Chapter 9 Capture

Thank you so much for still enjoying this. Enjoy this chapter also :)

As always, nothing is mine.

Downbelow

The discussion with the Vendor went incredibly well. No doubt, the Vendor was excited at the prospect of dealing with someone from the Council. It was why he agreed so quickly. The price he named was quite high, but Dean assured serenely that they could handle it. After all, they were not really the ones paying, were they? The deal was made. Sam and Dean were to bring the pay the next day and they'll be getting the talisman to deliver to the ambassador.

Things had gone so smoothly that Dean decided it called for a celebration.

"Really Sammy," he insisted. "There's this place in the Zocalo – drinks, games, the lot. What do you say to some victory drinking?"

Sam, however, shook his head this time.

"Pass," he said. "I'm going to have a look around."

Dean raised his eyebrows.

"I thought you had one already on the first day," he pointed out.

"That was for research," Sam replied. "This would be for my entertainment only. I mean, come on, we're leaving tomorrow. It's not like I'm likely to see this place again afterwards."

Dean knew that Sam had a point. If he had an interest in exploring Babylon 5 from the same nerdy perspective Sam was, he would have probably joined his brother. But Dean was in the mood for something lighter this time.

"All right," he said. "Enjoy the walk. Don't get lost."

Sam snorted.

"Dean, the place is only five miles long," he pointed out. "Where am I gonna get lost?"

Ambassador Mollari's quarters

Londo looked at Morden annoyed. It was the second time in a week that the man had barged into his quarters practically unannounced. Londo could not have this become a habit. After all, it was starting to feel more like he was the one working for Morden and not backwards. This had to change.

As a matter of fact, Londo was already beginning to consider a time when he was going to sever ties with Morden. He could not risk being associated with him too long. Vir was right – and Londo could admit that to himself when Vir was not around to hear him. Morden really was dangerous. He was also necessary while the Narn-Centauri war was being waged. As long as that lasted, Londo still needed his ally. Afterwards, though, he would have to think about telling Morden that they were better off going their separate ways.

But that time had not come yet. Londo could still use Mister Morden. Which was why he was forced to tolerate the other's whims and eccentricities – including the one about seeing the ambassador at all hours and at the most inconvenient of times.

"Well, Mister Morden?" Londo demanded mockingly. "What can I do for you now?"

Morden leaned in the comfortable armchair he was sitting and eyed the Centauri Ambassador thoughtfully.

"Do you remember our last talk, Ambassador?" he asked. "The one when I advised you not to get involved with a certain incriminating object?"

"As I recall," Londo corrected acidly, "You actually ordered me not to purchase a silly trinket. And I haven't, by the way. Not because you did not want me to. I merely have no interest in such superstitions."

Morden inclined his head, apparently unoffended by Londo's less than friendly corrections.

"I thought you would not be," he admitted. "And it was not about the talisman I wanted to talk to you. There was a visitor who interrupted our conversation, a young man – Parks."

Londo nodded quickly.

"I remember," he said. "Reporter. A strange breed and I think he was the strangest. We had an illuminating conversation."

In fact, it had been more a monologue than a conversation. Sam Parks had simply told the Centauri to talk about himself, and Londo had done just that. Sam had only listened. In fact, he had been so skilled at listening that Londo had nearly found himself saying more than he wanted to. Even now he worried that he might have said too much.

"Are you sure his name was Parks?" Morden inquired.

Londo frowned.

"Of course I'm sure," he snapped. "That's what he told me. Sam Parks, if I remember correctly. Why all these questions?"

Morden sighed. He looked suddenly concerned.

"Because I think Mr Parks was not who he said he was," he announced all of a sudden.

Londo looked sharply at that.

"What are you talking about?" he demanded.

Morden looked hesitant.

"I don't really know, Ambassador," he replied. "It's just some information I received. He is not Sam Parks and he is not here to do a documentary on Babylon 5."

"What was he doing, then?" Londo wanted to know. "Was he spying on me? But why? And for whom? For Earth?"

Morden shrugged his shoulders.

"I do not know, Ambassador," he said. "I think that is something for you and your people to deal with. I merely thought I should warn you."

Morden left then. Londo felt anxious. He had no idea what Sam Parks- or whatever his name was – had wanted from him. He could not discern much from the talk he had with him that morning. But the fact remained that he had been spied upon. And Londo was not going to tolerate that. He left his quarters, heading straight for Sheridan's office. It was time for desperate measures.

Outside Sam and Dean's quarters

Sam was just about to enter his room when he saw two men approach him. He had researched the station enough to identify one of them as the security chief.

"Sam Parks?" he asked.

Sam tensed, immediately going on the defensive. The chief of security asking about him could not be a good thing.

"What if I am?" he asked challengingly.

"Come with me," Garibaldi said impassively. "Me and the captain want a little chat with you."

Sam hesitated. He could make a fuss. He probably could take down the chief of security and his escort and escape. But there was nowhere to go from there. The hunt would be up for him and he would be unable to reach his ship or leave the station. Not to mention that any rash action would have put the mission to retrieve the talisman in jeopardy – along with Dean also. And Sam felt it was lucky enough his brother was not there now. he was not going to do anything that would have led to Dean's capture alongside him. Therefore, he nodded calmly to the two.

