Legacies.
Characters: OFC, Neroon, Sinclair, Garibaldi, Franklin, Ivanova, Delenn.
Disclaimer: I don't own it. I don't get money from it. Sue me and I'll laugh. And hide.
Warnings: AU. Major Violence, Bad Language.
Summary: Alyt Neroon and Sergeant Sheridan finally meet. There is several arguments and a fight scene.
Author's Note: I do not think that I can do a better, equal or even passable imitation of The Great Maker Stracysnski. This is just for fun. This chapter describes the events mentioned in 'Definitions'.
***
July 2258
***
"Where is the Shai Alyt's body?" Asked the tall Minbari warrior, spacing the words out with an exaggerated calm. Standing in the corner, Vicki fought to curb the urge to walk over and punch him.
Not that the feeling was new. The moment she'd clapped eyes on Alyt Neroon over the channel in C+C she'd felt a strong desire to shoot him. And not, like Delenn had inferred, because he was a Warrior but because she knew him. He'd been the Warrior in her vision on Babylon 4. The Warrior who'd taken her newborn child.
"We're doing everything we can to locate the Shai Alyt." Said Sinclair. "Sergeant Lochley-Sheridan will be your liaison during the investigation." She shot a look at Sinclair that said 'traitor'. He knew she didn't like the Alyt.
Ten minutes later he was charging down the corridor with his aide, blasting everything about humans and the station in loud Lenn'ah. Obviously, the Alyt didn't know she spoke the language as well as he did. As he finished describing, in great detail, his personal opinion about the intellectual, physical, moral and emotional capabilities of every human who had ever existed- mostly by describing them as 'animals with language'- Vicki decided to shut him up.
In clear, correctly accented Lenn'ah, she said, "It's better than being a bitter monster who wishes he'd finished off an entire race, including children. At least we have other things to do with our time." As the Alyt and his aide turned to stare and then glare, she continued in English. "I may be duty bound to be respectful but, for me, that only goes so far. Shut up and stop insulting my species or I will drop kick your sorry behind out the nearest airlock, you sorry excuse for a sentient being."
As the Alyt seethed, straightening in preparation for a no doubt impressive display of debased Minbari nouns, Ambassador Delenn and Lennier came around the corner.
"Alyt! Sergeant." She bowed deeply to Vicki in greeting, smiling warmly. To Neroon, she bowed to the exactly correct degree and not one iota lower than the correct degree. And there was no smile for him. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"This... child!" Spat Neroon, apparently under the impression that he was gravely offending her, "Is the most disrespectful, immature, interfering, over-emotional-"
"Over emotional!" Gasped Vicki, fighting laughter. "What do you call someone who, ten years on, is still full of disappointment that he didn't get to blow up a planet!!! Like a child refused his favourite toy-"
"How DARE-"
"You stand there squalling and stamping your foot-"
"If you were an adult I would KILL you for your presumption-"
"Throwing a TANTRUM-"
"I WILL KILL YOU-"
"YOU CAN BLOODY WELL TRY-"
"Enough." Said Delenn, calmly and quietly. Both of them shut up, Neroon still breathing hard through his nose and Vicki instantly turning to smile nicely at Delenn, the picture of innocence. "Neither of you will ever agree on this subject, therefore it is counterproductive to continue to discuss it. Alyt, I need to discuss a few things with you. Sergeant Sheridan, I hope to see you later."
Vicki nodded to her friend and turned to leave, glaring at Neroon before she left. What an arrogant, self-serving, pompous...
***
"... Self righteous, ego maniacal, twisted, sadistic pest of a warrior without two active brain cells to rub together-"
"Speak much longer and I will silence you by FORCE-"
"Of course, because there is no answer quite like violence, now is there?"
"- and I WILL ENJOY IT-"
"Yeah, 'coz you can't get enjoyment from anything else you stuck up, egotistical TWAT!!!"
"YOU LITTLE-"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!!!" Roared Sinclair. Both Warrior and Sergeant fell silent. Steeling himself for the fray, Sinclair said, "I understand that you two are having personal difficulties but in the interest of concluding this investigation as quickly and efficiently as possible, why don't we try to just put our differences aside..."
"Commander Sinclair, I demand that you assign a different member of your crew as the liaison in this investigation IMMEDIATLY!!!"
