A Place to Call Home
By Terri Osborne
terri@terriosborne.com
Part 2
All Babylon 5 characters and settings belong to JMS, Warner Brothers, TNT and anyone else with legitimate legal claim. No infringement of copyright is intended by this work. Only a few select characters are mine, and should the Great Maker need them, or anyone similar to them, I can probably be bought off with a story credit. ;-)
Even though this covers the same time period and the same major event, no infringement upon J. Gregory Keyes' novels is intended. Though, I will draw upon them for some background information.
Content Warning: [AC] [AL]
Anything encased in * these * is telepathic speech.
A note from the author: This story centers around three characters, Susan Ivanova, Alina Minette (yes, she's baaaack) and, to a certain extent, Lyta Alexander. To the I&M'ers out there, stay tuned, my friends. For the spoiler-allergic, provided you haven't read it already, I would recommend waiting to read Only Those Whose Lives Are Brief. In an intentional Babylon Squared/WWE homage, the flipside of at least one scene in Brief will show up here.
Since I'm not sure of everyone's schedules, I'll include this potential spoiler warning: I'm a continuity junkie, so this includes events through Season 5, as well as things that were revealed in the closing credits of Sleeping in Light. (If you've seen it, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. If not, that's okay, it's not quite that obvious.) Background information on the Psi Corps comes from the Keyes novels. Set in the same potential future as Only Those Whose Lives Are Brief. Considering that this covers the time frame of late 2263 - early 2265, I suppose everything is a potential spoiler (though, it would be one INCREDIBLY lucky guess).
And thanks to my eagle-eyed beta readers! Virtual boxes of Godivas to all of you!
Now that I've probably confused the daylights out of you, how about we fix that?
----------
February 23, 2264
Lyta Alexander brushed her
bright red hair into a ponytail at the nape of her neck. It was getting too long. Maybe
when they reached Mars she could find someone sympathetic to the cause that could trim it.
She let out a long sigh. "The simple things."
"What?"
"Oh, I just realized
something, that's all."
Alina Minette turned away from
the ship's flight console. "What's that?"
Lyta slipped the brush into a
compartment in the countertop as she floated toward the flight deck. "How much I
missed little things like a haircut once in a while."
The console beeped, drawing
Alina's attention. "Well, that will have to wait until we get to Mars. Strap in,
we're coming out of hyperspace."
Lyta slid into the passenger's
seat, getting the buckles fastened just as Alina activated the jumpgate. Even after a year
of travelling with G'Kar, she still hated jumpgates. The disorientation of leaving
hyperspace always left her nauseous for at least a few minutes, and this time was no
exception. When she finally recovered, her eyes were greeted with a sight she had thought
she would never see again. The bronze sphere that was Epsilon Three acted as a backdrop
for the slowly rotating space station. The tear that slowly ran down her cheek surprised
her.
"Are you okay,
Lyta?"
"Yes," she
whispered. "I just never thought I'd be back here, that's all."
Alina visually inspected the
ships docked outside the spinning blue station, pointing at the largest, meanest looking
ship in the group. "Well, it's going to have to be a quick visit. That looks like one
of those new Earthforce destroyers I've heard about."
Lyta wiped the tear away,
following Alina's line of sight. "Great. They can't know we're here, can they?"
Alina shook her head.
"Not a chance."
"What if they recognize
the ship?"
"Not possible,"
Alina said with a wicked smile. "You remember when we left I was working on the
ship's computer?"
"Yes," Lyta groaned,
remembering the six-hour delay Alina's little impromptu work had caused.
"Well, I gave us a little
stealth technology while I was at it. Changed the ship's registry and planet of origin.
This little ship is now registered to one Liana Stewart of Arisia Three."
Something about the name of
the planet sounded familiar to Lyta, but when she was unable to place it, she dismissed
the thought. "Who's Liana Stewart?"
"Nobody important.
Precisely why I used her."
Lyta leaned back as best she
could. "What if they trace the name?"
"They'll find records of
her whereabouts being unknown. A stopover here and there being the only thing that's
keeping them from officially declaring her dead."
"So, she's been floating
around the galaxy since, say, the Shadow War?" Lyta asked.
Alina shot a smile at Lyta,
"Or, possibly, before that?"
"Babylon Control to
approaching passenger vessel. You are not on today's docking schedule. Please state the
nature of your business."
Lyta pursed her lips.
"Sounds like security's gotten a little tighter."
Alina, however, appeared to be
taking the whole thing in stride. She flipped the switch that controlled the
communications system. Lyta recognized the face of Lieutenant Corwin on the monitor and
prayed that he didn't see her.
"Babylon Control, this is
the Phoenix," Alina said, putting on her most winning smile. The tone she injected
into her voice reminded Lyta of an old salesman she had met once upon a time. "My
apologies for not letting you know I was coming. I'm a bit of an explorer, you see. Didn't
think I was even going to stop until a few hours ago. The nature of my business is rest
for me and refueling for my ship. You wouldn't happen to know if there are any quarters
available for a few hours, would you?"
