Points of Separation, Moments of Introspection
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Author's Notes:
Hello. This is PitViper. My regular muse has become slightly sick, and another muse has offered to take care of her. Actually, considering the form this muse takes, he's probably there just to provide mental support. (Yes, I have multiple muses. They tend to take the forms of my favorite characters from my favorite TV/Anime shows.) Needless to say, these two have decided to pair up for a fiction – hopefully for your benefit.
This will be a crossover. (PitViper glances back (with uncertainty) at muses - looking for support or absolution. One smiles wanly from her sickbed, the other simply stands stoically – not much else he can do, anyways.) Oh well, on with the story.
I hope you enjoy it. My apologies to anyone who may have been thinking of this exact same thing at the exact same time – I did not intend to steal anyone else's ides. As for why this is in the Eva forum, let's just say while the setting isn't Tokyo-3, it's all about the Eva's and their pilots… Well… mostly. J
Remember to review, and tell me whether to continue or not. All reviews welcome, tips and pointers especially, since this is my first venture outside an Eva-only fic.
Update 05-17-2002 (8:08 am EDT)
Ok, noticed the missing disclaimer and promptly corrected it. That's the problem with posting at 2am. Also, I removed Rei's last name from the communion scene. Why, you may ask? I find it highly unlikely that Rei would have sent her full name – considering that she is expending tremendous effort just to appear and fight off her little demon. As for the reason she didn't send her last name – there is nothing more intimate or personal than a telepathic communion. Besides, Rei's name can be sent with an impression – for Rei translates as 'Innocent' when used as a name. (Zero or nothing is also an apt translation in Rei's case). And Rei is a lot shorter than Ayanami.
I've got two reviews so far, please keep them coming.
Update 05-21-2002 (11:49 pm EDT)
I finally re-found the Lurker's guide. It's, IMHO, the best place to find out about each episode of Babylon 5 in detail. I had forgotten about it until recently (Tonight). Once I remembered, I smacked myself in the head for my stupidity in forgetting about it in the first place. If you want a comprehensive guide to B5 – the Lurker's Guide is the place. Beware though, the episodic descriptions are detailed and filled with spoilers. Even so, there is no better resource guide for B5 on the net. :).
If you want that info, go here:
www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html
Thanks,
PitViper.
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Points of Separation, Moments of Introspection
Genre : Drama
Type : Short Story (Crossover Eva/B5)
Author : PitViper
Created : 05-16-2002
Updated : 05-21-2002
Synopsis : Shinji, Rei, and Asuka… Was it all a dream? Was it real? What would happen if it were a bit of both? And what would be the consequences if that dream ended at the site of humanity's last hope for peace?
Disclaimer : Babylon 5 is the property of Warner Bros, Babylonian Productions, and JMS (J. Michael Straczynski) Evangelion belongs to Gainax, ADV, and possibly others. This is a not-for-profit venture using characters from both worlds in what is hopefully considered a good story. So I ask you kindly, please don't sue me.
Change Log:
Updated the fic to contain a disclaimer. Removed Rei's last name from the telepathic communion scene. (05-16-2002)
Updated the fic to reflect Season 1 characterizations for B5. (05-21-2002)
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Prologue
Talia Winter's boots clattered against the hard metal floor of the Zocolo. Not that any other floor in the station (With the exception of those few carpeted places) would have made less noise. And any noise at this point was too much for the Psi Corp's commercial telepath to handle - Especially the thought noise; which, to her pounding head, seemed to be an endless cacophony of nonsensical gibberish.
'What was it that Garabaldi called it…' Talia sorted through her recent memories, trying to bring an image of the odd creature she had recently helped Kosh 'negotiate' with. With the image came the unusual name that Garabaldi had attached to it… 'Vicar…' She mused, 'Yes, that was the name. Vicar. Slang for VCR' – some old-earth technology that was so far out of date she couldn't even imagine what the acronym stood for. She only knew that it was some kind of recording device – as was, evidently, the Vicar.
After this last session with Kosh and the Vicar, Talia wanted nothing more than to go, crawl into her bed, and sleep for a month. Of course she knew that she couldn't do that. She had reports to file, and a few more clients to see before she could even dream of ending her day. So she settled for a moment leaning against a support strut. Having made her way over to the strut, she proceeded to allow her weight to fall upon the support – which was already holding up the weight of this section of the station. Of course her small amount of additional mass wouldn't make much of a difference to the station.
