Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 5

"Captain! We're picking up a mayday…it's the Cortez."

John froze for a second, unsure if he'd heard right but from the look on Corwin's face he had. Jack…his first commanding officer, his friend…all those souls on the ship… "What was their last known position?" he listened as Corwin rattled off the location. That was well within the range of their starfuries, but they had no way of knowing where the ship was now, it was off the beacon. No ship that had become lost in hyperspace had ever been successfully retrieved and the longer it took the further they would drift. Perhaps if there was a Minbari ship nearby they could find them, their sensors were better than anything Earth….better technology…

"Keep on it! Send a reply, tell them we've received their message and help is on the way," he ordered before leaving C&C. He went to his office and then sent a message, pacing, hoping they could help.

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Prompto went to the Babcom unit as it beeped, reading the message, frowning.

"Prom?" Noctis sat up.

"It's from the Captain, he wants to meet with us, quick and quiet."

"Okay, let's go," Noctis stood and stretched and Prompto watched his shirt ride up, blushing when he was caught. It was so new between them and he'd spent so long alone that yeah…he was a little too easily distracted.

Prompto grabbed his gloves and pin, settling them into place and then Noctis pulled him close. "Noct?"

"We'll be quieter if no one can see us," he answered and Prompto shivered at the strange sensation, there was a hint of the Lucis Caelum magic in it, but the rest must be Techno-Mage power.

They quickly made their way through the station and to the Captain's office, Noctis ensuring privacy. The Captain started slightly at the play of energy over his wall but then relaxed as they appeared.

"Neat trick," he offered.

"You wanted to see us Captain?"

"Yes, to ask for your help, if there's anything you can do. We've received a mayday from the Cortez, the Explorer that came for resupply. There was some sort of accident onboard and they've lost navigation. They're drifting off the beacon. We have their last known coordinates, but no ship has ever been recovered. I've heard rumours that hyperspace can boost telepathic abilities and Susan said your ship is advanced…if either of you can help? There's 350 crew members on board."

Prompto glanced at Noctis who was frowning, eyes distant which meant he was doing something. He then looked back at the Captain, how had he even heard rumour of that? It was something Psi Corps was desperate to keep secret, worried they would be used on the front lines of any conflict because of it. "I'm not sure how much help I'll be but I'm willing to try. If you have people willing to risk an accidental scan since I won't be shielding if looking for the ship," he warned, and the Captain nodded. Technically he hadn't confirmed the rumour, just offered to telepathically search.

"My ship is readying; I've intercepted the mayday and gotten the coordinates. Techno-Mage ships can travel off the beacon so that won't be a problem. We can take one crew member to assure the crew of the Cortez that we are friendly," Noctis offered.

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John was relieved, it was more than he could have hoped for. The two of them together would have a good chance of finding the ship. "I know my first choice to send with you but…" Would Susan agree when there was the risk of an accidental scan?

"Commander Ivanova?" Bes…Argent asked and he nodded. If the younger male preferred using his Mother's name then he needed to try and remember that.

"We should hurry Captain, the further they drift the harder it will be to find them," Noctis warned and John nodded, sending a call to both Susan and Michael.

They both appeared only seconds apart, Michael looking the two young men over as he hadn't met them. "Captain?" he asked.

"The Cortez is adrift in Hyperspace, Noctis and Mr Agent have agreed to go after her. I want one of you to go with them."

"You need to be aware that in hyperspace, while actively scanning for the crew, there is a greater chance of an accidental scan," Argent warned.

"Hopefully Prompto's skills won't be needed," Noctis added.

John glanced at Susan, seeing her hesitance. She'd go if he ordered her to, but if the blond did accidentally scan her then it could destroy any chance of them working together amicably in the future.

"I'll go," Michael offered, obviously seeing the same hesitance. "Besides, I've got some things for you," he told Noctis who nodded.

"We'll meet you at my ship, please be as quick as possible, the sooner we get there the better our chances of finding them," Noctis warned and Michael nodded, glancing at John before leaving.

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Michael was intrigued by the pitch black ship, but he headed up the ramp without taking time to study it or its odd markings. "Hello?" he called and then a blond head poked around the corner.

"Come on, Noct wants to get going."

As soon as he was off the ramp, it lifted and sealed behind him which was a little spooky. He followed the telepath to what had to be the bridge of the small ship, finding the Techno-Mage seated at a central console, hands resting on it. It looked nothing like anything he'd seen before and he nearly jumped as two more chairs rose from the floor.

"Take a seat," Noctis told them and they sat as the ship lifted from the deck and turned, the airlock opening as they rushed through far faster than Michael was expecting. They swung around the station, avoiding the traffic moving about, heading out passed the Jumpgate.

