Authors notes: Just a short chapter to let you know that the story ain't dead. It's just lolly gagging a little.

Chapter 62

Luke Douglas's Office: The morning after the test's, Luke and the General's were sitting in his office. Luke had had a small breakfast cart brought to his office, and after the generals had had their coffee, he looked at General Lefcourt, "So General, what did you need to see me about?"

The General smiled a little, "Straight to the point. Good I like that. Mr Douglas what I'm about to tell you, only a few people in Earth force and the Intel Department know about."

He now had Luke's undivided attention. "As you know, the last three attempts at building the Babylon station have not gone well. When the first accident happened, we all thought it was just that, an accident. But then the second station also suffered an accident. Well, this last time, we had extra surveillance set up. We detected an unknown type of ship in the area, and it doesn't show up in any of Earth force's records."

"What about the other races?"

"Well, we discreetly checked with the Narn and Centauri, and also found no records. We've made some informal requests to the Minbari, but we haven't heard back from them yet."

"Do you have the data here General?"

General Hague handed Luke a Data crystal, "This is what we have, we were hoping that your people might be able to help us ID the ships."

"Well Bill, we'll be happy to help in any way that we can."

Now general Lefcourt looked at him, "Mr Douglas as you know, the Babylon station is being constructed in an area of neutral space. If we or any of the other major races were to station warships in the area, it may be seen as an attempt to exercise control."

Luke just nodded, "And the other major races might not view that in a good light."

"You see our problem now."

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"So what can we do to help you General?"

General Lefcourt looked at him, "Mr Douglas, the president has asked me to ask you if perhaps the Confed corporation could help provide some extra security during the construction of Babylon 4."

Luke just looked at him for a moment, "What kind of security General?"

General Hague smiled now, "Well Luke, your ships are without a doubt some of the best ones around. But having a large fleet of warships at the construction site might just give off the wrong message."

Luke now rubbed his chin, and thought for a few minutes."Well Bill, we could probably send some of our newer ships. We've been downsizing our ships a little, and we've got a new design that might be just what you need."

General Lefcourt looked at him, "What kind of ships?"

"Well, we could send some of our Corvette class. They are based on the Corvette class we had at home. They're small, fast and able to probably go head to head with just about any ship you can name. Hell, a few of them together could most likely take out a Sharlin."

Lefcourt smiled now, "That sounds like what we need, but we could probably use more than just ships."

Luke nodded again, "I agree, we should also put detection satellites in the area. This way we would have a better chance of spotting someone trying to sneak up on the station."

Now General Lefcourt looked at Luke."How soon could you be able to draw up and implement such a plan?"

"Well General, my people could draw up the plan in a few days, and we could be on site and begin placement of the satellites in about a month. If the plan meets with everyones approval."

General Lefcourt smiled, "I believe that getting approval from the senate for the plan shouldn't be a problem. What with the successful testing of the Roosevelt, and a few words in the right ears."

Now all three men smiled a little. "I promise General, that we will keep the cost down as much as possible on this plan."

"Excellent. As soon as your ready, just send me the plan, and I'll see that the president gets it right away."

Now General Lefcourt looked at Luke, " You know Luke, it's so nice dealing with someone with a military background, rather than a corporate lackey."

Luke smiled, "I know what you mean General, believe me I know what you mean. You should meet some of the suits I have to deal with in some of my meetings. Half the time I want to put them out an airlock."

General Hague smiled, "Well at least you've got your own telepaths, you don't have to deal with Psi Corps."

Luke nodded, "Thank god for small favors."

All three laughed a little, then General Lefcourt looked at Luke, "Have you had any trouble from Psi Corps?"

"No, and that makes me and my people more than a little nervous. We thought that with going public with division M, that the corps would have tried something by now. It's almost like something or someone is holding them back."

Hague looked at him, "Do you think that they will do something to the telepaths that you have registered with your division?"

"Thats the thing Bill, we just don't know. But we've prepared plans for just such a situation."

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One month later Psi Corps Headquarters:

The director of psi corps turned off the monitors in his office, and walked over and opened his wall safe. He took out a strange device and went back to his desk. He set the device down and activated it. After a few moments he heard clicking, then he heard a voice. "What do you have to tell us?"

"The humans on Vega are going to be providing protection for the 4th station that will be built. They will have sensor satellites in place that no one here or in Earth force know anything about."

"This will be looked into. You have done well."

"Thank you sir. I only wish to serve."

"Yes."

"Do you want me to have my people look into these new satellites?"

"No. We have others who can do that. We do not wish to risk the others knowing about us yet."

"Do you want us to keep an eye on the Confederation Corporation?"

"No, we have others watching them already. Do nothing to them for now."

"Yes sir. But some of my people want to take actions against them."

"You will control your people, or we will find another who can."

The device deactivated, and the director felt the cold chill go down his spine. He always felt it when he spoke to them. Now he picked up the device and put it back in his safe. As he went back to his chair, he began to think of how he was going to rein in the psi cops, especially Alfred Bester.