"Commander, I strongly request that you reassign me to another duty, ANY OTHER DUTY, I would take sewage work for the Pak'Ma'Ra very happily over this and it would smell better too..."
"Why you..."
"HEY!" Shouted Sinclair, giving up on dignity and waving his arms to get their attention. "Let me explain something to you Alyt." He stood up and walked around his desk, coming face to face with Neroon- actually towering over him by a few inches- and leaning in to make his point. "Victoria Lochley-Sheridan is the most intelligent person outside of an encounter suit on this entire station. I say that without the slightest hesitation. She speaks at least 136 languages, she has an IQ five times higher than the average EarthForce officer, she is unbeaten in hand to hand combat in the training rooms, she knows more facts about more species than I've even heard of. She is a lot smarter than you Alyt. And quite possibly just as capable physically. So you will stop needling her at every opportunity and you will work with her. I don't care about your desire to make a point with regard to your opinion about humans, I don't care about your warped idea of moral right and wrong, I don't particularly care about YOU Alyt, but I do care about averting another War and finding Branmer's body. And I thought you did too! Now, you will work with Sergeant Lochley-Sheridan and you will do it professionally, or I will PERSONALLY throw you onto your shuttle and YOU can assign someone else from YOUR crew as the Minbari representative in this investigation. Do I make myself clear?!" By the end of it he was practically screaming at the cowed-looking Minbari.
Straightening up, trying to make it appear that he was still in control, he said, "Yes Commander."
Vicki stood in a corner, bright pink and gaping.
***
"This is preposterous..."
"So much for professionalism."
The Alyt turned to glare at her. She looked at him blandly, unperturbed. Commander Sinclair amazing rant had held sway for almost two hours- a new best. Now, Neroon was getting antsy again, this time picking on Garibaldi's idea about examining the Pak'Ma'Ra's stomach contents. Which had been an inspired idea, in her opinion. If slightly... incredibly... disgusting. She did feel sorry for the med crew that had worked on it.
"Mister Garibaldi is almost as incapable at his job as you are!"
"AHHH, now, here it comes. Exactly how many ways am I more incapable than you now?" With his nostrils flaring and his eyelids as wide open as they were, Neroon bore a look that suggested he was about to fall apart. Quite amusing.
"If he is really as incompetent as he appears then he should be replaced by someone who can do his job!"
"You know what, if you're actually going to suggest that to the Commander, can I be there to see his reaction?" She asked brightly.
Growling, the Alyt turned to leave. Standing up for Garibaldi, she shouted after Neroon, "If anyone can find your Shai Alyt, it's Michael Garibaldi. No-one's better at their job than he is. If he has to take this station apart nut by bolt to find the body he will -"
"OR I WILL!!!" Roared the Alyt as he stepped onto a transport tube.
Running to the doors, Vicki force both arms through the doors as they tried to close. After a few seconds, they gave up the fight and slid open. By then she had two large handfuls of Warrior uniform in her clenched fists and had yanked Neroon's face down, her own flaming red face less than an inch from his.
"I DO NOT LIKE BULLIES, I DO NOT LIKE THREATS AND I DO NOT LIKE YOU!!! IF YOU SHIP'S WEAPONS SYSTEMS SO MUCH AS HICCOPH IN OUR DIRECTION, I WILL PERSONALLY SHOOT IT TO BITS AND THEN I WILL KILL YOU YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!" She screeched in his face, her neck muscles standing out in rage and her eyes practically shooting bolts of energy. Throwing the stunned Alyt into the transport tube and hitting the controls in the lift to close the doors, she whirled around and strode off, scattering gawping crewmembers as she went.
***
Apparently Vicki wasn't quite as impressive as Commander Sinclair in rage because it was only one hour later before she had to deal with his bull again- he'd broken into Sinclair's quarters and trashed them, under the pretence of searching for Branmer. Vicki was about ready to follow through on her earlier threat, and would have done so if Garibaldi hadn't been standing in between them.
"No-one would have dared to search here, no-one would have impugned their precious Commander's honour, everywhere else has already been searched-"
"Oh, what a pile of-"
"Vicki!" Warned Garibaldi, staring at her until she backed down, and turning back to Neroon. "You're wrong. I searched these quarters personally-"
"I am expected to accept your word-"
"WITH Ambassador Delenn observing." That shut him up. "I wanted to make sure no one was pulling a fast one."
