Disclaimer: Same as always. Nothing is mine but the plot
Author's note: Thanks for the reviews. I was very afraid that no one would like this, but due to the encouragement I am continuing. Please Read and Review, both good and bad.
Also in my world, everything happened earlier, but the war ends at the same time. On their cloaks they wear Ranger pins standing for them being freedom fighters, from Sinclair. This is set at the end of 2259 and will go into 2260. In my time line they already have their uniforms (from Delenn's rebirthing ceremony). I am including Ranger belts and pikes as well in their uniforms. Finally, Mineera is the word I have chosen to be the Mimbari term for ' Lady of light.' Merroon is the masculine form. The seven men and women of light are Sinclair (addressed as Entilzah), John, Susan, Michael, Stephen, Delenn, and Marcus. They are equally respected and obeyed by the Rangers. However, as in the show, Entilzah handles most of their affairs.
Thanks. Any questions just mention in reviews, and I will be more than happy to answer. Once again please read and review. OK, on with the story
Holiday lights
Chapter 5 good mood
(The next day.) The atmosphere in C n C was much lighter the next day due mostly to the Commander's good mood. Waking up that morning, Susan felt much fresher than she normally did when she only had two or fewer hours of sleep (which was too frequently these days, and she went through hell trying to hide it). Today she felt as though she had slept for nearly ten hours instead of two. Marcus loved her, and she loved him. Love. It made her feel like a teenager instead of a battle weary warrior. At 27 she was much wiser than her years, and it showed in her hardened eyes. That day they still showed the knowledge they held but the pain in them had lessened. She had woken as usual and rushed through a shower. For the first time in a long time she sat down at her dressing table after dressing and drying her hair, wanting to look nice. She painted her nails bright red with instant dry nail polish. Her nails were curved, not too long and not too short. But she didn't pay much attention to them, just some strengthener every now and then. Now, she saw she had pretty hands. She looked at her face. She wasn't too bad looking, she realized. She touched her lips with bright red lipstick, shades bolder than her usual maroon. She was about to put her hair up in its customary tight braid but stopped and took out a black jeweled clip with which she lightly pinned her hair up, so it flowed over her shoulders like chocolate brown silk. Finally she sprayed on a tiny bit of perfume, grabbed her briefcase, and hurried town to Maintenance 16, where she met with her pilot students every day. The pilots she trained were ten nobodies from Maintenance, who over the last few years she had turned into pilots. They had been training since the summer of 57, two and a half years ago. She had come aboard just four months before, in early February. For the first time since the friendships she had had with John when she left the Io at the end of 55 and the one with Nat before that she had friends. Sure she had acquaintances. But friends had to be pursued. And then they had to be trusted. Her friendships with them had existed only due to the fact that they had sought her company and done their best to prove their trustworthiness. So since her brothers death she had buried herself in her work. When there was a problem, she fixed it. Now she had Jeff and Michael. Jeff had been surprised at first at how much she did, but soon accepted it as part of her. However, both he and Mike had a tendency to worry too much. So when she heard about the workers, she didn't tell them, knowing they wouldn't approve of her strategy. Late one night she had walked into a Downbelow bar notorious for crimes that made it unsafe for women especially. She had opted to wear civilian dress appropriate for the location. She walked towards the men, ten extremely large males around Michael's age. They were close to 350 pounds each and nearly all were over 6'5". The ten dangerous-looking men were heavily drunk. She had been receiving reports of the usual; they were skipping shifts, rude, not properly dressed, the list went on. However, recently their were reports of violence, bar fights, and unprovoked attacks against other crewmembers and civilians instead. Walking over she ordered them out of the bar. They had stared at her and laughed, demanding to know who she thought she was. She had responded that she was Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova and that they better follow her or they would be court marshaled. She knew that they would either obey or attack. So she was ready when they stood, their leader lifting her small frame of only a hundred pounds off the ground and holding her by the front of her chest above his head sneering at her. She took a deep breath and kicked him hard in the stomach . He dropped her and doubled over in pain. Two came at her and she knocked them out with a chair. By now the entire bar was watching. Several others went for her and she took them all out. She herself sustained injuries but ignored them leading them to Med lab. Once there she ordered them to report to Maintenance 16 at 0530. At first they had been difficult to deal with, doubting they could fly. The had taken out their frustrations on her. But she took it good naturedly, trying to turn their lives around.
