Disclaimer: same as always
Holiday Lights Chapter 6: No!
That night, Susan and Marcus met to began preparations. She showed him the menorah and told him the story of the Macabees. He listened eagerly to her voice. With this going on there were also preparations for the battle which was coming. The spare time they had was limited but one day Marcus asked Stephen out to lunch in the Zocolo . He was going to ask for advice for a Holiday gift for Susan. Stephen met him at a popular restaurant immediately knowing it was about Susan. "So is it true you two are an item?" he asked with a glint in his eye. " How do you know?" Marcus asked astonished. "It is a small station, besides there hasn't been anyone coming in due to being beat up" was the response he received. Knowing he was getting no help until he explained, Marcus said, "We've admitted our feelings, but we are taking it slowly. I need your help for a Christmas present for her." The two talked quietly for some time when Stephen suggested something. Marcus grinned and thanked him for his help. The party was coming together nicely and the day for the attack came. Usually they very careful of hiding their relationship, however, that day Marcus quietly slipped into her quarters at 4 am. They were all meeting at 5 before heading out at 6 to meet the darkness. After, dressing and leaving orders for during there absence, Susan to the command and maintenance crews as well as the pilots who would stay behind, and Marcus the Rangers and contacts, they sat holding hands on the sofa silently till it was time to leave. When they walked in to the War Room still holding hands no one commented even though everyone saw. Delenn bid them all farewell as John, Susan, Michael , and Marcus headed towards White Star 19 which would be the flagship for the battle ahead. They reached the place where they waited for the Shadows and didn't have to wait long. From a single point they came, dark figures of evil. John barked orders and Susan played with strategy all doing everything they could. The battle was not going well. Blood of comrades filled the space. They were losing fighters. The ship was taking heavy damage. Susan jumped up, " There is one fighter left , I'm taking it." Marcus protested," No!" he knew her chances out there were slim. Susan already on her way out said," I have to do this. the light cannot fail" John turned to her and said " Godspeed." she nodded once and headed to the shuttle bay and with in minutes she had launched, continuing to command her fighters. Susan alone gathered them and lead them in the final assault which won them the battle. John called down battle mode, his joy in his voice, " Sheridan to Ivanova," he called over the link," Susan you did it!" he waited for a response but none came. Marcus leaning forward with anxiety and worry in his eyes tried," Cole to Ivanova." again static. Lennier said," Captain, Marcus, I think you should see this." Lennier turned on the screen and said ,"This is Commander Ivanova's fighter," as it was displayed. The fighter was drifting with a thruster shot off. The front was crushed. In several places the fighter was dented in severally. Another thruster was rammed and crushed. No one could have survived that crash. The deck of White Star fell silent, even the Mimbari mourning the death of Mineera Ivanova, whom they had all come to respect and honor as the greatest warrior. John stood up gaping in horror and turned as Marcus's scream shattered the silence," Susan! No!"
Holiday Lights Chapter 6: No!
That night, Susan and Marcus met to began preparations. She showed him the menorah and told him the story of the Macabees. He listened eagerly to her voice. With this going on there were also preparations for the battle which was coming. The spare time they had was limited but one day Marcus asked Stephen out to lunch in the Zocolo . He was going to ask for advice for a Holiday gift for Susan. Stephen met him at a popular restaurant immediately knowing it was about Susan. "So is it true you two are an item?" he asked with a glint in his eye. " How do you know?" Marcus asked astonished. "It is a small station, besides there hasn't been anyone coming in due to being beat up" was the response he received. Knowing he was getting no help until he explained, Marcus said, "We've admitted our feelings, but we are taking it slowly. I need your help for a Christmas present for her." The two talked quietly for some time when Stephen suggested something. Marcus grinned and thanked him for his help. The party was coming together nicely and the day for the attack came. Usually they very careful of hiding their relationship, however, that day Marcus quietly slipped into her quarters at 4 am. They were all meeting at 5 before heading out at 6 to meet the darkness. After, dressing and leaving orders for during there absence, Susan to the command and maintenance crews as well as the pilots who would stay behind, and Marcus the Rangers and contacts, they sat holding hands on the sofa silently till it was time to leave. When they walked in to the War Room still holding hands no one commented even though everyone saw. Delenn bid them all farewell as John, Susan, Michael , and Marcus headed towards White Star 19 which would be the flagship for the battle ahead. They reached the place where they waited for the Shadows and didn't have to wait long. From a single point they came, dark figures of evil. John barked orders and Susan played with strategy all doing everything they could. The battle was not going well. Blood of comrades filled the space. They were losing fighters. The ship was taking heavy damage. Susan jumped up, " There is one fighter left , I'm taking it." Marcus protested," No!" he knew her chances out there were slim. Susan already on her way out said," I have to do this. the light cannot fail" John turned to her and said " Godspeed." she nodded once and headed to the shuttle bay and with in minutes she had launched, continuing to command her fighters. Susan alone gathered them and lead them in the final assault which won them the battle. John called down battle mode, his joy in his voice, " Sheridan to Ivanova," he called over the link," Susan you did it!" he waited for a response but none came. Marcus leaning forward with anxiety and worry in his eyes tried," Cole to Ivanova." again static. Lennier said," Captain, Marcus, I think you should see this." Lennier turned on the screen and said ,"This is Commander Ivanova's fighter," as it was displayed. The fighter was drifting with a thruster shot off. The front was crushed. In several places the fighter was dented in severally. Another thruster was rammed and crushed. No one could have survived that crash. The deck of White Star fell silent, even the Mimbari mourning the death of Mineera Ivanova, whom they had all come to respect and honor as the greatest warrior. John stood up gaping in horror and turned as Marcus's scream shattered the silence," Susan! No!"