Galen saw the ship coming his way and decided to lay low. His own craft destroyed on a recent run-in with the Drakh fleet; it was unlikely the elders would grant him the resources needed to have another . Still, this rusting hunk of debris had a charm all its own. While it wasn't exactly a technomage flyer, it did come with a jump point generator, and basic pulse weapons. Long story short, it had all the comforts of home for a smuggler which, for all intents and purposes, Galen had been relegated to following the Drakh attack.

A klaxon sounded, and Galen pulled up a display which showed a wireframe of a ship. It appeared to be human vessel, like Earth Alliance. Great, he thought. I have nothing aboard this cargo ship, I'm off the main routes, and I'm the only one aboard. Someone is bound to think something is amiss here.

The comm system cracked to life with a female voice speaking through INTERLAC "This is the Earth Alliance destroyer Perseus to unidentified ship. We have monitored your movements and your registry is not listed on any Interstellar Alliance manifests . Please identify yourself immediately "

Galen chuckled at the demand for identification. The mere mention of his name would link him to President Sheridan, and likely lead to a litany of questions and favors being offered. While an attractive thought, it was counterproductive to his immediate goal. Instead, it was time for diplomacy and stealth and most important, deceit .

"this is Captain..." in a moment of haste, he used the first word seen, over a gauge on the control panel. "R'toc, of the Llort Ma Ti. i am transporting fusion coils to Babylon 5 for a buyer."

Then he laid a device on the control panel. the device glowed and within seconds, the speaker replied "We confirm your cargo. Be advised that raiders have been seen in this area. Be careful."

"Thank you for your concern." Galen, now relieved, replied. "Good day."

Once the destroyer went on its way, Galen decided to check his translator to see what new Llort Ma Ti officer the alliance would now list. He located the word he used and cross referenced it to the English language, letting out a hearty laugh at the result.

Waste. Captain Waste.

The cacophony of jokes not withstanding, what was funnier was that considering it was made to sound like the Llort Ma Ti it was actually believable. Any other language it would have been met with raised eyebrows, but the Llort were very good at devising stupid names. Only the Vree, with their reputation as practical jokers, would have come up with something sillier. Sheridan even once mentioned how a Vree captain called himself a name which later translated to "orbiting space sphincter."

A flip of a switch and another klaxon sounded, indicating a jump point was forming. The energy tube emerged and as he navigated the ship into hyperspace, he setting course for its intended destination.

Babylon 5

It was at that point when Galen saw the INTERLAC indicator flash. This time, the sensors showed nothing. Not even a speck of dust on the display. Who could it be?

Galen activated the INTERLAC translator, and the display showed a simple message:

Would you like to play a game?

Another hearty laugh. Being human, Galen spent some time studying the history of human culture, with a particular affinity for 20th century entertainment. He was amused that someone would use a "Wargames" reference. However, it quickly troubled him as he realized that only a select few people would know that reference, and so he messaged back in INTERLAC text.

Do you go by Professor or Doctor?

This was getting most unnerving. However, he continued on course to Babylon 5. Then the INTERLAC beacon lit up again, and another message.

We are looking for you, Galen.

That did it. Only one person who knows this reference knows Galen by name. It was a man he had run-ins with before, and knew of his passing some years ago. This had to be a joke, a prank or worse; a ghost in the machine.

Is this Morden?

Morden, the human know for his role in the Shadow War as a broker of dark dreams. Morden, the human whose head rest atop a pike on Centauri Prime for three years before Emperor Mollari ordered it removed and incinerated to satisfy his Keeper. Morden, the man who made a deal to have Anna Sheridan killed in exchange for his life, only to lose it when the Anna doppelganger was found out by John Sheridan, leading to the nuclear detonation which nearly killed Morden the first time.

How is he alive? Galen though. Better yet, how did communicate with me?

Yes, it is. What do you want?

A classic Morden, and Shadow question. What do you want?

I want to know how you are communicating with me. You, sir, are dead!

Got him, Galen thought. He can't argue that one!

Who said I'm really dead?

Now this is just mean.

Mr. Morden, your body was scarred beyond recognition on Z'ha'dum. Your head was severed by Emperor Mollari. You are, for lack of a better term, worm food. You…are…dead!

There, that should do it!

If you say so.

This man is toying with me, Galen thought. If I could INTERLAC him a stinkbomb to check his sense of smell, he would have done it.

Mr. Morden, please tell me where you are sending me this message from.

That's for me to know and you to seek out.

Well then, he did it. Now, I'm mad, and nothing is more dangerous than an angry technomage.