Ok, Ok, Ok. Couldn't wait to get that many reviews :) so I just thought I would give you the next part. My muses are yelling at me to write more both on this and my book. Thanks to the two people that have reviewed thus far. I give tperry a guard tiger as promised and I give owlwitch some caramel ;) OH! Special thanks to Ankha_Raynak for pointing out a typo: Saffire stopped just inside medlab, she didn't stoop just inside it :) Well I guess I'll quite rattling on and on and just get to the next part.
It's not a jive, it's part five
Retrieval and a New Enemy
The drapes were drawn and the lights on their lowest settings, as Saffire had ordered. When Marcus woke up his eyes would take a while to adjust. Galen sat in a chair next to the bed, Marcus lay on the bed with his arms to his side, and Saffire laid on the gurney that she had asked the staff to bring in. Galen had made a sound proof shield around the Iso-lab, so it was silent and dark. He almost felt like taking a nap.
~Well, are we completely ready?~ Saffire's mental question pulled him gently back to the task at hand.
"Whenever you feel it's time," he replied pulling the orb from his cloak. She nodded, and Galen noticed that part of the ever-present sparkle had returned to her beautiful eyes.
~Then begin monitoring. This shouldn't take more then a half hour~ Saffire's people had the ability to travel to Limbo, the place that housed the souls of the not-quite-dead until they were fully dead when they went to the hereafter of their culture. The only problem with traveling to this place was you never left quite whole. For Saffire's plan (the part she hadn't told Galen about) she would exchange one of her abilities and part of her own soul for Marcus'. It was risky business to deal with the guardian of Limbo.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Saffire ruffled her silver fur and went into the meditative state required to reach Limbo.
She had only been here once before -when she had forfeited her beloved wings and, with them, her ability to fly through space with only a force field separating her from space- but she remembered it well enough. The air was thick, as if she were under water, and it had a dream-like quality to it. She started forward, taking notice of the many different races floating about a foot off the ground in neat little rows; each situated like the were being cradled in a sitting position; each of them looked like they were comfortably sleeping.
~Kelanes~ she called gently as she walked. By herself it would take her years, possibly decades to find Marcus. She needed the guardian of this realm.
~Called, I come~ came the reply Saffire expected, she smiled inwardly. ~Saffire, you return…it is not your time~ She turned to face him. He was of her race, but his silver fur had spots along it and his tail was as long as his body; his face still held it's warmth and welcome.
~Good day, Kelanes~ she said politely, ~I am in search of a soul so that I might make a trade, Brother~
~One Marcus Cole? Come with me~ He led the way down a row that had been behind her…she had been headed in the wrong direction.
It had been three and a half-hours since Susan had started her rounds and gotten side tracked by an ensign that was loaded with questions and had a report to give her. When she finally got away from him, she ran to the bridge.
"How much long-" she started to ask then looked out the main viewer. It had been so long since she had seen Babylon 5.
"I'm proud to say we are ahead of schedule," Brenden said from Navigation.
"Thank-you Brenden, now get me an open channel with B5's C and C," she replied, almost anxious to speak with Corwin again.
He walked through Down Below not making a sound. His clothes, made of many different and unique furs, drew attention from many of the inhabitants. His metal necklaces, which assembled into his hunting tool, felt cool around his neck. His silver hair (dyed to the color of his prey) was in a tight ponytail that stretched down his back to his waist. He had heard his prey of over seven years was here and he was determined not to let her escape again. A lowly thief walked by him attempting to steal anything she could get her hands on.
"That's really not smart," his gruff voice was no more then a whisper but the thief heard him well enough. He grabbed her arm and drug her to an isolated spot. "Tell me your name, thief!" she didn't respond. "I could break your neck six times before you realized what was happening."
"Draya," she said after a moment's hesitation.
"You will be my information gatherer, Draya," he said the name with obvious disgust. "I require information about a panther, that is this color," he pulled his ponytail around to show her.
"Oh," she replied, "everyone knows Saffire here, she's the technomage's friend. Why do you want information on her? And what's gonna make me work for you?" Draya glared at the man warily. He shrugged and pulled a small pouch out of his pocket and threw it to the ground in front of Draya. She picked it up slowly and opened it.
