Past and Present
Chapter 10
Puzzles
By: Tracy Reager
I finally finished this chapter!!! It's a long one too. Enjoy!
***Crusade belongs to JMS, and Keedva belongs to Farscape.
"Galen! Galen would you please wait up!" Dureena asked between breaths. Finally after chasing him half way across the Excalibur, he stopped and turned around to face her. When she got to him she had to stop for a moment to catch her breath.
"What's wrong with you?" He asked, already knowing what was wrong. All Dureena did was glare at him.
"I want to talk."
"About what?" He replied and started to walk towards the flight deck. "Tell me on the way, I need to leave."
"Good, I could use some time away from the Excalibur."
"I never said you could go with."
"You never said I couldn't, so I am." Galen stopped dead in his tracks and turned to look at her. "Well if you're in such a hurry why did you stop?" She threw him a sly grin and started walking again. Galen just laughed and went after her. What am I going to do with her. "So where are you going this time?"
"To Babylon 5."
"Why?"
"Because President Sheridan asked me to meet him there."
"Did he say why?"
"No, and that's what puzzles me. You think the president of the Interstellar Alliance would tell people why he wanted to see them." They arrived at Galen's ship and went in. Once in the control center, he opened a channel to Gideon.
"Yes Galen what is it?" Gideon asked impatiently.
"I just wanted to let you know I am leaving for a few days, and that Dureena is coming with me." Galen told him while going through some pre-flight stuff.
"Dureena? Why is she going?"
"Because she said she needed time away from you." Galen joked hoping to get Gideon's full attention.
It worked, Gideon looked up at Galen's image on the screen, "What did you just say." Both Galen and Dureena laughed at him.
"I'm going because I want to; I need a change of scenery." Dureena replied.
On a separate channel Matheson gave Galen clearance to leave. "I'll see you when we get back." With that he closed both channels and left the flight bay into the swirling abyss called hyperspace.
************
On Babylon 5
************
Zack Allen was almost done his shift. It had been a long day, one too many transports for his liking. He was thinking about his plans for the evening when two more people came through the gates. One of them he recognized, and the other looked slightly familiar. "Visiting us again, so soon?" Zack asked. Galen gave him a confused look, not sure what he was talking about.
Dureena grinned. "I couldn't resist coming back for your wonderful hospitality." She replied and began laying her weapons in front of Zack. The whole time Galen had a look of shock on his face. He couldn't believe all of the weapons she had or why she had them.
"Is that it? I thought you had more last time you were here." Zack questioned.
"Well I do, but I left them at home. I didn't want to make your job any harder." She smiled.
"Gee thanks." Zack added sarcastically. As they started to walk away, he thought of another question. "By the way, where is your home?"
"My home was destroyed during the Shadow War."
"So where do you live?"
"On the Excalibur." She said proudly, knowing Zack would think twice about giving her a hard time again.
"Oh." It wasn't an answer Zack expected. "Well have a nice stay."
Galen and Dureena walked away leaving Zack alone to finish his shift. "Ok, now that we're here, what are we supposed to do?" Dureena asked.
"I am going to meet with the president, and you are going to stay in the room."
"Oh no, not this time! The last time you told me that, I ended up getting electrocuted by your ship!"
"Yes well, you wouldn't have if you did what I told you...and we're not on my ship this time."
"I am going with you, end of discussion." They walked silently for the rest of the way until the got to Captain Lochley's office.
"Good afternoon Captain, I was told to meet President Sheridan here." Galen greeted her.
"He didn't tell me anything about it. I didn't even know he was coming." Lochley replied, looking up from her paperwork.
"Yes I'm sorry about that; I forgot to send you a memo." Sheridan answered from the doorway.
"Mr. President, so nice to see you again." Lochley stood up from her desk. Just as she was about to say more her link beeped. "Yes, what is it?"
"Captain, you'd better come up to C&C." Lt. Corwin said.
"Alright, I'm on my way." She gathered her work and headed for the door. "My office is all yours." She smiled and left.