Two and a half years later, she had succeeded. They were good pilots whom she was turning into a squadrand. They were excellent members of the crew. The received glowing reports. They made friends, had girlfriends. But they never forgot it was she who had saved them. Although they were all 15 years older than her, they regarded her as a mother figure. When she walked in cheerfully, they were all pleased because they wanted her to be happy. They teased her about having a boyfriend to which she only smiled and called them to positions to start the day.
***** As usual Commander Susan Ivanova was on duty before the 0800 rush. As senior officers, she, John, Michael, and Stephen did not run shifts; they simply did what had to be done. The traffic rush had always begun at 0800. When she walked on that day she was actually happy. The night shift, which was about to be relieved, was particularly afraid of her. In the past she demanded reports the second she walked in, looking over shoulders and muttering to herself. She always had shadows under her eyes. Face set in weariness. She had actually broken Hanson's nose when he questioned an order to bring the shields up to 99%. She wasn't mean. She was just short tempered. And determined to see this through. They knew she cared about them and cared about her as well. They saw her walk in smiling, with loose hair and red nail polish and lipstick. Her determination was the same, but something was different. She spoke to several of them as she used to before the wars started. These days she gave only orders, and they were all delighted in the change. When Alpha shift started, they too noticed her good mood with pleasure nearly immediately. ********** John walked through the corridors to CnC from the briefing room where he had been all morning since eight o'clock. He himself celebrated Christmas with great pleasure and had been pleased with the decorations. However, he noticed the crew had yet to get in to the spirit. Since he had come aboard a year ago followed by the war within a month, he had yet to see any joy radiating from the crew. Overall, crew moral was very low. He considered talking to Susan about it; the crew respected her, and she seemed to have a close relationship with them. But she was as low as them, and he had noticed she was looking quite ill for some time now. He had been so caught up with the baby he had ignored a lot. He was glad Marcus was organizing this party. It would be good for them all. As he walked through the halls he was pleased to see that everyone was looking happier. Alpha shift was on lunch break and they all talked excitedly. He saw a group of ten, large men from Maintenance. Although he had never known them to be trouble he didn't like their kind. He had never seen them laughing with joy. He heard one say, "That 's great, wasn't it? I mean with the Commander." Susan, he thought leaning in, " I haven't seen her so happy in a long time." John looked around the mess. Everyone seemed to be talking about the holidays. And they all seemed to be inspired by the good mood Susan was supposedly in. Those who hadn't seen her had heard and were brightened. John decided to go to CnC himself. He walked on to the deck and was greeted by one extremely happy command crew. He searching for Susan, rather obviously, and a crewman pointed to her in the 'pit'. She was smiling as she looked over some data Corwin presented, and they were going over it. She turned towards him and he saw that she was wearing bright red lipstick and her hair was loose. A bit of color was in her usually pale cheeks. She saw him and motioned him down with her hands and he saw that they were painted the same shade as her lips. He looked at her and realized what a beautiful woman she was. Oh he had known it since they had first met, but this somehow reconfirmed it. He smiled and walked down, she stopped talking to look up at him and said, "Hey Sailor." He grinned, it had been a long time since she had used her nickname for him. " Hey Ninja girl," he responded, wondering what was going on. " Hey come on lets go to lunch." John said. They used to do that often. But since the last few months he had yet to see her off duty even for lunch in the middle of the day. He missed that . She was like a sister to him. Twenty years his junior he felt like looking out for her. Usually she refused but today she smiled and accepted He held out his hand to her and felt her slip her small one into his large one. He instantly felt the difference between the two. Hers was blistered and cut, especially on the palm side, but today she had attempted to hide the scars with cream and lotion. His were tanner than her ivory colored ones and much better cared for as his job called mostly for paper work and not the type of physical labor she did daily. He spoke the entire time with her responding. Afterwards, she left and he wandered the halls a bit running into Marcus. Marcus looked as though he had trimmed his beard shined his belt, pin and shoes. There was an undeniable change in him. His eyes lit up with joy. John wondered if she had finally accepted his love and returned it. It certainly existed. Well he would wait for it to play it self out.