"Four Hundred credits…you'll get five hundred more when I've completed what I've come to do."
She danced from one foot to the other. Nine hundred credits was too many to be ignored, she could go back home after this. She thought for a second then looked at him with a sly look.
"I don't work for people I don't know," she commented, pocketing the pouch.
"My name is Corell."
After a while of walking, they finally reached Marcus. He looked the same as all the others, like a peaceful sleeper.
~So what trade do you wish to make, Saffire?~ Kelanes asked walking around the ranger. ~Last time you lost your beautiful wings.~ Saffire looked from Marcus to Kelanes like a road weary traveler.
~I plan to trade…my empathy~ she looked back to Marcus, best not to reveal anymore than she had to, just yet anyway.
~You would give that up? What is he to you?~ he asked with a raised brow.
~He is MY responsibility. Is that a good enough trade?~ Saffire was suddenly very impatient to get back to the world of the living.
~Nearly,~ he got a sly look on his face, ~I need something else…your mental powers, perhaps?~
~NO! I need those…~ She paused for a moment, she had heard that losing even the smallest part of your soul could change you dramatically. She sighed heavily; it was for Marcus and Susan, not just her. ~I wish to trade my empathy and part of my soul~ Kelanes looked her sharply in the eye.
~That has been done only once before. Does he mean that much to you?~ she got the most determined look in her eyes as she possibly could. He regarded her a moment more, ~It shall be done then~
Saffire sat in front of Marcus. She felt the empathy go quite quickly. She would surely miss it, but this was more important. Kelanes walked up behind her.
~This may hurt, just a bit~ Just a bit was an understatement, it felt as if her muscles were being pulled out through pinpricks. She felt herself nearly pass out, but it was over before she had the chance. After noticing her breath was coming in gasps, she looked over to her 'companion.'
~How much did you take?~
~Only enough to compensate, that is all you need to know.~
~May we go then?~ She looked at the ranger again. Kelanes looked at him also.
~You may…I don't want to see you here again until it is you time, Saffire. Do you understand me?~ she nodded. ~You wouldn't have enough to leave with. Fare thee well, little sister.~
Galen watched the ball with utmost importance. Marcus' signs were barely there, but Saffire's were strong. It had been nearly twenty minutes since they started and he was getting a little bored, he wondered (and not for the first time) if he was really needed here or if he was just moral support. He walked in between the beds and felt there was something else he should be doing. He was more than happy when Dureena wandered in.
"Hey Galen what's going on?" she had an extremely inquisitive look on her face. Galen pointed to Saffire then to Marcus and signaled Dureena to be quiet then motioned out the door. She took the hint and left, he followed her.
"Saffire is…retrieving…" he paused as if to ask if that was the right word, "Marcus. She should be done soon, I a really curious as to-" He was cut short when alarms started going off in his head. He pulled the ball up to examine it, Saffire's signs had dipped down right next to Marcus'. He ran back into the room, Dureena hot on his heels, spouting questions. Galen stopped next to Saffire, he felt completely helpless. Just as he was about to go call one of the doctors, her signs were back to normal again, a few minutes afterward Saffire opened her eyes.
~Shut the lights off.~
Galen complied then cycled to the infrared spectrum. About five minutes later, he heard a loud gasp and looked toward Marcus.
~Don't move just yet, Marcus~ Saffire had placed a paw on his chest. ~Relax, you are among friends~
"How-" He cleared his throat, "How long was I gone?" It was good to hear his English accent once again.
~Almost six years. I had to do research before I could help you.~
"Did I go blind in those six years or are the lights off?" Marcus asked with a chuckle. Saffire told Galen to turn the lights onto their lowest setting and removed her paw. Marcus was happy to see that Saffire was as splendid as he remembered her. "It's good to see you again Saffire," a thought came to him, "How's…how's Susan?" Saffire looked away for a moment and Marcus felt his heart sink.
~She is docking right now~ All three looked at her in surprise. Saffire bit back a remark about the looks on their faces then noticed an empty feeling, she would have to get used to that feeling of something missing.
There ya go…Marcus is no longer a meat Popsicle. Ok next chapter. Susan and Marcus have their long awaited reunion, we find out more about Corell and his mission. Please R&R I would REALLY appreciate it. See ya next chapter ;)
