister
that day."
"But, can't he get over it in time?"
"I suppose that he could, but Allyson what you should do is be there for
him. He
could use some one like you to help him through the tough times that are
to come."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes I am. My cousin's ancestor Shaelynn Benton the first, was more of
a
confidant to his wife before they were even married. In fact they split
up once and
then got back together. Yet they loved each other so much, the day that
she died in
2051, he did not leave his house for two solid weeks. Yes he was in
mourning. In
life they were inseparable. Shaelynn the first died two years later of
a broken
heart."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"To prove a point, you two are just like them. In fact it would be
frightening if you
two were the reincarnations of them. Be there for him is all that I am
saying."
"That is all?"
"Yes that is all."
"Thank you Ryooko."
"It was the least that I could do for a friend."
They hugged and then Ryooko left her quarters as quietly as she
entered. Ryooko
had left her with a lot to think about. Some of it did not make sense.
Other parts of
it did. She still did not understand the reasons that Ryooko told her
about her
ancestor. Granted there were some similarities between them and that
was as far as
she was going to go with that. She would just try to be a friend to
Allishar for the
most part. Allyson was no dummy she would wait until he was ready to
commit and
then go from there.
******
Shane arrived back on his ship. He was mad that someone did not do the
proper
maintenance on his fighter. That was his baby and he knew that if
anyone did not
do the proper maintenance that was required on it, then there would be
hell to pay.
As he hopped out of the cockpit and dropped to the decking, he saw
several of the
techs rush over to it.
"I want to speak with the tech that takes care of the BDI and BCS
NOW!!!" Shane
said.
That tech crawled down off of the plane and walked over to him. He
could tell that
Shane was upset with him. In fact if no one could then they needed to
get their eyes
checked.
"Yes sir," the tech said.
"What in the world was going through your mind when you checked the BCS
and
the BDI," Shane asked.
"They -they all checked out at 100%," the tech said.
"I specifically said that they were to be at 150%," Shane said. "I was
feeling the
effects of it and was carted into the station's Med bay by two of their
pilots,
because of your ineptitude."
"Sir I was under the impression that it was only supposed to be at
100%."
"There was a reason for the 150% of normal. That being that is the only
way that
the system works with me."
"I am sorry it won't happen again."
"I know it won't, and as an incentive for you to not screw it up again I
am docking a
week's pay and you will not have station time until those systems are
perfect. Do
you understand me?"
"Yes sir I understand."
"Good now get to work."
The rest of the tech quickly went back about their business of repairing
the various
fighters and shuttles. Shane walked over to another part of the bay.
"Is my VF-19 flight ready," Shane asked.
"Yes Sir," Chorused the entire tech crew. Shane wondered if they were
just saying
that so they did not get yelled at as well. Shane tried to see if he
could sense what
they were thinking. He could tell that they were sincere about what
they said.
Shaking his head, Shane climbed up the ladder and into the cockpit of
the VF-19.
As he sat down he found his favorite CD in the world. It was a mixture
of music
that he recorded off of the Galaxy Network. He recorded his
goddaughter's first
song that she sang. Shane was surprised to learn that she was a part of
a rock band.
He also heard and recorded other songs by the same rock band. His
favorite was
"Planet Dance." He put that CD in the CD player that he had installed in
his plane.
Running the cord from the player to the helmet Shane then pressed play
and hovered
out of the bay.
******
The following day several pilots of Tau Squad were in one of the local
bars talking
among themselves. They were in awe of the pilots of the ship that was
parked off of
the station. Some wondered if they were all ace pilots or not.
"I don't see what is so big about them," Terry said.
"Why do you say that," Allyson asked.
"Well just because they think that they can take such long patrols they
are better
than us."
"Terry, that is cruel," Allyson said.
"He does have a point you know," Elsa said. "Plus I think that they are
trying to be
hotshots."
"I can't believe that I am hearing this," Allyson said. "Listen they
have their patrol
routes and we have ours."
Several minutes later the pilots from Ruby squad came in sat down. The
were
talking among themselves about things.
"Ah man what in the world is Alec up to," one of the pilots complained.
"This is
the third patrol that we pulled in the past sixteen hours."
"See what I mean," Terry said. "They have no stamina."
"Terry, hush!" Allyson said.
"What, are you saying that we are weaklings," one of the Ruby Squad
Pilots said.
"Exactly," Terry said. "If you think that you are so good then why
don't you prove
it."
"Terry that is not such a good idea," Allyson said. "I'd shut up if I
were you.
"It will be fine," Terry said.
"Name the place and time," The pilot said.
"The time is ASAP the place is between the station and Epsilon 3. Pick
two other
pilots and meet us there," Terry said.
"Done," the pilots said and then left.
"Terry you are just as bad as your brother sometimes."
With that Allyson stormed out of the bar.
"What got into her," Elsa asked.
"Don't know," Evan said as he sipped his drink. He wished that Allyson
would
stop acting as childish as she was.
******
Several hours later the three pilots from Tau Squad and the Three pilots
from Ruby
Squad met in the designated area.
"Alright here is what we are going to do. We have adjusted our plasma
cannons to
minimal power. That way we don't scratch your precious plane."
"What ever just don't hold back on us," the lead pilot said.
As soon as that was said the six pilots started their mock duel. To
those that were
observing it was a display of perfect skill and timing. Perhaps Ruby
Squad was
cheating a bit by using their VF-17's, but they was not about to let
them get the
better of them.
The three pilots of Tau Squad was not doing all that good. They could
not believe
that their sensors could not find their targets.
"Damn them," Terry swore. "What are they doing?"
"Wiping the floors with us is what they are doing," Vincent commented.
As Ryooko was about to lock on to one of Ruby squad, she saw a navy blue
plane
fly up between them and change into its humanoid form.
"Ruby 3, 9, and 12 I want to see you on the flight deck in twenty
minutes. As for
you three, your C.O. will hear from me on this."
"Yes sir," the three pilots said and flew off to their command ship.
The three pilots returned to Babylon 5 to face their Commander's
punishment.
******
Jesa, Rico, and Laura were on the observation deck watching this
display. He could
tell that the three pilots were good. He wondered how long they had
been flying.
Their style was one of excellent pilots in what they are used to. He
saw that
Allishar was also among the people that was watching it. Jesa could
tell that
something was going through his mind. If only he knew what it was. The
display
only lasted for a few hours until they saw another fighter appear and
break it up.
'Well that did not last long," Jesa thought.
He then saw Allishar walk out of the dome in a hurry. He had a feeling
that he
knew what this was about.
******
As Terry and the other two walked into the squad room to get changed,
they saw
that Lt. Commander Morgan was waiting for them. He was leaning up
against his
locker with a look of irritation on his face.
"So what were you two thinking when you went and did that foolish
stunt," Allishar
asked.
"Trying to prove that we were better," Terry said.
"That is it," Allishar said. He could not believe his ears. His own
brother was
becoming egotistical all of a sudden. "My Quarters five minutes!"
As soon as they walked out of the Squad room Jesa walked in.
"This is not at all good," Jesa said. "Now you have three pilots that
are acting up."
"Well this is their first time the pulled this kinda stunt," Allishar
said.
"What are you going to do about it," Jesa asked.
Allishar gave Jesa a very amused expression. He really could not get
angry with
him, but he knew that he was only asking a question that did not deserve
an answer.
"Scare the living shit out them," Allishar said and then walked out of
the room.
When Allishar got to his quarters he saw that the three pilots were
standing outside
his door waiting for him.
"Alright inside," Allishar said.
When they filed in Allishar was right behind them. When the door shut
he got into
his mode.
"Alright now listen up," Allishar said. "I don't know what in the hell
you were
trying to prove by that duel with them?"
"We were just. . ." Vincent stammered.
"Trying to get yourselves killed was what you were trying to do,"
Allishar said this
time getting louder.
"But, we didn't mean to. . ." Ryooko started.
"Didn't mean to start an incident with them? Please don't make me
laugh."
"So what are you going to do about this," Terry asked. He knew that his
brother
was angry. Wether or not this was faked or not he was scared.
"Your punishment will be this," Allishar said. "You will take your
toothbrushes and
you will use them to scrub the public bathrooms. And I mean all of it.
Including the
Methane Stalls as well."
They could not believe their ears. Allishar had just assigned them to
clean the
public bathrooms with their toothbrushes.
"Why are you doing this," Vincent asked.
"Because that is what I have decided and that's the bottom line because
Lt.
Commander Allishar Morgan said so!"
The three of them sighed and left. As they left the noticed that
Allyson was waiting
outside his door. As the door started to close, she deftly slipped in.