"Dureena, it's nice to see you again." Sheridan told her.
"And you." She replied.
"How are things on the Excalibur?"
"They are good, I'm glad to be able to help them."
"So you must be Galen." He walked over and shook Galen's hand.
"That's correct."
Sheridan looked at Dureena, "Can you give us sometime alone, I was hoping to talk to Galen privately." Galen put a hand on Dureena's shoulder, secretly placing a probe there and nodded. At least this way he could keep an eye on her, make sure she didn't get into too much trouble. She left the room and Sheridan walked over to the window and pulled something from his pocket.
"Do you know what this is?" He asked holding up the object.
"A flower." Galen replied, not knowing why Sheridan came all this way to talk about flowers.
"It's an orange blossom. I used to have them in my backyard on Earth. A couple of years ago, one of you gave this to me. He called it magic, and it has never wilted, so I guess it is magic." He continued to study the flower as if trying to remember something long gone. "Do you believe in magic, Galen?"
"Sometimes."
"That a strange answer for a technomage."
"Maybe, maybe not. When you have the ability to create magic, it doesn't have the same mysterious appeal to it."
"I believe everyone has the ability to create their own magic, so how would you explain that?"
Galen was dumbfounded. This conversation wasn't making any sense or going anywhere. Sheridan could see he stumped Galen, and let out a chuckle. He walked over to the desk and gestured to a chair. "Have a seat." Both of them sat down.
"I was looking through some photos of the Excalibur's mission the other day when I came across a picture of you. You looked familiar to me, and then I remembered my dreams about the Drakh War. Once I realized you were the same person, I decided I had to meet with you." He explained, all the while still twirling the flower in his fingers.
"I try to help the Excalibur when I can." Galen replied, still unsure about why he was called here.
"So I've heard." Sheridan looked at him. "So if you are here, where are the rest of you?"
"Someplace safe from outsiders."
"That's the answer I was given before, that you were going to a place far away from here." He paused. "I wish I could see the man who warned me about the war, I think I could have grown to like him. His name was Elric, did you know him?"
Galen closed his eyes for a moment, "Yes...yes I knew him, he was my teacher."
"Really? How is he doing then?"
"He died shortly before you went to Z'Ha'Dum."
"I'm very sorry to here that, he seemed like a good man." Sheridan offered.
"He was." Before either of them could say anything a loud voice came from the doorway.
"Ah, my good friend President Sheridan! It's wonderful to see you again." Emperor Londo Mollari strolled in and vigorously shook Sheridan's hand. "And how are you doing these days?"
"Oh, I'm doing fine Londo, and how have you been?" Sheridan asked. Some days, he couldn't stand Londo, and other days, like today, he didn't mind his company at all.
"I've been busy, affairs of state, but I'm sure you know all about that."
"A little to well I think." The both laughed. "So what brings you to Babylon 5?"
"Transport problems. This was the closest place where we could stop and make repairs." Londo was happy to see his old friend, even if that friend had caused him a great deal of trouble lately. Pausing he looked around the rest of the room and saw another man sitting at the desk. He looked familiar, but Londo couldn't place him. Without warning, he got a sudden urge to run from the room. He knew it must have been the keeper, but why it wanted him to run was unclear. Danger! Take us away from here Mollari! There is great danger! The voice of his keeper whispered in his mind. Londo looked around trying to find out what was so dangerous.
Galen watched Londo, he knew about the keeper, but had never been this close to it before. He could almost feel its eye boring into him. For all of the pain, suffering and destruction Londo Mollari caused, he never would've wished for him to live with a keeper. He wished he could do something about it, but was sworn not to.
Londo noticed that the man was looking at him, well not at him, but at the keeper. Great Maker, I hope he cannot see it. Maybe he is the one it is worried about. "Hello, I don't believe we've met before, I'm Emperor Mollari of the great Centauri Republic."
"I'm Galen, and I know who you are." Galen replied a little more coldly than he should have, and Londo noticed it.