"All right," he said. "If you insist."

It did not take long for Dean to discover that Sam had been captured. He might have gone out to celebrate and enjoy himself, but that did not mean he had allowed his guard to go down. While he was sipping his drink, enjoying the company of a lovely dancer from Orion 7, he was still paying attention to everything that was happening around him. That was how he heard a few security guards talking about capturing someone who had claimed to be the cousin of some television bigwig. It did not take much for Dean to figure out they meant Sam.

He abandoned the dancer – much to her irritation – and stood for a while wondering what course of action he should take. He had no doubt they would be looking for him too, so he had to act quickly. Dean figured there were two course of actions left for him. He could try to free Sam himself – but that was going to end up with a lot of bodies and there was no guarantee he and Sam would actually make it off the station, not to mention they would not have managed to leave with the talisman. Or Dean could take an even bigger chance and go to the one person who had declared to be on their side, much as he disliked the idea.

Delenn's quarters

Delenn was focused on some trade proposals that had come her way that week. She had to deliver her feedback on them back to her government that day. She usually did not neglect her work in such a manner. But the Centauri war, together with the growing hints of the return of the threat she had been preparing for had kept her busy. Not to mention the business with the Winchesters that had its own part to play in distracting her. She was, therefore, understandably irritated when she heard the ring on her door.

"Come back later please," she demanded.

"No can do, Ambassador," came Dean Winchester's urgent voice. "Open this door and let me in, we've gotta talk."

Delenn shook her head. She did not think that insisting she had something else on her mind was going to work with Dean. He was one of those who did not give up easily and did not really take no for an answer. Also, he did not appear to have his brother with him. Sam might have kept him in check, perhaps even explained why it was inappropriate for someone to knock at an Ambassador's door unannounced at all hours.

"Enter," Delenn said resignedly.

The door opened and Dean Winchester stormed in. The minute she saw him, Delenn knew something was wrong. He was anxious, even though he was trying to hide it from her – or maybe even from himself as well. But there was a franticness in his expression that could not be hidden. Delenn had already guessed that these Hunters were not easily fazed. Something must have happened then, something grave enough to unnerve the likes of the Winchesters.

"What is it?" Delenn wanted to know. "Is it about the talisman? Does the Vendor refuse to sell after all?"

Dean shook his head quickly appearing slightly annoyed at the mention of the Vendor, as if he could not afford such petty distractions now.

"He says he'll give us the talisman as soon as you pay the price," he answered distractedly. "But that's not why I'm here. I've been hearing rumours round the station. Sheridan's had my brother taken in for questioning."

Delenn bit her lips. She had expected the Markab to turn to Sheridan and of course the Captain was bound to pay attention to the complaint. Still, the vague hints of the Markab were not enough to have Sheridan act so quickly and decisively. That was what she had been banking on. That she would have time to talk to Sheridan about the Winchesters – not telling him too much, of course, just enough to let him know that they were involved with her.

"You said you'd make sure the Captain did not bother us," Dean pointed out accusingly.

"And I would have," Delenn assured him. "I thought I had time to talk to him. I think I would have had, if it had been only the Markab's accusations that drew the Captains attention to you. But there must be something else. Strange things have been happening on the station – and unexplained death, visiting dignitaries having their quarters searched, the Vendor in the middle of this. And, since now you have talked to the Vendor – you too are involved. You must see how it looks from Captain Sheridan's point of you."

Dean waved that aside.

"I'm really not interested in whatever perspective he or anyone else might have on the whole thing, Ambassador," he stated firmly. "I just want to get my brother from whatever dark hole Sheridan and his security people tossed him in – and the sooner the better."

Delenn frowned at that.

"The Captain of Babylon 5 is not a barbarian, Mister Winchester," she pointed out somewhat testily. "We do not have dark holes here, as you put it. Wherever your brother is, I am certain he is perfectly fine."

Dean shook his head at that. She did not understand. She had no idea why the thought of Sam captured anywhere had Dean so on edge.

"Look, he's not well," Dean blurted. "Or, well, he is, but that is only because he cannot remember what happened to him."

Delenn said nothing to that, but looked at Dean sharply, indicating that, if he wanted her to interfere on his behalf, he would have to give her more than vague hints. Dean shook his head and decided he might as well say as much as he could.

"He's been through hell," he snapped. "And I wish this was an exaggeration, but it's not. He's been to hell and back, Ambassador and it was as much for the good of this floating tin can as for everyone else's. so I think I have the right to burst into Sheridan's office and demand that he damn well better release my brother, if he knows what's good for him!"

Delenn shook her head. She could finally see now why everyone was saying that the Winchesters were fated to break the world. Because apparently, when it came to each other, they might do just that, if it was necessary. And Delenn was determined to see this was not necessary in this case.

"I will talk to the Captain," she said firmly. "You stay here. You will not get your brother released by using threats."

Dean raised his eyebrows.

"And what are you going to do to convince Sheridan?" he wanted to know. "Blackmail him?"

Delenn huffed, for the first time betraying a small hint of exasperation.

"No, Mister Winchester," she snapped. "I am going to ask him nicely. I recommend you try it some time. You are going to like the results."