"Allishar, I wanted to apologize for yesterday," Allyson said timidly.
"Allyson, don't. I was at fault for saying what I did. I am sorry,"
Allishar said as
he turned around to face her. "I should have told you the truth."
"I understand if you are not ready for a relationship," Allyson said.
"Can you really understand what I went through last year," Allishar
asked.
"I know that you lost friends and family on the Roanoke, but that is all
I know,"
Allyson said as she walked closer to him. "What happened I can't even
begin to
comprehend, but I will always be here for you."
"I know and I thank you for that," Allishar said as he took her by the
hand. "I am
glad to know that you are here."
"Thank you Allishar, for everything," Allyson said as she reached up and
kissed him
on the cheek.
With that she quickly left the room leaving Allishar standing in the
middle of his
room in a daze. All he did was reach his hand up and touch the side of
his face that
she kissed.
'Did she just kiss me,' Allishar asked himself. 'What did I do to
deserve that?'
He could not believe that she did that. In fact the way that she acted
was familiar in
some strange way. That would be a discussion for another time. Right
now he had
some reading to do.
******
On the SDF-3 Shane was irate. He could not believe that they would pull
stunts like
that. On the flight deck the three pilots waited, shifting from foot to
foot. They
waited for Shane to arrive so they could receive their punishment. They
could see
him walk down the ramp and onto the flight deck and over to the three
pilots. He
was mad and all of the techs got out of his way. Which for them was a
good thing.
They did not want to get what they called the "Shane 3:16" as well.
"Now you three what am I going to do with you," Shane asked them.
"Not punish us," Ruby 3 asked. He knew that what he said was a mistake.
"For that stupid remark, consider your flight status on suspension until
further
notice," Shane said.
"That is unfair of you to do that," Ruby 12 said.
"And you will be in the brig for that remark," Shane said as he motioned
for the two
guards to escort him to the brig.
"The flight status is revoked for all of you," Shane said and stalked
out of the flight
deck.
******
"That's right Mr. Bester he is a Telepath. How strong I cannot say,
but I would
suggest that you show up immediately," Lt. Asa Devers said.
"I am en route to Babylon 5 already," Bester said. "I will look in to
this new
telepath when I arrive."
Asa closed the link down and went back to work. He was holding back the
most
important bit of information from him. That was exactly how strong
Shane was. He
noticed that Commander Ivanova was working this shift so he kept the
conversation
short. Part of what bugged him about this new Guest was the fact that
he was
almost anti-social. With his quarters on Blue 14 he knew that it was
almost
impossible for anyone to talk to him. The only ones that seemed to talk
with him
were the command staff and two pilots.
As soon as his shift ended, Lt. Corwin took his place and he went to
his quarters to
get some much needed rest.
******
Commander Ivanova watched Lt. Devers leave C&C. She wondered what was
going on with him. So many strange things was going on and it bothered
her to no
end. She was glad however, to have several of the squads from SDF-3
helping with
patrols as well. She did notice that Captain Benton was also out on
several of these
patrols as well. On several occasions, she could hear music being
played in the
background of his fighter. She thought she heard him singing along to
the music. In
fact at one time she could swear that he was actually singing.
In fact all was quiet around Babylon 5. Well it was quiet until she saw
the jump
point open and a lone Starfury appeared out of the vortex. The only
markings that it
had was the top was painted black and it had the last letter in the
Greek alphabet on
it "Omega."
"Wonderful," Ivanova muttered. "What does Psi Corp want with us now?"
"Black Omega to Babylon Control, request clearance to land," The pilot
said.
"You are cleared for bay 15," Ivanova said.
"Roger that Babylon control," The pilot said.
"Lovely an uninvited visitor," Ivanova said. "Inform the Captain that
we are about
to have Psi Corp guests."
With that Commander Ivanova left to prepare for their discussion with
their latest
arrival.
******
Shane was in his quarters on Babylon 5 when he got a vivid flash. He
saw a man
dressed all in black wearing gloves. He noticed that he wore a copper
badge that
had the Greek letter Psi on it. Shane also got a name. Alfred Bester
was the man's
name.
'Who is this Bester character,' Shane thought to himself. 'And what
does he have
in store for me?'
As he continued to work with his abilities, Shane noticed that he could
do more
things than the thought that he could. As he attempted to do a station
wide scan he
got a very bad headache and laid down on his bed.
******
Bester walked through the halls to the Captain's office. He was going
to get to the
bottom of what was going on. He saw the ship or what ever it was
floating next to
the station.
As soon as he stepped into the office he noticed that Sheridan was
expecting him.
"Ah Captain Sheridan, it is good to see you again," Bester said.
"Pity, that I don't think that it is good," Ivanova said under her
breath.
"What or for that matter who are you here for this time," Sheridan
asked.
"My sources say that you have a new unregistered Telepath and I want to
talk to
him," Bester said.
"Mr. Bester I don't know what you are talking about," Sheridan said.
"Well then if you don't mind I would like to speak with your visitor,"
Bester asked.
"If you want, he is on Blue 14 suite 35," Sheridan said.
"Thank you Captain, Commander," Bester said and then walked out of the
room.
As soon as Bester left Ivanova was livid.
"What does he mean that we have another Telepath on station," Ivanova
asked.
"Susan, calm down," Sheridan said. "I did not want to say this in front
of Bester,
but our guest is rated P-14. I don't think that he is even aware of his
gift yet."
"Still I don't like the fact that we have a Telepath that is that strong
on the station.
How do we know that he is on our side?"
"I know that, but let's see how this situation develops."
"Alright, but if he causes problems then I will give him Lt. Commander
Morgan for
disciplinary actions," Ivanova said.
"Yeah I was wondering about why I saw those three pilots scrubbing the
public
restrooms with their toothbrushes," Sheridan said with a laugh.
******
Jesa was walking back from patrol and he noticed that one of the
maintenance tech
was coming out of Cobra Bay 3. He could see that the tech had a strange
look on
his face. It was a look of confusion.
"What happened," Jesa asked.
"You don't want to know," the tech said as he left.
Jesa's curiosity got the better of him and he went into the bay. When
he walked up
to the Thunderbolt that was designated Tau 1 he saw a pair of legs
dangling over the
nose of the ship.
'I have always heard of those two that got too friendly in the cockpit
of a
Thunderbolt, but I never seen it,' Jesa thought.
Jesa then saw an arm raise up and grab a can on the form's left side and
pulled it
down in to the cockpit. He could hear the sounds of someone belching,
and then the
can flew out of the cockpit and hit the deck at Jesa's feet.
'Who is in that Thunderbolt? I thought that Allishar wouldn't do that
with Allyson
yet? I dunno after what I saw her carry off last month on White star 7
I wouldn't
doubt it,' Jesa thought as he picked up the can off of the deck. He
noticed that the
can said "Double Jolt." Jesa whistled as he looked at it.
"Must have cost him a pretty penny to get that imported in," Jesa mused
aloud.
A few minutes later the sounds of two hard objects hitting each other
could be
heard.
"Ow, Shit!!!!" a voice said. "Damn it that fuckin hurt!!"
Jesa could see that the legs were attached to the form of Lt Commander
Allishar
Morgan. It puzzled him to see Allishar doing some work on his
Thunderbolt.
"What were you doing," Jesa asked.
"Installing a CD player on my Thunderbolt," Allishar said as he dropped
to the
deck. Jesa could see that he was wearing a black short sleeve shirt
with a large
green "D. X." stenciled on the front. He also saw that Allishar was
wearing a white
headband that was keeping his hair out of his eyes. "There was nothing
in the regs
that said that I could not do it."
"I see," was all that Jesa could say. He was shocked to see that shirt
on Allishar.
As Allishar turned around, Jesa saw that on the back was two phrases.
They were
"Two Words. SUCK IT!!!" All Jesa could do was stare with his jaw
hanging wide
open. He could not believe what was written on the shirt.
"And well I figured since there was nothing that said that I couldn't do
it I went
ahead and did it anyways."
"True. That's kinda why I have a crystal port in my Starfury, if I want
I can catch
up on some reading or whatever," Jesa said.
Allishar whistled, he did not think that Jesa was that much of a rebel.
"You are a slick one you know that," Allishar said.
"True," Jesa said with a laugh.
"Well look at it this way, at least we haven't had to put up with two
foot tall people
on a sugar and caffeine high," Allishar said as he grabbed his jacket.
"Don't remind me. I think I was paranoid of my closet for several days
after that
mission was over."
"Well look at it this way, when it was called for, they were able do the
job. I
wonder if Laura and Allyson don't hate them for that?"