"Yes, well, it seems like everyone knows who I am anymore...except for me." He nodded his head. Could he be the one who threatened me a while back? Ahh, my memory keeps slipping from me. "Well, I should be going. My guards will start to think something has happened to me. Good day." He shook Sheridan's hand and walked out.
"You act like you know him." Sheridan said to Galen.
"Not personally, but I know of the things he's done."
"Such as?"
"Terrible things that you don't want to know about." Galen stated. "If you don't mind my asking, why did you call me here?"
"Because, I wanted to find out what you know about the Drakh."
"I'm afraid not much more than you do."
"I thought your order strived for knowledge." Sheridan inquired.
"We do. I do know that the Drakh were in the process of building another Death Cloud, but it was destroyed along with their base. They also helped the Shadows during the war. So did the Streib and Wurt. The Shadows used the Drakh as servants, sending them to places where they did not want to go at first. They stayed in the shadows while the Drakh did their dirty work. I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think the Drakh made the plague. I think it's leftover Shadow tech."
"That's what a lot of people are thinking. I know you helped Dr. Chambers with a virus shield a little while back."
"That's correct. Unfortunately it isn't a cure, but it is a step in the right direction. Like the plague, it uses nanotechnology." Galen explained.
"Would you like to take a walk with me?" Sheridan gestured to the door. Galen agreed.
They didn't say much while walking through the Zocalo. Through the probe, Galen could see Dureena was keeping a close eye on them.
"When Elric was here before he couldn't tell me very much about your order, since some time has past and the war is over, I thought you could shed some light on a few questions." Sheridan finally asked.
"I can try, but there are still some things I'm not allowed to talk about." Galen replied, looking at some trinkets on a nearby table. He heard a familiar voice and looked up. He saw Vir walking into the Zocalo. Since we're both here I might as well talk to him later. When he looked again he noticed a few high ranking Centauri there with him. He knew they could present a problem if they saw him and Vir talking together. He would have to think of a plan.
"Fair enough. For starters, how do you find your way back to the Excalibur? They never stay at one location for very long so how do you find them all the time?
"That's easy; I have a homing beacon attached to the Excalibur. I just locate it on my ship and go from there."
"But most homing beacons have a range limit."
"Yes. The one I have doesn't."
"And what is preventing the Drakh or any other hostile government from picking up the signal?"
"The beacon is on a frequency that only I or my ship can pick up."
"Interesting. Can you tell me more about your ship?"
"Sorry, I can't."
"I know it's small and can travel off the beacon in hyperspace. And that it can even form its own jump points."
"And where did you hear those rumors?" Galen questioned, unsure if he was guessing to try and find the truth or if he actually knew.
"Captain Gideon's logs. Don't worry, this stuff was in the logs he only gives to me, not the public ones." Sheridan replied. "I know you can't tell me where the rest of your order is hiding, but can you tell me why? I mean the war is over now, isn't that why you went there in the first place?"
"Yes that was the reason, but our leaders feel it would be safer to stay there for awhile longer."
"But why? All of you could do a lot more good helping some of the races out here than hiding somewhere." Sheridan protested.
"I know. I have tried helping in the past and they asked me to leave. Said I endangered them. So here I am, trying to do what I can in searching for a cure."
"Are there any other technomages not in hiding?"
"Only one, but he never went to the hiding place. He stayed here with a Narn during the war and helped out where he could."
Before Sheridan could ask another question his com link beeped. "I never have been able to get away from these things." He took the link from his pocket and held it in front of him. "Yes?"
"Mr. President, you are needed on the White Star. Priority message from Delenn." A voice told him.
"Alright, I'll be there shortly." He put the link back in his pocket. "I'm sorry we didn't get to finish this conversation, Galen. I take it you need to leave right away?"
"Yes I will be leaving shortly, there is one thing I need to do here and I'll be on my way."
"Well, it was nice meeting you. Good luck to you and the rest of the Excalibur. I hope we can talk again sometime in the future." They shook hands and Sheridan walked off to the lift tube.
