Chapter 55 (Michael Garibaldi)
It had been almost a week since Michael handed over the data crystal that was supposed to incriminate Elvis and his dark deeds, but when he checked the departure records for the facility, he grew worried because the two Vanguards had yet to leave.
Something's wrong!
He scanned the computer records to locate their current location and when that failed, he scanned again to find their last known location. An entry into the database put them in the security holding cells. That told Garibaldi they were in trouble.
There was only one man who could help him now.
With a calm composure, Garibaldi waited at the Bolt Hole for Zack to arrive. How ironic it had only a few months since they were both in the same establishment. How ironic that it had been only a few months since they had last been in the same establishment, discussing Zack's problem. This time it would be his problem they discussed. Garibaldi needed Zack's help and he felt he had earned it.
Five minutes late, Garibaldi thought as he fidgeted with his beverage and twirled something on his plate that looked like a delicacy a Pak'ma'ra would ingest. He pushed the plate aside and gulped down the rest of his drink.
Ten minutes later and he was growing agitated. He tapped the table with his left hand and watched the overhead clock that seemed to count backwards the longer he stared at it. After Garibaldi had waited another five minutes, Zack strolled into the foyer. Garibaldi could see Zack was excited about something when he walked in the door. "Sorry for being late, I had some urgent business to attend to."
"That's okay." Garibaldi smiled. "You can pay for my dinner."
Zack stuttered slightly before sitting down. "I have something I need to tell you, Garibaldi. Something amazing."
Garibaldi looked up from the sixth beverage he had ordered, eager to hear the surprise.
"My life has finally changed. You know the Minbari I saved from execution?"
Garibaldi sighed sarcastically. He knew very well that Zack had been performing his sexual fantasies on them; it was the talk of the facility.
"All my attempts… They were pointless. It only took one Minbari, one Minbari!"
Garibaldi was lost in the conversation already and it hadn't even started. He had his own message to convey, so he had to nudge Zack along.
"I know about the Minbari. What are you trying to say?"
"I'm going to be a father, I got one of the Minbari pregnant!"
Garibaldi dropped his beverage on the table; it tumbled over, spilled its yellow contents and rolled off the edge to the hard ground, shattering into millions of pieces.
"You said it was impossible, you're infertile!"
"I thought so too. The doctor analysed the baby and it's unlike anything he'd seen before. This could be a turning point in history."
Garibaldi knew the trouble it would cause. "Do you realize that if the president or Minbari find out about this child, it could cause an incident? How will this child fit into society? How will Elvis respond to the news?"
"Who knows?"
"I'll tell you exactly what he'll do," Garibaldi insisted. "He'll jettison that Minbari into space and then you for good measure."
"He already tried that!"
"What?" Garibaldi spat.
"The two Minbari were due to be executed a few days ago in Airlock One. But due to the delayed upgrade the old system recognised life signs and disabled the outer doors. It took a whole day for the maintenance team to repair the damage. I've kept Elvis out of the loop but, Garibaldi..." Zack suddenly became nervous, fidgeting with his drink and shifting his eyes this way and that, looking for people who could report back to Elvis.
"Go on?"
"...Elvis has imprisoned two Vanguards in the holding cells until he can decide on what to do. He's got surveillance footage of you handing over classified information."
"That's bull shit!" Garibaldi snapped, waving his left hand in defiance. "I handed them information about Elvis's behaviour with the female staff. I want the authorities on Casabianca to intervene and arrest him."
Garibaldi felt his anger surge and nearly hit the table with his fist. The beverage he had spilled a moment ago had begun to drip off the edge of the table and on to his trousers. He brushed off the liquid with his hands and dabbed the excess from the table with a handkerchief. "Are you able to get to them?"
Zack looked up, "I think so. Why?"
"I only intended for the data crystal to be transported. But if it's getting them into trouble I don't want them to suffer for what I have done."
"I only intended for the data crystal to be transported. But if it's getting them into trouble, I don't want them to suffer for what I have done." Garibaldi could only imagine what Elvis would do. He asked Zack, "Do you know what he intends to do with them?"
"He hasn't told me yet," Zack replied softly. "But I know he won't do anything to harm them."
Garibaldi had an idea. "There is only one way to put an end to all of this."
"And what would that be, Garibaldi? Hand over the data crystal?"
"Exactly."
"What about the data you collected? Won't Elvis get away and continue to abuse the female workforce? I've seen his handiwork over the years."