Closing her eyes for a moment, she quickly centered herself, washing away the random thought noise that was polluting her mind. As the flush proceeded, she suddenly realized that the thought noise had disappeared entirely – which was very unusual since she had not completed her centering exercise.
Talia Winter's eyes snapped open for a brief moment, and surveyed her surroundings. The people were still there, all around her. But she could not hear their thoughts. Suddenly an image caught the telepath's eye. It was slightly hazy, as though she were viewing a projection rather than a person – but this projection had a presence. She could feel it – overwhelming, and powerful. Her focus fell to the person – correction: child – standing in her field of view.
The child was no more than fourteen years old - perhaps fifteen. She was wearing a uniform of some sort, the kind that she'd seen pictures of before the limited nuclear conflict that had occurred around 2015. As the facial features registered in Talia's mind, she realized that the nationality of this individual was Japanese. This was odd, since the 2015 conflict had all but eradicated the primary island, and heavily irradiated every piece of land for a five thousand kilometer radius. For a time it was believed that the explosion had been so powerful that a two million five hundred thousand ton chunk of the island reached escape velocity and was flung into deep space. Of course, not much was known about those times – many of the records had been destroyed permanently with the island. What was known was classified at the highest security levels.
She focused on the image's features. She had short cropped blue hair that seemed to be wild and uncontrollable. This was striking, but not unusual. Talia knew that there were many humans who chose to dye their hair odd colors. From her study of history, 2015 Earth was in such a phase, so this child was not uncommon. Then she noticed something else: Her complexion. The word 'Albino' quickly entered into Talia's mind – a genetic aberrancy that had been almost eliminated by 2258. With the blue hair, the white skin blended well, and formed a pleasant contrast with her… red eyes?
Talia was absorbed by those crimson orbs – the deep color drawing her in. She noticed that the facial muscles of the girl were clenched in an overly controlled manor. Only a telepath would recognize the calm façade that hid the tremendous concentration of this child. Where the face was the portrait of placidness, the child's eyes screamed emotion. Red eyes – eyes that were pleading for help – for release – from… from what? A prison? No. Not prison – escape from… from something else. An existence without end.
The two minds locked, and in communication both vague and crystal clear at the same time – Talia Winters came to know that this projection she was witnessing was from a powerful telepath - a telepath by the name of Rei. How did she know this? Because Rei was using this moment to project herself mentally.
'Are you human?' Talia thought, staring into those deep red eyes.
The figure nodded first yes, then no, then yes again.
'Can you speak?' She thought again, this time the response was a whisper.
'Dangerous.' A soft, young voice echoed across the distance between them. The distance was by appearance only a few feet, but for all Talia knew, it could have been light years away.
'I must know…' Suddenly, Talia sensed urgency from the girl.
'Help us!' The form cried out mentally, without moving a muscle.
Suddenly, Talia saw another image – much fainter – form behind the blue haired child. This was of a grotesque monster – more of a massive head with a gaping mouth than anything else. She noticed that the creature had but a single eye – as its mouth moved to engulf the small child.
The child closed her eyes, and muttered something incoherent.
Suddenly the creature fell backwards in pain, as sweat began to form on the brow of the child.
"Please help us," came a pleading voice – this time her mouth moved. Without another word, the figure that Talia had come to know as 'Rei' dropped to one knee – a grimace of pain wracking her form.
As the intensity of the girl's expression of pain grew, the monster behind her regained its form and substance. Its head enlarged until it was easily able to contain the child. Its mouth gaped wide, and the monster dove down upon the innocent-looking girl – devouring her completely.
A scream was heard by Talia's mind - then silence. The apparition-like girl and equally ghostly monster disappeared from her field of view. Talia closed her eyes once more. As she did this, the mental background noise of the Zocolo returned, and with it she sensed another presence directly in front of her, concerned for… her? She took a deep breath, and opened her eyes. To her amazement, Michael Garabaldi was standing before her, his hands holding her weight upright against the column.
"Talia – You ok?" The security chief asked, looking around him.
Talia took a moment to compose herself. She blinked a few times, to clear her eyes. "Um… yeah… Thanks Mr. Garabaldi…" Talia said formally.