Author's note: Thanks for the reviews. I was very afraid that no one would like this, but due to the encouragement I am continuing. Please Read and Review, both good and bad.
Also in my world, everything happened earlier, but the war ends at the same time. On their cloaks they wear Ranger pins standing for them being freedom fighters, from Sinclair. This is set at the end of 2259 and will go into 2260. In my time line they already have their uniforms (from Delenn's rebirthing ceremony). I am including Ranger belts and pikes as well in their uniforms. Finally, Mineera is the word I have chosen to be the Mimbari term for ' Lady of light.' Merroon is the masculine form. The seven men and women of light are Sinclair (addressed as Entilzah), John, Susan, Michael, Stephen, Delenn, and Marcus. They are equally respected and obeyed by the Rangers. However, as in the show, Entilzah handles most of their affairs.
Thanks. Any questions just mention in reviews, and I will be more than happy to answer. Once again please read and review. OK, on with the story
Holiday lights
Chapter 5 good mood
(The next day.) The atmosphere in C n C was much lighter the next day due mostly to the Commander's good mood. Waking up that morning, Susan felt much fresher than she normally did when she only had two or fewer hours of sleep (which was too frequently these days, and she went through hell trying to hide it). Today she felt as though she had slept for nearly ten hours instead of two. Marcus loved her, and she loved him. Love. It made her feel like a teenager instead of a battle weary warrior. At 27 she was much wiser than her years, and it showed in her hardened eyes. That day they still showed the knowledge they held but the pain in them had lessened. She had woken as usual and rushed through a shower. For the first time in a long time she sat down at her dressing table after dressing and drying her hair, wanting to look nice. She painted her nails bright red with instant dry nail polish. Her nails were curved, not too long and not too short. But she didn't pay much attention to them, just some strengthener every now and then. Now, she saw she had pretty hands. She looked at her face. She wasn't too bad looking, she realized. She touched her lips with bright red lipstick, shades bolder than her usual maroon. She was about to put her hair up in its customary tight braid but stopped and took out a black jeweled clip with which she lightly pinned her hair up, so it flowed over her shoulders like chocolate brown silk. Finally she sprayed on a tiny bit of perfume, grabbed her briefcase, and hurried town to Maintenance 16, where she met with her pilot students every day. The pilots she trained were ten nobodies from Maintenance, who over the last few years she had turned into pilots. They had been training since the summer of 57, two and a half years ago. She had come aboard just four months before, in early February. For the first time since the friendships she had had with John when she left the Io at the end of 55 and the one with Nat before that she had friends. Sure she had acquaintances. But friends had to be pursued. And then they had to be trusted. Her friendships with them had existed only due to the fact that they had sought her company and done their best to prove their trustworthiness. So since her brothers death she had buried herself in her work. When there was a problem, she fixed it. Now she had Jeff and Michael. Jeff had been surprised at first at how much she did, but soon accepted it as part of her. However, both he and Mike had a tendency to worry too much. So when she heard about the workers, she didn't tell them, knowing they wouldn't approve of her strategy. Late one night she had walked into a Downbelow bar notorious for crimes that made it unsafe for women especially. She had opted to wear civilian dress appropriate for the location. She walked towards the men, ten extremely large males around Michael's age. They were close to 350 pounds each and nearly all were over 6'5". The ten dangerous-looking men were heavily drunk. She had been receiving reports of the usual; they were skipping shifts, rude, not properly dressed, the list went on. However, recently their were reports of violence, bar fights, and unprovoked attacks against other crewmembers and civilians instead. Walking over she ordered them out of the bar. They had stared at her and laughed, demanding to know who she thought she was. She had responded that she was Lieutenant Commander Susan Ivanova and that they better follow her or they would be court marshaled. She knew that they would either obey or attack. So she was ready when they stood, their leader lifting her small frame of only a hundred pounds off the ground and holding her by the front of her chest above his head sneering at her. She took a deep breath and kicked him hard in the stomach . He dropped her and doubled over in pain. Two came at her and she knocked them out with a chair. By now the entire bar was watching. Several others went for her and she took them all out. She herself sustained injuries but ignored them leading them to Med lab. Once there she ordered them to report to Maintenance 16 at 0530. At first they had been difficult to deal with, doubting they could fly. The had taken out their frustrations on her. But she took it good naturedly, trying to turn their lives around.