"I don't think Laura would hold a grudge. I really don't know about
Allyson
though."
"Good point. Hey listen I am up for Patrol now so I will talk to you
later."
"What did Barton snag you for a patrol?"
"Nope, this is my standard patrol time."
"Ah well I will see you later," Jesa said and walked off in the opposite
direction.
He had to laugh because of what actually happened for those three days
of that
mission. To say that it was anything but chaotic would be understating
things just a
bit. It was Epsilon Squad's traditional night for poker and he had to
get his place
set up for it.
******
Allishar walked into the Squad room and started to change into his
flight suit. He
was also thinking about what happened last month as well. He saw the
rest of Delta
wing pulling off their flight suits and leaving.
"Man that patrol was hell," one of the younger pilots said.
"Lieutenant, your patrol was not hell," Allishar said. "My assignment
last month
was hell."
"What happened," he asked.
"You don't want to know," Allishar said as he finished suiting up. He
saw that
Devon and Allyson was just walking in.
"Hurry up slow pokes," Allishar said. "Or shall I find the 5 on 4?"
Allyson paled. She knew what he meant and did not want to be subjected
to them
again. She quickly pulled her flight suit on and checked all of the
seals.
Devon just grinned and pulled his flight suit on and was half-way down
the hall to
Cobra Bay 3.
******
Shane was sitting on the floor of his meditating. The table behind him
stated to
shake and rise, when he heard his door open. He then heard the sounds
of hard
soled boots on the deck plates. The mental presence that he felt was
that of a very
strong Telepath. He recognized him.
"Ah Alfie Bester," Shane said not turning around. "I have been
expecting you."
"How- how did you know my name," Bester stuttered. He was shocked to
see the
table floating in mid air.
"I sensed that you would be coming soon," Shane said as he set the table
down.
"So what do you want from me?"
"You are what we call an unregistered Telepath. Unregistered Telepaths
are given
three choices. Choice 1 is to join the Corp. Choice 2 is to go to
prison. Choice 3 is
to take the sleepers for the rest of your life. That way we protect the
privacy of
others."
"Is that why you wear the gloves and long sleeves," Shane asked.
"That is for our own protection," Bester said.
"How do I know what you are saying is the truth?"
"You will just have to trust me."
"Like hell I will trust you. You are nothing but a goose-stepping
fascist that thinks
that all non-Telepaths are below you," Shane said fuming. The vase on
the table
was starting to rattle. "Besides Alfie, I have no intentions of Joining
the Gestapo
that is the Psi Crap. My system will more than likely purge the drugs
out of me in
twenty-four hours. And as far as Jail is concerned Once Captain
Sheridan hears of
this then I think that he will be quite upset."
"But you need to learn how to use your abilities to their fullest. Let
the Corp teach
you," Bester said. "We look out for our own. These mundanes will fill
your head
full of lies about what we do."
"Bester, listen I am not that good with what I figured out that I could
do. Now I
suggest that you leave now before I accidently sever something that you
hold dear,"
Shane said with enough menace to scare him. "Besides my first loyalty
is to the
Commander of this station. That is Captain Sheridan."
"We shall see about that," Bester said in a huff as he left.
"Bye Alfie," Shane said as he waved at him.
******
"Man Jesa, I can't believe that hand of yours," Rico said as he tossed
his cards on
the table. Jesa had managed to get a flush in the suit of spades. "How
in the heck
did you get so lucky?"
"Maybe he was born with a four leaf clover in one hand and a rabbit's
foot in the
other," Laura said.
"Maybe," Jesa said.
"You wouldn't believe what I say yesterday," St John said as he waited
for his
cards. "I saw Lt. Morgan, Lt. Vanrill, and Lt. Benton-Stingray walking
into the
public bathrooms with their toothbrushes."
"Ok so they were going to brush their teeth. So what," John Jansen
said.
"Well when I went in I noticed that they were scrubbing around the sinks
with them.
I wish I knew why though."
Everyone else at the table wore expressions of shock on their faces with
the
exception of Jesa. He was laughing so hard that tears were coming out
of his eyes.
"Jesa what is so funny," Rico asked.
"So- so that was what he meant by 'scaring the shit out of them,'" Jesa
said while
he was laughing. "I would have never thought of that kind of
punishment."
"As it turned out," St. John continued. "They had to clean the methane
stalls as
well."
"Ack, that is bad," John said as he took a drink of his water.
"Not half as bad as when the Pac'Mara used it just after they finished
cleaning it,"
St. John said as his cards were dealt to him.
There was the resounding sounds of everyone gagging at the mention of
that.
"I wonder if they were prepared for that," Del Tarrant mused.
"I don't think so," Laura added. "I really don't think they were."
A few minutes later Jesa had stopped howling with laughter and was
occasionally
snickering. Once he had his cards he was all business. His cards was
the best that
anyone could get. In fact the chances of anyone getting this was one in
500.
Everyone anted up and the game got started. Rico discarded three and
received
three new ones. Laura only discarded one. The rest dropped anywhere
from one to
four. Then the raising began. It started out small and then as it
became big the
tension in the room could almost be cut with a knife. Several of the
other pilots
folded. They were of the opinion that Rico was going to win. It
finally came down
to Rico, Laura, John, St John, and Jesa.
"I call," John said. "Two pair."
"I have a high straight," St John said.
"Full house. Kings over Jacks," Laura said.
"Four of a Kind," Rico said and started to pull the winning to him.
"Not so fast Rico," Jesa said cooly. "I still have yet to show you what
I have."
"Ok then show us what you have," Rico said as he pushed the credit
pieces back
into the center of table.
Slowly and methodically Jesa laid down one card at a time. First, the
ten of spades.
Then the Jack of spades. Followed by the Queen of spades, to then be
followed by
the King of spades. As he held the last card in his hand he saw the
expressions of
the others change from concern to shock as they see him lay down what
could be
the start of a Royal Flush in the high suit of Spades. Waiting almost a
full two
minutes, Jesa then laid down the final card which was the Ace of spades.
"Aw man and here I thought that this time I had you beat Jesa," Rico
said as he
dropped back into his chair, a look of defeat on his face.
"I guess that I was right after all," Laura said.
"Maybe Laura," Jesa said. "Maybe."
"You know you just broke the lot of us again," John said as he got up to
leave. "It
is getting late and I have to be ready for my patrol soon."
"See you later John," Dell said as he left.
One by one the rest of the players filed out of Jesa's quarters and
left. Only Laura
and Rico remained behind.
"Jesa, you know from what St. John said, you and Allishar think alike,"
Rico said.
"It would almost seem as if you two were twins or something," Laura
said.
"Perhaps, but I don't think so," Jesa said. "I was thinking about the
six of us get
together and talk some night."
"I suppose that it couldn't hurt," Rico said. "Where is Allishar
anyway?"
"Out on patrol right now," Laura said.
"Ah well I will talk to him about it when he get's back," Jesa said.
"Well come on Rico let's get going I am sure that Jesa needs time to
count our
money," Laura said as she grabbed Rico by the arm and pulled him out of
the room.
******
Bester stormed back into Captain Sheridan's office. He was mad to say
the least.
Never before in his life had he been so humiliated. Plus to be
humiliated by a
Telepath was even more demeaning.
"Captain Sheridan I demand that you have a talk to that person that you
have
staying here," Bester fumed.
"Mr. Bester, I don't know what you are so upset about," Sheridan said.
"It is in regards to the Blip that you are harboring on this station,"
Bester said.
"And this is a problem why," Ivanova asked.
"Commander Ivanova, what you don't seem to realize is that this person
is a
potential threat to you and to this station. Turn him over to the Corp
and let us help
him."
"Why don't you ask him yourself what he wants," Ivanova said.
"Captain if you would ask him to please come here and I will ask him,"
Bester said.
"Fine I will," Sheridan said. "Sheridan to Captain Benton."
"Benton here," Shane said.
"Ah Shane could you please come to my office, it seems that Mr. Bester
wants to
ask you something."
"OK I will be there in a few seconds," Shane said and closed down his
communications line.
A few seconds later Shane materialized in Sheridan's office. All
present could not
believe what they just saw. For that matter Shane was amazed that he
actually
made it.
"Yes Captain what does Alfie want to ask me," Shane said as soon as he
caught his
breath.
"Shane, do you want to join the Corp," Bester asked.
"I told you before that I had no intention of joining the goose-stepping
fascists that
is the Psi Crap," Shane said.
"Very well then you will be considered a rogue and will be hunted down
like a
dog," Bester said.
"And as I said to you before, leave me alone or will cut you off from
the gene pool,"
Shane growled.
