Talia stared at her gloved hands and took a deep breath and then exhaled softly. Slowly she raised her gaze from the floor to meet the dark brown eyes whose regard weighted heavily upon her. Unused to actually feeling physical sensations anymore the air smelled incredibly stale and the box she perched on was rough and uncomfortable. Alisa showed no sign of discomfort, but she broke the silence first.

"A few months after I arrived on Minbar I was met a Minbari named Rathenn who offered me a place in the Anlashok. The Anlashok watch the boarders of known space among other things. I can't tell you any more than that. Apparently Delenn had recommended me when she learned they had decided to accept humans into their ranks. It's like what I was searching for, a purpose. When I received your call I convinced them to let me check it out, but I'm not here alone. Whatever trouble you're in Talia, we can help."

"Is that how you escaped?" Talia asked without thinking.

"Yes. You knew about that?" Talia noticed the subtle shift in Alisa's body language, although not even a hint of suspicion was visible in her voice.

"Yes, I- god Alisa, I don't even know where to start. Even after the Underground Railroad, Ironheart, I didn't think the Core would do something like this. I didn't even think they could." Talia's voice throaty voice practically throbbed from held back sobs as she spoke. "I was so naïve," She laughed bitterly. "But I guess the last few weeks have cured me of that.

"Before I came to Babylon 5 another Telepath, Lyta Alexander, was assigned there. A few days after her arrival, the Vorlon Ambassador Kosh was attacked and rendered unconscious. In an effort to save his life she scanned him. She was the only human to have ever been inside a Vorlon's mind. Psi Core recalled her immediately, questioned her, tortured her, to try and find what she saw. Even Bester couldn't get past her blocks. To prevent her replacement from keeping information from them, incase she, I, stumbled into another Vorlon's mind they- they…. I can't even remember it actually happening even now that I know it did, the blocks are that good. But they took me and they created a place in the back of my mind and using drugs and deep scans and pieces of my own personality they implanted a second personality. One that was loyal to them alone. She could see everything I saw, took me over when I was asleep, a perfect spy.

"Until Ironheart. He was a subject of Psi Core's experimentation as well. They made him stronger, so much stronger. He was becoming."

"Becoming what?"

"I don't know. It was like a being of pure light, energy. He reached out a touched my mind I could feel… everything. He…. I can't explain it. Give me your hands."

Talia peeled off her black gloves and extended her naked palms to Alisa. Gingerly Alisa placed her hands on top of Talia's. When Talia felt Alisa gently lower her shields she shard the memory in a Telepathic projection. Behind her fluttering eyelids, Alisa reviewed the incident as Talia had experienced it. Ironheart's ship exploding in front of the jumpgate. Seen him, felt him, as he stood before the station a glowing shape. Experienced the rush of Ironheart's gift and the emotions so overwhelming it had caused Talia to faint.

"What did he give you?" Alisa asked, stunned.

"I wasn't sure at first, but," Talia hesitated, speaking carefully. "I. I'm stronger than I used to be, strong enough to keep a Psi Cop out of my mind; at least a P-13. I have Teek abilities that I can use even when She's in full control of me."

"She? As in the Sleeper? She has control?"

Talia bowed her head trying to ignore Alisa's horrified gasp. "Yes. Sometimes." Talia continued to force the words out past the tears that had formed in her eyes. "Lyta returned to Babylon 5. She must have found out about the Sleeper program. She sent the password into my mind that should have destroyed my personality completely, allowing the Sleeper to have total control. That's what everyone thinks happened, but Ironheart had also created a…. It's almost like a box in the back of my mind; a place where I can hide while she's awake." Talia gestured helplessly with her hands as she described her predicament. "I was trapped there for a while, but I've learned how to use my telekinetic abilities to take back control while she's asleep."

Alisa reached out and dragged Talia into a hug. "We'll fix this Talia. We will find a way to get your body back, but I don't think it can be done right away. And there's going to be a price. Will you help us too?"