"Like you." Sniped Vicki, unable to resist. Sighing, Garibaldi half turned and clapped his hand over her mouth.
"Mister Garibaldi, if you could escort the Alyt back to his quarters. We will continue the investigation without his help."
As Garibaldi removed his hand, Vicki spat, "Maybe now we can get some work done!"
Sighing, Garibaldi turned to cork his friend's mouth up again, but it was too late. Neroon, whose temper had already been boiling, exploded.
Screaming in Lenn'ah, he flew towards Vicki. Garibaldi threw himself in front of his diminutive friend and Sinclair rushed forward, grabbing Neroon's arm to stop him. The next second, he was flying through the air, hitting the wall with unwise speed. Vicki bellowed a German War Cry and leapt around Garibaldi, reaching for the apoplectic Alyt's throat. Garibaldi threw himself towards his friend and his new enemy, intending to stop them from reaching each other. The next thing he knew, he'd been picked up and was falling sideways until he hit the corridor wall. Shaking his head to get rid of the stars, he saw Neroon's Aide striding towards Vicki and Neroon, who appeared to be grappling, fists flying. He tried to stand up but felt something yank his head down. Looking to the side he saw a widening pool of blood.
Sinclair pulled himself up against the kitchen counter just in time to see Neroon's Aide slip his arm around Vicki's neck and start choking her. He roared in pure fury and launched himself at Neroon's back, shoving the off-guard Alyt to one side and seizing the Aide by the face. His other hand curled into a fist and, as unstoppable as a freight train, ploughed into the Aide's face, the satisfying sound of splintering bone crunching through the room. Suddenly, he felt Vicki push him to one side and, turning to see what was going on, he saw her hurl herself into Neroon's midriff, as he had been standing right behind Sinclair with a heavy ornament in his hand. The ornament went sailing through the air as Vicki wrapped both her hands around Neroon's neck and squeezed as hard as she could.
Neroon, trying to yell, pummelled Vicki with both fists and smashed her against the wall, slamming her body several times. Sinclair ran over to stop them but was stopped by the Aide, blood running down his face, throwing his arms around Sinclair middle and picking him up, crushing his ribs. Sinclair gasped and kicked out his legs, trying to hit the Aide's feet. Garibaldi came running back in, grasping at the Aide's uniform neck and dragging them both out. Once in the corridor, with an audience consisting of three Drazi, two Brakiri and a Gaim, Garibaldi slammed his fist against the Aide's lower back several times until he finally let Sinclair go.
As Sinclair collapsed to floor, lungs completely empty, he tried to say "Sheridan" but couldn't get any sound out. Garibaldi got the point though, as he shouted, "I'm on it!" And ran back inside.
Seeing Neroon on his knees, his neck still held in a literal death grip, gave him no small level of satisfaction but seeing Vicki's head being crashed against the wall, held by Neroon's fist in her hair, made Garibaldi see red. He bellowed incoherent threats and swearwords as he rammed Neroon into the wall at full speed. Vicki's hands dislodged and she fell to the floor, rolling out of the way as Garibaldi dragged the muttering Alyt out of the room and dropped him onto the floor. He came back inside and gently lifted Vicki up, who was bleeding heavily from her head.
Coming back into the corridor, he lowered her to the floor. Her eyes fluttered open and she grinned up at him, blood spilling from two dislodged teeth. "Hey Michael. How's the action?" Huffing, Michael ripped his jacket off and put it under Vicki's head, loosening the uppermost button on Vicki's jacket. He heard an odd gurgling sound and turned around to see Neroon, spitting blood, rearing up and reaching for Vicki, temporary insanity in his eyes. Garibaldi reacted, launching himself and his fists at Neroon's face.
He managed to get Neroon's nose and jaw, of that he was certain. He didn't get to admire his handiwork as the next thing he knew, he was landing on top of one of the Drazi. Neroon's aide, apparently having recovered from having his spine kneaded exuberantly, had thrown him and was standing over Vicki, fist raised. Sinclair tried to throw himself at him, but only succeeded in winding up face first on the floor. Vicki was the one who saved herself, raising both legs and kicking out. The Aide staggered back, sweeping another Drazi against the wall with an odd thumping sound.
