Chapter 10
Not everyone is happy though, some have to 'lick' their wounds, address other problems. For the Centauri everything has been wiped away as though it does not exist, not just their art, culture, & history; but wildlife and innocent lives and in fact their whole world. For today Londo Mollari is extremely unhappy, and very, very angry. "Aaaaaaaah" he shouts. "Why did we put up with that mad, idiot of an Emperor?"
"We didn't have a choice, he would have killed us, and anyone involved!"
"That's not the point Vir, we didn't even try! Now our whole world, everything is ashes!"
"We can re-build, make a new life somewhere else"
"Where? The once great Centauri Republic is in ruins, and no other planet will be quite the same!"
"What about the other races that have lost their homes, they must be going through the same thing"
"I don't care about the others right now, we have our own concerns" utters Prime Minister Mollari, of House Mollari.
"Yes we do, but what are we going to do about it?" counters Vir.
"Well we could re-occupy Narn for a start" utters the Minister of Defence.
"Live with a bunch of smelly barbarians for all eternity, no thank you" retorts Londo.
"What about sector 38?" offers the Minister of Banks and Finance.
"In ruins after the Shadows cleared the area for us"
"Where would you suggest then Prime Minister?" asks the Minister of Defence.
"Aaaaaah" Londo rages again. "Why are we stuck in this ship like; what is the human phrase Vir?"
Vir shakes his head, Londo knows that he is nervous among all the senior Ministers here, but pushes on, nonetheless. "Come one Vir, something to do with tin cans & fish. Mmmm?"
"I think the phrase the Prime Minister is after, is 'packed full like a tin can of sardines" answers the Minister of Intelligence.
"And why is it, I cannot have a private conversation without everyone putting; and here is another Earth phrase for you, 'in their two pence'? Mmmmm?"
"Sorry Prime Minister" are the replies voiced from all around.
"Well Vir. What do you think?"
"I don't….I…"
"Spit it out Vir" Londo replies angrily.
On his way back to Narn is 'one citizen' G'Kar, former slave and torture subject of ex-Emperor Cartagia. He is not the Narn he was once was, and possesses only one eye, for the Emperor "did not care for the way he looked at me", and requested one of the guards remove his eye. G'kar sees this not as a loss, but it allows him to see things with perfect clarity.
Glad to have escaped Centauri alive, Londo and others, now knows that his planet his free. G'Kar smiles to himself, "Freedom" he shouts in the confines of the shuttle to no one, for he is alone. Flying through hyperspace, he is almost upon the 'jump gate' that will take him home.
An hour later the shuttle lands, and G'kar surveys the broken cities, it looks much worse from the ground, from above it is easy to believe that he did not live here. It makes his heart ache, all the lost friends, family as a result of the Centauri occupation. In fact G'kar is glad that the Centauri were not here when their planet was destroyed, for their jailors would have taken it out on them. A thought occurs, makes him worried, what if the Centauri return and use the Narn as a cheap labour force to re-build their Republic. G'kar tries to push away such a thought for it is as destructive as it is a distraction and one that will need addressing, soon, but not now.
I spent almost a one whole week on my back, my arm strapped up while my preternatural healing went to work. During that time, Sheriden came to see me a few times, as did many others. I don't remember much, but that is mainly due to skipping in and out of consciousness as well as being off my face on pain killers.
When I awoke I was in medbay, and Stephen was looking over me. "Are you okay?"
"Fine, I think" I replied, still feeling a little groggy, plus my throat felt like sandpaper, again.
"Hi" said my saviour from the Shadows.
"Lyta, what are you doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you, cos I am" I said, and felt like my head was about to explode. All I could hear was like a background of constant whispering, continually changing. I had no idea what it was. She looked at Doctor Franklin, who seemed to nod.
"You're slowly becoming psychic somehow" she said, "and all the whispers, are peoples thoughts as they walk by"
"Oh" I said dumfounded.
"I'll just need to teach you to filter it out" she said. I looked up and could see Sheriden and sensed Yoda somewhere nearby. "Did we win?"
"You could say that. They're gone, every single one of them"
"Good. 'Bout time. What's happening?"
"Oh the usual" said Delenn with Johns' arm around her shoulders.
"Oh, nothing that can't wait for you to return to full health" remarked John, smiling.
"Maybe you two might get to spend some time alone, without interruption"
"Maybe" said Delenn also smiling, looking at John expectantly.
"We have a few things to attend to first"
"Such as?" I inquired.
"All in the fullness of time" Delenn answered cryptically. "Besides, someone else is here to see you" she said, looking down. Suddenly a green figure hoped onto a chair and looked at me expectantly. "Master Yoda!" I cried joyously.
"Good to see you it is".
"We have a new position for you to fulfil" said Delenn, again mysteriously.
"What is it?" I asked excitedly.
"Whenever you're fit" said Sherdien.
"I'm ready now" I remarked, and began to remove my blanket, only to realise I was naked. "Where's my clothes?"
"Oh, no you don't" remarked an exhausted Franklin, "Not for at least another day. Perhaps if you come back tomorrow?"
"Return tomorrow I will" said the diminutive Jedi Master.
The following day I got out of bed, my arm got the 'all clear' from Franklin, but I was told not to do anything strenuous. I slowly walked back to my room, and once inside shut the door. I could still hear a constant whispering, but tried to ignore it. I opened the drawer and took out the data pad, and eyed the syringe. Realising it was now or never, injected myself. Was this the right decision? Too late now, and slowly walked to my bed and let sleep take me.
I looked at the clock, and two hours had passed. I felt new memories inside my mind, ones that would allow me to use the mobius continuum, and quantum teleport. Picking up my data pad I began the walk to C & C, hoping to find Sheriden there. As the lift opened, I saw Susan standing there.
"Hi Susan"
"You're up?"
"I am, just went to my room to collect a few bits and wondered where the Captain was"
"He's in his office"
"Thanks Susan. Do you know what John was going to tell me?"
"You'll have to ask him that"
"Thanks anyway" and went in the direction of John's office.