Sheridan squirmed in his chair when he heard that remark. He could not
believe that
Shane would say something like that.
"You would do bodily harm to me," Bester said. "I am amazed that you
would
even think of it. You see Captain, he is a problem to everyone."
"I don't see the problem at all," Ivanova remarked dryly.
"Mr. Bester I suggest that you leave as soon as possible," Sheridan
said. "You
have worn out your welcome."
"Very well Captain I will go, but we will be back for him," Bester said
and then left.
The instant that Bester left, Commander Ivanova fixed Shane with a look
that would
peel the paint off a Starfury.
"How in the hell did you do that," Ivanova asked.
"I am not exactly sure myself," Shane said. "I just concentrated on an
empty spot in
the room and then willed myself here."
"I swear that you even think about scanning me, I will make you suffer
greatly for
it," Ivanova said.
"Commander, listen I won't scan anyone," Shane said. "Not even if I am
given
permission. It is an invasion of privacy and I won't do it. I am still
not sure how I
got here in the first place."
"Well how ever you did it, please don't be jumping around the station
like that,"
Sheridan asked.
"I understand Captain," Shane said. "I do have a question for you
though. I got a
message from someone named D'rall. He said that he had something of
mine and
was willing to give it back."
"Ah yes I will send some one down to retrieve it and bring it back,"
Captain
Sheridan said.
"The things that he has are the Fold Generators of my ship," Shane said.
"How big are they," Sheridan asked
"About the size of two Valkyries standing one on top of the other,"
Shane said.
"How many are there," Ivanova asked
"Well there was usually four or so, but one must have been destroyed.
So we have
three now.
"Well we can bring them back to you ship for you. Tell you what, I can
ask Delenn
if they could provide a jump engine for your ship if you would like?"
"It is not really necessary," Shane said.
"I insist," Sheridan said ending his argument. "You and you pilots have
helped with
the patrols and this would be the least that we could do for you. How
much longer
will your repairs take?"
"Well we will have the systems back on line by the end of the day and
then once we
have the generators back it will be about two more days to get them
installed and
tested. So about three days tops to be back to what we were before we
came here.
Now when the jump engine arrives I will want to have them install it and
explain
how it works to my engineers and to me."
"That can easily be arranged. We should have it to you by the end of
the week,"
Sheridan said. "After it is installed what do you plan to do?"
"Well since we can't seem to go back to 2045 I guess that we will
explore this
universe," Shane said. "One other thing, I will say this now. My ship
and my crew
are at your service. Feel free to call on our services at anytime."
"I appreciate it very much," Sheridan said. "I will if I need to. You
are planning on
exploring this universe huh? Well it is big and I wish you luck."
"Thanks Captain, I will need it," Shane said and then took his leave of
Sheridan.
******
Allishar and his two wing men had just made the circuit around Epsilon 3
and were
heading back to the station when Devon's flight system started to short
out on him.
"Tau leader, to Babylon control," Allishar said.
"Babylon control here," The voice said on the other end.
"It seems that something is the matter with Tau 5's flight systems we
could use
assistance," Allishar said.
"Roger that Tau 1 we are sending help immediately," C&C said.
"I am sorry about this Allishar," Devon said. "I thought that my
Thunderbolt was in
prime condition."
"We all make mistakes Devon," Allyson said. "I am sure that this is
nothing to
major."
Several minutes later they could see another Thunderbolt pull up along
side. It was
Tau 10 Ensign Dale Alexander. He was the rookie of the squad. Not much
flight
time except during his patrol time. In fact this is the only time that
Allishar can
remember him doing something like this.
"Ah Lt Commander I am here to tow in the Lieutenant here," Dale said.
"That's a roger Dale," Allishar said. "We'll finish up the patrol
route. And Devon
let's meet in my quarters afterward, I want to talk to you about some
things. That
goes for you too Allyson."
"Roger that Allishar," Devon said.
"I copy you, Allishar," Allyson said.
"Now to test this out," Allishar said as he popped in a CD into the CD
player. The
first track on it was 'Holy Lonely Night.' Allishar then cranked up the
volume on
the internal speakers and started to sing along. The rest of the patrol
goes with out
any incident at all.
******
Shane was walking down the Central Corridor when he bumped into Jesa.
"Sorry about that," Shane said. "Wasn't paying much attention."
Jesa noticed that the person that bumped into him was the pilot that he
helped carry
to the med lab two days ago.
"That's alright," Jesa said. "I didn't catch you name."
"Captain Shane Benton of the Macross 2," Shane said. "Please call me
Shane."
"Pleased to meet you," Jesa said. "I am Lt. Commander Jesa Marason.
Please just
call me Jesa."
"Not a problem," Shane said.
"Were you the one that was in the Red plane a few days ago," Jesa asked.
"Yes I was," Shane said. "I wanted to thank the two that brought me to
Med-Lab."
"I was one of them and you are welcome," Jesa said. "I was wondering
though if
you were feeling better?"
"Yeah I am feeling better, thanks for asking," Shane said. "Hey listen
I am
returning to the SDF-3 and I was wondering if you would like to take a
look at what
I called home on my mission?"
"Sounds interesting, where should I meet you at," Jesa asked.
"Bay 14. I will be there in a few minutes I have to get something from
my
quarters," Shane said as he walked off.
"Ok see you in a bit," Jesa said and then went to get ready to visit the
ship that he
helped to tow in.
Fifteen minutes later, Jesa saw Shane walking down the hall to Bay 14.
He looked
as if his whole life was about to be thrown out of the airlock at any
moment.
"Sorry that I am late," Shane said. "I had a run in with a peanut
brittle can snake."
"Do I dare ask," Jesa asked.
"It was five two foot tall people standing one on top of each other,"
Shane said. "It
came out of my drawer."
Jesa buried his face in his hands. He knew what that was and he thought
that he had
escaped it. Yet with those five one could never tell.
As they walked into the bay Jesa could see that what he would be riding
in was a
VF-19.
"I hope that you don't mind riding in the fighter," Shane said. "That's
what I
usually come over in."
"Not a problem," Jesa said. "This should be interesting."
"Indeed it will be," Shane said. "Well climb in and get strapped in."
As soon as they were both strapped in, Shane requested clearance.
"Babylon control, this is Blue leader requesting clearance to launch,"
Shane said.
"Blue leader you have clearance to launch. Godspeed," the voice said.
It was
Commander Ivanova. Shane had to smile. He knew that she was usually on
duty
when he launched.
"Roger that C&C," Shane said and then Shane took off. It was his
usually graceful
flight no acrobatics or crazy flying at all. When they landed Shane
immediately
pulled off his harness and then jumped to the flight deck. He saw that
Jesa too was
just getting out of the seat in the back and was climbing down the
ladder to the deck
below.
When he set foot on the deck Jesa was in awe of the technology that went
into
giving the ship gravity. He remembered from when he saw City 7 that it
had
something similar on it that gave it artificial gravity. This ship must
have been built
on the same principle.
Jesa knew that only the Mimbari, and the other races had ways to
generate artificial
gravity. Earth Force vessels had to have parts of their vessels
rotation to create
gravity.
"Nice ship you have," Jesa said as he looked around.
"Thanks," Shane said offhandedly. "Her designation is the SDF-3 Macross
II."
"So what happened to the first two SDF's," Jesa asked.
"Well I will tell you that while we walk," Shane said and then directed
Jesa to an
elevator. "The first SDF was called the Macross. It was responsible
for winning
the first space war back in 2010. The second SDF was designated the
Megaroad 1.
We were looking for it when we ended up here."
"Ah I see," was all that Jesa could say.
Shane then showed Jesa around the ship. He showed him pretty much
everything
that he felt comfortable with showing. They ended up in Shane's office
in the
command tower.
"Well that is the ship for you," Shane said as he sat down. "What did
you think?"
"It is a nice ship," Jesa said. "I wasn't expecting a ship this size to
have a huge
cargo bay."
"The original Macross, had a city of 70,000 people in it," Shane said.
"How in the world did they do that," Jesa asked.
"Beats the heck out of me," Shane said. "I have only been in the
original at most
seven times in my entire life. It's a pity though, I now kinda wish
that I had taken
the position on the Macross 7 colony fleet."
"They showed up here last year," Jesa said. "You know I have only seen
two other
people fly the way you do and that was Captain Maximilian Jenius and
Miria Farina
Jenius."
"They were my flight instructors while I was going through training,"
Shane said.
Jesa was in shock. He had no idea that Shane knew Max and Miria. That
would
explain why his flying was the way it was.
"They were your instructors," Jesa asked.