"This thing has its own Jump Engines?" he asked in surprise and saw the dark head move in a nod. Sure enough, he saw a jump point forming in front of them, the small ship darting into it.

"We'll reach their last coordinates in an hour," their pilot announced and then his chair swivelled around.

Michael studied the young man, he looked so normal, the black robes and staff that John and Susan had described nowhere to be seen. He pulled out the Identicard he'd made and tossed it to the younger male who easily caught it, looking at it. "How do you get around without one?" he asked and Noctis smirked.

"Magic," Bester answered for him.

Michael wasn't sure what he thought of the newest telepath to join the station. He'd done as deep a background check on him as he could without getting Psi Corps attention. Babylon 5 was his first assignment off of Earth, at least officially, and he'd had only one posting on the planet where he had worked in a hospital as something of an intern. His Mum had died when he was just a kid and bester had left the boy to be raised by the Corps, something that didn't surprise him. The guy didn't strike him as the paternal type or to know what to do with a grieving child. Honestly, he'd probably been better off not raised by Bester, the guy was just a thousand kinds of creepy.

The idea of being scanned was not something he liked but better him than Susan if it did happen.

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Noctis accepted the Identicard and looked at it, seeing his name listed as Noctis Aldercapt. He'd given them Hermione's old name instead of his own because he'd been telling the truth, names had power. It listed him as being born on Orion VII, a place he'd actually visited once which would come in handy if anyone ever asked him about the colony. The basic information on his age, birth date of August 30th 2238, height, his DNA profile, all of that he had provided and was correct. His history was a fabrication, though he liked the touch of his having several degrees to do with various areas of technology. It would make finding private work on the station a lot easier.

"Thank you," he offered, and the Security Chief nodded, glancing around. He wondered when the man would realise one of the basic facts of their ships. There wasn't a lot he could tell him, not just because of the Order's secrets but because he was not involved in ship building.

"I've never seen such a small ship able to generate its own jump point," Garibaldi admitted.

"Techno-Mages have been around for at least a thousand year Chief Garibaldi," Noctis pointed out.

Prompto stood and moved closer to look at the controls, he would need to teach him. Noctis could interface with the ship but the control panel could be used by a non-Techno-Mage for simple flying.

Garibaldi stood and looked around before frowning. "This is…is it bigger?"

Noctis grinned.

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"Commander?"

"Yes?" Susan glanced over.

"Jump gate coming online, it's the EAS Charon."

She nodded; they were expected. They were dropping off the new lieutenant assigned to the station as well as some equipment. "Tell their shuttle they'll be landing in docking bay 7 and that I'll meet them."

She left C&C and headed for the docking bay to wait for their new crew member. She didn't have to meet them personally, but she preferred to, especially with what had been happening since the Presidents death. Susan waited for the shuttle to dock and then a young woman emerged from the shuttle with a bag over her shoulder. She must be getting old if everyone seemed so young to her, first Bester, than Noctis, and now Lieutenant Potter.

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Prompto watched as Noctis slowed the ship, fingers flying over the controls, making it look so easy.

"This is the last confirmed location," Noct offered.

"The ship could have drifted in any direction," Garibaldi commented and Noctis nodded.

"True, but I'm tracing the mayday, that will give us a direction."

Prompto took a deep breath and carefully lowered his shields, gasping, grabbing the back of Noctis' chair.

"Prom?" he called in alarm.

"I'm okay…just…more than I expected," he admitted. How did Telepaths assigned on ships deal with it? And direct exposure was even stronger! He could feel Garibaldi staring at him but ignored it, reaching out, trying to feel even the slightest trace of human minds nearby.

"I've got a lock on the signal, it's weak, even with my instruments," Noctis frowned and Prompto tentatively touched his mind, feeling the instant welcome, his own eyes falling shut as he felt how Noctis was linked into the ship, using the panel for Garibaldi's sake only. So much information, it was overwhelming, and yet Noctis could easily handle it. The ship turned and took off at high speed, following the weak trace from the mayday. Touching Noct's thoughts was almost like when he felt another Telepath's mind but different, it was so easy, their minds almost merging into one, because of the magic link?

"What's that?" he asked, feeling one of the systems 'nudging' at Noct's attention.

"Something on sensors…" Noctis frowned and then blue eyes went wide. His fingers flew over the panel, thoughts flying at high speed. The ship spun, changing course, slipping around whatever the reading was even as they went into full stealth mode.

"Noct?" he asked in alarm.

"I don't think they saw us," he said after a minute.

"Who?" Garibaldi asked in confusion.

"Another ship…I've never seen one before, but their silhouettes are kept in every ships database. Orders are to avoid at any cost."

"Why?"