As I arrived at John's office, I knocked. "Come" he replied, and in I walked.
"Hi. I'm glad to see you're out of bed. Franklin was surprised that you managed to heal as fast as you did. Stephen thought that he was going to have to amputate; but something told me it wasn't necessary"
"I've got something for you Captain" and handed over the data pad.
"What's this?"
"It is information the Council Members kept to themselves, all kinds of hidden knowledge that I thought you would find useful"
"What kind?"
"I don't know. I've not had the opportunity to read much of it. I thought you might want to take a look yourself, maybe make a copy"
"Why are you handing it to me?"
"'Cos, I guessed a lot of re-building would be in order, and……well…..it's safer in your hands than anyone else, plus we need to show some kind of unity and that cannot happen if we keep information from one another"
"Thank you. I'll take a look at this shortly. Take seat Addad, there's something I want to ask you anyway"
"Sure" I said sitting down.
"It seems that the rest of your species are about to arrive from somewhere in the Galactic Republic, and quite frankly they want to find out how they fit into things"
"You want me to be their 'tour guide'?"
"Partly, it seems that since about a 10 mile square of Coruscant was destroyed, the planet seems to be in a gradually decaying orbit; and there seems that there is nothing we can do. So we're busy re-locating everyone to another nearby planet. But it would seem that Yoda has personally requested you to help in the new Jedi Academy"
"Are you okay with that Captain?"
"Well, officially you don't actually work for me. However, I have gotten used to having you around"
"Thanks. But why do I feel that I am waiting for the other shoe going to drop?"
"Actually…" began John. I knew it, here we go. "In addition to settling in the rest of your species, I have created a new position for you"
"What is it" I ask excitedly.
"I need you to act as liaison between the Jedi and security here, so you're going to actually acquire three separate areas of responsibility. It's going to be a big job- if you think you can handle it?"
"Yes…." I stammered, "thank you Captain".
"Good. I wasn't sure you'd accept"
I walked out of the Captains' office, with a slight 'jump' in my step.
You know I said that I was going to get some formal martial art instruction, I decided I would not be ready to fulfil my role without it. Long story…short, I tried to 'under-time' it to China, and arrived in Japan around the 16th century, remember some of my species can travel in time; or what remains of us. Deciding to heed the Councilm Member made sure I was very careful. Luckily, over the years I had been to both and could understand the dialects.
I arrived to the desolation, or what remained of a monastery. I thought I could see living shadows, but I initially believed myself mistaken, fool! I found one monk who lay dying, of severe wounds. He raised a hand in my direction, hoping for comfort in his dying moments. I took it.
"I'm sorry" I said. "I wish that there is something I could do"
"It is okay" he whispered.
As I felt him die something happened, I felt a huge amount of energy transferred into my body. Little did I know he was an Enlightened Immortal, until much later, and transferring his dying consciousness directly into me. I noticed some of these shadows seemed to follow me, and felt a voice in my head warn me of the dangers. I looked around and wanted to go home, and grabbing his swords – I don't know why I did this and I entered the 'under-time', not wanting to interfere in things that did not concern me; again.
I 'broke out' in my room, and sat on the bed, ruminating over things. I also knew that Yoda was waiting for me, but over the next few days, the errant consciousness soon made itself known to me, through dreams and slowly 'glued' itself to mine, so we were inseparable. I experienced his memories, albeit like looking through a photo album, and every ounce of his knowledge became mine. He was a Moshuh Nanren, extremely skilled at armed and unarmed combat, techniques of invisibility, secret mediation techniques & mudras, and the concentration and use of ki, also known as magic or the force. Never had I realised that the force was so versatile! Slowly, the other consciousness used ki and caused my body to change as though it had undergone all those years of training.
Realising I could not put off the inevitable. I went to see Yoda, although I was worried that he might sense some foreign influence within me. He was sitting on a divan cushion, next to him was Master Plo Koon and a new Jedi Knight, Anakin Skywalker. "Master Yoda" I said bowing.
"Recovered fully you have?"
"Yes. I understand that you wanted to see me?"
"Spoken to Sheriden, you have". It was a statement, not a question.
"Yes, you want me to help in the new Jedi academy?"
"But first, my Padawan learner you will become; restructure our teachings we will"
"Master?" said Anakin, looking up expectedly.
"Redundant, the Jedi have become, a new form they will take"
"What did you have in mind Master?" inquired Anakin, even Master Koon looked at Yoda expectantly.
"Gray Jedi we will become".
"Master are you sure that is wise?" asked Obi-Wan.
You know what me and my mouth are like? I opened it before I thought what I was asking, "What is a……Gray Jedi?"
"One that uses both sides of the force, yet is swayed by neither" replied Master Koon.
"Oh" I replied in synchronisation with Anakin. Thus was born the new Jedi and my training as a Padawan learner, frelling superb!
"Where is the new academy to be?" said Anakin, echoing my thoughts.
"We will start on Kashyykk; and as that grows maybe have another on to Dagobah"
"I have to go" I said. "The rest of my kind will be arriving soon, and I have preparations to make"
A couple of days later the rest of my species arrived on Babylon 5. We were fewer than I had thought, only two dozen Sanjian remained, 10 of those were females- usually called Damkini, or Dakini, it has never really mattered. The 150 were Ieldra, although I was really sure that name was applicable anymore. I took a head and name count, so I knew who had survived. I sorta hoped that others would eventually filter here, but I was not hopeful.
"Welcome back brothers and sisters" I said. I looked around the group, and knew Zack's security team were gonna have 'a cow' when they saw everyone was armed. Speaking of which, here he comes, with Captain Sheriden.
"Hi Captain" I echo pleasantly.
"Addad, are these the rest?"
"Yes, not as many as first thought"
"Are they armed?" enquired Zack.
"Yes we are" several echoed.
"I'm sorry, but all weapons must be passed over to security, and that's me" said Zack smiling. This comment caused quite a stir.
"No, we will not relinquish our weapons"
"No"
"Why should we?"
