A/N: I corrected the last chapter to name the correct Goddess who died. Thanks again to John Wolfe for pointing out my error.

Dr. Hobbs, who had been brought to the Alexander because Sheridan trusted her, was quickly called. Even before she arrived, however, Lyta had regained consciousness.

After examining her Dr. Hobbs said, "Your electrolytes are very low. What precipitated this?"

Sheridan interrupted. "She was performing a deep scan. It was more intense than expected."

Dr. Hobbs looked at him and then back to Lyta, who nodded. "Well then. In the future, if you are going to be doing such work again, make certain you have a good source of electrolytes on hand." She ordered the nurse from the Alexander to retrieve from stores one of the drinks that most Earth ships had which replenished electrolytes when crew members were doing hot and sweaty work.

The nurse brought several. Dr. Hobbs had Lyta drink two immediately. "Are you going to be scanning any more people?"

Lyta looked at Roslin who only said, "Probably not immediately. Later, yes."

Dr. Hobbs nodded. "Then I will leave the rest with you, Lyta. Drink one before performing any deep scans. And if you feel thirsty after, drink another. Doctor's orders."

Lyta nodded and Dr. Hobbs and the assisting nurse left.

Once that had settled, those present began to talk about what had happened. Lee spoke. "What was all this about? What about these Vorlons and these Shadows?"

Sheridan sighed. "First Ones. Old races that came before that were supposed to guide the races that came after. They had opposing viewpoints on the best way to do that and so started warring against each other every thousand or ten thousand years. We just finished the last war a few months ago. We finally convinced them that we didn't need any more guidance and to go away. More details we can talk about later. All you need to know right now is that they were very powerful beings who regularly interfered but they are gone now."

"And the information left behind?"

Lyta spoke then. "I worked for the Vorlons. It helped keep me away from the Psi Corps. Psi Corp is an Earthgov organization which monitors telepaths. Unfortunately, they also experiment on them, and they manipulate my kind to try to make more powerful telepaths. All very quiet and most people don't know about it. Many telepaths do everything they can to stay away from Psi-Corp. They have too much influence to fight them directly and they have laws on their side. Rogue telepaths are hunted down and returned by the paramilitary part of Psi Corps called Psi cops. By law, if you don't want to be part of Psi Corp, you can either accept injections to suppress your abilities or be imprisoned away from mundane people. Telepaths cannot legally be a part of the military or a hundred other things for fear that they can spy or influence others."

Adama asked, "Is that a real threat?"

Lyta laughed bitterly. "If rogue telepaths did what Psi Corp does behind the scenes, they would likely be killed by non-telepaths. But because Psi Corp only does it to telepaths it's ignored. Unethical telepaths could do those things – but the Psi Corps is more likely to do it than any rogue."

Marcus was curious. "Do any of your people have psychic abilities?" he asked the Colonials.

Laura answered, "Much of the direction that we traveled in meeting your people were because of visions I had while taking chamalla. It's an herbal drug I took to help treat breast cancer."

Lyta said, "There are drugs and compounds which can be used to excite dormant telepathic abilities. And if I could make a request, please do not let Psi Corps get a hold of whatever herb you are talking about."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Lee volunteered, "Many people who claim psychic ability go into the priesthood. And many become healers."

Adama then added, "A lot of the best viper pilots have that little something extra which allows them to anticipate much better than others. Lee has that, as did I when I flew vipers forty years ago. Starbuck has that."

Laura looked thoughtful as she said, "Starbuck has also had visions – without taking chamalla."

Sheridan considered that. "I have an officer who seems to have better empathy than most. She's not a telepath but her mother was."

Marcus asked, "You mean …?" Sheridan nodded.

Tigh, who had been listening to all of this, interrupted. "Can we get back to who the Vorlons and Shadows were? All this talk of visions and psychic ability is a distraction." Tigh had never had much store in such things.

Adama looked at his long-time friend who was apparently a Cylon and said, "He's right." He turned to Lyta. "So the Vorlons you worked for left information behind in you?"

Lyta nodded.

Sheridan spoke then. "After the war was over, Interplanetary Expeditions, an Earth corporation which works on locating old Alien technology to create new things to sell found a large structure which was brought to Babylon 5. Unfortunately, it was something that the Vorlons made which proved to be dangerous and so they hid it away. When Lyta saw it, a memory was triggered which told us what it was. That helped us to figure out how to destroy it. Apparently, Lyta was left with memories which can come into focus when confronted by things that the Vorlons thought that might need to be known. The existence of your people is the second time this has happened."

Adama asked Lyta, "Are there a lot of them?"

Lyta shrugged. "I don't know. I can't control when they get triggered. I don't know what else the Vorlons left in me."