Two and a half years later, she had succeeded. They were good pilots whom she was turning into a squadrand. They were excellent members of the crew. The received glowing reports. They made friends, had girlfriends. But they never forgot it was she who had saved them. Although they were all 15 years older than her, they regarded her as a mother figure. When she walked in cheerfully, they were all pleased because they wanted her to be happy. They teased her about having a boyfriend to which she only smiled and called them to positions to start the day.
***** As usual Commander Susan Ivanova was on duty before the 0800 rush. As senior officers, she, John, Michael, and Stephen did not run shifts; they simply did what had to be done. The traffic rush had always begun at 0800. When she walked on that day she was actually happy. The night shift, which was about to be relieved, was particularly afraid of her. In the past she demanded reports the second she walked in, looking over shoulders and muttering to herself. She always had shadows under her eyes. Face set in weariness. She had actually broken Hanson's nose when he questioned an order to bring the shields up to 99%. She wasn't mean. She was just short tempered. And determined to see this through. They knew she cared about them and cared about her as well. They saw her walk in smiling, with loose hair and red nail polish and lipstick. Her determination was the same, but something was different. She spoke to several of them as she used to before the wars started. These days she gave only orders, and they were all delighted in the change. When Alpha shift started, they too noticed her good mood with pleasure nearly immediately. ********** John walked through the corridors to CnC from the briefing room where he had been all morning since eight o'clock. He himself celebrated Christmas with great pleasure and had been pleased with the decorations. However, he noticed the crew had yet to get in to the spirit. Since he had come aboard a year ago followed by the war within a month, he had yet to see any joy radiating from the crew. Overall, crew moral was very low. He considered talking to Susan about it; the crew respected her, and she seemed to have a close relationship with them. But she was as low as them, and he had noticed she was looking quite ill for some time now. He had been so caught up with the baby he had ignored a lot. He was glad Marcus was organizing this party. It would be good for them all. As he walked through the halls he was pleased to see that everyone was looking happier. Alpha shift was on lunch break and they all talked excitedly. He saw a group of ten, large men from Maintenance. Although he had never known them to be trouble he didn't like their kind. He had never seen them laughing with joy. He heard one say, "That 's great, wasn't it? I mean with the Commander." Susan, he thought leaning in, " I haven't seen her so happy in a long time." John looked around the mess. Everyone seemed to be talking about the holidays. And they all seemed to be inspired by the good mood Susan was supposedly in. Those who hadn't seen her had heard and were brightened. John decided to go to CnC himself. He walked on to the deck and was greeted by one extremely happy command crew. He searching for Susan, rather obviously, and a crewman pointed to her in the 'pit'. She was smiling as she looked over some data Corwin presented, and they were going over it. She turned towards him and he saw that she was wearing bright red lipstick and her hair was loose. A bit of color was in her usually pale cheeks. She saw him and motioned him down with her hands and he saw that they were painted the same shade as her lips. He looked at her and realized what a beautiful woman she was. Oh he had known it since they had first met, but this somehow reconfirmed it. He smiled and walked down, she stopped talking to look up at him and said, "Hey Sailor." He grinned, it had been a long time since she had used her nickname for him. " Hey Ninja girl," he responded, wondering what was going on. " Hey come on lets go to lunch." John said. They used to do that often. But since the last few months he had yet to see her off duty even for lunch in the middle of the day. He missed that . She was like a sister to him. Twenty years his junior he felt like looking out for her. Usually she refused but today she smiled and accepted He held out his hand to her and felt her slip her small one into his large one. He instantly felt the difference between the two. Hers was blistered and cut, especially on the palm side, but today she had attempted to hide the scars with cream and lotion. His were tanner than her ivory colored ones and much better cared for as his job called mostly for paper work and not the type of physical labor she did daily. He spoke the entire time with her responding. Afterwards, she left and he wandered the halls a bit running into Marcus. Marcus looked as though he had trimmed his beard shined his belt, pin and shoes. There was an undeniable change in him. His eyes lit up with joy. John wondered if she had finally accepted his love and returned it. It certainly existed. Well he would wait for it to play it self out.