The next thing they all knew, Station Security was running into the situation, pinning everyone who could still lift their head up (no-one could stand) against the wall and restraining everyone else who looked like they'd been fighting. Calls for a medical team and the Minbari Ambassador rang out along the corridor.
***
"You are lucky. Only a mild concussion, three loosened teeth, four cracked ribs, a fractured shoulder socket and innumerate lacerations and bruises. This may be the best condition you've ever walked into this Bay with!"
"Oh, exaggerate why don't you, Stephen?" Smirked Vicki, lifting herself off the MedBed. "How's Michael and Jeff?"
"Michael got a hairline fracture, dislocated shoulder, broken collarbone, cracked kneecap and two broken fingers. Jeff's got a bad concussion, three broken knuckles, eight crushed ribs and bruised lungs, they'll both need surgery and hospital rest. You, on the other hand, I will free, in return for light duty."
"Hang on." Came Lieutenant Commander Ivanova's voice as she entered the Bay. "We just got word from the Ingata. Neroon and his Aide are coming back over to continue the investigation. They've sworn they won't start a fight again, so we can't stop them, but if Vicki gets anywhere near them..."
"They'll need medical attention again." Smiled Vicki. Ivanova and Franklin both glared at her.
Thinking hard, Ivanova said, "Can I speak to Jeff for a moment?"
"He's about to be put under for the surgery on his ribcage, or what's left of it, so you'll have to be quick."
***
Vicki sighed happily. This was the life. Flying through pretty, shining hyperspace in a StarFury, her favourite squadron following her every order, searching for some weird signal emanations. It may be a schlep job, but it involved StarFurys and being off station, which was fine and dandy by her.
Suddenly, her board lit up. A large ship, at first unrecognisable, was gliding through space. Suddenly, it angled itself against the brighter parts of Hyperspace and she could see its silhouette. It was a Sharlin. She ran her identification program and the system came up empty. It wasn't the Ingata. Good.
Opening a channel, she said, "This is Sergeant Lochley-Sheridan of Babylon 5, please identify yourself." Receiving no answer, Vicki deftly manoeuvred her craft into the Sharlin's path. It was about as intimidating as an ant standing against a cat but it did the trick- in Hyperspace the damage caused by any collision, even on such a disproportionate scale, was a death sentence. "I repeat- Identify yourself. I've got nowhere else to go, so we can sit here all day if we have to."
A message came through, recorded Lenn'ah, stating no interest in establishing communication. Huffing, Vicki decided to play hard ball.
"Fine. If you won't give us your identity, we will have to contact our station and request permission to bring you in for questioning!"
OK, so she was still a little pumped from her fight with the Alyt and Aide from Hell. Unidentified ships, especially rude ones, this close to the station were a threat.
Her weapons alert system bleeped and Vicki quickly twirled her craft in an odd pirouette, the beam from the station's weapons systems her dance partner. Feeling the pinch of her usual temper, Vicki decided to bait them. It was something she was very good at.
"Are you in need of assistance? I believe your weapons system is malfunctioning. Either that or your officer can't aim for toffee." She could have sworn she heard someone yell in frustration when she said that!
The lumbering yet graceful ship lurched towards her, its weapons system fully warming up. Her own systems were quickly activated and, utilising her EFSI training, she flew closer to the ship's hull and, aiming carefully, fired two shots.
Her aim was gold. Her sensors showed the Sharlin's HBDS was knocked offline, along with their weapons and self destruct. If they wanted to live, they had no choice.
Her team, silent from shock throughout Vicki's suicidal stupidity, followed meekly as she flew through space towards the B5 Beacon. The Sharlin followed, practically radiating irritation.
As the Jump point propelled her and her squadron towards the station, the Sharlin followed, slicing through the vacuum of space, imposing even in helplessness. The Ingata, looking like it had just averted course from the Jump Gate, steered itself towards the nameless Sharlin. Vicki's comm.. system went off and the hated voice cut through the peace of her flight.
"What do you think you are doing Sheridan?" Snarled Neroon.
"Returning some property of yours, Alyt. Tell whoever is in charge that, next time, maybe being polite would serve them better than being unnecessarily rude. Sheridan out."
And she flew towards the station, leaving the two Sharlin's and the man she suspected would be her greatest enemy behind her.
***
HBDS- Hyperspace Beacon Detection System.