Adama took a long look at her. "Well, we're newly arrived into a galaxy we aren't prepared for. We're going to eventually have to move to another planet." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "You're not a part of Psi Corps. And if they got their hands on you, it would be very bad. Is that right?"

Lyta replied, "Yes. I live on Babylon 5, which has declared independence. Because of what happened with the war, I'm allowed residence. But I don't really answer to anyone. They aren't paying me but they do shelter me somewhat."

Adama looked at Sheridan. "You've broken away from Earth and no longer have to follow their rules. Why haven't you put her on the payroll."

Sheridan sighed. "When we broke away, we did it because President Clark had violated the Earth Alliance constitution. We're still loyal to Earth. When it happened I said that we would be an independent state only until Clark was removed from power. Like the people on the Alexander, we want to return to Earthforce. We did what we did out of loyalty to Earth. As much as I would want to, I can't violate Earthforce regulations more than absolutely necessary to protect my people. So, as far as Lyta goes, we let her live on Babylon 5 in exchange for assistance when needed. Because she worked for the Vorlons and they helped back the Babylon project, I can justify that to the bean counters when they come calling. But I can't make her a part of the crew. It will cause too many problems for us and her when this all gets resolved."

Lyta sighed in resignation. Sheridan spoke the absolute truth.

Adama said, "Well, the Colonies of Kobol, despite their origin, are NOT subject to Earthforce regulations." He turned to Lyta. "Lyta Alexander. As Supreme Commander of the Colonial Fleet, I am offering you a commission as a Colonial Warrior. There's a lot we don't know and we might run into these booby traps that the Vorlons knew about that no one else does. You would be a part of Military Intelligence. Actually, considering that there are no other members of that arm, you'll be the head of Military Intelligence. This demands the rank of Lt, Colonel at a minimum, the lowest Senior Commissioned Officer rank."

Laura Roslin added, "This commission would come with an offer of citizenship with our people. As the President of the Twelve Colonies, I support this decision."

Lyta was flabbergasted. "Just like that? You'll accept me, even knowing I am a telepath? Aren't you frightened?"

Adama was inexorable. "I will do anything I have to to protect my people. That is my mandate. Your presence could only help."

Lyta looked at Sheridan, who looked just as shocked by the offer. Sheridan said, "Except for the fact that I really think we'll need your help to resolve the situation with Earth, it's probably the best idea I've heard for where you could go to keep yourself safe."

Adama made an instant decision. "And because the new head of Military Intelligence has declared them loyal …" He turned to Tigh and the others. "Colonel Tigh. As Executive Officer of the Battlestar Galactica, I require your assistance as a witness to an Oath of Service to the Colonial Fleet."

Tigh was astounded. "Even with me being a Cylon?"

Adama nodded. "We don't know everything. But nothing so far has shown that you supported our enemies and you have served a long time. None of you, not even your ex-wife, has acted as a Cylon collaborator. There's no reason that we know of to exclude you from active duty."

Tigh looked like the weight of the world had dropped from his shoulders. Tyrol and Foster also looked hopeful. "I would be honored to bear witness."

Laura Roslin wanted to protest because she had personal grievances with Tigh, but she had to agree that he had been nothing but loyal to Adama. And Tory Foster had never given reason to doubt her; neither had Galen Tyrol as far as she knew. So she stayed silent.

Meant to be a solemn moment, the Oath of Office was a formal affair. Lyta tried to maintain her calm, but several tears fell down her face.

When it was done, Adama spoke. "Lt. Colonel Alexander. There is currently little need for Military Intelligence, although I am certain that it will become very important as we regroup. However, your services have been requested by Captain John Sheridan of Babylon 5. You are being given a Temporary Duty Assignment of one Colonial year. For the next year, you will operate from Babylon 5 and perform such duties as its commander requires of you to assist with operations as necessary to resolve the conflict Earth Alliance is currently experiencing. But you will remain an officer of the Colonial Military. Before you return to Babylon 5, you be issued a uniform from stores. And when the situation demands that you dress in uniform, you will wear that uniform with pride. Do you understand?"

Lyta stood at attention, "Yes, Sir. I will do as ordered, Admiral." She saluted her new superior officer. He returned the salute with a smile.

"Make certain you get a copy of our military regulations and the Articles of Colonization. You'll have to learn our language as well. So when you aren't performing the duties required of you, these things you will study and learn. Any questions?"

"No, Sir."

"Dismissed."

Adama turned to Sheridan. "We're going to have to come to an agreement in writing. When this blows up, there better be a formal agreement in place. Since you run a diplomatic station, I'll let you come up with the wording. A guarantee of diplomatic immunity must be a part of it. I'm sure we can find at least one lawyer or another in the Fleet to review it. We're going to need to reconstitute our judicial branch as we sort our people out but we're not there yet."

