Chapter 2

Authors note: This chapter underwent some slight changes, too. I fixed the timing problem on the Zocalo and added some small things. There are only minor changes, but I didn't feel at ease with the old version.

Katie walked back to her new quarters. She was now an officially invited guest of the President of the Interstellar Alliance. She found it hard to believe. Sheridan had asked her to stay at the station and work on her project; and, as if this wasn't a huge honour by itself, he had invited her to join him and his wife for dinner. Katie was rather nervous when she thought of meeting the very mysterious Delenn. The Minbari was a legend a very common conversation topic among educated people back on Earth.

Katie finally arrived at her quarters and noticed the little luggage she had left with the guard near Sheridan's office had already been brought there. Glancing around, the young woman took in every detail of the small but decent room. There was very little decoration, but the sofa and furniture looked rather modern and expensive.

"Wow, being a diplomat means luxury even in the narrowest place in the universe." She dropped her handbag on the small table and sat down on the sofa. Running her fingers through her dark hair, she let out a sigh, reconsidering her initial meeting with Sheridan.

"You mean you really are a relative of Marcus?" the President asked flabbergasted. "We all thought he had no family. That's what he told us."

"I know this is hard to believe. I wouldn't believe it either, if someone told me this before. I came across these facts by accident." Katie sighed heavily and continued with a slightly shaking voice. "I lost my whole family in this war. My brother was killed on Proxima 3. When my parents got notice about his death, they joined an underground group to deprive Clark from his power. But they were uncovered and killed without even having the chance to see a courtroom. I was totally on my own. So I did some investigation about my family and found a connection to the Coles. As I researched them, I stumbled on some information that pointed towards Marcus. It mentioned a group called the Rangers, but it was really difficult to find anything concrete. But then, when I had a look at some medical reports, I found his recent whereabouts. It left me devastated and curious at the same time. I want to know who he was."

"This sounds convincing however, I'll need to know exactly how you got this information. The medical records of Babylon 5 are supposed to be confidential." With a small smile Sheridan added, "but I think this runs in your family." Leaning back in his seat Sheridan took some notes.

"So, will I get the chance to do this story?" asked Katie with a nervous smile.

"Well, I'll of course have my people check your story and then we will discuss this matter more thoroughly. But for this moment I want you to have dinner with me and my wife. I want to know more about you."

As Katie was planning on staying longer on Babylon 5, she unpacked some personal things and took the photos of her family to the bedroom. She placed them on the nightstand and had a long, thoughtful look at them. One picture showed herself, her parents and her older brother. It had been taken a long time ago, when Victor first joined Earth Force. The young man with dark brown hair and green eyes looked so confident and invulnerable that Katie still could not understand how such a strong man could have been killed.

When she looked at the other picture, she could not help herself from crying. The photo showed herself and her parents at her first day at the University of Oxford. She felt so proud and full of hope while she was there. She would have never dreamed that it would be the last time, that she saw her parents. Now, five years later, she felt absolutely alone in this universe. There was no one she could tell her plans and dreams, no one who would want to listen to her sorrows. She hardly had stayed in contact with her friends from university. She didn't want anyone to pity her for what had happened to her family. But a long time ago, Katie had decided not to cry for herself. She wanted to be strong – for her family. They had all been very proud personalities who would not have mourned for such a long time. They would have moved on and have looked at new chances to reach for the stars. Katie didn't feel so strong but tried to act more like them each day.

Suddenly the doorbell rang and pulled Katie out of her daydreaming. "Open." She said.

"Miss Anderson. I am Lt. Commander Corwin. The captain has sent me to show you some of the interesting parts of the station. Would you like to have a tour around?"

"Why would the captain send you? I'm not her guest. Nor am I a representative of Earth Force."

"Well, I normally don't question orders. But I think Captain Lochley wants to see whether you are dangerous or not." A wide grin could be seen on the officers' face.

"Well, I'd love to have a tour, but I'm afraid I don't have much time. I have a meeting in about forty minutes."

"I suggest visiting the Zocalo. Any other things of interest for you, we may visit another time." Corwin offered.

Hesitating for a moment, Katie straightened and followed the officer.

They walked down to the lift in order to get to the Zocalo. "What you're about to see might be slightly overwhelming. To be honest, even after several years on Babylon 5 I still appreciate this crazy place."

"Oh, really? How long have you been here?" Katie asked, regaining her journalistic curiosity. They had arrived at the Zocalo in the meantime and Katie was stunned by the great variety of smells and colours. She tried to also focus on one or the other voices of passer-bys but hardly could place their languages. Corwin smiled at her astonishment. It amused the officer that every visitor reacted the same way when confronted with the Zocalo.

"Well, I arrived in 2258 and have hardly left the station since." He answered her question trying to regaining her attention.

"You never have some time off?"

"Well, yes. But I grew up on Earth and so I know it pretty well. Whenever I get the chance, I travel further away from home. Perhaps I'll go back someday, but in the meantime, I want to see as much as possible of the universe." The blue eyes of the young man shone with enthusiasm.

"Indeed? But you hardly see new parts of the universe while sticking around here for over 7 years."

"That's true." Corwin admitted but smiled even wider "Still I've never worked with better people than here. You know, the times when President Sheridan still ran this place, it was the best time of my life. I learned so much from him." The expression in Corwin's face changed slightly when he added. "And I guess I would not be the officer I am today, if I hadn't served under Commander Ivanova."

"How so?"

"Commander Ivanova was the perfect example of a First Officer. She always demanded 120 out of everybody and worked harder than anyone else. She had a cruel sense of humour, but she was always fair."

"You say 'she was'. I thought she survived the war. At least, that's what I heard."

"She survived, but she left us for good. She took over the command of a ship and never came back to Babylon 5." Looking around, Corwin noticed that they had already arrived at the Zocalo. "Oh, I guess I ruined your first impression of this place. It's best to take in all of it without being disturbed by the reminiscence of an old soldier."

"Old soldier, how can you be old?" Katie retorted smilingly. "But I'm afraid I have to leave. Or better, it would be nice if you could show me the way back to the green sector. I am to meet the President and his wife in their quarters in about 20 minutes. I don't want to be late."

Perfectly on time, Katie arrived at the Sheridans' place. She was greeted with much hospitality and kindness. The young woman tried to not stare at the the President's strange Minbari wife. She had heard a lot about Delenn and was more or less prepared to what she saw. But nevertheless, it was hard for her not to cast curious glances at the elegant and calm person sitting across the table. It was no surprise that Katie jerked her head up when Delenn finally addressed her directly. "You want to report about that terrible war your people experienced?"

"Yes, Ma'am and as I wish to tell the story of a Ranger, I wanted to ask you for information and advice." Katie answered more directly than she wanted to.

When Delenn answered, sorrow and grief were noticeable in her voice. "Yes, I know that you want to talk about Marcus. He was a great man and a very honourable one too." Looking directly into Katie's eyes she added It is still sad to think of him. What he did in his life and when he died was very tragic. But it was his way."

Sheridan brought a little wooden box to the table. "Delenn kept this from Marcus. As his last living relative, you have a right to get these. They are the data crystals he had in his room. I guess it is his diary and other personal information. If you want to use them for your report, please handle them with care. It could mention persons who do not live here any longer."

Katie took the little box and watched it thoughtfully. "So you believe me, that I am his cousin, I mean."

"I got word from a friend of mine on Earth. He backed your story up. Welcome to Babylon 5, Miss Anderson. You will get all the support you need to honour this man."

tbc-

New chapters in progress :-)