Author's note:I'm sorry for the delay. My little hamster (called Hermione)was very ill and finally died last week. I simply wasn't in the mood to write or edit this chapter. But now, my mind is clear again and I want to get on with this story.

Chapter 3:Memories

Katie sat in the dark of her quarter. It was already well past midnight but she still could not sleep. Holding one of the data crystals John Sheridan had given her, she stared at the Babcom terminal frustratedly. The young journalist was anxious to her hear her cousin's voice but dreaded it at the same time. What would she learn about her very last relative? Had he been as kind a person as the family she had already lost or would she discover a completely different person than she expected?

Thoughts of her own family, especially her older brother Victor crossed her mind and brought tears of sorrow to her shining green eyes. "You'll never complete this task if you hesitate to look at the material you need to get started, Anderson." She told herself aloud and pushed the data crystal into the drive.

"Voice records of Marcus Cole. Date January to May 2260" the display said. The computer then listed some records in different folders. Katie wondered what some of the strange titles were supposed to mean.

"Ivanova incidents 1 to 235. Mission reports January to May 2260. Personal log." Katie murmured and wondered "What the heck are Ivanova Incidents?" She wanted to choose one of these records but then decided to check for the very first file on the crystal. Holding her breath she activated one of the log files from early January 2260.

"Babylon 5. I heard a lot about this place. I've already been here twice already, but today I officially met En'thilza Delenn for the first time. I guess that makes this visit to the station my officially first one. Well, the good news is Delenn wants me to stay on Babylon 5. I didn't object of course. Well, how could anyone object to anything this woman says? Her authority is remarkable. And anyways she's the One. On the other hand important decisions are taken here and a lot of information can be gathered here. So I think I landed somehow in the middle of anything but have to stay out of the attention of anyone. But this won't be a problem. I escaped from Security for the third time today. I think they are a bit out of shape if the can't catch me. Or am I to good for them? I simply walked out of Medlab without anyone noticing it. Or are the doctors to slow? Just kidding of course. Anyways, I will do my very best not to upset these folks too much in the future. We're on the same side after all.

To me, it seems like very tough people are in command in this place. The captain is a very correct and upright person and seems to know his job. Delenn thinks only the best of him. I have a feeling that she is not absolutely unbiased concerning him. They exchange glances I don't doubt to be of a more private nature.

The captain also has a very loyal second in command. Her name is Susan Ivanova. I don't really know whether to think of her as an angel or as the devil himself. True, she is a very beautiful and graceful woman she seems to be a bit uptight, however, and in good need of a sense of humor. I guess it would be a bad decision to annoy her when she is in a bad mood. But, perhaps it is worth a try at least. I guess a bit of teasing wouldn't do much harm.

Only knowing her for a couple of hours she already occupies a large part of my thoughts. What does that mean?

- End of records -

Katie had tears in her eyes. Hearing her cousin's voice had moved her more than she had expected. The soft and dark voice had reminded her very much of her brother. But something in the words of the Ranger had moved her even more. He had a passion in his voice that Katie could not really put into words. It seemed he had maintained an extremely sharp mind when it came to seeing the true personality in the people around him. "He surely must have been a very kind and caring person," Katie murmured into the darkness of her lonely room.

tbc-

Authors note: A very short chapter, but I felt it alright with the ending. The next one is in progress and will be finished in the next few days.

To my two beta readers LaDiNi and Fondued Jicama: Thank you two for your effort and your help. I guess you really bring out the best of my story. Thank you not only for the corrections but also for the ideas and hints. I hope we can keep on with the good work like that.

Thank you to all who have reviewed!

Hilary Weston: I hope to have a bit more of Marcus himself in the story but I really want to know what you think about these data files. And perhaps you noticed that I went back on chapter 2 and fixed the Zocalo problem. :-)

Natters: I read your stories before, so I am delighted that you read mine, too.

LaDiNi: There will definitely be more of Corwin, whom I liked, too.

Aubrey W. Adkins: Thanks for offering to beta. But I already found two wonderful beta readers and I think two will do. No offence please.