Sheridan nodded. "I want to personally thank you. Lyta's position and status has been worrying me. You've probably helped stave off disaster in the future."

"Whatever I can do."

Sheridan and Adama stepped away from the others. "Your people will have to get back to work. You have that rescue operation to plan. At some point, I'd like to sit down and get to know you and your people. Learn our differences and our similarities." The two were using the screen rather than having Marcus translate as Lee and Roslin were using him to coordinate with Major Ryan.

"Something for the future. I'll likely have to assign someone else to act as official liaison to Babylon 5. Or the President might assign an Ambassador. We're going to need one of those."

Sheridan nodded. "Let me know through the White Stars we're leaving with you what help you'll need and if I can provide, I will."

"Good."

"Now I have to get back to Babylon 5. I'm sure the next crisis is just around the corner."

Adama nodded. "Just give us 12 hours to get Lt. Colonel Alexander squared away. I'll send her back to your ship in a raptor."

"Okay, then." He then paused. "At some point, I'd really like to get a look at one of your jump engines. Do you know how unique it is?"

"What do you mean?" Adama asked curiously.

"Every race that we know of uses hyperspace for Faster Than Light travel. And every one of them learned it from races that came before or tech that was left behind, even the Vorlons and the Shadows. Your system is the only method I have ever heard of that was developed by what most would consider a younger race. Even the Vorlons, apparently, couldn't do what you do and had to rely on time and effort to reach the sector you come from. Your drive could revolutionize the galaxy. And your gravity generation seems to be much more efficient than what most races have. Even as refugees, you have a lot of technology that will give you influence among the other races and, at least your gravity systems, something that you can sell to other races for income."

Adama considered that. "Something we will have to study. The drive is definitely something that we'll want to keep controlled as much as possible until we can guarantee our safety."

"I understand," Sheridan said. He then said, "I'd like to send a couple of engineers from Babylon 5 with schematics for shuttles that we use. They are small enough that it shouldn't be too hard for your people to develop a Human-designed shuttle with gravity. Something you could begin selling as fast as you can make them. The Narns, the Drazi, hell, even Earth would want to spend the money to get them."

"I'm sure that the President and the Quorum can work on those things." He thought for a moment. "I need to ask a question and I need an honest answer."

"Go ahead."

"Earth is in the middle of a civil conflict and we need to start establishing ourselves immediately. If you were in our position, what established race or government would be the best to partner with right now?" Adama's voice was intense.

Sheridan sighed. As much as he didn't want to answer, Adama was right. He looked around to make certain that no one was nearby. He was about to answer but decided that the translation system might keep a record. And so he spoke out, "Marcus!"

Marcus turned and looked at him. "Yes, Captain?"

"Admiral Adama needs to come with us back to the White Star. President Roslin should probably come too."

Marcus nodded. Sheridan carefully erased the conversation that had just happened from the log. It had been set up to allow that at the request of the Colonials for diplomatic reasons and Sheridan took advantage of that.

Tyrol was going with the Colonial fleet members returning to Galactica along with Lyta to arrange for her uniform and her Colonial papers.

Foster travelled with Roslin Lee with his father.

Very soon, the entire contingent was making its way back to White Star 27.

Very soon, the group was back on White Star 27, away from the Alexander and anyone who might report the conversation later. Sheridan did not want anything which might open the door to a claim of treason. And this was big enough that it could be used for that. Sheridan would cover his ass.

When they got to White Star 27, they met in the room designated for meetings.

"Admiral Adama. Why don't you explain what you asked me?"

Adama explained the conversation that the two officers had on the Alexander.

Roslin immediately saw their reasons for making certain that this was a private conversation. "Well, Bill, you've likely just helped our people a lot. I wasn't even thinking about these things."

Adama said, "We're going to need to make plans and, as you said, we need to learn to be citizens again and not refugees. An industrial base and jobs is a big part of that if we are going to ensure our culture is re-established."

Roslin looked at Sheridan. "So, can you answer the question?"

Sheridan nodded. "As much as I would like to advise you to work with Earth, it wouldn't be the best for you or for the galaxy as a whole. Earthgov would try to put in too many limitations and controls, claiming it would be best for security. And then they would give you over to one of the mega corporations and they would see most of the profits. Earth corporations look out for themselves first and then the overall interests of Earth and others only when they can't avoid it. You need to be established before you try to partner with any corporations there. Most races would also try to put too many limits. But there is one race that could probably use a direction to invest in infrastructure."

"And that race is …"

"The Narns."

Roslin nodded. "The race that shipped the food."

"Yes."

"Why would they be the best option?" Adama asked.