After a moment, Garabaldi released his hold on her body. He had noticed that she had regained her balance, but was still a bit shaky. "Are you sure? Could it be something that Kosh did to you? Maybe that Vicar did more than record…"
"I'm Fine." Talia quickly countered the concerned Security Chief.
Garabaldi became slightly self-conscious. "You don't look fine, Miss Winters. In fact, you almost collapsed there a minute ago."
"I'm just very tired, that's all." Talia defended.
"Um, in that case, you should get some rest." Garabaldi looked around, then confided, "Just say the word and I'll pick up that Vicar – no questions. I can't touch Kosh, but…"
"It's not necessary, Mr. Garabaldi. But the thought is appreciated." Talia said, cutting him off without any harshness in her voice.
"I see…" The security chief reflected. Garabaldi watched her for several long moments, then nodded. While he had not exactly 'disliked' Talia, she was a Teep – and telepaths tended to make him very nervous. It was best to keep as much distance between him and 'them' as possible. "In that case, have a good evening Ms. Winters."
The telepath had recovered most of her equanimity, and as Garabaldi turned to walk away, "Thank you, Michael."
While Michael Garabaldi's face was turned away from her, she could almost see the smile that formed on his face in her mind. His words reached her ears a moment after she had sensed them on the edge of his thoughts – "No sweat."
As she moved away from the support strut, Talia Winters realized one thing: her evening would be far from good. She reflected upon the young blue-haired girl with red eyes – realizing that the apparition would haunt her dreams and thoughts for many days to come.
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Elsewhere on the station, another figure roamed the vastness of Down Below. This creature had no fear of the beings lurking in the shadows – beings that were waiting for an unfortunate, unwary traveler to cross their paths. Those in Down Below, however, would not attempt to harm this particular visitor: For only a fool would attack a Vorlon.
The Vorlon knew this, and did not care what these creatures thought of him. Something else haunted the Ambassador. As the encounter suited being reached his destination, he looked down at the "floor". In the "floor" was a window staring into the vastness of space.
In an almost ritualistic manner, Ambassador Kosh Naranek of the Vorlon Empire stared at the small view port into the unknown. After a moment of complete stillness, melodious sounds emanated from the hardened shell of the encounter suit.
With that almost-musical accompaniment, Kosh's voice echoed through the relatively empty chamber. "The music has changed." The Vorlon said cryptically.
Unseen by anyone else, another person had been waiting down here. She, too, was unafraid of the 'lurkers' as they were commonly known. For one of them to attack her would be almost as fatal a mistake as attacking the Vorlon. "Do things still proceed?" The darkness-shrouded figure asked hesitantly in an accented voice.
At this, the encounter-suit's head tilted to view the darkened stranger better. "Perhaps." The vocal synthesizer stated.
"That is not an answer." The figure accused.
Music-like tones filled the air, but no words came from the speaker.
The figure seemed to shrug in the darkness. "I guess it is what I have come to expect."
Kosh's head nodded once in agreement; and then turned his attention back to the view port. Light footfalls and the rustle of fabric echoed down the hallway as the shadow-enshrouded stranger moved away.
Knowing that there was no one to hear him, Kosh's echoed softly throughout the chamber. "Perhaps this time will be different," the Vorlon confirmed, before he too turned and left.
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Author's notes:
Ok, this is a short prologue, I know. But please, tell me what you think about this. Continue or Not?
Points of Separation will be unlike Conversations and Observations in that each chapter will be much shorter. It will also be revised about every two weeks. Of course, this is if there are people out there who want to read it.
Again, Thanks in advance for the reviews. And remember to do so. I have my hands full with C&O, but I just had to try my hand at seeing how this would turn out.
Also, it's been a while since I've seen the episode with the Vicar. I can't remember if its season one or two – I'm going on the premise that it's S2 in B5, but I could be mistaken. The fact that this is occurring right after the Vicar incident isn't too terribly important, because the events that follow will be quite different from the original time line. What I do need to know is if I am going to have to re-write for Sinclair, because I am using season 2 and Sheridan. If I am wrong about the episode placement, please tell me. At this point, it would be very easy for me to make corrections to the story line.
Update (05-21-2002) – I figured out the season. I will be writing for Sinclair rather than Sheridan. The Vicar (VCR) is in the "Deathwalker" episode of B5, # 9 in the order. Don't worry – I'll get it to season 2 – it will take a couple episodes, but I'll get it there even if I have to get out and push…
Thanks,
PitViper.