And so the comments went. "As I have been given the honour of leading us, for the moment" I said authoritatively. "It will not be for long"
"What did you have in mind?" asked Pai.
"I need to discuss it with you all first, and then with the Captain, and Master Yoda and few others- but I have already picked a home for us"
"Tell us"
"Yes tell us"
"Where?" You know I reckon that Captain Sheriden must have the patience of a saint, leading so many others as he does- without losing his temper and 'going off on one'. 'Cos 'round 'bout now I was getting seriously hacked off. I can understand their reticence, but c'mon people!
"Look, it'll be just a few nights, and then all will be revealed. Maybe sooner"
"Okay, for now I guess" said Pai. I think she might vie for leadership. Who knows?"
Slowly weapons were handed over, and Zack lead people to their rooms, many were three to a room, but that couldn't be helped. I watched them go daydreaming to times past. Mmmm…...must keep my mind on my job. "Well what did you have in mind Addad?" asked John.
"I had two places actually. Kashyykk where Yoda is having another Jedi Academy, but the problem is not enough humans –we will need stock to build up our race. I don't mean that to sound sordid or dirty either"
"No. That's quite understandable. Where else?"
"The other was Naboo, but they are still dealing with an infestation problem, or at least that's what the reports I get say. I may give them a choice"
"I'll need to discuss it with Yoda too, although I'm sure he'll agree"
"What makes you say that?"
"A majority of us that are left, have a few force skills already and it will be a good way to swell the Jedi ranks"
"Good thinking. If you need me to put a good word in for you, let me know"
"Thank you Captain. I 'preciate it"
In the Zocalo, Lyta Alexander was participating in a job interview.
"I'll just get a reference from Psi Corps and once that's done you can have the job"
"That might be a problem" she states. "I'm not actually a member anymore"
"Ah. Okay, thank you. Good day Miss Alexander"
"I thought you said that I had all right skills"
"You do, but it's the board of directors, lawyers. Without being a member of Psi Corps I cannot help. If it was up to me I'd give you a job. But….."
"Please" Lyta pleaded.
"I'm sorry" and Lyta was left alone.
Susan Ivanova, has been broadcasting the 'Voice Of the Resistance' for the last week; and storms into Sheridens office.
"I don't believe it" she vents, kicking a chair and slamming her hand down on the worktop. She has just seen a recent broadcast, and is soooo angry and wants to tell John exactly what happened. For right now, she wants to destroy things; having broke everything in her office already -and what wouldn't break; well she shot that with her PPG.
"Susan, stop! What is it?" inquires John, gently.
"I cannot believe they did it. Bastards! Animals!" she shouts once again.
"See" and she puts a data crystal, and both watch as an Earthforce Destroyer comes through a 'jump-gate' and destroys a ship. "There were innocent, men, women and children on board. All wanting to get out of the kill-zone"
Delenn had left so John could 'be dangerous'. Although he missed her, John had been quite happy up until now, having manipulated the races of the 'League of Non-Aligned Worlds into having White Stars patrol their borders, it had all been going so well. Except that servants of the Shadows had now shown themselves, The Drakh. Even that would be dealt with, but seeing Earthforce officers obey an order to kill civilians by the thousand, made his blood boil. "Any officer that obeys that kind of order is guilty of war crimes! I knew we needed to act against Earth at some point, but I have waited too long!"
"I know. But maybe they had been subject to Clarks' propaganda into believing that ship contained hostiles?"
"No Susan, that ship was unarmed and any officer would have seen that. There is no excuse! Time to gather the fleet"
I was half way through my first two weeks training on Kashyykk and Yoda interrupted my concentration, "Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the force. Anger, fear, hatred and aggression, the dark side are these. Use them if you must. Consumed by them you must not be".
During my third week day I opened my big fat mouth again, you would think that having my consciousness joined with an Enlightened Immortal would make me wiser? Apparently not! "Master. What about the younglings? Will you take them away from their family as you did before?"
"No other choice, have we?"
"Actually you do. On Earth they have boarding schools, where children will live for X number of weeks in a year and then return home to their families for the remainder; summer holidays, end of year festivals and a couple of other weeks during the year". At this suggestion, Yoda's eyes almost lit up, partially surprise and I think that he now regretted taking children from loving families. "Plus" I continued. "The children can then draw strength from their family connections and from our order".
"A good idea this is"
"If, as you were thinking of having several such schools, they would each work to the year of the planet they were on"
"Something different I sense about you". Maybe, just maybe I had gotten a little wiser. I exhaled, quite noisily, as Master Yoda had been working me to exhaustion. "Nothing more will I teach you today".
"Good 'cos I'm beat. I'll tell you about why things are different tomorrow. G'night Master Yoda"
My days continued in that vain, as Yoda did not know the extent of my knowledge and began with the basics, working up – using both sides of the force. After I had endured one week of Yoda's training, and I was returning to my room, admiring the view of the huge trees that must be millennia old, older than me probably. Amazing! I had showered and changed, and walking outside watched the others of my species, also engaged in training. For the most part many were ecstatic at being a part of something again and Freya, who was obviously named after the Earth goddes, came to see me - also freshly flushed from her shower.
"Well Addad. It was a good idea to come here"
"I'm glad you like it"
"Yes we do. We all do. But, it's, the Council Members were closed about learning to use our skills that many never bothered and relied solely on technology. Such a damn waste and I'm glad they're gone; in fact most of us are".
"Plus, Yoda can travel the same way we can"
"What!!! He can! I didn't know" she stammered.
"Neither did I. At least not until recently, but maybe by watching some of us; and copying he might help us to improve what we do- well that's what I'm hoping"
"Do any of the others know this?" she asked.
"Not yet, but feel free to tell them" I said and heard my computer beep at me, advising that a message was waiting for me, "'Scuse me".
"Computer, display message"
"Message from Captain Sheriden"
"Open", I said and saw an image of John appear.
"Hi Addad, I hope things are going well?"
"Fantastic actually, but somehow I know you're going to spoil 'the party'"
"I'm sorry about this, but we're moving against President Clark and I need you back here"
"How soon?"