From the angle she was at,
Lyta could barely see Corwin smiling. "No, ma'am. I'm afraid you'll have to check on
that when you dock. If you'll hold position, I'll put you next in line for Bay
Thirteen."
"Thirteen?" Alina
asked. "Wouldn't you know? That's my lucky number. Thank you, Babylon Control."
Lyta had to put her palm to
her mouth to stifle the giggle. She'd only met Corwin a couple of times, but she was
certain that he was blushing.
"You're welcome, Phoenix.
Babylon Control out."
Alina's fingers had barely
left the communications unit's switch when Lyta released her giggle. "I didn't
realize you were such an awful flirt!"
"Who's flirting?"
she asked, turning serious. "Besides, it got us in there, didn't it?"
Lyta rolled her eyes.
"Poor Corwin."
Alina slipped the ship into
its assigned and, Lyta found, all-too-familiar docking bay. Unbuckling her safety harness,
she stood and straightened her rather rumpled clothing. Lyta envied the woman her small
frame. Black pants and a white shirt appeared to be an unofficial uniform, and then there
was that vest, that oversized vest with an endless supply of pockets.
She had wondered about that
vest all the way from Daltron Seven.
She wondered about it even
more when Alina handed it to her.
"Take good care of this
for me," she somberly stated. "Guard it with your life."
Lyta nodded, gathering her things. "I'll jump down in the hold."
"I'll let you know when I
get back," Alina said, carefully shutting down the ship's systems. "I put in for
an expedited departure, so when we're ready to go we should be able to get out of here
fast."
"If that destroyer's here
looking for us, we just might need it."
----------
"Identicard,
please."
Alina casually handed the
customs officer her identicard. After all, she had no reason to worry. Her identicard was
just as valid as anyone else's. It only took a second for the reader to process the card.
"How long will you be staying, Miss Stewart?"
"A few hours," Alina
replied. "Just long enough to refuel and get something to eat."
The customs officer nodded,
placing her identicard in the palm of her hand. "Well, enjoy yourself."
Alina smiled. "Thank you,
I just might do that."
As she stepped away, she
noticed another man keeping a close watch over her actions. The momentary sight was just
enough for her to catch him telepathically. He was a normal, so he probably wouldn't
notice her eavesdropping on his thoughts.
He was suspicious.
Of her.
She slowed her steps, allowing
her to home in on the man as he walked over to the customs officer. He got her name from
the officer, then turned and headed her way.
"Miss Stewart!" he
called as he jogged up. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
Alina turned as nonchalantly
as she could manage. The man was about six feet tall, with short, dark blonde hair and
sincere blue eyes. His black uniform told her that he worked for the Interstellar
Alliance. "Yes?" she asked.
"Zack Allan, ma'am. I'm
Head of Station Security. If you have a few minutes, I'd like to talk with you."
Alina feigned surprise.
"Of course. I haven't done anything wrong, have I?"
"No, ma'am. Just a couple
of questions, that's all."
"Certainly. What do you
need to know?"
Zack shifted on his feet.
"I'm just curious. It's probably none of my business, but where did you get that
ship?"
Alina shrugged. "Some
dealer out near the Emphili homeworld. I bought it about a year ago."
His expression lit like a
candle. "About a year ago? You don't happen to know who sold it to the dealer, do
you?"
"No, why?"
The candle faded. "Just
looking for someone, that's all. Last time I saw her, she was leaving here on a ship just
like yours."
Alina put a hand on Zack's
arm, and projected comfort in that touch. She knew the second her fingers made contact
that he had been hoping the ship had been Lyta's. "We're all looking for someone,
Mister Allan. I'm sorry I can't help you find yours."
"Ah, it's just wishful
thinking anyway. She's not crazy enough to come back here after what we did to her."
"We? Do I sense a guilty
conscience?"
"Yes, you do."
Crossing her arms over her
chest, Alina decided that maybe Zack Allan could be of help after all. "Well, I've
got some time if you want to talk, but I'm looking for someone myself. Is there any way
you might help me find him?"
That brought a smile to his
face. "Sure. Come on, we'll go find your friend."
"Wonderful," she
commented, slipping her arm through his as they stepped off.
"Who are you looking
for?" he asked.
"Well, last I heard, he
was with the Rangers."
Zack whistled. "We've got
a lot of Rangers stationed here. What's his name?"
"Marcus," she said.
"Marcus Cole."
Zack stopped cold in his
tracks. "You've got to be kidding me."
She picked up one word from
his mind.
It took everything she could
manage to keep the shock from her expression. "No. Why?"
Zack shook his head slowly,
running one hand through his hair. "Marcus Cole. About this tall," he held his
hand out, "black hair, beard?"
