Fiona loved being a gropo. She missed the training. She missed the prospect of going into battle. She was pleased at the small number of military personnel that managed to make it to Babylon 5 in response to her call. Some were Special Forces while others were regular personnel. With Sheridan's approval, she began official gropo training. From time to time Zack would join in the training to bolster his skills as a security chief.
Zack had underestimated her physical strength on numerous occasions. He felt that because she was such a strong telepath that she did not really require extraordinary physical strength. She firmly believed that a strong mind and a strong body went hand in hand.
Training space on Babylon 5 was limited. Fiona had to be prepared for a ground assault should the need arise. In her experience, ground forces always made the difference, especially at the end. She came up with a brainstorm and met with Sheridan in his office.
"I want to organize a training stretch on Epsilon 3," Fiona said. "We need to practice tactical maneuvers."
Sheridan gave her a funny look and said, "I'll have to think about it."
Fiona asked, "Is there a problem sir? After all, Epsilon 3 is uninhabited. My men need to practice emplacing mines and other tactical maneuvers."
Sheridan said, "I need to consider the proposal."
Fiona said, "Very well sir. I am sure you realize that every war requires ground troops. Or is there something down there you don't want me to know about?"
Sheridan laughed, "You don't miss a trick."
Fiona said, "Very good sir. I'll leave you to consider the proposal."
After Fiona left, Sheridan summoned Ivanova. He knew Fiona had a legitimate purpose to go down to the planet. He just was not sure about Draal. The caretaker allowed Franklin to set up overflow hospital facilities on the planet during the war to help cope with the influx of refugees caused by the planet killers. That was a mission of mercy, which Draal approved.
To use the planet for tactical training was different. Draal was religious caste. He supported Sheridan's efforts in the war against the Shadows. He even allowed use of the Great Machine to boost the Voice of the Resistance signal to Earth. Highly trained soldiers posed a different problem, especially when the leader was a telepath of incalculable rating.
Ivanova listened carefully and said, "Contact Draal. Maybe there's a suitable place on the surface where they won't discover the machinery."
Sheridan said, "That's the least of my worries."
Ivanova said, "You think she'll sense Draal and go to investigate."
Sheridan said, "It is a distinct possibility. I'm not sure we should tell her about Draal."
Ivanova said, "Maybe she already knows about him." Sheridan raised an eyebrow. Ivanova continued, "You did say she suggested you didn't want her finding anything down there."
Sheridan laughed, "That doesn't mean she knows about Draal."
Ivanova said, "True. You can't fight this fight entirely from the sky."
Sheridan said, "All right. Let's contact Draal."
#B5#
Fiona looked forward to the planned war games on the planet surface. She had listened carefully to Sheridan's instructions. There was a friendly alien presence on the planet. Under no circumstances was she to scan or search for this presence. Her group would have to stay within the predetermined boundaries established. Under no circumstances were they supposed to explore any caverns if they found any.
She was just looking forward to being a gropo again. Fiona sensed that Collins, Anderson, and Dell were also looking forward to it. They were the best of the best gropos. Some of their recruits were green. She had to get them ready for the ground assault tactic if it were necessary.
They began with basic training maneuvers. They would spend five days training on the surface and then return to the station for some rest. New pilots trained to fly the raider. She concentrated on basic maneuvers until she was confident they could work as a team. Then she began to make the various assignments. She had a special demolitions team, communications team and more.
Sometimes Zack would fly out special to observe for a while. Other times it was Sheridan to observe the progress of the training. New recruits integrated as quickly as possible. She would not have a battalion. She might end up with a company. For now, though, she had two platoons.
Fiona did not like the unexpected recall. She sensed trouble. She decided to bring back the entire grouping. They had all worked hard and she decided that a few days of extra rest was in order. When she returned to the station, she received orders to report in to Ivanova in the commander's office.