"Now if that is possible"
"Fine Captain. Give me chance to pack a few things and I'll be there within a couple of days"
"Good, we'll wait on you" and the connection was cut. Things were going to hell again.
I grabbed a few things, and threw them in a bag. I didn't know what was going on, and it worried me. Putting my hold-all over my shoulder, I walked out to find that Freya was still there, "Something bothering you?"
"Captain Sheriden wants me, I don't know why" I said, and noticed that she was agitated. "Now something is bothering you"
"We've been debating about changing the name of our race, the Sanjian will stay as they are, but us" she said emphasising the lat word, "were never Ieldra"
"That's true. What are the choices?"
"Well we wanted to move away from any mythological names on earth"
"What about human?" She looked off into the distance very briefly. "Technically that's what we are; and gifted with certain traits or abilities they lack".
"Yes. You'll get no argument from any of us on that"
"Good that's settled then. I'll see you soon"
I exited the 'under-time', and arrived concealed in darkness in the Zocalo. I saw someone dressed all in black, boots, trousers and top; he had dark hair and a menace about him I really did not care for. He was talking to Lyta and she was about to sign something so I sauntered over, "Hi Lyta. Who's the stiff?" I asked irreverently.
"Hi. Oh nothing, nothing" she said all flustered.
"I know you better than that. Is he making you do something?" I pushed.
"I don't really think this is any of your business" the other chided.
"Says who? You" and gathered the force about me.
"You really don't want to try anything" replied the 'other'
"Anything, no, something – yes" I answered cryptically. "So spill it, or your blood is going over the floor" I threatened. I could feel the force telling me to guard my mind. All Jedi have mental defences, almost like an ethereal energy barrier guarding against intrusion. Something about him screamed bully boy!
Unwittingly, sparks were emitted from my fingertips. "So you're a technomage? You think I'm scared of the likes of you?"
"I'm no creation of the Shadows"
"I've always wondered where they came from" he replied jovially. "What Miss Alexander signs is down to her"
"Maybe, but not when she is being manoeuvred and bullied into doing something she hates" and gave him a force shove; knocking him back five feet.
"It's not your concern" Lyta remarked defensively. "It's my choice"
"I'm not psychic like you but even I can tell that you're being pushed into this through desperation"
"You're making a mistake" said the man in black.
"Whatever!" I replied. "Look Lyta I'm only trying to help. Talk to me"
"I need money, I need a job and without a reference from Psi Corps no one will hire me" she replied tears forming in her eyes.
"Ah, good job I came by then" I countered, thinking rapidly on my feet. "It just so happens that the regulations in the Galactic Republic are not the same as here. You can work for whomever you like there and no Psi Corps refernces rquired"
"Really?"
"I beg to differ" said the man in black.
"Who the hell is he?" I asked again.
"This is Bester, a Psi Cop" she said. I really did not want to picking on him. Frak it! "Well as Psi Cops have no authority in the Republic and Babylon 5 no longer has any ties to earth, thus Lyta is free to seek employment from companies within said Republic"
"I disagree"
"What are you going to do 'bout it" I said, using a bracelet to blast a table to slag. "I guess your choices are clear" I menaced "Now get lost or you are next". With that Bester beat a hasty retreat, "This isn't over you know". Usually my answer would have been 'Yeh whatever', but in his case it probably wasn't. Looks like I had a very powerful and nasty enemy.
"You mean what you said just then?"
"Sure. Not a problem, I'll put a call through to Yoda who can arrange things. Besides, couldn't you have wiped the floor with him?"
"Probably, but I don't want them to know what I can do"
"Fair 'nuff". Let's get out of here, wanna go to your room and make that call? I've got to see Sheriden, like yesterday"
After my quick call to Yoda, and it seemed that Lyta's employment options were looking up. Reluctantly I made my way to Sheridens' office, unsure what was happening, although I had a very bad feeling. I knocked.
"Come in"
"Ah Addad. It is good you came"
"No problem, what's up?"
"Have you heard the reports?"
"Snippets, barely anything"
"Well, it would seem that Clark has started to destroy civilian targets, and we won't stand for it any longer"
"Okay, so where do I come in?"
"Even if you brought Clark back, we need to make a show of force, that such behaviour is intolerable"
"Somehow I sense that you have a plan"
"Well. As it happens I do. I need you teleport in, or whatever it is that you do and capture Clark. While we take out those targets who have been destroying civilians. I don't want you to harm him in any way"
"Then once we accomplished our aims….."
"Okay, when do you want me to go?"
"As soon as we reach Proxima 3"
"Understood Captain, I'll get my gear ready, just in case I encounter resistance from any guards"
"Fine, see you in a shuttle, in say an hour"
"Suits me fine sir" and off I walked.
While I was getting ready, Sheriden was having another meeting, this time with Marcus.
"I want you to take three Whitestars and head straight out, you are to contact the resistance on Proxima 3 and find which ships have fired on civilians and which ones are hanging back. That way we can sort from foe, and possibly anyone that might switch sides"
"Okay, when do I leave?"
"Now"
During the twelve hour journey I slept, a deep, deep sleep. I can see, almost through a tunnel the colour of blood; an image of Sheriden meeting with Garibaldi. They are speaking, but there is no sound. Garibaldi slaps something onto Sheridens hand, and says something, looks like "tank". Then Sheriden is beaten. I then see him seated in a chair, metal bands spring from the chair holding John in place. It is then I awake, covered in a thin sheen of sweat.
Our journey to Proxima 3 almost over, I'm standing on the bridge, waiting for the call for action. Sheriden is getting himself ready. "Open a channel to Marcus"
"Channel open" a Mimbari replied.
"Marcus, did you get that data I requested?"
"I did. Uploading that information now"
"Thanks Marcus. Once we get there, we'll split the fleet. You take one part in the hopes of divide their attention"
An hour later we arrived, Marcus was waiting for us in hyperspace. "Addad, your turn"
"Understood, oh and Captain. I had a vision about you and Garibaldi. He wanted you to meet him, and you were captured by Earthforce"
"What do you mean a vision?"