Galen checked his probe again and found that Dureena was close by. He walked around the nearby stand, made sure no one was looking and conjured the spell that made him appear invisible. He worked his way back through the crowd to where Dureena was hiding. Ending the spell, he placed a hand firmly on the back of her shoulder. "Did you know that spying on a technomage can get you killed?"
Dureena jumped. "Where did you come from?"
"Over there."
"How did you know I was following you?"
"That's my little secret." They started to walk down the Zocalo to the lift tubes. "I need you to do me a favor."
"What is it?"
"Do you know who Vir Cotto is?"
"The Centauri ambassador?"
"Yes him. I need you to kidnap him for me and bring him back to the room."
"What for?"
"I need to talk to him, but there are too many other Centauri around."
"When do you want him?"
"As soon as you can get him." Galen replied. "And Dureena, don't hurt him or make a scene. And please make sure you're not followed."
"Galen, I've done this before, I know what I'm doing." Dureena glared at him and walked off. Galen sighed and headed back for his room.
Vir was slowly making his way back to his quarters. He was drunk, again. It was starting to be a regular thing these days. Sometimes he felt drinking made the day go by faster. Today was a different story though. Today Londo showed up on Babylon 5 without warning. Vir wanted to see his old friend before he left, but couldn't help thinking that every time he got close that damned keeper was looking straight at him. Too busy thinking of his own problems; he didn't notice a person following him into the tube.
Once Dureena found Vir, it wasn't that hard to follow him. He appeared to be very intoxicated. She decided to get him inside a tube lift since there was less chance of being noticed there. Once inside, she pulled out a small knife that she managed to hide from Mr. Allen. "Hello Vir," she whispered, putting the knife against his throat, "I've been waiting for you."
Now what! Vir thought. He wasn't even afraid...well, maybe a little, but the thought of dying didn't seem to bother him as much anymore. It seemed somebody somewhere always wanted to hurt him. "I didn't do anything I swear!" He muttered.
"That's not my concern." She replied back. "Once we get off this lift you're coming with me. Don't do anything stupid and don't run…it's not as bad as you think Vir." She tried to reassure him.
"You're right everything is usually worse than what I think." Vir replied soundly very serious. Dureena had to hold back her laughter. As depressing as that statement was, he sure picked a great time to say it. The lights blinked in the tube and the doors opened. Dureena concealed her knife.
"Let's go." She nudged him out the door. Luckily the room wasn't too far down the hallway so the trip was short.
Once inside Vir turned around to face Dureena, "Who are you and what do you want with me?"
"Who she is, is none of your business, Vir." Galen replied from across the room.
"Oh it's you." Vir replied unenthusiastically. "Did you have her kidnap me?"
"Of course." He offered Vir a glass of water. "There were too many people in the Zocalo to have this conversation."
"Well next time tell her to keep her weapons to herself!"
"Dureena, I thought you turned all your weapons into security?"
"Hmm, I must've forgotten one." Just then Vir went to sit down, but stumbled and fell on the floor.
"You're drunk Vir."
"It helps the day go by faster." He stuttered, pulling himself back on the chair.
"You'd be better off staying sober, less chance of secrets leaking out."
"So what do you want with me this time?"
"Did you know that Mollari is one the station?"
"Yes, which is why I've had a drink, and then another, and another..."
"I get the picture." Galen stopped before Vir could continue. "My point is that you should go talk to him while he's here."
"What about the you know what?" Vir pointed to his shoulder.
"Get him drunk, then you'll be fine for awhile anyway."
"What am I supposed to talk to him about?" Vir asked trying to concentrate.
"Ask him what is new on Centauri Prime. Talk about the weather, anything. If you keep avoiding him, he may not notice it, but they will. Who knows what they will do to you if they suspect something." Galen walked back to the counter and got another glass of water and some pills. "Here, take these, they'll help you feel better."
"Thanks, but I don't think a few pills are going to solve my problems." He took the pills and swallowed them, emptying the glass. He handed back to Galen. "I guess I'll see you around." He mumbled then walked out the door.