"A thousand years ago there was a great war between the Vorlons and another ancient race, one the Minbari fought in under Valen's leadership. It was around that time that our Order was formed. Records of the war were kept. That ship…is one of the ancient enemy. They have begun stirring again," Noctis explained.

"An ancient enemy… you know G'Kar mentioned something to the Captain Sheridan and the Advisory Council about strange ships on the Rim and an ancient enemy," Garibaldi offered and Noctis nodded.

"They are why the Techno-Mages have left known space. They feared our knowledge and skills being used by the enemy."

"Wait a second, if the Minbari fought, then why didn't they say anything? Or Kosh?"

"The enemy has yet to show their hand, likely they do not wish to show theirs either," Noctis shrugged slightly. He then turned back and grinned. "Picking up a large ship at the edge of sensor range, setting intercept course."

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"Captain!"

"What is it?"

"An unknown ship just appeared out of nowhere!"

Jack moved to look, taking in the image of a small transport, pitch black except for a marking on each 'wing', shaped like an old arrowhead. He had never seen a ship like it.

"EAS Cortez, this is Babylon 5 Security Chief Michael Garibaldi aboard the Regalia. Got a bit lost?"

Jack's eyes widened slightly as he recognised the voice of John's security chief who he had met briefly on the station. "Garibaldi, this is Maynard. You're definitely a sight for sore eyes. New ship?"

"Borrowed, I guess you could say. What's your situation?"

"We have full power back, but navigation is worthless," he answered.

"We'll lead you back to B5."

"What kind of ship is that to be able to find the beacon this far out?" Ensign Ogilvie asked and Jack shook his head.

"No idea, just be glad they offered to help Ensign."

The black ship turned, and they began to follow it.

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Hermione put her bag down on her bed, frustrated. She finally arrives…and her boys were gone. She couldn't even ask about them because she didn't know their current names! Had they left for good or were they coming back? There was nothing she could do at the moment but wait and see. If they had left for good, she may have to resign in order to find them.

She had never intended to join the military but in the end it had been the best option. It wasn't a bad life and she'd thankfully missed the Minbari war by a few years. Most of the time, she enjoyed her work, though the promotion to lieutenant had come as a surprise. When the position on B5 had come up, she had applied, never thinking she'd get it. Hermione had hoped that such a posting would give them a chance to find her, never expecting them both to beat her to the station.

What kind of lives had they lived? And…were they human? Harry had likely sent them into societies that would be important in what they had been sent to intervene in, which meant they weren't necessarily human. She'd lived in the Wizarding World, non-human didn't bother her, but on Eos there were only humans, unless you counted daemons. How would they take it? Surely they would be humanoid species though, Harry wouldn't split them up like that. She thought Prompto was probably human, she'd felt him on Earth when she was at the Academy but had never managed to find him. She'd never felt Noctis close by though. Explaining to her parents that she was in love with one or two aliens was not something she would be looking forward to though.

Her parents weren't bad people, Theo was a doctor and Alicia was an academic, but they were also not the most accepting of other species, especially after the both the Dilgar and Minbari wars. Trying to imagine her boys as Centauri or Minbari, or even Narn…she would love them no matter what. And they could be human, just because other races existed didn't mean they would belong to one.

Harry'd definitely had a hand in picking her family and had probably laughed as he did. Seriously, having her born as a Potter? Then again, it was definitely a better family than the Aldercapt one. She knew why that had been necessary, she never would have been able to end the war the way she had if born to anyone else. This time, what family she was born into obviously didn't matter. Had Harry nudged her towards Earthforce or had that been solely her decision? Did it matter? Growing up on Mars had been very different to both twentieth century Earth and Niflheim. She actually preferred the Empire over Mars

She paused in her unpacking and then smiled; they were coming closer!

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Noctis pulled his ship back, watching as the Cortez triggered the Jumpgate, heading through, slipping through with them, hiding from any sensors and cameras using the massive ships bulk on top of his own stealth systems. He navigated away and back to the airlock, watching it open before slipping in. He smiled and looked at Prompto who grinned back, they could both feel her. Hermione was on B5!

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John watched the Cortez come through the gate, the command crew cheering in relief even if they didn't know how it had happened. He leant on Susan's console, it had worked, they had done it. He would need to do something for them to pay them back for the help though he wasn't sure what. He couldn't pay them, he doubted Argent would want the Corps to get wind of what he'd done if he'd had to scan to help.

He slipped away and made his way to the Zan garden, needing the peace to think. he sat quietly, staring at the Japanese stone garden, only to look up and find Ambassador Delenn approaching.

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Hermione walked through Red sector, reaching Red 5 eventually, following the pull on her magic. They were together which was good and made finding them easier. She came to a stop outside of a room and pressed the button, waiting for a response. The door slid open and she stepped inside, smiling at the sight that met her eyes.

TBC…