Thanks for your patience in waiting for this chapter and letting me get in some vacation time! Oh, for those of you who don't remember, Alisa Belden is the teep Talia and Susan discovered and fought over during Legacies, Season One (the episode with Neroon's debut and the missing body). She eventually decided to go to Minbar rather than join Psi Core or 'work' for the Narns. By the way, it is three in the morning. Why am I awake?

They hung their masks and environmental gear in the entrance room before proceeding into the complex itself.

"It late," Bester said without preempt. "You should return to your rooms and get some sleep; we have an early day tomorrow."

The Sleeper nodded and walked away. Goodbyes weren't really necessary when the respective parties could hear each other's surface thoughts/emotions. That was a curtsey at which Talia had been surprised: Bester leaving his mind open, even if it was only slightly, to the Sleeper when he could have easily blocked her out. Not that he had anything to fear from the Sleeper who was, after all, programmed with blind loyalty not only to the Core, but to Bester personally.

Her quarts on Mars were plain, as the Sleeper had spared next to no time to bother with decorations. However, it was obvious that the Sleeper had developed a preference for reds (and occasional grays to stop the bright color from becoming too overpowering). Surprising that they had taken the time to give the Sleeper favorite colors separate from Talia's own.

The Sleeper spent a few moments going over the papers on her desk before reaching hesitantly for the com system. Her hand paused, then, decisively, she keyed in her access code.

"Computer, I'd like to make a call—no several calls; use Psi Core channel Alpha Phi Omega, rotate standard encryption codes."

"Proceed."

"13, this is Bester's personal aid, Talia Winters. I have an assignment for you..."

The Sleeper was still battling slightly guilty feeling as she fell asleep, but she was doing it for the good of the Core. The Core was Mother, the Core was Father.

...The Core should go to court for child abuse, Talia though resentfully to the Sleeper's parting conscience thoughts. Blocking the Sleeper's dreams from her awareness, Talia carefully formed the bridge between her box and the Sleeper's mind. Once the bridge was formed, Talia again sent out a tendril of thought, but instead of whispering suggestions to the Sleeper, Talia used the line to tap into her senses. Talia sat up slowly and blinked her eyes carefully, savoring having this brief control over her body, however tenuous that control was. She didn't have much time; this was taking a great deal of mental energy.

Talia walked over to the comm. system the Sleeper had been using and turned it back on.

"Computer, call Alisa Belden on Minbar, use prior secure settings."

"Hello?" The image of a young woman with black hair, longer than when Talia had seen her last, blinked at Talia in surprise. She was wearing Minbari style dress, which seemed to suit her. Her only adornment was a pin comprised of a green-blue gem with a sliver figure on either side. There was a new maturity in her face as well.

"Alisa, it's Talia Winters. Sort-of. Listen, I need help and I didn't know who else to call."

"Talia! What's wrong? You're not still mad at me about the Core are you?" All of a sudden the child looked so venerable.

Talia raised a one of her bare hands to finger the place were the Psi Core badge was normally pinned. "Stay away from the Core," Talia said urgently. Without realizing it, Talia began to cry. "Oh g-d! They could have done to you what they did to me!"

"What happened to you Talia?" Alisa whispered.

Talia's throat closed, she was putting the child in danger. "I'm sorry Alisa, I shouldn't have called. You can't trust me, she knows about you. I was selfish; I didn't want to face this alone. Don't tell Susan."

Talia cut off the com link and manage to guide her body back into bed despite the blur her tears had turned to room into.