"That's not going to happen. Yes, we will hand over the data crystal, but not until we copy it first. I want you to see the Vanguards and copy the data. I will then instruct the Vanguards to hand over the original to Elvis. This way, he will think the plot has been foiled. Later, before the Vanguards leave the facility, I will smuggle the copy to them and they will deliver it to Casabianca."
Zack looked doubtful. "I don't know. Elvis could be watching us now and if the plan fails I'll probably be shoved out the airlock."
"Better make sure it's Airlock One," Garibaldi replied sarcastically, leaning back in his chair. "Don't worry, this is a public place, impossible to bug. I'm also running a jamming device anyway."
Garibaldi gestured to a portable projection of a naked woman dancing in miniature form in the middle of the table. Zack picked it up and saw the blinking light underneath. "You think of everything."
"This is what I do."
Zack carried on though the smile vanished from his face. "How do I inform the Vanguards about this little plan without Elvis knowing? He'll have the room bugged for sure."
Garibaldi had planned for that contingency. He reached into his deep pockets and handed over a slip of paper. "Enter this PIN into the control console 96and a virus will be uploaded from the main computer. It will record a loop back cluster in the surveillance system and that will allow you to make the deal. Once you leave it will automatically create a false meeting about food orders and then shut off. It's the latest design in surveillance virtual creation."
"Are you sure it will work?"
"I'm positive."
Zack ordered himself a portion of the gruel Garibaldi ate and they carried on for half an hour finalizing the plan.
There wasn't much to worry about. The plan was straightforward and Garibaldi was confident Elvis would not know. But he knew that man had a way of finding out everything, so he took extra care to make sure this plan was fool proof.
The news about Zack becoming a father was hot on the list now. As the man sat opposite, Garibaldi had to ask the burning question.
"So, are you going to stay at this complex? I can't imagine it a good place to raise a child, let alone Elvis letting you keep it?"
Zack looked down at the food that looked like a plate of diarrhea, and thought long and hard about his future, but he was stonewalled into a corner.
"It's still early days, but I know this place is no environment to bring up a family and besides, I have to get away from Elvis."
Zack appeared to have an idea.
"Perhaps…" he paused, finding the words to relay his plan. "Perhaps I can use the Vanguards to get my own message across to the authorities on Casabianca. They should be able to transfer me."
"I don't see why not but, Zack, this is not the time to play around with your old tricks." Garibaldi tried his best to explain that his past actions were no longer acceptable and with the news about him becoming a father, he would have to change the way he saw the world. Earth had been destroyed and his family gone forever. He had been the survivor of his family line. But now some divine force had given him the chance to procreate. There would be no room for mistakes. He would have to make big changes to his lifestyle.
Zack appeared stunned at the sudden change in subject, but it was a fact he would have to face. Over the years Garibaldi has grown weary of his behaviour: bedding women, sleeping around and now this. Perhaps it was the knowledge he could not have any children that derailed his path. But now this new revelation would be reason to change.
"I know, Garibaldi. I need to get out of this place. With Elvis on my back, and the depression of not knowing I could have children, I saw no point in living. I know I've not been the best friend or the kindest person, but I know this pregnancy has given me hope beyond my wildest dreams."
"What will you do about the mother? You know you can't keep her, she won't be accepted."
"I know," Zack said, wrestling with the thought. "I will have to keep her in hiding for now until she gives birth and then it will only be wise to let her go."
"You're going to free her? Won't she want to take the baby with her?"
"Do you know what the Minbari would do to a child like that? She might be killed and I am hoping Shaal will understand that!"
"She?" Garibaldi asked after the word shone out like a light from a lighthouse.
"Yes, the doctor told me it was a girl when he performed the tests."
"Well, that's surprising news. I always wanted a girl, lucky you!" Garibaldi returned to the subject. "What about our people? What makes you think this half breed child will be accepted in human society?"
"It's a known fact that humans intermix with different races. We are probably the most diverse race out there. I predict there might be some resistance, even today with news about Shaal's child being common knowledge within the medical community. But I will have to find a place that will accept us and I am sure Casabianca is that place."
Zack was getting ahead of himself; perhaps it was the toxic food he was eating that began to nibble at his mind.
Garibaldi kept his thoughts to himself and carried on with the original topic in hand. Zack had time and he was sure the man would be capable of finding a solution soon.
"If you manage to copy the data as I asked, it should be easy for them to transfer you over to Casabianca. I'll sign the papers as long as the job gets done."
Zack drank down another swig of beverage and the deal was made. It was all down to Zack. Could he pull it off?