"Yoda would call it a force vision, or some such. It may come true, it may not. But if you do meet with Garibaldi- be on your guard. Good luck Captain" and I vanished. Using the co-ordinates I used the 'under-time' and arrived a little off, and looking out from my haven could see two guards. I must be outside his office. I try to reach into his office and find I cannot, and no matter how I push I am unable to enter. Something is blocking me. I can only guess technology given, or stolen from the First Ones.
I check the charge on my bracelets, and 'broke out'. I appeared before both guards and using the gauntlets shot them, two huge thunderbolts blowing them against the walls. Their impact cracked the wall as masonry fell everywhere, the guards broken bodies lay motionless on the floor.
As I opened it I saw a bald man with a slight tan, dressed in a smart grey suit, possessing a mediocre 'middle age spread'. President Clark, "Who are you?" he shouted. Ignoring his outburst I dived across the desk making a grab for his arm but what should have been pliable skin and bones under my vampire-like strength, felt cold and non-human. He tried to grab me with his other hand, and I turned and tried to shift out of his way. Somehow he grabbed me and threw my body across the room, using inhuman strength.
I bounced off the wall unharmed, albeit a little shaken, and then felt energy directed at me. Diving for cover, an arc of electricity left both hands and narrowly missed by position.
Rising, two can play that game mister, stood facing the President of Earthforce. It was then the wall moved, revealing a hidden door through which walked armed soldiers, in full black body armour their faces concealed, followed by someone I did not recognise. The stranger spoke to me, and seemed to be holding a small black device of some kind. "In a hurry to leave?" he inquired. I looked at the features, dark suit, short blonde hair, slender build and I could hear something odd-two hearts?
"Who are you?" I asked reaching out with the force, attempting to get a feel for him. Almost like a blank space that didn't exist, nothing. "Arrest them both" the stranger answered arrogantly. "You can call me Mr President, or sir, or if you ask nicely Mr Saxon sir" he replied jovially.
"You won't get away with this Saxon. My associates will destroy you Harold" shouted former President Clark. Using the force to enhance my speed, I left the room through the door through which I had entered.
Trying to enter the 'under-time' again, and I realised something was still preventing it. "You won't be able to leave that way Harold Saxon" shouted, a.k.a the new President. I looked over my shoulder using the force, and he looked right at me, smiling the whole while. It was him somehow preventing me from leaving.
Guards were turning their attention towards me rapidly, and I was beginning to tire. Running through the streets of Sheridens' London, I was hoping to escape with my life, and somehow something was still hampering my ability to escape, so my only choice was to run; at speeds impossible to humans.
I turned down an alley, and never noticed the two people at the end of the alley, end of the alley! I too busy looking behind me at the terminator, and got caught a little flat footed. I saw them placing lit candles against both sides of the wall of the alleyway, and their spoken words.
"Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candlestick"
I did not detect any magic behind their actions andused the force to reduce my weight, as taught by Kenji, and jumped- hoping my leap would get me a good fifteen to twenty feet up the wall which I would then scale as taught. This did not happen! I leapt twenty feet in the air and kept going; somehow the wall was not where it should be. What the hell?
"Who the hell was that?" the woman asked.
"Well they're sure in for a shock" the man replied and extinguished the candle. I turned back towards them, to help them against the T-1000; and encountered an invisible wall. I pushed with all my preternatural strength, and it would not give. I could only watch the terminator butcher them both, impotent to help. I looked behind me, and spied a small alley leading further back. I did not understand what the hell was going on and kept on going.
There was another alleyway before me, and eventually emerged onto the main street. I could smell fire, and hear buildings burning. I felt a tremor in the force, and I quickly ducked, rolled as a nearby building exploded in a shower of masonry as it had instructed me. Something was bombarding it from above and I saw people running in all directions. I saw bodies littering the street, everywhere, many were either dead or dying. What the hell? I reached the nearest, a woman just shivered once and died. Her injuries were extensive, and beyond my ability to heal. Closing her eyes I ran onward, seeking the next, praying that I could help.
Something felt wrong, but I couldn't place it.
Another building exploded, the impact knocked me off my feet as I was showered with debris. Some kind of energy weapon hit it. Frelling hell! I saw people walk the street, wielding PPG's, shooting any who got in their way and any they came across took their last breath. All were dressed completely in black, with hoods over their heads, not even their eyes were visible. A couple had some kind of animal on a lead, I don't know what it was, but it certainly resembled some kind of huge feline. Nice kitty.
Well one thing is for sure, I was definitely in deep trouble! I quickly, made my way into the shadows, and stayed there – invisible. I waited and watched, it seemed the animals on the lead sniffed for the nearly deceased, having to remain immobile while they slaughtered those near me. As soon as they had passed I emerged from the shadows, creeping behind one of the hooded figures. No one saw or heard me grab my reluctant victim, dragging them into the shadows as I silently broke his neck. I emerged moments later and moved onto to the next. Three times I grabbed a victim, each one was a hooded man, and not even once had I bothered to remove the veil to examine what or who they were. No time.
"Where are they?" one replied in confusion, looking behind only to find they were the last in line.
"We are three down, someone is picking us off"
"Look for assassins, could be Technomages" one uttered. Something was very wrong here. One of the cat things was within feet of my position, and knew I could not hide much longer. I struck from the shadows, using the force to increase my strength and hit the animal using Koto Ryu, also known as Tiger Knocking Down School. As my calloused fist connected, its head snapped back and sat on its haunches. I did not wait and hit the hooded man directly above the heart as I felt it explode under the blow.
Not waiting to hear the sign of pain from the man, or my victims' last words about not wanting to die. Not that I cared!