"Who are they?" Dureena asked when Vir was gone.
"Nothing you need to worry about." Galen replied sternly.
************
Londo was sitting in his quarters on the Centauri transport, an empty bottle of wine at his side. He could feel the keeper slowly going to sleep; the alcohol was taking affect. In his half-drunken state, he was trying to figure out who that man was in Sheridan's office. Could it be that lunatic that threatened to kill me a few years ago? He was pretty powerful, maybe he could do something about this pest. The more he thought about it, the more he started to remember. The man was a Technomage, the second one he had encountered. And neither of the meetings had gone very well. Well, third try's a charm, I suppose. He finished another glass sending the keeper into a deep sleep. Londo figured he had nothing to lose. What was the worst that could happen? He'd die? That wasn't too bad, it was better than having a keeper attached to his shoulder. The only thing he was wondering about was where he could find this Galen.
***************
Galen felt restless. While Dureena was back in the room sleeping, he was out wandering the hallways of the station. He wasn't sure why he felt this way, but it was beginning to bother him. The halls were quiet since it was night on the station. Not that there was a day and night in the middle of space, but it was when most of the people slept. A few maintenance men were walking about; checking out panels and vents making sure the station wasn't going to fall apart. Most of them didn't even look up when Galen walked by, he figured they probably didn't care. Having seen enough of this floor, he decided to go down to the next level. He pressed the button and waited for a tube to arrive. Once the doors opened, he stepped inside and noticed Londo Mollari already in there. Londo looked up at him and smiled.
"Did you know that I was looking for you?" Londo said. Galen could smell the alcohol on his breath.
"Not really." Galen replied. He looked at the keeper, but this time it didn't look back. "What did you want with me?"
"What are you looking at over there?" He asked trying to drag it out of him.
"I know what watches you Mollari. They are a lot more dangerous than you give them credit for." He told him, hoping it would do him some good.
"You can see it can't you?"
"No I can't see it, but I know it's there."
"How?"
"Don't you remember me, Londo?"
"Vaguely. You're a Technomage, right?"
"Yes."
"Can you remove it?" Londo pleaded.
"Not without killing you."
"Figures. Although given the choice, I think I prefer death to this." He pointed to the keeper.
"I think it should be a nice reminder of all the things you did in the past." Galen replied coldly.
"What you think I'm proud of the things I did?! If I'd known the consequences, I never would have done them! The only thing I am proud of is killing Morden." Londo started to cough. When he spoke again, his voice was weaker. "And I'm proud of Vir, perhaps even jealous. He has come so far and yet has escaped all of the madness that surrounds Centauri Prime. My only hope is that he makes a better emperor than me." There was sadness in Londo's voice. At the moment, Galen felt sorry for him.
"I think he'll do fine." Galen reassured.
Londo looked up and smiled. "Yes I'm sure he will." For a brief moment Londo was happy. "I'd better go, before my friend here wakes up." The stood in silence until the doors opened. "It was nice talking to you." He said then walked out.
Galen called after him. "Londo, try not to upset the Drakh, you'll only make things harder on yourself." Londo nodded and the doors closed to the tube. Galen said his destination, and waited against the wall.
Once back in the room, he conjured a light globe so he wouldn't wake Dureena. He wanted to leave now, but she looked so peaceful sleeping. Galen decided to take a shower, even though he hated vibe showers. Maybe it would calm him down. He took his cloak off and set it on a nearby chair, leaving only a thin shirt and his pants.
"What are they?"
Galen jumped at Dureena's voice. "I thought you were asleep."
"I was, but you made too much noise." She stood up and walked over towards him. "You didn't answer my question."
"Which one was that?"
"Don't play stupid with me."
"They're nothing you need to worry about." He started to walk into the bathroom, but Dureena managed to get him against the wall.
"Why do you always hide things from everybody?"
"Because I want to. I should ask you the same question."
"I've been hurt before. And being a thief is much easier when you keep your thoughts to yourself."