"It's not that big of a deal," Shane said with a noncommital shrug. "I
learned to fly
properly from them."
"I bet you did," Jesa said.
"I have also been appointed their youngest daughter's godfather," Shane
said as he
handed Jesa a picture of her. "Her name's Mylene."
As Jesa looked at the picture he saw that it was almost identical to how
she looked
when he met the Members of Fire Bomber last year.
"I met her last year," Jesa said. "Quite an interesting person."
"You know I have never really met her at all," Shane said.
"You haven't," Jesa asked.
"No, I haven't," Shane said. "I was assigned to a different ship while
this one was
being built and by the time I able to see her they had already left on
their mission."
"Ah I see," Jesa said.
"How was she doing," Shane asked.
"She was alright as far as I could tell," Jesa said.
"That's good to know," Shane said. "I was wondering if you would be
interested in
trying out one of our fighters for a change?"
"Don't you have regulations preventing that," Jesa asked.
"If we were back where I was from then yes I would, but since I am here
those are
not as enforced as much," Shane said.
"Ok I think that I would like to give it a go around," Jesa said.
"Ok well let's head down to the Squad room and I will get you a flight
suit," Shane
said.
"Alright," Jesa said and then followed Shane to the squad room.
******
Allyson woke up in a deep sweat. She could not believe that she was
having that
horrible nightmare again. How in the world did this happen to her? She
could not
believe that she was going to let that bother her. Yet something about
that
nightmare was odd.
In the dream she found herself walking through a city that she
recognized as Tokyo
4. It was a dark night and was starting to rain. As the rain started
to fall she began
to run to find her car. When she passed a window she noticed that it
was not her
face that she saw, but that of a woman that was her age with short black
hair and
brown eyes. She was wearing an outfit that accentuated her in such a way
that it
made people's heads turn. She noticed that someone was following her.
As she ran
the person caught up to her he pulled out a knife and stabbed her. As
she fell to the
ground she could feel a pair of hands catch her and held her. She saw
that this
person had Black hair and dark blue eyes. His face had a look of grief
and of
worry. As she was losing consciousness she could tell that he was
saying something
to her. At that she woke up.
Allyson could not believe that this dream was having this much effect on
her. If she
only knew what it was that was causing it. She was half tempted to talk
to Ryooko
and see if she could make heads or tails out of it. In fact that was
exactly what she
was going to do. While she was in the shower, she was hit by a searing
pain. It
started in the base of her skull and traveled the length of her spine.
All she could do
was clutch her head and whimper in pain. Eventually the pain passed and
she was
able to continue with her shower. When she was finished, she got
dressed and went
to talk to Ryooko about that dream.
******
Shane and Jesa arrived in the squad room some ten minutes later. Jesa
could tell
that it had some similarities to the squad rooms back on Babylon 5.
"Heads up," Shane said as he tossed Jesa a flight suit.
Jesa snapped out of his reverie to see a suit being tossed at him. He
managed to
deftly catch it.
"Ok this is the flight suit that you want me to wear," Jesa asked.
"Yes it is a special type for the VF-22 that I think that you would be
suited to,"
Shane said as he pulled out his flight suit as well. "The helmet that
goes with it will
help clear up the confusion of piloting the craft."
"Oh? How," Jesa asked. He was dubious as to one single helmet could do
what he
said it could.
"Some parts of the systems are tied into the helmet such as
communications and the
like. It takes some getting used to but I think that you shouldn't have
too much
trouble," Shane said as he pulled on his flight suit. "As of right now
we only have
seven VF-22's. Our manufacturing ship can't produce them that fast so
we are
limited to what we have."
"If you have that few then maybe we shouldn't go out in them," Jesa
said.
"It's fine," Shane said reassuring Jesa. "Trust me."
"Alright if you say so," Jesa said as he pulled on his flight suit as
well.
As soon as they were suited up Shane took them to the back part of the
Landing
bay. In the back Jesa could see the seven VF-22 neatly lined up with
crews
crawling over them like a mound of ants. He then saw the crimson and
white plane
among them.
"Is that the 'Star Dancer,'" Jesa asked.
"Yes it is," Shane said. "I managed to get the plans for the YF-21 and
had one
built."
"Ok. So what's so special about it," Jesa asked.
"Well it has two control systems that work off of the pilots thoughts.
In short it
moves at the speed of thought," Shane said. "If it isn't properly
adjusted for
someone then the slightest stray thought will cause it to react."
"Ah I see it's a dangerous piece of equipment," Jesa commented.
"Not really, other than the fact that you are the YF-21,"
"How," Jesa asked.
"Well you see through it's sensors and what you think about doing it
does," Shane
said. "There are some down sides to using it as well."
"Oh," Jesa asked.
"Well let's just put it like this, the pilot could get massive
headaches," Shane said.
"Ah," Jesa said with a whistle. "So in a sense you have a Psi Control
system in that
plane?"
"Nothing that fancy, but basically yes," Shane said.
"And I thought that he was crazy to have one on his Thunderbolt," Jesa
said.
"Huh," Shane asked as he scratched his head in confusion.
"We had an Esper show up on station two months ago with a modified
Thunderbolt.
Had a similar control system in it. In fact I think that he might be a
relative of
yours," Jesa said.
"Dr. Franklin asked me that and I told him that I am not related to him
at all,"
Shane said.
"Ah I see," Jesa said. "Well shall we get this show on the road?"
"Sure let's get going," Shane said as he directed Jesa to the light blue
VF-22 that
was parked next to his Crimson and silver one.
The instant Jesa sat down in the cockpit, Shane was perched up on the
edge. Shane
the preceded to give Jesa a brief explanation of what was what in
cockpit. All
Shane gave him was the basics and hoped that Jesa could pick up the rest
as they
flew.
"OK Jesa that is the general idea of what does what," Shane said. "Go
ahead and
launch and I will be about five minutes behind you."
"Got it," Jesa said as he closed the canopy and put on his helmet.
******
Allishar had finished his supper and was about to settle in with a good
book, when
he heard his door chime. Getting up to answer it he noticed that it was
none other
than Devon Maddison.
"Devon what brings you here," Allishar asked.
"We need to talk," Devon said.
"About," Allishar asked. He could almost guess the topic of the
conversation."
"Allyson of course," Devon said. "You realize that you are turning away
a very
beautiful woman and to be quite honest she is madly in love with you."
"I know that Devon," Allishar said almost snapping at him. "Allyson and
I talked
about it a few days ago. She has decided to wait until I am ready to
commit to a
relationship."
"And she told you this," Devon asked.
"Not in those many words," Allishar said. "But I could tell that was
what she
meant."
"Well don't let too much time go by before you tell her," Devon said.
"Tell her what," Allishar asked.
"How you feel about her stupid," Devon said. "She won't wait forever
you know."
"I know that Devon," Allishar said. "This will sound really strange,
but something
about her seems awfully familiar."
"How," Devon asked. "You have only known her for four years."
"Still I felt as if I have known her for longer," Allishar said.
"Did Princess Mercury hit you upside your head a couple of times," Devon
asked.
"You aren't starting to believe in reincarnation are you?"
"You never know," Allishar said. "It is possible. I mean look at it
this way the
Senshi and the Guardian Senshi have lived, died and was reborn on Earth
back in
the 20th century. Now I wonder."
"Good point," Devon said.
Between the two of them they managed to discuss several things that
carried on well
into the night.
******
By the time that Shane launched out of the bay he saw that Jesa was
putting the VF-
22 through all kinds of twists, turns, and spins that Shane could not
believe were
possible in a VF-22. Hell the things that he put the VF-11 through was
bad enough,
but to see Jesa do that with a VF-22 gave Shane a new respect for him.
If anything
Shane was amazed that Jesa was doing that good already.
"Not bad Jesa," Shane said as he flew up along side of him. "In fact I
am
impressed."
"Thank you," Jesa said. "It wasn't too hard to figure out how to pilot
this fighter."
"True," Shane commented. "Well how about if I follow you as we put
these
fighters though their paces?"
"Sounds good to me," Jesa said as he edged his fighter forward.
As Shane followed him, he noticed that Jesa was doing a really good job
on piloting
the VF-22. He figured that if they did not have such a limited number
of them then
he would give him one as a gift. Perhaps once the Three Star gets
operational again
he would have them work on one for him. He figured that it would be
something
that Jesa would not expect.
While they were out, Shane noticed that the jump gate opened and seven
star furies
appeared.
"Hey Jesa, do you know anything about the new arrivals," Shane asked.
As Jesa looked he noticed that the star Furies were none other than
Black Omegas.