"They are recovering as well. During the Shadow War, the Shadows influenced the Centauri to go to war. And the two races already had bad blood because the Centauri invaded Narn when they first found them. That comes from having an imperial form of government. There was a decades-long war for the Narn to throw off the Centauri occupation. The Centauri and the Narn have long memories. It was easy for the Shadows and their agents to convince the Centauri that Narn should be invaded and occupied again. Through the efforts of Ambassador G'Kar, temporarily only Citizen G'Kar, on Babylon 5 and in exchange for helping the Centauri to get rid of their mad emperor, the Narn have once again reclaimed their independence.

"But they lost six million people during the occupation and they lost most of their fleet. They have to quickly rebuild it. And so they have thousands of their citizens working on rebuilding the infrastructure to begin rebuilding their fleet.

"They have to rebuild their infrastructure, clean up their planet after the Centauri used mass drivers to bomb them, they have to rebuild their food supply – they are in a larger version of the same situation you are in save that they still have their home planet. They have just as much to gain as you in creating a strategic partnership. And while I wouldn't give over your jump drive yet, your gravity technology would be a big carrot to offer. They could also help you find a home world that you could permanently settle on."

Sheridan sighed. "I've received word from Delenn that the Minbari are just resolving their civil war. And although Delenn and the religious caste Minbari are more open, much of Minbari culture is insular. They are the most advanced of the younger races and act a bit superior about it although they mask it with politeness. The Centauri are also in a state of flux – they haven't decided who's going to be the new Emperor yet. And yet they learn to act as though the Centauri are the best as a most powerful race as an integral part of their diplomatic position. As a result they will remain almost militantly arrogant in negotiations. And while Earth is in the midst of our own civil conflict, Earthgov is pretty arrogant and superior too, as much as I hate to admit it. We Humans tend to be that way as well as I'm sure you know."

He paused and then continued. "The Narn, tend to be opportunistic than anything else. They have just learned a heavy lesson about being arrogant themselves. I think they would be your best option. They would be very open to working with anyone who could help them to rebuild and to help rebuild their fleet. And, still being considered one of the major powers, they could provide backing that none of the other members of the League of Non-Aligned Worlds could provide. It will be much easier with the Narn backing you to keep your independence from Earth when your existence becomes widely known."

Laura considered what she was being told and came to a decision. "There are too many decisions to be made right now for me to go and negotiate." She turned. "Tory. I have an assignment for you."

"Yes, Madam President?" she asked.

"I am assigning you as Diplomatic Envoy. Much of what we're doing on Colonial One should be moved down to the planet anyway so that I can be on-site to help organize everything. We're going to clear out the ship and designate it as our diplomatic carrier. As soon as we can move operations off of it, I want you to take Colonial One, or Colonial Heavy 798 as it is known when the President isn't on board, and under escort from a White Star I want you to go to Babylon 5 and meet with this G'Kar to arrange for him to visit the Colonial government here. This will be for the purpose of opening negotiations between his government and ours. If necessary you can transport him here on our ship."

She paused and furiously thought for a moment. "We can get together enough cubits to provide currency. Before you meet with him, arrange for whatever you can get from Babylon 5 to set up one of the state rooms as a VIP guest suite so that he can travel in comfort. Arrange for the same thing for the Colonial diplomatic residences on board as well. One suite should be set up as for whoever is acting as diplomatic attaché and one residence should be set up for the President or whatever government official might be traveling on it at any given time."

She turned to Adama. "That would give you time to get Lt Colonel Alexander situated here before sending her back. She can travel with Tory to return her to Babylon 5. This will free up Captain Sheridan to leave immediately."

She turned to face Tory again. "Can you do this?"

Tory nodded. "Of course, Madam President. I would be honored to do so."

Laura turned to Sheridan. "Will there by any problems resupplying the ship at Babylon 5 for this purpose?"

Sheridan shook his head. "I don't see any problems. We have people who can be assigned to that and we have the supplies. And currency will be welcome. Too often we have to eat the costs of assisting Human diplomatic elements." He turned to Marcus. "I'll move to White Star 36. Let the Captain know that they'll be taking me back to Babylon 5 and then coming back to help with defense. When they return, you use this ship to lead their ship to Babylon 5 space."

Laura nodded. "We may be asking for a lot of assistance but I want to establish our people as independently as possible. So if we can, I will make it a policy that we pay for whatever services we ask for."

Marcus chuckled. "Non-arrogant Human politicians and diplomats: What a novel concept."

There were several more chuckles all around.

Everyone left except Lee and Adama. Adama then asked Cole, "I want to know if you can help us calculate one of our jumps to a location with a jump gate we can use. Let's see if we can learn to activate jump gates as needed ourselves. We'll need directions on hyperspace routes as well. We'll need that if we're going to learn to be independent."

Marcus nodded. "Well, I have at least 24 hours before White Star 36 returns. We should be able to learn something in that time."