Moving from shadow to shadow, hoping to remain unseen. Suddenly, I felt an intense pain in my head, the pain was blinding; almost like being attacked by the Shadows all those years ago. Unable to keep whoever had blasted through my mental defences out, my step faltered, and I recalled my martial training and used the pain as a fuel; making my anger more intense, allowing me to continue my flight. I felt it again, and again, others were obviously joining in the assault. Blood exploded from my nose yet still my flight continued, at least until a telekinetic force knocked my legs from under me. Unable to move now as they slowly converged on my position, some standing on my arms or legs as each of the hooded men looking down at me. I gathered ki, or the force, about me, and projected a telekinetic strike at my assailants, knocking several off their feet and I remember hearing several meaty thuds of bodies impacting with the ground.
Temporarily free of their control, I directed a force push at the ones still standing, and continued to run. Flee! Every instinct in my body told me to escape and that is what I tried to do. At least until some amorphous shape appeared from nowhere, arriving in a clap of thunder. It had teleported. I needed an out, and reached for the 'under-time', only to find it was not there! Holy frakking crap!
The being before me was reptilian, and possessed teeth like needles, its mouth unbelievably wide. It was about seven foot tall, long limbed with grey skin and white eyes. Both arms ended in five long fingers about a foot long; each with long needle like talons, all of which had half a dozen other barbs extending off at forty five degrees, the same was true of its feet. I felt the stabbing pain again, five different sources 'hit me' psychically, hoping I would be distracted with the strange alien. This time I was more prepared for them, blocking them out as best as I could, and suddenly the creature blurred, moving almost too fast to be seen.
I felt the force, instructing me to duck and I did so, and all of a sudden the creature covered the five feet between us, and grabbed me by the throat, its barbs sticking into my neck, drawing blood through superficial wounds. It looked me in the eye, and I felt it tear through my psychic defences effortlessly. Its strength was incredible as it slowly started to squeeze. It didn't matter how strong or resistant my neck muscles were to strangulation, I was sure it could snap my neck easily. As it got closer, I could see that its eye had been pierced and it had ring through it. Bizarre. This creature looked terrifying and using several of its needle like talons punctured my chest with several. I felt them slide into my body, twisting them, taking delight in my pain. As the combined power of the psychics penetrated my defences, forcing the neurotransmitters in my brain into overload, causing every nerve to fire; the pain was worse than anything I had ever felt. I saw the creature's tongue dart out, licking the sweat pouring from my face.
"More!" It cried in delight. "Your pain tastes incredible. We shall put this one in the holy harp, and we your gods shall drink the last of your pain".
Mercifully blackness took me.
I awoke in a room, with several chairs, chained to a wall. I saw metal wires running from me to some kind of instrument, a harp. The wires were connected into my nipples; shoulder joints, elbows, knees, front and back, inner thighs, my face, and I saw one extend into a rather personal area. I examined my mouth with my tongue and what scared me most, was that someone had taken time and drilled a hole in each tooth, wires connected into every nerve. Sweat began to break out on my forehead, and began the slowly journey, dripping down my face and onto the floor.
Several hooded men walked in, watching. In addition to the horrors before me, what I saw caused my blood to go cold. There was a seven foot tall fish with a tail, gone wrong. It had multiple tentacles extending from various different parts of its body. Each tentacle had dozens of sharp claws, several of which were inserted into the human on whose back it rode, some looked quite deep. It had a black armoured carapace, and possessed one smallish mouth and below that was another huge maw, through which was visible a human head; still attached to its body. It was using this human to travel. Its eyes transfixed me, being blood red. I looked at it in shock. "Have you never seen one of your gods before?"
Its voice was a rasp, it's how I would imagine a snake trying to speak the human language. "Booooo" I replied, trying to be understood with dozens of bits of metal sticking out of my mouth.
"Well let me introduce myself. My name is Odacon, and this is my Golamh Bester". I looked at the human underneath, he had a huge scar running along the left side of his face, now I recognised him!
"I am going to ask you a question, and you will answer me truthfully or we will torture you"
"Ball dordure be banyway" I replied. This was worse than the dentist!
"Open your mind to me" said Bester, the fish carrying man.
"Bever!"
"Servant, play the harp!" Bester shouted. A man grabbed a nearby chair, and sitting down strummed a few notes. I didn't really hear the tune, just felt the effect as the vibration ran along each wire and into every major nerve cluster.
I don't know which was more painful, the vibration running along the wires into the nerves in my mouth, or the one into my bladder. Unsurprisingly, I screamed.
"Now, open your mind to me" Bester cried, much more forcefully this time.
"Booo" I uttered in response.
"Play again, until I say stop" Odacon rasped. I saw the hooded man run his fingers along each and every string, and vibration after vibration went along the wires into my body. With my new training I had been quite proud of my new physique, stronger, faster, more agile; endurance to pain increased. I had never expected this in my wildest dreams. I was shouting, screaming in pain, the man-fish thing came close enough, and began licking the sweat of my face and naked chest.
I vaguely remember that someone had 'fouled' themselves, the stench being awful, and yet it continued to lick the sweat off me. The invasion came next, the raping of my mind; I do not know who it was, but they shuffled through my mind like a deck of cards. I do not know how long it went on, but it stopped, suddenly.
When I awoke, I was in a pool of my own excretions, and I recalled the violation of my mind. I began to rock backwards and forward, slowly at first, and increasing in speed- I was not aware of doing this; but it was the only thing that gave me solace and comfort. Eventually I covered my face with my hands and wept uncontrollably.
In came Bester the fish carrying man, hours later with another hooded man, intent on their faces.
I had been washed, although that is an incorrect phrase for what actually happened. I was stripped naked and forced to stand against a wall while I was brutally hosed down, each splash of water bouncing against the wires, sending a new wave of agony crashing through my body. They did not care, only that I was clean again for more pointless torture, for the parasites attached gained sustenance from it. I was thrown a robe and given a towel to dry myself with, and left on my own again.
I could feel the connection between me and my psychic invader getting stronger, slowly, it wormed its way more and more into my conscious and sub-conscious minds.