"They are Psi Corp," Jesa said with a hint of disgust in his voice.
"And our standing orders when dealing with the Psi Crap," Shane asked.
"Well we are to not fire first," Jesa said.
"I understand," Shane said as he went fishing for his newest CD and
popped it in.
"Unidentified fighters this is the Psi Corp, we are chasing a rouge
telepath and want
to land at Babylon 5 to find him," The leader of the Star Furies said.
"This is Epsilon Leader," Jesa started. "I don't know what you are
talking about.
Even if I did we have no association with Earth Gov so technically we
don't have to
allow you to land."
"Um Jesa I think that they are looking for me," Shane said over a
private
communications channel.
"You ever play poker, Captain," Jesa asked.
"Off and on," Shane said.
"Well that was what is called a bluff. Now let's see if they are
intelligent enough to
leave."
"That's a negative Epsilon Leader," Their leader said. "We will not be
deterred."
Shane noticed that three of the starfuries had started to power up their
weapons.
"Um Jesa we have a problem," Shane said. "They have powered up their
weapons."
"Don't worry about it until they fire on you," Jesa said calmly.
They did not have to wait long before the star furies opened fire.
"It looks like their leader is Mr. Bester. Leave him to me I want to
toy with him a
bit," Jesa said.
"Fine I'll play with his cronies," Shane said as he cut communications
and cranked
up the music. The song that was playing was 'Never Say Die.'
'I could get used to this,' Jesa said thought as he heard the music
coming over the
general comm line. 'I think that I will just shear off the engine ports
and leave him
helpless.'
Jesa locked four missiles on to the engine ports and as soon as he got a
solid lock he
launched them. The force with which they hit managed to blow off all
four of them
neatly and did not even cause an explosion.
'Excellent,' Jesa thought. "Shane do you require assistance?"
"That's a negative," Shane said. "But if you would could you watch my
back I
would appreciate it."
"Sure thing," Jesa said.
A few seconds later the poor Star furies didn't know what hit them as
they exploded
in to six small fireballs. Shane's flying was that of an ace pilot who
was aware of
all of his surroundings.
"Choke on that Psi Crap," Shane said.
Shane then saw Jesa transform his VF-22 into Batroid configuration and
move
toward the now crippled Starfury. Shane followed suit and did like
wise.
"If you are going to kill me then get it over with," Bester said.
"No Bester I am not going to kill you," Jesa said. "That would be too
easy. I think
what I will do is to punt you back through the jump point. There you
will float until
you reach that mother ship that you say is not out there and let you try
to explain to
your superiors what happened to you and your associates."
Jesa then grabbed the Starfury and moved to where he could cue the jump
point to
open. The instant that it did, Jesa then maneuvered the Valkyrie into a
position that
looked as if it was a Football player about ready to kick a field goal.
"Well it is the last ten seconds of the super bowl and number 7 is set
and ready to
kick the game winning field goal," Jesa started. He actually sounded
like an actual
announcer. "The snap is good the kick is up and it is good. Tokyo 4
wins the Super
bowl."
Shane watched as the Starfury was punted through the open jump point.
As it
cleared the entrance, Shane raised his Valkyrie's arms in the sign for a
good field
goal.
"Ok Jesa let's head back to the SDF-3 and I will take you back to B5,"
Shane said
as he switched modes to fighter and headed back to the ship. Jesa did
likewise and
followed Shane back.
******
Commander Ivanova was watching what was going on. She could not believe
what
she saw. She saw seven Black Omega Star Furies appear out of the jump
gate and
six of them get summarily destroyed. The seventh one she noticed that
the engine
ports were sheared off by four missiles and then it was kicked back
through the
jump point. She also heard the pilot of one of the planes acting like a
twentieth-
century football announcer. Vaguely enough it sounded like Epsilon
Leader. She
could also hear in the background the sounds of music and of someone
singing.
"Ok I think I know who the one is in the light blue Plane, but who is in
the Crimson
one," Ivanova asked. As if it was waiting to answer her question she
heard over the
main communications channels someone yelling at the top of their lungs.
"What in the world was that," Ivanova asked.
"It sounded like someone was yelling," Lt. Corwin said. He then heard
singing as
well.
"Niju-u yoji kan ugomeku machiwo, TONIGHT TONIGHT kake nukeru
Hijyou kaidan hitomi no mure ga, SIGN OF THE TIME sagashiteru
Mega
kuramisouna a-o-I dai-I-iyamo Garasu ni kawa-ate shima-u, kiwo
tsu-ke-lo."
"Ah I see," Ivanova said. "Well I think that I now know who that is."
"Oh," Lt. Corwin said.
"That sounds Like Captain Benton," Ivanova said.
"Maybe," Corwin said.
"As soon as their shuttle lands tell them that I want to speak to them
ASAP,"
Ivanova said as she walked out of C&C.
"Understood Commander," Corwin said.
******
Allyson made it to Ryooko's quarters with out much of a problem. She
had a really
bad ringing in her ears that made her sick to her stomach. She did not
remember
ever feeling this bad before. Well there was the time that she got
drunk the day
before she graduated from the Air Dome. That was an experience that she
did not
ever want to repeat again. It was because of her stupidity that she was
nearly raped
by one of the other cadets. If her brother was not there to protect her
then that was
what could have happened. That cadet was summarily expelled from the
academy.
Perhaps that was part of the reason why she felt secure around
Allishar. He would
never do anything to harm her. In fact every time that she was with him
she felt at
peace. Yet she did not know exactly why she felt the way that she did.
"Allyson are you alright," Ryooko asked.
"I feel like the whole world is spinning," Allyson said.
"Here let me help you in," Ryooko said as she assisted Allyson into her
room.
As soon as she sat down, Allyson was feeling better.
"What did you want to talk to me about," Ryooko asked.
"I think that you may be right."
"Right? About what?"
"That I was the reincarnation of your ancestor's wife."
"Allyson I was joking. There is no way that you are the reincarnation
of Sylia
Stingray-Benton."
"With what I witnessed last month I would believe almost anything."
"Still you could not be her."
"Why do you say that?"
"I mean look at it this way what possible way could you be her. Other
than the fact
that you are unexplainably attracted to Allishar. That is all I can
figure out."
"Ryooko, that's mean. Then I don't think you would care about the dream
that I
had."
"What was it about?"
"Well I found myself in Sylia's form and I was running from someone.
That person
that I was running from stabbed me and as I died I could feel myself
being held by a
pair of strong hands. The person that I saw looked familiar."
"Let me show you some pictures of my ancestor and I want you to tell me
if that
was who you saw."
Ryooko then got up and picked up an old photo album and brought it to
Allyson.
While Allyson was looking through the album Ryooko sat down and started
to
massage her temples. She had been plagued with headaches since she was
eleven.
She could not explain why she got them. In fact when she got them she
could not
function for about three minutes. Fortunately for her and the rest of
her squad mates
she never got one during a patrol or during any critical moment.
As soon as this one passed, she could hear Allyson almost yelling about
something.
"That's him I know it is," Allyson said. "That is him."
When Ryooko looked at the person that Allyson was pointing at she
noticed that
Allyson was pointing at her ancestor Shaelynn Benton the first. She was
amazed
that Allyson could point out someone that she had never seen except in a
dream.
Still she was skeptical.
"Are you absolutely sure about that," Ryooko asked.
"Yes I am sure about that," Allyson said. "There is no doubt that I
recognize him."
"What about her," Ryooko asked as she pointed to a picture of Shaelynn's
wife.
"Yes that was what I looked like when I looked in a mirror," Allyson
said.
"Ryooko, what does this mean?"
"Well I think that you may be right," Ryooko said. "Yet I think that a
telepath
could tell you for certain."
"Out of the question," Allyson said. "It's not that I hate them, I just
don't like them
rooting around in my head."
"What about Lita," Ryooko asked.
"She frightens me," Allyson said. "I don't know why but she just does."
"Alright Allyson, Then how do you expect us to figure out what is going
on,"
Ryooko said.
"I will manage," Allyson said.
******
Shane had just pulled off his VF-22 flight suit and was pulling on his
regular flight
suit to take Jesa back to Babylon 5. When he had his other flight suit
on and was
walking out to the flight deck he heard someone talking to some of his
pilots. It
seemed that he was trying to convince some of his pilots to go out on
patrol. Who
was that person and what right did he have to do something like that?
How dare he
do this to his pilots that had just pulled their fifth patrol circuit
without even being
asked. He did not know who that was but he was going to get to the
bottom of this
as soon as possible. He could tell that the man's name was Commander
Barton.
"Lieutenant, I am ordering you and your squad to take this patrol,"
Barton said.