When she arrived, Ivanova was sitting behind Sheridan's desk and Delenn stood blankly. Ivanova was upset and with good reason. Sheridan had gone to Mars and Garibaldi betrayed him. Clark's agents captured Sheridan and God only knew what his people were doing to him. Franklin, Marcus, and Lyta were also on Mars trying to locate Sheridan.
Fiona said, "We need intelligence."
Delenn started to cry and said, "I beg of you to help. You can communicate beyond parsecs Colonel. Please find him."
Fiona said, "I will do what I can but I must be honest with you Delenn. It will not be easy."
Delenn sobbed, "I don't understand. You were able to communicate with General Brody."
Fiona said, "Delenn, I will do what I can. With General Brody, the process was easy because he had a telepathic homing beacon. Captain Sheridan does not. I will do my best. I may get lucky and find him right away but realistically it could take weeks. He's on Mars and in captivity. There are millions of people on Mars, including Psi Corps. There is always the chance they might be moving him around, which will complicate the process of locating him. There is also a chance that Psi Corps might try to block my efforts. I will need to get as close as I can."
Delenn said, "I understand."
Fiona said, "I will transfer command of Wolf Pack to Lieutenant Colonel Collins. I require a ship. I need a crew that can be trusted. This kind of search will require extreme concentration on my part."
Ivanova said, "All right."
#B5#
Collins exclaimed, "You're going to do what?"
Fiona said, "I'm going to try to find Captain Sheridan."
Collins said, "That's very dangerous Fiona."
Fiona said, "I understand that, but the longer Clark has him the harder it will be. You know they will be trying to break him. Just as he was the unifying force that led to victory in the Shadow war, so is he the unifying force that will depose Clark. I must try."
Anderson said, "You could burn yourself out."
Fiona said, "I know. Lieutenant Colonel, I want you to continue leading the training. Lieutenant Anderson, you will be in charge of team security. Don't forget to scan the new recruits. Now more than ever we can expect spies."
Anderson said, "Yes ma'am."
Collins sighed, "Good luck Colonel."
#B5#
Fiona was accustomed to working on a White Star. She did not know this particular crew. Captain Jack Reed was in command and he was an older man that had been with the Rangers since Humans first allowed joining. His dark curly hair showed signs of hoar.
"Welcome aboard," Reed said when Fiona exited the shuttle with Delenn.
"Thank you," Fiona said.
Delenn said, "Do whatever you can Colonel Mathers. Captain Reed, please keep me informed."
"I will," Reed said. Delenn returned to the shuttle and departed for Babylon 5.
The White Star then made the jump into hyperspace. Fiona stowed her gear and then went to the bridge. She sat in a chair and began her scanning. The White Star could not get too close to Mars but being in hyperspace would facilitate the process.
Fiona was spending hours upon hours scanning Mars. There were millions of people on the planet. She had to rely on her remote viewing. Occasionally she would overhear a bit of interesting information. 'I want all civilians evacuated before you detonate the explosives.' 'We're finally going to put an end to this ridiculous insurrection.'
Reed suggested, "Perhaps you'd like to call it a day? You've been at this for sixteen hours."
Fiona sighed, "I've been at this for days. I should have given him a homing beacon."
Reed asked, "Why didn't you?"
Fiona replied, "He didn't think it would be necessary. I should have just done it anyway. He never would have known. Oh but no! I'm a good little gropo that follows orders! I'm sorry. It's frustrating."
It continued in that manner. Every day Delenn would contact the ship for an update report. Every day Fiona looked even more exhausted. There were so many minds. She could not scan everyone. She concentrated on topical scans on people that made interesting comments. Some were part of the rebel groups. Others were military personnel but they did not have the information she needed. She suspected that Sheridan was in a secret compound.
The concentration of telepaths slightly concerned her. Fiona had the ability to scan a telepath without that person knowing it. Bester was one of the rare telepaths able to detect her scans. Anderson was also strong enough to detect the scans. Most Psi Cops could not. Fiona could prevent Anderson from sensing her if she applied herself. Now, she needed all her concentration on the remote viewing and scans that she could muster.