"Gorgeous green eyes,
accent like mine. Always in some sort of trouble. Yes, that sounds like him. Is he still
here?"
"Sort of."
She wanted to ask how he could
have still been there if he were dead, but instead asked, "Sort of? How can someone
be 'sort of' here?"
"Come on, I'll show
you."
Zack Allan led her down
corridor after corridor, through three different lifts, until they reached what appeared
to be a medical facility. He left her at the door and spoke quietly to a small,
dark-haired woman wearing medical scrubs. After a few seconds, she nodded, and he returned
to Alina.
"Come on. She'll let us
in."
"Let us in where? Mister
Allan, what's happened to him?"
He remained silent until they
entered what appeared to be a cryo room. "It was right after we took back Earth. If
anybody knows what happened to him, they're not talking."
She walked over to the one
functioning tube and read the display. "Marcus," she whispered. "If he's
dead, what's he doing in here?"
"Captain Ivanova's last
order before her promotion. All I know is that he saved her life after their White Star
took heavy damage. She was brought back here in critical condition. After the hit on Mars,
he came back here. The next thing anyone knows, she's alive and well. He was by the
bed."
Alina placed her palm flat
against the cool black panel, staring at the word 'deceased' in the display. "Nobody
saw what happened?"
"We've got a half-dozen
reports that he came into Medlab and tore the place apart looking for something. He
knocked out everyone that got in his way. Nobody was conscious when whatever happened
happened."
"Your security cameras
didn't pick up anything?"
"He disabled them."
She smiled, but it was a sad
smile. "That sounds like the Marcus I knew. Very determined. Not even his father
could stop him sometimes."
"How long has it been
since you saw him?" Zack asked.
"A long time," she
whispered. "Too long."
She allowed the silence to
linger, placing both palms flat against the cool black of the cryo tube. Reaching back
into every ounce of her training, she allowed her mind to flow along the metal, through
the coolant pipes, into the bed inside.
And touched something that
frightened her to the core.
During her rather unorthodox
training all those years ago, they had taught her to perform deathbed telepathic scans.
She had only done three, but it had been enough to reveal to her the true depths of her
talents. She somehow had the ability to reach a person's consciousness when they could not
even do it themselves. Her most frightening memory was the idea that one unfortunate soul
had thought her to be the Minbari equivalent of the angel of death.
The sensations she received
from Marcus were so similar that chills ran down her spine. It was the slightest contact,
but it was enough to convince her that he was not completely gone. He had still been
clinging to life when they had stuck him in this thing and declared him dead.
"In Valen's name,"
she whispered, breaking the connection. Gathering her composure, she turned to face Zack.
"Who put him in here?"
"Doctor Franklin,"
he said. "Why?"
"Where is he? I'd like to
talk to him."
Zack shook his head.
"He's not here. He went back to Earth last year."
"I have to find him. I
need to know what happened."
"He's head of xenobiology
at Earthdome. I don't know if it's a secure line or not, but you're welcome to try
Stellarcom before you go."
"Thank you," Alina
said, "I may do that. I can't thank you enough for this, Mister Allan. You've been
more help than you realize."
Zack blushed. "All I did
was bring you here."
Alina gave the cryo tube a
significant stare. "It was more than enough, trust me."
"You said it was a long
time since you saw him," Zack said. "This is a pretty strong reaction, Miss
Stewart. What was he to you?"
She pulled herself away from
the tube, gathering her composure about her. "A very old, very dear friend. We were
separated by the Minbari War."
"You weren't kidding when
you said it was a long time, were you?"
She slowly shook her head.
"I don't kid, Mister Allan."
"Well, you were looking
for dinner," he said, obviously forcing himself to smile. "There's a great pizza
place in the Zocalo, as long as you don't mind a few unusual toppings."
"What do you mean by
unusual?"
"Come on, you'll find out
when we get there."
She stopped him before he
could reach the door. "Mister Allan?"
"Yes?"
"I might be able to help
you after all," she said. "All I know is that your friend is alive and
well."
Zack's eyes narrowed.
"You know Lyta?"
She nodded. "I met her.
Not long ago."
"She's okay? Was
G'Kar with her?"
"Yes and no. She's begun
travelling on her own. Our paths crossed in the Grand Bazaar on Daltron Seven. I don't
know what happened to this G'Kar you're talking about. I've never met him."
"How long ago was she on
Daltron Seven?"
Alina shrugged. "Two or
three weeks ago. Honestly, hyperspace screws up my sense of time."
"Thank you," Zack
said with a sigh. "I was worried about her."
"I know."
"You're a telepath,"
he stated.
"And you didn't join up
with her?"
"She asked. I haven't
really decided yet. Sure you still want to get that pizza?"
His stomach growled.
"That answer your question?"
She gestured toward the cryo
room door. "Lead on."
Zack headed for the door,
turning as he crossed the threshold. "Hey, she didn't happen to say anything about
me, did she?"
[End part 2 of ?]