Slowly I awoke and realised all the wires were gone, even into my teeth and the rather personal area. A feeling of numbness crept over me, and I 'blacked out' again. I opened my eyes and was looking up at some kind of lizard, or saurian, and then I remembered it, or rather him. The one who had picked me up, before my torture and looked me directly in the eye, "I'm glad you smell cleaner. You should be well presented before your god"
"You are not my god, or anything worthy of worship" I replied angrily, and could not help running my tongue over the holes in my teeth, and grimaced in pain. "In fact, I hope you choke on my emotions"
"There is plenty of time for that!" the Saurian replied and watched me squirm under its gaze. I felt like a mouse in a maze. "I am Moloch and you will serve me in all things" and then seemed thoughtful for a moment and began gazing at me again, "all things. Is that clear?"
"Like hell!" I answered defiantly. I will not show weakness!
"You will" he contradicted. "Humans are to be fed, bled, and bred as we desire". Moloch saw the defiant look in my eyes, "We could always put you back into the Holy Harp"
"No….no" my body answered, mouth moving before my mind could gain control; "I will serve".
"Good" Moloch shrieked, "Golamh, get him some new clothes and some gruel. Ensure he is well fed for his duties to come"
"Yes Lord" replied the fish thing, obviously not allowing Bester to speak at this point. Moloch turned back towards me once more, and ran a tongue over my skin, must not show weakness, breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out; and then I lost it and started to hyperventilate, I was having a panic attack.
What I took to be a smile appeared on Molochs' face, and then he laughed, "You are broken little godling. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha" and then a blurry visage, followed by another, both distorted, walked towards us. I recognised the presence, and it took a moment for my mind to remember, a Drakh! "What is it you want?" Moloch inquired.
"My masters wish your obediance"
"Come closer little Drakh" Moloch whispered. I knew he was up to something and had no idea what. Slowly one of the Drakh got nearer to the saurian, and suddenly Moloch grabbed one, pulling him close; moving his lips to the Drakhs'. What the frak is going on?
As Molochs' face got within 6 inches of the Drakh it was like the old black and white televisions, with aerials that needed twisting, or tuning to get the channel, giving everything an almost spectral after image surrounding them, like an aura. The Drakh was surrounded by this ghostly corona, and it drained into Molochs' mouth; the body limp which he just dropped it to the floor like so much excess baggage.
"What just happened?" I asked.
"Do not be irreverent" mocked Besters' fish, Odacon, "All want to be kissed by an Albino White like Moloch, it is a great honour"
"Is he?" I asked rather stupidly.
"Dead? Of course he's dead. Moloch has drained his soul, stupid ignorant apes! We should have exterminated you rather than educated you"
"Sometimes I agree" said Moloch, "but they're too sweet tasting to exterminate; who wants to lick their distant cousins, the hair got everywhere", and they both walked off laughing, leaving the Drakh standing there dumbfounded. "Go home stupid creature" said Odacon, "you have Molochs' answer. We want nothing to do with you or your pathetic masters!"
When my breathing eventually returned to normal, Bester came back and led me away, passing numerous other cells, he looked at me wearily, and I swear I saw compassion in his eyes.
"Where am I being taken?" A complete fool would have seen the complete revulsion in my eyes. I will not let them touch me. The thought of it made my skin crawl. Bester looked at me again, "We will take you to Psi Corp and provide you with food and shelter to perform your duties to Moloch, beginning tonight"
"What happens tonight?"
"A sacrificial fire in his honour, thousands of children will be burnt alive, purifying them"
"That's barbarous" I shouted. "Surely people are not allowing this?"
"The Formorians rule this world. The remaining Melniboneans and Atlanteans both oppose the Formnorians", and then he looked me right in the eye. Was he trying to tell me something?
"Careful Golamh" Odacon remarked, and I noticed it plunge a barb deep into Besters' chest, "Aaaarrrgh!" he cried looking at me, eyes pleading for help.
"I could always re-arrange some of your internal organs Golamh, or remove them entirely!"
Did I help him, or let him suffer? I really could not decide, but at this point my decision was made for me as a huge explosion rocked the building, followed by a staccato of PPG shots.
What looked like armed soldiers charged in, shooting any hostiles they saw. Any locked doors they passed were opened, forcibly if necessary, releasing prisoners as they went. A shot caught Bester in the chest, body sagging, legs giving way. His eyes were pleading, begging for release. I stepped and drove a knife hand strike directly to the side of his neck, killing the Psi Cop. I may not be totally human, but his expression showed gratitude before passing into oblivion.
Odacon separated from the host and ran at a blur. I was too weak for any conflict, and had to use the wall, steadying myself. One of the soldiers put my arm around his neck, "I'm okay, help the others" I said, and helped another prisoner. I barely noticed that she was female or that she had dark hair or that she was attractive.
We ran, walked or stumbled outside while under the protective guards. Mostly in my case stumbled, barely having the energy to pay attention to where we were going, certainly nothing in 'the tank' for fighting; and quite frankly all of the prisoners were the same; physically and mentally and psychically drained beyond belief. "Move quicker!" they shouted, while keeping a constant stream of PPG fire at the building we had just left. Eventually we were led through the ruins, "This way!" another whispered.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"Away from here" one shouted. We rounded another corner, and came upon an alleyway. I watched as one pulled out three candles, and quickly lit them. I was beginning to get a thought, but didn't want to jinx it. Slowly the guard chanted over the three candles, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candle stick" he said.
"Jump over, all of you" a guard shouted, and helped us all over, some were carried past the candles. "Where now?" another prisoner squeaked.
"Keep going till you get out the alley"
"What about you?" I asked.
"You all get across, we're going somewhere else. Now go!" he shouted.
We all walked down the alleyway, and followed it around the corner. Slowly we emerged, and large screens showed a familiar looking, smiling and jovial face. "Harold Saxon the new President" and large crowds clapped in applause.
"No longer will we have the tyranny of Clark, but a more understanding future" he droned. I quickly tried to sense the 'under-time' and found its' presence soothing. Still holding the unknown woman in my arms disappeared.
While in the 'under-time' she communicated with me. "Who are you?" she asked.
"It's okay. I am Addad, we're going straight to Medbay"
"I know, my name is Seraphina"
"What race are you?" I enquired while on route to Babylon 5.