"Like hell we will," Alec said. He was exhausted and wanted to shower
and then
take a much needed nap. "We just finished our fifth patrol circuit and
we have
some down time. If you have a problem with that then you can take it up
with
Captain Benton."
Alec then stormed off in a huff. There was now way that he would pull
another
patrol. Especially for this stranger that just waltzed in and made
demands of him.
He was determined to make this complaint known to that person's direct
superior
and to the commander of the station itself.
Barton was not in a good mood. He could not believe that this officer
would be so
insubordinate. Barton saw that Shane was storming toward him.
"Captain Benton I demand that you. . .," he began.
"You make demands of my pilots on my ship," Shane fumed. "Commander you
have no right to tell my pilots what to do. This isn't even your ship!"
"But I want. . .," Barton stammered. He could not believe that someone
would not
even let him finish a sentence.
"You want to use my pilots who have had to pull multiple patrols since
we lost one
third of the squads," Shane said as he got into Barton's face. He was
not
intimidated by this man. "Now if you wasn't so frickin lazy I would
actually have
some respect for you, but I don't have any kind of respect for you at
all."
"How dare you call me lazy," Barton fumed. "I don't want. . ."
"You don't want you pilots to do any of the work. What expecting a
juicy mission
to come along? Now that is what I call just plain lazy. I really don't
know what is
going on through that pea brain of yours, and I don't want to know. Now
I suggest
that you march your butt off of my ship. And if you even think of
trying this again I
will drop kick you out of the airlock with out a space suit. And that's
the bottom
Line Because I said so," Shane said.
"I'm filing a complaint with Captain Sheridan," Barton said as he
stormed off.
"Fine you just do that and I will file a counter complaint stating that
you were going
outside the chain of command on this ship," Shane growled.
"What a jerk," Shane said. "I can't believe that he would have the gall
to do that
right under my nose."
******
Jesa heard the sounds of someone yelling. He wondered what in the world
was
going on. Walking down the hall he could see that Commander Barton was
on the
ship.
'What in the world is Commander Barton doing here,' Jesa thought.
He then heard Shane yelling. He wondered what it was about. As he got
closer to
the entrance to the flight deck he saw a tech walking the other way.
"What's going on," Jesa asked.
"I wouldn't go in there Commander," the tech said. "Shane is not in a
good mood."
"What's happened," Jesa asked.
"Someone had the guts, to order Ruby Squad out on another patrol," the
tech said.
"Great it sounds like Barton," Jesa groaned. "I thought that he learned
his lesson."
Jesa stood by a stack of boxes and listened to Shane yell at Barton.
There were a
few times that Jesa had to bite his tongue to keep him from howling with
laughter.
He found some of the things that Shane said were funny.
As soon as Barton left, Jesa appeared from his place next to the boxes.
He was
shaking with laughter. This was the second time that he had seen
Commander
Barton that mad. Yet it was only the first time that Jesa had seen
Commander
Barton's Ego knocked down several pegs.
"Well Shane, that was Commander Jim Barton," Jesa said. "He is leader
of Zeta
Squad."
"So I gathered," Shane said. "Is he always like that?"
"Sadly yes," Jesa said dryly. "I thought that would have learned his
lesson last
year."
"Dare I ask what he did," Shane asked. He kinda had an idea what he
might have
done, but he was not sure.
"He tried to go outside the chain of command," Jesa said.
"Ah, you know this bit with Alfie is getting very old very fast," Shane
said.
Jesa had to try to stop from giggling at the name that Shane gave to
Bester.
'I think that I will have to file that name for Bester away for further
reference,'
Jesa thought. "Ah yes, well he thinks that just because he is a Psi Cop
he can do
whatever he wants to."
"That's the way I see it as well," Shane said. "'Course I wonder if it
would have
anything to do with the fact that I was tested as a P-14. What ever that
means."
Jesa was stunned. He had no idea that Shane was that powerful as a
Telepath. He
knew that no one was ever rated higher than a P-12.
"You are a P-14," Jesa asked when he could finally speak.
"Is that a good thing," Shane asked. He did not know if that was good or
not.
"Well look at it like this, P-5 is a commercial Telepath and a P-12's
are designated
Psi-Cops," Jesa said. It still amazed him that he was that powerful.
"Plus the scale
normally stops at P-12."
"I see," Shane said. "Yet I was also told that I was an E-7. I think
that is good as
well."
"I am not familiar with how the Esper ratings go," Jesa said.
"True. Yet I have not been able to read one thought at all. I have been
able to do
this though," Shane said as he then lifted a tool box off the ground to
about three
feet.
Jesa was, once again shocked to see what Shane did. This was the fist
time he had
ever met someone that was a Telekinetic. Let alone one that was not
mentally
unstable.
"Is this all that you can do," Jesa asked.
"Well I have jumped from my quarters on Blue 14 to the Captain's office
and that is
about it," Shane said. He did not want to tell him about his
Precognition just yet.
"I see," Jesa said. 'He is full of surprises. What is he going to do
next? Tell me
about the next year of my life?'
"Well I think that we should inform Commander Ivanova about what
happened,"
Shane said. "I am sure that she would want to know all about it."
"That she would indeed," Jesa said as he walked over to the two seat
VF-19 and
climbed up the ladder. Shane followed him up a few minutes later. Once
the both of
them were seated and settled, Shane took off.
******
As luck would have it, Rico and Devon were both in one of the local bars
having a
drink and looking at all of the women. It was amazing that Devon who
could be a
prude was in a bar staring, sometimes drooling over some of the women
that were in
the bar. Of Allishar, Allyson, and himself he was the most uptight and
the one that
was the most opinionated. He first impressions of the Guardians when
they showed
up on station last month was favorable. That was until he saw first
Laura and then
Allyson being subjected to the antics of the five Guardians that was the
closest to
Neo-Queen Serenity. He was even less impressed by the one called
Princess Mars.
She had no right to first yell at Lt. Commander Marason and then to yell
at Shane.
They were just doing their job. In fact he knew that if the Guardians
had not asked
for help then she and the rest of the Princesses would have been killed.
In a sense it
would have been a trivial loss to loose Princess Mars and Princess
Uranus. There
was no cause for Princess Uranus to threaten a four-month old infant.
Sometimes he
wondered if that mission was worth the hell that they had to endure.
Among those that he called friend, was Rico. Perhaps it was because of
the fact that
they usually hung out in the same places and always got to talking about
women.
That in itself was a favorite topic and usually ended up in them
laughing about
something that they both thought was funny. That being the fact that
Allyson had
that purple see-through lingerie. They had both seen it last month and
to this day
they still could not believe that she had something like that.
Devon was still unsure about Lt. Commander Marason. He had never really
talked
to him at all. Yet from what he could tell Lt. Commander Marason was an
approachable person. That much he was told and could see for himself.
Then there was the fact that this Captain Benton showed up last week. He
had no
idea what this was all about. Granted they helped tow his ship in and
well he had
not once had the chance to meet him first.
"Hey Devon, what about her," Rico asked as he pointed to the
auburn-haired girl
that just walked in.
Devon looked up and saw the person that just walked in. She was about
his height
and carried herself with a poise that almost screamed elegance. Devon
wondered if
she was attached to anyone.
"She is cute," Devon said. "Do you think that she is taken?"
"I dunno, but how do you think that she would look in that see-through
bit of
Lingerie that Allyson has," Rico asked.
Devon was starting to blush a bit. He had no idea that Rico was so lewd.
This was a
side of Rico that he had never seen before. To be quite honest he
thought that this
was a trifle bit embarrassing.
"Rico, That is just plain rude," Devon said sharply. "Come on, you don't
even
know who she is and you are already thinking about that?"
"Well it was just something that I was curious about," Rico said with a
shrug.
Devon just sighed. He wondered if Rico was going to get worse or not. He
hoped
that he was not and therefore save him from any more embarrassing
moments.
Sadly, that was not to be the case. The person that walked in was now
walking over
to the bar where they were sitting. She was wearing a similar uniform
that they had
seen the pilots from the Macross 2 in. However, she made the uniform
look good.
Devon tried not to drool over her. It looked to him that she was
thinking about
someone.
Rico, on the other hand was about to start to turn on his usual charms.
Or in
Devon's mind lack there of.
"Um excuse me," Rico said. "But has anyone told you that your beauty
could stop a
fleet of ships?"
The woman looked at Rico and recoiled in disgust. She could smell the
alcohol on
his breath. This was one of her pet peeves. She could not tolerate
anyone that was
drinking. Perhaps it was something about the way that people acted when
they were
drunk. Or perhaps it was because she had several bad experiences with
people that
were drinking. She took one look at Rico and gave him a scathing glare.
