Call of Friendship 6
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot
Elizabeth looked around her. She was in the famous war room. It was sealed off to Earth Force personnel, part of the station had been kept for Alliance members, the war room, the Rangers areas, the former Sheridan quarters, Ivanova's quarters, Garibaldi's and Franklin's, as well as housing for all Alliance personnel, any time needed. So she had never been in the war room. It was amazing. People, monitors, action. The three women of the Alliance, Garibaldi, Franklin, G'Kar, Londo and Vir, who had arrived the day before were sitting around a round table. Ivanova seemed to be at the head taking reports, around them monitors showed maps, fleet capacities and reports. Each person here seemed to belong, Elizabeth felt so out of place. She came down the stairs and war greeted by the eight, and given her orders. A bit of her rebelled, she was an officer in Earth force, and military governor of Babylon 5. These people had no right to order her around. But at the same time she knew Earth didn't want trouble with the Alliance. It was strong, and the alien species had come together and were staying together. Earth could not take them on. Besides, she wanted to help. The years since their divorce had mellowed her anger and left only the fondness. She had no desire to see Sheridan die.
She read the paper. Her task was simple enough, use her troops to keep the civilians safe and provide care for any civilians they sent. Also, give the alliance a place to fall back if necessary and give them priority over other traffic. The others would take care of the rest.
Susan looked about. Everything was settled then. Lockley had agreed to do her part. Susan was relieved. John had told her about his marriage to the new Captain, and that Delenn did not know. Susan had not only worried that it might come out, but also that she would find a bitter ex who would do nothing to aid the rescue of a good man. Susan was worried, so many things could go wrong in this plan. She could not bear the thought of John doomed to life long imprisonment, or death, not after having been his friend for so long, not after having seen his marriage and child. David was only 4. He deserved a father.
Aside from all of this, she had her own future to consider. The past few years had been hell. She had been miserable. She was not sorry she had resigned, but she wondered what she should do now. Certainly she could retire quietly, but she needed to be useful. She knew the role of the Vice Presidency was available, the role John had offered her five years ago and she had declined. Delenn had certainly hinted enough. She was surprised to find she wanted it, seeing as politics and diplomacy were really not her game. She remembered that John had told her that as Vice President she would be in charge of the fleet and the forces where as he would be in charge of the politics. he had made that clear, he had feared that was the reason she was declining. She knew that several men together under Sheridan were not in charge of the fleet, and that they did need her. It wouldn't be so bad. As worrisome as the situation was, it was good to work with her friends again, for the common good. It had livened her up considerably. For the first time in five years she actually looked forward to getting out of bed each morning.
The fleet was ready. She had reports. She split all the fleet but what she had with her. They would be hidden in hyperspace, near Mimbar, Earth, Centauri Prime and Narn, to be able to fight off any attack as soon as it was heard of. She would lead the fleet she had with her to the abandoned planet to rescue John. They would leave early the next morning. She prepared her things, packing what she needed and looking over her will, something she always did before battle. It was late now. She was tired and come morning she would need to be fresh. She took a long bath, laying out her uniform for the next day, leaving her bag by the door, changed and fell into bed, turning the lights off as she lay down.
John stretched, tired. It was late in the day he knew. He heard a loud noise, like gunfire. It was growing closer. He could hear the panic of his captors. He raised himself up. They were returning fire. There was a long silence and he feared who ever had come had been defeated. He knew they were his only hope for escape. Then there was another attack one that did not let up. It was much closer and was moving closer still. He had no idea how long passed until finally the firing stopped. Moments passed and he heard someone opening the cell door. He stood as a woman entered. She stepped into the light and seeing him smiled. He felt like laughing with relief as Susan ran into his open arms.