After three weeks, she finally established her first truly positive remote viewing contact. She barely paid attention to Reed giving Delenn another updated report. Fiona began speaking what she heard. Her voice was scratchy from lack of drink but she did not care.
Fiona said, "What's he doing here? He's the one that betrayed Sheridan. It wasn't my fault. He's telling the truth. He was programmed by the Psi Corps to do what he did. We should kill him. Wait! Let me show you he's telling the truth. You're a telepath. You should have told us that. What are you talking about? We helped her get off Mars. You should have told us you were a telepath. Whoa. Put your weapons down. Why should we trust you? I want to make things right. I know where Sheridan is. You'd better be right Michael. Why should we trust her? She's a telepath. We've had bad experiences with telepaths. What was that?" Fiona then shook her head.
Delenn anxiously asked, "Where is he?"
Fiona said, "The resistance is going to rescue him. I need some water. I know where he is. Mister Garibaldi is with Doctor Franklin, Lyta and the resistance. Lyta was right. Mister Bester programmed him. I saw it. I know where Sheridan is. I'm going to try to establish contact. I need a map so I can point to it for you."
A very young Minbari woman brought Fiona some water and she drank heartily. She had gone too long without food or water. She was on the verge of exhaustion but she had to establish contact with Sheridan. She began another long-range trip.
Reed said, "Colonel, we appreciate this but you're clearly exhausted." He was concerned as her eyes were bloodshot and she no longer sat up straight in the chair. He saw a trickle of blood come out from one nostril. She was close to burn out. While he was grateful she had a valuable report, he feared for her wellbeing.
"I found him," Fiona said. "Listen to me Captain Sheridan. You have to focus! It's the drugs. They're distorting your sense of reality. You're not on Babylon 5. Clark's forces captured you. You're being held in a deprogramming facility. Focus! Yes. That's right. Delenn has been so worried about you. We've all been so worried about you. You have to be strong just a little bit longer. That's right. Delenn. She is worth living for. That's what saved you on Z'ha'dum. Concentrate on Delenn and everything will be all right."
Fiona then broke off contact. She was exhausted and fell out of the chair. Reed went to her and cradled her from the floor while issuing orders for medics to attend. He saw the beads of sweat. At least she was not dehydrated but her pulse did not feel normal.
Fiona said, "They've had him bound for a long time. They've been beating him and now they're using a combination of hallucinogenic drugs and virtual reality simulators. They're trying to break him. They think he's more valuable alive. They believe they will break him. They want him to make a public announcement that he's been under the influence of aliens trying to subvert Earth Government. They'll pardon him and he'll be allowed to return to duty. He knows that someday someone will come for him in the night to eliminate him if he does that."
Delenn said, "Thank you Colonel."
"Oh, I think I overdid it," moaned Fiona as Reed lifted her up to the Minbari gurney. "Yeah, it's a Minbari ship. For once I just want to lay flat."
Reed understood the sentiment. It had taken him time to adjust to slanted beds. While the Humans used Minbari beds, the Minbari never used Human beds. He felt relief when the physician reported Fiona was exhausted but not permanently damaged. She had great physical stamina. He received orders to get as close to Mars as possible without detection.
Over the next two days, Fiona rested and ate. Now that she knew where Sheridan was, it was easy to reestablish contact. She implanted the homing beacon. No way was she going to go through that hell again! She stayed with Sheridan telepathically as long as she could. She hoped that her strength would bolster his strength. He was focusing on his love for Delenn, the reason he had survived Z'ha'dum.
Fiona cried, "They've got him! The resistance has rescued Captain Sheridan!"
There was anxiety on the White Star when the ship arrived with Sheridan. He looked terrible. He had been through a horrific experience but he had survived. Now he was returning home.
Author's Note: I rejected the notion of Mathers having a more direct involvement in Sheridan's recovery. Canon already established his rescue. It also helps establish that Mathers was not "all powerful" and able to find Sheridan immediately.