"Listen, I don't take too kindly to tawdry pick up lines like that," she
said coldly.
"Besides, I have given my heart to someone else."
Rico winced under that admonishment. To be quite honest this one stung.
He then
heard the sound of a stop watch being shut off.
"2.5 seconds, a new record for you," a voice said from behind him.
As Rico turned around, he saw a woman sitting at the bar holding a
clipboard and a
stop watch. She had a look of mischief in her eyes. He could swear that
she was not
there a moment ago.
Devon just dropped his head into his hands and sighed heavily. He knew
who this
was and to be quite honest, that was too much even for him.
"I think that I need a drink to put out this fire," Rico said as he
hollered for the
bartender.
The woman that was between Rico and Devon looked from Devon to Rico and
just
shook her head and left. As she was walking out, noticed a woman that
was
wearing a uniform that was similar to that of the man that tried
unsuccessfully to
pick her up.
"You really need to have a talk with him," she said as she jabbed her
thumb in the
direction of the bar.
"Oh," The other woman asked.
"Well he should have the decency to not drink so much and well to be
honest, he
needs better pick up lines," She said.
"And your name," The other asked.
"I am Commander Danielle Masters," Danielle said. "And you are?"
"I am Lt. Laura D'Amico," Laura said. "Please just call me Laura.
"Fair enough. And as I said. Talk to him, before I deal with him the way
I usually
deal with drunken perverts."
With that Danielle walked off.
******
To say that Laura was upset would be like saying that the station
rotated. She could
not believe that Rico did something like that. No, she could believe
that he would do
something like that because he had done something like that before. She
walked
with purpose over to him and grabbed him by the ear.
"Let's go Rico," Laura said. "We need to have a little talk."
"Wait, Laura, Aw come on let go," Rico said half yelling and half
pleading.
Laura did not let up until she got him in a transport tube. She was mad
at him and it
showed. It was only then did she even release him.
"Listen Rico, what possessed you to do that," Laura asked.
"Well, she was good looking and it seemed like a good idea at the time,"
Rico said
with a shrug.
"Still that does not account for the fact that you managed to irritate
her," Laura said.
"Well," Rico said sheepishly.
"What am I going to do with you," Laura said more to herself than to
Rico.
******
Jesa and Shane landed back in bay 14 and were in route to report to
Commander
Ivanova. Shane hoped that she would not yell at him for destroying
those fighters.
He had no idea about her opinion of Psi Corp, or as he liked to call it
"Psi Crap."
They were met half way by both Captain Sheridan and Commander Ivanova.
This
was a surprise. Neither of them were expecting to see both of them.
Shane thought
he could sense that the Captain was upset with him about some things.
"Ah Captain Benton, Lt. Commander Marason, you are just the two people
that we
have been waiting to see," Ivanova said.
"Ok what ever it was I didn't do it," Shane said. Call it a case of
paranoia or what
ever, but he was not about to be accused for something that was not his
fault.
"Well that depends on what you didn't do," Sheridan said. "This was more
about
what happened between you two and those Black Omega Starfuries."
"Ah well that," Shane said. "Well we were jumped by them. My flight
recorders
will prove that. I was just acting in self defense."
"Well I think I will have Mr. Allen take a look at them," Sheridan said.
"Lt.
Commander Marason you are dismissed."
"Thank you Captain," Jesa said and walked off.
"Shane there is one other matter that was brought to my attention,"
Sheridan said.
"It is in regards to Commander Barton."
"What about him," Shane asked.
"Well it seems that he filed a complaint with me stating that you
refused to let your
pilots go out on patrol. Also he stated that you made it a personal
issue with him."
"Yes Captain I did," Shane said. "I had good reason to do that too."
"And they were," Ivanova asked.
"Well for one thing Ruby Squad had just returned from their patrol
circuit and I told
them that they could have some down time," Shane said. "They had came
back from
their fifth circuit too. Besides he did not have the decency to come to
me and ask to
use my squads."
"Well that is Commander Barton for you," Ivanova said. "So it wasn't Lt.
Commander Morgan that had problems with him."
"Well at any rate, please refrain from anymore confrontations with
Commander
Barton," Sheridan said.
"Understood," Shane said and walked off to his quarters.
******
The remaining five days was a bustle of activity. It involved a White
Star going
down to Epsilon 3 to retrieve the fold engines that were a part of the
Macross 2.
Then the Mimbari arrived with the jump engine and installed it. It was
now at the
time that Shane and his ship was to leave. As Shane was gathering his
things to
leave his head began to spin and his actual sight went out on him.
******
Shane found himself floating out in space without a space suit. He was
not dying,
but felt as if he was being gently caressed by the cold of space. He
saw ships of all
shapes and sizes. Some looked as if was made out of cut crystal.
Others he
recognized as the same type of ships that were outside of the station.
Eventually the
entire fleet was joined by a large bi-pedal humanoid. It looked as if
the shape had
large fins on it's shoulders. The whole scene changed and Shane found
himself and
the fleet in space next to a planet. He could see six shapes in the
distance. All of
them were shrouded in darkness but he could make out the outline of what
ever it
was that was there. Three looked to be human shaped. One was a ring.
Another
looked as if someone had taken two sundew plants and smashed them
together. The
final one was as if was a slug.
The fleet then started to attack the shapes. He could see fighters being
destroyed
and several of the large ships were destroyed as well. He could not
believe the
bloodshed that was caused by just those six forms. What ever they were,
they had
enough power to lay waste to ships without much thought. That is if
those things
could think.
It was at that time that he faded from the scene of the carnage.
******
When he could see normally, Shane was disturbed by what he saw in that
vision. He
had good reason to be disturbed by what he saw.
"Computer, Begin recording," Shane said.
"Standing by," The computer said.
"This vison that I saw was just plain frightening," Shane began. "I
don't know when
this is or where it takes place. Perhaps it is next month or perhaps it
is next year. I
see a large fleet of ships massing for an attack. Where it is I can't
say, but what I do
know is that what ever they are facing will be destroyed. I saw a
humanoid shape
with what I think were fins on it's shoulders. What that is I don't
know. I then see
the fleet over a planet facing six silhouettes. Three of these
silhouettes are vaguely
humanoid. One looks to be a ring in shape. One looks like a giant slug
with feelers.
The other one I don't know what it was. I then see the fleet engaged
the forms and
it looks as if the battle has become a blood bath. In the end many
people have died.
I recognized several of the ships in the fleet. Some were Mimbari of
that I am sure
of. I have never seen ships made of crystal before."
Shane had to stop recording. He was shaking. This was the most vivid
vision that he
had ever had. He believed that not one person would believe what he
saw.
"In the end so many lives were lost," Shane said when he could speak.
"Computer, Transfer recording to crystal port and make two copies,"
Shane said a
few minutes later. His voice was shaking with fear. This was something
that he had
to keep to himself. As soon as the transfer was complete, Shane grabbed
his bags
and headed to Captain Sheridan's office.
******
When he got to Sheridan's office, he was still nervous and frightened.
He knew that
he had to give this crystal to the Captain.
"Ah Shane, is there something that I can do for you," Sheridan asked.
"Captain, I have something that I want you to keep. It is a data
crystal. It has
something on it that is important. However, don't listen to it for a
year," Shane said.
His expression was grim.
"Are you alright," Sheridan asked. "You look as if you have seen a
ghost."
"It's nothing," Shane said. "I really don't think I can explain it."
"Ok I respect your right to privacy," Sheridan said.
"Thank you Captain," Shane said. "Well I hope to be back within a year's
time."
"I look forward to it," Sheridan said as he stood up and extended it to
shake his
hand.
"Thanks," Shane said as he shook his hand.
With that Shane picked up his bags and walked off to Bay 14 to return to
his ship.
He had hoped to see Jesa one more time before he left. It turned out
that Jesa was
out on patrol. As soon as he launched, Shane found where Jesa was and
followed
him on his patrol route.
"Jesa this is Shane," Shane said.
"Shane what are you doing out here," Jesa asked.
"Well I just wanted to tell you that I am taking off for parts unknown,"
Shane said.
"Since my crew and I are new to this place we need to see where we are
and what
this place is about.
"Well take care of yourself," Jesa said.
"I plan on it," Shane said as he turned his Valkyrie around and headed
back in the
direction of the Macross 2.
The instant Shane's plane disappeared into the ship the ship itself
winked out of it's
place next to the station.
******
All comments can be directed to ryoohki@cjnetworks.com Constructive
comments will be listened to and all flames will be burned