"Ah. Well I've been hurt before as well and don't want to go through it again. So if you don't mind, I'm going to take a shower."
"Sure, as soon as you tell me what I want to know."
"And if I don't?"
"Then we're going to be standing here for a long time."
"You know there isn't really anything you can do to keep me here."
"I have a knife."
"And I have a fireball, lots of them actually." He smiled knowing that he won.
"Were you always this difficult?"
"No." With that he went into the bathroom and closed the door.
After standing in the shower for awhile, he felt a little better. He got out and put his clothes back on and went over to the sink thinking a little water on the face would wake him up. When he turned on the water, it splashed in the sink and back at him, making his shirt all wet. Sighing he went out to get another one.
It was dark in the room; Galen looked over and saw a form lying on the bed. He decided to just change there. When he took his shirt off, he heard a gasp. Looking around he didn't see anyone. He checked back at the bed and still saw Dureena lying there. He put on his other shirt and went to go back into the bathroom when he saw something move against the wall. Giving up on his regular vision, he used his infrared sensors. There was a figure huddling against the wall. He looked over at the bed and didn't pick up any heat sources.
"Nice trick Dureena. Where did you learn that one at?"
Dureena didn't reply. She quietly tried to sneak back to the bed.
Galen saw her move and conjured a platform directly in front of her.
"Ow." Dureena bumped into something, but she couldn't see anything. She reached out with her hand and felt the object even though she still couldn't see it.
"Would you like some light?" Galen conjured a light globe aside of her. She froze. "Now would you like to tell me what you were doing?"
"The wall looked weak. I was inspecting it to make sure it wouldn't fall down."
Galen started laughing. "Try again." She didn't answer. He packed the rest of his stuff in a bag.
"Are you ready to go? I want to get back before they manage to find some more trouble."
"Do you have a shower on your ship?"
"Yes, but I'm using it first."
"You just took one!"
"A vibe shower yes."
"You mean to tell me you have a real running water shower on that little ship?"
"Yes."
"Yes! I think I know where I'm going to be the whole way home!" Dureena had a huge smile on her face.
"There is only a limited supply of water."
"I don't care. I would love to have just five minutes of hot water." She picked up her bag and bolted out the door. Galen locked up and went after her.
While Galen was returning their key card, Dureena was picking up her weapons from Zack.
"Leaving so soon?" He asked.
"Unfortunately yes. Though next time we should go out on a date, since you always seem to be here when I am. I'm starting to think you like me." Dureena added and walked through the docking bay. Galen handed Zack his identicard and gave him a funny look.
"How do you put up with her?"
"I haven't figured it out yet." Galen replied back.
**************
Galen was doing some research when he was interrupted by Dureena's laughter. He opened a com channel to her. "What's so funny?"
Dureena froze. She didn't know where Galen's voice was coming from; and since she was in the shower it worried her. "Where are you?"
"In the control room. Why?"
"How are you talking to me?"
"Through the com system."
"Can you see me?"
"I have the ability to, but I'm not. It's just audio."
"Don't scare me like that!"
"Sorry." He paused. "So why were you laughing?"
"Oh that…I haven't had a real shower in such a long time, so when I turned the water on I just started laughing. Do you mind if I use this shower all the time?"
"Yes. Then everyone will want to use it. Be thankful I allow you in my ship in the first place."
"Well you're no fun."
Galen shook his head and turned the com off.
A little later Dureena stepped out of the shower, only because Galen shut the water off on her. She got dressed and walked into the hallway. She went up to the control room, but Galen wasn't there. Being her curious self, she pressed a button. Surprisingly it didn't shock her this time.
"Odd." She said to herself. She pressed another button and a display screen appeared. She stared at it for awhile, but couldn't make anything out. It was a bunch of equations, something Eilerson would probably love to get his hands on. "I wonder if he could translate it." She looked around some more, then walked out to find Galen. Once out in the hall, she could smell food cooking. Dureena listened to her stomach growl, and decided to follow the wonderful scent.