"My race has many names. We used to travel in ships a hundred and fifty miles long until I was exiled". I was not beginning to like the sound of this, and looked at her. She was stunning, and I could see was getting stronger. I could feel her attraction to me. "What race are you from?" I asked again, more gently this time.
"The Kurians before their extinction knew of us as the Pre-Entities". I almost dropped her in space, there and then. My mouth felt very dry, desert dry like it was full of sand. "Why were you exiled?" I stammered 'breaking out' on Narn, the hillside was deserted as I dropped to all fours in exhaustion. I watched her eyes, and they said a lot of things; a lifetime of regret, sorrow and of hope to come and her desire towards me. I stepped back and almost fell. "Why?" I asked again.
"You are afraid of me" she said rhetorically. "Why?"
"I know what your species is capable of"
"Here maybe, but not" she said looking me directly in the eye, "home" she said wistfully. "We were hunted to almost extinction by the Vorlons, the Shadows sought to use us as tools and soldiers of war. What was left of my race chose to fight them. I spoke for peace"
"A likely story" I said as she advanced on me. "Why decide to stop draining whole civilisations?"
"It hasn't been that way for millions of years" she replied. "Some of my race went into stasis and ventured beyond the rim, but I was exiled to earth a thousand years ago" she finished. Her eyes looked sincere, but did I believe her? Either that or the recent torture was playing havoc with my mind.
Slowly she walked towards me, and lifted me to my feet. Placing her hand to my face, turned it and brought hers closer to mine; our lips brushed. I felt her drain some of my energy, not as bad as Yoda did, damn Pre-Entities! It was then I felt a jolt of psychic energy from her coursing through my system, revitalising, "No" she said telepathically, "I can see into your mind now", and realised I did not have enough energy to raise any mental defences. "Do not worry Addad, I can see your fear" she continued on the intimate, very intimate esper channel, "now feel and see my life" and suddenly I was inundated with sights, sounds as she showed me some her life. What she had told me was true, she was not like the others!
"No I'm not" she retorted telepathically, sounding all offended as I had forgotten our minds were joined, albeit temporarily. "Would you prefer I leave?"
"No" I replied telepathically. I had never experienced communication in this form before. "Astonishing, why did I never experience this before?" I inquired non-verbally, more to me than her. "We must go" she said, "You are getting weak" and she lunged for me, right on cue as my legs gave way.
Catching me, she kissed me once more as a huge jolt of energy rocketing through my system. My strength began to return as hers began to fade. "You must get us to safety" and grabbing her entered the 'under-time' once more. I arrived in the middle of Medlab, and was rescued by John and Marucs; both of whom caught us.
Days later we awoke, at the same time. I felt as though she had forged a permanent psychic connection between us, energy being split between us equally to the betterment of both. "Are you okay?" John asked.
"Not really" I answered.
"Somebody certainly worked you over pretty good" said Marcus.
"I'll say" said Doctor Franklin. "Every tooth drilled, puncture wounds all over your body, nerve damage and I even had to remove a stray metal fibres. What the hell happened to you?"
So I told them, sparing no details, except about my new companion, only saying that she was human. Franklin raised an eyebrow at that. "At least we have a new President now" Marcus said, "let's hope he's a good one".
"I need to talk to you about that"
"Is there a problem Addad?" Sheriden enquired, using his command tones.
"Possibly. But I'd like to get some sleep, preferably in my old bed, if the room is still available?"
"Of course, I'll sort out a room for your friend here, too" he remarked amiably.
"No need, she's staying with me" I replied automatically without even thinking. I don't know why I had said that, well actually I was beginning to get an idea. "Fine". I then realised I had forgotten something, "Captain, did you meet Garibaldi in the end?"
"I did. Luckily due to your warning I took some back up with me, it turned out to be a trap"
"I'm sorry Captain"
"What for? Saving my life?"
"No for losing your friend. I'll see you tomorrow to talk about the new President, Harold Saxon. Goodnight John" I said and walked out with Seraphina, as we turned a corner I slid my hand into hers.
The President of Earth looked on gleefully. The humans has no idea, and in walked another, and stood watching the Psi Cop- Bester. "Mr President, it is good to meet you at last".
"Well, well, well. What can I do for you?" the Master replied happily.
"I came to discuss a situation with you"
"Cup of tea?"
"No thank you" to which the Psi Cop held his palm out, further trying to enforce the gesture.
"Biscuit perhaps?"
"No"
"Cake" suggested the Master, holding up a plate full.
"No thank you Mr President".
"Cake" said the President still holding the plate.
"Thank you" answered Bester taking it off the plate. "Now if I may?"
"Aren't you going to eat it?" asked the President, pointing his head at Besters' cake.
Bester did not know what the Presidents' game was, insisting about either a drink or food, or both. Yet having taken a cake, insisting it be eaten, he felt like a child again. Gathering his formidable skills, tried to sense the President, something is not right, ensure everything was okay. He couldn't sense anything, almost like being blocked. That was not possible though. Able to sense Vorlons and Shadows and even though they blocked the scan, he could tell. This was more sublte somehow. Why was he always so damn jovial?
"Problem?" asked the President. "Don't you feel better having eaten your cake? A bit of a sugar rush?"
"Er….yes"
"Are you trying to scan me? Unauthorised scans are illegal; didn't you know?"
"So's being a blip" Bester replied confidently.
"Only if you're human" replied the Master, and lent over Bester.
Suddenly Bester felt his psychic defences collapse like a house made of straw. This isn't possible he thought. I'm a P12, even a Vorlon couldn't do this, as he screamed. Defences gone, the President showed Bester a civilisation that made the Vorlons childlike, not godlike. Just like a switch being turned "You will serve Mr Bester?" the President raged.
Bester lay exhausted, almost unable to speak. "You will serve me Bester. For I am the Master", and all the Psi Cop could do was nod.
Authors note.
If anyone is still unsure what either Moloch, or a Golamh looks like; they are as per Slaine:
This story will be continued in the story The Aftermath.