Galen was in the kitchen area, making himself something to eat when Dureena walked. "Now that you used up all my water, I guess you expect me to feed you too?"
"Is that real meat," She walked over to the counter and tried her best not to drool, "not like that synthetic stuff they serve on the Excalibur?"
"Yes it's real. It's from an animal called a Keedva. It's very good, would you like some."
"I'd love some!" Dureena exclaimed. I have decided to go on more trips with you. I get a real shower, real food…I don't suppose you have any alcohol on this ship?"
Galen put some of the meat and some vegetables on a plate for her. "No sorry, I don't drink."
"At all?"
"Sometimes I do, but not very often." They sat down to eat.
*************
On the Excalibur
*************
"Good evening, Max." Doctor Chambers said.
"How are you Sarah?" Max sat down at the table with his plate of food.
"Tired. What have you been up to?"
"The usual, paper work for IPX." They sat in silence for awhile, before Max said what he had on his mind. "Don't you think it's strange that Dureena went with Galen?"
"Not really, why?"
"I don't know. He keeps to himself all the time, and then suddenly he takes her with him. It doesn't make any sense."
"I think you exaggerating. Maybe she wanted to get away from you."
"Very funny, Sarah."
"Max, I think you're looking for something that isn't there. I agree with you that it is odd; that he suddenly let someone on his ship. But it could be a good sign."
"How so?"
"Maybe that means he'll be here more often, we can sure use his help."
"True."
"Besides, if you keep digging, you just might end up like Trace." Sarah replied
"Trace was a fool! I would never do anything to piss Galen off. I think Trace was lucky that Galen didn't kill him."
"Or Dureena, I heard she was ready to throw him out an airlock."
"He deserves it."
"Now wait a minute Max, weren't you and Trace the ones fighting over Dureena the last time we went to Mars?"
"I won't deny that, but we were having a drinking contest. I would never pay some gang members to attack someone to prove a point." Max replied. He picked up his tray. "Anyway, I need to go back and do some paper work. See you around."
"Bye."
**************
"Captain, despite what the information says, the scanners aren't picking up anything."
"Keep scanning, there has to be something here."
"Aye sir." Lt. Matheson walked over to the nav tech. She shook her head.
"Is there any sign that something was here?" Gideon asked.
"No sir, at least not for awhile."
"What do you mean, Lieutenant?"
"Well it is possible that something was here at one time." Matheson looked at his data pad again. "The Rangers never checked out this site, before giving it to us. They didn't have a chance too."
"Did the report say where they got the information from?"
"No, they came across it somehow. They weren't even going to mention it to us, but since we were close by and had nothing scheduled, they sent us to investigate."
"Interesting. What was supposed to be here?"
"A small moon."
"A moon?"
"Yes sir."
"What about the planet to go with it?"
"There wasn't any mention of any planets or other moons in the report."
"This story doesn't add up." Gideon pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't suppose Galen said when he would be coming back? We could sure use his help at the moment."
"No he didn't."
"What is our location?"
"We're still trying to determine that?"
"What?"
"Our location isn't coming up on the map; we are out along the rim. My guess is, this place was never explored by Earthforce before."
"Just what we need, another problem. Well let's fly around here for a few days, see if we can make some sense out of this puzzle."
"What about our mission?"
"This could be related. Besides, someone may have planted that report trying to get us out here. If that's the case, I would like to find out who it is." Gideon stood up.
"Captain, what if that's true and someone did destroy the moon then lure us here…what if they're waiting for us?"
"Then we'd better make sure we're ready to fight. I'll be in my office working on the never ending stack of paper work if you need me."
Lt. Matheson went over a few readouts for awhile before giving command over to someone else. He decided now would be a good time to get something to eat, since it was probably going to be a long day.
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A man in his early twenty's sat in a large room surrounded by monitors. On them were various images, most of them dealing with the Excalibur. He had a sad, but hopeful look on his face. He was also nervous, nervous that someone might find out about his secret plan.